Some problems of Russian society and finding solutions through the use of program methods

In Russia there are no fewer than one million physically disabled or orphaned children who don't have the opportunity to receive a full education, to comprehensively develop and adapt in the contemporary world. This data is confirmed by both the Ministry of Health and Social Development and other independent sources.
In St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast alone there are more than 15,000 such children - they are capable of study but are denied the opportunity for various social and economic reasons.

Currently not one single region of the Russian Federation offers implementation of NIT (New Informational Technologies), which is suitable as a means of education, development and adaptation to the contemporary world as well as an information provider for disabled children and orphans. Not long ago such children were being taught by means of ordinary lessons at home or in children's homes, and informational support simply meant a supply of telephones or periodicals. With the rapid development of NIT (the Internet and wireless telephony), completely new and unlimited possibilities have appeared to help tackle these tasks.

To find real solutions to these problems, it is suggested that the following program tasks be realized:
- Provision of free computer equipment, special teaching and programs of development, as well as access to the Internet.
- Implementation of NIT to enrich the aforementioned children's environment with information, the setting up of local centers for complete support of the learning process, the reception of information and knowledge.
- Creation of regional rehabilitation centers for spare time to be spent usefully, for social interaction and sport.
- Implementation of informational projects for social organizations and related to future work placements for such young people (informational portals, specialized informational nets, servers related to electronic commerce).

In Russia, such a group of children and young people remains one of the most unprotected parts of society, requiring special attention and active participation both by the state and social organizations.
It is precisely for this category of young people that NIT might become the only hope and opportunity, which might allow them to feel like complete people.

With the help of NIT we can give them:
1) The possibility to learn at home and in specialized classes.
2) A qualitative improvement in their awareness of all aspects of life.
3) Distance learning of various professions involving the use of NIT.
4) Information and medical services.
5) Higher opportunities for communication, allowing the formation of new interest-related groups.
6) The useful spending of spare time.
7) The possibility of ordering goods and services on-line.

For the successful realization of the Foundation's program it was decided to focus on five main projects:
1. 'Window onto the World.' To provide the maximum possible number of disabled children and teenagers and orphans with computer equipment and special programs.
2. To organize service centers for the testing, servicing and adaptation of computer equipment aimed at the Russian consumer, attracting young people with disabilities to work.
3. To open an information internet-portal "We are the same as everyone."
4. To broaden cooperation with the American Foundation of the same name.
5. To prepare and implement the internet salon project Grani, selling the artworks of disabled children and young people.