"Last Bell" in Luhans'k

Elementary and secondary students are now on summer vacation in Ukraine.  "Last Bell" (or the last day of school) was on Friday.  I said good bye to my students just before I left for L'viv and Vinnytsia.  I am going to miss working with them and hope all of them are successful in life.

My deaf and hard of hearing students in Luhansk. 
I am on the right along with my assistant and buddy Sasha, their
teacher Helen, and my colleague at V. Dahl EUNU Dr. Krsek.

Three of my deaf high school students are graduating and will be enrolling at V. Dahl East Ukrainian National University.  Dr. Krsek will be their advisor.  This is a very significant and historic event, as these girls will be the first group of deaf and hard of hearing students to be admitted to the university.  They are pioneers.  In Ukraine, very few deaf and hard of hearing students have studied at universities.  The vast majority of institutions of higher education are closed to students with hearing loss.  I can only think of three universities currently enrolling deaf and hard of hearing students: one in Kyiv, a second in Vinnytsia and V. Dahl EUNU in Luhans'k.  The number of deaf and hard of hearing university students in Ukraine is very small.  Sadly, even the most capable deaf and hard of hearing students are never encouraged or allowed to study at universities, and unemployment is very high among these individuals.  Most simply become pensioners.  Dr. Krsek is trying to reverse that unfortunate trend, and I know she and her students will be successful.

School for the deaf in Luhans'k

School for the deaf in Luhans'k

Above are a couple of photos of the school for the deaf where I have been teaching since January.  Note that there is no sign indicating that this nondescript building is a school for the deaf, or even that it is a school.  People walk or drive past this building day after day for years and have no idea what goes on inside.  Oddly, other schools in Luhans'k are identified with clear signage.