Problems and prospects for social adaptation of people with disabilities in small towns of Russia: according to the results of the author’s research

The article presents the results of the author's research on the problems and prospects of social adaptation for young people with disabilities living in small towns in Russia. A comprehensive study was conducted in 2023 using sociological (observation, formalized survey) and psychological (projective techniques, art therapy) research methods. The aim of the study was to identify the factors of successful social adaptation among the people with disabilities (people with disabilities since childhood and people with acquired disabilities) living in the city of Murom, Vladimir region. Sociological data were obtained during the implementation of the project “Limitless Meetings,” supported by a grant from the Federal Agency Rosmolodezh. The sample of the study was targeted ( n = 36); the sample included people with disabilities of the musculoskeletal system and members of the Murom City public organization of support workers who are also people with disabilities, “Phoenix.” During the implementation of the project, the participants were involved in proactive creative, cultural, leisure, and educational activities, which allowed the participants to focus their attention on the research goals. The scientific novelty and theoretical significance of the work lie in the development and testing of tools for a comprehensive study of the social adaptation of people with disabilities and the inclusion in the analysis of social adaptation of indicators of the impact of educational and creative activities on the satisfaction of project participants. As a result, the authors have identified the factors contributing to the successful adaptation of people with disabilities and also presented a promising model of their interaction in order to increase the effectiveness of social adaptation, which was tested during the implementation of the project. The analysis of the problems and prospects of social adaptation, as well as the assessment of the interaction model of the participants of the project “Limitless Meetings,” were carried out based on the results of observation, a sociological survey, and the interpretation of data obtained as a result of the use of art therapy and projective techniques. It was revealed that the level of social adaptation of the project participants increased. This was influenced by: the intensive social interaction of project participants with volunteers; their acquisition of practical skills in social networking and resume writing; and the use of technologies for the active expression of creative abilities during art therapy sessions. The practical significance of the work is the data obtained during the successful implementation of the project and the involvement of people with disabilities with diseases of the musculoskeletal system in cultural, creative, educational, and artistic activities, which can be used by specialists in correctional and rehabilitation work in rehabilitation centers for the people with disabilities, social and educational institutions, and centers of additional education in order to increase the effectiveness of social adaptation.