Lifestyle of Children with Disabilities in a Modern Arctic City

The problem of the research presented in the article was determined by the contradiction between the conditions for the development of inclusive processes and various kinds of restrictions that shape the lifestyle of children with disabilities in an Arctic city. The study is aimed at identifying factors influencing the formation of the lifestyle of children with disabilities in the Arctic city. The research method was a semistructured interview. The sample consisted of mothers raising children with disabilities aged 4-13 years, living in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk (n = 71). The main results of the study are expressed in the fact that the characteristics of the lifestyle of a child with mental disabilities in an Arctic city are determined, regardless of the territory of residence, namely, limited specific children’s types of activities, distancing from peers, insufficient opportunities to satisfy their interests and preferences, receive quality education, socio-cultural and physical development. The low accessibility of urban space for children is shown, which leads to restrictions in the formation of “territorial behavior” and reflects the insufficient effectiveness of inclusive processes. Two factors have been identified as the leading reasons for this situation: the nature of social interactions and the degree of spatial accessibility of urban space.