News and events | LAOOI

News and events

News
The law for equality on the road
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has taken an important step towards strengthening the rights of drivers with disabilities by approving a draft law initiated by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. The document aims to regulate parking, identification and control of compliance with privileges for people with disabilities who drive vehicles. What will change? Despite existing fines, parking spaces for people with disabilities are often illegally occupied by those who are not entitled to them. The draft law proposes an effective mechanism for controlling the use of these spaces: A single identification mark, ‘Driver with a disability,’ with a QR code confirming the right to privileges will be introduced. The requirements for the arrangement of parking spaces for vehicles driven by or transporting persons with disabilities are clarified. The procedure for presenting documents , both in paper and electronic form, is defined. Control over compliance with the rules is strengthened , which will prevent abuse. The bill amends two key laws: ‘On the Fundamentals of Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities in Ukraine’ — details the rules for the arrangement of parking spaces and requirements for identification marks. ‘On Road Traffic’ — introduces the mandatory use of a new sign when transporting or driving a car by a person with a disability. The law was created in partnership with the veteran community The document was developed in response to numerous appeals from veterans who became disabled after injuries or concussions but want to remain mobile and independent. Their request formed the basis of the initiative. What's next? The next stage is the consideration of the bill in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. This decision is not only about regulating road traffic, but also about recognising the real needs of those who defended the country and want to continue living a full life. Information and photos were taken from open Internet sources
28.05.2025
Read more
Articles
Barrier-Free Week - why not a month? Why not a year? Why not a life without barriers?
Barrier-Free Week - why not a month? Why not a year? Why not a life without barriers? A trip from Lviv to Kyiv. For some people, it's a familiar journey. For others, it is a journey through hundreds of obstacles. This text is not about a campaign. It is about an experience that makes us rethink the very word “accessibility.” Barriers do not disappear in a week. They remain - every day. In the city. In transportation. In a mobile application. In silence. Barrier-free is not a week. It is a lifetime. And a choice: to see a person or not. We are not asking. We just want to leave. To get on the train. To get there. To see our family. To go to work. To have a meeting. But if you use a wheelchair, “just” ends immediately. The realities Unequal access to the ticket Yes, you can order a ticket. And even through the official Ukrzaliznytsia app. But the problem is not the availability of a button. The problem is how it actually works. To order a special compartment in a special carriage accessible to people with disabilities who use a wheelchair or other special rehabilitation equipment, and their accompanying persons, you need to choose a train (but you do not know which one has an adapted compartment) fill out a special application; attach documents confirming the disability; indicate the type of rehabilitation device; enter the train number (at your own risk, as it is not indicated where the required carriage is located); wait for a response, usually by e-mail. As stated on the Ukrzaliznytsia website, the application can be submitted at least 5 days before the scheduled travel date. Keep in mind that the application processing time is up to 24 hours. But let's be honest - in 2025, in a full-scale war, are all your trips planned in advance? Someone leaves suddenly for medical treatment. Someone urgently needs to appear in court, draw up documents, go to a wounded relative or evacuate. This is not tourism. This is the reality of wartime. And this reality is not compatible with a system that requires you to foresee everything in advance and wait for a response. Such an approach cuts off everyone who does not live in a conditional peace. And these people are the most vulnerable. They are not comfortable waiting. They need to leave. Here and now. There are markers for everyone. Except for us. In the interface of Ukrzaliznytsia: trains are marked as “Intercity+”, “children's”, “women's”, “flagship”; but not a single icon indicates the presence of a carriage with an adapted compartment. Then he receives a call from a UZ employee: "There is no special car in this train. It's not suitable for you. We can offer you another flight... on another day..." And the game of “guess when you will be taken” begins: Which train is equipped? When is it leaving? Why isn't it stated right away? This is not a service. This is improvisation. This is not planning. This is blind telephone coordination. And even when the system is formally working, it does not take into account basic needs. A person cannot check in advance which train has an adapted compartment. The absence of this information creates a trap: to apply, you need to know the train number. And to find out which train is suitable, you have to apply. The technology exists. But not for everyone. The UZ platform is one. But the experience is different. Someone buys a ticket in two minutes. Others submit an application, attach documents, and wait for confirmation. And then they call to find out if “their carriage” even exists. Equality is not about having a button, but about it working equally for everyone. Barrier-free access is not a “special service” It is when you can just go. Without permission. Without being asked. Without humiliation. Getting to the station - if you're lucky When the trip is urgent and the ticket is still “paused,” another quest begins: how can a person who uses a wheelchair get to the station? Public transportation . Low-floor buses? They are in the schedules - but not in reality. Villages, suburbs, even the outskirts of big cities - without a single accessible bus. Taxis. The most expensive fare: Inclusive - 396 UAH. Yes, the one that should not be a privilege but a necessity. Because if your body doesn't fit in a regular car, you pay more. We don't pay for comfort. We pay to be transported at all. Is the station a point of connection or a point of despair? The trip hasn't started yet, but the costs and barriers are already at their maximum. When you arrive at the station, you start a new quest: to find out if there is even a train that suits you. You need to buy a ticket. - The ticket office. You need to find out which train has an adapted carriage and whether it even runs in the right direction. - application. You need to write an application on the spot, which is sent to the central office of UZ for approval. The waiting time is 30-40 minutes, sometimes more. - Purchase of a ticket. After approval from the central office, you get permission to issue a ticket. This is not instantaneous, but the procedure is provided - and, subject to availability, it works. - Registration for assistance. Don't forget to inform about the need for an escort - without this, assistance is not guaranteed. - Taxi #2. To get back home. Or to the hotel. Or somewhere else - because the train is not until tomorrow. The cost is another 400 UAH. On the day of departure, it's all over again. Another taxi to get to the train station. Because there is no other transportation. Another 400 UAH. When the right to travel turns into “convincing you that you have the right,” it's not about service. It's about survival. Every step requires time, contact, waiting, explanations. Every action is not automatic, but “agreed upon”. And all of this is just to get the right to be where others have long gone. Time as a privilege Even if a person with a disability manages to get to the station, overcome all the previous barriers, and physically get to the ticket office, it is not a guarantee that they will be able to buy a ticket. This is a real story. Kyiv. A person in a wheelchair with an attendant is already at the train station, waiting for a train to Lviv. Suddenly, an urgent need arises: in two days, they need to go to Dnipro. The logical thing to do is to buy a ticket right away, while you have time and presence. But the specialized ticket office for people with disabilities at the Kyiv railway station informs him that it is impossible to get a special ticket - the employee who deals with this only works until 19:00. The advice is to contact the ticket office of the Lviv Railway upon arrival. And here's what we have in practice: The train arrives in Lviv at 6:30 am. And the ticket office that serves people with disabilities is still closed at that time. That is, instead of solving the issue in Kyiv, where it arose, the person is sent to another city, where... again it is impossible to solve this issue immediately . Because "it's too early" . Because the cash desk "works later" . Because a person with a disability has to either wait for several hours right at the train station or come back again on purpose, spending time, money, and effort. In other words, the service is formally accessible, but not when the person needs it. It is available when it is convenient for the system. And this is called "inclusion"? It's a barrier with a sign that says “Opening hours”. Barrier-free accessibility is not about “individualized approach according to a schedule”. It's about accessibility at the moment it's needed . As for everyone. No exceptions. No redirections. No waiting "until the opening". Boarding the train: the rise that may not be The ticket is bought. The taxi has been hailed. The day of the trip has arrived. And then the question is: how to get to the platform and into the car? Elevators At many train stations, elevators are either out of service or not installed at all. The alternative? Stairs. Or... the station staff carrying a person with a wheelchair manually. This is not a service. This is charity on the verge of injury. But even when a person can get to the platform using an elevator, a ramp, or even without any obstacles at all, it only works if their train departs from the first platform. If not, a real quest begins: Ground crossings, which in 90% of Ukrainian railway stations do not meet the requirements of a safe pedestrian crossing over the railroad tracks. For people who use wheelchairs, this is often the only way to get on a train. And this option is dangerous, uncomfortable, and humiliating. Especially in the rain or snow, when everything is wet, slippery, and frozen. The wheels slip. Hands freeze. Your clothes are wet. And you still have to drive. In the same clothes. If you can't change your clothes, the trip turns into survival. And now let's add the dark time of day. Poor lighting. And then there's the train that stopped right at the crossing and blocked the way. What's next? The alternative? Again, the station staff. And again - lifting in your arms. Getting to the car (there is a car for people with disabilities, accessible to people who use a wheelchair) At first glance, everything seems fine. But no. Very often, the car you need stops where there are obstacles on the platforms: underpasses, sales kiosks, technical supports. In such cases, it is simply impossible to safely unfold the ramp. The old-style cars used to have compact lifts instead of folding ramps, which were more convenient for both conductors and passengers. And, as a result, it was back to hand lifting. Sometimes with the help of a conductor. Often - with the participation of outsiders. Help that is not always available The situation is gradually changing, and this is worth noting. More and more stations are trying to respond quickly, to help, to care. However, not all actions are still systematic. And even if you report a need for help, it is not always a guarantee that someone will come out to meet you, lift you up, or escort you to your place. This is not so much the fault of individual employees as the result of the fact that help depends on the human factor, not a built-in and guaranteed system. It also happens that you ask for an elevator to be turned on for a person with a disability to get to the platform - or ask for other assistance - and you hear: “not at the moment”, or even: “why is this person there?”. This is the real experience of passengers at Kyiv International Airport. And this is not an exception, but a symptom of a lack of systemic attitude. All this logistics is just to get into the car. And we have not yet sat down. And we haven't even started yet. Barrier three: the absence of a special car at all If there is no special car in the train, and you need to go, boarding becomes even more difficult. No ordinary carriage is adapted for a person who uses a wheelchair or other rehabilitation device. And even if they manage to get inside, it does not mean that they are a passenger on equal terms. Often it is just a physical presence in a space that does not take into account their needs. Minimum space In a regular railroad car: there is not enough width to maneuver the chair, there is no space for an attendant, there are no locking systems for safe travel. The person is asked to “move” and the wheelchair is left in the vestibule or pushed against the wall. This means a loss of control over their own movement. Inaccessible toilets The toilet may be located at the other end of the carriage or may not be usable at all. A person is forced to endure the entire trip - 7-10 hours - without access to basic hygiene. Lack of control The car may not have a button to call the conductor. The temperature and lighting are not regulated. A person does not have access to any element of control over the environment. What does this mean in practice? The person cannot use the toilet. They cannot turn in their chair. They cannot call for help. They cannot change anything because everything is out of their control. This is not a trip. This is isolation in motion. New railcars: comfort in words or in reality? Yes, Ukrzaliznytsia claims to be renewing its railcar fleet. And in recent years, new special cars have indeed appeared that are equipped to transport people who use wheelchairs. This is a step forward. But the issue is not just the availability of cars. It's about how and where these cars run, how systematic the approach is, and how convenient they really are in reality. These cars are available only on certain trains. They are critically lacking. And this is not just a statistic - it is a daily complication for hundreds of passengers. Why not make sure that each car has at least one attached compartment? And given our realities, at least every train should have a car with such a compartment? This should be the standard, not the exception. What works Folding ramps A comfortable seat with fixation. Convenient bathroom, which can be accessed in a wheelchair. A button to call the staff. Space for an attendant. It looks like a standard - but in Ukrainian realities, it is still an exception. What still doesn't work The presentation of information on the availability of special cars is inconvenient and unobvious: the filter in the UZ app exists, but it is not intuitive, difficult to find, and does not allow you to quickly understand which train has an adapted compartment. A person has to search manually or call. It would be logical, as it is done for Intercity+, women's or children's cars, to mark such trains directly in the list of trains. A new car is not everything. Without a system, it is only a single improvement. Without access to information, this is an example of how a good thing is hidden from those who need it. Barrier-free accessibility is not a point of arrival. It has to be the road itself. Arrival : the same thing, only in the opposite direction The journey ends, but the barriers do not disappear. Everything that a person overcame at the beginning of the journey is repeated upon arrival: You need to find an employee again to help you get out; if the special lift does not work or has not been prepared, they have to walk again; if the platform is not the first one, it's another transition between the tracks through questionable ground crossings; if there is no transportation, it's back to looking for a taxi with an “inclusive” fare or waiting for hours. Nothing new here. Just a new city with the same old barriers. And then you call a taxi, again at an inclusive fare. For example, the average cost of such a taxi in Kyiv is about 200 UAH, which is much higher than the standard fare. The inclusive fare is higher than all the others, even in the evening. And one more nuance: the inclusive taxi operates from 6:00 to 22:00, but only accepts orders until 21:00. If the train arrives later, it becomes more difficult and expensive to get there. Another important point is that if a hotel or accommodation does not have an accessible entrance, this is a new barrier in a new city. In addition, accommodation is added to the cost of travel: the average price per day in a hotel with basic accessibility is from 2700 to 3200 UAH. This is another factor that makes the trip unaffordable for many people. That is, the trip is not complete - it simply flows into the next quest with the same obstacles. The price of accessibility One trip from Lviv to Kyiv, including taxi, accommodation, tickets, if you have an escort, will cost 3800-4400 hryvnias. And this is at a reduced rate. For comparison, the pension of a person with a group I disability is UAH 2361. That is, one trip means two pensions. (And this is just travel, without overnight accommodations or meals). For comparison, the pension of a person with a group I disability in Ukraine in 2025 is 100% of the subsistence level for people who have lost their ability to work. This is UAH 2,361 per month. That is, one trip means two pensions . And sometimes even more. This raises a rhetorical but bitter question for those who calculate and approve social benefits: How to live on this money if even one necessary trip is no longer an affordable luxury?
25.05.2025
Read more
News
The status of a person with a disability as a result of war: who is eligible and how to apply
Both military personnel and civilians who suffered as a result of hostilities can obtain the status of a person with a disability as a result of war. You can apply at the ASC or online. We tell you how to do it in this infographic Information and photos were taken from open Internet sources
15.05.2025
Read more
Articles
Lviv Oblast without barriers: when the public and authorities speak in unison
Lviv is a city with a unique face , history and rhythm of life. It is open to change and is already taking real steps towards creating a barrier-free environment. It was here that we were able to feel again how important our primary mission remains - to create an inclusive space accessible to all . A space that is designed to meet the needs of people with different levels of mobility and peculiarities of perception of the world around them. We are a team of like-minded people from the Luhansk region . Each and every one of us was forced to leave our homes because of the war. For most of us, this is the second displacement. But we have not lost our expertise or our motivation to work for the public good. Today, we share our experience where we have been sheltered. And it is especially important for us that our work benefits the communities that have opened their doors to displaced people, supported them and enabled them to continue their business. It was critical for our team to return to a familiar and important topic - monitoring and evaluating the accessibility of the physical environment and services for people with disabilities . Lviv Regional Council became a key partner in this process. Thanks to their openness and willingness to cooperate, we have started surveying a number of facilities: medical institutions, administrative buildings, cultural spaces, including the Lviv Philharmonic. We especially appreciate the cooperation with the leadership and staff of the Lviv Regional Council for their openness, willingness to listen and hear, and desire for positive change. They are able to recognise the existence of barriers and have the courage to work to remove them. It is truly inspiring when the government not only declares but acts together with the public. We are grateful for the partnership, acceptance and trust. It is important to emphasise that this is not just monitoring for the sake of monitoring . All partners share a common vision: we will not stop at recording problems, but will jointly look for solutions. Together, we are ready to accumulate resources, attract support and take concrete steps towards changes that people will really feel. Sofia Brehm, an architect, physical accessibility specialist at Big City Lab, chief architect and developer of the Album of Barrier-Free Solutions , has joined our team. Her professional vision, subtle sense of space, and deep understanding of inclusive design principles have become an invaluable contribution to our work together. We are sincerely grateful to Sofia for her professionalism, sincerity and shared values that unite us in our pursuit of an accessible environment. The participation of our friends, the defenders, who are currently undergoing rehabilitation after being wounded, was especially valuable. The guys have become important partners in this work. Although they are not technical experts, their experience of daily use of public space after amputations opens up an extremely important perspective. Their observations, advice and comments - sincere, accurate and real - help us to better understand where the barriers actually occur. Their participation is not about theoretical standards, but about the reality that needs to be taken into account. The team also included representatives of the Lviv branches of the Ukrainian Association of Women's Rights and the Ukrainian Union of Women's Rights Advocates, organisations that have been working to protect human rights for many years . Their expert opinion allows us to assess accessibility in a comprehensive manner, taking into account sensory barriers that often remain invisible to the majority. We believe that together we can make Lviv region truly accessible - not only in the physical dimension, but also in terms of opportunities, culture, and vision of an inclusive future.
14.05.2025
Read more
News
Barrier-free is about freedom: new opportunities for people with visual impairments
When space is accessible and movement is safe, confidence is built. Even in an unfamiliar city. Even if you are blind. This is what barrier-free accessibility is all about - not about benefits, but about the right to live independently, independently and with dignity. Recently, an important decision was made: people with visual impairments will be able to receive higher compensation for self-purchased rehabilitation equipment. The maximum price for tactile canes (so-called white canes) has been raised three times to almost UAH 800 . In addition, for the first time, compensation for rotary handpieces is provided - up to UAH 410. These devices are not just tools. They are about safety, freedom of movement, the ability to navigate in space, and be active. And most importantly, they symbolise respect for the dignity of every person. The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine , in partnership with UNDP in Ukraine and other organisations, continues to work systematically on modern support programmes for people with visual impairments. Last year, a special training ground was opened in Vinnytsia to teach people how to drive a wheelchair. And this year, training areas and digital spaces for people with visual impairments were created in the village of Liutizh. They teach orientation, digital skills, self-care, and provide physical and psychological support. This is an example of how infrastructure can work for equality. Because true barrier-free accessibility is not about special conditions. It is about creating equal opportunities for everyone.
14.05.2025
Read more
News
Displaced forever? How Ukraine is losing the trust of its citizens
‘ We have been living in a temporary status for 12 years. In temporary apartments, with temporary certificates, on temporary conditions. But this is our life. Not on pause. It is our daily life. And all we want is not to wait forever. We want to know that we are seen, that we are important, that we are part of a country that has not been betrayed. ’ The war did not start in 2022. It has been going on since 2014 When people talk about internally displaced persons (IDPs), they usually refer to the full-scale invasion of 2022. But this is only the second wave of the tragedy that began in 2014: the occupation of Crimea, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and the first generation of IDPs. People fled in a hurry, with their children by the hand, without their belongings, saving their lives. Children changed schools, students left their studies, families lost everything: their homes, their plans, their familiar world. They did not choose to move. It was a choice between life and death. And it was a conscious choice to stay with Ukraine. 12 years in the ‘temporary’ status From 2014 to 2025 - 12 years. Some people have been living as IDPs all this time. According to official figures, there are more than 5 million registered internally displaced persons, hundreds of thousands of whom moved back in the early years of the war. Pensioners and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable. They were left without housing, without a stable income, without support. And they are alone with state formalities, indifference and silence. Formally, there are communities. But in reality, they don't. In the Luhansk region, 37 territorial communities were formed as part of the decentralisation reform. However, after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, military administrations were established in only 26 of them - that is, only in those that were temporarily occupied or remained on the front line after 2022. Another 11 communities do not have any governing body. At the same time, open Ukrainian state registers continue to record the formal existence of local governments in communities that were occupied in 2014. For example, according to the Unified State Register, Serhii Ivanovych Kravchenko is still listed as the mayor of Luhansk. This demonstrates the gap between official statistics and the actual situation: formally, communities exist, but in reality, there are no bodies, no management, and no responsibility for people. This means that IDPs from these communities remain legally ‘invisible’ - without protection and without representation. Invisible old age is an invisible country Almost half of IDPs are people of retirement age. Lonely, with chronic illnesses, no family and no real support. They are huddled in dormitories, sanatoriums, modular towns or rented accommodation in villages. Temporality has turned into decades. And no one asks how they live anymore. In 2023, the state only approved standards for temporary accommodation for IDPs for the first time. But tens of thousands of older people have been living in these conditions for over 10 years. Without dignity, without true recognition and without guarantees. Housing? Only on paper At the beginning of 2024, the government reported that 54,610 IDPs had received permanent housing. This is less than 1% of the total number of IDPs. And those who have received it are mostly employees of state institutions, judicial and law enforcement agencies. And IDPs have been living in dormitories since 2014. They are not a priority. There are non-transparent queues, complicated bureaucracy, and no mechanism for accounting for long-term displacement. Randomness instead of justice. When a deposit is a sentence CMU Resolution No. 332 stipulates that if an IDP has more than UAH 100,000 in his or her account, the accommodation allowance will be terminated. This applies even to people with disabilities of groups I-II. But who are these ‘rich’ people? These are the ones who saved for housing, surgery, and treatment. Those who did not hide anything and trusted the state. Monthly assistance: UAH 2,000 for IDPs; UAH 3,000 for people with disabilities and children. These funds are barely enough to survive. But even this is deprived because a person has savings. This is not about poverty. It's about disregard for responsibility. It's about punishment for being frugal. Recovery programmes are not for everyone and not about everyone The eRestoration programme is currently available only to those whose housing was destroyed or damaged after 24 February 2022, and only if they have physical access to the property. In June 2024, the Verkhovna Rada passed Law No. 11161, which would expand the programme. It allows for compensation to be paid to all those who lost access to their housing after 2022, regardless of whether it was destroyed or not. However, as of May 2025, the law has not yet been signed by the President, and thus has not entered into force. This law could for the first time grant the right to compensation to residents of the temporarily occupied territories. But even this law does not cover IDPs from 2014-2021. That is, those who have been homeless for 12 years are not in the system. Regional coefficient: discrimination based on place of birth The compensation formula under eRestoration includes a regional coefficient. For Luhansk and Donetsk regions, it is 0.5, the lowest in Ukraine. This means that people from these regions receive half as much for the same destroyed housing. This is systemic discrimination. And it is built right into the state formula. What needs to be done immediately The situation in which some citizens have been living without access to decent housing for more than 12 years is unacceptable for a democratic state. Specific solutions are needed: Abolish deposit restrictions for vulnerable categories of IDPs (including persons with disabilities) - Resolution No. 332 should be revised. Expand rent compensation programmes , make them inclusive and fair - without discriminatory filters. Introduce separate housing programmes at the national and regional levels , targeting older people and IDPs with reduced mobility. The programmes should include cooperation between host communities and communities of origin . The latter should be able to participate through partnership, planning and information exchange. Sign Law No. 11161 and supplement it with provisions that take into account the situation of IDPs in 2014-2021. Ensure transparent reporting on all expenditures and results of state programmes to support IDPs. Instead of an afterword: 12 years is not temporary 12 years is not about ‘temporarily losing their home.’ It is about a generation that grew up without a home , about old age spent in a dormitory, about disability that the state does not see. This is when a child does not remember the street where he or she was born. When a mother says: ‘I didn't buy new furniture because we're coming back soon’ - and so on for 12 years. When a pensioner wakes up every morning in a temporary bed, which has become his last. This is about the fact that tens of thousands of people do not fit into any programme, any formula, any agenda . They are statistics that are not updated. People who were told to wait. But time does not wait. They are getting older. They are leaving. If the state fails to keep up with the pain of its citizens, it loses not only trust. It loses itself. We cannot allow those who chose Ukraine to be forgotten by Ukraine. Changes are needed not tomorrow. Change is needed now.
10.05.2025
Read more
Events
International Day for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Every year on May 5, the world celebrates the International Day of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities , a date that aims to remind society of equality, dignity and the right to live without barriers. It was on this day that people with disabilities from 17 European countries held the first joint day of action for equal rights, starting a tradition of solidarity and active resistance to discrimination. The purpose of this day is to draw attention to the daily challenges faced by millions of people with disabilities and to call for systemic support for their rights. It is not only about empathy, but above all about the responsibility of society and the state to guarantee barrier-free access to education, healthcare, employment, transportation and infrastructure. Today, Ukrainians with disabilities are active citizens, professionals, parents, students, and volunteers. Every day they prove that no physical or social barriers can limit their strength of spirit, will to live, and ability to change the world around them. The issue of protecting the rights of people with disabilities has become particularly relevant during the war. The number of people who have been injured and lost their health is growing. In these circumstances, it is crucial to ensure a non-discriminatory approach, as well as access to state aid, including free prosthetics and rehabilitation equipment under the state program. The rights of people with disabilities are human rights. And May 5 is another reason to remind ourselves that equality, accessibility and dignity are not privileges, but norms that every democratic society must adhere to.
05.05.2025
Read more
Events
Communication without barriers: building a common voice for change
On 22 April, the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service hosted a seminar entitled ‘National Strategy for Creating Barrier-Free Space: Communication of Flagship Projects’. The event was organised by the Higher School of Public Administration together with the Office of the Advisor to the Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Access with the support of UNDP and UNICEF. The seminar was attended by about 50 representatives of ministries, including Farhad Farhadov, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. The participants focused on developing a unified communication strategy to effectively communicate the reforms in the area of accessibility. One of the key elements of the event was the presentation of the ‘When You Can’ social change campaign by the UNICEF team. Participants discussed the objectives and expectations of the communication strategy, and took part in practical sessions on tools for disseminating messages that contribute to the formation of a barrier-free society. Particular attention was paid to the recommendations of the Adviser-Commissioner Tetiana Lomakina on barrier-free communication. She emphasised the importance of explaining the significance of barrier-free solutions through people's stories, using clear figures and visualising the results to make changes closer to different audiences. The discussion centred on the principles of reliable, sensitive and systematic communication in the six areas of the National Strategy: physical, digital, information, economic, social and educational. "Every law, reform or initiative within the framework of the National Strategy for Accessibility must be visible and understandable to people. Communication plays a key role in this process," said Lomakina. ‘The need for barrier-free accessibility is not a trend, but an ongoing process that needs to be transparently and systematically highlighted.’ The seminar was an important step in the implementation of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space until 2030, initiated by the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, and brought Ukraine closer to building a truly accessible society for all. All photos are taken from the Internet resource
27.04.2025
Read more
News
LAOPD updates library collections in institutions of Dnipropetrovs'k region
During working visits to Dnipropetrovska oblast, the LAOPD team repeatedly drew attention to the problem faced by students and residents of various institutions: limited access to quality contemporary literature in Ukrainian. Many of the libraries we visited are still dominated by outdated Soviet literature. And while the Internet and television partially compensate for the lack of cultural leisure, reading remains one of the key forms of individual development - especially where other resources are limited. We have set ourselves the goal of updating the library collections of institutions in need. Each selection will include works of various genres by contemporary Ukrainian authors, classics of Ukrainian literature, children's and teenage books, as well as literature recommended by readers themselves. It is important for us that the books inspire, develop, broaden the worldview and meet the needs of today. Cooperation with the National Library of Ukraine In April, the LAOPD signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Yaroslav the Wise National Library of Ukraine . This partnership initiative opens up new opportunities for filling libraries with relevant publications. Within the framework of this cooperation, the library has already handed over the first batch of books, which will be delivered to institutions in the Dnipro region in the near future. And this is just the beginning. We believe that every child and young person has the right to quality cultural leisure, access to modern Ukrainian books and the opportunity to read what resonates with their lives, experiences and dreams.
16.04.2025
Read more
Events
"Priorities and Challenges of Barrier-Free Policy: A New Step Towards Inclusive Ukraine
A large-scale analytical study was conducted as part of the development of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Strategy for the Accessibility of Ukraine for 2025-2026 and the update of the Strategy itself. It resulted in a detailed report entitled " Priorities and Challenges of the Barrier-Free Policy ". - Clickable This document is a key tool for understanding the current state of barrier-free access in Ukraine. It is based on a thorough analysis of the needs of people who face barriers in various areas of life on a daily basis: from physical infrastructure to access to information and services. The analytical material examines: what exactly creates barriers; what mechanisms exist to overcome them; how effective these mechanisms are; whether people have access to the opportunities guaranteed by law. The report is an important resource not only for the authorities in planning policies at the national and local levels. It can also be used by researchers, experts, human rights activists, civil society representatives and anyone working to create an accessible environment in Ukraine. In fact, it is a map of our country's barriers. And in order to effectively overcome these barriers, you first need to know exactly where they are located.
12.04.2025
Read more
News
Humanitarian situation in Kharkiv region: key challenges and areas of response
Humanitarian situation in Kharkiv oblast: key challenges and areas of response Due to intense attacks on Kharkiv oblast and growing threats to civilians, the LAOPD team joined a multisectoral discussion with partners to assess needs and coordinate the humanitarian response. The Center for Rapid Response and Evacuation reports a significant increase in the number of people evacuating from the dangerous areas of Donetsk Oblast, as well as Kupiansk and Zolochiv communities in Kharkiv Oblast. Most of them are arriving in safer areas without the most basic necessities - in need of basic household items, hygiene products, food and financial support. The situation is further complicated by constant shelling, including the use of kamikaze drones (Shahed), which leads to further destruction of civilian infrastructure and civilian deaths. The work of humanitarian missions in the region takes place in conditions of increased danger. The meeting identified priority areas of humanitarian response: - Supporting the most vulnerable people who remain near the front line; - Providing urgent assistance to evacuees; - Eliminating the consequences of shelling of civilian infrastructure; - Preparing for a possible ceasefire - developing an appropriate response plan. The important issue of suspension of funding from the US government was also raised. This creates additional challenges for the continuation of humanitarian programs and support for the most vulnerable groups. LAOPD continues to work with partners, local authorities and international organizations to ensure consistent and effective assistance to people who need it most.
09.04.2025
Read more
News
Participation of LAO in the dialogue platform in Kyiv
On 31 March 2025, Kyiv hosted a dialogue platform ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in the Humanitarian Response in Ukraine: Progress, Challenges and Areas for Further Improvement’ , organised by Humanity & Inclusion with the support of WHO in Ukraine. The event brought together representatives of international humanitarian organisations, national clusters, civil society and organisations of people with disabilities. The “Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities“ took part in the event to strengthen the intersectoral dialogue on the inclusiveness of the humanitarian response. The agenda of the event included: discussion of the impact of changes in international funding on the inclusion of people with disabilities in the 2025 response plans; examples of successful CSO participation in the provision of humanitarian assistance; Consideration of the challenges faced by organisations in implementing an inclusive approach; presentation of interagency cooperation and coordination practices; networking and exchange of experience. Participation in such events allows us not only to defend the rights of persons with disabilities, but also to formulate sustainable solutions at the level of national humanitarian policy. We are grateful to the organisers and partners for the meaningful dialogue and openness to cooperation.
31.03.2025
Read more