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Psychological support: outreach sessions in communities continue
As part of the project ‘Restoring Lives and Expanding Service Opportunities in War-Affected Ukraine,’ the team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities continues its working visits to communities in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. The project is being implemented in partnership with Solidar Suisse Ukraine with the support of Swiss Solidarity . This time, the focus is on psychological support for residents. Qualified psychologists travelled to the communities and conducted individual and group sessions. The main topics were first psychological aid, self-help skills and self-regulation in stressful situations. During the sessions, participants: learned breathing techniques to stabilise their emotional state; mastered exercises to reduce anxiety and tension; gained access to tools for self-regulation in crisis situations. Community members actively participated in the work and shared their own stories. Such support is an important part of the recovery process — not only physical, but also internal. The LAOPD team thanks the communities for their trust and openness to change. The work continues — together with the people for whom this knowledge becomes a support in difficult times.
29.07.2025
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Socially inclusive transport service launched in the east
The Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities has launched a new important service — socially inclusive transport — in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The initiative is being implemented as part of the project ‘Protection, Health Care and Inclusion for Vulnerable Populations’ with the support of OCHA Ukraine , in partnership with Step-In and VIS (Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo). The first trips have already taken place in the Pavlohrad district, where LAOPD drivers and coordinators are helping people who cannot independently reach hospitals, government institutions or other important locations. What the service includes: Lifting platform for easy boarding/alighting; Adaptation for wheelchairs — safe and comfortable transportation of people with disabilities; Child car seats — for transporting children in accordance with safety standards. The service is free and available to all residents of communities where the LAOPD team operates within the project. It's not just about mobility. It's about equal access to services, support and dignity for everyone. In the next post, the team will tell you who exactly they transport, how to apply and in which communities the service is already available.
25.07.2025
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Events
Legal assistance nearby: outreach consultations for vulnerable people
As part of the project ‘Protection, Health Care and Inclusion for Vulnerable Populations,’ implemented by LAOPD in partnership with VIS, STEP-IN and with the support of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF), the organisation's team of lawyers visits those who need help the most. LAOPD lawyers work with people who, for various reasons, are unable to seek legal support on their own. Their focus is on: consultations on the rights of internally displaced persons and social protection; assistance in drafting statements, appeals and complaints; explanations of algorithms for action in difficult life situations. This is about real accessibility. It is about ensuring that no one is left alone with their problems due to a lack of resources or information. Thanks to the support of its partners and the trust of communities, LAOPD continues to make legal protection more accessible and effective — where it is really needed.
25.07.2025
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Events
Mykola Nadulichny joined the Lviv Region Barrier-Free Council
Mykola Nadulichny, head of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, has become a member of the Barrier-Free Council at the Lviv Regional State Administration. At the first constituent meeting, a regional action plan was approved for the implementation of the National Strategy for the Creation of a Barrier-Free Environment by 2030. The involvement of a representative of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in the work of the Council is a significant step towards strengthening the role of civil society in shaping regional accessibility policy. It also highlights the importance of systematic dialogue between the authorities, experts and organisations that work directly with vulnerable groups of the population.
24.07.2025
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Recovery project: launch of the field phase in communities in the east
The team at the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities has begun a new phase of practical implementation of the project ‘Restoring Lives and Expanding Service Opportunities in War-Affected Ukraine .’ Following the successful experience of previous initiatives, the first phase of targeted interventions is now underway in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. What is already happening: Housing repairs: minor and medium repairs are being carried out on houses and apartments — strengthening walls, replacing windows, repairing roofs. Physical accessibility: solutions are being implemented to create accessible spaces — ramps, adaptation of entrances, internal re-planning. Emergency assistance: financial support is provided for the purchase of solid fuel (firewood) and basic protective equipment. Psychosocial support: Along with material restoration, i ndividual and group consultations with psychologists have begun. This makes it possible to work not only with the destruction of homes, but also with the consequences of internal losses. Cooperation with communities: During the initial meetings in the communities, the LAOPD team discussed priority needs, agreed on response algorithms, and identified points of shared responsibility. Transparent processes, clear agreements, and a focus on human dignity are the basis of this cooperation. With proven tools and a professional team, LAOPD is ready to scale up its previous results. The work is not being done for the sake of reports, but for the sake of real change, which is already being felt in communities.
13.07.2025
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Kharkiv: partnership for a decent life
As part of the project ‘ Restoring Lives and Expanding Service Opportunities in War-Affected Ukraine ,’ the team at the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities continues to visit communities that are implementing changes despite all the challenges of war. The LAOPD's approach is based not only on providing assistance, but also on comprehensive work with people, institutions and spaces — where services focused on human needs are being developed. Kharkiv has become one of the key points on the route. A working meeting was held in the city with Deputy Mayor Yuriy Shparaga and Director of the Department of Inclusive Accessibility and Barrier-Free Environment of the Kharkiv City Council Oleg Pulem — the head of Ukraine's first municipal body that systematically implements the principles of inclusion in the urban environment. Yuriy Shparaga is an official who is open to partnerships and life-changing solutions. It was his willingness to take action that made it possible to agree on specific steps to support people with disabilities and upgrade the city's infrastructure. Oleg Pul is not just the head of the department, but a driver of change who consistently implements barrier-free policies at the city level. His participation in the meeting was proof that Kharkiv is committed to real action, not formal promises. The following was agreed upon as a result of the meeting: 50 private households of people with disabilities will receive financial assistance to make their homes accessible (ramps, handrails, entrance adaptations, etc.); The Kharkiv Social Services Centre will receive support to renovate its premises to make them comfortable and accessible for all categories of visitors; Polyclinic No. 14 has been included in a renovation programme focusing on physical accessibility, infrastructure improvements and the creation of comfortable conditions for patients with reduced mobility. All these actions are being implemented with the support of Solidar Suisse , an international partner that invests not only in infrastructure, but above all in human dignity and rights. Recovery is not a return to the old. It is the construction of something new, where equality, accessibility and respect for human beings are the foundation for the future.
08.07.2025
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News
President of the Swiss Parliament Maya Rhiniker visited Kharkiv
After official meetings in Kyiv, President of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly Maya Riniquer visited Kharkiv, a city that remains at the epicentre of humanitarian challenges and military threats. Her visit was not only a demonstration of international support, but also an opportunity to hear first-hand from communities working on the front lines of change. “Being here today is truly important for me. With this visit to Ukraine and to the frontline city of Kharkiv, we want to better understand the needs, listen to our Ukrainian partners and show them our solidarity. And also see the impact of our contributions and bring all these insights back home” said Ms Riniker. In Kharkiv, she visited a number of humanitarian initiatives implemented with Swiss support, including a transit centre for IDPs, equipped underground auditoriums and vocational training projects. An important part of the programme was a meeting with the team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, which was invited to present its own experience. Together with partners with whom joint initiatives are being implemented with the support of Solidar Suisse, representatives of the LAGOI spoke about the concrete results of their work in frontline communities. In particular, they discussed improving living conditions for people with disabilities in their own homes — a solution that has not only practical but also deeply human significance. ‘This cooperation is more than just projects. It is about humanity, solidarity and shared responsibility,’ the LAOI said. They also thanked the people and the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine for their trust, support and attention to the real needs of people in high-risk areas. During her visit, the President of Switzerland also discussed the region's current needs with the regional leadership — preparations for winter, humanitarian response and demining issues. Meetings with Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synyegubov and First Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Novak demonstrated a commitment to further cooperation. The visit to Kharkiv demonstrated not only Switzerland's support, but also the strength of partnerships built on trust, mutual respect and a focus on people. I am ready to adapt this article for publication in the media, on the organisation's website or as part of a report.
08.07.2025
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News
Barrier-free access is not about the future. It is about the present.
At the invitation of the Main Directorate of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in Kyiv, the team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities joined in surveying service centres for physical and informational accessibility. But this was not a routine audit according to instructions. It was a joint effort with those who help people overcome invisible barriers in seemingly accessible institutions on a daily basis. And it was another point on the map of our field trip — a long, difficult, but necessary one. We didn't just check ramps or doorways. We were present — physically and mentally — where accessibility determines not comfort, but survival. In Kyiv, our team began surveying service centres immediately after a night of heavy shelling. Earlier, we were in Kharkiv, where a rocket hit our friends' house. Near Dnipro, we witnessed a tragedy on the railway. But the work does not stop. Because accessibility is not just a point in a project. It is about life. And if a person in a wheelchair cannot get to a shelter, it is no longer a question of accessibility. It is a question of the right to safety. Our team doesn't just record problems. We listen. We analyse. We look for real solutions. We speak the language of architecture, humanity and responsibility. So that the space is truly comfortable — for everyone. We sincerely thank the Main Office of the Pension Fund of Ukraine in Kyiv for its openness to change and sincere desire to be part of practical transformation. Recommendations are already being prepared. Ahead lie new cities, new locations, new challenges. And new joint actions. Because accessibility is not an exception. It is the new norm. And we are staying the course. Even when the ground shakes beneath our feet.
04.07.2025
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Articles
Training for medical professionals in Zaporizhzhia: inclusion and resilience
The team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, together with its partners, held a training session for medical professionals in Zaporizhzhia. The event was part of the project ‘Strengthening the resilience of conflict-affected communities in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine’, which is being implemented within the framework of JERU (Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine) with financial support from BMZ — the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The aim of the session was to raise awareness of an inclusive approach to healthcare provision and to strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation with legal and social services and mental health professionals. Participants included representatives of medical institutions in the region, who not only listened to the theoretical part, but also exchanged experiences, familiarised themselves with practical cases and attended a session on stress management. LAOPD representatives shared their observations on the situation in frontline communities, where people with disabilities often face double barriers — physical and informational. Examples of effective solutions that have already been implemented as part of previous initiatives were presented. The event proved once again that sustainable results are only possible where there is cross-sectoral cooperation, trust and a systematic approach to the problems of vulnerable groups. The LAOPD team sincerely thanks its partners for working together to strengthen the medical system, enabling it to respond to today's challenges with humanity and professionalism. If you need a shorter version for social media or news for the website, I can easily prepare it.
25.06.2025
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The Abilitation Centre in Lviv: the path to independence after trauma
Together with Taras Tarasenko and Vadym Svyrydenko, the LAOPD team visited the Abilitation Centre in Lviv — a space where veterans, people who have undergone amputations and complex injuries, as well as people with disabilities, acquire the most important thing — the skills to live independently and with dignity in new conditions. The main task of the centre is to help people adapt to their new reality, teach them to live independently, and confidently use all the tools that ensure quality reintegration into society. Here, residents learn basic skills of self-care, mobility, communication, spatial orientation, and interaction with others — both within and outside an inclusive environment. The habilitation process is based on the principles of the ‘Therapeutic Community’ methodology, which allows building trust, support, and mutual respect among participants. This is not just training — it is a transformative experience that restores a person's self-confidence. We are delighted to continue our warm and constructive communication with our like-minded colleagues in Lviv, with whom we share a common vision of supporting veterans and people with disabilities: Anna Gorkun — HAB project manager, idea generator and coordinator, who brought together a team of professionals around a common goal. Serhii Titarenko — head of the habilitation process and psychologist, whose sincerity, sensitivity and deep understanding of the needs of veterans help participants every day to move from vulnerability to confidence, from isolation to a renewed life. This centre is another powerful example of what real support for veterans and people with disabilities can look like. Thank you for your trust and openness. New partnerships and joint actions lie ahead.
25.06.2025
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Working visit to Superhumans Centre: on systematic support for veterans
Recently, the LAOPD team, together with Taras Tarasenko and Vadym Svyrydenko, made a working trip to the Superhumans Centre in Vynnyky, near Lviv — a unique Ukrainian medical facility that specialises in the comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of veterans affected by the war. The purpose of the visit was to familiarise themselves with the work of the centre as an example of an effective model of rehabilitation support, as well as to discuss ways of providing similar quality assistance to all defenders of Ukraine throughout the country. Superhumans is an example of what modern veteran centres can and should be: multidisciplinary, professional, with a human approach and deep values. LAOPD has a long history of cooperation with Taras Tarasenko, a member of parliament, lawyer and active member of parliamentary structures on human rights and veterans, as well as with Vadym Svyrydenko, a veteran, community leader and rehabilitation ambassador. Together, we have repeatedly participated in working meetings, initiated discussions and supported projects aimed at strengthening the support system for those who defended Ukraine. We are sincerely grateful to the Superhumans team for their hospitality, openness, and inspiring work. After this meeting, we are even more convinced that such solutions need to be scaled up so that every veteran in Ukraine has access to professional assistance, dignified treatment, and effective rehabilitation.
23.06.2025
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Lviv: even in the heat, we are working on accessibility
Despite the heat, the team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities continues to work on creating an accessible environment. This time, experts joined in surveying the premises of a military hospital in Lviv. The team included architect Daria Roshchuk, as well as specialists Serhiy and Artem, who are engaged in the analysis of physical accessibility. The participation of Ostap Nesterovsky and Georgy Galas, blind guides at the Museum of Darkness ‘ Third After Midnight ,’ was particularly valuable, as they checked the convenience of the space from the point of view of orientation for blind people. The survey was organised by the Lviv City Council, district administrations, and the Lviv Regional Military Administration. Such checks are an important part of the systematic work on creating a barrier-free space, especially in medical facilities, where accessibility is critical.
05.06.2025
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