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Barrier-free culture: how institutions in Lviv region are changing
Barrier-free access does not begin with loud words. It appears where there is systematic work, a professional approach, and a willingness to take responsibility. This is exactly how cultural institutions in Lviv region are changing today. The Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and its head, Mykola Nadulychny, are working consistently with the authorities — not through declarations, but through inspections, recommendations and ongoing dialogue. Where issues of accessibility have been put off for years, real solutions are beginning to emerge. Currently, work to improve accessibility is underway in several landmark institutions in the region: the Lviv Museum of the History of Religion, the Lviv Palace of Arts, and the Myroslav Skoryk Lviv National Philharmonic. At the Museum of the History of Religion, an architectural monument from the 14th–18th centuries, the stairs are being widened, a ramp is being prepared for the main entrance, internal thresholds and steps are being removed, clear routes are being created, and an accessible toilet is being installed. Every decision is made with the requirements for preserving historical heritage in mind. The Lviv Palace of Arts already has a lift to all floors and a lift to the basement level. Accessible toilets are being installed, a mother and child room is in operation, and a new entrance area with automatic doors is currently being implemented. Mykola Nadulychny personally checked the infrastructure solutions while moving around in a wheelchair. The National Philharmonic plans to install an electric lift from the stalls to the stage, has purchased a system for people who use hearing aids, is continuing to refurbish the toilets and is preparing to install tactile Braille signs. In the summer, the LAOPD team surveyed a number of Lviv Regional Council institutions — cultural, medical and administrative buildings — and provided practical recommendations. Some of them are already being implemented. “Yes, historic buildings are complex and expensive. But that is precisely why the state and local authorities must seek solutions to ensure accessibility where there are the most people,” emphasises Mykola Nadulychny. Barrier-free culture is not an optional extra. It is a sign of respect for veterans, people with disabilities, older people and parents with children. It is about feeling welcome. This is what real civil society influence on government decisions looks like. And this is how, step by step, a country without barriers is being built.
08.12.2025
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News
Action enhances digital accessibility for people with disabilities
The state application and portal Diya continue to implement changes aimed at improving the accessibility of digital services for people with disabilities. The latest update focuses on improving the user experience for people with visual impairments and those who use assistive technologies. The changes do not concern the visual design, but rather the logic of interaction with the service. It is about a more attentive and systematic approach to how people actually use government online services. Key updates include: all buttons and interface elements have been given correct text labels that are correctly read by screen readers; the contrast of the text has been increased for easier perception of information; keyboard navigation and focus visibility have been improved; the ability to quickly navigate to the main content of the page has been added; error messages have become clearer and less cluttered; the readability of PDF files has been improved. These changes reduce barriers to using services and allow people with disabilities to access public services without additional difficulties or outside assistance. Work on digital accessibility Actions are taken based on the results of audits and recommendations from the Digital Accessibility Competence Centre, established by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in partnership with UNDP and with the support of the Government of Sweden. Digital accessibility is not a separate function, but a basic requirement for modern public services. When a system takes into account the needs of different users, it becomes more understandable, reliable and truly people-oriented.
07.12.2025
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Events
Gratitude to those who hold up the sky and earth of Ukraine
We thank everyone who protects Ukraine's sky and land. The military personnel who defend our lives, our communities, and our right to be at home every day. The Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities has always supported and continues to support our defenders — the main strength and support of the country. At the same time, we work with vulnerable groups whose lives you protect by holding up a shield of defence every day. It is thanks to you that communities are able to live, recover and develop. Your strength is our security. Your courage is an opportunity to build a barrier-free, humane and just country. We thank each and every one of you who serves. Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
06.12.2025
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Events
Happy International Volunteer Day
Today, we salute all those who simply take action. Those who do not wait for orders, do not count the hours, and do not ask what they will get in return, but support people where it is most needed. Volunteering in Ukraine is about strength, humanity, and incredible endurance. It is thanks to such people that the country is holding on. The Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities has been working alongside those in need since its inception. We work systematically where the challenges are most acute: we deliver humanitarian aid to remote and affected communities; we provide people with medical supplies and necessary assistance; we work together with rescuers, military personnel and local residents in crisis situations; we help to repair damaged housing, bring in materials and work directly on site. A separate area of our work is supporting the military . We deliver vehicles, equipment, machinery and necessary supplies to military units, including those where our partners and friends serve. And this work continues every day. Because volunteering is not a one-time event, but a way of life. It is a choice to be useful where it hurts the most. Today, we thank everyone who is with us: those who load and unload vehicles; those who collect medicines and aid; those who travel to dangerous areas; those who support us with words, actions, donations, and human warmth. You are the people who hold the country together. You are the heroes of the home front. You are proof that goodness is stronger than war. Happy International Volunteer Day. Together we are strong.
05.12.2025
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Articles
LAOI improves living conditions for people with disabilities in Kharkiv region
The public association ‘Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities’ continues its work to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities in the Kharkiv region. This time, the measures are being implemented in the Chuhuiv district — in the Pechenizka and Chuhuiv communities. In partnership with Solidar Suisse Ukraine , we are implementing a support programme for persons with disabilities of groups I and II, aimed at creating a safe, accessible and dignified living space. The project includes: installation of ramps, handrails and railings; fitting of adapted showers and bathrooms; repair and modernisation of living conditions; removal of barriers that complicate everyday life. Our goal is not just to improve infrastructure, but to give people with disabilities more independence, safety and respect for their needs. We are grateful to Solidar Suisse Ukraine, local authorities and all partners involved in the implementation of the programme. Together, we are building communities where accessibility is the norm and everyone has the right to a comfortable and quality life.
04.12.2025
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Events
3 December — International Day of Persons with Disabilities
3 December is not a holiday. It is a reminder. A reminder of the responsibility of the state, communities and each of us. Today, people with disabilities in Ukraine face many challenges, and this reality cannot be ignored. Despite the war, constant challenges, strength and endurance, many people are left alone with problems that the state is obliged to solve. These include insufficient social benefits, which are not even enough to cover basic needs; a lack of accessible rehabilitation and support in communities; and accessibility, which still often exists more on paper than in reality. This is not about ‘special conditions.’ It is about basic human rights . We don't need loud forums, slogans, and formal statements. We need real solutions: accessible buildings, inclusive streets, decent benefits, and the ability to live independently and safely. T he Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities works every day to achieve this — so that people with disabilities receive what they are entitled to by law and by humanity: support, respect and equal opportunities. We see how a person's life changes when a ramp, accessible bathroom, safe living conditions or simply attentive and dignified treatment appear. We will continue this work, because inclusion does not begin with words — it begins with actions. People with disabilities are citizens of Ukraine , not statistics. They do not need promises, but conditions for a dignified life. And we will continue to defend this right.
03.12.2025
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News
Registration is now open for the training course ‘Barrier-free in action’ in Dnipro
The Luhansk Regional Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities ( LAOOPD ), in partnership with the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine ( UHF ) and Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo ( VIS ), is announcing recruitment for participants in a three-day offline training course ‘Barrier-free in action: inclusion, protection, sustainability’. The training is part of the project ‘Protection, health care and inclusion of vulnerable populations in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions’ . Location : Dnipro Dates : 17–19 December 2025 Format : offline, 3 days Target audience: representatives of social services, educational and medical institutions, as well as public organisations in the Synelnykivskyi, Pavlohradskyi and Nikopolskyi districts of Dnipropetrovsk region. About the training The aim of the training is to improve the ability of specialists to implement the principles of accessibility and inclusiveness in their daily professional activities. The programme combines theoretical and practical modules and covers the following topics: assessment of accessibility of premises and services; ethical communication with children and people in vulnerable situations; counteracting gender-based violence; prevention of emotional burnout among specialists. The trainers for the third stream are practitioners with experience in the field of social protection and inclusion. In particular, the head of the LAOI, Mykola Nadulychny, will join the training programme. Participants will be provided with compensation for travel expenses to and from Dnipro; meals during training (coffee breaks and lunches); training materials; a certificate of course completion. Registration at the link: https://forms.gle/BvJM62JUih5tgnW6A The deadline for applications is 16 December 2025 at 23:59.
02.12.2025
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Events
European delegation attends accessibility training in Dnipro
During the training course ‘Barrier-free in action: inclusion, protection, sustainability’ in Dnipro, the Social Work Training Centre was visited by a delegation from the European Union led by Gediminas Navickas, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine. The visit took place as part of a training event aimed at improving the capacity of specialists in the social sphere, education, medicine and civil society organisations to implement the principles of accessibility, inclusion and protection in their work with vulnerable groups. The Social Work Training Centre in Dnipro is an important regional platform for the development of social services. Since its opening, the centre has held more than 600 events for more than 8,000 participants, including training courses, professional development programmes, training for multidisciplinary teams, and the development and testing of new models of social services. The team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities regularly participates in the centre's training programmes and joint professional activities. During the visit, representatives of the European Union learned about approaches to the practical implementation of accessibility in communities, as well as the results of training for specialists working with internally displaced persons, veterans, people with disabilities, and families in difficult life circumstances. The meeting confirmed the importance of international partnership in the development of accessible, high-quality and people-centred social services in Ukraine.
30.11.2025
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Events
The second stream of the training course ‘Barrier-free in action’ has been completed
The second round of the training course ‘Barrier-free in action: inclusion, protection, sustainability’ has come to an end in Dnipro — three days of intensive work, in-depth discussions, new knowledge and practical skills. 18 participants from social services, medical and educational institutions, as well as non-governmental organisations, went from learning the basics of accessibility to developing their own plans for change in their communities. Each of them is returning with specific tools that can be put into practice in the near future. This training is not about theory for theory's sake. It is about action . It is about how professionals can become agents of change in their communities. It is about transforming knowledge into real solutions for people who face barriers every day. It is about professional resilience , care and responsibility. The training was implemented as part of the project ‘Protection, health care and inclusion of vulnerable populations in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions’ , which is being implemented by the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities ( LAOPD ) and VIS – V olontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo with the support of OCHA Ukraine . We would like to thank the participants, trainers and partners for their trust, involvement and joint work. We continue to work towards creating a barrier-free Ukraine.
29.11.2025
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Events
Second wave of training “Barrier-free in action: inclusion, protection, sustainability”
The second wave of the training course “Barrier-free in action: inclusion, protection, sustainability” has begun in Dnipro, organized for specialists in the social, educational, and medical fields and representatives of public organizations. The aim of the training is to improve competencies in the field of accessibility, inclusion, and the creation of a safe environment for people with disabilities, children, and other vulnerable groups. Practical start of training The second wave began with a practical block dedicated to physical accessibility. Participants analyzed examples of public space adaptation, worked with accessibility checklists, and discussed common barriers and ways to overcome them. The format of the session encouraged active interaction, exchange of experience, and the search for solutions that can be implemented in the daily work of institutions. The training is conducted as part of the project "Protection, health protection, and inclusion of vulnerable populations in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions" is implemented with the support of the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine (UHF) and implemented by the Luhansk Association of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (LAOPD) and Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo (VIS).
26.11.2025
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Articles
Parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities: why this is a matter of dignity
Parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities is a topic that is constantly discussed. And constantly violated. Every day we see the same familiar picture: there are markings, signs, warnings, but someone still parks their car ‘just for a minute,’ ‘because they need to hurry,’ ‘because there is no space nearby.’ Behind these ‘minutes’ lies the reality of people who are physically unable to walk a few dozen metres. For them, it is not a matter of convenience, but the only way to get to a shop, hospital, pharmacy or work. This is not about fines. It is about respect and responsibility, which begins not with the police, but with personal culture. How to educate society • Constantly remind people. Behaviour change requires consistency. • Record violations: photos, videos, licence plates — this works effectively. • Talk to people directly: calmly but firmly explain that this is not a privilege, but a necessity. • Create zero tolerance: when those around you don't remain silent, ‘I'll be back in a minute’ disappears as a phenomenon. • Involve businesses: car parks must respond, issue warnings, call the police and act systematically. A space for a person with a disability is about dignity. By occupying it without the right to do so, you take away that dignity. How it works in the EU: the example of Germany • Only those who have an official permit card under their windscreen can park. • Checks are regular and without warning. • Fines are substantial, and in many cities, cars are towed away immediately. • A short stop without a card is a full-fledged violation. • Zero tolerance principle: one violation — irreversible consequences. What Ukraine needs • A unified electronic parking permit system for people with disabilities. • The ability to check permits through the police or parking services. • Automatic fines and vehicle towing, as is the practice in Europe. • An increase in the number of accessible spaces in all shopping centre, government and municipal car parks. • QR codes for instant complaints and quick responses. As long as the system allows impunity, violations will remain the norm. A parking space for a person with a disability is not a ‘convenient place.’ It is a right, a sign of respect, and a test of humanity.
25.11.2025
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Barrier-free driving: freedom of movement that is still not available to everyone
Barrier-free driving is not just about convenience. It is about freedom, independence, and regaining control over one's life. Although barrier-free driving schools and special driving courses for people with disabilities already operate in Ukraine, their number is still critically low. Today, such driving schools exist in only seven regions of Ukraine: Kyiv, Lviv, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and Odesa regions . For a country where the number of veterans and people with mobility impairments is growing every day, this is not enough. A car for a person with a disability is not a luxury. It is an opportunity to: • move around independently • work and build a career • not depend on outside help • regain dignity and autonomy Barrier-free driving schools should be available in every region. The right to mobility cannot be a formality or a declaration — it must be a real opportunity . It is good that such services have already appeared. But while there are so few of them, thousands of people remain without the chance to undergo training, obtain a driving licence and regain their basic freedom of movement. Photo: Mykola, a soldier, takes a practical exam at the Barrier-Free Driving School at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Service Centre No. 3541 in Kropyvnytskyi.
24.11.2025
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