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Adaptive sports in Lviv: the path to recovery and community
An important social project has been launched in Lviv, opening up new opportunities for veterans, combatants and people with disabilities. Adaptive sports here are not about formal training, but about returning to an active life, recovery and a sense of personal strength. It is more than just physical activity. It is a tool for support and social integration that helps to: improve physical health; overcome psychological barriers after trauma and loss; return to active participation in community life; find like-minded people and support in a safe, friendly environment. Adaptive sports take into account the individual physical abilities of each person. They are real, accessible and personalised. This is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ programme, but an inclusive space where you can try, move at your own pace and feel confident in your body and spirit. For LAOPD, the value of such initiatives is obvious: they form communities without barriers to participation; they show that sport and activity are a right, not a privilege; they change society's attitude towards people with disabilities — from pity to respect and partnership. We welcome Lviv's initiative and call on communities across Ukraine to develop adaptive sports programmes for veterans, people with disabilities, and anyone who wants to move forward. Because accessibility is not just about spaces and services. It's about real life opportunities for everyone.
30.01.2026
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Articles
Why does a community need an accessibility specialist, and why can't it function without one?
The real-life experience of Ukrainian communities shows that accessibility does not happen on its own. It does not arise from an order, a strategy, or a single ramp. It is created by people — with clear powers, responsibilities, and access to decision-making. That is why communities are increasingly creating a separate position or appointing a person responsible for accessibility issues. And this is not a formality. It is not an ‘additional burden’ for a secretary or project manager. This is a key specialist who: coordinates work between departments and the executive branch so that accessibility does not fall apart into fragments; identifies real barriers — physical, digital, communication — and proposes systemic solutions; develops and monitors an accessibility action plan; helps organise services and events so that all community members can participate. Without a clearly defined person in charge, accessibility quickly becomes ‘no one's issue’. Someone builds a ramp. Someone adds subtitles. But there is no system, no standard, and no accountability for results. Instead, a community with a barrier-free specialist gets real inclusion, not just imitation of change: people with disabilities, veterans, people with limited mobility, parents with prams, and older people can fully use spaces and services; decisions are no longer random and start to follow a single logic of accessibility; barrier-free access becomes part of planning, not just a paragraph in a report. We call on communities in Ukraine to: identify or create a barrier-free access specialist in each community. This is not just an investment in comfort. It is an investment in equal opportunities, dignity and development for every person who lives and works in your community.
29.01.2026
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News
Barrier-free buildings: the rules are in place. But where is the accountability?
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine has approved Methodological Recommendations for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment for Residential and Public Buildings (Order No. 94 of 20 January 2026). This is an important and long-awaited document. It provides clear, practical guidelines for those who plan, design, construct, renovate and maintain buildings. The recommendations describe accessibility not formally, but in essence — from entrances, ramps and lifts to common areas and residential premises. Particular emphasis is placed on: the accessibility of shelters and protective structures; the adaptation of housing for people who use wheelchairs; the needs of different groups — people with disabilities, older people, parents with prams, and people with reduced mobility. The document is recommended for use: in new construction; during reconstruction and major repairs; in the process of restoring damaged facilities; when adapting existing buildings. But the key question remains open. Who will monitor the implementation of these recommendations and how? And who will be held accountable if accessibility remains a mere formality? Without clear control mechanisms, public participation, and accountability for violations, we risk ending up with yet another well-intentioned document — without any real changes on the ground. LAOPD insists: barrier-free access is not a recommendation ‘if possible’. It is a basic condition for safety, dignity and equal rights. View the Order and Methodological Recommendations
28.01.2026
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News
Start of applications: support for children with disabilities in communities
An important social initiative is being launched in Ukraine — a service for the comprehensive development and care of children with disabilities in local communities. This is an experimental project approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, designed to provide real support to children with special educational needs and their families. The service is aimed at children aged 6 and older who, due to their health condition, cannot study in regular educational institutions without additional support. It combines social and educational components and is designed to: promote the social integration of children; develop life and social skills; support participation in the learning process; reduce the burden on families and provide them with professional assistance. The project involves: the participation of local communities, which can apply to implement the service; the preparation of accessible premises for the provision of services (in particular near schools); open selection of service providers — social workers, teachers, psychologists and other specialists; working with parents and guardians through social managers to provide comprehensive support to families. This approach is a step towards creating a dignified, accessible and people-centred system of assistance for children with disabilities that works directly in communities, rather than only through institutional mechanisms. It also opens up new opportunities for the development of social services and strengthening the role of communities in supporting families. For more information on the conditions of participation and application, click here .
28.01.2026
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News
Barrier-free events are not an option, but a standard
The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine has published a report on the use of the methodological recommendations ‘Guide to Barrier-Free Events’ when organising public events in 2025. The guide is a practical tool developed as part of the ‘Without Barriers’ initiative of Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska, which helps organisers make events accessible to people with disabilities, parents with young children, older people, and anyone else who needs additional conditions for participation. This is not theory — it is a step-by-step guide on how to ensure: physical accessibility of space; digital inclusion; correct, non-discriminatory communication; organisational ethics and respect for the individual needs of participants. Throughout 2025, taking into account Haidu's recommendations, the Ministry held more than 120 public events — from working meetings to international forums. A systematic approach to accessibility made these events more open and attracted representatives of various social groups. Key areas of the Haidu: Physical accessibility — unobstructed access, lifts, clear navigation. Information openness — correct language, structured materials. Digital inclusion — online and hybrid formats, sign language, subtitles. Organisational ethics — consideration of individual needs, staff training. The experience of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development clearly shows that accessibility is possible and works when there is political will, clear tools and accountability. We urge all regional military administrations to adopt this approach. Use the Barrier-Free Events Guide in your daily work so that every member of the community — regardless of age or health status — can fully participate in public life. Download the Guide and start making changes by clicking here .
27.01.2026
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News
Inclusivity in fashion is not a niche, but a new standard
ELLE magazine featured the Ukrainian brand JULIYA KROS, created by Yulia Perekrestova from Sumy, which has been consistently implementing the principles of accessibility, universal design and social responsibility in fashion for over 12 years. The brand's team rethinks clothing not as an ‘adaptation’ but as the norm, where the person is at the centre. Their design is about: convenience in everyday life: simple, functional and versatile models; taking into account different physical characteristics — for people who use prostheses, wheelchairs, have visual impairments or other characteristics; comfort in different body positions, without unnecessary actions, made of soft materials that do not rub or restrict. As the brand's founder emphasises, it is precisely the work with real people and their daily needs that has made it possible to create a design that accepts people as they are, rather than trying to ‘fit’ them into clothing. For those working to build a barrier-free society, JULIYA KROS is a powerful example of how fashion can be a tool for equality, respect for diversity, and true inclusion. Because inclusivity is not a separate category. It is a new standard.
25.01.2026
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Articles
Documenting to protect: how crimes against people with disabilities are documented
During Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, millions of people have suffered violence, loss of their homes, forced deportation and systematic human rights violations. Among them are people with disabilities, whose stories are too often overlooked. This is what the Ukrainian organisation Fight For Right does — one of the few that systematically documents war crimes committed specifically against people with disabilities. The team, founded by women with disabilities, collects testimonies, analyses the facts of violations and insists that these voices be included in official investigations and international reports. In collaboration with international partners, Fight For Right has developed recommendations for ethical and accessible interviews with people with disabilities — taking into account various forms of violations, without re-traumatising victims and respecting their dignity. Their reports document crimes committed in boarding schools under occupation, violations of the right to safety, freedom of movement, medical care and property, as well as facts of forced ‘referendums’ and the imposition of Russian citizenship. This work is not only about preserving memory. It is about the aggressor's responsibility. About justice. About ensuring that the rights of people with disabilities do not disappear even during wartime. We thank our colleagues for their principled, complex and extremely important work.
23.01.2026
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News
Transport accessibility under threat: parliament's warning
The National Assembly of People with Disabilities has appealed to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine not to adopt draft law No. 5651-2, which provides for changes in the area of travel benefits and other social guarantees. Why this is a cause for concern Experts emphasise that the proposed changes could lead to a reduction in the existing rights of persons with disabilities, pensioners, victims of the Chernobyl disaster, and other socially vulnerable groups. In particular, the draft law provides for the transfer of funding for subsidised transport to local budgets without clearly defined sources of funding. In real terms, this creates the risk that communities will simply be unable to provide uninterrupted and accessible transport. The consequences are obvious: reduction or abolition of subsidised transport; restriction of mobility for people for whom transport is a basic need, not a convenience; increased social tension and inequality between communities. For LAOPD, this situation is yet another reminder: legislative changes should strengthen social guarantees, not shift responsibility without resources and clear implementation mechanisms. Transport accessibility is not a bonus or a privilege. It is a prerequisite for a dignified life, access to healthcare, work, education and social participation. We insist that inclusiveness and equal access to services must remain inviolable principles of public policy, even — and especially — in times of war.
22.01.2026
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Articles
A strong public service begins with respect for people
The National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service (NACS) has published an infographic on shaping organisational culture in the public service. This is precisely the case when it is not about formal rules, but about people and daily work practices. Organisational culture determines: how decisions are made; whether there is trust within teams; how safe, supportive and inclusive the working environment is; whether the system is ready to take into account different life experiences — in particular, the experiences of people with disabilities and veterans. Particular emphasis is placed on accessibility in the workplace: adapting processes, ensuring accessible working conditions, mental health of employees, and the role of HR services in these changes. These are not ‘additional options’ or a trend — they are basic conditions for effective public service today. For LAOPD, this approach is fundamental. Barrier-free access does not start with ramps. It starts with the culture of the organisation, with respect for people and with the willingness of the system to change. A public service that recognises diversity and creates conditions for everyone is a sign of a strong and mature state.
21.01.2026
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News
A barrier-free labour market: this should be the norm, not the exception
The labour market in Ukraine is changing. And that's good news. But these changes must be permanent — not just a reaction to staff shortages. According to OLX-Robota analysts, employers are increasingly opening up vacancies for people with disabilities, pensioners and other groups that have remained ‘invisible’ in the labour market for years. Offers are appearing in various fields — from manufacturing to trade and the hotel and restaurant business. What the statistics show: the number of vacancies for people with disabilities as assemblers has increased almost 16 times in a year; the number of vacancies for assistant cooks has increased 12 times; growth in vacancies: cooks +93%, bakers +47%, packers +40%, drivers +28%, salespeople +25%; salaries have also increased in many professions: cooks — up to ~31,500 UAH, tractor drivers — up to ~35,000 UAH. This is a positive trend. But it is important to call things by their proper names. People with disabilities should always be needed — not just when ‘there is no one else to do the job.’ Equal opportunities, adapted workplaces, flexible conditions, decent pay and support are not a bonus or a social gesture. They are the foundation of a modern, responsible labour market. True inclusion begins when people are seen not as ‘exceptions’ but as professionals. Where the right to work does not depend on age, health or circumstances. LAOPD consistently supports an approach in which barrier-free workplaces are not a temporary trend, but the standard for every employer in Ukraine. Not ‘when necessary’. But always.
19.01.2026
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News
Barrier-free reconstruction: a chance to create cities for everyone
The reconstruction of Ukrainian cities is not just about concrete, roads and facades. It is about opportunity. About the chance to create, for the first time, a space where everyone is welcome — without exception. The war has exposed old barriers and creates new ones every day. It leaves thousands of people in our cities with visible and invisible injuries. And accessibility today is not an option or a nice idea for the future. It is a matter of dignity. It is a matter of justice. It is a matter of everyday life. That is why the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), together with the Joint Government-Urban Recovery in Ukraine (JGURA) project and with the support of GIZ Ukraine, invites you to a webinar ‘Planning with the needs of people with disabilities in mind and sustainable cities’. This is a conversation about cities that do not repel. About streets that can be navigated — regardless of pace. About spaces where you don't have to ask permission to live. Representatives of the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, UNDP Ukraine, the Global Disability Fund and the European Disability Forum will take part in the discussion. They will talk about involving people with disabilities in decision-making, about mobility and accessibility of public services — not as separate elements, but as the basis of urban life. The aim of the webinar is to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Sustainable Development Goals and the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’. 📅 29 January ⏰ 11:00–13:30 🌐 Languages: Ukrainian and English (simultaneous translation) 🔗 Registration: *Click to register* Ukrainian politicians, human rights activists, representatives of civil society organisations and urban planners — in particular from JGURA's partner cities of Lviv and Rivne — will join the conversation. They will share real-life cases, mistakes and solutions. Because reconstruction is always a choice. To make things ‘as they were’ — or to create cities where everyone has the right to be.
17.01.2026
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News
Barrier-free work means flexibility and equal opportunities
Barrier-free work is not just about ramps or accessible offices. First and foremost, it is about conditions in which people can work without harming their health, without constant stress and without having to ‘adapt’ to the system. One of the key elements of such accessibility is a flexible work schedule. For people with disabilities, this is often not a bonus, but a necessary condition: the opportunity to combine work with treatment, rehabilitation, medical procedures or a special daily routine. A flexible work schedule may include: shifting the start and end of the working day; part-time work; a combination of offline and remote work — as agreed between the employee and the employer. This is the practical embodiment of the principle of accessibility: it is the organisation of work that must adapt to the needs of the person, not the other way around. It is important to note that the introduction of a flexible schedule does not abolish labour guarantees. Remuneration, holidays, social protection and seniority remain within the limits of current legislation. Work should not worsen a person's health — and creating such conditions is a sign of a responsible, modern employer. Discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited. Refusal to grant a flexible schedule without valid reasons effectively creates a barrier to employment and deprives a person of equal opportunities. A flexible schedule is not a privilege. It is a tool for equality, respect and the real participation of people with disabilities in the working life of society.
15.01.2026
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