Barrier-free driving: freedom of movement that is still not available to everyone
24.11.2025
News
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.
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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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News
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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