Barrier-free in action: continuing to educate communities about accessibility
13.11.2025
Articles
The final days of training are coming to an end in Dnipro, where we, together with participants representing social services, education, medicine, and public organisations, continue to transform knowledge into practical skills.
During the classes, participants worked with modern materials that help structure the approach to assessing accessibility: the Accessibility Guide, the Album of Accessible Solutions, and the Glossary of Terms.
The practical part, led by an expert in physical accessibility, focused on the actual measurement of ramp slopes, door widths, handrail heights, the assessment of tactile elements, and the marking of stairs and call buttons.
Participants learned to analyse public spaces through the eyes of people with different needs — from parents with prams to people with visual or mobility impairments.
During the exercises, we discussed in detail how to distinguish between real and formal accessibility, why it is important to consider not only standards but also human experience, and how to avoid decisions that may create new barriers in practice.
Such trainings show how much still needs to be changed — and at the same time, how much can be done right now in every community. This is a step towards making accessibility not just a declaration, but part of everyday management decisions.
The training is implemented within the framework of the project
‘Protection, health care and inclusion of vulnerable populations in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions’
with the support of OCHA Ukraine
in cooperation with the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (LAOPD) and Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo (VIS).
News and events
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Travel by train for people with disabilities: how Ukrzaliznytsia's service is changing
Just a few years ago, travelling by train was a real challenge for people with disabilities. Lifts did not always work, staff were often confused, and boarding took a long time and required considerable effort. Today, the situation is gradually but noticeably changing. Ukrzaliznytsia takes into account the comments and recommendations of people with disabilities, improves training and teaches employees how to properly, safely and professionally assist passengers who use wheelchairs. These changes are evident in practice: • staff work calmly, attentively and confidently; • lifts are functioning properly; • boarding is quick and easy; • the emotional barrier to communication has been significantly reduced. Several key results can already be noted: — employee preparedness has increased significantly; — the algorithm of actions during escorting has become clear and consistent; — travel for people with disabilities has become much more accessible than before. At the same time, the path to full accessibility is still ongoing. There are many challenges that require attention and systematic work. But it is important that progress is being made and that Ukrzaliznytsia is moving towards creating a truly inclusive service. Accessibility is not an additional option, but a basic right. It is positive that this idea is increasingly being implemented in the practice of rail transport.
17.11.2025
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Events
Three-day training course ‘Barrier-free in action: inclusion, protection, sustainability’ completed
Over three intensive days, 18 specialists from the social, education, medical and public sectors worked on how to make communities safe, accessible and inclusive for everyone. We discussed accessibility as practical tools and solutions that can change lives. Day 1 — Accessibility in practice Participants worked through the six components of accessibility, learned to assess spaces, use accessibility checklists, and examined real-life examples of adapting public buildings. The practical exercise ‘Model of an inclusive space’ helped us see even familiar spaces in a new light. Day 2 — Inclusion and working with vulnerable groups We discussed algorithms for responding to gender-based violence, supporting children in crisis situations, effective interaction with parents, and other aspects of cross-sectoral cooperation. During the practical part, participants worked on real cases and developed safe and ethical solutions for working with children and families. Day 3 — Burnout Prevention and Professional Resilience We focused on the balance between empathy and professional boundaries, self-regulation techniques, and team support. At the end, each group presented their own action plan, which will be implemented in their organisations in the near future. The atmosphere of support and trust made these three days productive and meaningful. We sincerely thank the trainers for their professionalism and inspiration, and the participants for their engagement, openness and willingness to create change in their communities. All participants received certificates. However, the most important result was the new practices and solutions that they are now ready to implement in their daily work. The training was held as part of the project ‘Protection, health care and inclusion of vulnerable populations in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions,’ implemented with the support of OCHA Ukraine Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in partnership with VIS – Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo.
14.11.2025
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Articles
Barrier-free in action: continuing to educate communities about accessibility
The final days of training are coming to an end in Dnipro, where we, together with participants representing social services, education, medicine, and public organisations, continue to transform knowledge into practical skills. During the classes, participants worked with modern materials that help structure the approach to assessing accessibility: the Accessibility Guide, the Album of Accessible Solutions, and the Glossary of Terms. The practical part, led by an expert in physical accessibility, focused on the actual measurement of ramp slopes, door widths, handrail heights, the assessment of tactile elements, and the marking of stairs and call buttons. Participants learned to analyse public spaces through the eyes of people with different needs — from parents with prams to people with visual or mobility impairments. During the exercises, we discussed in detail how to distinguish between real and formal accessibility, why it is important to consider not only standards but also human experience, and how to avoid decisions that may create new barriers in practice. Such trainings show how much still needs to be changed — and at the same time, how much can be done right now in every community. This is a step towards making accessibility not just a declaration, but part of everyday management decisions. The training is implemented within the framework of the project ‘Protection, health care and inclusion of vulnerable populations in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions’ with the support of OCHA Ukraine in cooperation with the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (LAOPD) and Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo (VIS).
13.11.2025
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