The team of the Luhansk Association of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities took part in the third annual international conference ‘Ukrainian Leadership in Aid’. The event became an important platform for exchanging experiences, practical solutions and joining forces for the humanitarian sector, which is based on the principles of dignity, equality and inclusion.

The key themes of the conference emphasised:

• the need for the full involvement of organisations of persons with disabilities in the planning, implementation and evaluation of humanitarian programmes;
• the recognition of accessibility as a basic element of localising aid;
• the understanding of accessibility not as an additional option, but as the foundation of an effective humanitarian response.

The conference also provided a space for meetings with partners, like-minded people and colleagues — people who work every day to ensure that humanitarian aid is not only timely, but also dignified and inclusive.

During the event, special attention was paid to the importance of creating conditions that allow each participant to feel like a full part of the process. This is not only about the content of the event, but also about seemingly simple yet critically important details: accessible bathrooms, convenient locations for moving to coffee breaks, lowered tables, etc.

It is these nuances that create a space where inclusivity is not just declared but realised. They create conditions where everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can participate, influence and be heard.

Such conferences are not only platforms for discussion, but also real steps towards policies that respond to people's needs. Because it is from such dialogues that systemic changes are born.