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First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska summarized the implementation of barrier-free initiatives carried out by ministries in cooperation with civil society and international partners within her “Without Barriers” initiative and the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment.
This was reported by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
According to the First Lady, a total of 25 projects are currently being implemented, 11 of which were launched this year. They cover physical, social, educational, informational, digital, and economic accessibility — from rehabilitation and adaptive sports to access to legal information and inclusive public services.
“Barrier-free accessibility is needed by all of us — regardless of age or condition. Because life can be very different even within a single day”, — Olena Zelenska emphasized.
Key results by areas
Rehabilitation and medicine
- 358 inpatient and 505 outpatient rehabilitation facilities are already operating.
- 12,000 rehabilitation specialists — eight times more than in 2022.
- A comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Defense hospital network for accessibility has been conducted.
- More than 450,000 units of adaptive clothing have been procured and delivered for wounded servicemen.
Veterans and servicemembers
- 11 care spaces for veterans in medical facilities.
- Over 500,000 consultations provided by support specialists.
- 30,000 sets of women’s military uniforms, 50,000 tops, and over 50,000 units of underwear — the needs of servicewomen are covered 100%.
- Recovery and health centers for servicemen — the formation of a modern barrier-free rehabilitation network.
Adaptive sports and leisure
- 200 adaptive clubs in 18 regions and Kyiv.
- Over 85,000 visitors.
- 124,000 participants in veteran sports events, 45 nationwide competitions.
Social protection and supported living
- Over 100,000 Ukrainians received nearly 400,000 assistive rehabilitation devices.
- 14 supported living houses in five regions.
- 105 early intervention teams assisted more than 2,700 children under the age of four.
Education and culture
- Nearly 50,000 children study in inclusive classes.
- 23 “Schools of Superheroes” educational centers in hospitals across 20 regions.
- Access to cultural institutions and barrier-free information is expanding.
Digital, legal and economy accessibility
- e-Consul — digital transformation of consular services.
- WikiLegalAid — access to legal information, including translations into Crimean Tatar.
- 7 barrier-free driving schools in various regions.
- 14 communities with barrier-free Administrative Service Centers.
- Over 2,900 employers received compensation for equipping barrier-free workplaces.
The National Accessibility Strategy is being implemented as a long-term state policy. By the end of the year, the total length of barrier-free routes in 15 pilot cities has already reached 77 km, and the number of involved ministries and agencies continues to grow.
