As of July 1, 2025, there are more than 3.4 million people with disabilities living in Ukraine. Nearly 1.7 million of them are of working age, underscoring the scale of the challenges in the areas of employment, accessibility, and social integration.
The information was provided in response to a request from “The League of the Strong” public organization to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family, and Unity of Ukraine. Bogdan Kokhan, program director of “The League of the Strong”, announced this on “Ukrainian Radio” on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
These data are key to understanding the true scale of the needs of people with disabilities in Ukraine. In particular, the significant proportion of people of working age means that issues related to access to employment, education, transportation, and social services require a systematic solution.
“Of these, nearly 1.7 million are people of working age. These are very important figures in the context of the study we’ll be discussing later,” commented Bohdan Kokhan.
The findings of “The League of the Strong” study indicate that barriers to employment for people with disabilities are systemic in nature and span multiple levels. Among the key barriers are employers’ prejudices — they are often unwilling to hire people with disabilities due to a lack of understanding about how to organize the work process — as well as low awareness among both the individuals themselves and their families regarding available training and employment opportunities. Psychological barriers also play a significant role: some people are hesitant to enter the labor market or do not believe in their own chances.
Separately, the study highlights structural issues — a lack of flexible employment arrangements, such as remote work or flexible schedules, as well as the physical inaccessibility of infrastructure, transportation, and workplaces. Added to this are complex bureaucratic procedures and the limited effectiveness of government support programs, which do not always incentivize businesses to create accessible jobs. Taken together, these factors significantly limit the ability of people with disabilities to realize their potential and underscore the need for comprehensive changes in policies, infrastructure, and public attitudes.
“The League of the Strong” is a coalition of organizations working to ensure a dignified life for every person with a disability. We combine advocacy, research, awareness campaigns, the development of social services, and support for communities and partnerships.