There are dozens of non-governmental organisations in Ukraine that help people with disabilities: they advocate for change, support families, and provide humanitarian or psychosocial assistance. But despite their common goals, they have long worked in isolation, each in their own city or village, overcoming the same challenges on their own.
The League of Strong Community has brought together more than 100 such organisations from all corners of Ukraine into a living, horizontal network where they can receive support, find partners, join in joint advocacy and exchange experiences.
Why is it important for organisations of people with disabilities to act together? Who can join the Community and how? What opportunities are available to its members? How is this ecosystem of support and influence structured from within?
Ukrainska Pravda. Zhyttia sought answers to these questions together with experts from the League of Strong and members of its Community.
WHAT IS THE LEAGUE OF THE STRONG COMMUNITY AND HOW IS IT USEFUL
The League of the Strong is a public association founded by six organisations working in the field of disability.
Together, they created a community that includes more than 110 participants from different regions of Ukraine.
These are foundations, associations and organisations for which the League of the Strong Community has become a space for support, partnership, joint advocacy campaigns and training.
Within the Empower Ukraine project, participating organisations not only receive support for people with disabilities and their families, but also take part in training and workshops, find like-minded people and partners, strengthen the voice of their community, learn new things and share their own experiences.
“A community is about not being alone. It is not just a chat room, knowledge base or interest club, but a holistic ecosystem where no request goes unanswered and no initiative goes unsupported,” explains Bohdan Kokhan, head of the League of the Strong project office.
HOW IT WORKS: TRAINING AND ADVOCACY
Participation in the League of the Strong Community provides its members with a range of opportunities not only to exchange experiences, but also to gain new knowledge, attract funding and influence change at the national level.
As part of the Empower Ukraine. Disability Rights project, the team regularly organises training sessions for humanitarian, medical and social workers and representatives of local authorities in the Cherkasy, Ivano-Frankivsk and Ternopil regions, as well as online.
The events focus on humanitarian and rehabilitation needs and cover a wide range of topics, including:
- the use of assistive devices for people with disabilities;
- home rehabilitation methods;
- psychological support for veterans;
- the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities;
- involving people with disabilities in decision-making processes;
- barrier-free professional development;
- psychological and pedagogical support in inclusive resource centres;
- ensuring accessibility in institutions;
- principles of universal design;
- use of correct terminology.
The training sessions are aimed not only at educating the community, but also at strengthening and expanding it. With all the digital stuff going on, it’s really valuable to chat in person – to meet up, get to know each other, talk about shared experiences, and share stories in a relaxed way. The participants said this was what they missed the most.
The practical focus and inclusiveness of the training sessions are particularly valuable. Participants have the opportunity to communicate directly with people with disabilities, which strengthens the advocacy component and brings them into the spotlight. It helps raise the visibility of people with disabilities, which is both an indirect positive effect and one of the key goals of the project.
The results of surveys on knowledge, views and practices showed that participants significantly increased their professional awareness. The topics of the training sessions proved to be relevant and useful for the performance of their daily duties. There was also a significant improvement in understanding of inclusion and the situation of people with disabilities.
ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS
In addition to local initiatives, the League of the Strong community participates in nationwide advocacy campaigns. The League of the Strong often acts as the initiator, while participating organisations develop content, distribute materials and engage in discussions in their communities.
One such project is the photo exhibition ‘Time to Come Out into the Light,’ which is part of the League of the Strong’s information campaign of the same name. The main goal of the campaign is to motivate people with disabilities and their families to accept themselves, overcome internal barriers, and speak out about their needs and rights.
The exhibition has already been held in 10 locations: railway stations in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Cherkasy, Pidvolochysk, Chortkiv, Kolomyia and Yaremche, in the building of the Shumsk City Council, the Ivano-Frankivsk National Academic Drama Theatre and the Ivano-Frankivsk City Hall. Community members are actively involved in organising the event locally: they help find people with disabilities to feature in the exhibition and participate in the organisational processes.
The exhibition ‘Time to Come Out into the Light’ was also presented at the National Forum on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, organised by the League of The Strong in cooperation with the NGO Fight For Right and with the support of international partners. The forum brought together over 200 participants, including representatives of public and international organisations, in particular the League of The Strong Community, local government bodies and businesses.
“When we launch a campaign, it’s not about one person doing a big project. It’s about a collective movement. It’s about every region having a voice that is heard, ” explains Bohdan Kokhan, head of the League of the Strong project office.
HOW PARTICIPATION IN THE LEAGUE OF THE STRONG CHANGES COMMUNITIES
Bohdan Kokhan, head of the League of the Strong project office, explains that regions often lack people who can professionally promote changes in the field of accessibility, navigate laws, building codes (SBC), and regulatory documents.
“People with disabilities or their relatives often take care of this. And when they want to make things better in their community, they run into resistance from both the system and society. Agents of change often spend a lot of time and resources advocating for a particular issue in their region, but they do not always receive adequate support and the desired result,” notes Kokhan.
At such moments, the League of the Strong community becomes extremely important to them as a place of understanding, support, and exchange of experience. For example, a person sees that there are other organisations in Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk or Cherkasy that are dealing with similar challenges — and this is inspiring. They can communicate with them, hear about similar experiences, get advice or simply moral support.
“Community means that you are not alone. It means realising that there are people in Ternopil, Cherkasy, or Ivano-Frankivsk who face the same challenges as you every day. You can write to them directly with your request, and then someone from Ternopil can advise someone from Cherkasy on how to submit a request to the city council, and someone from Ivano-Frankivsk will send a template for the appeal,” explains Bohdan Kokhan, head of the League of the Strong project office.
MAINA KULYK FROM CHERKASY REGION
THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY, SHE REVISITED HER APPROACH TO ACCESSIBILITY AND DEINSTITUTIONALISATION
The ‘Nebayduzhi’ Charitable Foundation in Cherkasy Region was officially registered in 2016. But in fact, it began operating even earlier – as an initiative group that helped the first wave of displaced persons from Donetsk. Over time, the organisation’s activities expanded: separate programmes were created for the elderly and people with disabilities, and during the full-scale war, a shelter for displaced persons, a hippotherapy centre, a humanitarian hub and even a rehabilitation sports hall were established.
“We realised that assistance must be comprehensive. It is impossible to provide a single service and expect a person to recover. That is why we have created a space where people can communicate, interact and support each other,” says Maina Kulyk, head of the Nebayduzhi Foundation.
She explains that the space is not just used for rehabilitation and psychological support sessions — it is also a place where a community is formed, where people, regardless of age, diagnosis or experience, feel like they are part of society. And it was this idea that became the point of contact with another environment — the League of the Strong Community, which the Nebayduzhi Foundation joined about two years ago.
“I’ve been part of the League of the Strong Community for almost two years now, and it’s also an important part of my personal journey. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be part of the association. First of all, for the network that has been created. If I need help, advice or contact with specialists, I don’t have to search for everything on Google. I just write about my needs in the Community, and people respond,” says Maina.
Maina noted that she is pleased to see that the goals and activities of her foundation are fully aligned with the objectives of the Empower Ukraine project.
“We are effectively working on the same front and supporting each other. This applies, in particular, to the provision of humanitarian aid to people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, as well as issues of rehabilitation and psychological support. We have our own circle of experts in the region, we are in constant contact, regularly participate in project training sessions, and always learn something new from each other about current needs. We openly share both success stories and challenges, risks and ways to overcome them,” she explained.
According to her, live meetings that take place directly in Cherkasy are particularly valuable:
“It’s extremely convenient because we live and work here. This is where the project coordinators are located, with whom we interact on a daily basis. It makes the League of the Strong Community not just virtual – it has become a real, living community of like-minded people.”
One of the opportunities that the League of the Strong Community and participation in the Empower Ukraine. Disability Rights project events opened up for the woman was a study trip to Latvia. The programme participants saw how the accessibility system is organised there and that it covers much more than ramps or lifts.
“We got acquainted with the Latvian accessibility system and saw how their authorities organise accessibility for all citizens. I had always dreamed of something like this, but I didn’t know where to start. I had mobile ramps, a whole room with wheelchairs and crutches – I give everything I can for temporary use. But it was only after my trip to Riga that I realised that accessibility is not just about equipment. It’s about a separate philosophy,” Maina shares.
Another important topic that Maina discovered thanks to the Empower Ukraine project is Disability Rights, which is deinstitutionalisation for psychoneurological boarding schools.
For Maina, participating in the League of the Strong Community is not only about support, but also about partnership and knowledge exchange. She says that in difficult moments, she can simply write to her colleagues in the Community and get help instantly.
“I write: “I need colleagues in Chernivtsi for such and such a task” – and immediately there is a response. We already know each other, we are in touch, and this interaction has been a great support to me. Community managers do not dictate to us: “Do this, here is your project, here is your money”. No. They have created a space for the exchange of ideas, experience, and lively discussion. We don’t speak the language of ‘high science,’ but the language of practice: what consequences this may have, what needs to be changed, what ideas there are. It’s a fast, lively, effective process. And it is in this, I think, that the League of the Strong Community has great prospects as an association that combines practice, humanity and influence,” says Maina.
According to her, the most important thing is that the organisations united by the Community do not work simply for individual initiatives, but solve common social problems.
“Of course, you can work locally – do something on your own. But that won’t solve the global problem. Anyway, why did we all unite if not for joint action?
The war has brought us together, and everyone has their own resources. But it is not always necessary to do everything on your own — there are partners with expertise, experience, and knowledge, and it is better to unite than to duplicate efforts,” emphasises Maina Kulyk.
MARIA CHERVAK FROM IVANO-FRANKIVSK RECEIVED SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP FROM THE COMMUNITY
The United by Love NGO from Ivano-Frankivsk emerged as a support community for families raising children with disabilities. It was founded by kind-hearted people who wanted to help such families, unite them and create a space for care and development.
Over time, the NGO created a day rehabilitation centre, inclusive workshops and even its own shop where it sold the children’s crafts. They established cooperation with volunteers from other countries and searched for the necessary items for families themselves. Their activities were stable but limited. Volunteers helped and friends supported them.
After the organisation got acquainted with the League of the Strong, United by Love took part in a training within the Empower Ukraine project, then contacted the regional coordinators of the project and managers of the League of the Strong Community to clarify their requests.
“We explained that we have many families who are in critical need of items such as bathing chairs, tachometers, and hygiene products. They believed us and organised everything in a very short time,” says Maria Chervak, one of the organisation’s founders.
According to her, one of the most telling stories about the interaction between the United by Love NGO and the League of the Strong Community was the help provided to a boy named Radomyr. The child needed an active wheelchair, and Radomyr’s family did not know who to turn to with this request. Then Maria passed it on to the coordinators of Empower Ukraine — and in a matter of days, they helped find a solution, financed and delivered a wheelchair to Radomyr.
“We saw how the things given to such families not only changed their lives, but also gave them a sense of dignity. Families feel that they are not forgotten, and children feel more independent,” says Maria.
Participation in the League of the Strong Community helped the organisation expand its opportunities to support families and obtain the necessary resources for the wards of the United by Love NGO.
“Every union and cooperation for a good cause and to improve the lives of children and young people with disabilities is a powerful step towards the greater good for society as a whole. The time and purpose with which certain actions are implemented truly contribute to the socialisation, development and adaptation of these children and young people. That is why all initiatives, programmes, events and their implementation strengthen such cooperation, and the kindness, warmth and love received warm those who need it most,” says Maria Chervak.
TARAS KHOMITSKYY FROM TERNOPIL STRENGTHENED ADVOCACY FOR ACCESSIBILITY AND BECAME A COACH THANKS TO THE COMMUNITY
The Barrier-Free Ternopil NGO brings together city residents who face physical barriers every day: potholes, kerbs, inaccessible buildings. The founder of the organisation, Taras Khomitskyy, has been in a wheelchair since childhood and knows all too well what a city with barriers is like.
“I started writing appeals and petitions to draw the authorities’ attention to accessibility issues. At the same time, I studied building regulations and laws. Eventually, I met people who had similar difficulties and were also ready to take action. This led to the formation of an initiative group, which grew into an independent non-governmental organisation,” says Taras.
Today, Barrier-Free Ternopil operates not only in the regional centre, but also helps communities throughout the region. In particular, together with the NGO ‘Public Holding ’Influence Group,’ the team developed a barrier-free strategy for the Ternopil community. In Berezhany, at the invitation of the local NGO ‘Buzok’ it conducted monitoring of administrative buildings, which became the basis for the city’s barrier-free development strategy.
“We see that communities have begun to better understand why a barrier-free environment is necessary. In addition, cooperation between organisations in the region has intensified, ” says Taras Khomitskyy.
According to him, participation in the League of the Strong Community has given the organisation new momentum. With the support of the Empower Ukraine project, a series of training sessions were held in Ternopil for activists, civil society organisations and local government representatives to explain that accessibility is not a luxury, but a basic need.
“The League of the Strong organises many events aimed at promoting inclusion and protecting the rights of people with disabilities, both nationally and locally. They support local initiatives, and we feel this in practice,” says Taras.
Together with Taras, the League of the Strong trained community representatives in Ternopil in August on how to monitor physical environments for accessibility. Participants learned about leading international practices in the field of physical, informational, and digital accessibility. Particular attention was paid to identifying barriers in public spaces and developing strategies to remove them.
During the second training session implemented as part of the project, participants learned about advocacy tools, basic physical accessibility requirements (ramps and lifts parameters, door width, tactile navigation, accessible toilets, etc.), and familiarised themselves with the local context of Ternopil – in particular, how to effectively cooperate with and influence businesses in the city.
Participation in the project and joining the League of the Strong Community opened up new opportunities for the Barrier-Free Ternopil organisation. Their activities became more visible, and their voice became more recognisable and influential.
Taras emphasises that the Community’s greatest strength lies in interaction, as it is easy to find like-minded people, advice, support or partners for joint projects here.
HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE COMMUNITY
Joining the League of the Strong Community is easy – the main thing is that the organisation that wants to join shares the values, is motivated to work on improving conditions for people with disabilities, and is open to interaction.
“The mechanism is quite simple. The organisation fills out a questionnaire on the website, describing its activities, goals, and team. After that, the Community manager contacts them, clarifies the details, and conducts a short interview. It often happens that something in the questionnaire is not entirely clear or disclosed – we discuss it in person,” explains Bohdan Kokhan, head of the League of the Strong project office.
After that, the organisation is added to the Community’s Telegram chat, where all the activities and news from the life of the network of public organisations are concentrated. Newcomers are helped to find their feet, introduced to the topics being discussed, and invited to join training sessions, mini-groups, and discussions.
“It’s an informal structure. We don’t have a rigid hierarchy. The community is a living space, and the more active the organisation is, the more it will gain. Some people are looking for answers, some are sharing their experiences, and some are uniting around the advocacy of certain issues,” says Bohdan Kokhan.
A LIVING ORGANISM OF SUPPORT: how the Community is structured from within
The daily life of the Community is not limited to exchanging news on Telegram – it has built an organic network of support, joint learning and action. The interaction between participants is based on horizontality and sensitivity to the needs of each organisation.
The daily life of the Community is not limited to exchanging news on Telegram – it has built an organic network of support, joint learning and action. The interaction between participants is based on horizontality and sensitivity to the needs of each organisation.
“We don’t have a single directive. There are many horizontal connections – some work on reforming disability identification, some on employment, and some on social services and support programmes. And we try to create an environment where these points can converge in one place,” says Bohdan Kokhan.
One of the formats that helps build effective interaction between Community members is thematic mini-groups — small associations within a larger one that are formed around a specific issue. Participants in these groups meet online, exchange experiences, and look for solutions that later become the basis for advocacy initiatives.
“Once upon a time, these people had no platform where they could talk about their problems with those who understand them. Now they have found each other. And we just provide moderation — they do the rest themselves,” says Bohdan Kokhan.
The Community team regularly conducts mini-surveys and organises focus groups to better understand and explore the Community’s requests, challenges and goals.
“Our community already has over 110 organisations from all over Ukraine. Such surveys are part of research that provides valuable insight into the situation in the sector as a whole, and subsequently allows us to develop further training programmes and advocacy campaigns based on real needs rather than inertia. There is a lot of information out there right now — everyone is talking about something, conducting training sessions. But we try not to just add another one to the mix. We ask interested parties, ‘What exactly do you need?’ And then we take action,” explains Bohdan Kokhan.
Another level of interaction between Community members is working with requests. Sometimes an organisation receives a request that it cannot handle on its own. For example, a person needs an assistive device, legal advice or a wheelchair. In such cases, the request is forwarded to the chat, where it can be picked up by other organisations or the League of the Strong itself.
“We cannot promise that we will solve everything, but we can say for sure that no request will be left unanswered. And this is very important for building trust,” Bogdan Kokhan clarifies.
The Community manager coordinates all interactions within the association of civil society organisations. She not only helps new organisations join the network, but also maintains constant dialogue: organises meetings, responds to requests, provides advice and guidance.
“The Community is not about centralisation, but about movement. And we do everything to keep this movement alive: so that every organisation knows that its voice is important and that it has someone to consult with, ask questions, and gain strength,” says Bohdan Kokhan.
This material was created with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), CBM and the European Disability Forum. The views expressed in this material are those of the authors and therefore cannot be considered the official opinion of the financial partner and the European Disability Forum.
Read also the previous materials of the special project ‘A Country for All’ about whether the Cherkasy Administrative Services Centre passed the accessibility test, what problems people with disabilities face, what discriminates against people with disabilities in the service sector, what is wrong with their employment, and the importance of targeted specialised assistance, Take the test and find out how well you know the correct terminology for barrier-free language.