Civil society organisations express their respect and draw the attention of public authorities to the need to take into account and implement accessibility and inclusion standards during the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the number of people with disabilities has increased dramatically, and the problems that existed before the invasion have become even more urgent and evident.
However, along with the deterioration of the situation, a window of opportunity has opened for Ukraine to implement reforms, change standards and approaches to protecting the rights of people with disabilities, and increase the level of inclusiveness and accessibility in various areas.
We believe that:
1) reconstruction should be inclusive;
2) reconstruction should affect various spheres of public life
3) reconstruction should take place throughout Ukraine;
The goal of inclusive reconstruction of Ukraine should be to create conditions for a comfortable life for all members of society and the possibility of returning people from abroad.
Inclusive reconstruction is the process of ensuring accessibility and barrier-free conditions in various areas:
1. physical/architectural
2. information
3. digital
4. social and public
5. educational
6. economic
At the same time, accessibility standards are not sufficiently applied throughout Ukraine. As a result, access to buildings, transport, government institutions, public spaces and services is insufficient or even impossible. Whereas now there is an opportunity to improve the situation and allow people with disabilities, people who were injured during the war to live a full life, plan their day regardless of other people’s schedules, move freely, work and use civilian protection shelters.
At the same time, the current procedure stipulates that regional civilian/military administrations, in consultation with local governments, compile a list of facilities to be restored or reconstructed under this project. This list is submitted to the Reconstruction Agency, which evaluates it and decides on the allocation of funds and project implementation or returns the list for further revision.
In addition, on 25 April 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted Resolution No. 412, which established an Interagency Working Group to review applicants’ proposals and prepare recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers on the allocation of funds from the Fund for the Elimination of the Consequences of Armed Aggression. The group will also contribute to the development of the legal framework related to its area of responsibility.
We call on the state authorities and the interagency working group:
– Ensure in practice the constructive participation of representative organisations of persons with disabilities in all decision-making processes at all stages of the recovery programme cycle, including reconstruction and resilience building.
– Provide all information to civil society organisations, including civil society organisations of persons with disabilities, in accessible formats.
– Avoid financing the construction or reconstruction of buildings, public spaces, and streets that do not comply with the principles of universal design and the requirements of DBN B.2.2-40:2018 “Inclusivity of Buildings and Structures”.
– Support construction companies that demonstrate corporate responsibility for respecting human rights (based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, standards of responsible business conduct and other relevant documents) and incorporate universal design principles into their work.