Volodymyr Vysotskyi, an expert on accessibility and inclusive practices at “The League of the Strong”, spoke on Suspilne.Studio about how local authorities should resolve conflicts surrounding the installation of ramps and lifts in apartment blocks, and why barrier-free solutions benefit all residents.
The studio discussed whether neighbours’ objections can genuinely hinder the installation of a ramp and how communities and local authorities should act in such cases.
“Yes, it can be an obstacle. And this is not an isolated case where residents themselves stand in the way of accessibility improvements, especially in residential buildings. Quite scandalous situations also arise with veterans.
“There is a major problem in that people—residents and neighbours—vehemently oppose any changes—ramps, lifts—and in doing so deprive people with disabilities, particularly veterans, of the opportunity to gain unimpeded access to the street and, indeed, to all the benefits of civilisation available in the community,” said Volodymyr.
According to the expert, the possibility of installing a ramp in a block of flats depends on a number of factors — in particular, whether a residents’ association has been established in the building and how decisions regarding communal property are made. In such situations, the stance of the majority of the building’s residents usually plays a decisive role.
“Unfortunately, we often find ourselves in situations today where it is the majority of neighbours who oppose such changes—the installation of ramps or lifts. And this becomes a barrier for people with disabilities. Although, in my view, the rights and dignity of one person should take precedence over the personal preferences of others,” commented Volodymyr.
In such situations, it is important to engage in outreach work with residents and explain why accessibility improvements are necessary. This is not just about installing ramps or lifts, but also about comprehensive improvements to the area around the building — for example, landscaping the grounds or creating a children’s playground. Such an approach can help encourage residents to support the changes. The chairpersons of housing associations and local authorities should also be more active in this regard.
Legislative mechanisms already exist to overcome residents’ reluctance to create barrier-free spaces. However, the conflict of interests and rights between the various parties involved remains unresolved.
“On the one hand, there are the rights and interests of a person with a disability, and on the other hand, there are the same legitimate rights and interests of co-owners of the house or neighbors. The question is how to resolve this conflict of interests. And here mediation plays an important role – a soft approach to finding a solution,” Volodymyr explained.
He noted that this is one of the tasks of the Accessibility Councils, which are created and operate in many communities, authorized for these issues, as well as public organizations.
And first of all, local governments and their executive bodies should take care of this. They should, firstly, provide a budget for the implementation of barrier-free solutions, secondly, offer people specific benefits from such changes, and thirdly, act openly and transparently, according to a clear plan and with an explanation of why it is necessary.
Accessible design solutions create comfortable conditions not only for wheelchair users, but also for parents with young children and older people, and generally enhance the comfort of the home for all residents, regardless of whether they have a disability.
‘Such changes also increase the market value of the property. A home with barrier-free access has a higher market value, as far more people are interested in such conditions than might appear at first glance. When people are choosing where to live or buy a flat, especially if it’s a young family, a family with a veteran, older people or someone with a disability, they pay significant attention to the accessibility of the property,” added Volodymyr Vysotskyi.
The conversation was prompted by a situation in Malyn, previously reported by journalists from Suspilne Zhytomyr. A man living on the ground floor of a block of flats has been unable to secure the installation of a ramp at his entrance. The city council explained that it is currently impossible to provide barrier-free access due to objections from the building’s residents.