A new system for monitoring reforms in the field of disability rights has been presented in Kyiv. Developed by experts from the NGO “League of the Strong,” this tool assesses the compliance of Ukrainian legislation with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and EU standards. It also aims to strengthen the involvement of people with disabilities in European integration and advocacy efforts. The announcement was made by Daria Sydorenko, Executive Director of “League of the Strong,” during a presentation at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
“The tool we are presenting today will help align Ukrainian legislation with European Union standards. As part of Ukraine’s EU accession process, we have committed to bringing our legal framework in line with European norms. However, there is still significant work to be done regarding disability rights. This monitoring system will help us identify the necessary changes,” emphasized Daria Sydorenko.
The system’s development follows a 2024 situational analysis of disability rights observance in Ukraine, conducted by “League of the Strong” in collaboration with other NGOs. The findings were presented at a UN Committee meeting in Geneva, where, based on both this analysis and the Ukrainian government’s report, the Committee issued recommendations for Ukraine on implementing the UN CRPD. These recommendations were discussed in October 2024.
Beyond data collection, the monitoring system also records key challenges, positive developments, and gaps in the implementation of disability rights. “This tool will provide the necessary evidence for advocacy, highlight legislative shortcomings, and track progress on implementing the Convention,” added Sydorenko.
One of the most pressing issues identified by experts is the lack of disaggregated data on people with disabilities. Kateryna Daineko, a board member of “League of the Strong,” stressed that Ukraine still lacks a unified registry with up-to-date statistics:
“We don’t have comprehensive data on our target group — its demographics, age composition, or total number. However, we do know that this number is rising due to the ongoing armed conflict, affecting both military personnel and civilians,” she stated.
A critical focus of the monitoring process will be evaluating the implementation of Ukraine’s Action Plan for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is set to conclude in 2025. Olena Kulchytska, Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy, emphasized the urgency of developing a new plan for the following years:
“We must draft a new action plan. Many of its key measures are already included in strategies such as deinstitutionalization, barrier-free accessibility, and the National Action Plan for Civil Society Engagement until 2030. However, with limited state resources, it is essential to prioritize the most critical objectives,” she noted.
The newly launched reform monitoring system is available on the “League of the Strong” website: https://ls.org.ua/proyekt-pidtrymka-yevrointegraczijnyh-proczesiv-v-ukrayini/.