On December 2–3, Kyiv hosted the National Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities, a key platform for discussing pathways to achieving European standards of respect and protection of the rights of people with disabilities in Ukraine. The event was organized by the public union “League of the Strong” and NGO “Fight for Right”, with the support of international partners. A special guest of the forum was First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
“This event is valuable because it brings together civic activists, government officials, and international partners. This is how we can talk and act — only together. When the full-scale invasion began, our country’s first priority was survival. But we quickly realized that ‘survival’ is not just about physical endurance; it also means continuing to develop,” said the First Lady.
The forum brought together over 200 participants, including representatives of public and international organizations, local authorities, and businesses. A key outcome of the event was the development of the Agenda for 2025 — a strategic document created by the disability community to outline priority actions for safeguarding the rights of people with disabilities.
“This year’s forum is a continuation of last year’s. Back then, we prepared a Resolution, supported by more than 40 organizations, which identified three key areas: changing societal perceptions of people with disabilities, increasing employment opportunities in the open labor market, and ensuring equal access to physical spaces, as well as digital, informational, and administrative services. Over the past year, we have made progress, but it is not enough. That’s why we have gathered again — to join forces and find collective solutions to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Ukraine,” emphasized Daria Sydorenko, Executive Director of the “League of the Strong.”
A major focus of the forum was Ukraine’s path to the European Union and the necessary steps for both the government and civil society in this process.
“Ukraine has clearly demonstrated its commitment to becoming part of the European Union. People with disabilities have the right to be fully included in this integration process. The Forum provided a space for discussion where every voice was heard. Together, we have developed the Agenda for 2025, which will serve as a guideline for both the government and civil society,” said Yulia Sachuk, co-organizer of the Forum and head of “Fight for Right.”
The full text of the Agenda for 2025 will soon be published on the websites of “League of the Strong” and “Fight for Right.”
About the Forum and Its Partners
The National Forum on the Rights of People with Disabilities — “On the Road to the EU” — was organized by the public union “League of the Strong” and the NGO “Fight for Right”, in partnership with UN Women in Ukraine, the International Renaissance Foundation, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Ukraine, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the MacArthur Foundation, the New Democracy Fund, and Kvinna till Kvinna. The forum was funded by the UN Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and British aid from the UK Government.
The views expressed during the event are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the partners or donors.