The first project seminar “Implementation of accessible environment in Kyiv: prospects and challenges for the second half of 2024” was held in Kyiv. Representatives of departments of the Kyiv City State Administration presented reports and plans for implementing barrier-free elements in city target programs. Experts from the NGO “The League of the Strong” will analyze the documents and prepare recommendations on what needs to be finalized in terms of accessibility. This was reported by Daria Sydorenko, executive director of “The League of the Strong” public union.
“The issue of accessibility is a matter of comfort and quality of life in the capital. This is a question of the possibility of living in Kyiv in 10-20-30 years. This is a matter of helping people who are now defending us and may return wounded. We are working together to make the capital of Ukraine accessible and barrier-free. We have already conducted a course on accessibility access for the KCSA employees. The next step is to analyze the tasks set out in the plans of structural units to implement barrier-free access. They must meet the requirements of state building codes and accessibility principles. In order to implement them in the future,” said Daria Sydorenko, executive director of “The League of the Strong” NGO.
During the event, representatives of the KCSA departments presented the results of the implementation of the National Strategy for Creating Accessibility Space in Ukraine for 2023-2024 for the period up to 2030 in Kyiv. They discussed plans to coordinate their actions for the second half of 2024. The focus was on health care, social protection and veteran policy, transport and housing and communal infrastructure, development of green areas and digital accessibility.
“The League of the Strong” NGO will analyze the submitted documents and provide recommendations on what needs to be improved in terms of accessibility.
“Our goal is to create an environment in Kyiv where every resident feels comfortable. Nowadays, Ukrainian society is moving away from the idea that accessibility is only about the absence of physical obstacles in the form of ramps and lifts. It is a much broader concept that concerns everyone. Ultimately, proper conditions must be created for each person so that they can use services and infrastructure without hindrance,” said Maryna Honda, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration for Self-Governance and responsible for implementing barrier-free access in Kyiv.
As a reminder, “The League of the Strong” public union held a course on accessibility access for employees of the Kyiv City State Administration and municipal enterprises of the capital. The course was aimed at teaching officials and employees of public utilities how to make city facilities accessible to people with disabilities.