Inclusive reconstruction is about comfort for every Ukrainian. This opinion was expressed by the executive director of the League of the Strong in a blog post on Ukrinform. Daria voiced most of the ideas in the publication at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London.
According to Daria, the first and most important thing is to start planning new facilities and urban reconstruction plans based on the principle of universal design. This is an approach in which facilities can be used by all people without the need for adaptation or specialised design.
“By applying this principle, everyone will benefit. Because each of us at a certain stage of life can become less mobile – this includes pregnant women, small children, and people with temporary health problems. This principle will make both a person who twisted his or her leg and has to use crutches for a week or two and a family who walks with a baby in a stroller every day feel better, because it will be much more convenient to move around the settlement,” said Daria Sydorenko.
According to the executive director of the League of the Strong, another important aspect of reconstruction is the creation of services in communities. We are talking about both social and administrative services. For example, parents raising children with disabilities should have support, psychological assistance, and daycare services.
“The presence or absence of social services for families with disabilities, in our opinion, will play a crucial role in the hesitation to return to Ukraine. Because these services affect the comfort of everyday life,” said Daria Sydorenko.
Read the full text of the blog on the Ukrinform website here.