In February, “The League of the Strong” began to build a steady relationship with the media. Journalists focused on legal aid projects, stories of veterans and people with disabilities, as well as initiatives that make communities more accessible.
“Accessible Law” and the Hotline
One of the topics covered in media reports was free legal aid for people with disabilities. Journalists wrote about the work of the Hotline, established as part of the “Accessible Law” project, and its expansion. In the first four months of operation, lawyers from “The League of the Strong” provided 765 consultations, and the geographic scope of support expanded to six regions — Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson.
The “Accessible Law” project helps people with disabilities and their families, as well as internally displaced persons and members of other vulnerable groups, to receive free initial legal consultations. Through the hotline, specialists explain in simple terms where to go, what documents to prepare, and what steps to take — for example, to apply for disability benefits, undergo an ETAIDF (expert teams assessing an individual’s daily functioning) assessment, or receive social services.
The media also featured the expert opinion of “The League of the Strong”. On Ukrainian Radio Odessa, the association’s executive director, Daria Kukurika, discussed the most common inquiries received by the legal aid hotline. According to the expert, a significant portion of the inquiries concern the disability determination process and the work of the ETAIDF. People also contact the hotline with questions regarding the application process for social benefits, care arrangements, and compensation for damaged housing. Over 40% of inquiries come from internally displaced persons, and approximately 15% of inquiries from IDPs concern living allowances and compensation for damaged housing.
The hotline is available daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at +38 093 933 66 77; consultations are provided free of charge and in strict confidence.
Veterans’ Stories
The media paid particular attention to the personal stories of veterans who, after being wounded, are undergoing rehabilitation and learning to live with prosthetics. The reports highlighted soldiers who, following amputations, are not only regaining their mobility but also returning to an active life.
In particular, journalists wrote about veteran Yevhen Dmytrenko, who, after being wounded, learned to walk several kilometers on a prosthetic leg, gradually regaining his physical stamina and confidence in his mobility. Another story is about a veteran from Cherkasy who, after rehabilitation, was able to obtain a driver’s license, discovering a new freedom of movement and returning to an independent life.
Stories like these show that rehabilitation after injury is not just about physical recovery, but also about returning to an active role in the community.
Other topics
Another topic that has garnered media attention is accessibility in communities. In particular, journalists reported on the installation of lifts at a high school in Irpin for a boy with a disability, as well as the launch of the SAFE project, which provides cash vouchers and implements accessibility solutions in six communities.
The media also covered the development of the rehabilitation system — in particular, training doctors to identify patients’ need for rehabilitation services.
Thanks to such materials, the issues of the rights of people with disabilities, access to services, and accessibility are receiving greater attention in the public sphere.
If you represent the media and would like to collaborate with us on a story, request a comment, or invite us to appear on your program, please email us at press@ls.org.ua or call +38 (093) 849 50 75 (Maria, Media and Communications Specialist).
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