At the start of National Barrier-Free Week, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, together with representatives of the government and civil society, opened the art project “Barrier-Free Means Seeing the Person Behind the Words.” It consists of a series of illustrations created by Ukrainian artists.
“No person should be stigmatized by any life circumstances or trauma. The person is the main and first characteristic of each of us. This is exactly what the project’s authors have depicted. Their works are dedicated to a child deprived of parental care, older people, people with amputations, and many, many others with their unique life circumstances – but first and foremost, to people,” the President’s wife emphasized.
Olena Zelenska noted that this week, the exhibition will be presented in different parts of Ukraine. In the regions, it will be introduced by barrier-free ambassadors, civic leaders, and cultural figures.
“Every community will have an opportunity to discuss the exhibition and reflect on it. To make sure: words matter. After all, our actions begin with them,” the First Lady said.
The project is part of the all-Ukrainian social change campaign “Accessibility Is When You Can,” implemented within the framework of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska’s “Without Barriers” initiative. It was carried out with the support of UNICEF, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, Advisor – Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Barrier-Free Environment Tetiana Lomakina, the NGO Barrier-Free, and the governments of Germany and the United Kingdom. The following Ukrainian artists contributed to the creation of the illustrations: Ivan Kravets, Mariia Foia, Marta Koshulinska, Anna Ptakha, Oleh Hryshchenko, Katia Lisova, Anna Sarvira, Svitlana Hryb, Oksana Drachkovska, Yevheniia Polosina, Sashko Danylenko, Maryana Mykytiuk, and Olha Dehtiarova.