In Vinnytsia, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, together with Minister of Youth and Sports Matvii Bidnyi and deputy heads of the relevant ministries, reviewed examples of barrier-free solutions implemented in the region.
The President’s wife visited the Vinnytsia Regional Council Vocational College of Services. As part of the EU4Skills: Modernization of Vocational Education and Training Infrastructure in Ukraine project, the institution has created a barrier-free HORECA space for training students with disabilities, including those with hearing impairments.
Olena Zelenska also visited the Podillia Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center for People with Disabilities. With support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financial assistance from the Government of Japan, the center has created a training area for learning wheelchair mobility techniques and a spatial orientation area for people with visual impairments.
In addition, the First Lady reviewed barrier-free solutions introduced at the Vinnytsia Regional Academic Music and Drama Theater named after Mykola Sadovskyi. The theater has created spaces in the auditorium for wheelchair users, while navigation, assistance, and information support have been introduced for visitors with hearing and visual impairments. With support from the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation’s Culture Without Barriers program, the theater launched an audio description service for people with visual impairments.
Olena Zelenska also visited the Harmoniia Municipal Center for the Social and Psychological Rehabilitation of Children and Young People with Physical Disabilities. The center’s mission is to restore and support the physical and psychological well-being of children and young people with disabilities, promote their social adaptation, development, and integration into society.
The President’s wife also learned about the work of the youth center — a free space for youth development. The First Lady took part in a discussion of the flagship project of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Office of the President of Ukraine, Future Hubs, which aims to create spaces for life planning, professional self-determination, and the development of young people’s economic independence. She also participated in the “Mapping Opportunities” training session focused on identifying opportunities available to young people within their community.
“It was important to see the solutions created within the framework of the State Barrier-Free Program for the residents of Vinnytsia — adults and children. We will discuss with responsible officials how to make the best solutions the norm across all of Ukraine,” the First Lady stressed.
In addition, during the special event “Language of Dignity,” writer and founder of the NGO Visible, Olena Pshenychna, delivered a thematic lecture on respectful and appropriate language.
“Although today we are summarizing the results of the Barrier-Free Week, the work continues. Every week, month, and year in Ukraine must become barrier-free. As human rights and opportunities should not be limited by any restrictive deadlines or barriers,” the President’s wife said.
According to Olena Zelenska, more than 3,700 events took place across the country during the Barrier-Free Week.
“Not only the capital and regional centers, but countless communities across the country took part in creating equal opportunities for everyone and raising awareness about them. If barrier-free accessibility becomes a conscious choice at the level of even the smallest communities, it will gradually become the norm for every Ukrainian,” the First Lady noted.