The National Strategy on Barrier-free Ukraine, developing at the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, aims to build a society where every citizen is treated with respect, where everyone feels important and valuable, and has the opportunity to live a full life.
More than 230 experts, 50 public organizations and think tanks from all over Ukraine have been engaged in developing the National Strategy on Barrier-free Ukraine, working under six thematic groups: physical, information, digital, social-civic, educational and economic.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine is also actively involved in the development of the Strategy, as it is important that ATO/JFO veterans have all the conditions to realize their potential and open opportunities in access to employment, education, health and social services, as well as to all objects of infrastructure.
According to Minister for Veterans Affairs Yuliia Laputina, who is a member of the intersectoral working group on developing a draft National Strategy for Barrier-free Ukraine, there are many cases when Ukrainian defenders face barriers to adaptation while returning to civilian life, employment, receiving medical and psychological services.
The head of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is convinced that barrier-free principles should become a new social norm.
“Our warriors, who, while defending the country, received injuries, contusions, diseases that led to limited physical capabilities, must be provided with decent conditions for access to public spaces of education, health care, centers of all services, etc., receive decent conditions for self-realization in communities,” Yuliia Laputina notes.
The National Strategy on Barrier-free Ukraine is currently being finalized and is being prepared by the Government for adoption. It will lay the foundations for a new social norm where everyone, including veterans with injuries and contusions, will feel involved in public life.
Development of the National Strategy was initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska, and by a presidential decree. It will include measures to remove barriers in various spheres of life, strengthen opportunities and ensure equal rights for all Ukrainians. It is about building a barrier-free Ukraine in six areas: educational, civic, digital, physical, social and economic. The Strategy will also contain clear indicators on the effectiveness of the implementation of its initiatives.