From 19 to 25 May, Ukraine is holding its first-ever National AccessAbility Week. Both domestically and internationally, our country consistently affirms the principles of barrier-free accessibility as an essential component of democratic development, European integration, and the respect for human rights.

The creation of a barrier-free environment has gained particular significance for Ukraine in the context of Russia's ongoing war of aggression. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine underscores the imperative of safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, the elderly, parents with young children, internally displaced persons, residents of areas near the contact line, and other social groups who face heightened barriers due to the war. Ukrainian diplomacy continuously draws the attention of international partners to the specific challenges encountered by these individuals.

Ukraine's reconstruction must be grounded in the principles of inclusiveness, dignity, and equal opportunities. Creating a barrier-free environment is not only a matter of protecting fundamental human rights but also a cornerstone of Ukraine’s sustainable recovery. After all, human life and dignity are the highest priorities of the democratic Ukrainian state. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively implementing the National Strategy for Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine up to 2030.

Accessibility is among the issues addressed by the Human Rights, Gender Equality and Diversity Council established at the MFA. This platform brings together representatives of Ukrainian state authorities, civil society, the accredited diplomatic corps, and international organizations present in Ukraine. The Council’s members have launched new initiatives aimed at ensuring inclusive access to employment, reconstruction, and infrastructure development that considers the needs of persons with reduced mobility, as well as the adaptation of educational, social, and medical institutions, improvement of transport accessibility, and the development and implementation of assistive technologies and communication strategies to ensure access to information for all societal groups.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers accessibility to be an integral part of the country’s sustainable and inclusive development. We are convinced that accessibility should not be a privilege, but a guarantee for every citizen of Ukraine - both at home and abroad.

To this end, the MFA is implementing practical accessibility initiatives. For instance, 15 consular offices have already been equipped with tactile navigation elements and audio guides, creating a safer environment for visually impaired individuals.

Online consultations for persons with disabilities have been introduced in 10 consular offices, enabling them to access assistance without needing to be physically present.

The digitalisation of consular services is ongoing.

Ukraine systematically promotes the issue of barrier-free accessibility within international organizations, particularly at the United Nations and Council of Europe, and as a member of the Biarritz Partnership — an international initiative for equal rights and opportunities for all. We continue to advocate for inclusive policy support at all levels of international cooperation.

The MFA expresses its sincere gratitude to international partners—particularly the United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Germany, the Council of Europe, UN-Habitat, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, as well as all our donors and partner organizations—for their expert, technical, and financial assistance in developing a barrier-free physical, digital, and information space, and for supporting the social cohesion of Ukrainians. Their assistance is invaluable at a time when Ukraine is compelled to allocate a significant portion of its resources to repelling Russian aggression.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine calls on international partners—governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations—to prioritize support for barrier-free solutions in their project activities.

Accessible and inclusive reconstruction ensures not only the physical recovery of the country but also the building of a truly democratic, dignified, and just society for all.

National AccessAbility Week is being held as part of the strategy for creating a barrier-free environment in Ukraine, an initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

https://mfa.gov.ua/en/news/zayava-mzs-z-nagodi-nacionalnogo-tizhnya-bezbaryernosti