The Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Union” announced the successful completion of the online training course “Designing Inclusive Solutions and Barrier-Free Reconstruction” for six target communities in the Kherson region: Kherson, Chornobaivka, Novovorontsovka, Vysokopillia, Kochubeivka, and Velyka Oleksandrivka.
The goal of the course was to shift participants’ thinking from a medical model of disability to a rights-based model, and to provide practical tools for designing barrier-free environments during community reconstruction. The program, developed by accessibility expert, occupational therapist, and head of the NGO “Active Rehabilitation Group” Vitalii Pcholkin, consisted of three online modules followed by individual consultations for community representatives.
What did participants study and explore during the course?
As part of the course, participants examined in detail the seven principles of universal design and the concept of “Design for All.” They learned how to communicate effectively, why the term “people with limited mobility” is much broader than just wheelchair users, and analyzed various types of accessibility.
Participants familiarized themselves with the requirements of the State Building Codes to ensure a continuous chain of physical accessibility from the bus stop or parking lot to the point of service.
The issue of accessibility is a cross-cutting and critically important one in various spheres of community life. In particular, it is crucial for the effective implementation of veteran policies at the community level. That is why specialists who support veterans—and who work daily to simplify access to services for our defenders—actively participated in the training.
On-Site Audits of Public Facilities
The most important practical component of the training was conducting independent accessibility audits of actual public facilities in local communities using the provided checklists. Working groups thoroughly examined and documented barriers at key community facilities, including libraries, shelters, hospitals, Administrative Service Centers, and other locations.
Based on measurement results and photographic documentation, each community developed a draft roadmap and priority steps to eliminate the identified barriers.
A Foundation for Future Projects and Attracting Investment
The audits and roadmaps developed during the training are intended to serve as the foundation for future recovery projects. Having a completed audit with measurements and photographic documentation provides strong justification, which significantly increases communities’ chances of securing funding from international partners.
Why Is Accessibility Important Right Now?
Even amid the extremely challenging security conditions in the Kherson region, under the threat of constant shelling, education remains as relevant as ever. The course participants shared their experiences during the final meeting.
A representative from Kherson described the realities of conducting site surveys: “It’s very difficult to conduct surveys in Kherson right now. I personally went out twice—and both times had to run for cover... But we need to keep learning—so that people finally understand what accessibility is—and we need to do it right now.”
Another course participant from Chornobaivka supported her colleague: “Indeed, where we cannot currently undertake any major construction projects, we can start with training; we can prepare documents and train specialists within our own organizations… And for those facilities that are currently being built or renovated, accessibility and inclusivity needs must be taken into account right away.”
Moving forward, the communities will receive individual consultations with a trainer to help them refine the roadmaps they’ve created into a working format and properly incorporate accessibility requirements into future projects.
The grant initiative is implemented by the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation "Union" within the framework of EU4Recovery - a flagship partnership of the European Union (EU) and UNDP Ukraine.
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