The share of tolerant Ukrainians is growing, but there are psychological barriers - Presidential Commissioner for Accessibility
Kyiv • UNN
The presidential adviser reported that Ukrainians are increasingly sympathetic to people with mobility, hearing, and visual impairments. However, psychological barriers still prevent people from providing support due to lack of confidence.
Ukrainians have begun to show more compassion for people with mobility, hearing, and visual impairments, but psychological barriers still hinder support. This was reported by Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor to the Presidential Commissioner for Accessibility, to UNN.
"There are studies that show that Ukrainians have begun to show more compassion for people with certain disabilities of movement, hearing, and vision, but our people still don't know how to properly support or offer help to this person. There are many psychological barriers, and because of uncertainty, people simply withdraw from helping such people. The share of tolerant people is growing, but there are still psychological barriers," Lomakina said.
According to her, comprehensive actions are needed to solve this problem: nationwide training and information campaigns.
"We are planning to launch educational information campaigns to teach Ukrainians how to interact with older people and people with disabilities," Lomakina added.
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Experts interviewed by UNN have repeatedly emphasized that the central government should pay due attention to accessibility in Ukraine, especially now, in the context of the full-scale war waged by Russia against Ukraine. However, local authorities should not be excluded from this process, as they should ensure accessibility in settlements within their capabilities.
The city of Brovary is one example of a city where managers hear the needs of local residents and respond to them.
Earlier, UNN reported that the city authorities of Brovary are developing a program for 4-5 years to improve accessibility and comfortable movement of people with disabilities. In particular, the Brovary community plans to equip special lifts for people with disabilities in apartment buildings. According to Mayor Ihor Sapozhko, this option is optimal for the community's old apartment buildings.
Olena Akopian, an advisor to the mayor of Brovary, told UNN that all public institutions in Brovary are accessible for people with disabilities. All major shopping centers are equipped with ramps, elevators, and hygiene rooms for people with disabilities. Various commercial establishments and organizations have begun to seek consultations more often to properly equip or redesign their entrances to make them accessible to people with disabilities.
In addition, a diving rehabilitation project is being implemented in the city for Ukrainian soldiers who lost limbs defending Ukraine from Russian occupiers, family members of the victims, internally displaced persons, and veterans.
