Ministry of Digital Transformation: Accessibility audit conducted in the CASPs of 14 communities to ensure that public services are accessible to everyone

Barrier-free CASPs is a flagship project of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, implemented jointly with partners and communities as part of the Without Barriers initiative of Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska. The goal is to transform administrative service centres (CASPs) into spaces that are comfortable for people with disabilities, parents with prams, the elderly, and everyone who uses the services.

What was inspected

With the support of the EGAP Programme, implemented by the East Europe Foundation with the support of Switzerland, experts conducted an accessibility audit in 14 communities. They examined the physical, digital, informational, communicational, and organisational accessibility of visitor routes.

Most common problems

Most of the problems were found in pedestrian areas and at the entrance to the CASP, inconvenient navigation inside the building for people with mobility impairments, and inaccessible WCs for people with disabilities, elderly people and parents with children.

"Our goal is not only to identify shortcomings, but to help the centres make their services accessible and friendly to everyone,’ said accessibility consultant Vitalii Pcholkin.

What has changed

In the city of Samar, the team is rebuilding the facility into a barrier-free Diia.Hub: improving indoor navigation, installing bicycle parking and parking spaces for drivers with disabilities. The new user-friendly Diia.Hub is scheduled to open by the end of 2025.

In Novovolynsk, following an audit, the markings for parking spaces for drivers with disabilities have already been updated and the registration desk has been replaced.

"After the audit, the experts identified the following barriers: signs, the height of the stands, door handles. Most of the recommendations have already been implemented: the markings for parking spaces for drivers with disabilities have been updated and the registration desk has been replaced. Plans include a major renovation of the entrance area: doors, stairs and a ramp," said Olha Medved, head of the CASP.

What's next

After the audits, the experts draw up a checklist with recommendations and practical advice for each centre. Participants in the flagship project are introducing changes to create spaces where all people can receive administrative services with comfort and dignity.

The CASP is about equal access to services for everyone. Barrier-free means when everyone can.

Background information

The Barrier-Free CASP project is being implemented as part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine, which was created on the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska.