Ukraine continues to pursue a consistent course of creating a barrier-free environment for all citizens, as human needs come first. This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a meeting of the Barrier-Free Environment Council held on 29 March with the participation of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

"Inclusiveness, openness and high standards of quality of life - all this should be ensured not only in the capital and large cities. But also in the most remote settlements," said Denys Shmyhal.

"I would like to remind you that when we summed up the results of the year the previous time, we noted an alarming figure: for 50% of our society, people with disabilities remain invisible. Only a quarter of respondents say they notice people with disabilities in public places. In practice, there are three million people with disabilities only officially. And about 300,000 more have been added over the two years of the hostile invasion. Social invisibility always has only one reason - lack of opportunities. We must open, but not close. We must make people visible through their needs. We do not have time for formal decisions. They are trying to destroy us every day. Instead, we must learn to preserve and value every citizen of the country. This is the only way to joint self-preservation and survival," Olena Zelenska said in her speech.

The participants of the meeting discussed the results of the work of the ministries and the priority areas for the introduction of physical barrier-free access.

According to the Prime Minister, out of 500 barrier-free measures planned for implementation in 2023 only half of them have been implemented. The rest are still in progress, and the ministries should pay attention to the situation.

The Prime Minister also pointed out areas of priority. The first is to create maximum opportunities for defenders.

"We are talking about the reform of the MMC and the MSEC, about the de-bureaucratisation of institutions, about physical barrier-free access to all institutions where a defender can come. We have held a number of meetings on this issue at the ministerial level. We have to extend this practice to the whole territory of our country," Denys Shmyhal emphasised.

According to the Head of Government, veterans' self-realisation is also part of the barrier-free environment. Well-paid work, effective application of their knowledge and skills, and the option of starting their own business. The Government is also working on this together with the Ministry of Economy.

"The second priority is to rebuild on the principle of 'Build Back Better'. Where 'better' necessarily means 'more affordable'. All restored infrastructure must meet the standards of inclusiveness and barrier-free access. And local authorities must take this into account when developing strategic documents and implementing projects," the Prime Minister said.

The third area, voiced by Denys Shmyhal, is digital inclusion. According to him, digitalisation is our cross-sectoral topic, covering almost all the reforms that are currently underway.

"It refers to access to high-speed internet even in remote communities. It means opportunities to use digital services for people with physical disabilities. And, of course, the fact that every new digital service we introduce brings us closer to an inclusive society," the Head of Government stressed.

The Prime Minister also emphasised that each community must ensure the local dimension of barrier-free access, including the accessibility of public spaces and shelters.

Denys Shmyhal thanked the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska for her constant involvement in the issue of barrier-free access.