UAH 129 million was compensated by the state to employers for the arrangement of workplaces for almost 2,000 employed people with disabilities in 2024. This was announced by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

“This programme helps businesses create comfortable and inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities. In 2024, more than 1,500 entrepreneurs took advantage of this opportunity to equip almost 2,000 workplaces, including purchasing special furniture, equipment, and auxiliary devices such as lifts or ramps. The state compensated businesses for these costs by investing almost UAH 129 million in barrier-free access. This year we will continue the programme,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Entrepreneurs from all regions of Ukraine received compensation for workplace accessibility for employees with disabilities. The largest number of such employers are in Kyiv, Cherkasy, Ivano-Frankivsk regions and the city of Kyiv. The average amount of compensation in 2024 was UAH 69,000.

The employers purchased, among other things, specialised furniture and accessories for employees with musculoskeletal disorders, tactile materials for flooring and staircases, stair lifts and lifting platforms for wheelchair users, computers (PCs, laptops) with built-in eye protection devices, specialised desk lamps for employees with visual impairments, communication equipment and specialised accessories (phones and headphones) for employees with hearing impairments.

Background

In August 2023, the Government introduced a programme to compensate employers for the costs of equipping workplaces for people with disabilities. Under the programme, starting from 1 January 2025, the amount of compensation will be up to UAH 120,000 for the arrangement of workplaces for people with Group I disabilities, and up to UAH 80,000 for people with Group II disabilities.

To receive compensation, an employer must submit an application within 90 days from the date of employment of a worker with a disability. This can be done online on the Diia portal or offline by contacting the employment centre at the place of business. It takes up to 10 business days to process the application. In case of a positive decision, the funds will be transferred to the employer’s account within 5 days.

The programme to compensate employers for the costs of equipping workplaces for people with disabilities is part of the flagship project of the Ministry of Economy “Work without Barriers”, which is being implemented as part of the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine.