Government adopts a series of decisions at the Barrier-Free Council meeting in Borodianka to make the environment in Ukraine more accessible for all citizens

At the Barrier-Free Council meeting in Borodianka, the Government adopted a series of decisions to make the environment in Ukraine more accessible for all citizens

Today, another meeting of the Barrier-Free Council took place in Borodianka, which is actively rebuilding after russian crimes in 2022.

“The Council format has already become a platform where we can develop new policies and improve existing decisions. I thank First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska for her leadership on barrier-free access and Presidential Commissioner for Barrier-Free Environment Tetiana Lomakina for her systematic work. Barrier-free access is not about the needs of individual people – it is about all of us, about a society where everyone is needed, for joint recovery, development, and building a state for all. This topic must remain in the focus of state policy, as it is about dignity,” stated Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.

The Government adopted a series of decisions to make the environment in Ukraine more accessible for all citizens:

1. Approved a draft law on digital accessibility of online services.

The draft law regulates the mechanism for ensuring accessibility to digital services for all users – including those with disabilities, temporary impairments, and older people. This applies to essential services such as banking, doctor appointments, ticket purchases, and e-commerce.

“We are adopting European standards and moving towards harmonising our legislation with EU Directives, as provided for in the Association Agreement,” noted Yulia Svyrydenko.

2. Provided a mechanism for cash compensation to veterans with disabilities for adapting their own vehicles.

“The maximum payment amount is up to UAH 70,000. Up to 1,000 veterans will be able to receive this assistance annually. Funding will come from the state programme for veteran support,” reported the Head of Government.

3. Adapted the school meals reform for 2025–2027 to meet the needs of every child.

“We are expanding free meals for pupils, including children with special educational needs. The document also provides for cooperation between schools and local producers, as well as the development of international partnerships,” commented Yulia Svyrydenko.

4. Approved a draft law on the accessibility of television and online media.

The document sets requirements for media content delivery to ensure people with disabilities have full access to information. This means subtitles, sign language interpretation, and audio description must be provided. The National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting will receive additional powers to monitor compliance with these requirements.

“This is a continuation of the systematic policy under the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment. All Government ministerial teams are working on it. The war does not reduce the need for high-quality inclusive access to services – on the contrary, it significantly heightens it. Therefore, the Government’s task is to continue making the environment accessible for people in all areas of life, with equal conditions and respect for every individual,” emphasised Yulia Svyrydenko.