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Ukraine Updates, 15 September

Ukraine Updates, 15 September
  • On Thursday 8 September, we collaborated with Inclusion Europe to a conference on “Disability-Inclusive Rebuilding in Ukraine”. The speakers discussed Universal Design, investing in community care for persons with disabilities, and policies to prevent homelessness. We talked about accessible environments, and urged the donor community to request reconstruction plans that follow the international accessibility standards and to include persons with disabilities in the planning consultations.
  • The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has released a special report on Ukraine (Word document), where they express their concern for the security of persons with disabilities in the country, especially for people in residential institutions. We are happy to notice that numerous of our inputs and concerns were fully included in the report, which provides recommendations on the accessibility of shelter, evacuation and reconstruction, deinstitutionalization and meaningful consultation of persons with disabilities and DPOs in the humanitarian effort. Read Reuters’ article for a full picture of the situation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine and of the CRPD’s concerns.
  • “The world is changing, and we are also changing the attitudes towards people with disabilities.” – our member, the National Assembly of People with Disabilities (NAPD), published the story of Maria Hohilchyn and her “White Cane” NGO, that promotes the integration and independent living of blind and partially sighted people in Ukraine. Since the start of the war, White Cane has been helping blind and partially sighted Ukrainian refugees, not only by responding to their immediate needs but also by actively consulting with them, engaging with their stories and taking care of their leisure with relief paintings and braille books. Read Maria’s story on NAPD’s website.