A new report developed by the Kharkiv Institute for Social Research highlights the bad living conditions and significant issues faced by persons with disabilities living in residential institutions in Ukraine. It also points to the insufficient efforts to provide solutions for independent living in the community.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the lives of millions of Ukrainians, particularly persons with disabilities, have been profoundly affected. The war has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and posed significant challenges for persons with disabilities residing in Ukrainian institutions.
We call for recovery and reconstruction activities that support the move towards independent living in the community and avoid strengthening segregation.
The state of institutional care
Ukraine is home to 2.7 million persons with disabilities, many of whom reside in institutions. In 2021, approximately 230,000 persons received inpatient psychiatric care, while more than 43,000 persons received social and medical services in 282 residential institutions (including persons with intellectual disabilities and older people). The report also states that the persistence of institutional care is primarily due to the state’s insufficient efforts to implement the transition to community-based services and independent living.
This insufficient effort is also exemplified by the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, February 2022-February 2023, jointly compiled by the World Bank, the European Union, the United Nations, and the Government of Ukraine, which refers to a request from the Government of Ukraine of 127.5 million to reconstruct damaged residential care facilities. Regarding this request, EDF highlights EU guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community, which states that donors must avoid directly or indirectly funding activities that will reinforce segregation.
Monitoring visit findings in times of war
The war has presented additional hardships for persons with disabilities in institutions. Some of these buildings have suffered damage from shelling, making it dangerous and difficult to evacuate individuals from occupied territories or conflict zones. Evacuations often resulted in the separation of residents, disrupting their interpersonal connections and affecting their psychological well-being.
Ensuring the safety of persons with disabilities living in residential institutions has been a significant challenge since the escalation of the war. Bomb shelters are absent in most institutions, and when available, they often do not meet required standards in terms of capacity, ventilation, protective measures, accessibility for individuals with limited mobility, and autonomous power supply.
Regarding living conditions, the majority of visited institutions are housed in ageing buildings constructed between the 1930s and 1970s. These facilities are typically designed to accommodate large numbers of residents, with some institutions housing over 300 persons with disabilities. Overcrowding further exacerbates the challenges faced by both residents and staff.
To conclude, the war, including occupation and evacuation, has severely impacted the mental health and well-being of the residents of these institutions. Increased anxiety, nervousness, and exacerbation of existing mental illnesses have been observed. Separation from family and friends due to displacement and limited visitation opportunities has further negatively affected people’s psycho-emotional state.
Addressing the rights of persons with disabilities in Ukrainian institutions requires comprehensive reforms, adequate security measures, staff training, accessible infrastructure, and community-based services that provide individualised support and empowerment.
Unresolved problems and challenges
Numerous challenges persist within residential institutions, which all hinder the provision of adequate care and support. These include delays in the adoption of regulatory acts to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities, as well as demotivated and demoralised personnel. But the primary issue is the temporary suspension of the transition towards community-based support.
The European Disability Forum strongly recommends that financing is always ailed for to achieve community-supported living, and that no funding should go towards the rebuilding or new building of residential institutions, in line with EU Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community.