Promoting Inclusivity in Odessa: A New Era of Accessibility

Identifying barriers across various aspects of city life and developing practical solutions to address them is the mission of the expert groups formed by the Council for Accessibility established late last year. The head of the council is the mayor of Odessa, Gennadiy Trukhanov. 

The groups comprise veterans, military personnel who lost limbs defending Ukraine, community representatives, and individuals with disabilities. Together with the city authorities, they shape the agenda for fostering an inclusive environment in Odessa. 

«This means we engage users of the space directly in all processes. Our work has already yielded results: preparations are underway for a new inclusive beach, a sports ground equipped with specialized exercise machines, and other facilities. Schools are conducting Accessibility Lessons. Moreover, our groups are inspecting the city for accessibility to ensure that no area is overlooked,» said Oleksii Morozov, head of the NGO «Barrier-Free» and deputy head of the Council for Accessibility. 

In collaboration with city departments and services, the expert groups conduct on-site inspections of beaches, recreational areas, check route accessibility, and analyze public buildings for necessary infrastructure. Based on the results of each inspection, the expert group identifies issues and provides recommendations that are submitted for consideration to the Council for Accessibility. 

«A barrier-free environment should be a norm of life, not a privilege. The consolidation of efforts from the city, the public sector, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and businesses is a sound strategy that has already proven effective. We have gained momentum and will only increase our efforts, as we understand the growing need for inclusive spaces,» emphasized Odessa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov.