Establishing an Inclusive Environment in Odesa
Identifying barriers across various aspects of urban life and developing practical solutions to overcome them is the focus of expert groups from the Council of Accessibility, established at the end of last year. The council is chaired by Odesa's mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov.
The groups include veterans, military personnel who have lost limbs while defending Ukraine, public representatives, and individuals with disabilities. Together with local authorities, they set the agenda for creating an inclusive environment in Odesa.
«We involve space users in all processes. Our efforts are already yielding results: a new inclusive beach is set to open, along with a sports playground featuring adapted equipment and other facilities. Schools are conducting Accessibility Lessons. Additionally, our groups inspect the city for accessibility to ensure no area is overlooked,» shared Oleksiy Morozov, who leads the NGO «Barrier-Free» and serves as the deputy head of the Council for Accessibility.
In cooperation with city departments and services, the expert groups conduct field inspections of beaches, recreational zones, check route accessibility, and analyze public buildings for proper infrastructure. Following each inspection, the expert group identifies issues and provides recommendations for the Council on Accessibility.
«An accessible environment should be a norm, 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 proven effective. We are picking up speed and will continue to grow, recognizing the increasing needs for inclusive spaces,» emphasized Odesa's mayor, Gennadiy Trukhanov.
