Today, there are increasingly more individuals in wheelchairs in Ukraine, many of whom have been injured due to the war. This highlights the urgent need to create an accessible space where everyone can feel comfortable, regardless of their health status.

Odesa is leading in inclusivity, with Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov declaring 2025 as the Year of Accessibility. This signifies that extensive plans are in place to address all aspects of daily life.

The driving force behind these initiatives is the Accessibility Council, established at the end of last year. This advisory body brings together representatives from municipal structures, civic organizations, and veteran groups to collaboratively work towards developing an accessible environment.

According to Hennadiy Trukhanov, who leads the Council, accessibility is not just a matter of physical access, but rather a philosophy of the city where everyone has equal opportunities.

Within the Council, expert groups are working on various fronts; they have adopted a City Accessibility Strategy for 2025–2026, synchronized with the National Strategy, outlining key priorities for the next two years. Regular inspections of infrastructure and locations are conducted, where recommendations are provided by veterans and individuals with disabilities involved in the expert groups.

“The priorities of our work are defined by people with disabilities, as they best understand their needs and challenges, facing them daily. Therefore, this is a collaborative effort that encompasses infrastructure, transportation, digitalization, social services, education, rehabilitation, and more,” emphasized Oleksiy Morozov, Deputy Head of the Council.

The main goal of the Council is to consolidate the efforts of the government, veterans, civil society, and businesses around accessibility as one of the key tasks of the present.