National Council on Barrier-Free Initiatives: New Steps Towards Accessibility
The first meeting of the National Council on Barrier-Free Initiatives took place in Ukraine, attended by First Lady Olena Zelenska, ministers, representatives from international organizations and businesses. Key projects in the area of barrier-free access were presented at the meeting.
Starting in 2023, all government websites and mobile applications must comply with modern accessibility standards. This ensures that people with disabilities can use digital services comfortably. To assist public bodies in implementing these standards, a Center for Digital Accessibility Competence was established in August 2024 based on the Diia platform with the support of UNDP. The center provides training, consultations, and conducts audits of government websites and services.
Access to digital education is also a priority. The Diia.Education platform offers over 200 educational series with subtitles in Ukrainian and English. Special attention has been given to courses on digital accessibility: "Web Accessibility", "Barrier-Free Literacy", and "State without Barriers". Additionally, 20 courses are available in sign language, and all images on the platform come with alternative descriptions for visually impaired individuals.
To institutionalize digital barrier-free policies, the Ministry of Digital Transformation is preparing a draft law on "Digital Accessibility". This document will outline clear rules and assign responsibilities for ensuring accessibility across all sectors. It is planned to submit the document to the Parliament by the end of 2025.
Barrier-free access is also crucial in Public Service Centers (CNAps). Over the past two years, the level of accessibility for people with disabilities has increased by 16%. Currently, there are technologies in CNAps for serving visitors with vision and hearing impairments, comfortable spaces for seniors and families with children, electronic queuing systems, and consultations regarding online services. In 2025-2026, the Ministry of Digital Transformation plans to launch a flagship project called "Barrier-Free CNAps", which will make administrative services even more accessible.
Digital barrier-free access is not just about technology; it is also about respect, comfort, and equal opportunities for everyone. The Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with its partners, continues to work towards making digital services convenient and inclusive.
At the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment in Ukraine until 2030 has been approved.
