Conference: Culture Without Barriers
April 3rd at the UNION Cultural Center hosted the III Regional Conference «Odessa. Culture Without Barriers», dedicated to World Autism Awareness Day. The event was organized by the Odessa City Council in partnership with various cultural organizations.
Among the participants was Ivanna Demirova, a teacher at the Bolhrad Music School, who co-authored the textbook «Inclusive Environment» — a collection of teaching practices for art school educators, reports Rayon.Bolhrad.
«What a wonderful day filled with colleagues' experiences, engaging work, and amazing people! The conference was very rich, meaningful, and absolutely necessary for all participants! Thank you to everyone involved for your warmth, sincerity, and for sharing your most valuable asset — your personal experiences», — shared Ivanna Demirova.
Conference in the Context of the Year of Barrier-Free Space
The year 2025 has been declared the Year of BARRIER-FREE SPACE in Ukraine, and the conference «Culture Without Barriers» became a significant milestone in implementing this initiative in the Odessa region. The event aimed to create a barrier-free cultural space, introduce inclusive solutions, and exchange experiences regarding working with children with special educational needs (SEN), particularly those with autism spectrum disorders.
Participants discussed a wide range of issues:
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principles of physical, digital, societal, and educational accessibility;
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availability of cultural services for people with disabilities;
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socialization and artistic education for children with SEN;
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mental health of children and youth during wartime;
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organizational and methodological work of cultural institutions.
As part of the conference, there was also an exhibition of ceramic works from the inclusive workshop of the NGO «Every Person Matters», showcasing art as a tool for inclusion and self-expression.
