Creating an Inclusive Environment in Odesa
Identifying barriers in various aspects of city life and developing practical solutions to remove them is the focus of the expert teams of the Council for Accessibility, established at the end of last year. The council is chaired by the mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov.
The teams include veterans, military personnel who have lost limbs defending Ukraine, community representatives, and individuals with disabilities. Together with the city authorities, they are setting the agenda for creating an inclusive environment in Odesa.
«We involve users in all processes. This work has already yielded results: a new inclusive beach and a sports ground with specialized equipment are preparing to open, along with other facilities. Schools are holding Lessons on Accessibility. Our teams also inspect the city for accessibility to ensure that no aspect is overlooked», said Oleksiy Morozov, head of the public organization «Barrier-Free» and deputy head of the Council for Accessibility.
Together with city departments, the expert groups conduct field inspections of beaches, recreation areas, check route accessibility, and analyze public buildings for necessary infrastructure. Following each inspection, the expert group identifies issues and provides recommendations for the Council for Accessibility to consider.
«An accessible environment should be the norm, not a privilege. The consolidation of efforts from the city, the public sector, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and businesses is the right strategy that has already proven effective. We are picking up speed and will continue to grow, as we understand the increasing needs for inclusive spaces», emphasized the mayor of Odesa, Hennadiy Trukhanov.
