The Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, together with the NGO "LUN Misto", presented practical guide «"How to ensure the accessibility of buildings and structures for people with limited mobility? 10 simple steps.".
The manual was developed as part of the information and educational campaign "State without Barriers" and was presented during the meeting of the National Council for Accessibility on May 25.
Its goal is to provide communities, businesses, and everyone working to create an accessible environment with a simple and practical tool for implementing the basic principles of physical accessibility of buildings and structures.
The material is based on current state building codes, taking into account modern requirements for inclusivity. The main emphasis is on simple, understandable and practical solutions that can be applied during the design, reconstruction or adaptation of spaces.
During the presentation, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine - Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that barrier-free access should begin with practical changes, and at the same time, it is important not only to adopt standards, but also to explain them simply and clearly.
«"Accessibility is not limited to individual elements of infrastructure. It is about dignity, safety, and equal access to space for every person. It is important that a person can travel the entire route without obstacles — from the street and the entrance to the service or space itself — and fully use it. Our task is to make these solutions understandable, practical, and such that they can be implemented in every community," said Oleksiy Kuleba.
The guide covers key elements of physical accessibility, from building access and barrier-free entry to interior space, navigation, safe movement, and layout.
Its main value lies in its practical approach: complex regulatory requirements are presented in simple and understandable language, which allows the material to be used as a basic reference point for owners and managers of facilities.
The guide contains 10 practical steps:
- ensuring accessibility of traffic routes to the building;
- arrangement of accessible pedestrian paths;
- creating parking spaces for people with disabilities;
- provision of a barrier-free entrance to the building;
- adaptation of stairs;
- installation of accessible doors;
- organization of safe traffic routes inside the building;
- implementation of tactile and visual navigation;
- arranging accessible premises for providing services;
- creation of sanitary and hygienic facilities for people with limited mobility.
Separately, during the presentation, the importance of the Accessibility Map was emphasized - a digital tool created by the Ministry of Development and Trade in partnership with the NGO "LUN Misto". It is the result of all-Ukrainian monitoring of the level of accessibility of facilities in communities and provides open access to information about the accessibility of the urban environment.
The map allows residents to check the accessibility of facilities and routes, and communities to plan changes based on real data and create a more accessible space for people.
The development of barrier-free access remains one of the key areas of modern reconstruction of Ukraine and the formation of communities that are comfortable and accessible to everyone.
