An advocacy campaign titled “Dignity Nearby: A Community Without Barriers for Veterans and Persons with Disabilities” is launching in the Torchyn settlement territorial community of Volyn region. The initiative aims to promote a culture of respectful and appropriate interaction with persons with disabilities, including war veterans.
The campaign seeks not only to raise awareness among community residents about the needs of veterans and persons with disabilities, but also to support their social inclusion, psychological recovery, and the creation of a more accessible and welcoming public environment.
The campaign is implemented by the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities of Ukraine together with the civil society organization “Charivne Yanholiatko” (Magic Little Angel). The initiative is carried out within the project “Multi-sectoral Humanitarian Assistance Inclusive of Disability for Internally Displaced Persons, Returnees, Veterans, and Host Communities in Ukraine.”
The campaign coordinator is Mariia Hlod.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the number of veterans and persons with disabilities in Ukrainian communities has increased as a result of the war. At the same time, awareness among residents and institutional staff about how to interact respectfully and appropriately with these groups often remains limited.
In particular, veterans with disabilities may face challenges when accessing administrative services: their needs may sometimes go unnoticed, and their right to priority service is not always respected. Such situations create additional social barriers.
In addition, many veterans and persons with disabilities experience psychological exhaustion, feelings of isolation, and a lack of safe and accessible spaces for communication, support, and recovery.
For this reason, the advocacy campaign in Torchyn community combines awareness-raising activities, practical improvements to public spaces, and psychological support initiatives.
One of the first steps of the campaign will be an educational meeting for young people, where participants will have the opportunity to speak with representatives of the veteran civil society organization “Zrush Skeliu” (Move the Rock).
On March 13, an open conversation with Yevhen Syvoplias, a representative of the organization, will take place at the youth space “Molodizhka.” During the meeting, young participants will discuss important topics: how to communicate ethically and respectfully with persons with disabilities, the role young people can play in shaping a culture of respect and support in the community, and how empathy and social responsibility can be strengthened.
Participants will also take part in a creative workshop, painting T-shirts for members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The T-shirts will later be sent to service members as a symbol of support and gratitude. The event will help increase young people’s awareness of disability issues, strengthen their understanding of their role in community change, and foster a stronger sense of social responsibility.
Another component of the campaign will be a meeting with representatives of local self-government bodies, as well as staff from the Administrative Services Centre (CNAP) and social services.
During the dialogue, participants will discuss the challenges that veterans with disabilities may encounter when accessing services. The discussion will also highlight the importance of building more attentive and responsive approaches to the needs of persons with disabilities.
The campaign also includes activities aimed at improving the accessibility of public spaces. In particular, various pictograms, informational stickers, and Braille signage are being installed in the “Molodizhka” youth space in Torchyn.
These pictograms will also be placed in visible locations in public institutions, including the youth space, the Administrative Services Centre, banks, and other community facilities. Their purpose is to encourage a culture of respect and attentiveness to the needs of persons with disabilities and veterans.
An inclusive art-therapy event will also become an important part of the campaign, bringing together war veterans, persons with disabilities, and community residents.
During the event, participants will engage in creative activities such as painting, working with clay, and other forms of collaborative art. These practices help participants relieve emotional stress, feel supported, and build an atmosphere of mutual respect and acceptance.
The organizers believe that combining advocacy work with therapeutic practices not only increases awareness within the community but also helps create spaces where people can experience dignity, support, and inclusion in community life.
The campaign initiators expect that its implementation will help to: foster more tolerant and informed attitudes toward veterans and persons with disabilities within the community; strengthen psychological support for veterans and persons with disabilities; combine advocacy actions with practices of support and recovery; create more accessible and welcoming public spaces.
Such initiatives help communities gradually transform their approaches — moving from formal decisions toward a culture of mutual respect, support, and dignity for every person.
Oleksandra Perkova, Communications Manager of the Project
