At all stages: NAPD helps to create a barrier-free environment in transport  

The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine is ready to deepen cooperation with Ukrzaliznytsia and other structures to implement barrier-free measures and improve access to the state's transport infrastructure for people with limited mobility. The Assembly welcomes the agency's initiative to create the first barrier-free car for wheelchair passengers and advocates the involvement of accessibility consultants from the NAPD in all Ukrzaliznytsia projects, starting from the conceptualization and design stages.  

According to Yuriy Vasylchenko, an accessibility consultant at the NAPD, the creation of a universal railcar, which was recently presented in Kyiv, can significantly improve the situation with the lack of rolling stock for transporting groups of passengers with disabilities. "Until recently, it was considered sufficient if a car was equipped with one seat for people with disabilities. It was indeed convenient for individual travelers, but the problem arose when a group of such passengers was traveling. For example, athletes, social activists, participants in mass events," he explains, "So the creation of a specialized car helps solve the problem of these passengers as well.

During the work on the car, the Assembly's experts provided Ukrzaliznytsia representatives with their advice and suggestions, and recommended specific technical solutions. In particular, regarding the layout of bathrooms, the placement of electric lifts, and the improvement of interior details to make the car's interior more convenient for passengers with disabilities.

The NAPD also proposed to engage accessibility consultants not only at the stage of implementation in production, but already at the preparatory stages, starting with the idea, concept, and design. After all, in the early stages, it will be easier, simpler, and cheaper for the manufacturer to make changes to the design. 

- We are ready, we are open to cooperation. Our consultants have a sufficient degree of expertise and have the necessary experience in such work," said Victoria Nazarenko, Secretary General of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities, "and the capabilities of the NAPD Resource Center allow us to summarize and disseminate our work for a wide range of consumers. 

The National Assembly of People with Disabilities and Ukrzaliznytsia have a long history of cooperation. In previous years, NAPD experts participated in studies on the accessibility of railway station premises, advised on their reconstruction, and provided advice, in particular, when installing an elevator at the central railway station in the capital, insisting on technical solutions that would take into account the needs of people with disabilities. 

The first barrier-free railcar fully adapted for wheelchair users, which Ukrzaliznytsia announced on its Facebook page, has 4 enlarged compartments designed for two passengers with disabilities and two accompanying persons. The combined format means that a car not booked for special transportation can accommodate up to 6 passengers in each compartment. Other technical solutions include an electric lift with a load capacity of up to 300 kg, increased door and corridor widths for free movement in a wheelchair, Braille navigation and contrasting markings, a large restroom with a shower, an SOS button, a crutch holder, a changing table and a child seat with straps. The car also has a restroom occupancy indicator, individual USB and Type-C sockets, seats with adjustable backrest angles, separate lighting control in the compartment and individually at the passenger's seat, and video surveillance in certain areas of the car.

According to Ukrzaliznytsia, this car is experimental, but important for the systematic implementation of barrier-free solutions in rail transportation. It will be available at the request of organizations through the group ticketing service on the website or in the app. 

NAPD Resource Centre::

• Address: Office 109, 8/5A Reitarska St., Kyiv
• Appointments can be made by phone at: +38 (044) 279 6182, +38 (095) 909 1413   
•  or by email: hubnapd@gmail.com  

This material is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Momentum Wheels for Humanity and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

Photo from the Facebook page of Ukrzaliznytsia“