Storozhynets for accessibility: how the community is changing the city

On June 18, the advocacy campaign “Communities for All: Creating Change Together with People with Disabilities” kicked off in the town of Storozhynets. This event was more than just a public gathering — it marked the beginning of a united effort to make the community accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for everyone. .

Local residents gathered in the town square — people with disabilities, representatives of civil society organizations, veterans, and local authorities — all those who care about equal access to urban spaces and services. After all, accessibility matters to all of us. 

The Barrier-Free March “Accessibility Is About You” proceeded through the streets of Storozhynets. Participants assessed the accessibility of urban infrastructure, entered shops, cafés, and institutions — such as the pension fund and notary offices — and spoke with business owners. Leading the march was robot-dog Dzura, who captivated locals and became a true “accessibility inspector.” 

“What gave our event a real boost were the veterans,” said Valentyna Dobrydina, coordinator of the project “Multisectoral Humanitarian Assistance with a Disability-Inclusive Approach for IDPs, Returnees, Veterans, and Host Communities in Ukraine” in Chernivtsi region. “They came from across the region and brought Dzura with them. The robot would enter establishments first, drawing attention from owners and passersby. Then we explained our campaign and why having an accessible facility matters. And it worked! Three owners promised to make their businesses accessible. That’s a win.”

After the march, participants visited the Storozhynets City Council, where they met with the mayor to discuss next steps — including conducting accessibility audits and implementing real changes.

And this is only the beginning of the advocacy campaign. Upcoming plans include detailed audits of public infrastructure and spaces, as well as a roundtable with local authorities, business owners, and civil society representatives to develop systematic improvements. 

“Our march made an impact — we saw it. Now comes the serious work: full audits, recommendations, and dialogue with the authorities. But the first step has been taken, and it was a strong one,” Valentina concluded.

It’s important to remember that barrier-free environments aren’t just a trend — they’re a vital necessity. Accessibility affects not only people with disabilities but also veterans, elderly people, parents with children, pregnant women — in short, all of us.

The campaign is being implemented within the framework of the project "Disability-inclusive multisectoral humanitarian assistance for IDPs, returnees, veterans and host communities in Ukraine", implemented by the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPWD) in partnership with the European Disability Forum (EDF) and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and CBM (Christian Blind Mission).

Oleksandra Perkova Communications Manager of the Project