The public, in the broadest sense of the term, is a group of people who are connected by common causes and goals, help solve problems and influence policy-making through their connection to the state. The role of the public is not only to continuously monitor and evaluate government actions, but also to actively participate in debates around public policy issues.
This is exemplified by people with disabilities who protect their rights through representation in public organizations and unions. The NGO National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPDU) actively participates in decision-making processes, presenting and submitting proposals for the protection of the rights of people with disabilities at all levels, including international.
On June 19, 2024, an online meeting for leaders of public organizations of people with disabilities was held as part of the Strengthening Rehabilitation Services in Health Systems (SRSHS) project. The event was attended by more than 50 representatives from different regions of Ukraine.
The meeting covered various issues, including the participation of NAIU representatives in international events. For example, during the International Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024) in Berlin on June 11-12, 2024, Victoria Nazarenko, Secretary General of the NAIA, was a speaker and participant in many meetings and panel discussions.
Another important event was the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which took place in New York on June 11-13, 2024. Although the NAPD was not physically represented there, the organization provided its recommendations to the resolution through representatives of the Eurodisability Forum and the International Alliance of People with Disabilities.
Also on June 10, 2024, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk met with representatives of the UTO and UTOH NGOs to discuss state support for CSOs and changes to legislation.
The meeting also addressed some issues related to legislative changes.
- Draft Law No. 5344-d of 11.2022 «On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Ensuring the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Work».
- CMU Order 527-p of 07.06.2024, which approved the National Strategy for the Development of Inclusive Education until 2029.
- Draft Law No. 11219 of 29.04.2024 «On Amendments to Article 37 of the Law of Ukraine «On Military Duty and Military Service» regarding the peculiarities of military registration of persons with disabilities".
At the end of the meeting, they emphasized the achievements and results of the NAIU's work, discussed topical issues, including mobilization, personal data protection, information accessibility, and increasing the institutional capacity of CSOs.
The participants of the event expressed their hope for fruitful work and active participation in the recovery process.
This initiative is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development under cooperative agreement number 7200AA18CA00032 with Partnerships Plus, funded through September 28, 2018, and implemented by the JSI Institute for Research and Training under agreement number PP-EI-001 with Momentum Wheels for Humanity. The contents are the sole responsibility of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
