Realizing potential: NAPD Resource Center continues training activists from civil society organizations for people with disabilities

The second seminar on "Involving civil society organizations of persons with disabilities and veterans in the formation of state and local policies" has concluded in Lviv Oblast. The previous event in this series took place in June 2025. Both events were organized by the Resource Center of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine (NAPD) as part of the "Rehabilitation in Ukraine" (Rehab4U) project and aimed to involve people with disabilities in the decision-making process at various levels, from local to national.

The seminar participants, together with the speakers, identified the need for and ways of cooperation between civil society organizations of persons with disabilities and authorities, both local and national. Those present understood in which areas these organizations can be particularly effective, how barriers to people with disabilities, which sometimes arise in society, are formed and what they can lead to. They also analyzed foreign experience in the social sphere and thus saw its additional opportunities in Ukraine.

As in the previous year, the participants came from a wide geographical area, covering various regions. Representatives of organizations for people with disabilities from Vinnytsia, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, and Khmelnytskyi regions attended the event.

The participants discussed the mechanism of influence of civil society organizations of persons with disabilities on the government, based on their own experience and a list of issues that need to be addressed. The trainer also explained in detail the types of organizations of persons with disabilities that exist, how they differ from other civil society associations, and whether their separate status is defined in legislation. She also emphasized which article of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities obliges the state party to consult with public organizations when developing strategies and policies.

At the same time, according to the speaker at the event, the full and effective participation of people with disabilities in decision-making should be a continuous process, not a one-off event. The trainer clarified that this approach involves including persons with disabilities in various advisory bodies at the local, regional, national, or international levels, as well as in national human rights institutions, special committees, and councils.

The workshop participants also discussed the barriers faced by people with disabilities in society and concluded that these barriers often arise due to a lack of understanding on the part of society, which leads to stigmatization. They also discussed the origins of these barriers and ways to overcome them, including physical, communication, and institutional barriers.

Окремий блок стосувався надання соціальних послуг. Учасники дізналися про суть таких послуг: хто може бути їхнім отримувачем, а хто – надавачем; які існують критерії відбору та функціонування надавачів. Спікерка роз’яснила вимоги законодавства в цій сфері, навела перелік нормативних актів, які її регулюють, і пояснила особливості їх дії в умовах воєнного стану.

Separately, participants were told about the activities of residential institutions in Austria, Great Britain, and the Netherlands, comparing these practices with those in Ukraine. The audience identified prospects for the development of this sector in Ukraine and, together with the speaker, outlined the advantages of such institutions compared to people with disabilities living at home under the care of relatives. They also discussed the main challenges to the development of this type of care in Ukraine: regulatory and legal framework, the need for high investment, and staff training.

Another area has been identified in which civil society organizations representing people with disabilities can be effective: bringing community-based rehabilitation services closer to people's real needs. The mechanism for interaction with local authorities should be based on the expert and advisory participation of such organizations, which combine theoretical knowledge and life experience. They understand better than anyone else which decisions will work in practice and which will remain "on paper," and they are aware of the "pitfalls" and unexpected barriers. "Public organizations of people with disabilities are the voice of the community. Their participation ensures that decisions will not be made для людей з інвалідністю, а разом з ними», – наголосили на семінарі.

Participants noted that participating in the event was extremely useful for them: they were able to not only hear the opinions of experts and take part in discussions, but also establish links with organizations from other regions. This opportunity proved to be extremely promising for them, as many organizations face similar problems and solutions, and therefore need to share common algorithms for action.

P.S. The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine sincerely thanks the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the National Council of People with Disabilities of Ukraine for providing the venue for the seminar. The center's facilities create equal opportunities for all, providing a space for dialogue between people with disabilities.

     NAPD Resource Centre::

•      Address: Office 109, 8/5A Reitarska St., Kyiv
•      Appointments by appointment: +38(044)2796182, +38(095)9091413   
•      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.