From May 25 to 31, 2026, Ukraine is observing the National Accessibility Week, aimed at raising public awareness of the need to create an accessible environment, ensure equal opportunities for all citizens, develop barrier-free spaces, services and information, and promote a culture of respect, dignity and people-centered communication. The National Accessibility Week is held within the framework of the implementation of Ukraine’s Barrier-Free Strategy and continues the “Without Barriers” initiative launched by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reaffirms our country’s commitment to the principles of accessibility and inclusion as an integral part of democratic development, European integration, human rights protection and Ukraine’s sustainable recovery. This concerns not only the physical accessibility of infrastructure, but also access to public services, information, education, employment, culture, digital services, international engagement and the full participation of every individual in public life.
In the context of the Russian Federation’s ongoing armed aggression, this issue has gained particular significance for Ukraine. The war creates additional barriers for millions of people, including veterans, persons with disabilities, older people, parents with children, internally displaced persons, residents of frontline communities, and those affected by landmines, injuries, loss of housing or forced displacement. Ukrainian diplomacy will continue drawing international attention to these challenges and the need for their systematic resolution.
The MFA of Ukraine believes that Ukraine’s recovery must be not only swift and effective, but above all inclusive, accessible and people-centered. The reconstruction of infrastructure, public services, communities, educational, healthcare, social and cultural spaces must take into account the needs of different groups and be guided by the principles of universal design, equal opportunities and respect for human dignity.
Particular importance is attached to fostering a culture of respectful, non-discriminatory and barrier-free language. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption of the national language standard “Barrier-Free Terminology” — the first standard of its kind in Ukraine — which unifies non-discriminatory terminology and identifies words and expressions that should be removed from official use. Language must be a language of respect.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine consistently integrates the principles of accessibility and inclusion into its institutional policy, consular activities and international engagement. For the diplomatic service, this means ensuring access to public services for Ukrainian citizens abroad, developing digital and remote formats of interaction, improving the accessibility of diplomatic missions, and promoting respectful communication in the daily work of Ukrainian diplomacy.
Ukraine is grateful to international partners, foreign governments, international organizations, donors, experts and civil society representatives supporting efforts to build an accessible, inclusive and people-centered environment. Such support is especially important as a significant share of Ukraine’s resources is directed toward defending the country against Russian aggression.
The MFA of Ukraine calls on international partners to continue prioritizing accessibility in programs supporting Ukraine, particularly in the areas of infrastructure recovery, rehabilitation, social cohesion, digital accessibility, education, healthcare, culture, transport, housing and public services. Barrier-free recovery is not only a matter of comfort or technical standards — it is a matter of human rights, democratic resilience and Ukraine’s fair future.
During the National Accessibility Week, Ukraine reaffirms that a strong European state is one in which every person can exercise their rights, access services and information, work, study, travel, participate in public life and be heard without barriers, prejudice or discrimination.
Accessibility means that a person can. This is the kind of Ukraine we are building — accessible, dignified, inclusive and European.