An individual accessibility project can be implemented 100%, but if a person cannot use a service or physically reach it, the system still does not work for them. That is why individual accessibility initiatives and measures must work in sync and together create a complete route for a person — from education and work to services, recovery and an active life.

This was discussed at a meeting of the National Accessibility Council chaired by Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhii Koretskyi. The event was attended by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, Government members, heads of central authorities and regional administrations, representatives of communities, international partners and experts.

“Everyone, regardless of age, health or gender, needs accessible spaces, education, work and information. In other words, all the forms of accessibility for which the state accessibility strategy was created,” Olena Zelenska stressed.

Vitalii Bezghin, Minister for Communities, Territories and Internally Displaced Persons of Ukraine, presented preliminary results of the implementation of the 2025–2026 Action Plan under the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment until 2030.

The discussion covered practical results at every level — ministries, other central executive authorities, regional administrations and the Kyiv City State Administration. The regions currently have the highest implementation rate, and Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Kherson, Odesa and Kyiv regions show the strongest progress.

“At the end of two years, we must together reach almost 6 thousand completed measures under the Plan. This requires not only clear tasks, but also capable communities that can implement them locally,” Vitalii Bezghin said.

Particular attention was paid to work in communities. More than 70% of communities have now included accessibility in their development strategies, and more than 80% have approved local action plans. There are already 1300 accessibility officers at work, while more than 600 ambassadors representing communities have joined the creation of accessible routes. As a result, more than 800 cities and towns are already working independently on their own accessible routes.

“Step by step, we are building a local system — with a strategy, planning, coordination, trained specialists and resident involvement,” Vitalii Bezghin said.

An important part of the meeting was the question of bringing accessibility policy together into a single system. Minregion has already developed the draft Law of Ukraine “On the Basic Principles of State Policy for Building a Barrier-Free Society in Ukraine”, which is to establish common principles, the responsibilities of the state, communities and the private sector, and clear mechanisms for planning, monitoring and oversight.

The meeting also presented results from the ministries’ flagship projects, as well as new accessibility projects and initiatives.

Following the meeting, specific instructions and next steps were identified to ensure that the Action Plan is implemented 100% by the end of 2026 and that the transition is made from individual initiatives to a unified accessibility system.