Community specialists will be trained to develop solutions for adapting housing and workplaces

The Universal Design School 2026 has begun its work — an initiative of UNDP in Ukraine, a partner of Minregion, supported by the Government of Japan.

30 specialists from 14 regions of Ukraine were selected for the School: 10 occupational therapists, 10 designers and architects, and 10 social workers. Participants were brought together in interdisciplinary teams to develop practical solutions for adapting housing and workplaces.

“Thanks to the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP, for several years now we have had reliable partners in developing accessibility — from preparing practical solutions to training specialists in communities. It is important to us that this cooperation provides knowledge and specific tools that can be applied in practice. These are precisely the specialists communities need to create living and working environments that are comfortable for different people from the outset,” said Deputy Minister Nataliia Kozlovska.

The training will combine work based on people’s real experiences with practical assignments. Participants will learn to assess environments, work with accessibility checklists, and select furniture and equipment to suit the needs of different users. They will also work on complex cases involving housing redesign and the organisation of workplaces according to universal design principles.

Teams will also work on their own projects with support from mentors. At the end, they will present completed solutions that can be applied in practice.

The experience of previous Schools is already being turned into practical materials. Based on projects by participants in the 2024 and 2025 Schools, UNDP prepared Almanacs of Universal Design Solutions — resources that help communities use and reproduce the approaches developed.

Specialists can apply the knowledge and experience gained at the Universal Design School and the Accessible Routes School in communities, hospitals and rehabilitation centres, social services, architectural practices and other institutions.

Photo: Andrii Krepkikh / UNDP in Ukraine.