Youth in Vinnytsia tested their city for accessibility

June 5, 2018

50 Vinnytsia students organized a social experiment and tested whether the transport and architecture in their city are accessible for the people with disabilities.

Students without disabilities tried what it’s like to move around if you are blind or deaf, or need to use a wheelchair. They were accompanied by the people with disabilities who showed their day-to-day challenges. Together, they covered a distance of 2.5 km and did some everyday tasks like shopping, going to a pharmacy, or using public transport.

"Students had no idea how a person in a wheelchair could withdraw money from ATMs, how a girl with visual impairments choses her clothes, or how a deaf person could ask for directions. They didn’t know whether the transport in their city was accessible, whether the buildings were equipped with ramps, or whether entrances and exits were accessible,” says Inna Yermakova, one of the authors of this social experiment.

“All this has led us to an idea of ​​organizing a trip where people with disabilities would accompany the students. In this way they could better understand what people with disabilities are facing every day and also analyse whether Vinnytsia is accessible for the people with visual or hearing impairments or those using the wheelchairs. It’s not only about understanding, but actually experiencing it firsthand."

Youth in Vinnytsia tested their city for accessibility

"In the European cities, we could often see people with disabilities on the streets and public spaces. They move freely and do not feel any discomforts," says Roman, director of the «Podillya» Rehabilitation Centre and coordinator of the project "New Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities.

"There are all the necessary conditions in place for their self-fulfillment, leisure activities, employment. What we do in Ukraine is just baby steps. When we started analysing this issue, we found out that people in wheelchairs could do office work. People with hearing impairments turn out to be the perfect cashiers since they stay focused and don’t make mistakes in cash operations. All people with disabilities deserve a decent job. Even people with severe disability could find a job. The main thing is make them believe that they are masters of their lives, and there are many opportunities open to them."

The social experiment "Together! Without barriers!" was organized by the students of the Journalism Department of Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University and was conducted in partnership with the Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities “Podillya” under the UNDP project "Mainstreaming Policies and Services for People with Disabilities in Ukraine".

About Universal Design

Universal design is a concept that envisages that objects, processes and spaces are designed in such a way that they could be used by anyone. This translates into better life quality for the people with disabilities as well as people with low mobility including senior persons, parents with small children, and others. You can learn how to make the environment more comfortable for all from the web-site ud.org.ua.