Every year on December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated. This date was established by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/3 of October 14, 1992. Ukraine was one of the first countries to respond to the UN's call to celebrate this date annually and enshrined it in law.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is intended to draw attention to the problems of these people, protect their rights, dignity, and well-being, and focus society's attention on the benefits it receives from the participation of persons with disabilities in political, social, economic, and cultural life. It is a reminder to humanity of its duty to show care and compassion to one of the most vulnerable groups of the population – people with disabilities.
Due to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the number of people with disabilities is constantly growing, especially those with complex functional impairments (multiple limb amputations, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries). To restore their functioning and effective rehabilitation, such persons need assistive rehabilitation devices.
Today, in the context of martial law, state policy is aimed at strengthening respect for persons with disabilities and the freedom of this category of citizens from any form of discrimination.
At the national level, the development of inclusive policies is determined by the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Environment, which aims to remove various barriers in different areas for people with limited mobility, including people with disabilities, people with temporary health impairments, pregnant women, older citizens, people accompanying children, children, young people, families caring for children, including those with disabilities, and others.
Ukraine is also implementing international standards for ensuring the rights and freedoms of this category of citizens in national legislation. These changes are primarily about what kind of state we want to be — a state without barriers, where everyone has equal rights and opportunities.