On May 23, 2025, a roundtable discussion “Barrier-Free Action: Together to Accessible Events” was held in Donetsk Oblast as part of the Barrier-Free Week initiated by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska. The event brought together 116 participants - employees of cultural institutions, government agencies, public activists and organizers of public events. The participants of the event shared a common goal - to find practical ways to implement barrier-free approaches in public spaces and community events.
The event was organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Donetsk Regional State Administration and the Donetsk Regional Training and Methodological Center of Culture, which consistently promote the idea of accessibility in the cultural sphere of the region.
The discussion centered on creating conditions in which everyone, regardless of functional impairment or communication capabilities, age or life circumstances, can freely participate in cultural and social life. Barrier-free accessibility was seen not as an additional option, but as an integral part of a democratic and open society. That is why the key element of the event was the presentation of the Barrier-Free Events Guide, a practical guide developed for organizers of cultural, educational and public initiatives, as well as representatives of local authorities. The guide is a tool that allows you to make events truly open and comfortable for everyone.
Participants shared their own experiences, discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by communities in implementing barrier-free practices, and looked for solutions that can be applied today.
At the end of the event, the participants took part in an interactive online quiz, which helped to consolidate their knowledge of the principles of accessibility in an easy and relaxed way and became a platform for exchanging ideas and inspiration. The event confirmed that barrier-free access is not only about physical access, but also about respect, dignity and the right of everyone to be part of society. It is a daily practice that starts with paying attention to others and ends with creating an environment that is comfortable for everyone.