What do winning at the Paralympic Games and running a successful relocated business have in common? The answer is resilience.
Today, an exceptionally warm and meaningful meeting took place at the Parkovyi Congress and Exhibition Center in Kyiv. Nataliia Adamova, Director of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center, met with a legend of Ukrainian sports, Hero of Ukraine, honorary citizen of Sloviansk and Donetsk — Viktor Smyrnov.
Today, Viktor is not only a celebrated swimmer but also a successful entrepreneur who relocated his business to Cherkasy because of the war, where he opened a modern dry-cleaning and laundry service. Most importantly, he is building his business on the principles of complete accessibility and inclusion.
From his own experience, Viktor understands the challenges faced by people with visual impairments. That is why last year he hired Petro, a man with a Group I visual disability, as a manager.
To create equal opportunities and comfortable working conditions, the entrepreneur equipped Petro’s workplace with a high-tech computer system featuring licensed software designed for people with visual impairments, including screen readers and speech synthesizers.
The cost of the equipment exceeded 100,000 hryvnias. “Many employers are intimidated by such amounts, but there is always a solution if you work together with the state,” Viktor Smyrnov shared.
During the meeting, Nataliia Adamova and Viktor Smyrnov discussed how Viktor’s experience can inspire other entrepreneurs.
It was the Employment Service that helped the relocated business address the financial aspect. Specialists offered the entrepreneur a state compensation program. Viktor purchased the equipment, submitted the necessary documents, and received full reimbursement for the costs of creating an inclusive workplace.
“Viktor’s example is a powerful signal to the entire Ukrainian business community. Inclusion is not about charity — it is about equal opportunities and professionalism. The state supports those who are ready to break down barriers. The Employment Service reimburses expenses for creating workplaces for employees with Group I and II disabilities,” Nataliia Adamova emphasized.
What employers need to know:
If you hire a person with a disability, you can receive compensation for furniture, adapted equipment, or specialized software purchased to equip their workplace:
• Up to UAH 129,705 (15 minimum wages) — for creating a workplace for an employee with a Group I disability.
• Up to UAH 86,470 (10 minimum wages) — for an employee with a Group II disability.
Barrier-free accessibility is our shared responsibility and a step toward a modern Ukraine. Thank you to Viktor for this powerful example and for believing in people!
If you also want to make your business more inclusive and learn how to receive compensation, call our call center at 0800219713. Specialists will provide step-by-step guidance.
More about the program: https://www.dcz.gov.ua/employer/choiceprofit/placeinvalid