An accessibility action plan should be developed primarily based on the actual needs of community residents and should align with the local community development strategy and the National Strategy for Creating an Accessible Environment in Ukraine by 2030. To prepare this plan, the community is advised to follow five key steps.
1. Identify residents’ needs
Before developing the plan, it is necessary to conduct thematic public consultations on six areas of accessibility: physical, informational, digital, social and civic, educational, and economic.
It is important to involve representatives of various target groups in these discussions: people with limited mobility, veterans, people with disabilities, older adults, women, parents with children under seven years of age, representatives of national minorities, and other groups.
The result should be a list of barriers that residents encounter in their daily lives and when accessing services. At the same time, certain issues may be cross-sectoral in nature and relate to several areas of accessibility simultaneously.
2. Transform problems into concrete actions
The issues identified during the consultations must be transformed into objectives and specific actions for the plan according to the following principle: need → barrier → objective → action → result.
Each action should be aimed at solving a specific problem and creating tangible changes for community residents.
3. Develop a plan, assign responsibilities, and secure funding
The plan should cover all six areas of accessibility and include both systemic measures and specific practical solutions.
Systemic measures may include regular monitoring of the accessibility of public services, collaboration with businesses, and training for specialists. Practical measures may include the development of accessible streets, the renovation and adaptation of buildings, and the provision of grants to support entrepreneurship among people with disabilities.
For each measure, it is necessary to identify responsible parties, implementation timelines, expected outcomes, and funding sources.
Funding does not necessarily have to come exclusively from the local budget. Funds from state and local budgets, international organizations and donor programs, partners, businesses, and other sources not prohibited by law may be used to implement the measures. It is recommended to develop a two-year plan. This allows for regular evaluation of results, updating of measures, and planning of the necessary resources for their implementation.
4. Discuss the plan at the Local Accessibility Council
The draft plan must be submitted to the Local Accessibility Council for review.
During the meeting, it is important to verify whether the needs identified by residents have been taken into account, whether all six areas of accessibility are covered, and whether the proposed measures are realistic and supported by the necessary resources.
5. Approve the plan and ensure its implementation
Following discussion at the Local Accessibility Council, the plan is approved by an appropriate act (resolution or order). The responsible implementers ensure the implementation of the planned measures and monitor the results of their implementation.
At the end of the two-year period, measures that have not been implemented but remain relevant to the community should be included in the plan for subsequent years.
The accessibility action plan is a practical tool that helps translate people’s needs into concrete solutions, secure the necessary resources, and systematically remove barriers in the community.