Our research began with a sad discovery: it turned out that discrimination against people with disabilities in Ukraine is not a consequence of negligence, but a system. “Do you know what the percentage of people with disabilities is in the world? 30%. This figure is much lower here — 6%. But not because we get sick less, but because in Ukraine, in order to get disability, you had to run around the courts for months — even if you don’t have a limb. And then every year you had to undergo a re-examination — in order to find out whether the treatment prescribed by the medical commission, which would have allowed you to deprive a person of the status of a person with a disability, had not worked. Since January 1, 2025, the MSEKs have been liquidated, so now the system will be somewhat different. However, whether it will get better is still unknown,” says Tetyana Zhydkova, associate professor at NAU, candidate of technical sciences and co-author of the current DBN on inclusion V.2.2-40:2018.
In the "Parkova Aleya" residential complex, sports grounds, recreation areas, and children's areas have been equipped for people with disabilities. Source: blagodeveloper.com
The rule about annual check-ups voiced by Ms. Tatyana was applied without exceptions, so people blind from birth and people without limbs had to prove every year that they were definitely not deceiving the state — they had not grown a new leg or arm and had not gained sight. According to the expert, this “glorious” tradition dates back to the Soviet occupation, when the laws of humanity, biology, and common sense in general were stubbornly ignored.
Mykola Morozov: "In my opinion, the issue of barrier-free access is being solved in our country in a so-so way: high sidewalks, curbs, and thresholds have not gone anywhere. We still often encounter customers asking: "If there is no curb, where will the rainwater go?""
"After the end of World War II, the Soviet government pursued a number of “special operations” "to eliminate people with disabilities, because they prevented the creation of a false image of "the poor"... In post-Stalin times, the attitude did not change: the party believed that every citizen should be a sports builder of communism, so urban spaces practically excluded the existence of not only people with disabilities, but also even children in wheelchairs, patients on crutches, and old people with walkers," the expert explained.
High curbs and thresholds, narrow toilets and corridors, high stairs and occasionally ramps with a slope, like on a roller coaster - these are the norms imposed on the occupied republics by those who "do not abandon their own." Unfortunately, over many decades, the manner of not noticing the needs of people with disabilities has become a habit for us.
"Architectural inclusion implies barrier-free and adaptability of urban spaces - that is, the absence of obstacles for people with disabilities and the presence of architectural elements they need (ramps, electric lifts, low-height switches, etc.). In my opinion, the issue of barrier-free access is being solved in our country in a so-so way: high sidewalks, curbs and thresholds have not gone anywhere. We still often encounter customers asking: "if there is no curb, where will the rainwater go?"," explained Mykola Morozov, the company's architect. Archimatics.
Mykola Morozov: «It is now impossible to rent a house that was not built according to the DBN for inclusion. I will say this: inclusion is the first thing they are checking now. It feels like the issue has been raised to the forefront.”
The expert added that things are better with adaptability: in his opinion, the basic indicator for this principle — the number of buildings that already have a ramp, an electric lift, or at least a call button for an assistant — is steadily growing. However, the process does not always go smoothly, because, for example, most old buildings have a basement, so a ramp with the required slope (up to 5%) installed near such a building is quite long.
The U One residential complex has elevators with wide doors, sound signals, and inscriptions duplicated in Braille. Source: blagodeveloper.com
"I think everyone has heard about the case in Lviv, when a veteran installed a ramp near his house, but his neighbors decided that the structure was too long and therefore needed to be cut down. With a grinder... No comments. In my opinion, this situation is inadequate from all sides. Even if you are uncomfortable, you must understand what is happening now and treat such things adequately," explained Mykola Morozov.
We also have problems with the quality of inclusive elements, and at an elementary level: still not all ramps have the required slope. “When I see another official opening another ramp at a dizzying slope, I want to put this person in a wheelchair and force them to go down it. I think this should be turned into a good tradition,” advises Tetyana Zhidkova.
So, public opinion is still lagging, which is why urban spaces in Ukraine are transforming too slowly. How to change this? Architects believe that the problem should be solved in five separate dimensions: new buildings (a concept that includes residential buildings built after the approval of the 2018 DBN, as well as those that are currently being built or will be built in the future), old buildings, historical buildings, urban space, and medical infrastructure.
New residential complexes and old houses: how it should be
The first two points in the plan proposed by the experts are new homes and their "predecessors" - panel houses, Khrushchevs and simply residential complexes, built before 2018. As for point No. 1, it is the only one on this list that architects advise not to worry about. The thing is that in 2021, with the assistance of Olena Zelenska, National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine by 2030, as well as the Accessibility Council, which advises all ministries of the country on the implementation of the strategy. And, judging by the feedback from architects, the problem is indeed under very strict control.
Tetyana Zhidkova: "You can assess the quality of an inclusive space using the wheelchair rule: calculate how a person will move around the house and apartment in it — turn around, stop, and transfer to a bed."
"Nowadays, it is no longer possible to rent a house that was not built according to the DBN for inclusion. I will say this: inclusion is the first thing they are checking now. It feels like the issue has been raised," explained Mykola Morozov.
Kitchen layout in an inclusive apartment. Source: DBN V.2.2-40:2018, amendment No. 1
So, all new buildings built according to the 2018 DBN will have the following parameters: at the entrance - no obstacles or thresholds (a ramp with an 8% slope or an electric lift is not a requirement for modern buildings, but a means to "rescue" the situation during the reconstruction of old ones); all doorways in apartments are 90 cm wide and have a 1,5-meter turning space at the corners; in the bathroom next to the toilet there is a 90 cm wide space, again with a turning space. Expert Tetyana Zhidkova explains: an apartment that meets these basic requirements can already be considered inclusive.
"Of course, these are only basic parameters, and to answer the question of what an inclusive apartment is, you need to retell the contents of several dozen pages of the State Budget Code. To create an overall picture, I will say this: you can assess the quality of an inclusive space according to the wheelchair rule: calculate how a person will move around the house and apartment in it: turn around, stop, transfer to the bed. Unfortunately, I have a friend who lives in an old house and is unable to use the toilet in his own apartment. Simply because he cannot get there in a wheelchair. Can you imagine how terribly this affects a person's psychological state?" - said Tetyana Zhidkova.
Spacious housing, adds Ms. Tetyana, is needed not only by people with disabilities. "For example, when my friend's elderly mother began to have difficulty walking, he fitted handrails to the walls of her apartment. As you can see, when there is enough space, it is enough to make just a few changes - and the life of a person who needs help will become easier!" - the expert noted.
Inclusive classroom as a model of a learning space for people in wheelchairs. Source: DBN V.22-40:2018 “Inclusivity of buildings and structures. Basic provisions” with amendment No. 1
So, on this wonderful note, can we say that we have fixed everything, and now Ukraine will become inclusive? No, because the new DBN appeared only in 2018. According to DIM.RIA statistics, in January 2024, 23 new buildings were put into operation in Ukraine, and simple calculations suggest that over the past 7 years, only about 1,5 thousand new residential buildings have been built in the country. As a percentage of the total number of houses, this is a number with many zeros after the decimal point, and therefore, many people, like Ms. Tatyana's acquaintance, will remain in apartments supposedly specially built to abuse them.
When asked what to do with the old housing stock, Tetyana Zhidkova answers: inclusion is an urgent need of today, which implies a universal approach. In other words, you will have to find a way around it.
There is always plenty of light in rooms adapted to any inclusive needs. Source: abmk
“There is only one thing left: to look for creative solutions for each specific case. Some people with disabilities who use wheelchairs have very strong hands, so I am thinking about the idea of handrails placed above the bathroom. However, this option is, of course, not suitable for everyone. Also, in a cramped space, you can remove unnecessary walls, for example, between the kitchen and the living room and the toilet and the bathroom. However, whatever one may say, the best option for a person who needs inclusive space is an apartment in a new building,” advises Tetyana Zhidkova.
According to Mykola Morozov, one of the most serious problems of old buildings is ramps: in most cases they have too much slope. The fact is that a person in a wheelchair can only climb a ramp with a slope of no more than 8%. Also, according to the rules, the structure must have handrails at a height of 70–90 cm, a width of 1,2 m, and flat platforms 1,5 m wide on the descent and ascent.
And if the condominium association of the house complies with all the requirements, provided that the house has a basement, another problem will arise: the ramp will be very long. "Electric lifts can be a great solution for old houses. They cost no more than ramps, and they take up much less space," the architect notes.
Pavlo Peker: "You see, building even an elevator in a historic building is a very complicated approval procedure. Even otherwise: a complex scientific work that few people undertake."
By the way, according to the Law of Ukraine "On Regulation of Urban Development Activities", if one or more residents of a building want to install a ramp or lift, local authorities must allocate funds for this (or reimburse the money already spent on it by a person with a disability or their loved ones). To receive compensation, it is enough to simply submit an appeal to the local government body.
An inclusive location is the absence of obstacles and thresholds and plenty of space for turning in a wheelchair. Source: Abmk
Problems with obtaining funds can only arise if the building is an architectural monument. Architects say that such buildings generally represent one of the biggest challenges for inclusion, because according to the law, their reconstruction must always be coordinated with the city authorities.
“As for the old fund, we have a big challenge regarding adaptation. Unfortunately, this is a problem in Ukraine… A vivid example: once volunteers of the Central Military Hospital decided to hold a concert in a two-story fortress on the territory of the institution, and they had to hire special workers to take people with disabilities to the second floor. You see, building even an elevator in a building with protected status is a very complicated approval procedure. Even otherwise: a complex scientific work that few people undertake,” says Pavlo Peker, founder of the architectural company Peker & Partners.
Igor Raikov: “As for the price — tYes, inclusiveness affects the cost. But not critically. In addition, in"The people of Iisk receive a very good salary - on average from 160 thousand, so most of them have a desire to buy housing. Many of those who were injured and underwent rehabilitation are buying now, and these people have very high demands for inclusivity: the level should be at least half the same as in the rehabilitation center."
And this, the expert adds, is a great shame, because even a masterpiece of architecture can be made inclusive if desired. "For example, in Venice, not only buildings are landmarks, but also all areas of the city, but the problem of inclusivity has been solved even there. Officials have installed ramp structures on the main tourist routes, so now people in wheelchairs can move around Venice without assistance," said Pavlo Peker.
It would seem that with this incredible fact, the topic of inclusive housing infrastructure could be considered closed. But it turned out that when we reach the finish line, we will have to overcome another obstacle - the increase in housing prices caused by the improvement in quality.
"Inclusive apartments — whether in old buildings or new ones — are always more expensive. However, this still applies more to new residential complexes, because the economics of the building consist of the ratio of the area for which the developer will receive money and the total area of the building. And, in my opinion, it would be possible to save money here, because the new State Building Code dictates requirements that are not always appropriate. For example, if previously it was possible to make stairs 1,2 meters wide, now it is only 1,35. No one can explain why this is so. Of course, there are moments that cannot be changed, for example, each apartment must have a bathroom for a person in a wheelchair. Simply because people like us have the right to live on the floor they want: even on the 3rd, even on the 17th. But as for the width of the stairs, I would look for other options," explained Mykola Morozov.
However, the expert added, this does not mean at all that we should no longer add new rules to the DBN. It is simply that in the process of developing the document, two important principles should be followed: thoughtfulness and gradualism. “For example, the rule according to which a bedroom should be wide enough for a person to transfer from a wheelchair to a bed. When we get used to the previous changes, we can add that too,” the expert predicts.
There is not enough space: the architect must calculate all the parameters according to the DBN. Source: abmk
Igor Raikov, a military man and founder of the company "Community" and the School of Professional Development Urbanland.pm, is also confident that DBN for inclusion should develop despite the prospect of a price increase.
"Previously, people thought about inclusion only when a child and a stroller appeared in the family, but this was quickly forgotten, so people with disabilities continued to be locked on the floors without even being able to go to the store. As a military man and a brother of many who are now limited in movement, I will say that during the war this issue became very acute. As for the price, yes, inclusion affects the cost price. But not critically. In addition, military personnel receive a very good salary - on average from 160 thousand, so most of them have a desire to buy housing. Many of those who were wounded and underwent rehabilitation are buying now, and these people have very high demands on inclusion: the level should be at least half the same as in a rehabilitation center," the expert explained.
Public buildings and urban spaces: how will wheelchair-bound soldiers be welcomed by the cities they defended?
When asked what rule should define the philosophy of an inclusive public space, Mykola Morozov answers: "The most important thing is that a person feels dignified and does not have to ask for help. Among the main parameters of an accessible and barrier-free public space, I would highlight the following: the presence of a ramp or electric lift; workplaces in offices adapted for people with any needs; if necessary, the presence of adapted special rooms such as showers or changing rooms. And, of course, contrasting markings and a route on the floor in the right places. All this should also be in kindergartens and schools - it is very important to remind people of this," says the specialist.
Tetyana Zhydkova: "Another important, but not the most obvious point is the disconnection of elevators during a power outage. This, by the way, also applies to the previous topic - residential development. For example, in one of the buildings in Kyiv, money is currently being collected for alternative power supplies for elevators."
Mykola Morozov is confident that the situation with the accessibility of urban space is gradually improving due to the fact that organizations that care about inclusion have chosen a win-win cooperation strategy: they sign agreements with public and commercial organizations to improve conditions, and they receive new clients.
"In particular, you can increasingly see Braille on ATMs. Also, many cafes are trying to do at least something - at least wider doors and an additional handle in the toilet. Unfortunately, there are also losing solutions, for example, recently at the entrance to one of the cinemas in Kyiv I saw a button to call an assistant. I understand that they were trying their best, but I believe that a person with a disability should not wait and hope that someone will help them. I understand that special elevators and lifts are worth the money, but it is better to save money on something else," the expert is convinced.
According to Tetyana Zhydkova, the inclusiveness of public space is a case where quantity makes quality: the more possible situations we can anticipate, the better. “When increasing the level of inclusiveness of old public spaces or building new ones, the same rules apply as for residential buildings: large toilets with handrails, no thresholds, and electric lifts in the right places. However, each public space has its own purpose, so the architect should create a list of people with different needs and think about how and where these needs should be anticipated,” explained Tetyana Zhydkova.
Toilet with a crutch holder. Special mats for guide dogs at airports. A corner for feeding children in a hypermarket. A changing table in the toilet. A button to call for help in the toilet in case a person with a disability falls and cannot get up on their own. Low-height sockets and double handrails - for tall and short people. Writing tablets and virtual sign language interpreters for public institutions and hospitals... Tatyana Zhidkova is sure: all these "little things" will help return a sense of freedom to people with disabilities.
An inclusive gym is a place where everyone will be comfortable. Source: abmk
An inclusive gym is a place where everyone will be comfortable. Source: abmk
An inclusive gym is a place where everyone will be comfortable. Source: abmk
"Another important, but not the most obvious point, is the shutdown of elevators during a power outage. This, by the way, also applies to the previous topic - residential development. For example, in one of the buildings in Kyiv, which is owned by an apartment building association, money is currently being collected for alternative power supplies for elevators," said Ms. Tetyana.
As for streets, according to Igor Raikov, the main rule is this: streets should have audible traffic lights and markings for people with poor vision, but without curbs and with low sidewalks. According to the specialist, the best situation with this is in Kharkiv and Lviv.
It is also important not to forget about navigation systems. “It doesn’t always have to be yellow tactile tiles! For example, in one of the Lviv squares there are zones with tactile dots — that’s also an option,” says Tetyana Zhydkova.
Summing up the topic, Mykola Morozov adds: when designing public buildings and urban areas, architects must be prepared for the fact that the DBN on inclusion are relatively new, so sometimes they contradict other DBN.
"A vivid example: in the DBN for public buildings, stairs can have one parameter, and in the inclusion one - another: a tread of 30 cm and a height of 15 cm. However, in certain cases, you need to approach the tasks from the standpoint of expediency. For example, once I was doing a reconstruction of a building, and there was no possibility to expand the stairs, so we made two cool elevators. But, and this is very important, if the matter is not in the DBN, but simply in the fact that you have a question about what is more important - preserving the appearance of the building or inclusivity, always choose the second. People are more important than buildings! For example, once, walking around Barcelona, I went into a cafe with only one table on the second level, and it turned out that an electric elevator leads to this second floor. That's it. In Europe, every corner is re-equipped so that people with disabilities do not experience any inconvenience," the expert said.
Natalia Mashevska: "We need to not just mindlessly use the solutions of centers in Europe or the USA, but to understand what people specifically need. If possible, ask patients - direct consumers - what concerns them the most, and then thoughtfully analyze the information received."
The hospital as a separate world: what is inclusive medical infrastructure?
Medical facilities are the last area of inclusivity we need to explore. And they are also one of the most problematic, because while hospitals and military hospitals in Ukraine should be a model of accessibility and adaptability, scandals surrounding old hospital buildings continue. When you search for "show hospital conditions," Google produces a series of photos that show that for many medical facilities, inclusivity remains a dream.
The wards of the UNBROKEN center are thought out to the smallest detail. Source: Abmk
The wards of the UNBROKEN center are thought out to the smallest detail. Source: Abmk
One can talk for a long time about why this situation has arisen, but this topic lies not in the realm of architecture, but in the realm of bureaucratic responsibility. “Everything related to the conditions in state institutions is a disaster, because due to bureaucracy they simply do not have time to make repairs on time. However, Ukrainian doctors who work in unrenovated hospitals manage to practice fantastically complex things, which is why they are real heroes. And believe me, old neglected hospitals often have the most modern equipment. And this means that the volunteers and administrations of these hospitals primarily take care of the most necessary things,” notes Pavlo Peker.
Fortunately, recently, in contrast to the bad situation in some institutions in Ukraine, rehabilitation centers have begun to appear that can truly be considered models of inclusiveness. And very often these are not newly constructed buildings, but competently restored old ones. For example, the UNBROKEN center was opened in a building that was previously a polyclinic on the basis of the municipal non-profit enterprise "First Territorial Medical Association of Lviv."
"This is the first place in Ukraine where medicine is being comprehensively reformed. The association employs multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams that provide assistance in acute, post-acute, and long-term rehabilitation periods. An individual rehabilitation plan is drawn up for each patient based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF), a patient-centered approach, and a biopsychosocial model," said Natalia Mashevska, an architect at abmk, which designed UNBROKEN.
Every detail is specially adapted to the needs of people in wheelchairs, with hearing and vision impairments, mental disabilities, etc. Source: Abmk
In order to create a space for an institution of this level, the specialist had to not only comply with state building codes, but also study the needs of the institution's consumers. "You need to not just mindlessly use solutions from similar centers in Europe or the USA, but understand what people specifically need. If possible, ask patients - direct consumers - what concerns them most, and then thoughtfully analyze the information received," said Natalia Mashevska.
During the redevelopment of the premises, she said, the architects of the abmk company came across a number of restrictions, such as the structural scheme of the building, the existing floor levels and dimensions of the stairwells, as well as the typical parcellation of the facades. "At the same time, we needed not only to give the old premises new functionality, but also to update the appearance of the building so that it would be perceived differently in the future. Another difficulty was that the 7-story building of the center is one of three parts of the polyclinic buildings, along with two attached 3-story buildings, which are connected to each other floor by floor. We needed to take into account all the connections between the buildings and foresee possible future changes in them," the architect said.
According to the specialist, the center, which, despite all the difficulties, was still able to be created, has the following advantages.
- Complete barrier-free access. To this end, ramps and elevators with audible signals were installed and unobstructed access was organized to all rooms, including bathrooms, showers, rehabilitation rooms, and the building's terrace.
- Multifunctionality. The architects took into account the various features of rehabilitation activities that may arise during physical therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation. It is important that the premises can easily change their purpose, be universal for different types of classes and activities.
- The presence of social spaces. The architects created accessible social and cultural areas where patients can interact with the center's invited guests and visitors, participate in cultural events or volunteer programs, which helps socialization and rehabilitation.
- A space that supports the psycho-emotional state. The team took into account the features of the psychological comfort of patients - the presence of natural elements (a terrace with a green relaxation area), the use of soft and neutral colors and textures in the interior design.
- Complete privacy. The center has well-insulated rooms for psychotherapy and personal conversations.
The architects managed to change the facade so that the old Soviet building was easily transformed into a modern medical center. Source: abmk
Many of the rules that approve these innovations are present in DBN V.2.2-10:2022 "Healthcare Institutions. Basic Provisions". Tetyana Zhidkova assures that when developing this document, representatives of public organizations took into account absolutely everything. "DBN V.2.2-10:2022 stipulates a lot of new requirements for hospitals. We have standardized every little thing, even shower rooms: now there will be movable benches for hygiene procedures. By the way, this is our pride, because such structures appeared in public places in Germany quite recently. An interesting fact: festival organizers in Germany over time noticed that thanks to this small detail, much more people began to come to them. It turned out that inclusivity is also very profitable," emphasized Tetyana Zhidkova.
Pavlo Peker: "The situation is gradually changing, especially in Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa. So we just need to press on: everyone should act at their own level. I don't need a presidential order to create comfortable conditions in my house."
The list of current innovations of the DBN for hospitals also includes moving ramps, maneuvering space, lifting devices and much more. However, according to Mykola Morozov, without common sense, all these technical innovations are nothing. “The provisions of the DBN will eventually become the reality of every institution, but until that happens, I advise you to start with common sense. When I was lying in the orthopedic department of the hospital, I will not specify which one, we, together with other patients, had a lot of fun, in the black sense of the word, discussing the floor on the floor. Someone thought of putting shiny slippery tiles there. Can you imagine? Where 95% of patients are on crutches. And it was not old tiles, because the department had recently undergone renovations. Please, always turn on common sense,” added Mykola Morozov.
How to force a government that is throwing up its hands to be inclusive?
Achieving results is impossible without responsibility, but what to do if time passes and nothing happens: for some reason your city authorities are in no hurry to lower the sidewalks and clean the curbs. In other words, is there any responsibility for those responsible for inclusion?
"I was in the group developing barrier-free construction, so I'll say this: there is no effective mechanism for forcing inclusion or punishment for non-compliance. It should be like this: you break the rules three times and your license is taken away... You see, the best incentive is money. You know, I once visited a construction site in the Emirates, and they told me that according to their rules, investors' money should be kept in a separate account, and the developer should not have access to it until the building is put into operation. As you know, developers there don't run away. Another example: remember, when parking lots for people with disabilities appeared, police officers began to stand by such parking lots waiting for violators, because the fine was UAH 1300. At first, the "catch" was generous, but then they stopped taking these places, because they are expensive. Draw your own conclusions," advises Tetyana Zhidkova.
Pavlo Peker: "I believe that the state should create a program to provide housing for people with disabilities who suffered during the war. Or at least modernize their homes... To do this, we need to attract interested international funds and create a mechanism for fair distribution of funds."
Ultimately, the expert adds, if you still decide to follow the rules of inclusion, you won't lose money, but save them. For example, she advises, it is enough to make an eight percent slope in front of the house, and the ramp will no longer be needed. We will get the same result if the paths for cyclists and pedestrians are at the same level, but with different surfaces, and the yard of the house is designed according to the principle of "no cars."
Inclusivity is universal minimalism with interesting accent details. Source: Abmk
Mykola Morozov looks at the issue of penalties for non-compliance with the rules more optimistically: “If you find out that the rules of inclusion have been violated in your home, office, or on the street, file a complaint, and the people who made a mistake will be punished,” he is sure.
Mr. Mykola's colleague, architect Pavlo Peker, advises not only to complain, but also to act, because, in his opinion, the glass is already half full: "The situation is gradually changing, especially in Kyiv, Lviv, and Odessa. So we just need to press on: everyone should act at their own level. I don't need a presidential order to create comfortable conditions in my house," he believes.
And yet, the expert adds, the state's participation would not be superfluous, because some issues can only be resolved at the highest level. "I believe that the state should create a program to provide housing for people with disabilities who suffered during the war. Or at least modernize their homes... For this, interested international funds should be involved and a mechanism for fair distribution of funds should be created," notes Pavlo Peker.
Inclusivity — it's not about weakness or impairment, but about the skill that made us sapiens: the ability to adapt. Source: Abmk
Mykola Morozov concludes: everything will depend on how active people with disabilities and their loved ones are. “I participated in Norman Foster’s competition for the reconstruction of Northern Saltivka in Kharkiv — it’s a huge array of panel houses that was badly damaged by shelling. We were tasked with preserving what was left and at the same time revitalizing the space so that it meets modern needs. We struggled for a long time and eventually even started thinking about adding side modules with elevator shafts of sufficient size to the buildings. But you need to understand that in order for something like this to become a mass phenomenon, you need great political will and economic subtext. But it’s quite possible to implement it on a small scale, so if your house needs help but doesn’t have enough money, try to find sponsors. Believe me, now it’s quite possible,” advises the architect.
