Mykolaiv's "No Barriers" Program: 45 Ramps by 2025 for Accessibility

Mykolaiv is implementing inclusivity and has decided to install ramps, improve sidewalks and equip hospital wards. By 2026, it is planned to create a comfortable environment for city residents, taking into account their needs.

This was reported by Suspilne.

Mykolaiv continues to implement the "No Barriers" program aimed at improving the city's accessibility for people with disabilities and people with limited mobility. In 2025, the city plans to install 45 new ramps, which will be located near apartment buildings.

According to Nadiia Skopenko, Deputy Director of the Social Protection Department of Mykolaiv City Council, the "No Barriers" program was launched in 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

"This is a set of measures that promotes an unobstructed environment and improves the lives of people with disabilities and low-mobility groups," Skopenko said.

"In addition, active work is underway to equip ramps in different parts of the city, as well as to improve infrastructure. In particular, in 2025, seven more ramps will be installed near apartment buildings in four districts of the city. These works are financed by the city budget and donor funds.

According to Artem Sapozhnyk, Director of the Department of Housing and Communal Services, it is planned to complete the installation of ramps in four districts of Mykolaiv by May 1, 2025. One ramp costs 130 thousand hryvnias, and the total amount for the installation of ramps by the end of the year will be about six million hryvnias.

An equally important aspect of the program is ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities in medical facilities. The rehabilitation department of Mykolaiv City Hospital has set up special wards for patients with disabilities.

All of the wards are equipped with special lifts, scooters and comfortable beds that allow patients with disabilities to be treated comfortably. For this purpose, three million seven hundred thousand hryvnias were allocated from the city budget and two million from the hospital budget.

In addition, by 2026, it is planned to make additional improvements to medical facilities to ensure accessibility for all categories of citizens.

Recently, Mykolaiv launched a project aimed at creating a barrier-free environment in the city, with a focus on the arrangement of public spaces, including justice and social protection institutions. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

Last December, the first driving school for people with disabilities was opened in Mykolaiv at the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University. Also, a new gym was opened in the Voznesensk community as part of the ADAPT project, which supports adaptive sports, enabling people with disabilities to improve their health and adapt to social life.

Анна Бальчінос