Webinar “Barrier-free is…” at the Educational and Research Institute of Philology and Journalism

23.5.2025

On 22 May, the Educational and Research Institute of Philology and Journalism hosted a webinar on «Barrier-Free is…» as part of the National Barrier-Free Week, which was attended by representatives of student self-government.

From 19 to 25 May, Ukraine is celebrating the National Barrier-Free Week as part of the strategy for creating a barrier-free space at the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

On 21 April 2021, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the National Strategy for Creating a Barrier-Free Space in Ukraine until 2030. The goal of the Barrier-Free Strategy is to create conditions that allow everyone, regardless of origin, gender, age, physical ability, or social group, to exercise their rights and freedoms to the fullest.

The speaker of the webinar, Deputy Director for Social and Humanitarian Work of the Institute of Women’s Studies Iryna Boitsun, introduced the target areas of the Barrier-Free Strategy, which aims to ensure accessibility and adaptability for all social groups, regardless of age, health status, gender, place of residence and other characteristics, and focused on the correctness of communication and use of terms, etc.

Viktoriia Dmytrenko, Director of the Educational and Research Institute of Philology and Journalism, drew attention to tolerance in communication, understanding and acceptance of people with different needs, and destigmatisation.

Victoria Skachkova, a 4th year student majoring in Secondary Education. French Language and Literature, shared her experience of working with people with different needs in France.

The webinar participants came to the conclusion that barrier-free accessibility is not only about physical accessibility, but also about changing minds, breaking down stereotypes and creating an environment where everyone, regardless of their abilities, feels like a full member of society. The participants discussed the importance of creating an inclusive environment in all spheres of life – education, employment, culture, and sports. It was emphasised that this is beneficial for everyone, as it expands opportunities for the development of society as a whole.

Educational and Research Institute of Philology and Journalism