Combining theory with fieldwork

On 19 and 20 May 2021, the Resource Centre "Barrier-Free Ukraine" of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine held a two-day training workshop "Accessibility of the environment, buildings, transport, infrastructure for people with reduced mobility. Methodology for conducting a survey to determine the accessibility of relevant facilities" (2 days, 15 hours).

The seminar programme consisted of two parts: theoretical and practical.

The seminar was conducted by Yevhen Svet, who has been systematically dealing with accessibility issues since 2004: architectural, engineering, transport, social infrastructure, accessibility of services for people with disabilities and other low-mobility groups. He is the developer of his own methodology for conducting surveys to determine accessibility for MHM.

The participants of the seminar worked out the following blocks of issues in detail:

• Concepts of "accessibility", "inclusiveness", "universal design".
• The regulatory framework of Ukraine governing the relevant requirements (as of April 2021).
• MHW: people with reduced mobility. The term "accessibility for people with reduced mobility". A general description of the problems that MHM face when moving, navigating in space, and receiving information.
• The main criteria of accessibility for MHM. Universal signs of accessibility. From accessibility to universal design.
• Means of safety, orientation, information when using the environment. Tactile, visual.
• Audio signs. Beacons, informants, traffic lights.
• Transport accessibility.
• Arrangement of an accessible environment. Mistakes and artificially created barriers. "Conflict of interest": myths and realities.
• Inspection of objects to determine the state of accessibility for MHM.
• Methodology of the survey.
• Development of relevant documentation.

The seminar was aimed at explaining in detail the theoretical and regulatory framework for conducting such surveys and developing basic skills in conducting them. As a result of the seminar and after the relevant practice, trained specialists will be able to independently determine the accessibility of facilities for MHM according to a number of key criteria and provide recommendations on how to remove the identified barriers.

Immediately after the training, we asked the seminar participants for their feedback and impressions of the joint work. Our students particularly noted the practical part of the training and the opportunity to interact in a team at the survey site.

"You can read textbooks, documents, regulations, etc. as much as you want. We will all perceive it in our own way, and not necessarily correctly. But listening to the same theory from a practitioner, and even with illustrative examples, gives a better result. But pure theory is dead without practice. But combining it with real work in the field gives more results."

Kira

"A very good and positive presentation of the material, a friendly team and a general desire of the team to make this world a better place for everyone."

Oleksandr

"I liked the approach to the seminar, the motivation of Eugene and the students. What is important is the opportunity to share experiences during the classes. The opportunity to apply what we heard in practice, in the examination."

Anastasia

"It turned out that I did not know a lot of things. We discussed the issue of mobility for visually impaired people, some of the nuances of moving people in a wheelchair. And now I am a little more experienced than I was before. Thank you!"

Olena

"The seminar was great, very practical and a lot of examples in the context of Ukraine. I liked the combination of theoretical and practical material, a lot of dialogue and useful advice."

Daria

"I really enjoyed the seminar. The material was presented in a structured way and in the optimal amount for memorisation. It was two effective days when we consolidated the theory with practice, really gaining knowledge and skills that will stay with us for further use. Thanks to the organisers for the opportunity to gain new experience!"

Yevheniia

Training of specialists in the field of accessibility on a systematic basis is one of the priorities of the Barrier-Free Ukraine Resource Centre. For many years now, the RCU specialists have been conducting training seminars and workshops for customers from various institutions and organisations. Therefore, we know from our own experience and work practice how high the public demand for such specialists is now, who can independently and correctly determine the real state of affairs at a particular facility in terms of its accessibility for MHM, including people with disabilities, based on the regulatory framework of Ukraine. Training such specialists in Ukraine is an extremely promising area of work.

You can always contact the specialists of the NGO Resource Centre "Barrier-Free Ukraine" to organise and conduct seminars and trainings related to the accessibility of facilities for MARA, including for persons with disabilities.