Today, December 3rd, we celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing the need for respect for the dignity of every individual—this is fundamental to building a just society.

The focus is on accessibility and equal opportunities for all: the right to free access to resources, services, education, and employment. The choice, independence, and participation of each person in societal life should remain a priority in decision-making.

In wartime, the issue of accessibility has become even more pressing. This is no longer about individual initiatives, but about profound changes in governance, design, and interaction—a philosophy that will define the future development of urban spaces and digital services.

Therefore, it is crucial to continue working towards making accessibility a standard norm in all spheres. This issue is strongly supported by society. Over the last two years, more than 40 state standards and regulations regarding accessibility have been updated, and a draft law on "Fundamental Principles of State Policy for Creating an Accessible Environment in Ukraine" is being prepared. A comprehensive monitoring of accessibility has been conducted nationwide, and an interactive Accessibility Map with data on over 70,000 sites has been created.

As part of the First Lady of Ukraine's initiative "Without Barriers," this year the flagship project of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, "Movement Without Barriers," was launched. It covers 15 pilot communities where comprehensive barrier-free routes are being established, with plans to scale the best solutions nationwide.

Our collective task is to ensure that accessibility becomes a norm, and that barrier-free standards are mandatory at the national, regional, and local levels.

Let's work together, each in our own place, to build a country where people can live fully, realize their potential, and not be hindered by barriers.