Deputy Mayors Olena Paramonova and Serhiy Zakharov have met with the representatives of public organizations of people with disabilities. They discussed the mechanism of effective interaction in the implementation of accessibility projects and the organization of barrier-free spaces.
‘Every resident should have equal opportunities both to access public space and to all services. Accessibility is an important step towards building a modern European city. Mariupol is working on this. Creation of an accessibility environment is one of our priority direction,’ Olena Paramonova emphasized.
Since 2017, ‘Accessible Mariupol’ program has been operating on the city. Its goal is to create an accessible environment for all residents and their equal participation in the life of the city. All major repairs of cultural, educational, sports and administrative centers are carried out taking account all elements of accessibility.
‘Mariupol must become a city without barriers. We must slow down the pace of inclusive renovation. Our goal is to make the performance of these works efficiently and 100% affordable for all our residents together with the representatives of organizations of people with disabilities,’ Serhiy Zakharov said.
Currently, the overhaul of the Centers for the Social Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities in the Central and Left Bank district is underway. They will create barrier-free conditions: internal lifts, an inclusive playground and a gym, a specially equipped car for transporting children. In addition, this year the first Olympic-level inclusive pool ‘Neptune’ will be opened in the Donetsk region.
It is worth noting that Mariupol has taken a course towards the formation of a universal public space with equal access for all the residents. As part of the initiative of the First Lady Olena Zelenska ‘Without barriers’, Mayor Vadym Boichenko signed a Memorandum on the development of barrier-free architecture.
