Ukraine Launches Barrier-Free Art Project

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska has opened an art project highlighting the importance of seeing people beyond labels associated with disability, age, trauma or other life circumstances. The project, titled “Barrier-Free Means Seeing the Person Behind the Words,” was launched at the beginning of National Barrier-Free Week.

The exhibition features illustrations by Ukrainian artists depicting children deprived of parental care, older people, people with amputations and others facing different personal circumstances. Zelenska said the project aims to challenge stigma and emphasize each person’s individuality.

The exhibition is scheduled to be presented in different parts of Ukraine during the week. Barrier-free ambassadors, civic leaders and cultural figures will introduce the project in the regions, where communities will be invited to discuss the works and the impact of language on attitudes and behavior.

The initiative is part of the nationwide “Accessibility Is When You Can” social change campaign, implemented under Zelenska’s “Without Barriers” initiative. It was organized with support from UNICEF, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture, the presidential adviser on barrier-free environments, the NGO Barrier-Free, and the governments of Germany and the United Kingdom.