A summary meeting of the Council for Accessibility was held with the Mayor of Odesa.
The event was attended by veterans, representatives of public organizations, experts from the Council for Accessibility, and leaders of city departments, as well as ambassadors of the "Barrier-Free Movement" project and specialists from educational, medical, and social fields.
During the meeting, key initiatives implemented in the first half of 2025 were presented. These included ensuring barrier-free access to city beaches, creating and implementing the first barrier-free route in Odesa, and actively developing adaptive sports, particularly kayaking.
"We are not just removing barriers — we are building a new culture of urban space. In these six months, we have managed to implement concrete solutions: from access to beaches and transportation to the involvement of people with disabilities in management processes. But the most important thing is the trust of the community. It is this trust that gives us the strength to continue working and expand the limits of what is possible," said Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov.
A work plan for the second half of 2025 was also approved.
"By announcing plans for the second half of the year, we clearly understand that everything planned is achievable. Each item is backed by a specific team, timelines, and accountability," noted Deputy Head of the Accessibility Council Oleksiy Morozov.
The meeting concluded with a general summary: Odesa confidently maintains its course towards systematic expansion of accessible spaces in infrastructure, services, culture, and attitudes.
"At the recently opened inclusive beach at the 11th station of the Big Fountain - Beach 11 - over 100 people with various needs relax here daily. This is proof that our city is becoming comfortable for everyone, and we will continue to develop all directions," emphasized Acting Deputy Mayor of Odesa Serhiy Kotsyuba.
