In developed countries, inclusive architecture is the standard. There, a ramp is part of the overall accessibility concept, including wider doors, convenient elevators, sound and visual cues. Ukraine has the potential to implement these standards, but achieving this requires not only changing building regulations, but also transforming people's mindset.

Ukraine stands on the threshold of changes that could greatly impact the lives of people with disabilities. However, physical barriers, inaccessible infrastructure, and social perceptions continue to pose significant challenges. Millions of people find themselves excluded from active participation in public life. In Ukraine, it is difficult to overcome the stereotype that people with disabilities are mostly confined to their homes due to the inaccessibility of urban environments. How can they navigate the streets, where the first obstacles are too high curbs, stairs, or subway stations' ramps which are nearly impossible to manage alone? Should they expect a kind-hearted bus driver to step out, install a ramp, and guide a wheelchair passenger ahead of the queue? Even in the capital, one must choose a route based only on newly built subway stations equipped with elevators. Why are there so many wheelchair users at international airports, where even elderly people seem not helpless, but happy? Apart from the government's care, they are accepted in society and lead fulfilling lives: there are no barriers to education, development, work, or travel.

Unfortunately, over the past decade, Ukraine has grown accustomed to seeing young people in wheelchairs or with prosthetics who, after enduring the horrors of war, continue to fight for the right to reintegrate into society. They often do not need our empathy; in their eyes, there is more courage than in ours, and even greater determination to take action. "I put on my prosthetics and keep moving... to prove to people like me that everything is possible," says a 26-year-old hero. The likelihood of an increasing number of people with disabilities is quite high. Therefore, the best way for the government and society to express gratitude is by creating a supportive and accessible environment, first and foremost for those heroes who, fortunately, returned alive but with significant limitations.

Before overcoming physical barriers in cities, it is crucial to reconsider the social model, to understand how important it is to recognize and respect people with special needs, and to encourage their contribution to society. What needs to change in social, economic, or political conditions to fully realize the rights of people with disabilities? This includes eliminating discrimination, ensuring equal opportunities, accessibility, and effective social inclusion. Both conscious and unconscious discrimination remains widespread. For instance, economic discrimination is evident in rejections during employment. However, unconscious discrimination, which stems from ignorance or stereotypes, is even more damaging. Separate entrances to buildings, specialized transportation, or isolated spaces create the impression that people with disabilities should live "separate lives."

Ukraine is gradually joining the global movement for inclusion, but the road is long and arduous. Most of our cities remain inaccessible. The lack of ramps, elevators, and convenient public transportation forces people with special needs to stay at home. This is not just physical isolation but also a form of social discrimination. Since hostilities continue, the number of veterans with disabilities is set to grow. Therefore, Ukrainian society must accept this new reality, adapt to the challenges, and turn them into opportunities for development and progress.

International practices show that infrastructural changes can not only ease mobility but also alter society's attitude toward people with disabilities. In many countries, the lack of accessible environments is considered a significant violation of human rights.

• Sweden has created an extensive accessibility database covering over 8,000 venues, from museums to cafés;
• Canada actively introduces audio guides, Braille scripts, and adaptive programs for winter sports;
• Germany is known for its accessible public transport, including buses with ramps and a special passenger support system;
• Japan has integrated digital services for people with hearing impairments, facilitating communication even in emergency situations;
• Spain has a high level of physical accessibility and offers discounts for tourists with disabilities;
• Singapore is dedicated to the principles of accessibility. According to a study by the World Economic Forum, Singapore has the best infrastructure for wheelchair users, equipped with specially designed buses and lifts in all public transport systems.

Inclusivity begins not with ramps but with a reconsideration of societal values. Ukraine has the chance to become a country where people with disabilities will feel not just part of the community but its full-fledged creators. Changing people's attitudes is key to building an inclusive future where everyone can realize their potential. Are we ready to overcome our own stereotypes and work together to create a barrier-free country? A society that knows how to hear and consider the needs of each individual becomes stronger. A ramp is just one example of how architectural solutions can change consciousness. Accessibility is not only about buildings; it is about attitude.

All new public facilities should be designed according to international accessibility standards. PanteonX Charitable Foundation, operating in Spain and Ukraine, in partnership with NavigArt, a leading manufacturer and supplier of navigation and barrier-free solutions, is launching an ambitious project to adapt hospitals and important institutions for people with disabilities in Lviv, Kyiv, and Dnipro. The project seeks to implement European best practices in Ukraine, with the aim of restoring and creating a barrier-free urban environment as well as a cultural space. This initiative is part of a larger mission: together we can make Ukraine a place where everyone can live comfortably, regardless of their physical abilities.