Disability organisations continue advocating for deinstitutionalisation in Ukraine

Published: October 8, 2024

Amidst the ongoing Russian war, disability organisations in Ukraine continue calling for a change from institutionalisation to community-based support. It is necessary to move away from segregated institutional “care”, a leftover from Soviet times, and to replace it with support for people with intellectual disabilities to live independently and to be included in the community.

Institutionalisation, made worse by war

There are many thousands of people with disabilities in institutions in Ukraine. Some reports say it is 35,000 people, some reports say the number is much higher. During the war:

Many were forced to move from one facility to another, putting their lives at risk.
Some people who were living independently might have to return to institutions.
Children with disabilities in “orphanages” are especially vulnerable.
Many people with intellectual disabilities were “released” from institutions, without any proper support.

Working together for change

It is important to make sure the rights and lives of people with disabilities are protected, and that work is being done to ensure a good life included in the community. Disability organisations continue to work together, and with the government, to implement the necessary changes:

Move away from segregated institutional “care”.
Create more community-based support.
Make sure war-related efforts (like evacuations, reconstruction) take into account the rights and views of people with disabilities.

An example of such an effort is the Uzhhorod Group, an international think tank composed of experts with experience in deinstitutionalisation. The think tank was led by the Ukrainian disability organisation, Fight for Rights, with the primary goal of preparing conceptual material for the Ukrainian government to initiate the deinstitutionalisation process. Inclusion Europe participated in all meetings, including the final conference, which was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy.

Support for Ukrainian national efforts

We also continue to support our member NGO Coalition in their advocacy to improve situation of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Ukraine. This work includes:

Trainings to help people assess their needs, and create projects.
Developing fundraising for community-based support.
Helping people with disabilities to participate in political process.

Trainings and support provided by Inclusion Europe included participation of Ukrainian self-advocates and family members at various conferences in Europe.

These events were a good opportunity to share about the situation in Ukraine, about the work being done to improve rights of people with intellectual disabilities, and to get new ideas and contacts from different countries.

Inclusion Europe also brought the issues faced by people with intellectual disabilities and their families in front of various international organisations. During meetings and workshops, Inclusion Europe described the situation, relayed the needs and efforts of organisations in the country, and advocated for inclusive, disability rights-focused humanitarian and reconstruction policies.