Representatives of Ukrainian people with intellectual disabilities and their families were guests on Inclusion Europe radio.
Listen to the podcast here.
00:06 Introducing our Ukrainian guests
Hanna Solovei is a self-advocate from Inclusion Ukraine Inclusion Ukraine is a self-advocacy movement. Together, they keep advocating for their rights, even though the Ukrainian authorities say this is not a priority in times of war.
Raisa Kravchenko is also a mother of a son with intellectual disabilities. She dedicated her life to creating a better life for her son. She also advocates for her son’s rights and the rights of all Ukrainians with intellectual disabilities.
Olena Tsarenko is a mother of a child with intellectual disabilities. She fears every day about the future of her child in Ukraine. As a journalist, she uses the media to raise awareness about the challenges faced by intellectual disabilities and their families.
01:07 Challenges faced by people with intellectual disabilities in Ukraine
The discussion moves to the pressing issues affecting people with intellectual disabilities in Ukraine, issues that existed even before the war. Recent reports, including one by Inclusion Europe, underscore the situation of people with intellectual disabilities. The full-scale war has only worsened conditions, increasing the risk of institutionalization and reducing access to necessary services and support.
03:34 Self-advocacy efforts in Ukraine
Hanna Solovei talked about self-advocacy efforts, explaining how they are trained to communicate with authorities and work toward individual and collective rights. Hanna shared experiences at international conferences, emphasizing the valuable insights gained from self-advocates across Europe. The role of self-advocacy in Ukraine is very important, offering a platform for mutual learning and support.
12:29 Impact of war on daily life and services
Raisa Kravchenko spoke about war’s devastating impact on daily life, with regular routines shattered. Fear and uncertainty have a devastating impact on people with intellectual disabilities. “The situation is getting worse. We have the third year of the war and people with intellectual disabilities can’t go to shelters anymore. They can’t receive any help because everything’s ruined.” Despite these challenges, there is support through online meetings and peer support systems, helping to maintain a sense of normality and mental health support.
17:01 Ukraine’s path to European Union membership
As Ukraine moves towards European Union membership, our guests emphasize the importance of integrating European values, including respecting the rights of people with intellectual disabilities. They advocate for these issues to be at the forefront of Ukraine’s commitments to the EU, requiring continuous dialogue and support from European institutions.
20:38 Future hopes
The episode closes with expressions of gratitude towards organizations like Inclusion Europe and European Disability Forum, for their support. Olena Tsarenko expressed her hope for continued cooperation and progress, underscoring the importance of maintaining solidarity and mutual support to navigate the challenges ahead. Hanna Solovei expressed her wishes for self-advocates across the world to stand firm in advocating for their rights.
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“We keep advocating for our rights, even when the authorities say it’s not a priority during war”