Employees of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, representatives of energy sector enterprises, and central executive authorities coordinated by the Ministry participated in the webinar “Barrier-Free Communication: Interaction with People with Different Types of Disabilities.” Participants included representatives of NPC Ukrenergo, Gas TSO of Ukraine LLC, Market Operator JSC, the State Energy Supervision Inspectorate, the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management, as well as state-owned coal industry enterprises. In total, nearly 150 participants joined the training.
During the webinar, participants received practical recommendations on barrier-free communication and interaction with people with hearing, visual, mobility, and mental impairments.
Special attention was given to modern digital and assistive solutions that help make communication more accessible. In particular, the discussion covered the use of screen readers for people with visual impairments, as well as induction systems and Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi-based solutions to improve communication with people with hearing impairments.
The training will help Ministry staff and energy sector enterprises better take into account the needs of persons with disabilities in their daily work, including the preparation of official correspondence and information materials, organization of meetings and consultations, and provision of services.
The knowledge and practical tools acquired will contribute to ensuring more accessible, understandable, and inclusive communication with citizens, while also helping foster a culture of respect, equality, and barrier-free interaction.
Overall, strengthening knowledge and skills related to the creation of a barrier-free environment will contribute to increasing trust in the Ministry as a public institution.
The training was delivered by experts from the civil society organizations Inclusive Friendly and Vidchui, as well as specialists in hearing and visual accessibility.
The project “Support for Inclusive Recovery for Resilience and Human Security in Ukraine” is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with financial support from the Government of Japan.
It should also be noted that May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Ukraine. Each year, it is held within the framework of the nationwide mental health programme “How Are You?” — an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska. https://howareu.com
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