Ukraine introduces mandatory accessibility check for construction projects

The Government of Ukraine has taken an important step towards creating a comfortable environment for all citizens, including people with disabilities and people with limited mobility. The Cabinet of Ministers has supported changes in the work of the Unified State Electronic System in Construction (UEDESS), which provide for new requirements for project documentation. This was reported by the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.

From now on, each construction project submitted to the UDESS must contain a special checklist for checking the accessibility of the facility. This is a document that records the compliance of the future building with accessibility standards - the presence of ramps, convenient entrances, elevators, accessible restrooms and other elements that ensure comfortable movement for all categories of the population.

Filling out such a checklist will become a mandatory part of the work of architects, designers and expert organizations. They should assess how well the designed object meets modern principles of inclusive design. This will make it impossible to approve projects that do not take into account the needs of people with disabilities.

Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that the principle of barrier-free access should not be a formality, but a real norm for each project. “Barrier-free access should not be just a declaration, but a mandatory component of the design approach. We are building accessibility at the initial stage so that every new house, school or hospital is comfortable for all people without exception,” he emphasized.

According to representatives of the Ministry of Regional Development, the introduction of checklists will not only improve the quality of architectural solutions, but also make the construction industry more transparent. From now on, the assessment of projects will become clearer and more objective, which will contribute to compliance with state construction norms and standards.

The new mechanism is expected to help create a truly inclusive urban environment in Ukraine. The government considers this step to be another stage in the implementation of the National Accessibility Strategy, which involves not only adapting public spaces, but also forming a new design culture - with an emphasis on equal opportunities for every citizen.