USUST hosts lectures as part of Ukraine’s National Accessibility Week

From 27 to 29 May 2026, the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies held a series of online meetings with students of the SEI ‘USUCT’, ‘PSAPCS’, PSACEA’, ‘DMI’, ‘DIIT’.
The events were organised within the framework of Ukraine’s National Accessibility Week, which took place from 25 to 31 May under the initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska and in accordance with the National Strategy for creating a barrier-free environment in Ukraine through 2030.
The educational sessions featured the following speakers:
  • Valentyna Babenko, head of Student Development Department  of USUST, Associate Professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and Foreign Languages, SEI ‘Prydniprovska State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture’;
  • Dmytro Solovei, deputy dean of the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports, SEI ‘PSAPCS’; Associate Professor of the Department of Sports Games;
  • Alla Kovtun, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Education, SEI ‘PSAPCS’;
  • Olena Koshelieva, head of the Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Education, SEI ‘PSAPCS’. Candidate of Sciences in Physical Education and Sports; Associate Professor.
During the meetings,  the participants were introduced to a series of presentations exploring various aspects of building an inclusive and barrier-free environment. The opening thematic session ‘On the National Accessibility Week Initiative’, delivered by Associate Professor Valentyna Babenko, highlighted accessibility as a cornerstone of a modern society based on equal opportunities. Attendees learned about the importance of creating an environment that is accessible to all people, regardless of age, health condition, gender, or other individual characteristics.
 
Special attention was devoted to the ‘Accessibility handbook’, a practical resource offering guidance on respectful and inclusive communication, principles of interaction with diverse population groups, recommendations for creating accessible spaces, and advice on communicating sensitively with individuals who have military service or combat experience.
The meeting also explored the key dimensions of accessibility in Ukraine, including:
  • Physical accessibility – ensuring access to buildings, transport systems, and urban spaces;
  • Social accessibility – overcoming stereotypes and discrimination;
  • Economic accessibility – promoting equal opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship;
  • Educational accessibility – providing inclusive learning opportunities;
  • Digital accessibility – ensuring access to websites and digital services;
  • Information accessibility – adapting content and expanding the use of sign language and Braille.
The second thematic session, presented by Associate Professor Dmytro Solovei, focused on the topics ‘Accessibility as an opportunity for recovery through sport’, ‘football as a means of promoting a healthy lifestyle’, and ‘football and the prydniprovska state academy of physical culture and sports’. The participants explored the origins and development of football, the history of FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships, the evolution of Ukrainian football, and the role of football in the Olympic Games.
Particular attention was given to the achievements of prominent Ukrainian footballers who graduated from the Academy and played for FC Dnipro, including Volodymyr Liutyi, Oleksii Cherednyk, and Vadym Tyshchenko. The speaker emphasised the importance of developing an accessible sports environment and supporting para-football initiatives in Ukraine. The session also highlighted the accomplishments of students of the SEI ‘PSAPCS’, USUST, in student, professional, and Paralympic sports.
 
The third session, delivered by Associate Professors Alla Kovtun and Olena Koshelieva, addressed the topic ‘Movement without limits: adapting healthy lifestyle components to the principles of accessibility’. Discussions focused on physical activity, the selection of exercise programmes tailored to individual abilities, and the importance of maintaining health and well-being in contemporary society.
Students, academic staff, and academic mentors actively participated in the discussion, sharing ideas on promoting healthy lifestyles and creating conditions in which physical activity is accessible to everyone, regardless of individual circumstances or abilities.
 
Summarising the meeting, the speakers emphasised that accessibility begins with understanding the needs of every individual and creating conditions for equal access to education, sport, information, and public life.
 
The online meeting marked the final event in the series of popular science lectures ‘Resilience of the Ukrainian nation: history and present’, organised by the USUST Student Development Department under the guidance of Associate Professor Valentyna Babenko, with the participation of Nataliia Sukhoivan, leading specialist of the department.
 
The National Accessibility Week at USUST became an important step towards shaping a modern educational environment based on equality, accessibility, and mutual respect. The event brought together students and academic staff to discuss current issues of inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and the development of a barrier-free society. USUST continues to actively support initiatives aimed at creating a comfortable, open, and inclusive environment for every participant in the educational process.