The space of disability rights activism in postsocialist Ukraine: NGOs and civil society between the local and the global

Abstract

Although quality of life for many people with disabilities in the Ukrainian context has improved in the past two decades, the rights of the disabled are still consistently violated or ignored. The Soviet-era history of social exclusion of the disabled – many of whom were institutionalized or isolated in their homes – has had the lasting result of profound ignorance about disability, the disabled, and their potential to live full lives and contribute to society. This article draws on participant observation and semi-structured interviews with members of disability rights NGOs to critically examine the limitations and successes of the contemporary disability rights movement in post-Soviet Ukraine. Case studies of rights legislation and the work of disability advocacy NGOs, such as the National Assembly of Disabled of Ukraine (NADU) coalition,  are used by the author to illustrate the paradoxes and problems that imbricate disability rights issues.

Major foci of the disability rights movement in Ukraine today are shown to include the improvement of medical services, the formulation of a comprehensive system of post-trauma rehabilitation, provision of suitable wheelchairs and other equipment, deinstitutionalization of children with disabilities, guaranteeing disabled children and adults equal access to quality education, equal job opportunities for the disabled, and the introduction of accessible transport and public spaces and buildings. The author also details some of the strategies activists have leveraged to successfully navigate these challenges, and suggests specific tactics that rights groups in Ukraine might pursue to further enact change in their communities. These include pursuing more international partnerships, as carried out in a joint Swedish initiative which distributed lighter wheelchairs and provided workshops for disabled citizens. Fielding candidates for political office is also explored as an option which has hitherto found some success. Finally, changing conceptualisations of disability would promote inclusion and independence. Information and image campaigns to improve the visibility and general understanding of disability issues in Ukrainian society is also set forth as a desirable course of action.