The Ministry of Community, Territory, and Infrastructure Development has approved a standard educational programme for advanced training, “Barrier-Free Specialist.” The document sets standards for new specialised training that universities will be able to launch in 2026. The programme was developed in collaboration with leading higher education institutions and approved by the Ministry of Education and Science.
The programme lays the foundation for the formation of a modern system for training experts capable of conducting professional assessments of the accessibility of buildings, streets, and infrastructure. Its goal is to increase the number of specialists who will be able to work on physical accessibility in communities and ensure the quality of decisions during the country’s recovery.
Deputy Prime Minister for the Recovery of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba emphasises that accessibility has become an integral part of long-term planning. He stresses that this is a transformation of approaches to management, infrastructure modernisation and the creation of an environment where people with different needs can live with dignity and independence. According to him, communities now need more specialists with up-to-date knowledge, as much of the work involves assessing the condition of hospitals, schools, administrative buildings and urban spaces.
Kuleba notes that systemic approaches to accessibility are being integrated into the reconstruction and urban planning process. The national strategy for creating a barrier-free space and the flagship project “Movement without Barriers” demonstrate a new model of infrastructure development. Fifteen communities are already modernising transport and pedestrian routes, and experience has shown that the demand for qualified specialists is growing significantly.
A typical educational programme includes five modules of at least 60 academic hours. It covers key topics related to physical accessibility and assessing the compliance of buildings and public spaces with modern requirements. The training will be open to those who already have a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning or construction and civil engineering. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate confirming their competence as a “Barrier-Free Specialist.”
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