On the 2^nd December 2011, the day before the International Day of Disabled People, the National Assembly of Disabled People of Ukraine held All-Ukrainian Congress “Barrier-Free Ukraine”  which was focused on ensuring the rights of disabled supporters ahead of, and during, the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

The event was a part of the Respect Inclusion: Football With No Limits project that aims to promote good access for disabled supporters before, during and after UEFA EURO 2012 and is part of UEFA’s social responsibility programme.

The Congress gathered representatives from the National Agency for EURO 2012 in Ukraine, Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), local organising committees and fan zones managers from all host cities, representatives of the State Architectural and Building Inspection, and disability NGOs from all over Ukraine.

The participants discussed the Respect Inclusion: Football With No Limits project, its implementation on the local level and first results achieved. Every Ukrainian host city (Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk) reported on the current status of the accessibility of objects, services and routes for disabled supporters and flagged up existing issues.  

The International Day of Disabled People was celebrated the next day on the 3^rd December. To mark it, Kiev’s brand new Olympiysky Stadium welcomed disabled supporters on an open tour of the arena. They were able to test and provide feedback on the accessible facilities that had been put in place and offer suggestions on how they could be improved. The Olympiysky Stadium has an important role to play in UEFA EURO 2012 – the final will be contested there on Sunday 1^st July 2012.

Published 08/12/2011