Training course "An hour without barriers: discover the world with the Accessibility Guide"
The Ternopil City Central Children's Library hosted a training session for students of the Ternopil Educational Complex "General Education School of I-III Levels - Ivanna Blazhkevych Economic Lyceum No. 9" entitled "An Hour of Barrier-Free Access: Discover the World with the Accessibility Guide."
The event was organised as part of National Barrier-Free Week with the aim of promoting a culture of mutual respect, inclusion and accessibility.
During the session, participants learned about key concepts from the Accessibility Guide, a unique resource created to change society's perceptions of barriers and teach people how to find inclusive solutions in everyday life. Participants learned that accessibility is not just about ramps and lifts, but also about creating a comfortable environment for everyone in terms of communication, education and attitudes towards others. In an interactive format, they looked at examples of physical, emotional and communication barriers, learned to recognise them and together sought ways to overcome them through respect, kindness and dialogue.
Activities, discussions, and role-playing helped students better understand how everyday actions can support or hinder others. Special attention was paid to language—how words can build or break bridges between people.
"For me, the greatest value of this training is seeing the 'sparkle in the eyes' of young people when they realise that they can influence change right now. Accessibility is about our daily choices, about paying attention to each other and about a society where everyone feels comfortable," shared Iryna Markiv, trainer of the event and specialist at the WUNU Student Support Centre.
The training was a step towards shaping a new generation that understands that accessibility is about respect for human dignity and the right of everyone to be heard and accepted.
