The Barrier-Free Handbook is a guide to correct communication, which contains new norms of barrier-free language. It was created in cooperation with public organizations, human rights defenders, psychologists, parents raising children with disabilities, Ukrainian and international experts. The Barrier-Free Handbook is an initiative and a flagship project of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.
Language demonstrates the readiness of the community to accept or exclude individuals and phenomena, demonstrates the attitude towards them. There are many more meanings hidden in communication than we think. Barrier-free concept is based on attention to human dignity. Therefore, it is important how people communicate with each other, what words they use.
It is important that everything that is created in favor of barrier-freeness is properly named from the beginning. New relations within society must be accompanied with new rules of communication. It is important to note that a person is the center of communication and the center of attention from now on.
We expect that this handbook will be used by representatives of public organizations and activists, the expert community, media, businesses and service sector, public servants, local self-government bodies, teachers, doctors, and social workers.