Yelyzaveta Dotsenko, Programme and project manager at the UCU Medical Clinic, co-coordinator of the certificate programme ‘Human Life and Disability’ at the UCU School of Bioethics, made a presentation during the General Assembly of the Federation of Catholic Universities (FUCE).
The FUCE General Assembly was held at the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) in Belgium. In her presentation ‘Human Life and Disability: An Inclusive Catholic University and its Activities’, Yelyzaveta Dotsenko spoke about the experience of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic University on the way to creating an inclusive environment.
“Before the start of the full-scale war, 2.7 million people with disabilities were registered in Ukraine, and by the end of the war, according to WHO estimates, this number could reach 6 million people. And we have no right to lose any of them: neither physically, nor socially, nor culturally. And this is a challenge for us, because we have to respond quickly in the direction of inclusion and barrier-free access,” said Yelyzaveta Dotsenko.
Today, Ukraine is going through a difficult path from institutionalisation of people with disabilities to inclusion. Despite the historical context of being part of the Soviet system, where people with disabilities were isolated from public space and marginalised, Ukraine has made an important leap towards inclusion in recent years.
“Inclusion and barrier-free accessibility are not just for people with disabilities. Each of us may have limited mobility at some point in our lives. Due to the significant traumatic impact of the information space on people’s health, we are forced to pay more attention to mental health care. Inclusion, by definition, is a process, so we cannot reach a certain point and say that we are inclusive. It is a constant process of adapting to the needs of the people around us,” the speaker said.
The Ukrainian Catholic University wants to become a model for developing and implementing policies to create an inclusive environment. The university has a sector for supporting students with special educational needs, and the premises of the educational institution are constantly being adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.
“UCU is changing the paradigm of stigmatisation of people with disabilities by creating a space of dignity, participation, and support for all. Inclusion is not only about accessibility and barrier-free access, ramps, and compliance with norms, but above all about educating society. The University is implementing specific initiatives in the areas of accessibility, emotional well-being, and community support. We learn and adapt quickly, and now the level of inclusiveness at the Ukrainian Catholic University has reached 85%,” said Yelyzaveta Dotsenko.
The Ukrainian Catholic University is the first in Ukraine to establish an Office for Veterans and Their Families. UCU’s School of Bioethics has developed a new course on Human Life and Disability. The UCU Medical Clinic implemented the project ‘Veteran+ Support Programme,’ thanks to which almost 200 veterans and their families received free medical and psychological assistance.
“Ukrainian defenders are the fastest learners and adapters in the world. Our part of the duty in the context of the social contract is to quickly adapt the environment and society to the return of veterans and people with disabilities,” said Yelyzaveta Dotsenko, who also oversees the area of veterans’ support at the UCU Medical Clinic.
“Supporting people affected by military operations, creating new veteran policies, and ensuring an inclusive environment for students and university staff is an important mission of UCU, as envisaged in Strategy 2030. And the participation of the Ukrainian delegation in the FUCE 2025 General Assembly contributes to strengthening the image of Ukraine and increasing the engagement of the European Union community with the Ukrainian agenda.
Event date: 4-6 June 2025