Marketing research on the accessibility of services for people with disabilities in territorial communities of Ukraine

Abstract

The results of research conducted by the authors in 2022–2023 are presented. The study of scientific works revealed a lack of information regarding the accessibility of social, medical, educational, and administrative services for people with disabilities at the level of territorial communities. Due to the war initiated by the Russian Federation in Ukraine, many Ukrainians (both civilians and military personnel) have become people with disabilities, and therefore they should have unimpeded access to all services. The aim of the article was to identify the current state of accessibility to educational, medical, administrative, and social institutions in territorial communities for people with disabilities and to develop recommendations based on this research. The following methods were used during the study: observation, survey, analysis of secondary information, comparative analysis, grouping, statistical method, synthesis, and generalization. The following findings were revealed – The level of accessibility of services for individuals with disabilities varies depending on the type of institution (school, clinic/hospital/medical center, or social service center), as well as the location of the institution (city or village) and the age of the building (newer buildings have more accessibility features). Community and Social Service Centers are the most accessible in cities, while institutions in villages/settlements are the least accessible. There are ramps or level surfaces in front of the entrances of all rural/settlement/city councils. Most councils are located in 2-story buildings without elevators, and there are no signs in Braille in the institutions. None of the official council websites have a version for visually impaired individuals. Hospitals/clinics/medical centers in all territorial communities are equipped with ramps, and two of them have elevators. Equal access to timely and quality medical assistance is provided to all individuals with disabilities in all communities. Most communities monitor the provision of medical services to persons with disabilities and collect information on any identified violations in this area. The need to improve the accessibility of services for individuals with disabilities at the regional level, particularly for mobility-impaired groups of the population, has been established. It is also necessary to activate participation in international and regional programs to provide transportation for mobility-impaired groups of the population in territorial communities, as well as to conduct information campaigns for the general population and training for specialists in territorial community institutions.