Issues of
Accessibility in Lviv
By Adria Pelensky
Lviv is a buzz with activity.
By many it has been marked as the “must see” destination for travellers;
“the
One of the major factors contributing to the
city’s current bustle is the level of development going into the Union of
European Football Associations Euro 2012, more commonly known as Euro 2012. As
some of you may know, a joint bid by Poland and Ukraine was made to become host
nations for the 14th European Championship for national (soccer)
football teams. Unlike Ukrainian
politics, the executive committee voted with an absolute majority in favour of
Kyiv,
Across the city, the Lviv Institute of Economy
and Tourism was hosting its own conference. A Ukraine-wide symposium advocating
rehabilitative programs for individuals with special needs as an active and
necessary step for their therapy had representatives not only from Lvivska
Oblast, but from Crimea, Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odesa, Kharkiv, Kyiv
and
One of the main criticisms of Lviv as a travel
destination is that of its accessibility issues. Streets lined with uneven
cobblestones can be picturesque, but a nightmare for someone in a wheelchair.
It is not unlike other European cities which were built hundreds of years ago
with no consideration for ease of access; however, Lviv’s renovations have been
occurring at a much slower pace. Restaurants and other attractions do not have
appropriate restrooms, access ramps or elevators. The urban structure cannot accommodate most
individuals with special needs, and thus, in a time when Lviv is witness to
much growth and change, an opportunity exists to finally remove the barriers
and create a more inclusive environment for individuals challenged with
disabilities.
The Lviv Institute of Economy and Tourism (LIET)
began in 2004 to develop programming about previously unprecedented facets of
business, related to economy and tourism.
The various faculties educate students in hotel management, restaurant
management, recreational tourism, hospitality, culinary services, accounting
and auditing, international economics, commercial trade, as well as customs and
border services. LIET’s training has a
section for active rehabilitation for people with special needs; however, their
true involvement began in the summer of 2006 when a group from the Green Cross
Society came to Lviv as tourists and asked for the assistance of student
volunteers.
Many that were touring from the Green Cross
Society were in wheelchairs, had a visual or hearing impairment or some other
physical disability. They contacted
Lubomyra Mychailivna Zin, from the Faculty of Sport Tourism for support. Under her guidance, LIET students worked for
weeks with the tourists. Through this
practical experience, revision to curriculum was made and greater consideration
for individuals with special needs was incorporated. Mrs. Zin credits their involvement as a new
and necessary dimension to their program. Unlike other material, the theory was
born out of the practical task.
Since the summer of 2006, LIET has been a leader
in education and advocacy for individuals with special physical needs. With over five per cent of their student body
having some kind of exceptionality, instructors work with students to modify
their program accordingly. This is the only school of its kind in Lviv to offer
such support. In an interview, Mrs. Zin said, “All students actively participate. This participation has a tremendous impact on
the future integration in the community, in life.”
Participants of the conference had the
opportunity to tour Lviv’s many sites. Trying to travel from their hostel on
Mrs. Zin credits much of this change to
Through its own proclamation, “Lviv is Open to
the World” (“ ”). Some work still needs to be done for that
world to include individuals with special needs, but progress is being made.
Adria Pelensky is a Canadian and CIDA intern as Project
coordinator, Community Development in Ukraine