Ukraine

Advocacy Note on Assisting Displaced and Conflict-Affected Older People (link to pdf, June 2020, Protection Cluster)

A working paper on the impact of COVID-19 on People with Disabilities: Perspectives of Organisations of People with Disabilities. Describes inaccessibility of healthcare, increased social isolation, restricted mobility and deepening poverty. While some organizations of persons with disabilities reported new partnerships, many had funding reduced. (Mar, Kiril Sharapov et al)

Recent Historiographical Trends in Scholarship on Disability and Socialism in Eastern Europe. A good overview of how research shows the place of disabled people and their relationships with socialism:

"A common thread that runs through the studies discussed in this paper is the emphasis on productivism in disability policies and expert discourses, a logic aimed at integrating the disabled into the socialist society by increasing their work capacity. The authors show that conceptions about disability were embedded in overarching biopolitical considerations revolving around labour productivity. While the socialist work ethos led to a segregation of the ‘productive’ from the ‘unproductive’, it would be misleading to conceive disability during state socialism exclusively as a history of discrimination and marginalisation. Disability histories ‘from below’ point to the fact that disabled people in various historical contexts played an active role in reproducing and recreating discourses that defined disability [...]"

"In state socialist countries, disabled persons and associations frequently articulated emancipatory claims and sought to prove their productivity and eagerness to participate in the workforce. However, these egalitarian aspirations had troublesome implications since integration into socialist societies was strictly conditional on their contribution to the labour force. Social security programmes were primarily formed as a reward system for work, not as a way to meet the needs of the disabled. While those recognised as partially disabled were to be integrated through work placement in regular or sheltered workplaces, this system ultimately had the opposite effect and created a segregated system of work." (Feb, Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research)

Sarah Phillips has been researching with disabled people in the Ukraine for around 20 yeras. Refusal to Die is an essay revisiting the current situation of those she knows.

"Back in his Kyiv hotel, Dmitrii keeps his good humor. He sends me jokes and memes on Telegram. He claims he’s glad he got stranded with the other hotel guests, who rely on his cool head and jokes to get through each day. He won’t answer my questions about his supplies of food and medicines. Dmitrii has survived everything else: Can he survive a war? I hope he will keep up his streak and refuse to die." (11 Mar, Cultural Anthropology)

Discrimination against people with disabilities is one example of how Russia operates outside rule of law (Mar, Canada's National Observer: News & Analysis) Sure, I guess, I wonder what it is an example of when other countries do it though.

In war disabled people cannot be left behind. Quotes a Paralympian saying in 2016, "Ukraine has already won 37 medals in the Paralympics, 12 of them are gold… We have more medals than wheelchair ramps in an average Ukrainian town." (27 Feb, The Once and Future Cripple)

Q&A with Ilya Kaminsky, Ukrainian-American poet a beautiful wide-ranging issues that touches on Deaf Gain and its contribution to the larger world.

"We must remember that even in the most difficult situations, people are still able to retain their humanity. They fall in love, they marry, and they have children. We must honor that too, and not just speak of the darkness of war. We must honor human survival, because if we don’t do this, if we don’t pay attention to every aspect, we dehumanize the suffering." (25 Feb, Daily Princetonian)

The War in Ukraine Is a Reproductive Health Crisis for Millions "Russia's invasion is making it harder to deliver babies and provide birth control, abortion services, and other essential care." (16 Mar, Wired)

The Fight for Ukraine Is Also a Fight for LGBTQ Rights “People Are Not Coming Back to the Closet” (4 Mar, Vanity Fair)

Support for LGBTI People in Ukraine (ILGA-Europe)

An open letter from social scientists of disability call to Stop the War in Ukraine

European Disability Forum Resolution on Protection and safety of persons with disabilities in the war in Ukraine. Recommendations to the European Union and Member States. (link to pdf, 11 Mar)

The European Blind Union Protect blind and partially sighted people "Stop War Immediately" (link to pdf, 7 Mar)

UN Human Rights Experts: Protecting life must be a priority "Many more risk dying as a result of the destruction of essential infrastructure, including health care facilities and institutions for older persons with disabilities." (8 Mar, OHCHR) See also statement on older people and those with disabilities face heightened risks (4 March).

Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA), Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine (1 Mar, WID)

Down Syndrome International statement on Ukraine conflict (1 Mar)

G3ict and IAAP Statement: Protection and Safety of Persons with Disabilities in Ukraine (28 Feb)

International Disability Alliance: Through this conflict in Ukraine, what happens to persons with disabilities? (Mar, IDA)

Covid and Disability project Letter from Kiril Sharapov

"Organisations of persons with disabilities remain one of the last remaining systems of support for people they have been taking care of within the context of the pandemic and now within the context of this catastrophic war. They continue, where and when they can, to provide support to the most vulnerable individuals and their families. Their knowledge and expertise must inform all current and future relief efforts provided by the Government of Ukraine and by the international donors and humanitarian agencies." (3 Mar)

Diakonia International Humanitarian Law Centre calls to Protect persons with disabilities in the Ukraine conflict (10 Mar)

Ukraine Crisis: CBM Global Statement (9 Mar)

War in Ukraine shows devastating impact of heavy bombing and shelling on civilian population. "Explosive weapons kill and/or cause complex injuries. They are the cause of massive forced displacement. Entire communities suffer extensive psychological trauma, with particularly acute consequences on children." (8 Mar, Humanity and Inclusion)

CRPD Committee opens first full session since 2019: The situation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine in focus. (Mar, IDA) See also detailed report of the Committee Meeting.

Autism Europe Call to ensure the protection of Ukrainian autistic people "autistic people and their families are largely invisible and underserved by humanitarian aid dedicated to supporting the people of Ukraine" (3 Mar, Autism Europe)

European Network on Independent Living War in Ukraine: Leave No One Behind (Mar, ENIL)

Appeal from the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine appeal for help to "defend peace in our country", which speaks to the active role disabled people and their organizations are playing:

"Today in Ukraine, people with disabilities and disabled people’s organizations are helping our State and are standing shoulder to shoulder with our defenders. Everyone is trying to help as best they can: by cooking meals, working as dispatchers, delivering medicines, helping in hospitals, offering shelter to displaced people within the country, joining territorial civilian defence forces, or making Molotov cocktails. Yesterday we received information that a son, father and husband was killed near Kiev when defending his family, his home. He used a wheelchair but also joined the defence forces. Our world-famous paralympic athletes took up arms. We are united. " (2 Mar, EDF)

The United States International Council on Disabilities Calls for the Protection And Safety of Ukrainians with Disabilities (link to pdf, 25 Feb)

The Global Effort To Evacuate Children With Cancer (15 Mar, Forbes)

BBC Ouch podcast 'I think of my wheelchair more than myself now' with Tanya from Fight for your Right, and a disabled Russian journalist who left Moscow after her article denouncing the Ukraine war went viral. (no transcript I think, 18 Mar, BBC)

Disabled children fleeing Kyiv received by Poles, Hungarians. Evacuation of residents of orphanages for children with disabilities. (3 Mar, KTAR News)

In-depth conversation with Tanya Herasymova, of Fight for your Right (15 Mar, Natasha Lipman)

In Touch podcast on the blind people and organizations supporting people in Poland and children with visual impairments in Lviv. As with so much of the response, these are individual, ad-hoc measures. (with transcript, 15 Mar, BBC)

Refugees on the Moldova-Ukraine border "We saw a fairly large number of older people arriving, as well as some people with disabilities who were being assisted in their journey. But the number is disproportionately low, compared to the population of Ukraine." (15 Mar, HelpAge)

As Millions Flee, Disabled Ukrainians Forced to Fend for Themselves (11 Mar, New Mobility)

Escaping the horror in Ukraine is not an option for many disabled children and their families One parent, stuck near the Polish border for several days described their daughter's need to resume physical therapy:

"Vika has been without rehabilitation for a very long time, her condition is deteriorating," Chuiska said. "She is constantly growing and her muscles do not develop at the same pace, so she is starting to lose the progress. She has started falling while walking and her legs are not developing well, she has pain in her legs now." (11 Mar, CNN)

Humanitarian efforts aren't doing enough to evacuate Ukrainians with disabilities A deeper look at the barriers disabled people are facing to leave, including being stopped at the border.

"Despite collective condemnation of Russia and support for Ukraine's sovereignty among the international community, the humanitarian response has lacked inclusivity and accessibility for many. From inaccessible evacuation centers to a lack of information in accessible formats such as braille or sign language, the lack of proper resources for people with disabilities has had devastating consequences." (8 Mar, MSNBC)

The Disabled Ukrainians Doing What the UN Can’t (or Won’t?) Behind the scenes on the ad-hoc connections within the disability community and lack of support from humanitarian organizations.

'But as we made these connections, reaching the highest heights of the “who’s who” of the humanitarian field, we were turned down every time. The typical line was that the organization lacked the ability to evacuate “personnel with those needs” – in other words, people with disabilities.

How fascinating (read: infuriating), given that every single one claims to serve the disability community in their promotional materials and appeals for funding. ' [...]

'Notice a pattern here? The disability community, already under-resourced and struggling, is consistently the only one to step in to help.' (9 Mar, FP2P)

Chaos, upheaval and exhaustion for Ukraine's disabled children. Evacuation of children with disabilities from one centre. "The bus to the Polish border was a capsule of exhaustion, grief and tender mercies." (8 Mar, BBC)

Ukrainian woman says people with disabilities 'left behind' after 'almost impossible' journey across the border. The experience of Tanya Herasymova, project coordinator of Fight For Our Right. "The only people who offered support is volunteers. Without people, such people, it couldn't be possible to evacuate for us." (2 Mar, Irish Mirror)

Updates on People with intellectual disabilities and families in Ukraine affected by Russian war. (Inclusion Europe) Includes the testimony of a mother with a 9-year-old son with autism:

"With the start of the war, we moved to another area, a city close to the border, but it did not last long, only 5 days.

My son was always nervous, resolving to dissatisfied kicking. The neighbours often complained about the noise. Any walk was accompanied by screaming, crying, the child’s lips trembled and his face lost colour.

When we left the apartment, we had to take out all our belongings, he ran and packed his bags, anxiously inspected whether we had forgotten anything. Eventually we returned home, I felt calmer and so did my son.

But the sirens and the basement became the next problem. Dragging him there was not easy, he did not understand why we were there and what was happening.

Then we decided to live improve it a bit in our basement, brought some things, goodies. Everything seemed to be fine, because the time in the basement lasted up to an hour. But later we had to stay there until 6 o’clock, we can’t get used to it.

We also have a curfew and at 20.00 the light should go out. This has become another problem for the child he can not understand. Because when you turn off the light, you need to sleep, and his biological clock says it’s not time. We are faced with self-aggression, he began to bite his hands and cry, lying on the ground. There was no way of a hug, the child did not want it categorically.

There was little light from the TV and nightlights and then we lit candles. For now, it’s calm.

I believe that everything will end soon, but my son has autism, and some things will become a habit for him. For example, we had dinner in the basement several times, and now he takes his dinner and demands to go downstairs, even if the sirens are not on." (16 March)

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) warns that millions of older people and people with disabilities now at high risk. "Nine out of ten older people need help to get food because they may have mobility issues and many live alone." (10 Mar, Age International) See also the press release from DEC.

For an overall view, see this UNDP warning that 30% of the population are likely to require life-saving humanitarian assistance and 90% of the population could be facing poverty and vulnerability to poverty. Does not mention persons with disabilities. (16 Mar)

Press Conference on experiences of persons with disabilities Act Now to Support Ukrainians with Disabilities and their Families. As well as giving context, gave testimonies of people in Ukraine:

“I am in Kyiv in the capital together with my adult daughter who is autistic and has behavioral disorders. Currently we cannot possibly leave the city of Kyiv. I also have my mother who is 82 years old. She cannot move. We cannot go downstairs to the bomb shelter. Please believe me and we are not alone in this situation. There are many of us in this situation, all over the city of Kyiv, all over Ukraine.” -- Yuliaa Klepets

“one of our NGO leaders has a son with autism and cannot leave him for more than one hour. Which means that she cannot queue for the pharmacy, for the supermarket, for the bank machine and therefore cannot get the drugs, the food, the money she needs. She needs help for even these basic amenities. We also know that those with severe disabilities, and those whose parents are older, they do not leave Ukraine. The trip is so difficult and so long.” -- Raisa Kravchenko (10 Mar, EASPD)

A plea from disabled Ukrainians: ‘We have no chance without help’ (9 Mar, Washington Post)

Professor fears for elderly immobile mother in Mariupol. "Her feeling is, it will just take too much time and effort to evacuate her out of her home and out of the war zone, and her plans are basically to stay put for as long as she can because she feels that really the world belongs to the future, to the women and children and the younger generations." (4 Mar, BBC)

Millions with disabilities ‘abandoned’ in Ukraine, charities fear “We have had disabled people who have called medical humanitarian-oriented agencies, have called their crisis hotline and said, ‘Hi, I’m a wheelchair user, with pressure sores. I need help’, and have been told: ‘Oh, we don’t help people with disabilities, you should call the Department of Social Protection’. If they manage to reach the borders, the refugee centres and buses are 'not wheelchair accessible'". (8 Mar, Independent)

Under Shelling in Kharkiv People with Disabilities Need to Evacuate Safely. (7 Mar, Human Rights Watch)

Stories from the ground in Ukraine collected testimonies from persons with disabilities.

"I move with the aid of a stroller. My mother lives with me, 78 years old and has suffered a stroke. We stayed at home. We run to our 'shelter' to the toilet, taped door and towels, with a bath of water in case it turns off, with pillows on the floor. I never thought bread and drinking water, chocolate, I will store in the washing machine. Near the washing machine there is a backpack with medicines, clothes. My mom and I went to our shelter nine times today. When there is no bombing, I call persons with disabilities, I ask whether all is well, what help is needed.' - person in Zhytomyr on 4th March (Mar, EDF)

First Days of War: A Report from Bucha, Kyiv Oblast

"Everyone is either running — out of buildings, into buildings — or is standing still in shock. And on the top floor of our five-story apartment building, one man stands alone on his balcony, leaning on the railing, apathetically smoking and watching the fire." (does not mention disability, 2 Mar, LA Review of Books)

Updates from Inclusion Europe

Psychoeducational resources on PTSD and trauma translated into Ukrainian, Polish and Russian. (10 Mar, Psychology Tools)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Ukraine resources. As of 16th March, estimates are almost 6.5 million internally disabled people. (OCHA)

Autism Europe Support for autistic people in Ukraine includes link for a facebook group supporting the autistic community in Ukraine.

Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) updates on support efforts to disability-led organizations in Ukraine (WID)

World Federation of the Deaf Updates on Ukraine. "Several deaf associations throughout the country dispersed these announcements. Interpreters have also been at work to ensure that government announcements are accessible, and a 24/7 video relay network still works to guarantee deaf people their right to make phone calls at all hours as necessary." (17 Mar)

The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Ukraine Crisis. Practical information and resources.

The National Assembly of People with Disabilities has frequent updates on the evolving situation, in Ukrainian.

A Ukrainian translation of the WG Short Set on Functioning is now available. (Mar, The Washington Group on Disability Statistics)

HelpAge page on Supporting older people in the Ukraine crisis

European Disability Forum page on Ukraine War providing updates, testimonies of disabled people, resources, and further links. See also:

• Information for Ukrainians arriving in the European Union
• Resources for inclusive emergency response.

UNHCR portal on the Ukraine Refugee Situation which gives an indication of overall numbers in destination countries as well as the flash reports on the situation of displacement and refugees. (UNHCR)

Advice and support for those affected by the Ukrainian crisis Overview of organizations and resources in relation to older people, people with dementia and their families. (Alzheimer's Disease International)

Russian troops shoot dead disabled Ukrainian volunteer "The Governor claimed that Kononov, who voluntarily provided food, water, medicines, etc., to Ukrainian soldiers fighting pro-Moscow militants in Luhansk, was killed whilst he sat in his wheelchair at his home" (14 Mar, Republic World) See more in Hromadske, in Ukranian. And a tribute from Fight for Right.

Russia hit a psychoneurological institution in Pushcha-Vodytsya, Kyiv Patients and staff were evacuated in advance. (13 Mar, Spravdi)

Russian forces take over psychiatric hospital in central Ukraine "Russian forces have taken control of a psychiatric hospital in the town of Borodyanka in Ukraine's Kyiv region, with 670 people inside, the regional governor Oleksiy Kuleba told local media." (5 Mar, Reuters)

A school for the deaf hit, no injuries reported, on weekend of 5th/6th March. (7 Mar, World Federation of the Deaf)

Russia Shells Kharkiv Care Home for Adults, Children With Disabilities 73 were evacuated and no casualties were reported of the 330 residents. (12 Mar, Business Insider)

Webinar discussion from GADRA and Fight for Right Ukrainians with disabilities In-depth discussion on the response. Include insights into the volunteer networks coordinating the response, some of the organizations supporting, and the challenges being faced. (11 Mar) See also the webinar transcript.

Fight for Right's Call to Action Prioritize Ukrainians with Disabilities. Relates experiences and calls for inclusion in response. (2 Mar, The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies) See also practical information for people with disabilities seeking to evacuate.

Update from the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine on how they are responding (scroll down for English text, 17 Mar, NAIU)

Relief Web hub on the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis. Overall information and key documents from the international humanitarian response.

Armed conflict and displacement heightens risks of all forms of sexual violence including trafficking in persons. Calls for responses to risks of trafficking in persons to be inclusive and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. (16 Mar, OHCHR)

The UN High Commission for Refugees Summary of Regional Refugee Response Plan. Mentions the need to target and adapt services for persons with disabilities. (UNHCR)

Resources on the Protection of Persons with Disabilities during Armed Conflict (link to docx, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

Global Protection Cluster update on Protection of persons with disabilities in Ukraine. Describes recommendations for an inclusive humanitarian response. (8 Mar)

Disabled people in Ukraine at risk of being abandoned and forgotten (7 Mar, Eye Witness News)

Persons with disabilities in Ukraine face a ‘crisis within a crisis’ "Civil society calls on the EU, national governments and humanitarian organisations to step up efforts to protect Ukraine’s 2.7 million persons with disabilities who risk abandonment, death or a lack of shelter amid Russia’s invasion." (15 Mar, Euractiv)

A rapid review: Can social protection be sustained and support a humanitarian response? "the Ukrainian Government has moved with remarkable speed to adapt systems to ensure the delivery of existing programmes." Includes mention of disability-related benefits. (14 Mar, CIDT)

Survey of more than 1,500 over-60s: Older people on the edge of survival "Older people make up a third of all people in need of assistance in Ukraine, making this conflict the ‘oldest’ humanitarian crisis in the world. One in four people in Ukraine are over 60-years-old and Ukraine has the largest percentage of older people affected by conflict in a single country in the world." (Mar)