In July 2026, the NGO "Public Movement "Social Unity" celebrates its 11th anniversary. Each year has marked a new phase, with its own challenges, in the effort to ensure equal access for people with hearing impairments to information, services, cultural events, educational resources, and the protection of their constitutional rights.
We often share the team’s achievements on the organization’s social media channels. And to celebrate this year’s anniversary, we highlighted two very important projects. One of these projects is a source of pride for all of Ukrainian society.
Recently, the NGO "Public Movement "Social Unity", in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, completed a project to fully translate the Constitution of Ukraine into sign language; this translation is available in a separate section on the Verkhovna Rada’s website and is being distributed through government channels.
Thanks to this project, Ukraine has joined the ranks of the world’s top five countries to have a complete translation of their constitution into sign language, which is distributed by the government.
We are also eagerly anticipating our next project. For the first time in Ukraine, a children’s book has been created that combines creative writing, artistic design, and Ukrainian sign language on its pages. This book is intended to open up new possibilities and foster understanding between both worlds — hearing and sign-language-using children and adults.
These two large-scale projects in 2026 were made possible with the support of our long-standing partner, PostCode Ukraine.
For us, accessibility is not just a buzzword, and we are grateful to all our partners for seeing it as a call to change and action.
We emphasize that by engaging with the world of deaf people, everyone can come to understand the true meaning of accessibility as it applies to sign language users.
- It’s a chance to understand your doctor.
- To access government services.
- To seek emergency or legal assistance.
- To participate in a cultural event.
- To read important information in your native language — Ukrainian Sign Language.
- To be understood even when the world around you is used to relying solely on spoken information.
Over the past 11 years, we have evolved from individual initiatives to a systematic approach that is transforming accessibility in Ukraine. We are implementing digital solutions (Connect QR, Connect Pro WEB, Connect Pro, Connect Deaf Guide, Connect App), developing sign language interpretation services, and collaborating with government agencies, communities, businesses, and cultural and educational projects.
We look forward to expanding our network of partners and the accessibility map, and the answer to whether it’s possible to build an accessible Ukraine is YES.
Every project has one common goal — to ensure that people with hearing impairments are not excluded from public life. To ensure that communication does not become a barrier. To ensure that accessibility is not just isolated but systemic — not just on paper, but in real life.
We are grateful to everyone who has stood by us and continues to do so: the organizational team, Ukrainian sign language interpreters, partners, government institutions, community representatives, experts, volunteers, and all those who support the ideals of equality and accessibility.
Eleven years is an important milestone, and we continue to develop projects and move toward a Ukraine where every person has the opportunity, on equal terms, to be part of the rhythm and life of their community — a Ukraine where human dignity is a value that is not only enshrined in law but also deeply and sincerely shared by each and every one of us!
