Breaking Barriers: The Conference on Culture without Borders
April 3 at the International Cultural Center UNION hosted the III Regional Conference «Odessa. Culture without Barriers», dedicated to World Autism Awareness Day. The event was organized by the Odessa City Council in collaboration with cultural partners.
Among the participants was Ivanna Demirova, a teacher from the Bolgrad Music School who co-authored the textbook «Inclusive Environment», as reported by Raion.Bolgrad.
«It was a wonderful day filled with valuable experiences and fantastic people! The conference was insightful and essential for all attendees! Thank you to everyone involved for the warmth and for sharing your invaluable experiences», — shared Ivanna Demirova.
Conference in the Context of the Year of Accessibility
2025 has been declared the year of ACCESSIBLE SPACE in Ukraine, and the conference «Culture without Barriers» is a significant milestone in this initiative. The goal of the event was to create an accessible cultural space, implement inclusive practices, and share experiences working with children with special educational needs.
Participants discussed a wide range of topics:
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principles of physical, digital, social, and educational accessibility;
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access to cultural services for people with disabilities;
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socialization and artistic education for children with special needs;
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mental health of youth during wartime;
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organizational and methodological work of cultural institutions.
Additionally, an exhibition of ceramic works from the inclusive workshop of the NGO «Every Person Matters» showcased art as a tool for inclusion and self-expression.
