FUIB and Big City Lab announce 30 businesses – participants of the program «Accessibility check»

FUIB and Big City Lab announced 30 businesses that became participants in the "Accessibility Check program" within the "Live towards" integration platform. Already by the end of August, 10 finalists will be chosen among them, who, accompanied by the partner of the – program, the urban bureau Big City Lab, will arrange an accessible entrance group or dressing room.

FUIB, together with the Urban Bureau of Big City Lab, announced the completion of the first stage of the "Accessibility Check program". The expert jury selected 30 participants who are ready to become the driving force of change.

The jury chose businesses according to the following criteria:

• Priority: small and micro-business, veteran business, IDP business.
• Technical requirements: The need and possibilities for adapting one zone: an entrance group or a toilet, or combined in case of minor changes in the space in general (total budget up to UAH 500,000).
• Deadlines: Adapting the space according to barrier-free norms (carrying out work) corresponds to the deadline for the implementation of the program.
• Readiness for implementation: implementation of the proposed changes in space, co-financing of the project (50% of the total amount of expenses, almost UAH 250,000), participation in public communication about the project.

The 30 businesses chosen were the first to take up the challenge and stated: we are already ready to take a step towards barrier-free. We all understand that accessibility must become the norm, not the exception. Now that the number of people with disabilities and disabilities is increasing because of war, it is no longer a question of ethics, it is a question of dignity, justice and necessity.

The «Accessibility Check program is designed to overcome the main barriers of businesses: fear of ignorance and insufficient funding. By providing expertise and part-financing, the program helps to take the first but most important steps for the barrier-free nature of Ukrainian small businesses.

Program details «Accessibility check»:

• First stage: FUIB and Big City Lab experts evaluated the applications submitted within the program and formed a shortlist of the 30 most promising businesses.
• Next step: Currently, the stage of detailed analysis is underway, based on the results of which 10 finalists will be selected. Each of them will receive partial funding from FUIB and full support from Big City Lab to adapt the entrance group or dressing room.
• The essence of the program: FUIB covers 50% of the costs of creating physical barrier-free (up to UAH 250,000), and Big City Lab provides architectural expertise and support. This is a comprehensive solution that allows businesses to start building affordable space.

The first 30 accessibility ambassadors in the program:

1. ​Hotel and restaurant complex «Zatyshok», Vinnytsia
2. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Dnipro, ave. Heroes
3. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Dnipro, str. Velika Diivska
4. SMARTUM Children's Development Academy, Kryvyi Rih
5. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Kryvyi Rih, str. Bykova
6. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Kryvyi Rih, str. Mussorsky
7. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Kryvyi Rih, ave. Lermontova
8. Olimpia Gym Sports Hall, Berdychiv
9. Network of dialysis clinics, LLC «Nefrocentr», Stryi
10. Shop «Bohdan», Malyn
11. Atypical restaurant «1719», Kyiv
12. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Kyiv
13. Cafe-bakery «Franyk», Rusanivka, Kyiv
14. Dentaderm Dentistry Clinic, Irpin
15. Pharmacy supermarket «Aptekar», Bucha
16. Cafe «Old Town», Kropyvnytskyi
17. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Lutsk
18. Ukrainian embroidered shirts SVARGA, Lviv
19. Medical equipment Orthosalon ORTOSMART, Odesa
20. Cafe-bakery «Shkodynka», Poltava
21. Enterprise-importer of food and technical salt, LLC «Rost Trading», Poltava
22. Cafe-restaurant Slou, Poltava
23. CompX Computer Store, Kyiv
24. Shop «Opishnya», Opishnya
25. Shop FOP Rubailo, Opishnya
26. Cafe Soul cafe, Kyiv
27. Medical Center «Clinic of Professor Khmil», Ternopil
28. Insurance company «Rent», Ternopil
29. Nail studio «Marafet», Pryluky
30. Hotel «Optima», Nizhyn

«Accessibility check» – is not just financial and expert support, but a strategic investment. It helps small businesses build a future where affordability is the norm and everyone feels like a full participant in life.

Learn more about the program on the website of the platform «Live towards». Creating a barrier-free future together!

The project was created on the initiative of FUIB together with the Adsapience agency and is implemented in partnership with the urban bureau Big City Lab.