Seeing with the Heart, Uniting Strength and Spreading Light
How can we help those who defended Ukraine rebuild their lives? How can we ensure that vision loss does not become a barrier to education, employment, self-fulfilment and everyday activities? And, most importantly, what can we, as a society, do to make this possible?
Oksana Chub
Senior lecturer Department of Business Economics and Entrepreneurship Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman
These were the questions discussed on 21 October at a press conference entitled “How Can We Ensure Proper Support for Blind Veterans and People with Visual Impairments?”, held at the KyivInform Press Centre in Kyiv.
The event aimed to review the year since the first press conference, assess the changes in government policy concerning support for blind veterans and people with visual impairments, and examine whether the demands and needs previously raised by the veteran community had been addressed.
This time, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs of Ukraine was invited to attend. However, the Ministry was represented by just one staff member, whose role was to record the discussion. As a result, instead of a direct dialogue with the Ministry's leadership, participants once again had an opportunity to voice the problems and proposals that require practical solutions.
The event brought together veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war with visual impairments, rehabilitation specialists, representatives of civil society organisations and businesses.
The discussion was moderated by Bohdan FERENS, founder of the NGOs PROGRESSIVE&STRONG and the SD Platform.
It was a conversation not only about challenges, but also about opportunities, human resilience, mutual support and the need for systemic change.
This time, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs of Ukraine was invited to attend. However, the Ministry was represented by just one staff member, whose role was to record the discussion. As a result, instead of a direct dialogue with the Ministry's leadership, participants once again had an opportunity to voice the problems and proposals that require practical solutions.
The event brought together veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war with visual impairments, rehabilitation specialists, representatives of civil society organisations and businesses.
The discussion was moderated by Bohdan FERENS, founder of the NGOs PROGRESSIVE&STRONG and the SD Platform.
It was a conversation not only about challenges, but also about opportunities, human resilience, mutual support and the need for systemic change.
The White Cane Is a Symbol of Independence, Not Limitations
It is worth noting that this was the second event dedicated to International White Cane Day, initiated by blind veterans themselves. Observed annually on 15 October, this day aims to raise awareness of the needs, rights and opportunities of blind and partially sighted people.
This year, the above-mentioned civil society organisations organised a series of meetings as part of a flash mob initiative, bringing blind veterans together with students and school pupils at educational institutions. The aim was to highlight the importance of accessibility, inclusive educational environments and a culture of respectful interaction.
The white cane is an essential mobility and orientation tool. It helps users identify obstacles while also signalling to others that a person has a visual impairment and may need assistance.
However, it is important to remember that the white cane is not a symbol of helplessness. On the contrary, it represents independence, autonomy and the right to move freely. Much depends on each of us: whether we leave obstacles on pavements, respect personal space, and know how to offer assistance without imposing it.
Accessibility begins not with ramps and tactile paving, but with our attitude towards other people.
It is worth noting that this was the second event dedicated to International White Cane Day, initiated by blind veterans themselves. Observed annually on 15 October, this day aims to raise awareness of the needs, rights and opportunities of blind and partially sighted people.
This year, the above-mentioned civil society organisations organised a series of meetings as part of a flash mob initiative, bringing blind veterans together with students and school pupils at educational institutions. The aim was to highlight the importance of accessibility, inclusive educational environments and a culture of respectful interaction.
The white cane is an essential mobility and orientation tool. It helps users identify obstacles while also signalling to others that a person has a visual impairment and may need assistance.
However, it is important to remember that the white cane is not a symbol of helplessness. On the contrary, it represents independence, autonomy and the right to move freely. Much depends on each of us: whether we leave obstacles on pavements, respect personal space, and know how to offer assistance without imposing it.
Accessibility begins not with ramps and tactile paving, but with our attitude towards other people.
Rehabilitation Cannot Wait Ten Months
One of the most important topics discussed was the journey from the moment a veteran is wounded to their return to independent living.
Yuliia BABAIЕVA, a rehabilitation expert from Vinnytsia, spoke about the shortage of specialised facilities, trained professionals and equipment. Despite the introduction of government programmes, access to quality rehabilitation remains limited.
One of the most important topics discussed was the journey from the moment a veteran is wounded to their return to independent living.
Yuliia BABAIЕVA, a rehabilitation expert from Vinnytsia, spoke about the shortage of specialised facilities, trained professionals and equipment. Despite the introduction of government programmes, access to quality rehabilitation remains limited.
The story of Artem BONDAREV, a war veteran and head of the All-Ukrainian Association of Blind Veterans and People with Visual Impairments, SVITLOSYLNI, was particularly moving.
After losing his sight, he had to learn how to use a white cane and a mobile phone, as well as master basic everyday skills, largely on his own and with the help of volunteers. He was only able to receive comprehensive rehabilitation ten months after being wounded.
After losing his sight, he had to learn how to use a white cane and a mobile phone, as well as master basic everyday skills, largely on his own and with the help of volunteers. He was only able to receive comprehensive rehabilitation ten months after being wounded.
Ten months is an incredibly long time when someone needs support to learn how to live again under new circumstances.
That is why some of the key proposals included introducing basic rehabilitation services directly in military hospitals, training more occupational therapists and referring service members for rehabilitation before their discharge from military service.
Participants also discussed support from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, particularly its programme compensating blind veterans for the purchase of specialised household appliances.
That is why some of the key proposals included introducing basic rehabilitation services directly in military hospitals, training more occupational therapists and referring service members for rehabilitation before their discharge from military service.
Participants also discussed support from the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, particularly its programme compensating blind veterans for the purchase of specialised household appliances.
When Fellow Soldiers Become a Source of Strength
Maksym LYOZOV, a Hero of Ukraine and border guard reconnaissance officer who lost his sight as a result of injuries sustained near Bakhmut and Kurdyumivka, spoke about the bureaucratic obstacles veterans face when applying for documents and accessing social services.
Maksym LYOZOV, a Hero of Ukraine and border guard reconnaissance officer who lost his sight as a result of injuries sustained near Bakhmut and Kurdyumivka, spoke about the bureaucratic obstacles veterans face when applying for documents and accessing social services.
Unfortunately, even services provided for by the state are not always accessible or convenient. Assistance from volunteers, civil society organisations and fellow soldiers often remains the main source of support for people going through the challenging process of adaptation.
Pavlo MADRYKIN shared another story demonstrating the importance of initiative and finding individual solutions. Due to the amputation of both arms and visual impairment, he was unable to use a conventional white cane. He therefore developed his own solution: a cane attachment system using magnets and an orthosis.
Pavlo MADRYKIN shared another story demonstrating the importance of initiative and finding individual solutions. Due to the amputation of both arms and visual impairment, he was unable to use a conventional white cane. He therefore developed his own solution: a cane attachment system using magnets and an orthosis.
Participants also discussed the principle of peer-to-peer support. Veterans who have already completed rehabilitation visit hospitals, support newly wounded service members and their families, and share their personal experiences.
Sometimes, a conversation with someone who has already travelled this path is exactly what helps another person believe that life, opportunities and new goals still lie ahead.
Sometimes, a conversation with someone who has already travelled this path is exactly what helps another person believe that life, opportunities and new goals still lie ahead.
Vision Loss Does Not Mean Losing Opportunities
It is essential that rehabilitation goes beyond medical procedures. People must have the opportunity to study, work, participate in sports, travel, start families and pursue their own ambitions.
This was emphasised by Ruslan AFANASIEV, Artur MARTOSICH and Anatolii VARFOLOMIEIEV.
Ruslan AFANASIEV, from Nikopol, highlighted the importance of sport in recovery and social integration. He participates in swimming, aqua aerobics and yoga. He also drew attention to the need for comprehensive support for veterans' families, as wives and children are also going through a challenging process of adaptation.
It is essential that rehabilitation goes beyond medical procedures. People must have the opportunity to study, work, participate in sports, travel, start families and pursue their own ambitions.
This was emphasised by Ruslan AFANASIEV, Artur MARTOSICH and Anatolii VARFOLOMIEIEV.
Ruslan AFANASIEV, from Nikopol, highlighted the importance of sport in recovery and social integration. He participates in swimming, aqua aerobics and yoga. He also drew attention to the need for comprehensive support for veterans' families, as wives and children are also going through a challenging process of adaptation.
Artur MARTOSICH, from Fastiv, is a war veteran and four-time Ukrainian Strongman Cup champion. After sustaining a gunshot wound to the head in 2024, he returned to an active life, achieved significant sporting results and is preparing to take part in an international race in Portugal with a sighted guide.
At the same time, Artur raised an important issue: employment opportunities. Employers often underestimate the professional capabilities of blind veterans, hesitate to consider them for management positions and offer them only a limited range of jobs.
But why should this be the case? Visual impairment does not mean a lack of professional competencies, experience, leadership qualities or ambition.
At the same time, Artur raised an important issue: employment opportunities. Employers often underestimate the professional capabilities of blind veterans, hesitate to consider them for management positions and offer them only a limited range of jobs.
But why should this be the case? Visual impairment does not mean a lack of professional competencies, experience, leadership qualities or ambition.
Anatolii VARFOLOMIEIEV, a member of Ukraine's Paralympic team, spoke about the family rehabilitation project “The Strength to Be Together”, which combines psychological support, activities for children and mentoring in everyday living skills.
Valentyna KALYNOVSKA, Director of the medical company Imateh Medical, spoke about modern options for ocular prosthetics and the importance of an individualised approach. She also emphasised the need to foster respectful and ethical attitudes towards people with facial injuries.
Accessibility Means Being Able to Use Your Bank Card Independently
During the discussion, participants also raised issues that most of us rarely even think about.
For example, can a blind person independently open a banking app, transfer money, check their balance or use an ATM? It turns out that this is far from always possible.
Some banking apps are not sufficiently compatible with screen readers such as VoiceOver and other assistive technologies. ATMs often lack Braille markings, while bank branch staff do not always have the necessary skills to communicate with and serve blind customers.
Participants also shared examples of difficulties involving identity verification, blocked bank cards and access to banking services.
These may seem like minor inconveniences. Yet it is precisely such everyday situations that determine whether a person can live independently.
That is why accessibility must extend beyond the physical environment to include digital services, financial services, education, employment and every other sphere of public life.
During the discussion, participants also raised issues that most of us rarely even think about.
For example, can a blind person independently open a banking app, transfer money, check their balance or use an ATM? It turns out that this is far from always possible.
Some banking apps are not sufficiently compatible with screen readers such as VoiceOver and other assistive technologies. ATMs often lack Braille markings, while bank branch staff do not always have the necessary skills to communicate with and serve blind customers.
Participants also shared examples of difficulties involving identity verification, blocked bank cards and access to banking services.
These may seem like minor inconveniences. Yet it is precisely such everyday situations that determine whether a person can live independently.
That is why accessibility must extend beyond the physical environment to include digital services, financial services, education, employment and every other sphere of public life.
It Is Time to Turn Demands into Action
The press conference demonstrated that, one year after the first meeting, many of the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted veterans remain unresolved. Despite some positive initiatives, Ukraine still lacks a comprehensive support system. Rehabilitation is often delayed, veterans have to search for the specialists they need on their own, and they continue to face bureaucratic obstacles, inaccessible services and limited employment opportunities.
Particularly concerning is the fact that a significant share of veterans' adaptation and social integration work continues to be carried out by civil society organisations, volunteers and fellow veterans themselves. Meanwhile, cooperation with government institutions has yet to provide adequate feedback or deliver tangible solutions.
The key challenges requiring urgent attention include timely access to rehabilitation immediately after injury, professional training for specialists, accessible government and banking services, and equal opportunities in education, sport and professional development.
The presentation of the NGO SVITLOSYLNI marked an important step towards bringing the community together and strengthening its collective voice. After all, blind veterans themselves must be not merely recipients of assistance, but active participants in shaping government policy.
The press conference demonstrated that, one year after the first meeting, many of the challenges faced by blind and partially sighted veterans remain unresolved. Despite some positive initiatives, Ukraine still lacks a comprehensive support system. Rehabilitation is often delayed, veterans have to search for the specialists they need on their own, and they continue to face bureaucratic obstacles, inaccessible services and limited employment opportunities.
Particularly concerning is the fact that a significant share of veterans' adaptation and social integration work continues to be carried out by civil society organisations, volunteers and fellow veterans themselves. Meanwhile, cooperation with government institutions has yet to provide adequate feedback or deliver tangible solutions.
The key challenges requiring urgent attention include timely access to rehabilitation immediately after injury, professional training for specialists, accessible government and banking services, and equal opportunities in education, sport and professional development.
The presentation of the NGO SVITLOSYLNI marked an important step towards bringing the community together and strengthening its collective voice. After all, blind veterans themselves must be not merely recipients of assistance, but active participants in shaping government policy.
The press conference once again demonstrated that the effectiveness of government support for veterans should not be measured by the number of events held, programmes adopted or high-profile statements made, but by the tangible changes in people's lives.
These changes mean being able to move around independently, pursue an education, work, start a family, fulfil one's potential and participate actively in society.
True accessibility is not about declarations. It is about creating conditions in which every person, regardless of the consequences of war, has freedom of choice, equal opportunities and the prospect of a fulfilling future.
Supporting veterans is a responsibility we all share!
These changes mean being able to move around independently, pursue an education, work, start a family, fulfil one's potential and participate actively in society.
True accessibility is not about declarations. It is about creating conditions in which every person, regardless of the consequences of war, has freedom of choice, equal opportunities and the prospect of a fulfilling future.
Supporting veterans is a responsibility we all share!
07.11.2026
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