The President of Ukraine’s Office Team Took Part in a Training Course “Accessibility: Appropriate Communication” Organised by Oschadbank

More than 30 employees of the Office of the President of Ukraine have completed a unique, original training course entitled “Accessibility. Appropriate Communication”, designed by Oschadbank specialists.  In addition to the basic principles of accessible language, the course also draws on Oschadbank’s practical experience in interacting people with disabilities: those with visual, hearing or musculoskeletal impairments, as well as those with various temporary conditions etc.

This training has become a practical tool for preparing the team at the Office of the President of Ukraine for the new realities. Notably, both men and women veterans are coming back to work, so it's necessary to interact with people who have combat experience, injuries, and visible or invisible trauma. That is precisely why skills in accessible and respectful communication are not just a matter of ethics, but also an essential professional competence for civil servants. Many staff members at the Office of the President of Ukraine interact daily with representatives of local communities, international organizations, veterans, families of military servants, as well as people with disabilities. It is therefore both an investment in trust in state institutions and a means of establishing uniform communication standards for the entire team during the war and the post-war recovery period.

“For more than twelve years we have been focusing our efforts on promoting accessibility. Over this time, we have built up strong expertise in all aspects including issues of inclusive communication. We have trained the staff across our network which is one of the largest in the country. Currently we continue to share our experience and expertise with other organisations and businesses to help them take important steps towards adopting an accessibility-focused approach and giving priority to this in their strategies,” said Anton Tiutiun, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Oschadbank, at the opening of the training session.

“Accessibility starts with whether we see the persons first and foremost, rather than seeing their age, gender, health, experience or life circumstances. Language can imperceptibly drive people apart, or it can do the opposite - create a space where everyone shows respect for one another. That is precisely why accessibility means that language does not create artificial barriers, but helps people to become closer. It is particularly important that these changes are already taking place, and that more and more people are choosing their words more carefully. As our speech changes, so does our way of thinking, because consciousness influences our language. Language, in its turn, forms our consciousness. Thus, the culture of interaction gradually changes. It is precisely this kind of practical experience that Oschadbank has gained that is of particular value. When an organisation implements the principles of accessibility not only in its own work but also openly shares them, it helps others to make faster progress along this path. Culture spreads not through preaching, but through example”, - noted Tetiana Lomakina, Advisor - Presidential Commissioner for a Barrier-Free Environment (Accessibility).   

“We are welcoming people with war experience into our ranks, therefore it is very important for us to learn how to interact and communicate correctly with them. These circumstances force us to be more attentive to the needs of those around us. Oschadbank’s experience will give us confidence, practical knowledge and approaches to working with all people, including those with combat experience,” - said Lilia Martyniuk, Head of the Human Resources Department at the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Over the course of two days the training participants learnt basic principles of inclusive communication, including what inclusive language is, why it should be used, and why it must inevitably become the standard for communication in Ukraine. The main principle of inclusive language is the absence of words or phrases that demonstrate a prejudiced, stereotypical or discriminatory attitude towards certain people or groups. Inclusive language does not alienate people, either intentionally or unintentionally. It is a form of language governed by a single rule: to respect the dignity of another person. That is precisely why Oschadbank is implementing standards of inclusive communication in its work and sharing this knowledge with its partners.

The participants were taught the ethics of communication: rules for interacting with people with visual, hearing and musculoskeletal impairments, as well as mental health conditions. A separate module of training was dedicated to learning the specifics of communicating with male and female veterans and other people with combat experience. Traditionally, the participants took a keen interest in the practical scenarios for providing services to people with disabilities and practised their skills in barrier-free communication in real-life situations.

Oschadbank is an inclusive bank with high ethical standards where social transformation, with the individual at the heart of its services and products, is a priority. Therefore, this large-scale training programme was launched to share best practices, knowledge and expertise with local authorities through a partnership network, at the points of direct contact with citizens.

The initiative is being implemented as part of the programme launched by Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, “Accessibility is when you CAN”, with the support of Tetiana Lomakina, the President of Ukraine’s Special Adviser on Accessibility.