Kiev - Post Report Question and Answers
Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes - May 2021
Yes - few ramps and curb cuts or accessible means of transportation. But people would always be offering to help (and genuinely trying to). - May 2017
Yes, unfortunately. Many streets have no crosswalks, just underpasses accessed only by stairs. Same for metro access. No curb cuts. I once saw a sign for a handicapped bathroom - Nov 2016
YES. We had a Paralympic athlete visit as a speaker, and she pointed out the lack of curb cuts, ramps, and elevators on the street and entering/exiting underpasses and public transit. Note that, unlike in U.S. cities, many major arteries in the city cannot be crossed above ground, and the underpasses are not usually accessible at all.
Ukrainians are just starting to grapple with this issue, especially with many young wounded vets from the conflict in the East. A major TV news host traveled the city in a wheelchair one day in a filmed segment and found it nearly impossible to get around. But slightly increased awareness has not yet led to action. - Jul 2016
It would be hard. No elevators for metro stations; broken sidewalks are common. - Nov 2015
Never see people in wheelchairs. At work, if you are at the Embassy, it would be fine. Out and about, not many accomadations are made in terms of structures. However, the people are nice and would help you cross a street or manouver around a problem if you have visual or motor disablities. I do see handicapped parking spaces. - Jun 2015
This city is not at all good for someone with physical disabilities. Make sure to bring a strong jogger stroller to manage the streets even in the summer. - Apr 2014
It is very difficult---and I just have a stroller I have to worry about. The amount of potholes, coupled with the terrible, long winters and lack of elevators/ramps of any kind anywhere, make it very difficult for women with strollers and babies---not to mention if you had a physical disability. Also, frequently there are no crosswalks. In order to cross the street you must walk down a set of stairs, be underground for a little while, and then walk up another set of stairs to get to the other side. There are no elevators or ramps either. When using Metros there are no elevators. You must use your stroller on an escalator to get up and down. I found I have gotten pretty good at doing this. - Apr 2013
A lot. No real work has been done to assist anyone with disabilities. - Apr 2013
Kyiv is not wheelchair-friendly. Baby strollers are difficult to move on the crooked sidewalks. - Feb 2013
Many. There are basically no concessions made for physical disabilities in Kyiv. - Jul 2012
Uneven sidewalks that people park on, crossing main streets often involves taking stairs to go underneath the street which don't have elevators... This is not the easiest place to get around with a stroller, a wheelchair would be a nightmare. - Aug 2009
Probably would find it difficult. - Apr 2008
Lots, Kyiv and Ukraine in general has very little in the way of assisting those with physical disabilities. - Apr 2008
It would probably be impossible if in a wheelchair. Almost no buildings are wheelchair accessible and the streets and sidewalks are very rough. You see very few physically handicapped people around Kyiv and I don't want to think about where they are and in what conditions they live. - Feb 2008
