Live Without Limits

The "Live Without Limits" project is implemented by the NGO “Labor and Health Social Initiatives” with the support of the United Nations Development Program within the framework of the project "Promoting Human Security in Ukraine by Responding to the Multidimensional Crisis Caused by the War" with the financial support of the Government of Japan. 

Project goal

Creating a safe and inclusive environment in de-occupied communities in Donetsk region and developing medical and social rehabilitation services for people affected by the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine is one of the most mined countries in the world; 40% of its territory is contaminated with dangerous objects. According to the UN, more than 1.8 million Ukrainian children and adults live surrounded by mines. The Donetsk region is the most contaminated region by mine hazards in country. According to the Donetsk regional military administration, in the period from 08.11.2022 to 29.05.2023, 9 incidents related to explosive objects among the civilian population on the territory of Lyman and Sviatohirsk territorial communities of Donetsk region, as a result of which 5 people died and 12 were injured. At the time of submitting the application for registration of the children's service in Donetsk region, there are 14 children who were injured as a result of military actions/mines. On the territory of the Lyman and Sviatohirsk territorial communities, the pyrotechnic units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the pyrotechnic units of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Donetsk region surveyed (demined) 1,344.7 hectares of territory, removed and neutralized 15,647 units of explosive objects. But, unfortunately, much of the territory remains unmined, thus creating a dangerous environment for the residents of the communities. Families with members injured as a result of mine-explosive activity need high-quality social rehabilitation services.

Currently, more than 10,000 residents live in the de-occupied territories of Donetsk region (Lyman, Sviatohirsk, Velikonovosilkiv territorial communities), who are exposed to mine danger every day, and there are victims. Specialists of social service centers are tasked by the military administration of the region with the task of providing crisis social services to support and reintegrate families affected by mine and explosive activity.

Such activity is relatively new for specialists in the region and requires training in relevant knowledge and skills.

According to statistics, more than 13% of all injuries during hostilities caused by the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into the territory of Ukraine are eye injuries, as a result of which the number of children and adults who develop visual impairment is increasing. In order for people with visual impairments to be able to restore vital skills and become active members of society, quality rehabilitation assistance is needed, which requires an integrated approach.

Unfortunately, in Ukraine today there is no institution of providing comprehensive rehabilitation for people with visual impairments.

The purpose of providing rehabilitation services for people with visual impairments on the basis of DRUTSKROI "Podillia" is to develop a model of complex rehabilitation, which includes the maximum restoration of functionality and independence of a person with visual impairments, providing psychological assistance, forming life skills, using electronic devices and digital technologies, learning orientation and mobility skills, braille, expands opportunities for social interaction, professional and personal development. In order for a person with visual impairments to become an equal member of society in the future, having access to education, work, communications and entertainment.

Development of this model of complex rehabilitation on the basis of the DRUTSKROI "Podillia" institution will in the future make it possible to accept up to 300 people with visual impairments from all over Ukraine for rehabilitation every year.

Project objectives

To strengthen the potential of social service centers in the de-occupied communities of Donetsk region to provide comprehensive social services to people affected by mine and explosive activity, to promote their early recovery and further reintegration into the community:

1. Provide social service centers in the de-occupied communities of Donetsk region with the necessary resources to increase their ability to provide services and support.

2. Develop methodological recommendations for social service centers and other service providers regarding the provision of comprehensive social services to victims of mine-explosive activity in the community and conduct training for social service providers of social service centers of de-occupied and front-line communities of Donetsk region.

3. Create a "Live Without Limits" forwarding mechanism/routes of social and rehabilitation services for people affected by mine-explosive activities in de-occupied communities.

For a rapid assessment of the barriers faced by persons with disabilities who have been affected by explosive ordnance and war during rehabilitation

1. Develop a methodology and conduct a rapid assessment of the barriers faced by people with disabilities who have suffered from explosive devices and war during rehabilitation.

In order to increase the potential of the rehabilitation institution of DRUTSKROI "Podillia" to provide an innovative complex rehabilitation service for people with visual impairment:

1. To equip the rehabilitation facility of DRUTSKROI "Podillia" with the aim of providing complex rehabilitation services to people with visual impairments and creating an accessible and adaptive environment for people with visual impairments during their stay in the rehabilitation institution.

2. To develop and implement a comprehensive approach to the rehabilitation of people who have lost their sight: development of a model of comprehensive rehabilitation of people with visual impairments and training of rehabilitation facility personnel.
3. To carry out comprehensive rehabilitation of people with visual impairments.

Target groups

• people affected by mine-explosive activity

• residents of the de-occupied communities of Donetsk region will receive information about the danger of mines and available rehabilitation services in the community

• people with visual impairments

• social workers of social service centers that provide social services to people affected by mine and explosive activity and rehabilitation center specialists

The project is implemented in partnership with the following organizations:

• Inpatient department of the Communal Institution of the Center for the Provision of Social Services of the Velikonovosilkiv Settlement Council "Turbota"
• Lyman city center of social services

• Communal institution of the Sviatohirsk city territorial community "Center for the provision of social services"

• Donetsk regional center of social services

• State rehabilitation institution "Center for Complex Rehabilitation for Persons with Disabilities "Podillya"

Specialists/officials in rehabilitation, social work, strategic communication, compilers of methodological recommendations and trainers are also involved in the project; coordinators and community representatives on the ground.

During 2023

a Rapid Assessment of the barriers faced by explosive ordnance victims during rehabilitation was conducted

Methodological recommendations for the provision of comprehensive social services to victims of explosive ordnance in communities were developed

Mapping of community services for explosive ordnance victims was implemented