Vinnytsia, 15 October 2025 — Sixteen rehabilitation professionals from across Ukraine have gathered in Vinnytsia to take part in the first of a new series of week-long training courses titled “Rehabilitation of People with Visual Impairments.” 

Organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine in partnership with the Podillia State Rehabilitation Centre and with financial support from the Government of the Republic of Korea, the training introduces modern rehabilitation models and practical techniques to help specialists support people with partial or complete vision loss. A second course, for another group of 16 specialists, will take place in December 2025. 

The series aims to strengthen Ukraine’s multidisciplinary rehabilitation workforce at a time when the demand for specialized services is rising sharply due to the ongoing war. Many people who have lost vision are veterans injured on the front lines or civilians who could not access timely medical care during hostilities. For them, rehabilitation is not only a matter of physical recovery – it’s a path to restoring confidence, mobility, and full participation in society.

Olena Ursu, Team Leader of the Democratic Governance Portfolio, UNDP Ukraine said that by strengthening the skills of rehabilitation professionals, UNDP was helping build lasting capacity within Ukraine’s healthcare and social support systems. 

“This series of trainings reflects our shared commitment to inclusive recovery – ensuring that professionals across Ukraine are prepared to provide high-quality, people-centred rehabilitation services now and in the future,” Ursu said.

The programme covers a wide range of topics – from medical aspects of vision loss and the role of ophthalmologists in rehabilitation, to psychosocial support for veterans who lost their sight as a result of the war. Participants learn practical skills such as techniques for physical guidance, orientation and mobility training, the use of white canes, and the basics of Braille literacy. 

Special attention is given to assistive technologies – mobile devices, accessible smart home systems, and digital navigation tools – which are becoming essential for independent living.

The training is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of Ukrainian experts, including ophthalmologists, rehabilitation doctors, psychologists, and specialists in occupational therapy and labour adaptation. A unique aspect of the programme is the participation of a veteran who has experienced vision loss and completed his own rehabilitation. Sharing his personal journey, he provides participants with practical insights into regaining independence and confidence after sight loss – bridging clinical knowledge with lived experience.

Roman Shtohryn, the director of the Podillia State Rehabilitation Centre, said that rehabilitation was not only about medical care, but about helping people regain confidence and independence. 

“For us, it is a great honour to host this training and to share our practical experience with colleagues from across Ukraine,” Shtohryn said. “The exchange of knowledge and cooperation with international partners like UNDP helps us strengthen professional capacity and ensure that people with visual impairments can receive the support they need, wherever they live.”

The Podillia State Rehabilitation Centre, one of Ukraine’s leading institutions in this field, provides an ideal environment for hands-on learning. With years of experience in supporting people with different types of disabilities, the centre provides both practical facilities and a multidisciplinary team approach. Hosting the training here highlights the importance of combining international support with local expertise to build a sustainable rehabilitation system in Ukraine.

The 16 trainees included doctors of physical and rehabilitation medicine, ophthalmologists, physical and occupational therapists and their assistants, rehabilitation nurses, and psychologists. Upon completing the course, they will take the knowledge they have acquired back to their institutions and communities, helping to expand access to qualified rehabilitation services across the country. 

The next training session in December will continue this work, creating a growing network of trained specialists who can contribute to a modern, inclusive, and resilient rehabilitation system. 

By investing in professional development and promoting inclusive rehabilitation practices, Ukraine – with the support of UNDP and the Government of Korea – is laying the foundation for a future grounded in inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities for all.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org