On April 3rd at the UNION International Cultural Center the III Regional Conference «Odesa. Culture for All», was held in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. The event was organized by the Department of International Cooperation and Culture of the Odesa City Council in collaboration with cultural partners.

Among the participants was Ivanna Demirova, a teacher from the Bolgrad music school and co-author of the textbook «Inclusive Environment», reports Rayon.Bolgrad.

«What a wonderful day filled with colleagues’ experiences, engaging work, and amazing people! The conference was very rich, informative, and absolutely essential for all participants. Thank you to everyone involved for their warmth and sincerity, and for sharing the most valuable thing — their personal experiences,» shared Ivanna Demirova.

Conference in the Context of the Year of Accessibility

2025 has been declared the Year of ACCESSIBILITY in Ukraine, and the conference «Culture for All» became a significant step in implementing this initiative in the Odesa region. The goal of the event was to establish an accessible cultural space, implement inclusive solutions, and exchange experiences regarding working with children with special educational needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum.

Participants discussed a wide range of topics:

• principles of physical, digital, social, and educational accessibility;

• access to cultural services for people with disabilities;

• socialization and arts education for children with special needs;

• mental health of children and youth during wartime;

• organizational and methodological work of cultural institutions.

Additionally, an exhibition of ceramic works from the inclusive workshop was held, showcasing art as a means of inclusion and self-expression.