A new program for veterans and families of fallen soldiers has been launched in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian state has decided to compensate the cost of driving school education for veterans, their families, and the families of fallen soldiers. The program is already successfully operating in seven cities, and its expansion is planned. This will help thousands of defenders become more mobile and independent. This was announced by the First Lady Olena Zelenska.

At the initiative of the First Lady, a project 'Driving School for Persons with Disabilities' is being developed together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to this project, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs will reimburse the cost of driving school education for defenders with disabilities and their family members, combatants, and families of fallen soldiers. Olena Zelenska emphasized that this is not just support, but about equality. The goal is to help a larger number of people who defended the country become independent.

'From now on, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs will reimburse the cost of such training for defenders with disabilities and their family members, combatants, as well as the families of fallen soldiers. This is not just support – it is about equality. So that those who defended our country have the opportunity to be independent,' said Olena Zelenska.

According to Olena Zelenska, Ukrainian driving schools that are adapted for drivers with disabilities are already successfully functioning in seven cities of Ukraine: Vita-Pochtova (Kyiv region), Lviv, Odesa, Dnipro, Kropyvnytskyi, Kryvyi Rih, and Kamianets-Podilskyi. Some of these driving schools are even able to conduct training with sign language interpretation.

The First Lady noted that this initiative has become an example for other driving schools, which are now also preparing to train people with disabilities. Currently, there are already four such institutions operating according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The opening of several more similar schools is planned. Olena Zelenska emphasized that mobility is a primary need for military personnel returning to civilian life after injuries, as well as for all people with disabilities who face obstacles every day. The goal is to create accessible driving schools and to build a barrier-free country.