Dear Friends and Colleagues,

We are a Ukrainian initiative devoted to the noble mission of establishing, within our homeland, a comprehensive system for the training of guide dogs for those who are blind. At present, there are only nine working guide dogs in the entirety of Ukraine. Each day, the number of people who are blind grows, for the war has not yet ended. Our ranks of qualified instructors are few; we labor solely on a voluntary basis, without the support of state funding.

Yet, undaunted by these trials, we persevere. We train the dogs, and we prepare the people who are blind to receive them, so that they may walk through life with safety, independence, and dignity. We uphold the principles of Christian morality, and above all, we safeguard the honor and dignity of every person who is blind — affirming their right to all the freedoms and opportunities endowed to every human being. We likewise care deeply for the welfare of the animals, who stand beside us not merely as helpers, but as partners and friends.

We hereby affirm our support for the provisions of the Declaration on Human–Animal Interaction, as set forth below. 

We earnestly appeal for your support and urge you to share our cause.

We hold firm in our conviction that the day is near when, together, we shall overcome all obstacles, and live upon a planet free of barriers — where every soul is both free and equal.

With profound gratitude for your solidarity,

"Seeing with the Heart" Project

Declaration on 

the Obligations of the State towards Persons with Disabilities

This Declaration cannot be regarded either as a request or as a demand, since the State of Ukraine, by its very nature and duty, must ensure compliance with and implementation of the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine. Therefore, this can only be a matter of stating a fact – the guaranteeing or the violation of such a duty – with all the inevitable legal and moral consequences.

Article 24 of the Constitution of Ukraine guarantees equality to all citizens regardless of any differences or particularities. Citizens have equal constitutional rights and freedoms and are equal before the law.

This Article, in particular, stipulates that:

There shall be no privileges or restrictions on the grounds of race, skin color, political, religious or other beliefs, sex, ethnic or social origin, property status, place of residence, on linguistic or other grounds.

Furthermore, Article 3 of the Constitution of Ukraine expressly provides that: “A human being, his or her life and dignity are recognized as the highest social value.” Article 46 stipulates the citizen’s right to social protection.

Therefore, the State, which today actively declares the implementation of policies of inclusivity and accessibility, fulfills its obligations to citizens with disabilities by ensuring equality and freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. Improper fulfillment of these obligations constitutes a profound affront to the honor and dignity of persons with disabilities, who have entrusted their right to justice, support and respect to the State. Officials whose actions or inaction lead to the improper fulfillment of the State’s obligations towards persons with disabilities shall bear responsibility before the people and the Law.

Based on the above, we affirm:

The State, through its responsible officials, shall create all conditions necessary to ensure the self-realization of persons with disabilities, including persons with visual impairments. In particular, the State shall create conditions for the development of the field of human-animal interaction, which is important for such self-realization, shall promote the development of enterprises in this field and shall ensure their protection as critical to the State’s fulfillment of its obligations towards citizens.

The State shall adopt all legislative norms necessary to guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities, including provisions concerning the provision of persons with disabilities with rehabilitation means and other services essential to them. The field of human-animal interaction constitutes an integral and profoundly significant component of human life on the planet, reflecting the close connection between humankind and the animal world in all spheres of existence — from daily life to science, culture and spirituality. It is one of the pathways of socialization, integration and reintegration into society and rehabilitation, since human-animal interaction activates the natural mechanisms of human emotional, cognitive and physical recovery.

Norms adopted at the State level with regard to the field of human-animal interaction must correspond to the needs of persons with disabilities and be enacted in accordance with the recommendations of leading specialists working in this field.

The State undertakes a conceptual obligation to orient itself towards harmonizing the high standards created and adopted by relevant international organizations with national standards, in accordance with national specificities. The State shall also, where necessary, exercise oversight over institutions, organizations and enterprises in this field to ensure their compliance with such standards.

The State shall ensure adequate funding within the framework of approved programs and shall promote the attraction of additional resources from other institutions, organizations and establishments that produce, develop and implement appropriate means, technologies and services which guarantee equal opportunities and self-realization for persons with disabilities.

The State shall support the implementation and realization of the above provisions by all available means.