CHALLENGES FACED BY PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITIES IN CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article comprehensively examines the current challenges and prospects of forming an inclusive environment in the system of public administration of Ukraine. It is substantiated that inclusiveness in the 21st century has become one of the key principles of public policy, which involves ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens regardless of health status, age, social status, place of residence, or other characteristics. It is emphasized that inclusive public policy is an integral component of democratic development, human rights implementation, and an important element of Ukraine’s European integration process. The relevance of the study is determined by modern socio-economic and demographic challenges, in particular the consequences of military actions, which have led to a significant increase in the number of persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, war veterans, persons with post-traumatic disorders, and other low-mobility population groups. In this regard, the issues of forming a barrier-free environment, accessibility of public services, employment, and social integration are becoming particularly important at the state level. The article analyzes legislative and institutional changes in the field of inclusive policy in particular the introduction of mandatory employment quotas for persons with disabilities in legal organizations and public institutions, the development of an inclusive civil service system, the introduction of positions of inclusion and accessibility advisors, as well as the creation of new mechanisms for electronic recruitment to the public service. Special attention is paid to the implementation of adapted workplaces, digital accessibility of public online services, and the development of e-government as a tool for ensuring equal access to administrative services. The main directions of implementation of inclusive public policy are considered, including ensuring physical accessibility of buildings and structures, development of barrier-free transport infrastructure, implementation of digital accessibility, development of inclusive education, increasing employment of persons with disabilities, formation of an inclusive corporate culture in public institutions, as well as development of social partnership between the state, local governments, civil society organizations, and international institutions. The article summarizes international experience in implementing inclusive policy in the European Union, the United States, and Canada, where inclusiveness is considered one of the key principles of public administration and social policy. It is established that effective inclusive policy is based on the principles of universal design, accessibility of public services, equal opportunities in education and employment, and systematic monitoring of accessibility levels. The main problems and barriers to the implementation of barrier-free policy in Ukraine are identified, including limited financial resources, insufficient training of managerial personnel in inclusive management, institutional inertia of public authorities, uneven regional development of infrastructure, insufficient level of digital accessibility of public services, and low public awareness of the principles of inclusiveness and tolerance. The necessity of a comprehensive approach to the formation of an inclusive environment through coordination of activities of central and local authorities, improvement of the legal framework, development of financial support programs for inclusive projects, introduction of a barrier-free monitoring system, and expansion of professional training programs for civil servants and local government officials in inclusive management is substantiated. It is concluded that the implementation of inclusive public policy contributes to increasing the efficiency of public administration, development of human potential, strengthening social cohesion, increasing public trust in government institutions, and improving the international image of Ukraine as a democratic and socially oriented state. Inclusiveness is defined as one of the strategic directions of modernization of the public administration system and development of the welfare state in Ukraine. Keywords: inclusiveness, barrier-free environment, public policy, public administration, social integration, accessibility, infrastructure, universal design, inclusive civil service, digital accessibility.