Adaptive clothing and barrier-free spaces - support for veterans
KOLO Charitable Foundation has become a partner of the social project "My odniiei krovi" - an initiative that saves the lives of wounded military personnel and civilians. This is support for domestic businesses, promotion of patriotic art, and the development of a donation culture. 50% of each order PUMB is transferred to the NGOs "DonorUA," "Hospitaliers," and "Blood Agents".
The foundation supported the social corporate responsibility initiative of PUMB and joined as an organizer of clothing delivery to the wounded in hospitals and evacuation trains. It also promotes awareness of the importance of adaptive clothing for the wounded.
On April 27-28, at "Kurazh" in Garage, in the barrier-free showroom created by PUMB, the clothing drop "ZHYTY NAZUSTRICH" was presented as part of the "My odniiei krovi" project. This clothing is designed to support defenders and rehabilitate them. The collection includes two lines: adaptive clothing for wounded military personnel, made with special patterns, Velcro, buttons, and additional openings to allow the wounded to dress without difficulty, as well as everyday clothing for everyone - hoodies, shirts, T-shirts, shoppers, etc. This collection features lines from the poems of the famous contemporary Ukrainian poet Serhiy Zhadan in embroidered lines by tattoo artist Maria Fedorivna. For each order from the collection, an equivalent adaptive item is sewn for a wounded soldier. These items will be provided to injured soldiers by the KOLO Charitable Foundation.
The PUMB showroom met accessibility requirements: ramps were installed, passages made comfortable for everyone, and stands and counters were placed at convenient heights. For people with visual impairments, contrast markings were made on certain elements for navigation and safety, and Braille font inscriptions were added. Guests had the opportunity to use the services of a Ukrainian sign language interpreter through the ConnectPro application, developed with the support of the NGO "Sotsialna Ednist". There was also a cozy lounge area for relaxation where guests could enjoy reading poems by Serhiy Zhadan and other Ukrainian poets.
The well-equipped location was visited by Serhiy Khrapko, who took part in the largest competitions for military personnel in Ukraine, the Invictus Games, Iva Mykhailenko, the head and founder of the public organization for people with hearing impairments World of Silence, Vitaliy Veres, a military member and ambassador of the NGO "Inclusive Foundation "Svitlo v tobi" and veteran Vladyslav Yeshchenko. All of them personally tested adaptive clothing. The event was also attended by the heads of medical projects of the KOLO Charity Foundation - Irina Soloshenko and Volodymyr Nechiporuk.
"Adaptive clothing has Velcro and buttons that allows the wounded and injured with metal constructions - AZF and plaster to dress without the help of others. It is the only clothing for the wounded that provides quick access for medics to limbs, which speeds up the manipulation time with injured limbs. We need to show society and veterans the path they take after injury and rehabilitation. Not to turn a blind eye to the fact that veterans have different life scenarios as civilians. The main thing is not to isolate ourselves from them and their problems. Engage veterans in activities in the field of rehabilitation of comrades," says Irina Soloshenko.
During the two days, 140 items were sold - in total 214,320 UAH. So, thanks to this, 68 items from the adaptive collection will go to the military.
The PUMB team is working on developing an inclusive environment that will promote societal unity, where everyone will feel important, heard, and visible. Marketing Director of PUMB Ksenia Sikorska noted: "By our own example, we show what the modern service industry should be like. How to eliminate the main barriers to provide physical and informational accessibility for people with limited mobility and disabilities. We are convinced that Ukraine should develop inclusion because every person, regardless of their physical or mental condition, has the right to equal opportunities and respect".
The team of the KOLO Charitable Foundation expresses its gratitude and support for the charitable initiative of PUMB, admiring the dedication to the idea and the development of social responsibility of businesses in Ukraine.
You can support the project by "hanging" or ordering clothes on the website or on the Instagram page.
