Marta Nykolayeva: My opportunity to become a changemaker
Marta Nykolayeva served as a national UN Volunteer Media and Outreach Assistant with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine from 2018 to 2022.
Motivated by the UN's commitment to include persons with disabilities as volunteers, Marta applied for the UNDP-UNV Talent Programme for Young Professionals with Disabilities. “The programme also helps the inclusion of young people in the workplace and offers valuable opportunities for their professional development,” says Marta.
She describes her assignment as life-changing.
Marta helped to advance conversations around inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities in Ukraine.
Persons with disabilities are often discriminated against in Ukraine and therefore have challenges securing employment. Marta focused on promoting inclusion, particularly in childhood education as an increased number of children with disabilities are seeking access to kindergartens and schools.
As part of her assignment, Marta conducted training sessions for teachers and education support providers on the principles of universal design in childhood education. Universal Design, as defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), ensures that the design of products, environments, and services is usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.
The training sessions that Marta assisted gave educators an understanding of inclusive programme design.
Marta's experience with UNDP was not only professionally enriching but also personally rewarding. Relocating to the capital for the assignment, she found a friendly, supportive community among her colleagues, who assisted her in settling into her new life.
Her volunteer assignment also expanded her professional development. Her responsibilities included social media and websites, along with translating materials between Ukrainian and English.
To her peers with disabilities looking to volunteer with the UN, Marta advises, “For me, inclusion means that everyone can be accepted, and everyone has an opportunity to become a changemaker and have a real impact. I encourage everyone to apply and become a changemaker! “
This article was produced with the kind support of Online Volunteer Abbey Gibson. Find out more on how to volunteer online or engage Online Volunteers.
