Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Education – Results of Teachers’ Readiness to Implement Innovations in the Work with Children with Disabilities

This study explores the relevance and urgency of ensuring barrier-free inclusion in educational practices for individuals with disabilities, particularly in the context of contemporary crises such as the war in Ukraine. The current state of the issue is examined through an analysis of scientific and pedagogical literature, alongside a review of practical developments in the educational field. The analysis reveals a number of persistent challenges, including deeply rooted psychological attitudes among educators, limited access to resources, insufficient levels of professional preparedness, and a lack of administrative, pedagogical, and community support for the implementation of inclusive innovations. Additionally, various institutional barriers continue to hinder progress in this area. It is established that the urgency of inclusive education has intensified in the context of current social disruptions, especially the war in Ukraine, which has resulted in the emergence of new categories of vulnerable children, such as those with psychological trauma, internally displaced status, or developmental disabilities. The article presents empirical findings from a survey of prospective teachers, aimed at assessing their readiness to implement inclusive innovations and support learners with special educational needs (SEN). The research was conducted within the framework of an experimental study at Ukrainian universities, comprising both ascertaining and formative stages. Comparative data are provided to illustrate shifts in future educators’ attitudes and levels of preparedness for overcoming inclusion-related barriers, particularly under the conditions imposed by martial law in Ukraine. The experimental study focused on assessing the professional readiness of future teachers to implement educational, digital, informational, and physical components of barrier-free practices. The author’s methodological framework, positioned as innovative and empirically validated, integrated digital tools and resources (such as immersive learning technologies, short educational videos, and animations on inclusion) with interactive teaching strategies, project-based learning, and case study analysis. The findings substantiate the critical necessity of implementing barrier-free education in its comprehensive sense, aimed at ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students, irrespective of their physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, or cultural characteristics. Emphasis is placed on the urgent need to adopt inclusive pedagogical strategies, adapt curricula and instructional methods, foster tolerance and acceptance of diversity, and cultivate a non-discriminatory and supportive educational environment.