Ablebook is excited to announce its new partnership with Costa Coffee, integrating their service points into the Ablebook platform. The goal of this collaboration is to create a more accessible, friendly, and inclusive environment for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Ablebook is an innovative application for Android and iOS devices that supports the daily lives of people with disabilities by providing information about the accessibility of places and services, as well as direct communication with responsible staff when needed.
Costa Coffee, known for its high-quality coffee and warm service, now offers a more inclusive experience for all customers through this collaboration. Users of the Ablebook app will be able to access detailed information about the accessible facilities at Costa Coffee locations and feel confident that they will be treated with respect and care.
As part of this partnership, AbleCard holders benefit from a 20% discount at all Costa Coffee stores. This offer is a tangible act of support for the disability community, reaffirming Costa Coffee’s commitment to social awareness and equality.
Ablebook is pleased to announce its new partnership with Nicosia Mall, integrating its facilities into the Ablebook platform. This collaboration aims to improve access for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, while also providing useful information for families and their loved ones.
Ablebook is an innovative mobile application available on Android and iOS devices, focused on improving accessibility and supporting people with disabilities by offering information and services that make daily life easier.
Nicosia Mall, the largest shopping center in Cyprus, features modern and inclusive infrastructure such as designated parking spaces near entrances, ramps, accessible restrooms, and wide corridors for wheelchairs. Through this partnership, Ablebook users can access up-to-date information about the mall’s accessible facilities and request additional support from trained staff when needed.
Ablebook and Nicosia Mall are joining forces to ensure a more inclusive visiting experience. With this collaboration, the mall actively contributes to the creation of a barrier-free society, promoting equality and easing everyday life for people with disabilities.
For more information, visit the Ablebook website or https://www.nicosiamall.com/
Ablebook is pleased to announce its new partnership with Superhome, integrating its stores into the Ablebook platform. The goal of this collaboration is to improve access and provide helpful information for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy a comfortable and convenient shopping experience.
Ablebook is an innovative mobile application available for Android and iOS devices, designed to improve accessibility and support people with disabilities by offering information and services that simplify their daily lives.
Superhome, the leading retail chain for home, office, garden, and general space improvement products, features modern facilities equipped with inclusive infrastructure. These include designated parking spaces, ramps, accessible entrances and checkouts, as well as trained staff ready to assist visitors with disabilities. Through this partnership, Ablebook users will be able to access up-to-date information about the accessible facilities available at Superhome stores and request assistance from staff when needed.
With this collaboration, Superhome reaffirms its commitment to a more inclusive shopping experience, actively contributing to the development of a society without barriers.
Ablebook is excited to announce its new partnership with Aplan Electroline Ltd, integrating the well-known retail chain’s stores into its platform. This collaboration aims to facilitate access and provide helpful information for people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, ensuring that all visitors enjoy a comfortable and seamless shopping experience.
Ablebook is an innovative mobile application available for Android and iOS devices, designed to improve accessibility and support people with disabilities by offering information and services that simplify their daily lives.
Electroline, one of the leading chains of electronic and electrical goods in Cyprus, features modern facilities equipped with inclusive infrastructure such as designated parking spaces, ramps, accessible entrances, and trained staff ready to assist visitors with disabilities. Through this partnership, Ablebook users will be able to access detailed information about the accessible features of Electroline stores and request assistance from staff if needed.
With this collaboration, Alpan Electroline Ltd demonstrates its commitment to providing a more inclusive shopping experience, actively contributing to the creation of a society without barriers.
In 2025, accessibility and equality should be fundamental rights, not privileges. However, daily life proves that we are still far from achieving a truly inclusive society. The recent incident brought to light by Rafaela, who faced obstacles simply trying to move around a public space, is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s one of the countless examples of what many people with disabilities experience every day.
The reality is harsh: In Cyprus, the percentage of people with disabilities is significantly high. Yet, infrastructure, services, and attitudes remain stuck in the past. Our country still lacks a comprehensive framework to ensure true equality and accessibility for all.
What happened today to Rafaela is just a glimpse of the harsh reality. Inaccessible sidewalks, blocked ramps, non-inclusive public spaces, transportation systems that exclude people, and a society that often turns a blind eye. How many more such images do we need to see to understand that these are not isolated incidents but a systemic problem?
Our society must change its mindset, and the government must take responsibility. Equality is not negotiable. It is not optional – it is an obligation. People with disabilities are not asking for pity or special privileges. They are asking for the obvious: equal opportunities, access, and respect. But change must start from the top.
Immediate Legislative Changes: The government must immediately impose stricter penalties for accessibility violations and integrate universal design principles into every new project. No construction or project should be approved without meeting basic accessibility standards.
Systematic Inspections: Municipalities and local authorities must create inspection committees to ensure compliance with accessibility standards. Sidewalks, public spaces, and even private businesses must adhere to the requirements.
Education and Awareness: Mindset change begins with education. Schools, public organizations, and even businesses must introduce educational programs on equality and respect for people with disabilities.
Financial Support for Accessibility: The government and the EU must provide financial incentives to improve accessibility in public and private spaces.
Boosting Technological Solutions: Applications like Ablebook, which promote accessibility, must be supported in every way. These tools improve the lives of people with disabilities and provide solutions where the state falls short.
We must never forget that accessibility and equality are not just issues for people with disabilities. They are issues of respect and culture. A society that does not respect the rights of all its citizens cannot move forward. It is up to the government, municipalities, and each of us to send the message that change is here – and it starts now.
At Ablebook, we are committed to continuing the fight for a society that leaves no one behind. Together, we can shape a future where people like Rafaela don’t have to give daily lessons on respect. A future where equality is not a goal but a reality.
The INSPIRE Festival 2024, organized by IMH Business, is set to take over Makariou Avenue on the 3rd and 4th of October, bringing the spirit of entrepreneurship to the heart of the city. This vibrant two-day event is a homage to entrepreneurship in all its forms, magnitudes, and industries, aiming to inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds to continue pursuing their dreams of success.
With Ablebook proudly supporting the festival as the Accessibility Partner, festival-goers can easily access all information about the festival’s accessibility features through the Ablebook App. The app ensures that everyone, regardless of their mobility or special needs, can fully participate in and enjoy the events.
INSPIRE 2024 lives up to its name by offering tens of parallel events designed to ignite creativity and perseverance. From captivating entrepreneurs’ stories, masterclasses, and thought-provoking panels to exciting live podcasts, fireside chats, and even street parties, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re 15 or 95. Attendees will immerse themselves in a truly unique atmosphere, filled with music, street food, and celebration, all aimed at fostering a sense of community and inspiration.
With multiple stages spread across a walkable distance, the festival promises a whirlwind of activity, offering a diverse range of interactive events for more than 3,000 attendees. Whether engaging in insightful interviews, participating in panel discussions, or enjoying a relaxed chat over cocktails, visitors will have endless opportunities to network, learn, and be inspired.
This year’s INSPIRE Festival is set to be the most dynamic event yet, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Cyprus forward. Mark your calendars and join us for a weekend of innovation, creativity, and celebration of entrepreneurship!
For more information about festival accessibility, download the Ablebook App.
Karolina Pelendritou finished in second place in the 50-meter freestyle in Paris.
Karolina Pelendritou won the seventh Paralympic medal of her career on Saturday night (31/8).
The flag bearer of the Cypriot delegation at the “Paris 2024” Paralympic Games finished in second place in the final of the 50m freestyle, in the S11 category, earning her second silver medal in the event.
The three-time Paralympic gold medalist of Cyprus, Karolina Pelendritou, and flag bearer of the Cypriot National Paralympic Committee’s delegation at the 17th Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, kicks off the competition today for the Cypriot team in this Paralympics.
The top swimmer in Cyprus’s Paralympic history competes today at noon at the Paris La Défense Arena in the 50m freestyle heats in the S11 category. Sixteen athletes are participating in this event, divided into two heats of eight. Karolina Pelendritou is competing in the 2nd heat. The race is scheduled to start at 11:46 local time (12:46 Cyprus time). The athletes with the eight fastest times will advance to the final.
Karolina’s goal is to record one of the eight best times to qualify for the final, which will take place later the same day (20:41 local time, 21:41 Cyprus time), with the hope of reaching the podium for the second consecutive time.
Karolina’s coaches are Stelios Kakavoyiannis and Ioannis Alexakis.
Karolina Pelendritou will return to the Paris La Défense Arena on September 5th to compete in the 100m breaststroke. The heats will be held in the morning, and the final will take place in the afternoon of the same day. Eleven athletes are participating in this event, and the top eight times will advance to the final.
Karolina will compete in the 1st heat, and the race will start at 10:19 local time (11:19 Paris time). The final is scheduled for 18:24 local time (19:24 Cyprus time).
This is Karolina Pelendritou’s 6th participation in the Paralympic Games, and she has won as many medals.
Details of Karolina’s medals in the Paralympic Games:
Her journey began at the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004. In the country that gave birth to the Olympic Games, Karolina won the gold medal in the 100m breaststroke, and the national anthem of Cyprus was heard for the first time at the Paralympics.
In Beijing 2008, Karolina proved that her success four years earlier was no fluke. In addition to gold in the 100m breaststroke, she also won bronze in the 200m.
In London 2012, Karolina continued her success, winning another medal for Cyprus, this time a silver in the 100m breaststroke.
At the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, Karolina came close to winning another medal, but finished 4th. However, this motivated her even more, and at the Tokyo 2021 (2020) Paralympics, Karolina once again elevated Cyprus to the top step of the podium. The national anthem was heard again in distant Japan, filling all of Cyprus with pride. Bronze in the 50m freestyle and gold in the 100m breaststroke brought her total Paralympic medal count to six (3 golds, 1 silver, and 2 bronzes).
The world record and the Paralympic record in the 50m freestyle have been held by Ma Jia from China since August 29, 2021, at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a time of 29.20.
The world record in the 100m breaststroke has been held by Lukianenko Daria from Russia since April 23, 2024, in Funchal, Portugal, with a time of 1:17.65, while the Paralympic record has been held by Karolina Pelendritou since September 1, 2021, in Tokyo, with a time of 1:19.78.
At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Maria Markou, a Paralympic champion in bench press weightlifting, will participate.
According to a post by the Cyprus Sports Organization (CSO) on Facebook, “Our Paralympic champion in bench press weightlifting has secured her ticket through the World Rankings and will compete again in the world’s premier sporting event.”
It is added that Maria Markou will be the third member of the Cypriot delegation, after Karolina Pelendritou and Victor Pentara, to participate in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Several studies with this type of therapy are already underway or being planned worldwide.
An eleven-year-old boy who was born deaf can now hear thanks to a special gene therapy, according to American reports.
The boy from Morocco was the first person in the USA to receive gene therapy, which is still in the experimental stage, at a children’s hospital in the metropolis of Philadelphia on the East Coast, reported the New York Times, citing the hospital and the involved companies.
However, the therapy does not mean that the boy can now understand language and speak on his own: he may never be able to do so, the report said. According to the report, the brain has a window for language learning that starts from the second or third year of life. After the age of five, it closes forever.
According to the report, the eleven-year-old has a very rare genetic defect that affects about 200,000 people worldwide. A single mutated gene causes the deafness, which is replaced by an intact version during the therapy.
After completing several months of therapy, the eleven-year-old now has almost normal hearing, according to the New York Times.
Even if he cannot speak or understand speech, it could at least be useful for recognizing traffic or similar situations where he needs to pay attention to sounds. He can now also listen to music.
Several studies with this type of therapy are underway or planned worldwide, the report continues.
After the success with the eleven-year-old, scientists want to use the therapy on younger children. The inner ear is a small, enclosed space, so the gene therapy applied there does not affect cells in other parts of the body, Manny Simons, CEO of the involved company Akouos, told the New York Times.
According to the report, finding a suitable candidate was not easy for a specific reason: most babies born with this form of deafness receive cochlear implants in infancy to be able to hear and are then no longer eligible for such therapy trials.
The boy in question was not in a school in Morocco and learned sign language only in a special school in Barcelona after moving to Spain, according to the New York Times.
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