The Holiday Subsidy Scheme for People with Disabilities, approved by the Council of Ministers on 10/05/2022, for vacations to be taken within 2024, will operate for 2024, according to the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities (DSIPD).
According to the department’s announcement, the application submission will start from March 11, 2024, and will last until November 30, 2024, or until the fund for this Scheme is exhausted.
Interested parties can obtain the guide of the Holiday Subsidy Scheme for People with Disabilities as well as the application form from the department’s website: www.dmsw.gov.cy/dsid and from the Assessment Centers for Disabilities of the DSIPD: in Nicosia, Archbishop Makarios III Avenue 67, 2220 Latsia, in Limassol, Apostolou Andrea 11, Hyper Tower, Shop 1, 4007 Mesa Geitonia, and in Larnaca, Akropoleos 25 & Chaniwn, 7000 Menoú. They can also get them from Citizen Service Centers in all cities.
“It is the responsibility of beneficiaries to ensure that hotels/tourist accommodations are approved by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and that they charge the usual fees for the period. The Department will conduct checks in case of significant deviation from the usual charging rates for the period and will adjust the payment amount accordingly,” it is added.
No payment will be made to a bank account other than that of the direct beneficiary or their guardians in the case of a minor beneficiary.
For more information, interested parties can contact, depending on their province of residence, the following contact numbers: 22815015/082 for the Nicosia Province, 25729131 for the Limassol and Paphos Provinces, and 24205975 for the Larnaca and Famagusta Provinces.
In today’s episode of “When Life Gives You Lemons,” I host champion para-triathlete Katerina Saranti, who was born with a partial development of both tibias, as during embryonic development, her legs developed incompletely from the knees down. From infancy until the age of 18, she underwent dozens of surgical procedures.
Katerina Saranti was born and raised in Rhodes, Greece, and from a young age, she had a passion for sports. In school, a gym teacher advised her to get exempt from Physical Education classes because it would lower her overall grade average. At the age of 17, after a trip to Finland, she realized that she could participate in any sport she wanted, just like everyone else.
Today, she is studying Medicine and is a champion para-triathlete. She dreams of a world and a Greece with facilities and accessibility for people with disabilities, just like in major European cities.
Katerina Saranti: “Going out on the streets in Greece with a wheelchair is a Golgotha with obstacles.”
How should people refer to her and to other people with disabilities?
“Many people perceive our rights as a luxury; it is the obligation of a state of equality to provide them to us.”
“Public services should reach reasonable solutions and avoid any inconvenience to citizens.”
The linkage of the disability benefit with the minimum guaranteed income creates distortions,” notes Commissioner for Administration Maria Stylianou Lottides in her report, while also emphasizing that public services, particularly those dedicated to serving vulnerable population groups, should, within their discretion, seek reasonable solutions and avoid any inconvenience to citizens.
Specifically, as reported, ‘XX, on July 28, 2022, lodged a complaint against the Social Welfare Benefits Management Service (SWBMS), regarding failure to make a decision on her application for Minimum Guaranteed Income (MGI) – Disability Benefit.
In the findings of the report, it is mentioned that the spouse of the complainant, who is suffering from cancer with a highly burdened health condition, submitted an application for MGI on December 15, 2020. The application was rejected thirteen months later. An objection against the rejection was not examined because it was deemed time-barred.
Meanwhile, an application for MGI was also submitted by the complainant herself, within the framework of which the complainant was referred to the Medical Board for Disability Assessment and was deemed a person with a disability entitled to MGI and disability benefits. However, it appears that the said application was never examined by the SWBMS, nor did the complainant or our Office receive any relevant information.
“And even if it had been examined, it might have been rejected for the same reason as her husband’s application was rejected, namely due to the alienation of immovable property, which was not deemed necessary or essential by the SWBMS.”
However, it is noted in the report that the alienation concerned the terrace of the complainant’s residence, which was transferred to her daughter for the purpose of building her own residence, and not for any other reason or benefit.
It is evident that if the complainant had not proceeded with the said donation to her daughter with the permit for construction, the immovable property she would have possessed would still have been solely her main residence, given that the terrace does not constitute a separate immovable property, and therefore, the complainant would meet the conditions of the legislation regarding the provision of MGI.
“From the above, it primarily emerges that the SWBMS violated its legal obligation to examine the complainant’s application, and moreover, within a reasonable time, which entails a failure to take due legal action, and consequently, a violation of the principle of legality.”
Given, indeed, it should be noted that the complainant is a person with disabilities, the failure to examine and evaluate her application for financial support from the state entails a violation of her right to an adequate standard of living and social protection, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“I consider it appropriate, at this point, to reiterate my position that linking the payment of disability benefits to the minimum guaranteed income creates distortions, as evidenced in the present case, and often leads to depriving people with disabilities of a basic level of protection that would help them enjoy a comparable standard of living to those without disabilities and protect them from poverty and social exclusion,” stated the Commissioner for Administration in her report.
Accordingly, I expect,” she adds, “that with the legislation currently being prepared by the Ministry of Social Welfare, in consultation with the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled, the creation of a new framework will be ensured to guarantee and protect to the maximum extent the rights of people with disabilities to a sufficient level of life and social protection.
With regard to the fact that the transfer of the complainant’s rooftop to her daughter was deemed by the Ombudsman as an unnecessary/alleged alienation of immovable property and considered as a reason for rejecting her husband’s application, ‘on the one hand, a misguided perception is evident as to what constitutes the alienation of property since the rooftop is not separate from the rest of the property, especially when it is granted as consent for the construction of a residence by the beneficiaries (daughter) of the owner. On the other hand, it constitutes a particularly strict interpretation of the relevant legislation, which violates both the spirit of the Minimum Guaranteed Income Law and the General Law on Social Benefits, aimed at supporting socially vulnerable groups, as well as the principles of good governance, which require administrative bodies to act in accordance with the sense of justice, so that when applying the relevant legislative provisions in each specific case, unfair and unjust solutions are avoided.'”
“I reiterate what was indicated earlier, that if the complainant had not proceeded with the said donation, the immovable property she would possess would still be only her main residence, given that her rooftop does not constitute a separate immovable property, and therefore it would meet the requirements of the legislation regarding the provision of the Minimum Guaranteed Income,” noted Ms. Lottides.
Furthermore,” she adds, “it is a common practice in Cypriot reality for the rooftop of a house to be granted by parents to their children for the construction of a residence, and it is very rare for it to be sold to third parties
“In light of the above, I deem it appropriate to emphasize that public services, especially those tasked with serving the vulnerable groups of the population, should, within the scope of their discretion, seek reasonable solutions and avoid any inconvenience to citizens. They should apply the law on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the real circumstances of each case for the benefit of citizens,” she notes.
In this particular case,” she notes, “the Department failed to meet the above criteria, as it did not take into account the actual facts, namely that the ‘alienation’ of property is not essentially an alienation but a transfer to the couple’s daughter of the ‘terrace’ for the construction of her own residence, acting under a misconception.
The Commissioner recommends that within one month, any misconceptions and injustices regarding the application of the complainant and her spouse for Minimum Guaranteed Income, Disability Allowance, and Care Allowance be reviewed or re-reviewed, taking into account the above findings, with the aim of providing them with the allowances they are entitled to.
She emphasizes that this is a couple where the husband is suffering from cancer with severely compromised health, while the wife has a serious mobility impairment, certified by the Department of Social Inclusion.
“It is therefore evident that they have both increased financial needs and a need for home care services,” it is stated.
In the fourth episode of AbleTalks, we have the pleasure of hosting Michalis Pavlidis, an exceptional athlete and a role model of resilience and determination. Michalis was born in Limassol to refugee parents and had a passion for sports from a young age. He dedicated many years to track and field, specializing in hammer throwing and achieving numerous accolades at national and international levels.
However, an accident at the age of 17 changed Michalis’s life. A car accident forced him to confront a serious traumatic situation, resulting in paralysis. Instead of giving up on his dream, though, Michalis found renewed spirit and dedication in wheelchair basketball.
In this episode, he shares his experience after the accident, the challenges he faced, and the strength he found through sports. He inspires us with his dedication to overcoming obstacles and living a rich and meaningful life despite difficulties.
Don’t miss this exciting discussion with a true protagonist of human resilience and athletic dedication, Michalis Pavlidis, in Episode 4 of AbleTalks. This episode is sponsored by Infocredit Group Ltd.
In the context of this year’s Innovation Awards of the Employers and Industrialists Organization (OEB), held at the Strovolos Municipal Theater in Nicosia, Ablebook won the award in the “Social Innovation” category for its outstanding contribution to the field of social contribution.
The event was held under the auspices of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, and highlighted and awarded the most innovative businesses in Cyprus for the year 2023 in four categories: Manufacturing Sector, Primary Sector, Service Sector, and Social Innovation.
Ablebook was recognized as the top performer in the Social Innovation category, responding to the social need for creating an innovative application focused on the accessibility of people with disabilities. It provides the necessary information, enabling them to overcome obstacles in their daily lives. This award represents the culmination of the hard work carried out by the Ablebook team and its partners with a vision for an inclusive society.
During the award ceremony, the founders of Ablebook stated the following:
Symeon Stylianou – CBO: “In an era where our society faces continuous challenges, we created an effective tool to facilitate the lives of people with disabilities, giving them the means for optimal organization of their daily lives. With Ablebook, our long-term goal is the real integration of people with disabilities into society and its urban environment. This award reflects our commitment to evolve this tool and serves as motivation to continue our work.”
Andreas Vasileiou – CEO: “I would like to express our sincere thanks to the Employers and Industrialists Organization (OEB) and the President of the Republic for the honor of receiving the Social Innovation Award, as well as to all those who supported us in this journey called Ablebook. I promise you that we still have a long way to go. Special thanks to our families and all our collaborators. We dedicate this award to all individuals with disabilities, closing with the phrase ‘Disability does not make you less human but stronger in life.'”
doValue Cyprus joins forces with Ablebook, aiming for an inclusive and accessible Cyprus that offers equal treatment and opportunities for all. With a vision of an inclusive and accessible society, doValue Cyprus supports the multifaceted work of Ablebook, an innovative application dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with reduced mobility or disabilities in Cyprus.
The Ablebook is the first online platform on the island with the aim of providing accurate information regarding accessibility specifications for infrastructure and services in public and private spaces in Cyprus. The application is an initiative by Andreas Vassiliou and Symeon Stylianou, who decided to map the entire island in order to improve the quality of life for people, encouraging them to live freely and equally. At the same time, the Ablebook team, through its parallel actions, is doing significant work in raising public awareness about the issues faced by individuals with reduced mobility or disabilities in Cyprus.
In a meeting held on Thursday, October 19th, at the doValue Cyprus offices, representatives from the two companies signed a collaboration agreement, envisioning joint efforts to build a more modern and accessible Cyprus, free from discrimination and exclusion. Within the framework of this partnership, doValue Cyprus, along with the Altamira Real Estate team, which manages the real estate portfolio of the doValue Group, will serve as two of the main sponsors of the Ablebook platform, providing practical support and expertise for the further development of the application.
Rafaela Miltiadou, Marketing Manager at Altamira Real Estate, highlighted, “We are particularly thrilled to be part of the Ablebook team because we share a common vision and values with the individuals behind it. The Ablebook application will not only contribute concretely to improving the daily lives of people with any disability or mobility difficulties, but also enhance public awareness efforts. As doValue Cyprus, we aspire to support every initiative that adds to the building of a fair society that guarantees equality and accessibility.”
Andreas Vassiliou, Director and Founder of Ablebook, stated, “First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude to doValue Cyprus for their esteemed collaboration and support, which provides us with the opportunity to further enhance our contribution to people with disabilities through the Ablebook application. Through this collaboration, we take an additional and significant step towards achieving our goal of promoting equal opportunities and accessibility in all areas.”
Ablebook is an application that provides information and services related to the accessibility of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in urban centers and villages across Cyprus. Through the application, users can find information about accessible locations, view photos of these places, communicate with businesses, and report issues they encounter in a particular location. Additionally, the application includes information about public parking spaces for PWDs throughout Cyprus.
Ablebook is an application that provides information and services related to the accessibility of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in urban centers and villages across Cyprus. Through the application, users can find information about accessible locations, view photos of these places, communicate with businesses, and report issues they encounter in a particular location. Additionally, the application includes information about public parking spaces for PWDs throughout Cyprus.
The first feature of Ablebook is an interactive map that allows users to select their desired destination, showing them the most accessible route. They can also view available accessibility facilities at each location through photos and directly communicate with businesses in case of need.
The second feature, known as Ablecard, is a membership card exclusively for people with disabilities. Through this card, users can enjoy additional privileges at businesses collaborating with Ablebook, such as discounts and special offers.
The third feature of the application, the Kids section, provides information about accessible spaces where children with disabilities can engage in sports and various activities.
The last available feature is the Ablebook Portal, which allows businesses and municipal authorities to manage their locations within the application and update their content. This ensures that accessibility information is always up-to-date and compliant with standard specifications.
The collaboration between Ablebook and Metropolis Mall is a step towards creating a society of equality and inclusion. With the accessible facilities and services offered, Metropolis Mall sets an example for other businesses to follow, making our community more accessible for everyone.
The Municipality of Aradippou chooses accessibility and free movement for everyone.
The Municipality of Aradippou is adopting another important tool to support People with Disabilities, as it will collaborate with the original platform “Ablebook” with the aim of creating an open, accessible, and safe city for everyone. Mayor of Aradippou, Evangelos Evangelidis, and municipal secretary Matthaios Alampritis met with the Director and Founder of “Ablebook,” Andreas Vasilios, who presented them with the idea and capabilities of the platform, as well as his vision for its development throughout Cyprus.
“Ablebook” is the first online platform for People with Disabilities in Cyprus, inspired by its founder’s personal experiences and challenges faced in his daily life as an individual with a congenital disability. It is an application that provides all relevant information and services regarding accessibility for people with disabilities within urban centers and communities in Cyprus.
Specifically, through the Ablebook app, users can view an interactive map that allows them to select the location they want to navigate to, choose categories of places and amenities they wish to be provided by those locations, and see the available accessibility features at each location through available photographic material. Additionally, users can report problems they encounter in a specific space, with direct communication with the platform’s management.
In the application, there are over 1000 locations and the facilities provided for people with disabilities, as well as all the public parking spaces for people with disabilities in Cyprus. The second feature of the application is the Ablecard, a membership card exclusively for individuals with disabilities, through which businesses within the application provide additional privileges such as discounts. The third feature is the “Kids” section, a unit that provides information on accessible spaces where children with disabilities can engage in sports, such as parks, gyms, sports teams/academies, nature trails, and more. The final feature of the application is the Ablebook Portal, through which businesses and municipal authorities have the ability to manage their locations in the application, change content, operating hours, photos, etc.
After the meeting, the Mayor of Aradippou expressed the municipality’s readiness to support the effort. “Every tool that gives us the ability to create better conditions in the daily lives of our fellow citizens facing difficulties is welcome in our municipality. The possibilities offered through this specific platform align with this direction, and we couldn’t stay away. The capabilities provided by technology can and should be utilized for equal access for everyone.”
Source: www.aftodioikisi.com.cy
This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site.
