Independence and accessibility. That’s what Damien Handlan, a resident of DeSoto, Missouri, is asking for. After a bone infection in 2015 led to the amputation of his leg, he became confined to a wheelchair.
He never felt disabled himself. Only when he was forced to go onto the road because there was no sidewalk, and even received a warning from a local police officer.
“He stopped in front of me, essentially blocking my path. He got out of the car and came to tell me that I couldn’t be on the road. I told him there was no sidewalk,” says Damien Handlan.
The warning says he wasn’t moving with traffic, but he argues it would have been more dangerous to cross the road. “I could have been killed. You say you care about my safety and life. Then do something about it,” adds Damien, saying, “I don’t need you to pay for the rest of my life. I just want a sidewalk.”
Ablebook, in collaboration with POAA Limassol (Panhellenic Organization for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons), hosted the Ablebook App Conference on February 7, 2024, at the Pefkos City Hotel.
Attendees were briefed on the innovative digital services offered by the Ablebook App to promote accessibility and equal opportunities. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Pefkos City Hotel for their hospitality and support. The presence of the Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Nikos Nicolaides, honored the Ablebook App presentation, recognizing the importance of accessibility in every municipality and stressing the need for local authorities to contribute to this effort.
Ablebook is committed to continuing its work towards promoting accessibility and ensuring equal opportunities for all. The Ablebook App is expected to become an integral part of daily life, allowing people with disabilities and vulnerable groups to actively participate in society.
The Paraplegics Organization of Cyprus (OPAK) is in a waiting position regarding its request for hotels to comply with criteria that would make them accessible to people with mobility issues. During a meeting held months ago with the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumi, assurances were given that the issue would be resolved.
The gap in accessibility checks for hotels became more apparent during the summer months, where the organization received dozens of complaints from its members. This mainly pertained to the official list that includes hotel units providing services to people with disabilities (PWD). In fact, in many cases, members of the organization who had planned their vacations at hotels chosen from this list ended up spending their days distressed and isolated due to the inadequacy of the facilities.
In this context, the Ministry of Tourism is expected to announce the way it will handle the gaps identified through relevant inspections and to develop a new registry that will cover all accessible hotels, while hotels are expected to comply with the legislation.
As reported to the REPORTER, the president of the Organization, Dimitris Lamprianidis, stated that the Ministry assured them they would soon receive information about the procedures. “It is now a fact and a serious issue that several hotels, without holding special licenses, violate accessibility issues. The legislation regarding hotel accessibility was passed in 1986, while the legislation for buildings was passed in 1999. From 1999 until today, it is inconceivable that there is no registry for which hotels are truly accessible,” he said.
They are requesting more accessible three-star hotels.
Meanwhile, Mr. Lambrianidis mentioned that, in addition to the above, he discussed with the responsible Deputy Minister the prices of accessible hotels. The organization is requesting more accessible three-star hotels that will provide everyone with the opportunity for short vacations. “Most accessible hotels are five stars, and not everyone has the financial means to pay for their stay in such a hotel. There should be the possibility of staying in three-star hotels and offering affordable prices,” he said.
In conclusion, Mr. Lamprianidis noted that all issues related to the accessibility of hotels are very serious. “We expect to have a reliable list of accessible hotels at least before the summer season. It’s something we will push for. All people should have choices and know where we can have safe vacations with our families,” he said.
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.'”
A great song written by a disabled teenage girl, about her teenage love!
With the recent opening of schools, it is the best time to remind children, especially young teenagers, that among them there are also children with disabilities who, however, have the same rights as them and must be respected like everyone else. We must remind them that even these children’s souls can flutter in their first love. Let’s give them a chance to fly high. Love is everywhere…
“My love…” Love, a word on which the foundations of our world rest, a word that is the key to the harmonious coexistence of people in today’s society. A wonderful song with lyrics taken from the soul of a teenage girl, Efi Charalambous, set to music by Stelios Michaelidis, and orchestrated by Giorgos Synnos.
Veronica Jotovic, an autistic girl with an angelic voice, sings, which was also Effie’s personal choice to combine with the dynamic voice of Katy Spiller.
The video clip is produced by the renowned photographer and videographer Andreas Tsiartas.
So this song is about love and the teenage love of a girl for a boy. It talks about the “butterflies” in the stomach that every person feels when they fall in love… What can’t be expressed in words, can well be said through the lyrics of a song. Music as a universal language can enchant the ears of a blind man by creating images in his mind, pass through the body of a deaf man as a vibration making him dance to the beat, and become words in the mind of a child who has difficulty speaking, touch the soul of a child with cerebral palsy, remind us what it means to truly love. Can a disabled girl or boy fall in love and fall in love with them? Of course, they can! All people, even those who look or act a little “different” from the rest, have the right to love and be loved.
But the word love is not limited only to romantic love, since love can also be felt by a parent/guardian or therapist for their child and this is reflected in the shine of their eyes, facial expressions, body movements, a caress, a smile, a hug. Love can exist between two very good friends who do not label each other but love truly and selflessly.
Behind the creation of the whole effort is a large group of people (with Stelios Michaelidis as the main initiator and the valuable collaboration of Katy Spiller), who fight every day to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and promote respect for their rights. There are sensitized people who still believe in LOVE. This whole idea came to life thanks to the valuable support of Andrey & Julia Dashin’s Foundation, as well as a host of other sponsors and supporters.
Through the video clip of the song, the contributors want to convey the message that love does not put labels, does not distinguish people, and is an inalienable right of everyone. So it doesn’t matter if some children differ in any way from other children. This does not deprive them of the right to dream, love, fall in love, and grow up to live a normal life always enjoying equal rights and opportunities.
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.
Event aiming to inform and raise awareness about the fundamental right of people with disabilities (PWD) to participate equally in all aspects of life, as well as the elimination of stereotypes, prejudices, and social exclusion of these individuals, organized by the Technological University of Cyprus (TUC) and the Center for Education and Rehabilitation “EXIST.”
The event took place today, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, as part of the Summer School of the Technological University of Cyprus (TEPAC), which hosts children of university employees, aged 5 to 13 years old.
The children had the opportunity to step into the shoes of people with disabilities (PWD) and participate in a series of experiential activities, sports events, and interactive games aimed at understanding and familiarizing themselves with the values of mutual respect, inclusion, equality, and respect for diversity. These are the values that the Technological University of Cyprus (TUC) promotes and advocates through its actions and policies.
These activities helped the children, who participated enthusiastically, to understand the daily life from the perspective of a person with a disability and the challenges they face, sending the message that we can coexist and move forward together without discrimination and obstacles against people with disabilities, who are an integral part of our society.
The event also highlighted the recognition of the skills, abilities, and qualifications of people with disabilities and emphasized the need for accepting their rights, ensuring their accessibility to all spaces, and, in general, building a more inclusive society for everyone.
