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The road to elections is full of obstacles for people with disabilities.

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Respecting the rights of people with disabilities starts with each one of us, and primarily with the state itself. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, among other things, addresses the issue of accessibility. While the word “accessibility” usually brings to mind sidewalks, ramps, etc., these days, our thoughts turn to polling stations and voting booths.

Respect for persons with disabilities entails measures that allow every citizen to participate unhindered in electoral procedures. However, while in other countries there is the possibility of electronic voting, exercising the right using sign language, and ballots in Braille, in Cyprus we are far behind in this regard!

By Konstantinos Zachariou

Significant obstacles must be overcome by people with disabilities in order to exercise their voting rights, as the state limits itself to very basic provisions regarding the necessary accommodations for ensuring equal access for all citizens. In contrast, other EU countries provide significant facilitations, as evidenced by a report prepared by the relevant service of the European Parliament.

More specifically, in Cyprus, the physical presence of the voter at the designated polling station, determined by the competent state authority based on their residential address, is required. In contrast, in many EU countries, other options are available (either to all citizens or specifically targeted at people with disabilities), such as postal voting, the possibility of exercising voting rights in advance, voting by proxy, and electronic voting.

Additionally, the only tools utilized in Cyprus, which can be considered as supportive for people with disabilities, are those applicable to all voters: large print ballot papers, easy access to polling stations, and the freedom to choose the assistance needed by each individual.

In other countries, many more tools are utilized to provide assistance to people with disabilities, such as different standards for printing ballot papers depending on the type of disability, the use of magnifying lenses, ensuring adequate lighting, audio description of the ballot, the option to use sign language, printing of ballot papers in Braille, exercising the electoral right through mobile units, and the choice of a different polling center from the one designated by the competent government agency.

What applies in other countries

The accommodations provided to people with disabilities in other countries are as follows:

Lithuania: There is the option of postal voting, as well as the possibility of exercising the voting right in advance. Additionally, tools are provided such as using different ballot templates depending on the type of disability, using magnifying lenses, audio description of the ballot, using sign language, and exercising the voting right in mobile units that come to the voter’s location.
 

Belgium: There is the option of postal voting and proxy voting, as well as tools for using different ballot templates and magnifying lenses, and audio description of the ballot.

Spain: There is the option of postal voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates and magnifying lenses, audio description of the ballot, using sign language, and using ballots in Braille.

Ireland: Tools are provided for using different templates, using Braille ballots, and voting in mobile units.

Netherlands: There is the option for proxy voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using magnifying lenses and sign language.

Estonia: There is the option of electronic voting, as well as advance voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using magnifying lenses and sign language, as well as voting in mobile units.

Croatia: Tools are provided for using different templates depending on the type of disability, audio description of the ballot, using sign language, and voting in mobile units.

Hungary: There is the option of postal voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different ballot templates, using Braille ballots, and voting in mobile units.

Luxembourg: There is the option of postal voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates, audio description of the ballot, using Braille ballots, and voting in mobile units.

Slovenia: There is the option of postal voting and advance voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates and voting in mobile units.

Austria: There is the option of postal voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates and voting in mobile units.

Germany: There is the option of postal voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates, using sign language, and choosing a polling station.

Denmark: There is the option of advance voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using magnifying lenses and voting in mobile units.

Finland: There is the option of postal voting and advance voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates depending on the type of disability, using magnifying lenses, and voting in mobile units.

Czech Republic: Tools are provided for audio description of the ballot and voting in mobile units.

France: There is the option of postal voting, proxy voting, internet voting, and audio description of the ballot.

Latvia: Tools are provided for audio description of the ballot and voting in mobile units.

Poland: There is the option of postal voting, proxy voting, and using different templates.

Portugal: There is the option of proxy voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates, using Braille ballots, and voting in mobile units.

Sweden: There is the option of postal voting and proxy voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using magnifying lenses, using Braille ballots, and voting in mobile units.

Bulgaria: The option of voting in mobile units is available.

Italy: The option of voting in mobile units is available.

Malta: There is the option of advance voting. Additionally, tools are provided for using different templates and using Braille ballots.

Romania: There is the option of postal voting and voting in mobile units.

Slovakia: The option of voting in mobile units is available.

Greece: There is no option other than physical presence, and the only tools provided for people with disabilities are the minimum requirements applicable in all countries, concerning easy access to polling stations and booths. It is the only country, along with Cyprus, where almost no facilitation is provided for people with disabilities to exercise their voting rights.

Konstantinos N. Fellas: Mental Health, a Fundamental Challenge for the EU

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Timely remark by the Senior Vice Rector of the University of Nicosia during an event in Larnaca, where the possibility that Mental Health could be the next Pandemic was emphasized.

“Mental health is one of the most significant challenges for the healthcare systems of EU member states,” emphasized Professor Konstantinos N. Fellas, Senior Vice Rector of the University of Nicosia, in a timely presentation during an event in Larnaca titled “We Can Do Better: Mental Health in the Workplace.” Professor Fellas clarified that according to credible reports, mental disorders, especially depression, constitute a major cause of disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 5% of the global population lives with depression, with women, young people, and the elderly being more susceptible.”

In his presentation on the topic “The Psychosocial Legacy of the Pandemic on Youth,” Professor Fellas initially provided a summary of the frightening and unprecedented impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic that affected large segments of the Cypriot population and severely tested everyone, creating the impression that “we were now trapped in an extended nightmarish ordeal.” He spoke of anger, despair, uncertainty, fear, loneliness, and social exclusion that emerged as a result of the pandemic, while noting that the scientific community had warned about the short-term and long-term consequences on our mental health.

He reminded that a nationwide study conducted in 2022 by the University of Nicosia and the Cyprus Youth Organization revealed various negative emotions prevailing among the youth as a consequence of the pandemic. “A thousand young people aged 14-35 from all over Cyprus participated in the survey. 46% of them reported that their mental health deteriorated due to the pandemic,” he said. Furthermore, he added that 71% of young people aged 14-17 declared that their mental health was adversely affected, while 29% of the same age group expressed the need for psychological support since the beginning of the pandemic.

He didn’t fail to address the negative experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals during the pandemic. “A scientific study by the University of Nicosia and ACCEPT organization documented anxiety, melancholy, depression, loneliness, panic attacks, and suicidal tendencies. They felt ‘disconnected’ from the LGBTQ+ community, admitting that they struggled without this vital support network,” he emphasized.

Professor Fellas spoke about what children, their families, and educational staff faced upon their return to school, emphasizing that school is an ideal space to create bridges of communication and dialogue with children.

“We must speak to them honestly and treat them like young adults. Strengthening the mental resilience of children and cultivating optimistic thoughts and values are collective tasks that undoubtedly require the cooperation not only of educators and parents but the entire school, the relevant ministry, and various relevant bodies to help children adjust to the post-pandemic era,” he suggested. As he pointed out, adequate support from the state, the activation of appropriate structures, and the development of supportive programs are essential to heal the wounds caused by the pandemic.

He elaborated on the harsh consequences of the pandemic not only in Cyprus but worldwide, especially for young people whose lives were disrupted, filled with pervasive fear, forced isolation, imposed loss of their freedoms, sudden disruption of their school routines, distancing from their hobbies, and beloved friends. He concluded his speech by emphasizing that we must make education and training an absolute priority, reevaluating and reconsidering the intended role of the educational system beyond success in examinations, seeking to reconnect education with the mental world of young people.

“The legacy we owe to the new generation is the education to empower young men and women to be autonomous, casting off indifference and disdain, and turning towards cultivating a strong desire for progress and development,” he stressed.

The event where Professor Fellas spoke was organized by the Europe Direct Information Center of Larnaca Municipality and the Delegation of the European Commission in Cyprus, under the patronage of the Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the European Year of Skills, Loukas Fourlas.

Source: παιδεία news