Tag: People with disabilities

“My Love…”

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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.

Source: cyprusalive.com

Artificial Intelligence and Accessibility: Building an Inclusive World

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Artificial Intelligence and Accessibility: Building an Inclusive World

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken significant strides in recent years, with its applications extending across various sectors such as healthcare, economics, and education. One area where artificial intelligence has the potential to have a significant impact is accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities. By harnessing artificial intelligence technologies, we can build a world without barriers where everyone has equal access to information, services, and opportunities.

One of the most promising applications of artificial intelligence in accessibility lies in the realm of assistive technologies. These tools, designed to aid individuals with disabilities in performing tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible, have been in existence for decades. However, the advent of artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize these tools, making them more effective and efficient than ever before.

For example, speech recognition technology powered by artificial intelligence can be used to develop more accurate and responsive voice-controlled systems, enabling individuals with mobility issues to interact with computers and other devices more easily. Similarly, natural language processing based on artificial intelligence can be employed to create more advanced text-to-speech systems, which can be invaluable for individuals with visual impairments or dyslexia.

Beyond enhancing existing assistive technologies, artificial intelligence can also be harnessed to develop entirely new tools that can contribute to bridging the accessibility gap. One such example is the use of computer vision algorithms to create smart glasses capable of recognizing and describing objects, text, and even the emotions of people for individuals with visual impairments. This technology has the potential to offer a new level of independence and autonomy for those who rely on it.

Artificial intelligence can also be utilized to make the digital world more accessible to individuals with disabilities. For instance, image recognition technology based on AI can be used for automatic image captioning on websites, making them more accessible to individuals relying on screen readers. Similarly, artificial intelligence can be employed to develop more advanced captioning systems for video content, ensuring that individuals with hearing impairments can fully engage with multimedia content.

Another area where artificial intelligence can play a significant role in promoting accessibility is in the design and development of inclusive products and services. By incorporating AI-based accessibility features into the design process, companies can ensure that their products and services are accessible to a broader range of users. For example, artificial intelligence can be used to analyze user data and identify potential accessibility barriers, allowing designers to address these issues proactively.

Furthermore, artificial intelligence can be employed to create more personalized and adaptive user experiences, catering to the unique needs and preferences of individuals with disabilities. For instance, AI-driven algorithms can dynamically adjust the layout, font size, and color contrast of a website based on a user’s specific needs and preferences, ensuring that the content is accessible and easy to navigate for everyone.

While the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in accessibility are immense, it is important to recognize that AI is not a cure-all. There are still many challenges that need to be overcome, such as ensuring that AI-based technologies are developed ethically and responsibly, and that they do not inadvertently perpetuate existing biases and inequalities. Additionally, it is crucial to involve individuals with disabilities in the development and testing of accessibility solutions using AI, as their unique ideas and perspectives can help ensure that these technologies truly meet their needs.

In conclusion, artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize accessibility and create a world without barriers for individuals with disabilities. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, we can develop more effective and efficient supportive technologies, make the digital world more accessible, and promote the design of inclusive products and services. However, it is of utmost importance to approach the development and implementation of AI-based accessibility solutions with responsibility and ethics, and to involve individuals with disabilities in the process. In doing so, we can work towards building a world without exclusions, where everyone has equal access to information, services, and opportunities.

Source: Greek

Unheard of but Cypriot – Vehicle with mobile cameras in disabled parking area (IMAGE).

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https://www.instagram.com/p/CvNVSBQrupD/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Unprecedented but Cypriot – Vehicle with mobile cameras in a parking space for people with disabilities (PHOTO). The photo, which was posted on social media by Mr. Dimitris Lambrianides, President of the Cyprus Paraplegic Organization, has been circulating on the internet in recent hours. As you can see in the following photo, the operator of the van with mobile cameras parked in a parking space designated for disabled individuals. Specifically, in his post, Mr. Lambrianides mentions: “This photo was sent to me today. If anyone knows the person who took it, please ask them to go to the nearest police station and make a complaint!”

Source: omega live

Luxembourg: An Accessible City for Everyone!

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Author: Ablebook

A city is considered accessible when all its residents can live in it and use all objects and services without problems. Luxembourg was awarded as the accessible city of Europe in 2022! Which city will be awarded this year? Of course, the focus is not on the award itself but on the proper practices adopted by urban centers that benefit their citizens.

The EU Access City Award is an award presented annually to cities that make efforts to become accessible and is organized by the European Commission. The award’s inception was in 2010, and it serves as a reminder to cities about the importance of being accessible to everyone. The awarded cities and countries implement “designs for all.” The EU Access City Award provides European cities the opportunity to showcase their efforts in becoming accessible to all.

Specifically, Luxembourg city, built on a rocky terrain with steep cliffs and deep valleys, faces challenges in terms of accessibility due to its hilly and narrow roads. However, it won the award because it constantly designs and works on making its infrastructure and services accessible to all citizens and visitors in various aspects such as employment, education, culture, tourism, recreation, and transportation. The city’s philosophy is to plan and implement measures, projects, and infrastructure in direct consultation with the citizens affected by them.

Measures of an accessible city:

Measures of an accessible city include, among others, free public transportation, adaptations of existing infrastructure to enable barrier-free movement and access for all citizens, and the creation of new projects with all necessary features. For instance, Bluetooth is installed in public transportation to serve people with visual impairments, and new digital technologies provide useful information such as the distance to the next station, etc. Additionally, an annual event called “Dinner in the Dark” is organized to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of people with visual impairments.

Indeed, in Finland, people with disabilities have the opportunity to communicate with architects of new projects in advance and describe their needs, ensuring that these needs are taken into consideration from the outset. Additionally, a straightforward and logical measure is the provision of sign language interpretation during municipal council sessions.

All these measures, whether simple or complex, expensive or inexpensive, are crucial for all residents of a city, especially for people with disabilities, specific needs, and the elderly. In many of our cities in Cyprus, transportation and related information are not accessible to these individuals, which means they cannot fully participate in the community like other residents.

These cities can serve as role models for our own cities, inspiring individuals with a vision in local governance to study and adapt their policies to meet the needs of their communities. While each city’s needs may differ, it is essential to listen to the needs of all citizens to make our cities accessible to everyone.

To reiterate, a city is considered accessible when all its residents can live in it and use all objects and services without problems. Luxembourg was awarded as the accessible city of Europe in 2022!

Source: European Commission, Eurocities, EU Social, https://www.ameaplus.gr/, https://e-thessalia.gr/h-poli-toy-loyxemvoyrgoy-i-nikitria-poli-toy-vraveioy-prosvasimis-polis-2022-eu-access-city-award/