Society Cannot Ignore the Rights of People with Disabilities Any Longer

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Financial Support for Accessibility: The government and the EU must provide financial incentives to improve accessibility in public and private spaces.
  5. 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.

Six months in waiting for the disabled

Without the necessary means to lead a more normal life, people with disabilities are left for months. Some, who are even in specialized centers, complete the first stage of their rehabilitation but are unable to return to their homes, because the competent state department needs, in the best case scenario, six months to approve their application for the appropriate aids.

There are many examples, as stated to ‘Ph’ by the President of the Cyprus Paraplegic Organization, Dimitris Lambrianidis, supporting that “the plan for technical means, of the Department of Social Integration of Persons with Disabilities, is currently the plan with the most significant delays. The waiting time reaches six months, the department receives about 200 applications each month, and the responsible officials cannot respond quickly or within a reasonable timeframe to their obligations towards citizens due to understaffing.”

The applications submitted concern “individuals who need, for example, wheelchairs for bathing, specialized cushions for pressure sore prevention, mattresses for bedsores, electrically powered beds, etc. For a person with a disability, to secure a good quality of life under the circumstances, these aids are necessary, and certainly their cost is such that not anyone can afford them out of their own pocket. For people with disabilities, these are the tools that allow them to live in their own homes and not somewhere else.”

As OPAK, he added, ‘We are very well aware of the current situation. Recently, a case came to light involving a child with cancer who applied to secure such assistance, yet unfortunately, the child’s request was not approved. Not even such incidents seem to move certain technocrats in certain Ministries. Proper staffing of government departments responsible for serving citizens must be a priority for the Government.’

“For this reason,” said Mr. Lambrianides, “the relevant department of the Ministry of Social Welfare needs personnel reinforcement to be able to cope. And we are not talking about highly paid public servants. It is necessary to hire low-paid individuals who will take on the challenging task of evaluating and processing applications from people with disabilities.”

“I find it unacceptable that every citizen is forced to go to the media, to voice their problem and their hardship, in order for us to rush to provide them with what they need,” said Mr. Lambrianides and added, “We have once again been informed that the request of the Ministry of Social Welfare for approval of positions has been rejected. This means that the applications of individuals in need of these technical aids will continue to pile up every six months. We expect from the Government to send a message to those who handle certain matters, that priority must be given wherever the responsibility involves health, social integration, and the well-being of citizens. Also, it is unfair to demonize government departments that cannot efficiently carry out their tasks quickly due to being understaffed, with the responsibility lying with other departments.”

Source: Φilenews

USA: Quadriplegic regains movement in hands thanks to Artificial Intelligence

A quadriplegic in the USA managed to regain some of the movements and sensations in his upper limbs through a new restoration method based on artificial intelligence.

Keith Thomas, who was confined to a wheelchair after an accident, has regained sensation and movement in his hand and arm after several years, thanks to Artificial Intelligence.

The man had broken his neck in an accident in the pool three years ago, which left him paralyzed from the neck down.

The surgery lasted for 15 hours and took place last March. Doctors implanted five microchips in his brain, and with the assistance of artificial intelligence, his brain successfully connected to his spinal cord and the rest of his body.

This unprecedented surgical intervention required Thomas to be awake for a part of the procedure, allowing him to regain the sensation in his thumb and index finger.

The success of the surgery has made him a true pioneer in paralysis treatment. His ability to move has significantly improved, offering hope for a better future to his loved ones. Moreover, this achievement holds promises for an estimated 100 million people worldwide who suffer from paralysis.

The team at Northwell Health, led by Chad Bouton from the Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, played a crucial role in Thomas’s recovery. Their work has paved the way for possibilities and further prospects in the field of paralysis treatment.

Source: NEWS BOMB