In Touch Project Advances Disability Inclusion Efforts in Cyprus
LARNACA, Cyprus — The In Touch project, an ambitious international initiative aimed at fostering the inclusion of young people with disabilities, continued its vital work in Larnaca, Cyprus. This project, spearheaded by the Sardinian association ABICI and involving six partner nations—Italy, Albania, Cyprus, Malta, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro—focuses on promoting innovation and accessibility in public structures and services.
Over five intensive days, participants tested various modules designed to enhance the inclusion of young people with disabilities. These modules, developed by consortium organizations through local activities, will be incorporated into an educational manual for youth workers, organizations, and institutions dedicated to this cause. The seminar aimed to test previously created activities, share good practices and research findings, improve participants’ skills and knowledge, gather feedback, and promote intercultural learning.
Gabriele Frongia of ABICI emphasized the seminar’s dual objectives: understanding the accessibility of Larnaca’s structures and services, and validating the effectiveness of the project’s work modules. “The direct involvement of people with disabilities, youth workers, and participants from the six nations has been crucial in making our methodologies more inclusive and accessible,” said Frongia.
During the international mobility event, consortium representatives assessed the accessibility of Larnaca’s public transportation, commercial establishments, banking services, and overall urban accessibility. They identified significant architectural barriers, which were highlighted in a press conference organized by local partner Active Zone Outdoor. The event featured prominent attendees, including Larnaca’s mayor, Andrea Vyras, Cypriot parliament members, local media, and representatives from disability organizations and paralympic sports federations.
Paralympic swimmer Volandis shared his experiences, noting the lack of adequate sports facilities and resources for paralympic sports in Cyprus compared to the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Goldenball athlete Danil echoed these sentiments, pointing out the regulatory hurdles that prevent the formation of a sports federation for blind or visually impaired athletes in Cyprus, despite their participation in international competitions.
These testimonies underscored the inconsistencies in disability inclusion measures across different EU states. Cypriot MP Andreas Apostolou of the EDEK party stressed the need to harmonize human rights legislation and prioritize inclusion and education. “Every EU state must have a national agency responsible for monitoring and defining accessibility criteria for products and services,” Apostolou asserted during the In Touch project conference.
The In Touch project, supported by the Erasmus+ program and EACEA, continues to push for meaningful contributions to the inclusion of young people with disabilities in local communities. The journey towards comprehensive inclusion is ongoing, with significant efforts needed to raise awareness and promote opportunities for socialization and professional growth.
As the project progresses, the collaboration between consortium members and the direct feedback from participants will remain pivotal in refining and improving the methodologies to ensure they effectively address the needs of young people with disabilities.
