Nicosia, Cyprus. The government on Friday presented an easy-to-read version of Cyprus’ national disability action plan, in its first official release of the policy aimed at people with intellectual disabilities and those facing linguistic or cognitive barriers. The publication is intended to make the state’s disability policy easier to understand and broaden access to public information.
Government presentation
Social Welfare Deputy Minister Clea Hadjistefanou-Papaellina said the initiative should become the basis for wider use of the format across the public sector.
“Today’s presentation does not mark the end of an effort, but the beginning of a new path,” she said.
“A path that we aspire to lead to the broader integration of the ‘text for all’ format in public documents, policies, informational material and state services.”
Policy framework
She said the disability action plan is the state’s main policy framework for promoting the rights of people with disabilities, covering education, employment, accessibility and healthcare.
Papaellina said accessibility extends beyond physical infrastructure.
“Without understandable and accessible information, there can be no meaningful participation in political and public life,” she said.
Document evaluation
Papaellina said 54 people with intellectual disabilities and people on the autism spectrum took part in evaluating and testing the document before publication, describing the process as putting into practice the principle of “Nothing for us without us”.
Access to information
Senior social inclusion department official Vasiliki Fragkaki said access to information is fundamental to exercising rights.