Nicosia, Cyprus. Dozens of people with disabilities protested outside the presidential palace on Tuesday against new government legislation on disability benefits. The demonstration was organised by the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind with support from other disability groups.
Placards and participating organisations
Protesters held placards reading: ‘No To Our Exclusion From Society’, ‘Dignity Means Rights not Charity’, and ‘“Reform Does Not Mean Regression’. Supporting groups included the Pancyprian Organisation of the Deaf and the Paraplegic Organisation.
Concerns raised about proposed changes
Christakis Nikolaides, president of the Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind, described the legislation as “cruel and ruthless” and said it would have devastating effects on thousands. He said the law abolishes long-standing grants for the blind and those with severe mobility impairments and replaces them with new allowances based on what he called vague criteria.
Calls for transparency and direct assistance
Nikolaides said the eligibility criteria, including personal support needs and life-threatening conditions, lack transparency. He added that the new system does not take into account the actual costs of disability that were previously covered by grants.
He said that under the proposed approach, many groups, including those with multiple sclerosis and severe disabilities, would only receive benefits through personal assistants, which he said could endanger others. “This isn’t social policy; it’s economic policy. Many disabled individuals will be left behind,” he said.
The organisation submitted a memorandum to the President calling for reforms that provide direct assistance rather than relying on assistants.
What changes to disability benefits do you think the government should prioritise?