Disability Issues Prioritized in Cyprus

The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare in Cyprus prioritizes the social inclusion and active participation of people with disabilities. This is reflected in a 57% budget increase for the Department of Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, with €105 million earmarked for implementing new legislation.

The new legislation aims to establish a solid foundation for disability issues, changing the philosophy of benefits and compensating for the cost of disability, disconnecting them from the EEE (Guaranteed Minimum Income). It also aims to ensure that disability issues remain a priority.

The Deputy Ministry, in collaboration with the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations of the Disabled (KYSOA), has created new legislation for people with disabilities, combining benefits and services and disconnecting disability benefits from the EEE.

The new legislation includes:

• Expanding the number of beneficiaries of services and benefits.
• Maintaining and increasing existing disability benefits.
• Removing restrictions on the choice of caregiver.
• Access to new social services and support services for employment integration.
• Empowering organizations of people with disabilities.

Disability issues have now been categorized as a priority.