State backs off from cuts to disabled benefits

THE labour ministry has called off plans to cut benefits for disabled people although reductions will go ahead on a car allowance and the holiday grant scheme, the umbrella organisation for the disabled has said.

“The reductions have been called off,” said the head of the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (KYSOA), Christos Nicolaides.

The government originally planned to cut benefits for the severely disabled and to the blind by 9.0 per cent.

Disabled groups protested, arguing that the measures would be hard to bear for many of their peers who are already on the poverty line.

Although the disabled have extracted a promise that their main benefits will be untouched, KYSOA called on the state to act responsibly at a time of hardship for vulnerable groups.

“We can’t say we’re satisfied, as of the moment disabled people will be impacted even to a small extent,” said KYSOA’s vice-head Dimitris Lambrianides.

“Our position is that during a financial crisis the state has a responsibility to protect disabled and vulnerable groups, and of course strengthen their support where necessary given the cost of living has unfortunately risen,” Lambrianides said.

People with disabilities have previously lamented the scarcity of infrastructure and resources that bear in mind mobility issues. 

Public parks do not cater to the needs of disabled people, many buildings still lack disabled access and some public buses cannot accommodate people on wheelchairs. 

KYSOA has also taken issue with the biggest charity event of the year, the annual Radiomarathon charity drive, which they say perpetuates the notion that disabled people only need charity, rather than equal treatment. 

KYSOA has said that they want integration in society rather than the marginalisation that comes from asking people to donate money once a year.