State unveils new support options for adults with disabilities

Local disabilitiesTop News State unveils new support options for adults with disabilities Atts Aithousa Amea Id 909292 (1) Relevant News Customs collects almost €2m from small parcel tariff in first month 4 August 2026 State unveils new support options for adults with disabilities 4 August 2026 Turkish provocations amid diplomatic process 4 August 2026 Newsroom 4 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Adults with disabilities will have new options for vocational education, training, employment and care after the age of 22, under the first Policy Framework and expanded Action Plan presented today at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of President Nikos Christodoulides. The framework offers three paths: Those choosing to continue learning will, from this September, have access to a new Inclusion and Vocational Empowerment programme at the Ministry of Education’s Post-Secondary Institutes of Vocational Education and Training (MIEEK), in all cities. Those choosing employment in the open labour market will, from September, benefit from new Supported Employment Programmes and new preparation programmes for entry into social enterprises. Those choosing creative activity and care will have access to upgraded programmes and activities at local Day Centres. President Christodoulides said the government is presenting “a new, different approach” to how the state stands by young people with disabilities who graduate from school and move into adult life within the community, one that shows in practice that the government stands by the parents and families of young people with disabilities, who he said have understandable concerns about their children’s future. On the three options now available to people with disabilities after the age of 22, he said an organised process now exists for the first time, allowing graduates of special education to continue developing skills and preparing for the labour market. On the second option, employment in the open labour market, the President said the government does not want people with disabilities on the margins of economic and social life. “We want them to work, to create, to be recognised for their abilities,” he said, adding that they should have equal opportunities in the open labour market. On the third option, covering creative activity and care, President Christodoulides said it secures these individuals’ right to quality of life, social participation and dignity. “Today I am proud” The President said some political decisions are judged not by their budget or the number of actions involved, but by how much they change people’s lives. “Today, I am proud, because we are presenting such a decision,” he said, noting it was taken by the Council of Ministers last Thursday. Christodoulides said the previous system had a number of structures and services for integrating special education graduates, but suffered from a critical gap: limited connection between education, training, employment and care, meaning a significant number of graduates with disabilities ended up in neither tertiary education, nor work, nor Day Centres, and remained outside active social and economic participation. He said this gap was first raised by those who lived it: children with disabilities and their parents, citing specifically a young man named Nektarios from Paralimni. To partially address the gap immediately, the government decided last year to extend attendance at special schools to age 22, up from the previous limit of 21. The President said it was significant that under the new policy the state now functions as a single body rather than through parallel policies, describing how five ministries, together with the Deputy Minister to the President and the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, which coordinated the effort, worked systematically towards a shared goal. He thanked everyone who worked to reach this outcome and all who will take part in implementing the new measures, with particular thanks to families, parents and the young people themselves. “Today belongs first and foremost to you,” he said, addressing them directly. “As a government, we send a clear message: we see you, we hear you, we count you, we value you. We believe in your abilities. We believe you have the right to plan your life like any other citizen. That is the real meaning of inclusion. Society becomes better when no one, absolutely no one, is left behind. When everyone has choices, and the same opportunities,” the President concluded. More information is available at: https://www.gov.cy/frontida Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Customs collects almost €2m from small parcel tariff in first month Turkish provocations amid diplomatic process If we’re talking CBMs, let’s talk properly Kato Deryneia: a personal matter Overnight pharmacies on Tuesday, August 4 New “Raptors for LIFE” project to protect Cyprus’s three key birds of prey Wildfires ease in Greece as people return to gutted homes Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.