“We educate citizens and agencies about disability and diversity. Today we have taken another step towards an accessible society that accommodates all of us,” said the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in charge of social security and social solidarity. Domna Mikhailidouat the start of a new educational activity, carried out in cooperation with the Center for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind, today in Parliament.

As stated in the message of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the aim of the initiative was to inform, raise awareness, as well as familiarize parliamentary staff with the issues of servicing people with visual impairments.

Representatives of the Library and the Foundation of the Hellenic Parliament acted as interns. The action was coordinated by the Center for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind (KETAT), headed by its director Ms. Sophia Hamonicolaou and Mr. Panagioti Markostamos, representative of the Panhellenic Association of the Blind on the Board of KEAT, Konstantinos Orlof, General Secretary for Youth Affairs of the Panhellenic Association of the Blind, and Maria Plastira , instructor in mobility, orientation and daily life skills, to conduct an experimental training on sensory visual impairment.

It is recalled that so far similar actions regarding accessibility, as well as the way of addressing people with visual impairments in cultural spaces and theaters, have taken place in the Conservatory of Herodes Atticus and the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, and will soon also take place in the Municipal Theater of Piraeus.

Chairman of the Parliament Konstantinos Tasoulas, at the beginning of his educational activities, spoke of “a kind of ‘declaration of war’ on exclusion, which is one of the most uncivilized forms of behavior”, emphasizing that: “This is a sign of civilization and constitutional observance, but also of humanity, the elimination of exceptions arising from human weaknesses to which each of us may be subject. By eliminating these exceptions, we become closer to our neighbors, who are entitled to have access to all this spiritual heritage that is stored, housed and exhibited in Parliament.”

Ms. Mihailidou said: “Today’s educational activities for parliamentary staff are of particular importance to us, because parliament, as a leading democratic institution, must become the starting point for an inclusive society that practically supports the rights and independent life of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Today, parliamentary staff had the opportunity to learn about the difficulties that a visually impaired person faces in everyday life, as well as how obstacles can be easily removed so that all our fellow citizens have access to all spaces and services, regardless of their disability, because that for us the equal access of every citizen to culture is not a luxury, but an integral part of everyday life. That is why we practically ensure uninterrupted access to it. States and competent authorities, with small but larger initiatives, we are constantly creating conditions for a better quality of life for everyone, especially for those who need it most. We don’t leave anyone behind.”

From her side Sofia Hamonicolaouthe president and director of KEAT, explained to the audience that the information and awareness of employees in any field in matters of servicing people with vision, as well as any other form of disability in general, is especially important for their effective and equal access.

“Exactly the same applies to the staff of the Library and the Foundation of the Hellenic Parliament – ​​a timeless symbol of the Republic within which important decisions were made and which to this day is part of the collective memory – who from now on thank his now trained staff for the visually impaired, will be able to receive all stakeholders without exception. At the same time, the goal of everyone should and should be the unhindered access of visually impaired people to every historical or cultural object, their unhindered service and, above all, equal treatment by their brethren who are ready to guide and lead them through history,” he said.

RES – OIE