Limassol is breaking barriers for the disabled

Limassol’s Old Port came alive last weekend as the city hosted the ‘Access for All’ festival, a vibrant two-day event dedicated to promoting inclusion and raising awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Held from September 14 to 15, the festival featured a dynamic mix of activities designed to bridge gaps and foster understanding. As part of my coverage for Knews, I produced a multimedia feature that captures the festival’s highlights.

You can view the video below, which includes interviews with key organizers and inspiring stories from participants:

Dr. Eliza Patouris, Co-founder and Managing Director of RESET, explained the festival’s vision.

“Our goal is to build a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, has access to opportunities,” she said.

The festival sought to address both physical and societal barriers, promoting inclusion in all aspects of life. A major highlight was the festival’s collaboration with Cyprus 3x3, a basketball organization committed to inclusivity in sports.

Co-founder Evripides Manoullos noted, “We want to make basketball accessible to everyone, no matter their background or abilities.”

This partnership emphasized the role of sports in uniting people and fostering inclusion. The event also gave athletes with disabilities a powerful platform to share their stories.

Yiannis Ioannou, a wheelchair basketball player from the Ifestos team, spoke about how the sport has transformed his life.

“It has given me confidence and a sense of belonging,” he said.

Savvas Lazarou from the Apollon team added, “Being part of this sports community has given me purpose.”

Corporate tournaments at the festival, with proceeds supporting local wheelchair basketball teams and other charities, further aligned with the event’s mission to enhance access and opportunities.

The festival received strong support from local businesses and organizations, including Primetel, Alphamega Supermarkets, and Polyclinic Health, reflecting the community’s commitment to inclusion.

Dr. Patouris summed up the festival’s impact:

“Inclusion means offering everyone the chance to be part of something bigger, providing dignity, respect, and real opportunities for growth.”

The ‘Access for All’ festival not only celebrated disability inclusion but also highlighted the positive impact of collective effort in building a more inclusive society.