The decision to create a strategy and action plan for Equal Access was made following a proposal submitted by the Hybrid Working Group 'Accessibility-Inclusion of the Disabled' and approved by the Rector's Council (Session No. 206, February 28, 2023). Based on the decision taken to develop this policy, the Action Plan for Equal Access for Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Special Educational Needs of the Cyprus University of Technology (2024-28) was developed.
Strategic Goals
The Plan highlights our commitment to promoting an inclusive and accessible working and learning environment. It constitutes our road map for promoting equality, removing barriers and ensuring that People with disabilities have equal access to education, facilities and opportunities. In implementing this Plan, we aim to create a university culture that values diversity, respects individual differences, and promotes the full participation of all members of our community.
The strategy aims to bring about systemic transformative systemic change by addressing the challenges faced by students and staff with disabilities, and by ensuring that their needs are met within an inclusive culture where environmental, behavioral and organizational barriers have reduced or eliminated.
Our ambitious plan aims to improve the representation, development, retention, experience and success of students and staff with disabilities, making the Cyprus University of Technology an institution of choice for people with disabilities.
The actions described in the Plan are aligned with the wider strategic goals of the University, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, the CUT’s Equality Plan 2022-24 and commitments and/or deliverables from the EUt+ alliance and HorizonEurope.
Participatory Approach
The Plan was created through a participatory design approach with stakeholders, drawing on and incorporating a wide range of knowledge, experience, views and feedback. This included participation in the process by People with Disabilities, staff from various services, units and departments of the university, as well as the study of data on accessibility issues and a study of laws and good practices applied both in Cyprus and abroad.
Key Plan Goals & Actions
The action plan consists of four main goals and more than 60 separate actions assigned to key implementers from across the institution. It is a living document that will be regularly reviewed by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's Steering Group. Our progress will be monitored against agreed timetables and metrics, and reported to the Equality Committee and Rector. Implementation bodies are services, units, schools, departments and decision-bodies of the university.
• Just, inclusive and open organizational culture
Goal 1: Building a just, inclusive and open organizational culture that promotes active recognition, respect and a sense of belonging for PwDs and PwSENs, while combating discrimination and stereotypes on the basis of disabilities, learning difficulties, chronic conditions, mental illnesses and promoting positive attitudes towards difference and diversity.
In order to make positive changes in our culture, we need to make disability equality an integral part of everyday work and create an environment of support and understanding for colleagues and students with disabilities. The foundation of this goal must be a better understanding of disability and the value and importance of a more inclusive culture.
To achieve this, we plan to develop trainings for high-level management, staff and students to improve understanding of disability. This will be supported through integrated policy that we aim to develop on equal access issues and will provide the key guidance for mainstreaming disability equality principles into the annual turnover of services and departments.
• Accessible, inclusive and flexible education, equal support and accessible participation.
Goal 2: Development of accessible, inclusive and flexible education and equal support, access and participation of PwDs and PwSENs in learning, in their personal development, in the university social life and in the labor market.
We understand how important it is to create an environment where PwDs have equal access to education, receive fair and personalized support and actively participate in all aspects of university life.
This includes providing flexible learning options, personalized accommodations and promoting active participation in campus activities. It also underlines our commitment to implementing specific measures based on the policy we will formulate, including securing relevant resources,
providing special training to staff and ensuring that the teaching and assessment experience, as well as the services and support experience for learning, development, career and research are accessible.
• Safe and accessible physical and digital infrastructures.
Goal 3: Improvement of the design, maintenance and equipment of university buildings, infrastructure and digital spaces so that they are accessible and safe for all staff, students and visitors.
The nature of our campus brings obvious accessibility challenges, which we are committed to improving. This includes systematic checking of physical accessibility. We are also committed to ensuring that students and staff with disabilities contribute their feedback to the design of both new buildings and changes to existing facilities. Accordingly, the aim is also to improve digital accessibility by measuring whether digital systems/tools meet relevant standards and taking into account these specifications to meet equipment needs.
• Attracting and retaining staff with disabilities
Goal 4: Attract and retain PwDs and PwSENs staff, and equal support for their personal and professional development.
By improving the experience of our community with disabilities and creating a more inclusive environment for all, we hope to become a more attractive choice for students and staff with disabilities. This includes our commitment to improving our approach to reasonable adjustments, hiring and promotion processes and addressing barriers and biases, ensuring a just and inclusive work environment.
Equal Access Plan for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Persons with Special Educational Needs (PwSEN) of the Cyprus University of Technology (2024-2028)
The decision to create a strategy and action plan for Equal Access was made following a proposal submitted by the Hybrid Working Group 'Accessibility-Inclusion of the Disabled' and approved by the Rector's Council (Session No. 206, February 28, 2023). Based on the decision taken to develop this policy, the Action Plan for Equal Access for Persons with Disabilities and Persons with Special Educational Needs of the Cyprus University of Technology (2024-28) was developed.
Strategic Goals
The Plan highlights our commitment to promoting an inclusive and accessible working and learning environment. It constitutes our road map for promoting equality, removing barriers and ensuring that People with disabilities have equal access to education, facilities and opportunities. In implementing this Plan, we aim to create a university culture that values diversity, respects individual differences, and promotes the full participation of all members of our community.
The strategy aims to bring about systemic transformative systemic change by addressing the challenges faced by students and staff with disabilities, and by ensuring that their needs are met within an inclusive culture where environmental, behavioral and organizational barriers have reduced or eliminated.
Our ambitious plan aims to improve the representation, development, retention, experience and success of students and staff with disabilities, making the Cyprus University of Technology an institution of choice for people with disabilities.
The actions described in the Plan are aligned with the wider strategic goals of the University, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, the CUT’s Equality Plan 2022-24 and commitments and/or deliverables from the EUt+ alliance and HorizonEurope.
Participatory Approach
The Plan was created through a participatory design approach with stakeholders, drawing on and incorporating a wide range of knowledge, experience, views and feedback. This included participation in the process by People with Disabilities, staff from various services, units and departments of the university, as well as the study of data on accessibility issues and a study of laws and good practices applied both in Cyprus and abroad.
Key Plan Goals & Actions
The action plan consists of four main goals and more than 60 separate actions assigned to key implementers from across the institution. It is a living document that will be regularly reviewed by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's Steering Group. Our progress will be monitored against agreed timetables and metrics, and reported to the Equality Committee and Rector. Implementation bodies are services, units, schools, departments and decision-bodies of the university.
• Just, inclusive and open organizational culture
Goal 1: Building a just, inclusive and open organizational culture that promotes active recognition, respect and a sense of belonging for PwDs and PwSENs, while combating discrimination and stereotypes on the basis of disabilities, learning difficulties, chronic conditions, mental illnesses and promoting positive attitudes towards difference and diversity.
In order to make positive changes in our culture, we need to make disability equality an integral part of everyday work and create an environment of support and understanding for colleagues and students with disabilities. The foundation of this goal must be a better understanding of disability and the value and importance of a more inclusive culture.
To achieve this, we plan to develop trainings for high-level management, staff and students to improve understanding of disability. This will be supported through integrated policy that we aim to develop on equal access issues and will provide the key guidance for mainstreaming disability equality principles into the annual turnover of services and departments.
• Accessible, inclusive and flexible education, equal support and accessible participation.
Goal 2: Development of accessible, inclusive and flexible education and equal support, access and participation of PwDs and PwSENs in learning, in their personal development, in the university social life and in the labor market.
We understand how important it is to create an environment where PwDs have equal access to education, receive fair and personalized support and actively participate in all aspects of university life.
This includes providing flexible learning options, personalized accommodations and promoting active participation in campus activities. It also underlines our commitment to implementing specific measures based on the policy we will formulate, including securing relevant resources,
providing special training to staff and ensuring that the teaching and assessment experience, as well as the services and support experience for learning, development, career and research are accessible.
• Safe and accessible physical and digital infrastructures.
Goal 3: Improvement of the design, maintenance and equipment of university buildings, infrastructure and digital spaces so that they are accessible and safe for all staff, students and visitors.
The nature of our campus brings obvious accessibility challenges, which we are committed to improving. This includes systematic checking of physical accessibility. We are also committed to ensuring that students and staff with disabilities contribute their feedback to the design of both new buildings and changes to existing facilities. Accordingly, the aim is also to improve digital accessibility by measuring whether digital systems/tools meet relevant standards and taking into account these specifications to meet equipment needs.
• Attracting and retaining staff with disabilities
Goal 4: Attract and retain PwDs and PwSENs staff, and equal support for their personal and professional development.
By improving the experience of our community with disabilities and creating a more inclusive environment for all, we hope to become a more attractive choice for students and staff with disabilities. This includes our commitment to improving our approach to reasonable adjustments, hiring and promotion processes and addressing barriers and biases, ensuring a just and inclusive work environment.
