Asylum Seeker with Disability Denied of Getting, European Disability Card in Cyprus.

Inclusive Society for People with a Disability in Cyprus (ISPDC) is a group of asylum seekers living with disabilities. Everyone has a role to play in fostering the right culture to approach disabilities and there is a need to improve the level of respect in Cypriot society. This includes the rights of people with disabilities, people's perceptions of a disabled person, and the attitudes and behaviors towards the diversity of people with disabilities. These all must be improved.

According to the law, the asylum procedure should go quickly. The resources are definitely not enough to cope with the numbers of refugees. On behalf of ISPDC we are pleading to the European Union Agency for Asylum to get more people for examining applications, so that refugees can know what is going to happen with their lives.

We want quality examinations, not just fast, especially towards vulnerable people. After seeking asylum, within six to eight months an interview should be carried out and within a year there should be a decision.

We as a group of asylum seekers applied for the disability card at the Department of Social Inclusion of Person with Disabilities in Cyprus. Cypriot law states that the beneficiaries of this service are: persons with disabilities to include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others and which are certified by the Evaluation Centers of the Department for Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, as moderate, severe, or complete disability.

But In Cyprus unfortunately, the Disability Card is not given to asylum seekers with a pending status. This card ensures equal access to benefits, rights, and opportunities and is only given to citizens or refugees. For us as asylum seekers we see it as discrimination within the group of people living with disability. An asylum seeker who has a disability needs the same support that a citizen or refugee who is disabled.

Everyday we go out and face a big battle against ''GAZE'' but we are not going die or hide because of that! All we need is our dignity and inclusion in all aspects in Cyprus. All doors are closed in Cyprus for people with a disability and the stigmatization is too much to accept. No organizations are there for us, but I can recommend one which is Refugee Support Europe, that sees the potential in me to volunteer with them two days every week. I will always say it is because of this organization that I have a happy life in Cyprus.

TAKE US AS WE ARE OR WATCHED US AS WE GO!!!