The Nicosia Declaration was officially signed by AAATE, EDF, IAAP EU, Teach Access, JKU, EUC and other partners during the AAATE conference on 11 September in Nicosia, Cyprus.
AAATE was inspired by the ATHENA Project and its vision and chose to take an active role as a promoter of the declaration, working alongside partners to turn ATHENA’s recommendations into a shared commitment.
The ATHENA Project, led by us and four European universities, worked to bring accessibility and universal design into higher education. It developed resources, recommendations, and a position paper to guide universities, students, teachers, and policymakers.
The message is simple: accessibility is not a technical add-on. It is a matter of quality, innovation, and social justice.
Nicosia Declaration
The Nicosia Declaration calls for structural change in higher education. It asks universities, governments, accreditation bodies, associations, and individuals to:
- Embed accessibility and universal design as essential parts of all programs.
- Ensure inclusive teaching and curriculum design across all disciplines.
- Align higher education with international frameworks like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the European Accessibility Act, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Key priorities include:
- Reforming policies and accreditation standards to make accessibility mandatory.
- Providing training for educators and leaders.
- Involving people with disabilities in curriculum design and evaluation.
- Encouraging collaboration across education, policy, and industry.
Inclusion often remains optional if strong legal frameworks and accountability are not enforced.
By giving graduates in every field the skills and knowledge on accessibility, higher education can shape a new generation ready to design a world that works for everyone.
Read and sign the Declaration.
For additional information contact: roberta.lulli@edf-feph.org