Preparing organisations for a more accessible future, EUROCY Innovations, in collaboration with AbleBook, organised the "Accessibility and Inclusion in the Workplace" workshop on July 3rd, 2025. The event was part of the wider "Ablebook for All: Advancing Digital Inclusion and Accessibility in Cyprus" initiative, implemented within the framework of a strategic partnership with Cyta, falling under the umbrella of the "I Am Equally Here" campaign. It brought together professionals to explore how accessibility can be meaningfully embedded into everyday workplace practice.

Delivered by Marianna Gregoriou, with the support of the Ablebook team, the workshop provided participants with practical knowledge and guidance on:

• The business value of accessibility and the benefits it brings to organisations.
• The new legislative framework in Cyprus and the obligations arising from the European Accessibility Act.
• Best practices for improving physical and digital accessibility in the workplace.
• The inclusion of people with disabilities in employment, including available support schemes and incentives for employers.
• An initial accessibility screening of participants' organisations to help identify opportunities for improvement.

What made the workshop particularly engaging was the diversity of the participants themselves, including business professionals from different sectors, researchers and individuals with both visible and hidden disabilities.

Their willingness to share personal and professional experiences enriched the discussions considerably, adding depth and perspective that went well beyond the presented material. This diversity reinforced one of the workshop's central messages: many disabilities are not immediately obvious and workplace accessibility must account for the full spectrum of needs, not only those that are visible. Accessibility ultimately benefits not just some, but all of us.

Throughout the session, participants examined real-world examples from international and local organisations that have invested in building inclusion and accessibility into their culture, illustrating how inclusive practices generate tangible benefits for employees, customers and businesses. A recurring theme was that accessibility is not merely a compliance requirement, but a strategic investment in people and organisational excellence.

This strategic partnership between EUROCY, Ablebook, and Cyta, and the wider "I Am Equally Here" campaign, reflect the value of shared commitment in advancing accessibility across Cyprus. Workshops like this help in making a meaningful step towards workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, grow and succeed.