Cyprus: Deputies trash means test for deaf child

[Miss-Delectable]

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=19940&cat_id=1

WELFARE officials asked the family of a deaf child to submit details of their finances back for seven generations to see if they qualified for benefits, the House Human Rights Committee heard yesterday.

The Committee met to discuss the problems of deaf children, which include access to proper education, health and welfare but deputies said it appeared the calculation of the latter was a joke.

According to Marios Temvriotis a representative of the parents of deaf children, a 14-year old had been sent a letter on March 2 asking for authorisation to examine his school bank account to make sure he did not have a single deposit of more than £500 so he could qualify for benefits.

“Because of this practice a lot of parents have stopped giving their children money to deposit into the school savings accounts so they don’t lose their benefits,” he said.

Temvriotis also said that only two months ago another couple received a letter from the Social Welfare Department for a two-year-old child, asking them to declare their family’s income for the “seven previous generations”.

A representative of the Welfare Department, Avgi Charalambous told the Committee that plans were afoot to increase the bank deposits ceiling from £500 to £2,000. The bill was expected to go to parliament shortly.

Temvriotos said the parents association had not been invited to give their opinion on the new legislation she was referring to AKEL Eleni Mavrou, who with DISY deputy Eleni Theocharous had tabled the issue to the Committee said there were many other ways the Welfare Department could have gone about carrying out a means test. In any case Mavrou and other deputies agreed that the £500 limit was a joke, and that even the proposed £2,000 was too low.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Interesting thread.

I remember that many deafies from Cyprus went to England to have their school education. I received the answer from most of them is: Reason is poor education in Cyprus, that's why the families went to England because of their deaf children's future education.

My hubby and I went to Cyprus for 3 weeks vacation one year after our wedding in 1986.

On few days later after arrive from Germany, we visited one of many resturants, the owner was shock when he saw us for a first time and asked us either we are deaf or what? We told him that yes, we are deaf. I can see his shock impression and kept on question us about deafness.... work.... house... etc. etc. etc. He told me the story about his deaf uncle... I understand why many greek are shock to see us in Cyprus because they thought deafs can't work, can't marry, travel, etc.
I told him that many greek deafies I know are in England and get good education and married to deaf and have hearing children.... He was like . It's sad that the family from his generation did not know what the deafies are. They thought deafies belong kind of mental.

On next day the owner introduced his deaf and mute uncle to us for a first time. We feel sorry for old man. We stopped at the owner's resturant to see him for company before go back to hotel every 2 days.
We communicated with him with the translation help from his nephew (owner). I see why many cyprus deafies went to England when I look at old man. His nephew told us the story about his deaf & mute uncle's childhood.

No school for him because there're only one school for the deaf in Cyprus which it's over hundreds miles away from area. His parents can't afford to give him good education.

They think Deafies are sort of "mental" and beleive that he needs guardians. No Marriage allow.
No work allow.
and more not allow
living under support of relatives
no travel allow
etc. etc. etc.