The National Federation of the Blind of Greece (EOT) and the Panhellenic Association of the Blind (PST) are set to stage a protest outside the Maximos Mansion on June 17 at 10:30 a.m., calling for the fulfillment of what they describe as fundamental rights for people with visual impairments.
The demonstration aims to highlight longstanding demands related to equal participation in the country’s social, economic and political life, alongside stronger guarantees for accessibility, independent living and adequate support services.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the organizations noted that despite seven years of efforts to secure a meeting with him, discussions on chronic issues affecting the blind community had yet to take place. They said repeated memoranda, appeals and protest actions directed at the Prime Minister’s office had failed to produce the dialogue they sought.
The groups have already submitted a detailed list of demands to the government. Key requests include increases in disability benefits, measures to improve employment opportunities for people with visual impairments, and the restoration of pensions to their December 2011 levels. They are also seeking wage adjustments for the remaining blind employees in the public sector, tax relief measures including exemptions from the ENFIA property tax, and broader reforms to support independent living.
Particular emphasis is being placed on the Personal Assistant program. The organizations argue that the current allocation system has left many eligible beneficiaries without support and should be replaced by objective prioritization criteria based on individual needs and family circumstances.
Additional demands include full pharmaceutical coverage with zero patient contribution, the immediate recruitment of mobility instructors, the resolution of infrastructure problems, modernization of the Center for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind, and improvements to disability assessment centers, including full accessibility and Braille signage.
Finally, the organizations are calling for comprehensive educational support, including timely provision of parallel support staff and specialized equipment for blind pupils, students and university attendees.
