How accessible are the arts? Is interpreting art into Cypriot Sign Language a luxury or a social obligation? Have we ensured this right? How far are we from universal inclusion?
“Accessibility to the arts in general is a relatively new and recent development in Cyprus, let alone accessibility that includes sign language interpretation or even captions.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
In recent years, Panagiota Themistokleous has been providing interpretation for cultural events in Cypriot sign language with increasing frequency.
“Starting from nothing, little by little, we’ve moved toward providing access services for people with hearing loss in cultural venues—though not to the extent they would like. There is a huge gap in keeping deaf people informed, first and foremost about what is happening in the cultural sphere in Cyprus. That is the first fundamental issue. The lack of access to events and activities automatically bars people with hearing loss from entering cultural venues.”
Just as it was almost universally off-limits in previous years…
“As the child of deaf parents—speaking personally—I remember that at least my parents sometimes avoided coming to events I was participating in, but in the end they would obviously come, because as parents they had to be there. And sometimes they came half-heartedly, precisely because they would simply be there in body but not in spirit.”
Things have changed today—certainly not to the extent they should have, but every day efforts are being made to make progress, efforts that can be improved, expanded, and institutionalized.
“Now that some museums in Cyprus have become accessible, the descriptions of the exhibits are also available in sign language, as are some paintings in certain art galleries, this provides an opportunity for people who have never experienced true accessibility throughout their lives, to now have the luxury—because, unfortunately, it is still considered a luxury—of visiting places where their curiosity can be transformed into knowledge. And that is extremely important.”
The comments following each experience enriched by sign language attest to the need for its immediate integration into culture.
“I won’t speak on behalf of deaf people—I can’t say that—but I will talk about the messages deaf people send me after they leave a performance, a concert, or a festival. ‘Finally,’ or ‘I understood it for the first time,’ or ‘I wish everyone could do the same,’ and the next question is, ‘When will it happen again?’”
How far are we from the universal integration of sign language into the arts? And how is the Deputy Ministry of Culture “pushing” cultural institutions in this direction?
“We want to promote accessibility—not just in terms of physical infrastructure, but also through substantive support for organizations via programs, accessibility plans that we’re designing so organizations can rent equipment to make their own spaces more accessible to the people they welcome.”
Lenia Georgiou, Associate – Public Health and Social Welfare Sector of the Department of Contemporary Culture at the Deputy Ministry of Culture
The Deputy Ministry provides incentives to theater organizations by rewarding them through the Thymeli program.
“There is now a bonus for theater productions that include initiatives or infrastructure to accommodate people with physical and other disabilities, such as sign language interpretation and screens with subtitles or simultaneous interpretation.”
Lenia Georgiou, Associate – Public Health and Social Welfare Sector of the Department of Contemporary Culture at the Deputy Ministry of Culture
But is the cost of integrating sign language interpretation into cultural life prohibitive?
“We believe it is sustainable. That is precisely why these additional subsidies are included in the plans. The expenses are not excessive.”
Lenia Georgiou, Associate – Public Health and Social Welfare Sector of the Department of Contemporary Culture at the Deputy Ministry of Culture
“When it comes to providing services to someone who wants to enjoy your work, the financial factor—whether we’re talking about crazy amounts of money or next to nothing—plays a huge role in your work.”
Panagiota Themistokleous, Cypriot sign language interpreter
Cyprus has taken very significant steps forward, yet it is still miles away from universal accessibility and inclusion in the cultural sphere.
“Our vision is a culture that is open to all individuals and all citizens, and through these initiatives, we believe this is a starting point for achieving that goal.”
Lenia Georgiou, Associate – Public Health and Social Welfare Sector, Department of Contemporary Culture, Office of the Deputy Minister of Culture
“Ideally, anything presented in Cyprus, in whatever form, should be considered automatically accessible. And that we wouldn’t have to keep adding a disclaimer every time, saying that, you know, this specific event on this specific date will be presented with an interpreter in Cypriot Sign Language. That would be ideal. We still have a long way to go—a very long way indeed.”
Panagiota Themistokleous, Cypriot Sign Language interpreter
