European University Cyprus Hosts the International AAATE 2025 Conference on Assistive Technology
European University Cyprus (EUC) hosted in Nicosia, Cyprus on 10-12 September 2025, the 18th International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Assistive Technology in Europe (AAATE 2025), under the theme “Technology for Inclusion and Participation for All: Recent Achievements and Future Directions.”
The event brought together over 350 participants from around the globe, including researchers, healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, students, and representatives of organizations of persons with disabilities. It marked a key international meeting point for assistive technology, accessibility in education, innovation, and social inclusion.
Keynote Highlights
- During his opening keynote speech, Kamil Goungor (European Network on Independent Living) emphasized that “all people, regardless of disability, must and can live independently in the community, with choice and control over their lives. Assistive technology is not just about gadgets—it is about equality, dignity, and justice. It is vital that people with disabilities are directly involved in the creation and development of these technologies.”
- Professor Serenella Besio (University of Bergamo, Italy) highlighted the right to play as fundamental for all children, stressing the role of assistive technology in creating accessible play opportunities and inclusive environments, beyond therapy, and towards provision for joy, creativity, and social participation.
Research, Innovation, and Policy
Throughout the conference, more than 220 scientific papers, policy, educational and innovation sessions were presented, covering topics such as:
- Artificial Intelligence applications for personalized learning,
- open educational resources and accessibility,
- user-centered and participatory design of prosthetics, healthcare and other emerging technologies,
- assistive technology and the role of higher education.
AAATE 2025 Awards
The conference also celebrated the 30th anniversary of AAATE, reaffirming the community’s shared values of international collaboration, user engagement, equality in access, and the promotion of human rights.
The AAATE Diamond Awards were awarded to:
- Jo Deams, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Belgium,
- Professor Katerina Mavrou, European University Cyprus, for their longstanding contributions to the field of assistive technology and social inclusion.
The Best Scientific Paper Award went to Elske Frederieke van Herwijnen and her team from The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, for their innovative research on supporting people with dysphagia.
The Nicosia Declaration
A milestone of the event was the introduction of the Nicosia Declaration, discussed in a dedicated policy session. This landmark document calls for the systematic integration of accessibility education into all higher education curricula. The declaration is open for signature by individuals and organizations worldwide: The Nicosia Declaration.
Local Impact and Student Involvement
A distinctive feature of the conference was the active participation of EUC student volunteers, mainly from the Department of Occupational Therapy of European University Cyprus, who contributed enthusiastically to the warm and collaborative atmosphere of the event.
By bringing AAATE 2025 to Cyprus, European University Cyprus established the country as a key destination for global research and innovation in accessibility and inclusive technology, promoting equity, justice, and full participation for all.
More information: www.aaate2025.eu
