A mother has raised concerns about disability accommodation at the University of Cyprus, claiming her daughter was unable to secure suitable student housing despite gaining a place at the institution.
The woman told SigmaLive that her daughter has mobility difficulties, uses a wheelchair and requires continuous assistance from a carer with everyday activities.
The family had hoped she could study in Cyprus with her mother living alongside her to provide the support she needs. However, the mother said repeated attempts to arrange suitable accommodation were unsuccessful.
Family says no suitable accommodation was available
According to the mother, a consultant initially told her that she could live with her daughter. However, when she contacted the University of Cyprus, she was allegedly told that parents could not stay with their children in the student accommodation.
The family subsequently visited the university and met with a member of staff to discuss possible arrangements.
The mother said they were initially informed that no suitable space was available for both of them and were advised to look for private accommodation nearby.
She estimated that private accommodation would cost around €600 a month, placing an additional financial burden on the family.
The mother said the family spent three weeks contacting different university services in an attempt to find a solution.
When she asked why suitable facilities had not been provided for students who require a carer to be present, she claimed she was told: “We did not plan for it.”
Following her intervention, the family was contacted again and informed that the university would explore whether accommodation could be found.
Proposed room had a shared bathroom
Around 10 days later, the mother received an email informing her that a room had been identified in the university’s student accommodation.
However, she said the proposed room did not meet her daughter’s needs because it had a shared bathroom that was not adapted for wheelchair users.
The room was in Residence Hall D, with a monthly cost of €160, plus an additional amount for a deposit or guarantee, according to the mother.
She questioned how her daughter could use the facilities safely without an appropriately adapted bathroom, explaining that she would otherwise struggle to assist her with basic daily needs.
The mother argued that providing a room alone was not enough if the surrounding facilities were inaccessible to a student with a physical disability.
She also described her disappointment after attending an information event where, she said, academics had spoken about diversity and the support available to students.
Family moved to Crete for her studies
The daughter had also secured a place at a university in Crete. After the family was unable to find a suitable arrangement in Cyprus, they decided to move to Greece.
The mother said the accommodation offered in Crete was very different. According to her account, the family was provided with a free, spacious double room featuring an adapted bathroom accessible to wheelchair users.
She said she had not wanted to leave Cyprus, as her original aim was for her daughter to study close to her family.
“I did not want to leave my home,” she said.
Mother calls for better facilities for disabled students
The mother said she decided to speak publicly not only because of her family’s experience, but also to highlight the potential difficulties faced by other students with disabilities who want to pursue higher education.
She claimed her daughter was not the only student affected, referring to another student with mobility difficulties who, according to information available to her, travels daily from Larnaca to the University of Cyprus.
“There are other people who want to study,” she said, calling for appropriate facilities to be made available.
The allegations raise questions about the accessibility of university accommodation and the arrangements in place for students who need personal assistance. The account provided to SigmaLive reflects the mother’s claims; the university’s response was not included in the information provided.
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