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40 Organisations sign declaration calling for the integration of accessibility, universal design and assistive technology in higher education

In September 2025, the Nicosia Declaration, a statement in which signatories commit to  integrate accessibility, universal design and assistive technology as core elements of higher education policy, curriculum design, institutional governance, and quality assurance mechanisms, was published.

Signed by 40 Organisations, and 137 individuals, the Declaration underlines key principles and priorities for action:

  1. Recognize accessibility, universal design and assistive technology as rights-based imperatives.
  2. Reform national and institutional policy frameworks to include mandatory training on integrating accessibility and universal design in the curricula adapted to each discipline, for faculty, programme creators, and higher education leaders.
  3. Revise accreditation and quality assurance standards to require the integration of accessibility and universal design, curriculum development, course delivery, assessment, and learning outcomes across all programmes
  4. Promote interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration among universities.
  5. Ensure participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in all processes related to curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation.
  6. Develop and support communities of practice, staff development programmes, and international mobility schemes that advance consideration of accessibility and universal design in Higher Education curricula across disciplines.
  7. Promote the establishment of national advisory bodies on accessibility and universal design in Higher Education.
  8. Support innovation in technologies that align with universal design principles and promote equitable access to digital and physical environments, products and services.
  9. Raise public awareness and celebrate excellence in accessible societies through awards, research funding, and dissemination of good practices.
  10. Foster a cultural shift within higher education institutions toward valuing diversity, dismantling ableist assumptions, and advancing justice for all.

More information on the Nicosia Declaration available here.