The undersigned—disabled artists, cultural professionals, members of Arsi Network (Greece) and the European Network ADICLUS—join our voices within the framework of the public consultation regarding the establishment of the University of Performing Arts (U.O.P.A).
 

The founding of U.O.P.A represents a historic opportunity for Greece to align itself with European legislation. As professionals with international experience, we emphasize that an educational institution in the 21st century is judged by its level of inclusion and accessibility.
 

Key Demands

1. Legal Safeguards and Abolition of Discrimination:

The founding legislation of U.O.P.A must explicitly incorporate a non-discrimination clause. Given that U.O.P.A will operate as a Higher Education Institution (HEI) under Law 4957/2022, we demand the definitive abolition of any reference to the term "physical integrity" (artimeleia) as a prerequisite for admission. Evaluation must be based strictly on artistic merit—an essential condition for the country's compliance with constitutional mandates regarding equality and the professional integration of persons with disabilities.
 

2. Building Accessibility:

We demand that the new facilities of U.O.P.A serve as a European benchmark for accessibility in Europe. This includes full autonomous access not only to classrooms but also to stages, backstage areas, dressing rooms, and technical support facilities, ensuring the equal participation of disabled students and faculty.
 

3. An Inclusion based Curriculum:

It is essential that educational materials and teaching methods be aligned with the principles of accessibility (e.g., audio description, sign language interpretation where required, etc.). A prerequisite for this is the targeted training of faculty members in this specific subject.
 

4. Faculty Training:

Mandatory training of U.O.P.A ‘s teaching staff is required. Faculty members must acquire the necessary knowledge through collaboration with specialized and experienced artists in the specific field, in order to be able to teach in mixed - ability groups.
 

5. Institutional Cooperation and Supervision:

The establishment of a committee modelled on the Equal Access Units of universities would ensure and regularly review  practices of inclusion and accessibility, while promoting artistic practice.

 

o Composition: Participation of artists with and without disabilities, accessibility experts, and representatives of the academic community.
o Role: Supervision of the transition to the new inclusive model, resolution of practical issues (e.g., exam adaptations, accessibility needs), and ensuring that the voice of the community is heard at every stage of decision-making process.

 

6. International Alignment:

The Learning to Change research has highlighted the need for accessible arts education as a fundamental right. Greece must cease to be an exception of exclusion on the European map.
 

We call upon the Greek government to legislate with courage and justice.

 

U.O.P.A must be a school with clear provisions for persons with disabilities, ensuring their equal presence in the country ' s cultural landscape, respecting and aligning with the motto of disabled artists: "Nothing about us, without us."
 

The aforementioned positions will contribute decisively to the formation of an inclusive educational framework and, consequently, an inclusive professional field that guarantees equal artistic creation for all.
 

Signatories:
● On behalf of the Arsi Network (Dance & Disability Network - Greece):
Demy Papathanasiou, Coordinator

● On behalf of the European Network ADICLUS / Europe Beyond Access:
[Names / Signatures of Representatives]

● Independent Disabled Artists and Organisations: [List of Signatures]