The digital landscape, is a space that highlights inclusivity and accessibility are more important than ever. AbleBook, a pioneering platform dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities, stands at the forefront of this movement.
In the second part of his interview, the founder of AbleBook, Andreas Vasiliou, highlights several key achievements and plans of the organization.
From winning prestigious awards to forging impactful partnerships, AbleBook is not just a platform but a beacon of hope and empowerment. Join us as we explore their remarkable achievements, unwavering commitment to community collaboration, and ambitious vision for a more inclusive future.
A standout moment was receiving the Social Innovation Award from the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation, which validated their efforts and motivated further dedication. Community collaboration is emphasized as crucial for success, providing valuable feedback and fostering a sense of belonging among people with disabilities. Significant partnerships have been vital in expanding their network and resources.
The long-term vision for AbleBook includes becoming a comprehensive digital platform globally, incorporating advanced technologies, and continuously improving accessibility. The organization’s success is defined by its impact on the lives of people with disabilities, enhancing their access to information, resources, and overall autonomy. Plans involve expanding services, entering the global market, and focusing on projects promoting equality and justice.
Collaborations and Partnerships
Can you share a particular moment or achievement with AbleBook that you are most proud of?
Undoubtedly, the moment that will always be etched in my memory is our award from the Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB) at the Innovation Awards. There, we were honoured with the Social Innovation Award, a distinction that is an important recognition of our work. This award not only validates our efforts but also motivates us to continue what we started with dedication and passion.
Our goal is to realize our vision of an equal and accessible society for all. This recognition reinforces our commitment and pushes us to work even harder to achieve our goals.
How important is community collaboration for the success of AbleBook?
Working with the community is critical to AbleBook’s success. Interaction with community members, app users, and various businesses and organizations provides valuable information and feedback that helps to continuously improve the platform. By working with the people who face the challenges of disability every day, AbleBook can better understand their needs and develop solutions that really make a difference in their everyday lives.
In addition, working with the community fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment, as people with disabilities see that their voices are heard and taken into account in shaping a more accessible society. This collaborative effort strengthens AbleBook’s credibility and acceptance, making it an integral tool for promoting equity and accessibility.
Working with the community is critical to AbleBook’s success. Interaction with community members, app users, and various businesses and organizations provides valuable information and feedback that helps to continuously improve the platform.
Can you talk about some partnerships or collaborations that have been crucial for AbleBook?
The partnerships and collaborative relationships that AbleBook has developed are critical to its success and growth. One of the most important collaborations is with Simeon Stylianou, who shares the same passion for improving accessibility and equality for people with disabilities. Together, we’ve been able to bring AbleBook to where it is today by building a network of support and collaboration with various businesses and municipalities. These partnerships are vital as they have allowed us to secure the necessary financial resources and onboard over 100 businesses to our app within a year. In addition, the collaboration with the municipalities to create the first database for public disabled parking spaces in Cyprus is another important achievement. Together, these partnerships further AbleBook’s mission to promote a more accessible and equal society for people with disabilities.
Achieving a vision
What is your long-term vision for AbleBook, and how do you plan to achieve it?
The long-term vision for AbleBook is to become the most comprehensive and accessible digital platform for people with disabilities worldwide. Our goal is to substantially improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by providing them with the tools and information they need to participate fully in society.
To achieve this vision, we plan to expand our services to more geographies, increasing our impact and reach. We will continue to incorporate advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to offer even more personalized solutions and optimized accessibility paths. At the same time, we intend to create more partnerships with businesses and public bodies to enhance accessibility to various services and goods.
In addition, we will continue to listen to our users’ feedback and improve our platform according to their needs. With the support of our community and the dedication of our team, we are determined to promote equality and inclusion, ensuring that all people, regardless of their disabilities, can live independent and productive lives.
What are your plans for AbleBook and your entrepreneurial endeavours?
Our prospects for AbleBook are focused on expanding and incorporating innovations that will further improve accessibility and support for people with disabilities. Our goal is for the AbleBook application to become the first digital tool that will continuously improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as other vulnerable groups, allowing them to actively participate in society and enjoy equal opportunities. We plan to expand our services to more regions, integrate advanced technologies to personalize the user experience and create partnerships with more businesses and Municipalities.
In addition, we are looking to enter the global market to ensure that AbleBook continues to grow and make a significant contribution to the social inclusion of people with disabilities. Personally, as an entrepreneur, I aspire to continue to innovate and work on projects that promote equality and justice, making the world a fairer and more accessible place for all.
Our success is measured by the impact we have on these people’s lives, increasing their access to information and resources, and strengthening their autonomy and dignity.
And finally, how do you define success for yourself and AbleBook?
The definition of success for me and AbleBook is tied to our ability to bring real value and benefit to the lives of people with disabilities. We seek to create an environment where every user, regardless of their challenges, can enjoy access to culture, education and social cohesion.
Our success is measured by the impact we have on these people’s lives, increasing their access to information and resources, and strengthening their autonomy and dignity. We also want to achieve sustainability as an organization and ensure that our technology and services are constantly adapting to meet the changing needs of the disability community.
