The Cyprus Confederation of Disability Organisations (Kysoa) on Monday called for an end to the annual Radiomarathon fundraiser for children with special needs, saying its “paternalistic” messaging is “stuck in the attitudes of the 1990s”.

The annual charity event sends the wrong messages, Kysoa charged, saying that instead of calling for “help”, the messaging should be about inclusion, empathy and disabled children’s rights.

The organisation recently met with the Radiomarathon’s organisers, where they had presented their absolute disagreement with the way the annual fundraiser is conducted.

Kysoa in its official announcement conceded that when the Radiomarathon was founded in the 1990s, it served a function and had indeed contributed drastically to breaking down social barriers and [faulty] perceptions leading to an acceptance of disability.

However, times have changed, and it is necessary to revise the messages it projects, as well as the goals and purposes of the foundation, Kysoa said.

The rhetoric “fundraiser for children who need us” must be immediately reworded to an “inclusion and empathy campaign for children”, Kysoa said. The organisation argued that the paternalistic messaging detracts from the fact that human rights, disabled rights and children’s rights are at stake.

Among the rights these children should be afforded, are a single, inclusive education system where disabled children discover and cultivate their skills, and flourish as individuals, Kysoa said.

“We completely oppose any activities in the school environment in the context of the Radiomarathon, which [push] the impression that [the sole objective is] collecting money,” it added.

Children with disabilities, as well as their families, do not need fundraisers which convey outdated messages and discrimination in the guise of charity, Kysoa said.

“People with disabilities are not beggars, nor do they seek to be pitied. On the contrary, they claim their rights in a dignified way and the state must, finally, provide them.”

Despite the criticism, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Monday that “everyone is proud” of the Radiomarathon, and promised the government’s support for it.

He also expressed his hope for “generous” donations to the fundraiser.

Meanwhile, the Paphos municipality donated €200, with mayor Phedonas Phedonos saying the Radiomarathon was “the greatest manifestation of love and humanity for children with special needs”.

The Larnaca municipality also donated €200, and said, “we support this laudable effort because everyone has the right to education, entertainment, and social inclusion”.

Political parties including Disy, Dipa, and Edek all made donations of their own, with Disy deputy leader Efthimios Diplaros describing his party’s donation as “a small sign of support and appreciation for the work you are doing”.

Akel thus far have not announced a donation, and last year described the Radiomarathon as “condescending”.

The Radiomarathon began at 6am on CyBC’s Radio Trito on Monday, with a live broadcast dedicated to the institution which will end at midnight on Tuesday.

Children and adults with disabilities will partake in the event, reading poems and singing songs, among other things.

First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, who had facilitated the meeting between Kysoa and the Pancyprian Alliance for Disability with the leadership of the Radiomarathon, said last week that the Radiomarathon was “evolving” and called on the public to tune in and contribute.

She said the foundation aimed to send messages of “respect, diversity, and empathy” in the hopes of “a just society which respects everyone and is inclusive”.