Faithful to its commitment to stand firmly next to vulnerable social groups and place children in need at the center of its actions, the HERACLES Group, in collaboration with the award-winning Non-for-Profit Company Science For You (SciFY), created an innovative electronic gaming platform suitable for children with disabilities. The new online game “Taxidiotes” is now available for free to everyone by clicking on link: taxidiotes.scify.org.

The aim of the initiative, which is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility program “One more feat” of the HERACLES Group, is the meaningful support of children with disabilities and the full development of their skills, as well as the defense of their right to equal participation in education, entertainment and every aspect of life.

The online game “Taxidiotes” is suitable for children with quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, mobility problems, and/or mental problems aged 4 to 9 years old, allowing them to choose both their character and the destination of their journey, gain knowledge, such as handling special computer interaction equipment, and of course, to have fun. At the same time, specialist professionals and caregivers now have a valuable educational tool they can adapt based on children’s needs and skills, while parents have yet another way to fill children’s lives with joy and learning opportunities.

Ms. Zetta Makri, Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, stated, “It is with great joy, satisfaction, and excitement that I write these lines and knowing that “One more feat” has been completed, with the consistency and sensitivity of the HERACLES Group, and will offer tools useful for entertainment and playful learning for children with disabilities. In October 2022, I welcomed the Group’s collaboration with SciFY and wished them “safe travels” in the joint journey to create an innovative online gaming platform suitable for children with disabilities. Today, as Deputy Minister responsible for Special Education, I am extremely pleased to welcome the new online game “Taxidiotes”, which is accessible, available, and free for anyone interested. I feel the need to publicly thank the HERACLES Group for its continuous contribution to every social group with special needs through the company’s corporate social responsibility programs, to emphasize the well-rounded pedagogical approach and the scientific validity with which it touches on children’s issues with disabilities, ensuring access to enjoyable and creative activities, which will cultivate corresponding skills and offer stimuli for participation and interaction without barriers and limitations”.

Mrs. Evi Ioannidou, Director of Communication & Public Relations of the HERAKLES Group,said in this regard, “The offering to our fellow human beings in need – and especially to children with disabilities – is an integral part of the HERAKLES Group’s social action. We are proud to have contributed to creating the groundbreaking game ‘Taxidiotes’, realizing our vision of equal access to knowledge and technology for all children. With this initiative, we stand by children with disabilities and keep walking towards our goal of creating a more sustainable and accessible world for all our fellow human beings. In this mission, we invite all Special Education teachers and caregivers of children with disabilities to become participants in our initiative, thus contributing to the strengthening of the digital skills of children with disabilities but also, more broadly, to their equal participation in every aspect of everyday life.”

Vassilis Giannakopoulos, Director of Marketing and Social Impact of Science For You (SciFY), said, “Our joy is incredible! The news we have from the organizations all over Greece with whom we cooperate and who have piloted and utilized the game is excellent. For over a month now, children with various disabilities, under the guidance of expert scientists, have been playing the “Taxidiotes” game and thus learn, have fun, and develop. This result of careful and hard work is our best reward. Thanks to the essential support of HERACLES Group, we managed to develop another successful assistive technology for people with disabilities that can now be used freely and free of charge by parents, teachers, and Institutions everywhere in Greece! We look forward to learning more stories of joy from little “Travellers” and sharing them with everyone.”