The Ministry of Family and Social Services continues to facilitate the access of citizens with disabilities in many areas ranging from education to health, from technology to working life. Following the declaration of 2020 as the "Year of Accessibility" by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Ministry will accelerate its accessibility studies in 2022, while carrying out important works in the field of accessibility despite the negative effects of the epidemic.
The Ministry has completed the "Accessibility Guide", which is a guide with written and visual content, which is based on national standards, offers solutions to current needs, and also includes the latest regulations in the legislation. The guide, which was also published digitally, was made available to public institutions, municipalities, academics, students, and architects and engineers working as designers. In addition, an “Accessibility Animation” was prepared based on the Accessibility Guide, which visually explains step-by-step what needs to be done and simulates accessible spaces.
The use of Accessibility Evaluation Module (ERDEM) has been expanded
The Ministry has implemented the Accessibility Evaluation Module (ERDEM) in order to increase the work on accessibility and to carry out the applications in accordance with the standards. With ERDEM, which is also included in the 180-Day Action Plan of the Presidential Action Program, anyone who wishes can answer the questions in the module and obtain a report on what needs to be done to make a building accessible.
“2030 Barrier-Free Vision Document” was prepared
The Ministry has prepared the "2030 Barrier-Free Vision Document", which will reveal Turkey's national vision and roadmap in the field of disability until 2030. The document, which consists of 31 targets and 107 action plans, includes many targets from strengthening the economic status of persons with disabilities to the education curriculum, from accessible banking services to ensuring their participation in sports activities with equal opportunities.
1923 Accessibility Certificate given
The Ministry, which imposes the obligation for buildings, open spaces and urban public transportation vehicles to be accessible in the legislation, monitors the implementation of this obligation with the Accessibility Monitoring and Inspection commissions established within the governorships in each province. By the Accessibility Monitoring and Inspection commissions, which also inspect complaints from citizens, approximately 45 thousand inspections have been carried out so far, and 1,923 Accessibility Certificates have been given.
Accessibility Logo designated
The Ministry took a new step to popularize accessibility applications and designated the Accessibility Logo to be used in our country. It was decided that the Accessibility Logo designed by the United Nations was suitable for this purpose and permission was obtained. The logo, which has been determined to increase the visibility of accessible applications, can be used in visible areas such as signboards, printed materials such as brochures, business cards, and promotional and advertising materials by those who are entitled to receive the Accessibility Certificate.
Workshops have also been added to trainings.
Trainings were organized within the scope of efforts to expand accessibility. Trainings were given to approximately 16 thousand managers and technical personnel. This year, workshops were added to the trainings. In these workshops, municipalities were told how to make pavements accessible through the projects. To date, 904 architects, engineers, technicians and managers working in the pavement construction and repair works of municipalities have participated in 27 workshops. It is planned to conduct a guide study with a university for the transformation of existing pavements. 3261 people from more than 850 institutions attended 9 trainings on the accessibility of web pages.
Accessibility Studies Will Be Accelerated
In 2022, the Ministry will continue its works to increase social awareness and encourage studies in the field. In this context, the "2022 Accessibility Awards" will be held. An "Accessibility Legislation", which brings together the provisions under different legislations and standards, will be prepared. As a result of the trainings and workshops organized, the 'Accessibility Guide for Sidewalks' will be prepared for the benefit of municipalities. Accessibility trainings for public institutions and organizations and workshops on "pedestrian crossings and stops" for municipalities will also continue.