Evaluating the Approaches of Accessible Design in the Concept of Ideal City: A Case Study of Ankara

Abstract

This study aims to understand whether disabled individuals who reside in Cankaya, Ankara face any accessibility issues using scientific methods and techniques. Qualitative research method was used in this study, and data was collected through interviews. The study group consisted of 18 disabled individuals, including 6 orthopedic, 6 hearing, and 6 visually impaired individuals. The raw data obtained from the participants were evaluated and analyzed under seven different categories, which aimed to understand the accessibility in physical environment, public buildings, social aid, decision-making centers, employment, education, and health. The research findings indicate that some improvements have been made in the categories of "physical environment" accessibility, "public buildings" accessibility, accessibility to "social aids," "decision-making centers" accessibility, "health," "employment," and "education" sectors since the implementation of Law No. 5378 in 2005, but some problems still persist. Disabled individuals living in Cankaya, Ankara, face barriers due to erroneous and deficient physical environment designs, experience problems in the exterior and interior areas of public buildings, are unable to access decision-making centers, have inadequate consultation with their opinions and knowledge, are excluded from employment due to prejudices, and face accessibility issues in education and health. In other words, accessibility issues have become a barrier to disabled individuals, leading to a decrease in their living standards. As a result, it is understood that disabled individuals cannot participate in social life, achieve satisfaction in many areas such as education, health, and employment, and benefit from basic services sufficiently without solving the accessibility problem. Unless it is possible to access the services in question without any obstacles, the reforms and regulations made will remain only on paper. Therefore, the primary issue awaiting a solution for disabled individuals today is accessibility and the limitations it brings.