Dear members of the press and the disabled community, The International Day of Persons with Disabilities (10-16 May) is celebrated worldwide to raise awareness of the demands, problems and proposed solutions of people with disabilities. As the Federation of Accessible Components and affiliated associations, we have been fighting for the rights of all disability groups for years and organise special events for this week. However, millions of disabled people are going through a difficult time due to economic crises, poverty and unemployment. Unfortunately, the necessary steps have not yet been taken to guarantee rights and public services for disabled people. We are not asking for favours or help, but for the recognition of our constitutional and legal rights and the full implementation of our rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Social stereotypes, prejudices, traditions and habits are the biggest obstacle for all of us. Accessibility legislation must now be fully implemented without delay. Accessibility is a fundamental right. Our patience in this matter has run out. Public institutions neglect the rights of people with disabilities and official data on disability is inconsistent. The statistical identification of the number of disabled people in each neighbourhood and the provision of appropriate support is necessary.
It is a fact that disabled people do not adequately exercise their rights in the areas of education, health, transport and employment. Disabilities can only be overcome if not only physical but also environmental barriers are tackled. A rethink and environmental regulations are therefore required.
The lack of accessible spaces is a major problem even in cities where hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities live. Many places, including public buildings, are not suitable for disabled people. People with disabilities and chronic illnesses also live in cramped spaces in this country and face human rights violations. Social support for many disabled groups, especially dialysis patients, MSSP patients, cerebral palsy patients, Down syndrome patients, autistic patients and SMA patients, is inadequate. These people, who are exposed to very harsh living conditions, should be included in a comprehensive social policy and their income and living conditions should be improved together with their families.
The social and economic support of poor disabled people is the main task of municipalities and other public institutions. Quotas for the employment of disabled people should be met, and quotas for the employment of disabled people in all public institutions should be met as required by law. To remedy this clearly unlawful situation, at least 20,000 disabled people should be employed in public institutions in positions suitable for their degree by 2024.
It should be noted that the ongoing conflicts and wars in our region are a major cause of disability and that processes such as migration and veteranism can intersect with disability. The processes of conflict and violence that reinforce social disadvantage and disability, especially the clearance of landmines, should be transformed into peace and the artificial causes of disability stopped.
It should also be known that women with disabilities are more affected by all sexist rhetoric and practises related to disability. Fulfilling the requirements of the conventions on women's rights, especially CEDAW, will also have a positive impact on the rights of women with disabilities. Discriminatory rhetoric and practises against women with disabilities must be stopped immediately.
We have been making these demands for years. When it comes to disability rights, the word is out, it's time for implementation. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is the most comprehensive guide to implementation. Future life should be based on the "universal design" principle of this convention, whose principles and perspective aim to create equal citizens.
Let the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in May 2024 (10-16 May) be an opportunity to build democratic citizenship for persons with disabilities, develop public services for persons with disabilities and dismantle discriminatory and exclusionary language towards persons with disabilities.
Sincerely to the public opinion.
Click to Read the Report Containing Our Basic Requests for Municipalities