Samsun officials plan inclusive urban policies for disabled citizens

The İlkadım City Council Disability Life Working Group met to establish new policies, employment models, and awareness initiatives in Samsun, Turkey. Highlighting that the disabled population in the region stands at 13.80 percent, the group focused on increasing direct participation in urban governance.

A major workshop scheduled for December 21 at the Yıldıray Çınar Cultural Center will feature 18 thematic working groups covering sectors such as urban transformation, agriculture, smart cities, and transportation. It was decided that each of these 18 tables must include at least one disabled individual, a relative of a disabled person, or a specialized expert to ensure their needs are addressed.

Additional initiatives include a visit to the accessible Samsun Museum for International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, and the implementation of awareness training for public personnel, specifically targeting public transportation drivers. The group also evaluated the AquaATM (Smart Water Stations) model as a potential employment pathway for disabled entrepreneurs seeking to start their own businesses.