Turkish municipalities expand accessibility services for hearing-impaired citizens

International Week of the Deaf accessibility services Turkish Sign Language disability support social municipalism

In observance of International Week of the Deaf, various municipalities and organizations in Turkey are implementing accessibility initiatives to support hearing-impaired citizens.

In Tekirdağ, the Metropolitan Municipality’s ‘Benim Sesim’ project has facilitated 4,867 video calls using Turkish Sign Language interpreters to assist with municipal and public services. The city also provides ‘CODA Güvende’ support, offering vibrating and lighted baby monitors to hearing-impaired parents.

İzmir Metropolitan Municipality provides sign language interpreters for healthcare, transportation, and social services. Through the ‘Silent Support Solution Center,’ citizens can access face-to-face or video interpretation for hospital appointments and other public transactions. The municipality also offers water bill discounts and employment support.

In Kahramanmaraş, the municipality is installing lighted doorbells and vibrating baby monitors in the homes of hearing-impaired families to improve daily safety and communication.

Additionally, in Ayvalık, a collaborative health initiative provided free oral and dental treatments to 200 individuals with disabilities over a four-day period, coordinated by the Association of Dentists Without Barriers.