Physical and Digital Accessibility in Public Spaces: Why It’s Not a Luxury, but a Right?
Have you ever wondered why, while visiting a government office, taking a walk in the park, or checking bus schedules on a city’s website takes only a few seconds for some people, for others these tasks turn into insurmountable obstacles?
When we hear the word “accessibility,” many of us think of it as “a favor done for people with disabilities” or “a luxury added to buildings.” But the reality is far from that. For a young person who is visually impaired to walk safely on the sidewalk or to use a website from start to finish with a screen reader is not a favor— it is a fundamental human right.
As the “Community of Young People with Visual Impairments,” we’ve turned the two most important topics from the training sessions we conduct in the field into a practical and informative guide that shows us how to defend our rights. Let’s learn about our rights together!
CHAPTER 1: What Is Physical and Digital Accessibility?
Accessibility is not limited to a single dimension. For our lives to continue seamlessly, both the physical and digital worlds must be compatible with us.
Physical Accessibility
Streets, public buildings, bus stops, and parks… For a person who is visually impaired to move around these areas independently, yellow guide lines (tactile surfaces) must be properly installed, audible signaling systems must be operational, and Braille (raised) labels must be present on the edges of stairs.
“Accessibility means ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the physical environment, transportation, and information and communication technologies and systems on an equal footing with others. Without accessibility, the full participation of people with disabilities in society is impossible.”
— United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), Article 9
Digital Accessibility
In today’s world, not having access to the internet means being cut off from the world. For a website or mobile app to be accessible to people with visual impairments, it must include alt text that screen readers can read for images, properly label buttons, and allow for easy navigation using a keyboard.
Our national legislation is also quite clear on this matter:
“The official websites of public institutions and organizations shall be made accessible to people with disabilities.”
— Law No. 5378 on Persons with Disabilities, Transitional Article 3
CHAPTER 2: Advocacy for Young People with Visual Impairments
During our field investigations in provinces such as Burdur, Antalya, and Isparta, we observed that even though laws exist, there are still major shortcomings in their implementation. So, what are we supposed to do when a yellow line on a sidewalk is interrupted, or when we can’t complete a transaction on a government agency’s website? Are we just going to sit back and wait for someone to notice? Absolutely not!
That is exactly where advocacy begins. The most legal, most effective, and most powerful way to seek justice is to exercise your right to file an official petition.
CHAPTER 3: How to Write an Effective Petition, Step by Step
Here are the golden rules you must follow to ensure that a petition you submit to government agencies is taken seriously and resolved quickly:
Step 1: Identify the Right Contact
Depending on which agency is responsible for your issue, you should address your petition directly to that agency. (For example: To the Mayor’s Office regarding sidewalks on the street, or to the Provincial Directorate of National Education regarding the accessibility of a school.)
Step 2: Identify the Situation Clearly and Specifically
Instead of general statements like “The sidewalks in the city are in poor condition,” provide specific address and condition details, such as “The tactile surfaces in front of the public building on Y Street in X Neighborhood are worn and damaged.”
Step 3: Include Your Legal Grounds (This Is the Key to Your Petition!)
Be sure to include references to Law No. 5378 on Persons with Disabilities and the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the end of your petition. When agencies see young people who are familiar with the law, they process requests much more quickly.
Step 4: Establish a Clear Process and Make a Request
At the end of your petition, request that the issue be resolved and that you be provided with written information within the statutory time limit, in accordance with Law No. 3071 on the Exercise of the Right to Petition.
Practical Example: Accessibility Petition Template
You can copy the template below, adapt it to the issues in your city, and send it to the relevant authorities:
Plaintext
T.C.
.................... BELEDİYE BAŞKANLIĞINA
(Örn: BURDUR BELEDİYE BAŞKANLIĞINA)
KONU: Kamusal Alanda Fiziksel Erişilebilirlik İhlali ve Düzenleme Talebi
AÇIKLAMALAR:
İl sınırlarınız içerisinde yer alan ................................................................ (Buraya caddenin, parkın veya binanın açık adresini yazın) adresinde, görme engelli bireylerin bağımsız ve güvenli hareketini sağlayan hissedilebilir yüzeylerin (sarı kılavuz çizgilerin) bulunmadığı / hasarlı olduğu / kesintiye uğradığı tespit edilmiştir.
Söz konusu durum, görme engelli bir genç olarak şahsımın ve diğer engelli bireylerin kamusal alana güvenli ve eşit katılımını engellemekte, can güvenliğimizi riske atmaktadır.
HUKUKİ DAYANAKLAR:
1. 5378 Sayılı Engelliler Kanunu’nun 7. Maddesi: "Yapılı çevrenin engellilerin erişebilirliğine uygun kılınması zorunludur."
2. BM Engellilerin Haklarına İlişkin Sözleşme (UNCRPD) Madde 9 (Erişilebilirlik).
SONUÇ VE TALEP:
Yukarıda belirtilen adresteki erişilebilirlik engelinin 5378 Sayılı Kanun standartlarına uygun olarak ivedilikle giderilmesini; yapılan çalışmalar ve alınan kararlar hakkında 3071 Sayılı Dilekçe Hakkının Kullanılmasına Dair Kanun uyarınca yasal süresi (30 gün) içinde tarafıma yazılı olarak bilgi verilmesini saygılarımla arz ve talep ederim.
Ad-Soyad: .......................................
Tarih: .... / .... / 2026
T.C. Kimlik No: .......................................
Adres: ..............................................................................
Telefon: .......................................
İmza:
Conclusion: Change Is in Our Hands!
Remember, friends: demanding accessibility standards isn’t a favor—it’s standing up for our rights. As young people who know our rights, navigate official processes effectively, and believe in the power of civic engagement, we will make both the streets and the digital world equitable for everyone. Take action—stand up for your rights!
REFERENCES:
- Legislation Information System (2005). Law No. 5378 on Persons with Disabilities. Presidency of Administrative Affairs, Office of the President of the Republic of Turkey. Accessible at: [suspicious link removed]
- United Nations (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Available at: un.org
- W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2). URL: w3.org/WAI
- Legislation Information System (1984). Law No. 3071 on the Exercise of the Right to Petition. Available at: mevzuat.gov.tr