There are no obstacles in public areas such as parks, gardens, and beaches. All municipal transportation vehicles are designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. In addition, a new project has been launched to enable people with disabilities to easily enter and exit the beaches. Cemalettin Gürsoy, a columnist for Sabah newspaper, examined the situation in Alanya firsthand. Here are his observations...
Approximately 10 million people with disabilities, constituting 12.29% of Turkey's population, are unable to enjoy vacations due to architectural barriers and transportation difficulties. Even when they do manage to travel, they often struggle to find hotels where they can move and stay comfortably. Law No. 5378 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides numerous positive measures for these individuals. We have initiated research within the framework of this law and aimed to see firsthand the efforts being made in the field of accessibility. As guests of the Alanya Tourism Operators Association (ALTİD), we began our journey in Antalya with the "Accessible Run." Our first stop was the Alanya Remi Hotel. After a brief pause, we embarked on an exploratory mission. Our initial observation was that most streets and sidewalks in the city were designed to meet accessibility standards. While the municipality has done a commendable job, there are still some shortcomings.
We first visited the municipality's "Accessible Park and Living Center." At the center, which serves 200 people with disabilities, we were greeted by Project Coordinator Münir Atlıoğlu. Through a short presentation accompanied by visuals, Atlıoğlu explained the initiatives undertaken in the field of accessibility and we began touring the center together.
The smiles on the faces of all the staff, the way they described how they provide education and support to people with disabilities, was truly heartwarming. It was inspiring. What should have been a 10-minute tour ended up taking us over 2 hours. Based on our observations, the "Accessible Living" course is a priority at the center. A wide range of training is provided, from education to physical therapy, and even excursions to the sea, nature, and boat trips.
Furthermore, the center provides interpreters for people with hearing impairments who need to conduct official business and overcome challenges they may encounter.
Following the center, we accompanied Mr. Münir to explore what is being done in Alanya for people with disabilities. I won't go into detail. There are no accessibility barriers in public areas such as parks, gardens, and beaches. All municipal transportation vehicles are designed to accommodate people with disabilities. In addition, a new project has been launched to enable people with disabilities to easily enter and exit beaches. With the implementation of this project, people with disabilities who vacation in Alanya will be able to enjoy the sea and sun with special facilities. Most importantly, people with disabilities will be able to have their food and drinks delivered to them by pressing a button on the beach. In summary, many of the architectural barriers in Alanya have been overcome.
The Mayor, Lawyer Hasan Sipahioğlu, has achieved many successes in the field of accessibility, even in areas where there is no legal obligation, despite his limited budget.
FULLY EQUIPPED HOTEL
After the municipality, it was time to examine the hotels. We first visited the Remi Hotel. The hotel has not forgotten people with disabilities. Due to its historical nature, extensive renovations were not possible. However, the hotel has ramps, an elevator, and 3 rooms designed for people with disabilities. Based on information from Hasan Şakiroğlu, the owner of the Remi Hotel, our next stop was the Monte Carlo Hotel.
We were greeted by Hüseyin Balıkçıoğlu, the owner of the hotel, and his team. After a brief conversation, we toured the hotel, which hosts guests with disabilities from both Turkey and abroad. Finally, we found a hotel where people with disabilities can move freely. Mr. Balıkçıoğlu has not spared any expense in creating an accessible hotel that exceeds the required standards. The hotel, with 120 rooms and 250 beds, has 20 fully equipped rooms for people with disabilities. We carefully examined each room. The rooms are spacious, with toilets, bathrooms, sinks, wardrobes, and dining areas designed for those who rely on wheelchairs. In addition, a wheelchair, crutches, and a baby stroller are available in one of the rooms if needed. After exploring the interior of the hotel, we moved to the exterior. People with disabilities have not been forgotten at the pool. Those with special needs can easily swim using an elevator seat. Furthermore, Mr. Balıkçıoğlu is planning to install an elevator for the water slides, saying, "Even children with disabilities should be able to enjoy them." Seeing what he has done, we concluded our visit, saying, "This is truly remarkable." By carefully designing his hotel according to the principle of "People First," Mr. Balıkçıoğlu has paved the way for people with disabilities to enjoy a comfortable vacation.
Having seen what has been done and heard what has been said, we must give credit where credit is due. The Alanya Tourism Operators Association (ALTİD), under the leadership of its President Gülçin Güner, is a pioneer in collaborating with hotels in the field of accessibility and promoting the initiatives mentioned above.
Cemalettin GÜRSOY