Abstract:
Disability, in simplest definition, is a state of being disadvantaged and limited. This situation
forces them to struggle with various problems in daily life. When disability is handled
holistically, not just as an individual feature, but with social and environmental factors, the
accessibility of disabled to the areas they need emerges as a human rights issue. Accessibility
means access to physical and virtual environments, resources. The aim of this study is to test the
compliance of the urban physical space with the standards through a selected library so that the
physically handicapped can access the libraries, which are areas for accessing information and
research, without encountering any obstacles in the city. In addition, it is to identify the failing
aspects and guide them to make them suitable. The main aim is to provide an assessment that
contributes to the use of urban spaces and library buildings independently, without any
accompanying persons. As a method in the study; the accessibility of a library selected as an
example from the urban area was evaluated. The evaluation was made within the framework of
compliance with the TSE12576- Structural Measures for Accessibility in Urban Roads,
Sidewalks and Pedestrian Crossings and the Design Rules of Markings, which are the current
standards in Turkey. As the scope of the study, the National Library and its immediate
surroundings were chosen as an example. The urban physical conditions used by disabled
individuals to reach the library were observed and measured, and their compliance with the
standards and planning criteria was evaluated. A table was created in line with the criteria
specified in the standards. Findings obtained through observation and measurements are shown
in the table as a numerical value. The total values obtained revealed how easily disabled
individuals can use urban physical spaces and the accessibility of the library building. As a
result, it has been seen that the library building is suitable for disabled access in terms of urban
accessibility. Situations that are not suitable for access can be made suitable by regular repairs.
