Evaluation of the Accessibility of the Disabled in Urban Areas on the Sample of the National Library

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.