“No Barrier for Disabled People” Municipalism: A Study on the Municipalities of the Mediterranean Region

Authors : Vahit Bölükbaş
Pages : 2653-2674
Doi:10.15869/itobiad.1781028
View : 68 | Download : 167
Publication Date : 2025-12-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Approximately 16 per cent of the world\\\'s population consists of persons with disabilities. This ratio indicates that nearly one in every six people worldwide has a physical, mental, intellectual e.g. disability. While disabled individuals were ignored, defined as a burden, and seen as individuals who needed to be rescued, today their existence is accepted and they are seen as part of society. Services for disabled individuals are provided worldwide by central and local governments. This study analyses the activities and services provided by metropolitan municipalities in the Mediterranean Region for individuals with disabilities between 2019 and 2023. The literature contains studies that have been conducted at the district, provincial or national level. This study is considered important as it addresses the services provided by local governments in the Mediterranean region level. It is anticipated that this study will provide information on the services offered to the administrators of local governments in the region and serve as a guide and contribute to the literature and to researchers. The data for the study was obtained from the ARs of these municipalities for the relevant years using the document review method. The study found that there were differences in terms of volume, quantity and diversity among the activities and services carried out by local governments in the Mediterranean region for individuals with disabilities, and that metropolitan municipalities produced more services in terms of number of items and quantity than provincial municipalities. It was concluded that this situation cannot be explained solely by economic reasons, that cooperation in activities and services for persons with disabilities needs to be developed, that the issue of representation and participation of persons with disabilities in governance needs to be resolved, and that a paradigm shift is required.
Keywords : Akdeniz, Belediye, Belediyecilik, Engelli, Yerel Yönetimler

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