Posts Tagged ‘Universal Design’

Every now and then, one catches a glimpse of a world where people willingly come together to improve life  for individuals with disabilities- and every condition is welcomed & included. There is such a place in Istanbul, Turkey. I mean, come on! What's not to like when you see a huge billboard of World Disability Union (WDU)  President Metin Sentuk welcoming the world when I arrived at the  airport??!! My recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey, as an invited USA delegate to the WDU General Assembly brings me renewed hope for the millions of persons who have learning disabilities, ADHD, Asperger's, TBI or other "hidden disabilities." These are real persons being left behind ; whose needs go unanswered due to not considered being part of the " most significantly disabled." httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XaXA1B2hs Although Turkey was one of the first countries to become a signator of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in 2005, like most countries, little of substance had been initiated to bring forward systemic reforms such as  employment, universal design of housing, and embracing the concepts of barrier-free communities. This has started to change since the administration of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan began reform efforts in earnest in 2009.  According to Families & Social Policies Minister Fatima Sahin, employment and home ...

Delegates came to Istanbul representing 6 continents & 65 countries in order to establish the World Disability Union and a global Congress addressing Universal Design. They left as friends, relatives and colleagues dedicated to our motto "WE KNOW NO BARRIERS!" httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XaXA1B2hs