THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES TO PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED PEOPLE IN URBAN AND SOCIAL LIFE

Abstract

Disabled people who encounter many problems with accessibility in interior and outdoor spaces are faced with many difficulties to participate in social life. Information and communication technologies and the internet offer significant opportunities for persons with disabilities in order to participate in different activities. Accessibility of information and services are facilitated with rapid developments in technology by independence of time and space and it is eliminated the need for mobility of persons. Especially, this situation offers significant opportunities for persons with disabilities who have mobility problems. Teleworking and distance education concepts have come into question with the use of new technologies. Persons with disabilities will have a chance in order to participate in education and working life with this new education and working way. In particular, these developments have an importance for bedridden disabled people. To evaluate these opportunities, the needs of disabled people must be taken into account according to the differing needs of disabled groups. The aim of this paper is to introduce opportunities of information and communication technologies which have potentials to increase participation of persons with disabilities in social life, for them and evaluate use for disability in terms of education, working and services. The paper begins with putting forth the importance of participation of persons with disabilities in social life. Then, facilities offered by information and communication technologies for people with disabilities were discussed. Constraints that prevent from the use of information and communication technologies for disabled people have been put forward in Turkey. Finally, information technologies applications for disabled people have been considered and recommendations have been made in Turkey.