Disability Policy Workshop by Bornova City Council

Bornova City Council organized a comprehensive Disability Policy Workshop with the goal of ensuring the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in urban life and making Bornova a city accessible to everyone. The findings and recommendations from the workshop, which will serve as a foundational document for Bornova’s participatory and rights-based disability policies, will be compiled into a report and presented to the Bornova Municipal Council.

Hosted by Bornova Municipality at the Uğur Mumcu Cultural and Arts Center Multipurpose Hall, the workshop brought together representatives from public institutions, civil society organizations, academia, educators, and individuals with disabilities.

Baran Mengüş: “This is not a legal obligation, but a rights-based struggle”

In his opening speech, Bornova City Council President Attorney Doğan Baran Mengüş emphasized that the formation of the Disability Rights Working Group stemmed from grassroots demand:

“We initiated this effort not because of a legal requirement but out of necessity. People with disabilities do not need charity—they need a rights-based struggle. Rights are not granted; they are won through collective action. This process is not just a workshop; it marks the beginning of a new era for Bornova.”

Mengüş also noted that Mayor Ömer Eşki personally observed the needs of people with disabilities in the field, helping shape the process from the ground up.

Cem Arıkan: “What started as awareness has evolved into a policy process”

Representing Mayor Ömer Eşki, who was abroad, Deputy Mayor Cem Arıkan stated that the workshop originated from an awareness campaign initiated by the “We Are Disabled 365 Days” platform at Bornova Square:

“This workshop is not a coincidence but the institutional transformation of an awareness movement. Upon the recommendation of our Mayor, Bornova Municipality took steps to systematize its disability policies. We may not have a magic wand, but we believe we can make a significant contribution to this process.”

İlyas Aydınalp: “Bornova is fortunate to have a municipality that believes in collective wisdom”

İlyas Aydınalp, Member of the Advisory Board of the Union of Turkish City Councils, emphasized the importance of collective decision-making in cities:

“We need to listen to each other more. Bornova City Council works with this understanding. We are fortunate because we have a young mayor who believes in participatory governance. This collaboration in the field of disability rights will set an example for all of Bornova.”

Aydınalp also commemorated the late Abdülsamet Baskak and Prof. Dr. Adnan Akyarlı, pioneers in disability rights advocacy, stating that “the steps we take today continue the struggle they helped mature.”

Serap Dikmen: “This is not charity; it is the restoration of rights”

Serap Dikmen, Facilitator of the Bornova City Council Disability Rights Working Group, stated that the workshop’s main goal is to create a Disability Policy Document for Bornova Municipality:

“This workshop brings together a multidisciplinary approach to examine legal barriers, social support mechanisms, and municipal services. Our aim is to help Bornova Municipality develop a policy aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”

She added that Mayor Ömer Eşki’s hands-on approach in this field paved the way for the workshop:

“The Mayor once said, ‘We must stop proceeding by trial and error; it’s time to move forward with a plan.’ These words opened the path to this workshop.”

Seven Working Groups: Collective Intelligence for Concrete Solutions

Discussions were held around seven thematic tables, each focusing on a different aspect of disability inclusion. Experts and participants developed solution-oriented recommendations to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities:

1. Accessibility and Infrastructure – Making public spaces accessible to all.

2. Social Support, Employment, and Education – Ensuring full participation of people with disabilities in education, employment, and society.

3. Legal Rights and Policy Development – Strengthening local-level mechanisms for rights advocacy.

4. Technology and Innovation – Using innovative tools to make life easier.

5. Integration of Existing Services – Evaluating municipal services for inclusivity and accessibility.

6. Disability Care and Health – Ensuring accessible healthcare and care services.

7. Awareness and Inclusion – Promoting a culture of coexistence and understanding.

Emine İşler, a teacher from Aşık Veysel School for the Visually Impaired, emphasized the importance of these discussions for empowering individuals with disabilities.

Concrete Steps to Be Presented to the Municipal Council

At the end of the day-long workshop, the findings and recommendations from each working group were compiled into a report to be submitted to the Bornova Municipal Council.
With this step, the workshop goes beyond being a platform for idea-sharing — it becomes a cornerstone for shaping Bornova’s participatory and rights-based disability policies.