Visually impaired individuals applied to TİHEK most for tactile guide paths

According to the information on the website of TİHEK, 13 violation decisions were made in the applications made by visually impaired citizens in 2022-2024, citing discrimination. The most violated subject in the applications made regarding transportation, education, notary, and banking transactions was about the 'tactile guide path' that facilitates the transportation of visually impaired individuals. In the decisions where TİHEK ruled that discrimination based on disability was violated, it is emphasized that everyone is equal before the law in Article 10 of the Constitution, and all state organs and administrative authorities must act in accordance with the principle of equality before the law in all processes. The decisions point out that all forms of discrimination are prohibited in the Law of the Turkey Human Rights and Equality Institution, and public institutions and organizations, as well as professional organizations with public institution status, are obliged to take necessary measures to end the violation, eliminate its consequences, prevent its recurrence, and ensure its follow-up through judicial and administrative means. It is stated in the decisions that according to national and international regulations, all open spaces must be made accessible to people with disabilities or brought into compliance, and individuals with disabilities must be able to access different places without any problems within the framework of their right to independent living and social inclusion without breaking the accessibility chain. The decisions also state that 'Urban life must be organized in accordance with the accessibility of individuals with disabilities by law. Within the scope of Law No. 5378, all existing official structures of public institutions, all roads, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, open and green areas, sports fields, and similar social and cultural infrastructure areas, as well as all structures made by individuals or legal entities and providing public services, must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.'