EVERYONE'S OTHER IN Türkiye: DISABLED PEOPLE

Being disabled in this country does not only mean a health problem or a difference, but often also means invisibility, exclusion, and being ignored.

Disabled people have become the “other” in all segments of society. They are at the bottom of the list everywhere.

In education, employment, social life, urban planning, justice, politics…

They seem to be everywhere but nowhere.

As a mother, I have spent the last fifteen years trying to tear down these invisible walls.

As an individual, when I tried to demand what was rightfully mine, I was always told to "be patient". We understand you, you are very right, you are very right. But the result has not changed.

As a citizen, the more I tried to be a part of this country, the more doors were closed to me.

This country sets quotas for its youth, invites women to politics, and makes room for certain social groups, even those from different parties, in the name of popularity.

In party programs, it says “equality.” In the congress platforms it says “justice in representation.”

But when it comes to staff, quotas and representation mechanisms, disabled people are not there.

POLITICAL RIGIDITY DOES NOT ALLOW PASSAGE FOR THE DISABLED

Disabled people are not just “social assistance objects”.

free individuals of this society, this country .

And they want the right to representation. They want to take part in decision-making mechanisms, to have their voices heard, to defend themselves.

Twelve percent of this society consists of disabled individuals. They are a large enough group to run for power if they were to form a party with their families.

They are not just “assisted”, they are equal citizens with rights . However, political actors still act with a sense of “favor” when approaching disabled representation. Political correctness is clearly seen not in words but in actions. Disabled people, who are supposedly equal citizens, cannot find a place in decision-making mechanisms.

Ableism is not only prevalent in interpersonal relationships; it has now spread like poison ivy directly into the political arena.

As long as we are kept away from politics, our voices are not heard.

Policies do not apply to us unless we are in parliament.

The city is not ours unless we are on the streets.

Unless we are in the media, we remain invisible.

IT'S TIME TO SAY ENOUGH

The language of politics, decision-making processes, candidate selection methods, the perspective that determines who is deemed “worthy of representation”…

They all focus on healthy body, healthy mind, strong voice, strong image and popular.

Politics still sees being “healthy, strong, resilient, unimpaired” as a sign of competence.

Criteria such as appearing charismatic, making long speeches, and being “resistant” to campaign conditions are highlighted.

Disability is considered the “unwanted” aspect of this system.

A disabled candidate on the podium, a deputy walking with a cane in the parliament, a representative speaking on the podium in his wheelchair are still perceived as “unusual images.” Yet that is exactly where our place is: the places where decisions are made, the tables where representation takes place.

Unfortunately, this prejudice has spread across the entire political spectrum, from left to right.

But we will not remain silent any longer. Because the right to representation is not a favor, it is a constitutional right .

Participation is not a favor done to us, it is a requirement of democracy .

And being visible is not a request, it is existence itself.

We have been saying for years:

In this country, disabled people are everyone's other .

But we no longer accept this otherness. We will not.