On the occasion of the World Day of Persons with Disabilities, HÜDA PAR Social Affairs Presidency issued a message urging the state and society to improve the living standards and integration of disabled citizens.

The message, published on December 3, stated that disabled people have problems that need to be solved and expressed the hope that the day would be instrumental in addressing the needs of the citizens with special needs.

The message also shared the expectations of the disabled people as a party, saying that the UN declared December 3 as the World Day of Persons with Disabilities in 1992 to create an international awareness for the disabled.

"It is one of the most important duties of the state to ensure that our disabled citizens benefit from fundamental rights in a fair manner," the message said, adding that many legal and economic improvements have been made for the disabled citizens in Türkiye in recent years, but they have still not been able to integrate with the society at the desired level.

The message highlighted the physical and social problems that prevent the disabled citizens from raising their living standards, integrating into society and participating in social life. It said that the ability of persons with disabilities to maintain their daily lives in a healthy manner depends on their enjoyment of all rights, especially education, health, social services and employment.

The message also emphasized that none of the citizens who experience various difficulties and hardships due to physical or mental disabilities should be treated as second class people or be socially isolated. It called for existing measures to be carried out in a healthy way and new regulations to be made. It also urged for social awareness to be improved to transform attitudes and behaviors towards persons with disabilities into positive ones and to prevent marginalization.

The message also expressed the need for sensitivity for the disabled coordination centers established within local governments to become widespread and more functional. It said that these centers should defend the rights of the disabled, ensure that they receive appropriate education and employment, and supervise the public and private education and rehabilitation centers to prevent any victimization of the disabled citizens and their families. (ILKHA)