Our Department Chair, Prof. Dr. Fatma Elif ERGİN, attended the Symposium on Accessibility and Safety in the Built Environment for Children.

On July 29, 2025, the “Symposium on Accessibility and Safety in the Built Environment for Children” was held in collaboration between the Ministry of Family and Social Services and UNICEF. The symposium addressed efforts to create accessible and safe environments for children in homes, schools, parks, and all urban living spaces. In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Zafer Tarıkdaroğlu emphasized the needs of children in their living environments and stressed that accessible architectural designs are essential for everyone. Recalling that May 16 had been declared “National Accessibility Day” by a Presidential Decree, Tarıkdaroğlu also noted that the “Commission for Monitoring the Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications” had been established within the Ministry. UNICEF Turkey Representative Paolo Marchi, meanwhile, drew attention to the importance of accessibility and highlighted how crucial it is for children with disabilities. During the symposium, three separate sessions were held on “Accessibility and Safety for Children in Homes and Care Facilities,” “Accessibility and Safety for Children in Schools and Public Buildings,” and “Accessibility and Safety for Children in Urban Open Spaces and Playgrounds,” with presentations delivered by public sector experts, academics, civil society organization representatives, and private sector representatives.