It is essential to ensure the active participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes

President of the Health Tourism Council and National Unity Party (UBP) MP Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, published a message on December 3, World Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Emphasizing that the purpose of this special day is to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all areas of society and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all areas of political, social, economic and cultural life Ahmet Savaşan, stated that the theme for the 2022 World Day of Persons with Disabilities is “transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in nurturing an accessible and equitable world”.

“PUBLIC DATA CENTER IS A GREAT GAIN FOR OUR DISABLED PEOPLE”

Pointing out that the theme focuses on the need for more public-private sector cooperation to develop new strategies with the participation of persons with disabilities, and in doing so, the active participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes Ahmet Savaşan, continued his statement on the subject as follows:

“Innovation and technology will improve access to information, education and lifelong learning for people with disabilities. Innovation and technology will also create new ways for our disabled people to participate equally in the workforce and in social life in general. In this context, the recently inaugurated Public Data Center, which will soon be fully operational, will be a very important achievement for our disabled people.” Underlining that disability policies in Northern Cyprus should progress at the same pace as other policies, Savaşan said, “both the government and the opposition have a duty in this regard.”

“NO NEED TO REINVENT SWEDEN”

Stating that the Swedish government brought a new perspective to disability policy in the 2000s with the slogan ’from patient to citizen“, Savaşan said, ”As is known, disability has been seen as a “patient problem“ for many years all over the world. Sweden and a few other countries saw it as a problem of democracy and human rights and determined their policies as citizenship, equality and full participation. Although this perception has changed in developed countries, there are still a majority of countries that have not changed. The fact that this perception has not yet changed in our country is the biggest obstacle in front of the barriers. There is no need to reinvent Sweden. We should examine the correct and fruitful examples in the world and apply them in our country with a participatory approach.”.

“PRIME MINISTER ÜSTEL'S SENSITIVITY WILL ACCELERATE THE POLICIES TO BE DEVELOPED”

Emphasizing that the real problem in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is that the disabled have not been seen as equal citizens until today Ahmet Savaşan, Savaşan underlined that in line with the Universal ‘United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’, it is necessary to create a state structure in which information, education, training, health, transportation, rehabilitation, employment, social protection, funding systems, social policies and necessary laws are in place and implemented to provide all necessary practices to eliminate all forms of discrimination, exclusion or restriction based on disability in the full exercise or enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field on an equal basis with others. Savaşan said: “I believe that the Prime Minister Unal Üstel’s sensitivity in choosing his closest colleagues will set an example for our country and will inspire and accelerate the policies to be developed.”.

“INDIVIDUALS DEFINED AS DISABLED SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS OBSTACLES”

“It should be the common responsibility of all of us, especially us politicians, to be the hand, arm, eye, ear of those who are different from us, to make their lives easier, to make them feel good, to make them realize, to make them realize, to make them exist in social life.” Ahmet Savaşan, “It is our greatest wish that individuals who are defined as ‘disabled’ due to legal obligations and legal requirements do not appear as ‘obstacles’ in life. On the occasion of the World Day of Persons with Disabilities, I wish a world where ‘disabled’ individuals are made more visible in society, their lives are more physically and emotionally facilitated, they have equal rights with other people without being marginalized; I would like to thank the politicians who will fulfill the legal requirements to eliminate the problems faced by our disabled people, and all individuals and institutions that develop awareness and support in this regard.”.