Afet Eğitimi

From June 2015 to November 2017, Turkish Search and Rescue Association AKUT has realized an innovative field action in Istanbul as a part of the European Disasters in Urban Centers (EDUCEN) Project, an international coordination and support action financed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Program. In accordance with the project’s main theme, which is the (possible) contributions of culture to disaster management and disaster risk reduction, AKUT’s public training unit has decided to work on the disability and disaster issue under the direction of the case study (CS) leader. Being aware of the specific problems experienced by people with disabilities during disasters, and also, the lack of access to disaster preparedness information for the disabled, AKUT’s training unit has collaborated with seven partner organizations in order to design a new training model.
Not surprisingly, the action has gone beyond a mere adaptation work, pushing the “non-disabled side” to alter its perception of the disability, discover and embrace a modern definition of the phenomenon and recognize the importance of concepts like “diversity” and “inclusivity” as a sound basis for all action in this field. Let’s note that Turkey’s first and largest volunteer search and rescue group has taken important steps in improving its inclusivity and accessibility thanks to the feedback and knowledge gained through EDUCEN case study. While the disability culture has initiated a transformation at AKUT in this regard, the representatives of the disabled community had in their turn the occasion to look at the emergency and disaster- related issues from a new perspective, according to which they could take part in reducing their own vulnerability to disasters, actively assist others in doing so and even take important leadership roles during such incidents. The resulting training model emphasizes the need for addressing mixed audiences through specifically adapted tools, supported by supplementary materials, which are accessible through Internet for all involved groups.
Being based on citizen action and using public training as the main dissemination tool, Istanbul Case Study should be regarded as a cost-effective, replicable model for any similar work with the additional social benefit of including the disabled citizens in the DRR.
This report is an “annotated” account of the EDUCEN Istanbul Case Study, which is also designed to be a “flexible” guideline. It is primarily intended for formal and informal citizen groups (NGOs, citizen initiatives...) who aim to develop and implement their own local action to help disabled community reduce its vulnerability to disasters. Also, the practice derived from Istanbul action is certainly useful for relevant professional groups in the disaster management cycle (planners, managers, responders) who should consider persons with disabilities in all phases of disaster management. Nevertheless, we have to affirm that we did not anticipate any limits in terms of usability for this document: Professionals who belong to medical universe, education professionals and disability professionals would likewise benefit from it.