The role of tourism in including physically disabled children to society (Example of Van province)

Congenital or acquired disabilities who feel physically inadequate and experience loss in the functional characteristics of their body are called physically disabled individuals. Individuals with disabilities face various obstacles during tourism activities as in many areas. In addition to the positive social and psychological effects of tourism on individuals, it may also have negative effects due to the problems experienced by physically disabled individuals during tourism activities. In this study, the experiences of physically disabled children in İpekyolu district of Van province during tourism activities were analysed. In addition, taking into account the demographic structures of physically disabled children, tourism interactions and their socialisation through tourism interactions were investigated. Depending on the socialisation of physically disabled children as a result of tourism activities, their integration into the society was evaluated. The data of the study were obtained through the questionnaire technique applied to 232 physically disabled children registered in special education and rehabilitation centres in İpekyolu district of Van province. As a result of the analyses, it was concluded that tourism interactions and socialisation with tourism interaction differ depending on some demographic structures of physically disabled children. The findings obtained show that tourism has an important role in the socialisation of children with physical disabilities and accordingly in their integration into the society.