Accessibility of praying locations for the socialization of disabled in the context of communication: Hacı Hasan Mosque model

The main purpose of this dissertation is to present a model of accessibilty for elderly and disabled people which are % 12 percent of the total population to increase participation to religious life, socialization within the society and performing daily life activities since mosques are the most commonly visited locations. Haci Hasan Mosque is selected as a prayer location to exercise the proposed ideas which is in the border of Old Odunpazarı Houses in the same named district. The first records of Haci Hasan mosque was among the 16 praying locations that is mentioned at Matrakci Nasuh drawings . At the beginning, it was built as a masjeed, later on converted into a mosque at the year of 1850?s. It was the property of Kutahya Regional Directorate of Foundation and registered as a historical building. Although all the legal obligational procedure was completed in the country for the last 10 years, there was no real development at achieving the accessibility. Developments rise slowly due to weak awareness. Praying locations in Europea and USA are not obliqued to obey the rules of accessibility, they are spending much more efforts to reach the peak access level. Accessibility is accepted as a main human right especially for elderly, disabled and sick people from the point that religion and praying makes them feel better and be a part of the society. When examined the literature about the accessibility of praying locations in Turkey and Islamic countries unfortunately it is seen that no real work was done in any where. Mostly the difficulty and limitations at renovation are the main excuses for the lack of developments. This model work is mainly important to prove that even a historical mosque can be converted into a accessible praying locaation without disturbing the structure and become usable for all vulnerable groups. This model is designed according to the needs of muslim prayers and include some applications and innovations used for the first time. This model will encourage other researchers who want to put standarts for the disability subjects and become a turning point of accessibility of all praying locations. Keywords: Disabled, communication, accessibility, socialization, disability rights, model.