Examination of Shopping Malls on The Usage Preferences of Physical Disabilities: On-Site Evaluation From Konya/Turkey

Abstract

With this research, the suitability of the existing large shopping malls in the city of Konya for the use of physically disabled individuals, the problems they may experience in their use and their expectations were evaluated. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in 4 large shopping malls, private or public rehabilitation malls for the disabled, and the Konya Branch of the Turkish Association for the Disabled. The research was carried out in 2018-2019. A survey was conducted with disabled people who volunteered on different days, weekdays, and weekends. Even though it is difficult to access, the shopping mall where they can be most comfortable as a disabled person has been “Novada”. While "Novada AVM" stands out due to the ease of use of the sanitary facilities, the presence of landmarks for the visually impaired, the presence of a battery-chair charging station and the availability of wheelchairs, "Kent plaza", where its staff receives "sign language" training for the speech-impaired, is one of the preferred shopping malls. In this research, "Kulesite" shopping mall has been the most preferred shopping mall due to the ease of transportation by "tramway".