Accessibility for Disabled People at Peshmerga Park, Erbil, Iraq

Just like most members of society, disabled people should be given the chance to satisfy their daily life requirements in public places. However, the existence of obstacles in places such as parks, leads to the abstinence of people with disabilities from having those privileges. Furthermore, in consideration of their feelings, this issue has stopped family members from also going to such places. This research aims to investigate to what extent the current situation at Peshmerga Park in Erbil city complies with disabled people's requirements. It also aims to highlight the local regulations that affect disabled people in Iraq. In order to achieve the aim of this research, a qualitative approach was chosen and the methods of data collection were observations and revision of relevant conventions and Acts. The study documented the current situation of Peshmerga Park and presented the main obstacles that disabled people face when visiting it. The findings have demonstrated that more than 39% of observed points fail to achieve implementing the demands of disabled people. The reason behind this lack of ability to provide in accordance with the needs of persons with disabilities is the shortcoming of compulsory application of the care of persons with disabilities regulations in Iraq. The regulation neither includes an explanation of the actual application nor is distributed to the relevant institutions. The significance of this study stems from the fact that it is the first attempt to assess the status of providing accessibility to Erbil parks for people with disabilities. The results of this study will help the planners, decision makers and officials that are responsible for parks to consider disabled people's requirement in future parks that will be erected and in next maintenance and reparation work at the parks. The appropriate design that provides the disabled people needs will also satisfy other groups' needs such as, the elderly, children, and those who have baby strollers. Finally, implementation of barrier-free design in all parks will help in creating sustainability in the local tourism sector.