THE PROCESS OF ADAPTATION IN SOCIAL LIFE BY WAR VICTIM DISABLED SYRIAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY: THE BARRIERS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SPHERES

On the one hand, disability is based on innate biological factors; on the other hand, the social life of individual is also multifariously affected bysocial/environmental factors encountered by him. Beyond the doubt, one of the most significant social/environmental factors in the formation of disability is war. During war, soldiers often get injured and become disabled; sometimes civilians become war victims and disabled. In comparison with others, disabled people face many serious problems in conditions/times of migration and war. This study deals witht head aptation problems experienced by the refugees who became disabled due to war, livingoutsidethecamps in Turkey. The method of study is qualitative and the data are gathered by observation, in-depth interview and case study techniques. This research has been conducted on the samples taken from border city Sanliurfa. According to the research findings, disabled refugees are facing many problems in Turkey. The problems include language, rents, housing problems, unemployment, livelihood problems, Access to education and health, and the deprivation of objects needed to a disabled person. Besides that, they are exposed to abuse, exclusion and stigmatization. While the problems stemming from the legislation constitutean obstaclet otheutilization of services, it becomes difficult for the disabled people to go to the public spaces, where they can be socialized, pushing the minto isolation. This study recommends to examine the issues of disabled refugees more academically and make legal and social improvements.

Keywords

İmmigration, Social Adaptation, Syrian Refugees, War Victim Disabled Syrian Refugees, Şanlıurfa