Digital transformation and the development of smart cities offer significant potential for enhancing quality of life and improving public service delivery; however, in the absence of inclusive approaches, these technologies may inadvertently perpetuate existing inequalities and generate new forms of digital exclusion. Mothers of children with disabilities constitute a particularly vulnerable group in this context, as they encounter multi-layered environmental, socio-economic, and technological barriers when accessing urban services and participating in social life.
This research aims to elucidate the role of smart governance in promoting the citizenship rights of this group. Employing a descriptive-analytical methodology, the study utilizes thematic analysis of upstream documents, disability rights legislation, and interdisciplinary literature concerning smart cities, digital justice, and responsible artificial intelligence.
The findings indicate that the realization of inclusive smart governance requires four fundamental pillars: accessible digital infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, a robust legal-ethical framework for responsible artificial intelligence, and the digital-economic empowerment of citizens. While identifying key obstacles—such as algorithmic bias, the digital divide, privacy concerns, and institutional resistance—this study demonstrates the necessity of transitioning from “passive support” to “active empowerment.”
Ultimately, a “smart and inclusive governance” policy model is presented, in which technology is redefined as a vehicle for social justice, individual autonomy, and active citizen participation. By bridging the discourse of the smart city with the social model of disability, this model provides a conceptual framework for urban policymakers, public institutions, and digital service designers to advance urban justice, equitable access, and sustainable development.