Vocational School of Justice
IT IS HARD TO BE A DISABLED KID IN TURKEY!
Difficulties of being a disabled child in Turkey have been discussed at Izmir University of Economics (IUE). Disabled students performed a Zeibek dance, and unfurled a flag after their performance which was admired by the audience greatly.
Izmir University of Economics, Vocational School of Health Services and EngelsizIUE organized a panel titled, “Being a Disabled Child in Turkey”. Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Director of IUE Vocational School of Health Services, Ebru Kalyoncu, Lecturer at Child Development Program, Atatürk Vocational School of Health Services, Ege University, Besim Toker, President of Narlıdere Association for the Mentally Disabled, Ergin Güngör, CEO of Protection and Guidance of Autistic ChildrenAssociation, and Prof. Dr. Oğuz Esen, IUE Rector, attended the panel. At the end of the panel, Ege Artı Special Education and Rehabilitation Center Folk Dances team performed various dances.
Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin stated that disabled children are facing more difficulties compared to other individuals in society due to their disability and due to being children. Prof. Dr. Şemin said, “It is very important for parents and teachers to detect any developmental abnormalities in children who are at risk group in preschool period. Disabled individuals need support on many subjects such as correct prognosis, parents accepting their child's disability, education of disabled child, their adaptation to social life. Among the major problems they face are not being able to benefit from rights in education, health, rehabilitation, and care, and having to deal with poverty for a significant portion of them.”
‘97% Don’t Receive Education’
Prof. Dr. Şemin reported that there were 8.5 million disabled individuals living in Turkey, and 97% of those lacked educational opportunities. She said that we needed to ensure the continuity of social awareness campaigns. Prof. Dr. Şemin said, “Only 95 thousand out of 250 thousand children with special needs are able to receive special education service at special education and rehabilitation centers and schools. The society needs to be informed about the reasons of disability, and protective measures need to be taken in order to rule out those causes for disability.”