The launch panel of the “Equal Steps Pilot Project,” implemented through the cooperation of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, the Department of Child Development, Zeytinburnu Municipality, and the District Directorate of National Education, was held. The project aims to prevent peer bullying against children with special needs and to promote social integration. During the panel, the details of the holistic model applied with a focus on students, teachers, and parents were shared, and the importance of inclusive education was emphasized.
The Equal Steps Pilot Project Launch Panel, held at the Emirnebi Conference Hall of Üsküdar University’s Çarşı Campus, took place with strong participation.
Among the attendees were President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Head of the Department of Child Development Prof. Nurper Ülküer, Project Coordinator Insturctor Elif İpek Güney, Chairman of the Zeytinburnu City Council Assembly for People with Disabilities Taha Nusret Bozkurt, as well as many academicians and students.
Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Not losing the sense of hope is the greatest strength”
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan delivered the opening speech of the program. Stating that the level of a society’s civilization is measured by its approach to disadvantaged individuals, Tarhan drew attention to the concept of “Creative Hopelessness” in psychotherapy. He said, “The most important factor that distinguishes developed societies from underdeveloped ones is how they treat disadvantaged people. If a disadvantaged individual is unhappy in a home, no one in that home can truly be happy. In psychotherapy, we call this ‘Creative Hopelessness.’ When a person says, ‘I cannot change my current situation, but what can I do with this condition?’ and discovers new options, they can achieve great success, just like Stephen Hawking. Not losing the sense of hope is the greatest strength.”
Stating that prejudiced attitudes toward people with disabilities are also a psychological barrier, Tarhan added, “Those who act with prejudice and engage in peer bullying are, in fact, psychologically disabled as well. Our duty is to teach children not pity, but respect for differences. As Mevlana said, striving for difficult paths and reaching people with broken hearts is our responsibility.” He congratulated the team that prepared the project.
Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “Knowledge should turn into social sharing”
Emphasizing the importance they place on disseminating knowledge to society as Üsküdar University, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin stated that the foundation of development lies in investment in early childhood. Highlighting the importance of the multidisciplinary collaboration of departments such as Child Development, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy within the faculty, Ertekin said, “If we want to develop a society, we must first invest in children aged 0 to 3 and expectant mothers. Knowledge should not remain only within academic circles but should turn into social sharing. This project is one of the best examples of what can be achieved when effort is invested and there is determination.”
Prof. Nurper Ülküer: “The rate of bullying against individuals with disabilities is twice as high”
Drawing attention to global disability statistics and rising bullying rates, Head of the Department of Child Development at the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Nurper Ülküer emphasized the importance of social responsibility projects. Noting that such projects serve as a laboratory for translating scientific data into real life, Ülküer said, “According to statistics, one out of every six people in the world has a disability. More importantly, the rate of peer bullying against individuals with disabilities is twice as high compared to others. Social responsibility projects offer a great opportunity for our students and for society to apply scientific facts and an empathetic approach in real-life settings.”
Taha Nusret Bozkurt: “Our only request is equality without conditions”
Chairman of the Zeytinburnu Municipality City Council Assembly for People with Disabilities, Taha Nusret Bozkurt, emphasized the expectations of individuals with disabilities from society. Underlining that they do not want either positive or negative discrimination, Bozkurt said, “We have only one wish, and that is to be seen as equal human beings without conditions or exceptions. Unfortunately, due to prejudices in society, we are most exposed to discrimination during childhood. However, through this project, I personally witnessed how the perspectives of children changed. The fact that children who initially looked at me with hesitation later accepted me as an older brother and even drew my picture in the final sessions is the most concrete and hopeful proof of the project’s success.”
Insturctor Elif İpek Güney: “We implemented a holistic model focused on students, teachers, and parents”
Speaking within the scope of the program, Project Coordinator and Insturctor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Child Development, Elif İpek Güney stated that the starting point of the project was to break down prejudices, which she described as invisible barriers in educational environments. Sharing the details of the pilot implementation carried out at Şemsettin Sami Secondary School, Güney said, “As part of a multidisciplinary team, we believe in the value of producing together in this field. In our project, we did not only reach students, but all components of the school. In the drama and art workshops we held with students, we emphasized that differences are not a deficiency but a richness, while with our teachers we focused on inclusive classroom strategies. With parents, we aimed to create an inclusive awareness by eliminating the distinction between ‘our children’ and ‘their children.’ We implemented a holistic model focused on students, teachers, and parents.”
Details of the pilot implementation were shared
Insturctor Elif İpek Güney shared the technical details and outcomes of the pilot implementation conducted at Şemsettin Sami Secondary School with the participants. She presented data demonstrating the positive effects of the holistic model on students.
Experts addressed the topic from different perspectives
In the second session of the program, experts in their respective fields delivered presentations under different headings. Within this scope, Asst. Prof. Demet Gülaldı from the Department of Child Development at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences presented on “The Integration of Individuals with Special Needs into Educational Environments and Society,” Şemsettin Sami Secondary School Principal Mesut Tüysüz presented on “Practices for Developing Positive Attitudes in the Classroom and Educational Environment,” and Zeytinburnu City Council Assembly for People with Disabilities Family Representative Nuray Akpınar presented on “Family Contribution and Support Processes at Home.”
General evaluation and question and answer session held
Following the presentations, Deputy Head of the Department of Child Development at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Asst. Prof. Pınar Demir Asma, conducted the general evaluation and question and answer session.
The program concluded with the presentation of certificates and a group photo session.
