The introductory panel of the “Equal Steps Pilot Project,” implemented in collaboration with Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department, Zeytinburnu Municipality, and District Directorate of National Education, was held. In the project, which aims to prevent children with special needs from experiencing peer bullying and to promote social integration, details of the student, teacher, and parent-focused holistic model were shared, drawing attention to the importance of inclusive education.
The Equal Steps Pilot Project Introductory Panel, held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus Emirnebi Conference Hall, took place with intense participation.
The event was attended by Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Head of Child Development Department Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer, Project Coordinator Lecturer Elif İpek Güney, and Zeytinburnu City Council Council for Persons with Disabilities President Taha Nusret Bozkurt, as well as many academics and students.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan: “Not losing the feeling of hope is the greatest strength”
Üsküdar University Founding Rector Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan spoke at the opening of the program. Stating that the level of civilization of a society is measured by its approach to disadvantaged individuals, Tarhan drew attention to the concept of ‘Exploratory Hopelessness’ in psychotherapy. Tarhan said: “The most important thing distinguishing developed societies from underdeveloped societies is how disadvantaged people are treated. If a disadvantaged individual is unhappy in a home, no one in that home can be happy. In psychotherapy, we call this ‘Exploratory Hopelessness’. When a person discovers new options by saying, ‘I cannot change my current situation, but what can I do in this state?’, they can achieve great successes, just like in the example of Stephen Hawking. Not losing the feeling of hope is the greatest strength.”
Stating that prejudiced attitudes towards disabled individuals are also a psychological barrier, Tarhan said; “People who act with prejudice and engage in peer bullying are also actually psychologically disabled. Our duty is not to teach children pity, but to teach them to respect differences. As Rumi said, it is our responsibility to pursue challenges and reach out to heartbroken people.” He concluded by congratulating the team that prepared the project.
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “Knowledge must turn into social sharing”
Emphasizing the importance Üsküdar University places on disseminating knowledge to society, Faculty of Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin stated that the foundation of development is investment in early childhood. Ertekin, referring to the importance of multidisciplinary work of departments such as Child Development, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy within the faculty, said; “If we want to develop a society, we must first invest in children aged 0-3 and expectant mothers. Knowledge should not remain only in the academic community; it must transform into social sharing. This project is the best example of what can be achieved when effort is put in and desired.”
Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer: “The rate of bullying experienced by individuals with disabilities is twice as high"
Referring to global disability statistics and increasing bullying rates, Head of Child Development Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Nurper Ülküer, highlighted the importance of social responsibility projects. Ülküer stated that these projects serve as a laboratory for implementing scientific data; “According to statistics, one in six people worldwide has a disability. More importantly, the rate of peer bullying experienced by individuals with disabilities is twice as high as for others. Social responsibility projects are a great opportunity for our students and society to apply known scientific facts and empathetic approaches in the field.”
Taha Nusret Bozkurt: “Our only wish is equality without ifs or buts”
Zeytinburnu Municipality City Council Council for Persons with Disabilities Board Chairman Taha Nusret Bozkurt drew attention to the expectations of individuals with disabilities from society. Bozkurt underlined that they do not want positive or negative discrimination; “We have only one wish: to be seen as equal human beings, without ifs or buts. Unfortunately, due to prejudices in society, we are most exposed to discrimination in childhood. However, with this project, I personally witnessed how children's perspectives changed. The fact that children who looked at me hesitantly in the first lessons adopted me as an older brother and drew my picture in the last lessons is the most concrete and hopeful evidence of the project's success.”
Lecturer Elif İpek Güney: “We implemented a student, teacher, and parent-focused holistic model”
Speaking within the scope of the program, Project Coordinator, Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department Lecturer Elif İpek Güney, stated that the starting point of the project was to break down prejudices, described as invisible barriers in educational environments. Güney, sharing the details of the pilot implementation carried out at Şemsettin Sami Secondary School, said; “As part of a multidisciplinary team, we believe in the value of co-creation in this field. In our project, we touched not only the students but all components of the school. While working on the theme that differences are not a deficiency but a richness in the drama and art workshops we conducted with students, we focused on in-class inclusivity strategies with our teachers. With our parents, we aimed to create an inclusive consciousness by eliminating the distinction between ‘our children’ and ‘their children’. We implemented a student, teacher, and parent-focused holistic model.”
Details of the pilot implementation were explained
Lecturer Elif İpek Güney shared the technical details and outcomes of the pilot implementation carried out at Şemsettin Sami Secondary School with the participants. Güney presented data demonstrating the positive effects of the implemented holistic model on students.
Expert figures addressed the topic from different perspectives
In the second session of the program, expert figures in their fields made presentations under different titles.
Within this scope, Assistant Professor Dr. Demet Gülaldı from Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department, gave a presentation on “Integration of Individuals with Special Needs into Educational Environments and Society”; Şemsettin Sami Secondary School Principal Mesut Tüysüz on “Practices for Developing Positive Attitudes in Classroom and Educational Settings”; and Zeytinburnu City Council Council for Persons with Disabilities Family Representative Nuray Akpınar on “Family Contribution and Home Support Processes”.
General evaluation and Q&A session were held
Following the presentations, Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Child Development Department Vice Head Assistant Professor Dr. Pınar Demir Asma conducted the general evaluation and Q&A session.
The program concluded with certificate presentations and a group photo session.
