The “Equal Steps” pilot project, aiming to raise awareness for individuals with special needs, was successfully implemented in collaboration with Üsküdar University's Faculty of Health Sciences, Child Development Department, and Zeytinburnu Municipality City Council's Council for the Disabled. Within the scope of the project, an educational program targeting the development of positive attitudes towards individuals with special needs among 5th-grade students was applied.
In this regard, specially prepared storybooks were distributed to the students of the selected pilot school.
Through these books, the aim was for children to learn about different types of disabilities, develop empathy, and become more sensitive individuals towards those with special needs.
Awareness gained regarding special needs
Volunteers from Üsküdar University's Child Development Department, forming their own core team, implemented the activities at Şemsettin Sami Secondary School, chosen as the pilot school. Through these activities, students learned while having fun and gained awareness regarding special needs.
The project's impact was also scientifically evaluated
Furthermore, to measure the program's effectiveness, a pre-test-post-test method was used before and after implementation. With the data obtained, the project's impact was also scientifically evaluated.