The Department of Occupational Therapy at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences held the “IV. Touch the Boundaries and Change with Occupational Therapy” symposium within the scope of International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Many experts in the field attended the symposium. Third-year students from the Occupational Therapy department also contributed to the symposium.
In the online symposium, experts in their field once again addressed occupational therapy from different perspectives.
The opening speeches of the symposium, which took place in three different sessions, were delivered by Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy.
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “Being disabled is an unforeseen situation”
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, who delivered the opening speeches of the symposium, said: “Being disabled is a situation that can happen to us at any moment in human life and that we cannot foresee. Looking at global data, approximately 15 percent of the population is disabled, which means about 1 billion people. In Turkey, according to 2024 data, there are approximately 2.5 million disabled individuals, the vast majority of whom are men. Disability is examined in eight subgroups, covering various areas such as mental, hearing, visual, orthopedic, language and speech, psychological, chronic diseases, and attention deficit. Occupational therapy stands out as a field that can address almost all of these problems with a multidisciplinary approach. Our institution also has many departments and services to facilitate and support the lives of disabled individuals. I believe that this meeting will yield important results that will provide more support to our disabled individuals.”
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova: “If there is love, there is no barrier…”
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Therapy, who delivered the opening speeches of the symposium, said: “The United Nations declared December 3, 1992, as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This special day is an important opportunity to ensure the full and effective participation of disabled individuals in social life, raise awareness, and inform society. Society’s perspective on disabled people also plays a critical role in this awareness process. If a society only sees disabled individuals as pitiable and helpless people, this can damage their self-confidence. Therefore, instead of approaching our disabled individuals with pity, we should adopt an attitude that supports and empowers them. Ensuring the full participation of disabled individuals in social life and raising their living standards is an indispensable part of a civilized society’s understanding. Being disabled is not a defect, and we all have duties to ensure that our disabled individuals never lose their will to live. It should not be forgotten that being disabled is not a choice, and everyone can become disabled one day. With this awareness, taking necessary measures to prevent the causes that can lead individuals to a disabled state is our common responsibility. Improvements in areas such as accessibility, equal opportunities, and social participation in society are important steps we will take together. With love, solidarity, and empathy, we can overcome barriers and build a brighter world. Let’s not forget that if there is love, there is no barrier. Let’s take loving steps together to build a life without barriers.”
Following the opening speeches of the symposium, the sessions began.
Prof. Dr. Abdullah Karatay: “Disability is a phenomenon as old as human history”
Prof. Dr. Abdullah Karatay, Faculty Member of the Department of Social Services at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, chaired the first session. Karatay delivered his presentation titled “Social Services for Persons with Disabilities in Turkey.” Karatay stated: “Social services is a field that encompasses many health services, and occupational therapy holds an important place in this field. Disability is a phenomenon as old as human history and cannot be completely eliminated. This is because disabilities stemming from human nature have always existed and will continue to exist. In addition, there are disability conditions caused by accidents, diseases, and other external factors. Reducing these causes can partially lower disability rates. However, disability will always remain an important issue on societies’ agenda.”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Özlem Yalçın: “There are quite a number of individuals with severe mental disorders”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Özlem Yalçın from Çankırı State Hospital delivered her presentation titled “Stigma and Severe Mental Disorders: Combating Prejudice and Social Awareness with Occupational Therapy.” Yalçın said: “Society excludes these individuals. They may have problems with their neighbors when they want to rent a house. They may encounter issues with health reports when applying for a job. Even when they need hospitalization, nursing homes may not want to accept these individuals. Because it is truly very difficult to find a nursing home suitable for mental disorders. Many clients in this situation are actually among us in society, in schools, and walking past us on the street. Severe mental disorders are not only unnoticed from the outside, but this situation is also increasingly seen in younger age groups. For example, there are quite a number of university students with severe mental disorders. They struggle to find jobs, and when they do get a job, employers often do not want to accept the situation due to their illness processes. However, as you know, workplaces that reach a certain number of employees are obliged to employ disabled individuals. Severe mental disorders may be suitable for this scope because these individuals do not have physical impediments to work. They can perform their jobs fully; they just need to continue their treatment and therapies.”
Lecturer Hilmi Bakır: “High-tech electronic devices can be used in different ways”
Lecturer Hilmi Bakır from Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vocational School of Health Services Audiometry Program delivered his presentation titled “Technological Products Facilitating the Lives of Persons with Disabilities.” Bakır said: “Assistive technologies are tools, equipment, and methods used to offer solutions for the needs of individuals with special needs, increase their independence, and enhance their quality of life. According to international standards (ISO), assistive technology is defined as products, devices, hardware, or technical systems specifically manufactured or widely available for these purposes, which prevent, compensate for, reduce, or neutralize disabilities. ISO sets quality standards for such technologies. These technologies can be used in different ways as solutions, ranging from low-tech products and systems that develop or increase the functional capacities of disabled individuals, to high-tech electronic devices, software, and artificial intelligence applications.”
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan: “By assessing risks, we aim to avoid unnecessary dangers”
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences, chaired the second session. Uçan shared his presentation titled “Developing a Risk Assessment Method Using Disability Rate Values in Health Board Reports of Disabled Employees: An Application in the Casting Sector” with the participants. Uçan stated: “As the occupational health and safety department, we developed a risk assessment method to improve the working conditions of disabled individuals. By considering the health reports, disability rates, and risk factors in the working environment of disabled employees, we pre-determine which departments they can work in. According to labor law, workplaces with more than 50 employees are required to employ 3% disabled personnel. We also aim to avoid unnecessary dangers by assessing the risks in the working environment for disabled individuals. In this method, not only the human factor but also disability conditions are taken into account, which provided us with great convenience.”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Şevval Kazan: “Occupational therapy offers comprehensive guidance for improving quality of life”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Şevval Kazan delivered her presentation titled “The Power of Occupational Therapy in Orthosis-Prosthesis Rehabilitation: A Journey to Functional Independence.” Kazan said: “The fundamental role of occupational therapy in orthosis and prosthesis is to enhance individuals' quality of life. In this process, we inform patients, teach them how to use orthoses or prostheses, and create programs aimed at acquiring skills to enable their effective use. Occupational therapists offer customized rehabilitation approaches according to each individual’s physical, mental, and psychological characteristics. A personalized treatment plan is prepared based on the type of orthosis or prosthesis used in the rehabilitation process. In orthosis use, the occupational therapist’s role is to teach the patient how to use the orthosis, guide them in proper usage, and provide support throughout the process. In prosthesis use, the occupational therapist’s goal is to help regain functional skills that will replace the lost limb. During this process, training is provided to enable the individual to integrate the prosthesis into their daily life activities. Consequently, occupational therapists offer comprehensive guidance aimed at increasing individuals' independence and improving their quality of life in both orthosis and prosthesis use.”
Neurologist Bülent Madi: “Disability can occur at any age, and a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for treatment”
Neurologist Bülent Madi, Founder of Bülent Madi Neurology Clinic, shared his presentation titled “The Necessity of Neuroscience in the Development of Persons with Disabilities” with the participants. Madi said: “Individuals with neurological disabilities encompass a wide group, the most well-known being those with intellectual disabilities. The causes of this condition include genetic factors, prenatal problems, birth complications, and environmental effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in autism diagnoses due to lack of stimulation, and dementia cases in elderly individuals were observed. Disability can occur at any age, and a multidisciplinary approach is necessary for treatment. Collaboration among neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and special education specialists is essential. Furthermore, attention must be paid to the side effects of medications, as these can affect the treatment process. Occupational therapy plays a significant role in improving individuals’ quality of life.”
Akif Ülger: “We are all facing the potential of becoming disabled”
The chairman of the last session of the symposium was Special Education Specialist Akif Ülger. Ülger delivered his presentation titled “We Are All Candidates.” Ülger stated: “Each one of us is facing the potential of becoming disabled. What happened especially after the Kahramanmaraş and Hatay earthquakes once again revealed this truth. This situation shows how devastating natural disasters can be and how they can change our lives in an instant. At the same time, we must not forget that disability is a possible situation for everyone. Acting with this awareness is of great importance in increasing solidarity and empathy.”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Leyla Ak: “An approach aimed at improving the quality of life for families as well”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Leyla Ak shared her presentation titled “The Importance of Occupational Therapy for Families with Disabled Individuals” with the participants. Ak stated: “Occupational therapy is an approach that aims to improve the quality of life for families while developing the daily living skills of disabled individuals. Disabled individuals' gaining independence and participating more actively in social life can be supported through occupational therapy methods. At the same time, it contributes to creating a healthier family dynamic by alleviating the emotional and physical burden on families. In this context, it should not be forgotten that occupational therapy has positive effects not only for the individual but for the entire family.”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Duygu Ece Kılıç: “We aim to improve an individual's endurance by applying personalized exercise programs”
Specialist Occupational Therapist Duygu Ece Kılıç delivered her presentation titled “Occupational Therapy Interventions in Individuals with Scoliosis.” Kılıç stated: “Occupational therapists can assess an individual’s daily activities, routines, and environments to identify challenges related to scoliosis. They recommend various modifications and adaptations to ensure a more manageable and comfortable life. In the area of postural alignment, they teach techniques to individuals with scoliosis to maintain optimal alignment during activities and aim to reduce tension in the muscles surrounding the spine. Furthermore, we aim to improve an individual's strength, flexibility, and endurance by applying personalized exercise programs. In pain management, they employ strategies such as teaching relaxation techniques, providing recommendations for ergonomic improvements, and incorporating the use of adaptive equipment to alleviate discomfort.”
Third-year Occupational Therapy students also made presentations
Occupational Therapist Alper Durdu Turnalar and Occupational Therapist Ayşe Şahin shared their presentation titled “Art Therapy from an Occupational Therapist's Perspective in Individuals with Disabilities” with the participants. In their presentation, they discussed the benefits of art therapy. They particularly drew attention to how painting contributes to emotional, mental, and physical development in disabled individuals and emphasized that it can be used as a communication tool in situations where they struggle with verbal expression.
Occupational Therapist Sude Özge and Occupational Therapist Zeynep Mengi shared their presentation titled “Awareness of Genetic Predisposition in Disability Rehabilitation” with the participants.
Then, Occupational Therapist Nisa Gamze Aydın and Occupational Therapist Naime Zehra Yılmaz discussed what occupational therapists can do for visually impaired individuals in their presentation titled “Occupational Therapy Applications in the Visually Impaired.” They stated that therapy programs tailored to the physical, psychological, and social needs of visually impaired individuals are organized.