Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Therapy, in collaboration with the Cerebral Palsy and Occupational Therapy Club and the Music Therapy Application and Research Center (MÜTEM), organized the “III. Touch the Boundaries and Change with Occupational Therapy Symposium” within the scope of December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The symposium, led by Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, was held in four sessions.
The opening speeches of the symposium, held online within the scope of “December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities”, were delivered by Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, Head of the Occupational Therapy Department at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka, Vice Rector.
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova: “The greatest barrier is lovelessness; if there is love, there is no barrier”
Prof. Dr. Sevda Asqarova, who delivered the opening speech, stated that the symposium was organized to raise awareness in society. Emphasizing the aim of highlighting the strengths of individuals with disabilities through occupational therapy, Asqarova said; “Today, we gathered on a very meaningful day. We organized the third ‘Touch the Boundaries and Change with Occupational Therapy’ symposium to draw attention to the difficulties faced by individuals with disabilities, raise awareness in society, and change negative perceptions about disability. The whole world respects the rights of individuals with disabilities, tries to understand the difficulties they experience, and seeks ways to foster a more inclusive spirit together. This year, as the Occupational Therapy Department of Üsküdar University, we are here before you on International Day of Persons with Disabilities to emphasize the strengths of individuals with disabilities and bring society together. Our main goal is to make the daily lives of individuals with disabilities more independent, effective, and satisfying, and to address the developments and changes in occupational therapy methods. Let’s not forget that each of us is a potential candidate for disability. The greatest barrier is lovelessness; if there is love, there is no barrier.”
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin: “The concept of disability is widely discussed in the world”
Prof. Dr. Arif Aktuğ Ertekin, Dean of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, said; “Disability is an event that can happen to all of us and that we can encounter in our life process. In the past, people visiting our country praised us greatly, saying, ‘How wonderful, there are no disabled people in your country.’ Why did they praise us? Because at that time, no disabled person came out into society. Now, in our country, since we have created infrastructures, our disabled citizens have the right to participate in society. The concept of disability itself has become widely debated and discussed in the world. Barriers related to communication, such as people’s blinking movements, fingertip movements, and in the future, I believe, communication through thoughts, are disappearing. One of the best-known examples in the world in this regard is a very famous scientist, Stephen Hawking, a writer, cosmologist, and physical engineer. He has made significant contributions to the world, especially in cosmic events, in the field of medicine. In our country, for example, Hamide Doğan Türk, who has a disability below her waist due to an accident, is our national athlete and has many medals. She has received awards and become a mother. These are popular examples both for our country and globally. I expect that methods will be developed for all our people and the whole world that cannot be compared with barriers, but when compared with barriers, will ensure that these barriers do not negatively affect their lives.”
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka: “Provided disabled individuals are believed in, they have extraordinary talents”
Üsküdar University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka emphasized the importance of Disability Day celebrations. Zelka said; “Human beings are created perfectly, indeed, in the most perfect way. One of the most important characteristics of human beings is being a social being. Due to this characteristic, humans live not alone but with their environment, engaging in serious interaction with it. It is not possible for a person to live a happy, prosperous life alone. However, if those around them are also happy, prosperous, and in good condition, then that person can be well, in good condition, and happy. In this respect, enabling disabled individuals to live a life befitting human beings will ensure that not only they, but everyone living with them, including their families and the entire community, can live a dignified, prosperous, and happy life. In this regard, tasks undoubtedly fall to all units, all institutions, and individuals, according to their structures, in overcoming barriers. Disabled individuals have extraordinary abilities and other powerfully developed talents. If they are given opportunities and trusted, we can significantly benefit from their potential and strengths. Indeed, today, as we can perhaps see in the news every day, it is possible to witness various successes of our disabled citizens in many fields. Among them are some politicians we all know, as well as sports people. There are also scientists. That is, in every field, provided they are trusted, believed in, and given opportunities, it will be possible for us to allow the contributions of these citizens in social, economic, and cultural life. Disability Day celebrations are important and serve to create awareness and provide notable support.”
Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış: “If there is no barrier, there is no disability”
Following the opening speeches, the sessions began. Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, Head of the Social Services Department at Üsküdar University, emphasized the foundations of accessibility and discrimination in his speech. Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış stated; “The motto related to disability is: If there is no barrier, there is no disability. If there are no barriers, if we have removed the barriers, then there are disabled individuals, but there is no disability. Now, from this perspective, disability studies are essentially seen on two tracks: accessibility and discrimination, and these two tracks are fundamentally in an indirect relationship. The absence of accessibility conditions triggers and fuels discrimination. In our country, looking at the framework of rights related to disability, an additional article was added to an article of law number 3194 on dated 1997, which contains various regulations regarding accessibility. However, despite all these regulations, it is possible to question whether we have reached the desired level of accessibility in our country. Despite so much being done, there are still things we expect to be done, or things from which we expect even more positive results. The concept of accessibility must be filled with a rights-based understanding. To fill the content of the concept, the services to be provided to our disabled individuals must be based on a rights-based understanding. It is to ensure that non-governmental organizations and individual workers in the field put their hands under the stone to remove the barriers in front of them.”
In the first session, Bekir Güçlü, Head of the Disability Care Program, delivered a presentation titled “Disability Care Program”; Hilmi Bakır, Lecturer at SHMYO, presented “New Technologies for Persons with Disabilities from Past to Future”; Ebru Sağıroğlu, Lecturer at the Midwifery Department, presented “Access to Healthcare Services for Physically Disabled Women During Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Postpartum Period”; and Zümrüt Yenidünya, Graduate Student and Occupational Therapist in Health Sciences, presented “The Effect of Occupational Therapy Interventions on Upper Extremity Functionality in Children with Cerebral Palsy”.
The second session continued with presentations by Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, Head of the Social Services Department, titled “Social Services for Persons with Disabilities within the Ministry of Family”; Dr. Ümran Erkanat Taylan, Faculty Member at Kent University and Founder of the “Duyu Evi” Center, titled “Animal-Assisted Therapy and Fine Motor Skills in Down Syndrome”; Meryem Güney, Mother of an Individual with Special Educational Needs, titled “Disability Through a Mother’s Eyes”; Talha Yıldız, Crime Fiction Writer, titled “Starting Over”; İremnur Soylu, Graduate Student and Occupational Therapist at SBE, titled “Nutrition Therapy in Individuals with Disabilities”; and Hamide Eteş, 3rd Year Student in the Speech and Language Therapy Department, titled “Voice Disorders in Individuals with Disabilities”.
The third session featured presentations by Akif Ülger, Founder of Birlikte Biziz and Special Education Administrator, titled “Academic Achievement in Special Education”; Specialist Physiotherapist Ebru Özker, titled “School Adaptation Process of Individuals with Disabilities”; Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Gamze Kaya İşlek, titled “Language and Speech in Individuals with Special Needs”; Specialist Psychologist Dr. Rahime GÖKBOĞA, titled “Risky Babies and Early Intervention in Special Education”; and Emine Çakır, Graduate Student Researcher at SBE, titled “Every Heart Opens to Love, and the Secret Key is Closer to Us”.
The symposium concluded with the fourth session, which included presentations by Assistant Professor Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department, titled “Occupational Health and Safety for Individuals with Disabilities”; Elif Konar Özkan, Lecturer at the Child Development Department, titled “Story and Fairy Tale Therapy”; İsa Kör, Lecturer at the Occupational Therapy Department, titled “Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities”; Specialist Occupational Therapist Emre Erdoğan, titled “Home Modification for Individuals with Disabilities”; Tuğçe Ceren Kevran, 2nd Year Student in the Occupational Therapy Department, titled “Occupational Therapy Approaches in Different Types of Disabilities”; and Çağla Özcan, 4th Year Student in the Occupational Therapy Department, titled “Occupational Therapy Interventions for Individuals with Stroke”.