A program titled ‘Success Knows No Barriers’ was organized by the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports (SKS) of Üsküdar University on December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Speaking at the program, which also featured Lawyer and Member of Parliament Serkan Bayram as a speaker, Bayram emphasized that no one should be left behind due to a disability in the ‘Century of Türkiye’ of our Republic. Questioning why there shouldn’t be a disabled rector in the new century, Bayram stated, “The state is not governed by hands and feet; it is governed by heart, thought, and mind. What we cannot hold with our hands, we will hold in our hearts and never let go.”
The seminar, organized as part of the University Culture course, was held at Üsküdar University Emirnebi 1 conference hall.
Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka: “80% of people with disabilities worldwide are from developing countries”
Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Zelka, who delivered the opening remarks, emphasized that with the advancement of technology, it is possible for some barriers to be eliminated. Zelka stated; “It is observed that if individuals with disabilities are given opportunities, provided with possibilities, and trusted. We all have a responsibility. Our country is a developing country. 80% of people with disabilities worldwide are from developing countries. As one of the developing countries, we need to pay attention to this. With the development of technology, it is possible for some barriers to even be eliminated. Therefore, health policy makers need to take this into account. This seminar, organized to raise awareness, is an important one. I believe it will contribute to ensuring our disabled citizens lead the prosperous, happy, and dignified lives they deserve.”
Physiotherapist Eren Olcay Erdoğan: “Families need to take on the role of a second physiotherapist”
Emphasizing the importance of the family concept in special education and rehabilitation, Physiotherapist Eren Olcay Erdoğan, a graduate of Pamukkale University’s Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation department, stated; “December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, is an awareness day celebrated annually on December 3 by the United Nations since 1992. A theme is created for it every year. This year’s theme has been determined as ‘rescuing and achieving the sustainable development goals by acting together with persons with disabilities, for persons with disabilities.’ Here, I want to talk about the roles of persons with disabilities and their families in physiotherapy. Rehabilitation intervenes in society not only to provide education and adaptation for individuals with disabilities but also to facilitate their relationships with their existing environment and their social integration. The family is the indispensable fundamental institution for special education and rehabilitation to succeed. Today, in line with the foundations of special education, the individual with disabilities, their family, and the institution are considered as complementary parts of a whole. It is necessary to participate in family education programs provided in rehabilitation centers. Families need to take on the role of a second physiotherapist. They should support the individual with disabilities socially, emotionally, and psychologically. They should support the development of the relationship between the individual with disabilities and society. They should support each other with the families of other individuals with disabilities. We must all work together for a world without barriers.”
Necdet Öztürk: “Removing barriers is a right, not a courtesy”
Necdet Öztürk, Founding President of the Global Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, began his speech by providing information about the foundation he founded. Öztürk strongly emphasized that the inclusion of people with disabilities in society should be seen as a right, not as a matter of compassion; “I established Turkey’s first foundation for people with disabilities, the Foundation for Physical Disabilities, with Mr. Tayyip Erdoğan, who is now our President, in 1995. The Global Foundation for Persons with Disabilities is currently a strong network, an umbrella organization with over 400 institutions and organizations as members, organized in 127 countries. We are working to produce products, systems, and services. Our organization has an industrial, sectoral opening that will ensure participation in life, rather than a solely individual emotional approach. Our main concern is inclusive education. Education is of primary importance. Children with disabilities should participate in education from primary school to university. At Carleton University in Canada, there are visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically disabled, and able-bodied students in one class, and they all take the same course from the same instructor simultaneously. We call this inclusive education. In Turkey, we have models like schools for the blind, schools for the deaf, and so on. Since life is not just about education, it also includes marriage, employment, and social life as a whole. You resolve that process there and you are not segregated. Accessible university, accessible routes. It is not enough to arrange a place for an area. It is not right for a disabled student to come to a classroom and then go home. This is stipulated in the seventh article of Law 5378 on Persons with Disabilities. Common use areas must be legally made accessible. This is a legal right. The first principle adopted in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is not about disabilities themselves. It is about the prevention of disability. Because after something is lost, its cost to the individual, society, system, and family is very high. Prevention efforts are vitally important. Because people don’t understand something until they lose it. This needs to be explained. Our second goal is this: removing barriers and including people with disabilities in society. This needs to be put on the table and pursued as a right, not as a format of mercy, understanding, approach, or sensitivity.”
Lawyer and Member of Parliament Serkan Bayram: “No one should be left behind due to a disability in the ‘Century of Türkiye’ of our Republic”
Lawyer and Member of Parliament Serkan Bayram, who then took the stage, emphasized that conscious action regarding people with disabilities should be taken not only on Disability Day but every day of the year. Bayram stated; “December 3 is Disability Awareness Day. These days should not be commemorated as just one day; we are in a period where conscious action on this issue is required for humanity 365 days a year. Why is the movie ‘Buğday Tanesi’ (Grain of Wheat) important? Children will get used to it against peer bullying, meaning when they see a disabled person in class, their friends make fun of them, and an adaptation problem arises, and at this point, this movie will be important. It will also be a source of hope for people with disabilities, who will see that a disabled person in this country becomes a teacher, a civil servant, and a judge. In the ‘Century of Türkiye’ of our Republic, no one should be left behind due to a disability. Our struggle, both in this film and in our experiences, is that no one should be left behind due to their disability. In a new century, we will also have a disabled rector. The state is not governed by hands and feet; it is governed by heart, thought, and mind. The important thing is that there are no barriers here. One finger, a 50-year life, but what a struggle! Ultimately, we must be hope, be light, hold on, and chase our dreams. We will not be losers when we fall, but when we give up. What we cannot hold with our hands, we will hold in our hearts and never let go. We will say, ‘A grain of wheat is the voice and story of millions.’”
‘Buğday Tanesi’ tells the story of an individual with disabilities’ struggle to hold on to life
The film “Buğday Tanesi” (Grain of Wheat), which tells the story of Member of Parliament Serkan Bayram’s life, depicts an individual with disabilities’ struggle to hold on to life. Since its release, the film, which has given hope to many individuals with disabilities and increased viewers’ awareness of barriers, was also shown in mobile trucks in different provinces after its theatrical run. “Buğday Tanesi” was uploaded to EBA for teachers, students, and parents to watch on December 3, Disability Day. The film can be watched on “eba.gov.tr” in the “library” section, under the “special education” tab, in the “sign language” section.
The performance of the Barrier-Free Music Choir received great acclaim
The Üsküdar Municipality Barrier-Free Music Choir also took the stage at the program, where Kamil Temel, General Captain of the Şişli Yeditepe Disabled Sports Club, also spoke. The choir’s performance, which was followed with appreciation, received a standing ovation.