In Turkey, people with disabilities gain confidence through vocational training

From Hürriyet Daily News:

ISTANBUL -- Vocational training projects for people with disabilities are now allowing students to gain self-confidence, participate in daily economic activity and learn a means to make a living.

According to those involved in the activities, they also help people with disabilities become more involved in social activities.

People with disabilities and an association focused on muscle diseases are working together to encourage people with disabilities to live life to the fullest by offering vocational training courses.

In the last four years, 160 wheelchair-bound patients have sought to bring down “accessibility” barriers with assistance from the Turkish Association of Muscle Diseases by providing wood-painting and jewelry-design courses.

A veteran neurologist said the association aimed to help patients in wheelchairs become individuals who can contribute to the economy.

“We are here to support people with disabilities to be self-sufficient individuals. We want to channel them toward production to cover their own expenses,” said Professor Çoşkun Özdemir, chairman of the association.

The association has worked together with the local municipality’s public training center to arrange the courses.

A handicraft teacher from the public center has personally coordinated the course at the association’s center in Istanbul’s Yeşilköy neighborhood.

“I have been cooperating with the association for two years. I have taught nearly 35 students so far,” said Nur Hayat Gür, a handicrafts teacher.

“The trainees are learning ways to design jewelry. They are designing rings, necklaces and bracelets. We are also painting wooden objects like boxes, mirrors and picture frames,” said Gür, who has been teaching handicrafts for 19 years.

“Some trainees can come all weekdays while some can come twice a week only. Some of my students can sell some jewelry they have personally designed,” she said.

A female trainee said jewelry design was both a good hobby and a good job to earn money. “I started selling the jewelry to my friends and family members. Now, I am more professional and have cooperated with a small jewelry shop,” said Necla Demir, who has taken the course for nearly two years.

“The price ranges between 1 and 10 Turkish Liras. The prices depend on how much you work on it,” she said.

The association has also cooperated with a pioneering brand and a leading foundation in the information technology sector to give computer courses to its members in wheelchairs.

A senior association official, who is also wheelchair-bound and has worked in the information technology industry for over two decades, said 60 of 146 patients who actively attended the courses have been employed in the IT industry.

“Microsoft has built a computer laboratory with 11 computers for us. Bilge Adam computer technology academy has voluntarily supported the courses,” said Yakup Sayın, the group’s general coordinator.

“Trainees are learning computerized accounting, basic computer skills, software program and graphic designs,” he said.

The Turkish Employment Organization, or IŞKUR, has supported the association in attempting to have its members employed at call-centers for private hospitals.

Nalan Demir, who has also previously taken the jewelry-design course like her sister, has been employed by a private hospital for three years since attending the computer courses in 2006.

“I have studied graphic design and software programs. Now, I am working at the call center of the private Hizmet Hastanesi run by the Turkish Kidney Association,” said Demir, adding there is no age limit for those who want to improve themselves.

According to the group’s director, the vocational training has helped the disabled members change their attitude to the life. “When they found a chance to get involved in life, they gained self-confidence. We are clearly observing changes and improvements in the manners of trainees who initially doubted their ability to succeed,” said Aysel Akşehirlioğlu.

“These courses are available to all disabled groups except those who are visually and hearing impaired. Some 50 trainees suffer from muscle disease but the rest included those suffering from polio, mental disorders and those with orthopedic handicaps,” she said.

The families of the association’s members believe the vocational training helped their children have a social life.

The mother of sisters Nalan and Necla expressed her satisfaction with the training given to her daughters. “The vocational training is an opportunity for these teens with disabilities to get involved in social life. It is enjoyable for them. When they get bored, they can play games on the Internet,” she said.