Fighting Against Disability Discrimination in Turkey

The main goal of the project is to contribute to the formulation of strategies in fighting against discrimination based on disability and to development of informed or evidence-based policy in disability field in Turkey. In order to reach such a goal, the project aims at:

• Exposing the extent of discrimination of people with disabilities in Turkey via scientific methods,
• Council Directive 2000/78 being ahead, increasing awareness in EU policies, discussing how disability will be situated in the structuring of equality body,
• Sharing best practices of EU member countries regarding fighting discrimination on the ground of disability,
• Discussing the progress derived from different fields of discrimination (women,children etc.) and the effectiveness of the application mechanisms in our country.

The project consists of two actions. These are:

1. A survey is conducted to measure disability discrimination across Turkey. The target population of the survey are members of civil society organizations of people with disabilities in Turkey.
2. A symposium is hold on "Fighting Against Disability Discrimination"

First of all, the survey conducted in this project, has become the most comprehensive scientific research in Turkey so far, which has analysed certain aspects of disability discrimination. With this feature, it has created an important reaction in public and also provided data resources and research results for all parts which will produce policies in this area.

The Symposium have been organized to share research results to related public institutions and social parties as second activiy of the project. Based on the aims of the Project, it was a platform for increasing awareness and disseminating knowledge on fighting against disability discrimination.

Results of the The Research on Measurement of Disability Discrimination have been shared with all relavant stakeholders, The other presentations have consisted of the important areas; Council Directive 2000/78, increasing awareness in EU policies, how disability will be situated in the structuring of equality body and also best practices of EU member countries regarding fighting discrimination on the ground of disability and other discrimination areas have been discussed in the symposium.

Representatives of relevant public authorities having effective responsibilities on producing and implementing policies for struggling against disability discrimination, academicians studying on this issue, human rights institutions that are working for disadvantaged groups suffering from discrimination and representatives of civil organizations of persons with disabilities have participated to the symposium. By this Symposium results of the research have been shared with representatives all stakeholders that will provide effective contribution to struggle against disability discrimination. So it was the first step for increasing awareness and disseminating knowledge on fighting against disability discrimination and understanding equality