Opening Meeting for disabilities project in Turkey launched by Ambassador and Deputy Minister

The EU Ambassador to Turkey and the Deputy Minister of Family and Social Policy launched Human Dynamic's project in front of 200 key stakeholders.
18.04.2016

On 29 March 2016, over 200 people attended the opening meeting of the Human Dynamic's led Technical Assistance for Increasing the Employability of People with Disabilities project.  The day celebrated the launch of the twenty-month, EUR 3.8 million, EuropeAid technical assistance project.

This project seeks to improve the skills of Turkey's disabled community to gain employment.  This will be done by training educators and health professionals who work with this community, multiplying the project's reach and impact.

During his opening address, the Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, Mr Hansjörg Haber underlined the project's aim:

"Regardless of what their specific disability is, our duty is to ensure that these people can enjoy the same rights as everbody else and that they can work to make a living and they can take the training of their choice."

Mr Mehmet Ersoy, the Deputy Minister for Family and Social Policy, reiterated his department's support: 

"(we) have no other expectation other than success from a project which brought together such an understanding and collaboration in a strong manner." 

Hacettepe University's Department of Occupational Therapy staff will be one of the main beneficiaries. This project will support the vocational rehabilitation staff pilot Turkey's first Vocational Rehabilitation Centre. With our team supporting the Centre's concept design, activities, simulation, and testing. 

Prof Dr Kayihan of the University's Department of Occupational Therapy said the centre was "one of the most important tools" to come from the project.

Another key outcome will be supporting these professionals as they build capacity. Our team will embed enhanced skills with those who have direct contact with the target group. 

Our training will reinforce the beneficiaries ability to pass on knowledge.  Our team will also develop training models which will structural reinforce knowledge transfer.  Our team will seek to improve their ability to pass on learning on working capacity, social skills, behavioural rehearsal, communication skills, physical functioning, writing skills, cognitive skills, motivation, stress management skills, use-of-time skills, self-awareness, job-search skills, efficiency and productivity.   in the various means to support people with disabilities access employment.

The launch demonstrated this project's value in the community and the impact it will have on the lives of many.  Following the launch, two workshops were held for stakeholders to discuss the proposed training.