About Turkey

Situated among three seas and sprawled between Europe and Asia, Turkey’s geography helped determine its role as a cultural and political nexus linking East and West. The region has endured thousands of years of power exchange, given rise to influential leaders, and seen the collision and melding of dozens of world cultures over time. Though Ankara is the official capital, Istanbul boasts the most influential roles as the nation’s most populous city, the cultural and financial hub, and the junction of two continents. Once the capital of the Byzantine empire, Istanbul is a must-visit for travelers with a love for history, architecture and politics.

Relics of various empires that once thrived in and beyond Turkey’s contemporary borders remain in the form of awe-inspiring mosques, churches, palaces, and other architectural phenomena.  Such monuments are testaments to the role of religion in both historic and contemporary life in Turkey. Over 99% of the population practices Islam, but where the public sphere is concerned, secularism rules.

Though Turkish is the dominant language of Turkey, visitors may encounter text or speech in Kurdish, Dimli, Azeri, and other local languages. English is starting to gain popularity as a secondary language in Turkey, especially among young people, who learn English through school or through exposure to Western pop culture.  Other aspects of culture reveal Western, Persian, Arabic and other neighboring influences, although Turkish values, cuisine, music, and other ways of life have in turn influenced outside communities. Perhaps they will become part of your life in some way!

Disability History and Information

As in many countries the world over, the history of attitudes among and towards people with disabilities has fluctuated greatly with time.  While some people with disabilities have felt stigmatized or underrepresented, others would argue that in recent history, the number of services available to this population has expanded in Turkey, while at the same time human rights laws have become more inclusive.  For more details about how disability is perceived in Turkish cultural context, visit the MDAA page on Turkey.

Disability-related facts in Turkey (from ecoi.net page on Humanitarian Issues):

• According to a survey carried out by the Turkish Institute of Statistics and the State Planning Organisation, people with disabilities in Turkey number nearly 8.5 million, or about 12.29% of the population. Of that data, the population with physical disabilities is estimated to be around 500,000.
• The law does not mandate access to buildings and public transportation for persons with disabilities.
• Companies with more than 50 employees are required to hire persons with disabilities as 2 percent of their employee pool, although the requirement is not consistently enforced.

A new law on Disabled People, adopted in July 2005, provides guidelines for the classification of different kinds of disabilities, and includes provisions for care services, rehabilitation, early diagnosis, employment and education of disabled people. The law stresses the need to combat discrimination against people with disabilities, and stipulates that discrimination based on disability is a crime. The law also compels the employers and public institutions to make the necessary physical arrangements in the workplaces.  

Disability Organizations

Below you’ll find a brief list of disability organizations specific to Turkey.  For a comprehensive list of disability organizations that operate world-wide, search our on-line database.

Turkish Association of Neuromuscular Disorders (Turkiye Kas Hastaliklari Dernegi)
Telephone: (90) 212-573-0975
Fax: (90) 212-663-0168
pirayes@hotmail.com
http://www.kashastaliklari.org.tr/

The Turkish Association of Neuromuscular Disorders (TAMD) {Turkiye Kas Hastaliklari Dernegi} is a non-profit organization working to improve the quality of life for people with neuromuscular disorders in Turkey. TAMD is a member organization of the European Alliance of Muscular Dystrophy Associations, which networks to improve research and services for people with neuromuscular disorders.

VSA arts Türkiye
Ankara, Turkey
Tel: 90-312-419-1536
Fax: 90-312-417-9196
foztimur@basbakanlik.gov.tr
erdemirel@ttnet.net.tr

VSA arts Türkiye, also known as Bedensel Engelliler Dernegi (Association of the Physically Disabled), was founded in 1994 to promote the rights of people with disabilities, as well as to improve their quality of life through sports, arts, and other social activities.

Exchange Programs

Get started on your research using MIUSA’s database of exchange programs in Turkey.  You can also search for international exchange opportunities at GoAbroad.com, IIE Passport, or StudyAbroad.com. 

According to the 2007 Open Doors Report, Turkey is one of the top ten nations of origin for international students in the United States.  The number of American students studying there increased by over 50% since the previous year, indicating an increased interest to experience less traditional regions of the world. 

Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) has been developing an agreement with the representatives of colleges in Turkey that would bring Turkish students to participating CCID colleges in the U.S. in order to complete their associate degree.  Currently, a few American colleges—Delaware Tech, Howard, and Northampton Community Colleges—have a similar program for their students to study in Turkey.  If your university does not yet participate in this program, contact your university's office of overseas study about alternative programs or independent study that would enable you to earn credit while in Turkey.

Volunteer Abroad suggests several ways you can make a difference in Turkey, from mentoring homeless children to advocating for people who are blind to helping protect sea turtles.  There is a program fee, but it's relatively small compared to what you will get in return!

Turkish is one of the Critical Need Languages as described in the U.S. State Department's National Security Language Initiative (NSLI). U.S. citizens can apply for generous scholarships to learn Turkish in the United States and abroad. Learn more about NSLI, Critical Need Languages and scholarships offered by the U.S. State Department, Depart of Education and Department of Defense. (See the Gilman Scholarship Program below!)

Language Schools and Programs

Enroll in one of several available Turkish language programs offered in Turkey.  Learn about the language and culture alongside other international students, while gaining the necessary skills to converse with all of your new Turkish friends!  Iyi şanslar (good luck)!

There is no better way to learn a language than to live where it is spoken every day!

Languages Abroad

Language schools are located in Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara.  Small class sizes, supportive staff, weekend excursions and homestay placement will allow for plenty of practice time!

ANT Club - Home School & Hostel

ANT Ankara Turk Club provides a compact system for learning Turkish intensively. The program does not only enable you to speak Turkish in a short time, it also gives you a rich taste of Turkish culture and offers various travel options and outdoor adventures.

Turkish-American Association Language School TAD-TOMER

Courses are offered year-round and offer several levels of study, for beginners and beyond!  "Survival Turkish" offers students lessons at an accelerated pace, allowing students to get a good command of the language in a short time and have fun while they learn.

The EF Turkish Centre Istanbul

As a language program oriented especially for adults and professionals, instructors tailor the lessons according to students' interests and needs.  The emphasis is on building confidence in speaking Turkish and developing fluency in a lively and authentic language context.

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

This program is designed for university students with a range of interests.  Additionally, intensive Turkish language courses are available at all levels, and students receive extra support from peer language tutors.

Middle Eastern Technical University (METU)

Learn Turkish Sign Language!  Learn about faculty research on the working memory and sign language, and take part in a Turkish Sign Language study group.

Fellowships, Scholarships and Funding 

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the United States Department of State sponsors several scholarship, fellowship and internship programs available to university students, scholars and professionals from Turkey and the United States. Information about the programs is available by contacting the ECA.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is committed to ensuring that all of its activities reflect the full diversity of American society and culture.  The Bureau seeks and encourages the involvement of both Americans and foreign citizens in its programs from traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.  People with disabilities are encouraged to apply! 

The Fulbright Program provides grants for graduate students, scholars and professionals, and teachers and administrators from the U.S. and other countries.  Find a Fulbright opportunity in Turkey!
 
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers up to $5,000 for American students to pursue overseas study for college credit.  Additional scholarships of $3000 are available for those students who pursue “critical need languages,” including Turkish!

General information and resources can be found on the NCDE's webpage Financial Aid and Funding.

Share YOUR Story!!

Travel books and websites are useful, but the most valuable resource for international travel comes from other people with a love of travel who have a story to tell!

Please consider sharing your experience with us, especially if:

• You are a person with a disability who participated in an exchange program in Turkey;

• You are a person from Turkey with a disability who has studied or worked in the United States;

• You are an international exchange professional who has worked with students with disabilities going to or coming from Turkey. 

We would love to hear your story, and possibly post it on our website.  Please contact clearinghouse@miusa.org for more information.

Links

• Disability law in Turkey
• Disability resources at the Middle East Technical University (METU)
• History, cultural aspects, and disability perspectives of Turkey
• A woman with a physical disability describes how she handled challenges while vacationing in Turkey.
• Muffy Davis’ account implies that while Turkey may not be very accessible, its wonder and beauty make it worth the extra effort! 
• Volunteer opportunities in Turkey
• Turkey Travel Planner
• Informal assessment of wheelchair accessibility in Istanbul
• Article: "Resources for Deaf people in Turkey"
  

  Although efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, MIUSA/NCDE cannot be held liable for inaccuracy,misinterpretation or complaints arising from these listings. Mention of an organization, company, service or resource should not be construed as an endorsement by MIUSA/NCDE. Please advise NCDE of any inaccuracies you may find.