Project Turkey
Among the least developed locations for support of the needs and interests of the blind is in the country of Turkey. Turkey has a population of over 70 million people. It is estimated that 750,000 Turks are blind. Blind people in Turkey face an eighty-five percent unemployment rate. The fifteen percent who are employed are most often under-employed. At this time, Turkey has only two rehabilitation training centers to serve blind people, with no system in place to train rehabilitation consultants as compared with the United States where there are hundreds of providers and agencies to address Blindness-related issues and the needs of the blind.
The project has three purposes:
- Training Blind individuals in the alternative techniques successfully being used every day in the United States.
- Training native rehabilitation consultants in the philosophy and alternative techniques of blindness so that they continue to train the Blind of Turkey.
- Provide education to the public and employers about the capabilities of the blind and what they can bring to the workplace.
In-Country Support
Fiziksel Engelliler Vakfi (Physical Disabilities Foundation) in partnership with the Municipal Government of Istanbul, Turkey has invited the Blind Corps volunteer Rehabilitation Consultants to present our program of intensive training services in their country. The Turkish Republic is funding the expenses of seven volunteer trainers for this mission.
It will be necessary to bring initial/starter equipment from the United States for training and to ensure the continuation of the project. This will include some of the latest technologies used by the blind. This equipment will be left in Turkey to aid the newly trained Turkish rehabilitation consultants in the ongoing training of blind people in their homeland.
Project Turkey Outline
General Purpose
The intent of this initial project for Blind Corps is to begin the process of developing rehabilitation resources, services, and personnel for the country of Turkey.
Target Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Target Population: Blind consumers, blindness professionals, educational institutions, families and friends, government agencies, employers, and media.
Local Partnering Organizations:
Pirilti, President Dr. Hale Bacakoglu. Parilti is the only non-profit organization in Turkey that serves blind children and their families, and is led by Dr. Hale Bacakoglu, blind herself, who works in the Psychology Department of Istanbul University.
Fiziksel Engelliler Vakfi, General Secretary Mr. Lokman Ayva.
This foundation provides assistance to disabled individuals in Turkey, and is led by Mr. Lokman Ayva, who himself is blind and a Member of the Turkish Parliament.
Phase One: Intense training and educational programs will be provided by six to seven Blind Corps Volunteers, delivered to targeted groups in three week-long sessions focused upon alternative skills of blindness, philosophy of blindness and employment concerns. It is expected that blind consumers, family members, and professionals so trained will in turn pass on and continue the training process, spreading it through an ongoing and increasing network of both professional and peer blindness workers.
In week one of Phase one, Blind Corps will work with blind consumers, one-on-one, teaching alternative skills of blindness such as access technology skills, Braille skills, and the skills of independent travel, as well as other necessary and vital life management skills.
Blind Corps plans to provide direct instruction to 30 blind individuals at a ratio of approximately 1 instructor to 5 students. The ages of the students is anticipated to be between 7 and 70. During the course of instruction at this point, selected professionals and family members will observe, with the intent that ongoing trainers and reinforcers will be recruited and developed. It is further anticipated that many among those directly trained will go on to become peer supporters.
Evaluation of First Week
In Week Two of Phase One Blind Corps will focus its attention on the philosophical development of the blind consumer/clients, family members, educators, public officials, employers and media representatives.
Primary Trainers will facilitate small discussion groups designed to challenge concepts, biases, and prejudices that are held by blind people and the sighted public, including those often maintained by professionals in the field of blindness.
General sessions will center around presentations of successfully adjusted and well integrated blind persons, as well as reviews of relevant publications and videos on blindness related subjects.
Particular attention will be given to the delivery of new and more appropriate messages about blindness to representatives of media outlets.
Evaluation of Week Two.
In Week Three of Phase One, employment of the blind will take center stage for this Blind Corps project. Identifying the barriers to employment of participating blind individuals will be the first order of business. Factors such as personal job readiness, employer discrimination, and accessibility/accommodation issues will be explored.
Blind Corps will coordinate a day-long encounter with employers who will discuss areas of concern to them regarding needs and expectations of employees.
The Primary Trainers of Blind Corps will visit, tour and consult with potential employers in the Istanbul area. The purpose of this will be to both promote the abilities of potential blind employees and to discover hidden opportunities for employment that may not have been considered before.
Evaluation of Week Three.
Conclusion of Phase One:
In Phase One, the seven Blind Corps volunteer Primary Trainers will have integrated the direct delivery of training to some 30 blind consumer students/participants, professional Trainees, and family Reinforcers, along with public education and philosophical development exposure to all relevant groups, and the exploration of employment related issues in particular with potential blind employees and their potential future employers, into a package of critical services designed to initiate ongoing development for the blind of Turkey. Blind Corps consider that it is both necessary and important to bring these three great elements of concern together in programming, because in order for blind persons to be successfully integrated into society they need to have the blindness related adjustment skills, to understand their own and society’s thinking about blindness, and to specifically have the confidence to approach, engage and perform competently for employers.
Phase Two: follow-up
Blind Corps will provide extended/follow-up service to participants of Phase One. This will include Web-based (Chatroom) programs offered at intervals over the first four to six months, targeted to generic participant groups, consumer specific group meetings, professional group meetings, family group meetings, and resource materials for agencies and media. We will also provide e-mail access for specific questions and on-demand advisement needs.
Draft Budget
It is anticipated that expenses and costs will be shared among the partners of our initial Blind Corps project. Partners will include Blind Corps volunteers who will donate their time and efforts, which will mean taking leave from their regular jobs, involvement in planning, plus organizing and delivery of three weeks of intensive training. Government and organizational support from Turkey has been pledged that will cover necessary transportation, lodging, and food for our volunteers, as well as the locations for our training sessions. Finally, it will require your generosity to provide the necessary supplies and equipment to make the project successful and to give the recipients of our training the start on their new life experience.
Air Transportation for seven (7), $8000
Ground commuting (2 cars and drivers for three weeks (, $1,200
Accommodations for three (3) weeks $4,800
Food $4,500
Training Supplies, equipment and miscellaneous, $6,500
Total $25,000