It was revealed that Near East University is hosting another meaningful event, the 3rd Barrier-Free Information Days which is being mainly sponsored by Near East Northern Cyprus Turkcell (mobile operator), and being organised through cooperation with TR Barrier-Free Platform of Celal Bayar University. The units of NEU which are cooperating with the above mention part was stated to be Communal Research and Development Centre functioning under the body of NEU Centre of Excellence, and Near East Institute.
The agenda of the Barrier-Free Information Days was expressed to be the facilitation of barrier-free environment for the disabled...
According to the press info release from the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, many important figures such as; the First Lady of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Meral Akinci; TR Barrier-Free Platform Coordinator, Mustafa Özhan KALAÇ; TRNC Barrier-Free Information Platform- Chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Orthopedically Disabled Association, Günay Kibrit; Nihat Yılmaz from the TRNC Informatics Association; Member of Parliament Hakan Dinçyürek, C-Chair of the Communal Research and Development Centre Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay; Head of Centre of Excellence, Prof. Dr. Nedime Serakıncı; Vice Rector of Near East University Prof. Dr. Fahrettin Sadıkoğlu; Rector of Celal Bayar University, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kemal Çelebi; Vice General Director at Northern Cyprus Turkcell Ayhan Barış; and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Assist Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan attended the opening ceremony.
Prof. Dr. Nedime Serakıncı: “We are trying to overcome barriers in the lives of those who need to be freed from these barriers...”
In her speech, Head of NEU Centre of Excellence, Prof. Dr. Nedime Serakıncı, gave an example from a question being asked in the specialization exam of genetic consultation, asking whether you would approve the birth of a child who is highly likely to be disabled due to previous births of disabled siblings in the family. She emphasised that many rejected the birth of such a child at the exam, later to find out that the child involved in the question was Beethoven. From this she made her point that we should perceive disabilities as differences, and that relative associations and universities should work restlessly to remove free those with differences from barriers which have an impact on the quality of their lives.
Ayhan Barış: “We, as the TRNC Turkcell, are highly honoured to be the main sponsor of such a significant event since the first year of initiation.”
Also making a speech, Vice General Director at Northern Cyprus Turkcell Ayhan Barış expressed how honoured to be the main sponsor of such a significant event. He emphasised that due to the mission and aims of their company, they had to be involved in a platform involving barrier-free information, enabling them to facilitate information by means of technology.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan: “The value given to the disabled citizens is an indication of level of civilization!”
Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Near East University, Assist Prof. Dr. Murat Tüzünkan pointed out that all citizens should be valued, including the disabled as this was an indication of the level of civilization of that country. He further stressed that reaching information and communication was the right of everyone, and everyone had to be provided this right. Despite the fact that the disabled individuals already had many difficulties in their lives, they manage to make great achievements. Therefore, Tüzünkan emphasised that the least we could do was to develop and operate within project to remove all obstacles and barriers in the lives of the disabled.
Meral Akıncı: “To me, the word ‘disabled’ sounds as if we are alienating people. This is something we should avoid and do our best to remove barriers in the lives of these individuals.”
First Lady of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Meral Akıncı, expressed that by using the word “disabled” it felt like alienating these people, like a dogmatic stigma. She emphasised that governmental institutions needed to pay their dues to these citizens and support all events working in this direction. She added that the laws needed to consider and care for people with ‘differences’ and expressed many thanks to everyone involved in the 3rd Barrier-Free Information Days as she believed that through events alike, barriers and obstacles would be removed from the lives of such citizens and thus provide them with opportunities that everybody else has.
Many important issues are being taken at hand at the 3rd Barrier-Free Information Days...
It was revealed that many important issues were taken at hand at the 3rd Barrier-Free Information Days such as the use of technology for the sight disabled individuals; employment opportunities for the disabled; and means of benefitting from fundamental rights of citizens.