The Minister of Family and Social Services Derya Yanık, at the opening of the Sincan Autism Active Life Center on the occasion of April 2, World Autism Awareness Day, was prepared with the coordination of the ministry and with the participation of all stakeholders, and the “2030nd National Action Plan for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders” to be implemented until 2. announced that
Minister Derya Yanık, Sincan Autism Active Life Center opening and II. For Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Participated in the National Action Plan announcement program. In his speech here, Yanık stated that they realized the opening of the center within the framework of the protocol signed with Sincan Municipality, and said that the center pointed out how important it is to work together to overcome obstacles and how it facilitates service diversity.
Indicating that one of the most important jobs that distinguishes AK Party municipality from others is social municipality, Yanık said that social municipality has been put forward since President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Presidency.
Emphasizing that Turkey has become an exemplary country for the world with the visionary policies it has developed in the field of social work in the last 20 years, Yanık said, “We are not the only ones saying this. This is the picture that emerged during our meetings with our colleagues from around the world who visited our country and our ministry, and during our visits to different countries. In many parts of the world, examples of good practices in our country in the field of social services and social assistance are followed with interest.” he said.
“We carry out educational, social, cultural and sports activities in our centers”
Burning stated that they act with a social policy understanding that puts the family at the center in all services, and pointed out that they have developed services that will support the disabled and their relatives in family integrity.
Emphasizing that the daytime service center, which was opened today at this point, will play a very important role in supporting families, Yanık continued as follows:
“In order to share the responsibility of our families to some extent, we host our disabled citizens in our institutions that we opened today so that they can take time for themselves during the day and participate in social life and participate in daily life with various activities. When families come in the evening, we hand over their disabled relatives to them. After Aydın, Antalya and Mersin, there are autism day care rehabilitation and family training centers in Ankara, which are specialized in autism, only for individuals with autism diagnosis and their families, including a handicraft workshop, sports activity class, educational activity class, and music and educational game class. We are launching our counseling center. With our daytime services, we provide skills for individual development and needs, as well as activities of daily living. In our centers, we carry out educational, social, cultural and sports activities that increase participation in social life. With this service model, we aim to enable disabled people to become self-confident, productive and independent individuals.”
“We will implement 30 activities in 78 action areas together”
Minister Yanık stated that they will give the good news of the 2nd National Action Plan for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which was prepared under the coordination of the ministry with the understanding of "A better life is possible for everyone" and said, "Our action plan includes early diagnosis, early intervention, care, education without discrimination of individuals with autism with an understanding of inclusivity." We have determined effective policies that increase capacity in the provision of services such as health, social services and family support as certain objectives.” said.
By combining the results of the field study with the knowledge and experience of experienced experts, Yanık stated that the action plan was prepared at every stage in cooperation with the public, NGOs and academia by taking the demands of all parties, and said:
“I believe that we will continue our rights-based service approach in order to ensure that all the studies we coordinate on autism spectrum disorder are carried out uninterruptedly, and we will realize it with the contributions of all parties who have a role, idea and responsibility. With our new roadmap we have determined, we will implement 30 activities in 78 action areas that will contribute to the inclusion of individuals with autism in working life and social life.”
Wishing that the action plan to be implemented between 2023 and 2030 with the full support of the responsible and relevant institutions will be beneficial to all individuals with autism, their families and Turkey, Yanık said, “I would like to give you another good news from here. As we stated in our action plan, we will increase the number of institutions that specialize in autism and provide both day and boarding services. We will also put our Barrier-Free Life Care, Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center, where we will provide boarding services for individuals with autism, to the service of our nation on Tuesday.” he said.
“We work tirelessly to not leave anyone behind”
Burns said that they will continue to act with the vision of a society that does not leave anyone behind in its development journey by increasing its service capacity and quality day by day.
Emphasizing that they work tirelessly to “leave no one behind”, and that they see these services as a requirement of the positive approach guaranteed by the constitution, Yanık stated that they are trying to transfer the potential of disabled citizens to the development of Turkey by reducing the disadvantages of being disabled.
Minister Yanık and members of the protocol visited the center after the opening. Yanik visited the area where the paintings made by people with autism under protection and care are exhibited at the Saray Disabled Life Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center, and participated in the music and painting activities held in the classrooms.
After watching the folklore show presented by individuals with autism, Yanık presented gifts to individuals with autism in the center.
Burning a handprint on a wall in the exhibition area, went out to the garden of the center with the protocol members, individuals with autism and their families after the program and dropped the blue and white balloons in their hands into the sky.