Advancing scientific inclusion on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Organized by the Department of Inclusive Education within the Faculty of Education at Istanbul Medipol University, the event brought together theoretical and practical perspectives in the field of education for individuals with special needs. Held at the South Campus Conference Hall, the event was attended by Gökay Tuncer, Head of the Special Education and Guidance Services Branch at the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education; Mustafa Kılıçarslan, Special Education Teacher at the Üsküdar Guidance and Research Center; Adviye Pınar Konyalıoğlu, Head of the Department of Special Education at Istanbul Medipol University; Dr. Faculty Member Ertan Görgü from Istanbul Medeniyet University; and Dr. Faculty Member Ayşe Firdevs Aracılık Balıkçı from the Faculty of Education at Istanbul Medipol University, along with many academics and students who are experts in their fields.

With the participation of practitioners, the event moved beyond traditional approaches and comprehensively addressed the scientific and rights-based imperatives of inclusive education. The main theme of the event was not only to raise awareness for individuals with special needs, but also to discuss concrete digital solutions and policy responsibilities that enhance their quality of life.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Faculty Member Adviye Pınar Konyalıoğlu, Head of the Department of Special Education at Istanbul Medipol University, emphasized the significance of December 3 and underlined that it is more appropriate to use the term “individuals with special needs” rather than “persons with disabilities.”