Asst. Prof. Hülya TÜRK
The perspective on disability has evolved from a medical approach to a social approach and today it is discussed in the context of human rights. The medical approach (between 1920-1980) addressed disability as an individual's problem, while the social approach (between 1980-2005) addressed it with the understanding that society has responsibilities towards the disabled. Today (2005 and later) the issue of disability continues with the understanding discussed in the context of human rights. Disability is not discussed as a loss of physical or mental capacity, but rather with multi-factorial social terminology such as social perception, prejudices, and objectification. Therefore, disability is no longer a situation limited to certain individuals, but is evaluated together with the idea that every individual has fundamental rights that they are expected to achieve because they are human.
The aim of Istanbul Kent University Disability Studies Application and Research Center (EÇAM) is to protect and develop rights, contribute to the accumulation of knowledge through national and international studies, and take part in practices that will guide social policies so that the rights-based perspective finds a response in social life. While fulfilling its goals, EÇAM, as a stakeholder of this responsibility, carries out its work without deviating from scientific and ethical principles.
Since the protection of individuals' existence in society is possible with the emphasis on the value and importance of people, EÇAM is a center that feels responsible for advocating for disabled individuals and their relatives.
Asst. Prof. Hülya TÜRK