DISABILITY RIGHTS IN TURKEY Research Assistant Drs. Mahmut Çitil Gazi University, Special Education Department

Law Number: 5378  Date of Acceptance: 07/01/2005 Official Gazette: Date: 07/07/2005 Issue: DISABLED LAW

 This law contains many arrangements for people with disabilities and this is the first law which issued directly for the disabled in Turkey  The purpose of the Law for Disabled People;  prevention of disability, solve the problems and make the necessary arrangements for this people’s disability, health, education, rehabilitation, employment, care and social protection to the coordination of these services. DISABLED LAW

 In the first part of the Law; the Purpose, Scope, Definitions and General Principles discussed.  In the second part of the Law; Classification, Treatment, Rehabilitation, Employment, Education, Labor and Vocational Analysis on the rights of individuals with special needs are discussed DISABLED LAW

 In the third part of the Law; amended and repealed some of the laws are substances.  This law led to the Turkish legal system to resolve a lot of problems related to persons with disabilities. DISABLED LAW

 In Turkey, if a disabled wants to use special rights, He/she have to take a Disability Health Report from responsible hospitals. This report is a basic necessity for all services.  People with disabilities, to take advantage of special rights, their disabled rate must be %40 or over of this rate.  However, this rate should be above 20% for benefit educational services. SOME DISABILITY RIGHTS IN TURKEY

 All people with disabilities in Turkey, can be treated in the hospital free of charge.  All people with disabilities, can receive the disability health report free of charge.  People with disabilities needs for the tools, equipment, devices, and drugs are offered free of charge by the state. Health Rights

 If one of the severely disabled persons family income per capita is less than 533 TL, this persons famiy or sitter get monthly 800 TL maintenance fee. Care and Rehabilitation

 All children with disabilities, education services are utilizing free of charge.  All children with disabilities, are taken (services) to schools free of charge. Education

 Entering college or high school exams are various arrangements for students with disabilities.  These are;  Arranged exam venues for orthopedically handicapped and visually impaired students,  Assistant read the questions and write the answers for visual impairments students  Extra time accordin to disability status and type Education

 Rights of university students  Education Loan  Unrequited Scholarship  Student Dormitory  Each university has the Disability Advisory and Coordination Unit which was established in order to solve the problems of students with disabilities Education

 Turkey Employment Organisation is responsible for job placement of persons with disabilities.  If a disabled person find a job, he/she have to apply this organisation.  This organization may launch vocational courses with education ministry and universities to prepare disabities for employment.  In addition, this institution also offers business consulting.. Employment Rights

 Worked 50 or more employees in the workplace, employers are obliged to employ staff with 1 or 2 disability person.  People with disabilities who want to be a public servant, must attend an exam (OMSS).  If employees with disabilities who worked for years, they have the right of early retirement.

 Disability Salary: This salary pay for poor disabilities persons over 18 years old. (over % 40) SOCIAL WELFARE

 Disabled people can benefit from tax relief in many areas (customs tax, property tax etc).  For example, a disabled persons or his family can buy a special car without OTV and MTV tax. This means, price of the car is reduced by 20 %. TAX DISCOUNT

 Disabled persons can use Bus, train and planes discount,  Free to enter National Parks,  Free to enter State theaters,  Free to enter Museums, OTHER RIGHTS AND SERVICES

 Municipalities, offers many services to people with disabilities.  These services are, house cleaning, psycho-social support, maintenance, repair, transportation, physiotherapy etc.  For example, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality has established a trade center for disabled persons.

 Thanks…