IFAPA Board Member From Turkey Meets Challenge
What does one do when your principles of moral and social justice are challenged? What would you do
if a new administration refused to allow you to continue the use of university resources for your APA programs?
How does one cope with the work of many years disintegrating? How does one fight ignorance
and prejudice? Following is the story of Dr Dilara Özer, a university professor, who is much admired for her
strong advocacy of inclusion and equal opportunities for all in her university. We acknowledge the integrity
of Dilara’s choices and the fine support of her husband Dr Kamil Özer. We are so proud that Dr Dilara
Özer is a member of the IFAPA Board of Directors, with special responsibility for the Middle East network.
As some of you know, I had some problems at Akdeniz University beginning in September 2008 because
of a major administration change in the university’s structure. Unfortunately, the new management would
not give us permission for our APA program to continue using the sport facilities of the university. Their
reasoning was that they preferred gaining money by renting these facilities to professional sports clubs.
As a result, approximately 70 athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) who had trained for 7 years at the
university and their families were disappointed by this decision.
Next, the new administration wanted us to evacuate the “Special Athletes Cafeteria,” which the community
considered an outstanding model for inclusion of young people with ID in the society. This program
had been founded by great efforts. We struggled with the university administration for a while, but we didn’t
succeed in continuing the APA program and “Special Athletes Cafeteria” in Akdeniz University.
When we were losing all of our hope, the local press became interested in this problem. Journalists
interviewed our athletes and their families about this situation. They published some news about this issue
in their newspapers over a period of 2 months with certain intervals. So, the public became aware
of disability in the society, and all associations and public supported us. It was a very difficult period not
only for us but also for the university administration. During this process, we looked for solutions to continue
these programs. Finally, Antalya Muratpaşa Municipality rose up in support of APA and our Special
Athletes Cafeteria. We were able to reinstall the entire program in the Municipality. Since November, all of
our programs have been continuing by the support of the Antalya Muratpaşa Mayor. Our best supporters
were journalists and families of our athletes in this process. It was good news in my life that last month, I
was honored by award of the Kemer Rotary Club in Antalya because of my work about children with ID.
Because of these situations and the university administration’s ignorance of respect to human and effort,
I and my husband Kamil decided to leave Akdeniz University. As the result of our attempts for looking
for another university, we decided to work for Çanakkale (Gallipoli) University. Soon we will start to work
there. I will give my contact information as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Dilara Özer,
Çanakkale University, Turkey
ozerd@comu.edu.tr