Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş Launches New Project for Enhancing Daycare Centers for Disabled Individuals
Ankara — Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, announced a new initiative aimed at improving the quality of services provided by daycare centers for disabled individuals. The project, launched in seven pilot daycare centers, aims to enhance the capacities and quality of services to increase the life quality and social integration of disabled individuals.
Göktaş emphasized their commitment to developing community-based care services that allow disabled individuals to continue living with their families. She stated, “Our primary goal is to maintain the integrity of families with disabled members while ensuring that disabled individuals are more actively involved in social life. In this context, daycare centers play a significant role by providing necessary support within the framework of family living.”
Nationwide Expansion of Daycare and Rehabilitation Centers
The Minister highlighted that daycare centers are being expanded across the country. “We are currently providing services with 136 daycare and rehabilitation centers. These centers help improve the quality of life for disabled individuals living at home with their families, meet their psychological and social needs, and offer activities that promote socialization and utilization of free time. Additionally, we provide guidance and counseling services to families,” said Göktaş.
Details of the New Project
Göktaş detailed the new project’s focus on seven pilot daycare centers, which include facilities in Ankara, Antalya, Aydın, Istanbul, Mersin, and Sakarya. The aim is to strengthen the centers’ capacities and improve service quality. “Special education teachers will be employed at these centers. To facilitate the employment of disabled individuals, personal development and vocational training will be provided by expert academicians. In-service training for professional staff at these centers will be organized, covering 28 centers. We will conduct a needs analysis and report the findings. Based on this analysis, we will prepare training programs and reporting activities,” she said.
The project, which will last for one year, began practical implementation at the Keçiören Daycare Rehabilitation Center. Academicians have started providing personal development training aimed at easing employment for disabled individuals. Göktaş noted that the training has been well-received by both disabled individuals and their families, and they plan to expand these improved services nationwide based on the positive feedback.