Minister of Family and Social Services Derya Yanık announced the "2^nd National Action Plan for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders" to be implemented until 2030, prepared with the coordination of the Ministry and the participation of all stakeholders, at the opening of Sincan Autism Active Living Center on April 2, World Autism Awareness Day

Minister Derya Yanık attended the opening of the Sincan Autism Active Living Center and the announcement program of National Action Plan II for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Stating that the center was opened within the framework of the protocol signed with Sincan Municipality, Yanık added that the center showed how important it was to work together to overcome obstacles and how it was easier to provide a variety of services.

Yanık pointed out that one of the most important works that distinguished AK Parti municipalism from others was social municipalism, and added that social municipalism was being practiced from the time President of the Republic of Türkiye Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan became the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Emphasizing that Türkiye had become a model country for the world with the visionary policies developed in the field of social services in the last 20 years, Yanık continued: "We are not the only ones who are voicing this. This is the comment that has been shared both in the meetings of the Ministry with the counterparts from around the world who visited Türkiye and the Ministry, as well as in the visits to different countries. In many parts of the world, examples of good practices of Türkiye in the field of social services and social aids are being followed with interest."

 "We carry out educational, social, cultural, and sports activities in the centers"

Yanık stated that the Ministry acted with a social policy approach that put the family at the center of all services and pointed out that it developed services that would support the persons with disabilities as well as their relatives in family integrity.

Emphasizing that the day service center, which was opened at that very moment, would play a very important role in supporting families, Yanık continued as follows:

"We welcome the citizens with disabilities in institutions, which the Ministry has opened today, to share the responsibility of the families to some extent, so that they can spare time for themselves during the day, participate in social life, and be involved in daily life through various activities. We hand over persons with disabilities back to their relatives when they return in the evening. Following Aydın, Antalya, and Mersin, we are launching an autism day care, rehabilitation, and family-counseling center in Ankara, which is specialized in autism, and includes handicraft workshops, sports activity classes, educational activity classes, music and educational game classes for persons with autism and their families. We provide skills for individual development and needs as well as activities of daily living through the day care services. We carry out educational, social, cultural, and sporting activities that increase participation in social life in the centers. We aim with these service models to help persons with disabilities become self-confident, productive and independent persons."

"We will implement 78 activities in 30 action fields together"

Minister Yanık stated that the Ministry would present the good news of the 2^nd National Action Plan for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders, which was prepared under the coordination of the Ministry. The plan carry the approach of " We have identified effective policies that increase the capacity of persons with autism in the provision of services such as early diagnosis, early intervention, care, education, health, social services, and family support as the specific objectives in the action plan of the Ministry with an understanding of inclusiveness and standing against discrimination."

Combining the results of the field study with the knowledge and expertise of seasoned specialists, Yanık informed that the action plan was prepared by receiving the demands of all stakeholders in cooperation with the public, CSOs, and academia at every stage:

"I believe that we will continue our rights-based service approach to ensure that all the work we coordinate on autism spectrum disorder is carried out without interruption, with the contributions of all stakeholders who have a role, idea, and responsibility. We will implement 78 activities in 30 action fields that will contribute to the inclusion of persons with autism in working life and social life with the new road map determined."

Wishing that the action plan that was to be implemented between 2023 and 2030 with the full support of responsible and relevant institutions would be beneficial for all persons with autism, their families, and Türkiye, Yanık continued: "I would like to give you another good news while I am here. As stated in the action plan, we will increase the number of institutions specializing in autism, both for day care services and for institutional care. We will also present the Barrier-Free Living Care Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center, where we will provide residential services for persons with autism, to the nation in Kayseri on Tuesday."

"We are working non-stop, tirelessly to not leave no one behind"

Yanık said that the Ministry would continue to act with the vision of a society leaving no one behind in the path of development by increasing the service capacity and quality day by day.

Emphasizing that the Ministry worked tirelessly to "leave no one behind" and that these services were a requirement of the positive approach guaranteed by the constitution, Yanık expressed that the Ministry tried to transfer the potential of citizens with disabilities to the development of Türkiye by reducing the disadvantages of being a person with disabilities.

Minister Yanık and protocol members visited the center following the opening ceremony. Yanık visited the area where paintings created by persons with autism under the protection and care of the Saray Barrier-Free Living Rehabilitation and Family Counseling Center were exhibited and participated in music and painting activities in classes.

Yanık also attended a folklore performance by persons with autism and then presented gifts in the center.

Yanık, who placed her handprint on the activity wall in the exhibition area, walked out to the garden of the center with protocol members, persons with autism, and their families following the program and released blue and white balloons into the sky.