After President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN declared 2020 the "Year of Accessibility", awareness for the disabled and efforts to facilitate their access to information gained momentum. One of them is the increase of services for the deaf. In 2020, sign language applications were especially widened.
In the "Accessible Family and Work" Account, all news of the Ministry is made available to the disabled
On June 7th, Turkish Sign Language Day, Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services Zehra Emerald SELÇUK announced the opening of a Twitter account under the name "Accessible Family and Work", in which all news of the ministry was given in sign language and voiceover for the deaf and visually impaired.
Action Taken to Increase the Number of Turkish Sign Language Interpreters
Selçuk underlined the importance given to Turkish Sign Language Interpreters; He noted that they employ 56 Turkish Sign Language Interpreters within the ministry and will increase this number with new purchases after an exam.
In 2020, activities for Turkish Sign Language Interpreters were also accelerated. Turkish Sign Language Interpreters Business Tracking Module pilot application has started. The first TİdYES (Turkish Sign Language Proficiency Exam) was held on November 14-16, 2020 within Ankara University TÖMER to determine the language proficiency of Turkish Sign Language (Tİd) interpreter candidates to be assigned to the Call Center, which is currently working to serve deaf citizens 24/7.
On the last day of the year, the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services and Ankara University signed a protocol for cooperation in "Turkish Sign Language" studies. "With this protocol, our main goal is to develop terminology in different fields such as health, law and education by working on Turkish Sign Language. At the same time, we will carry out various activities that will provide trained human resources in this field and contribute to social awareness."
Sign Language Translation Service will be provided through Communication Centers
Minister Selçuk stated that "Regulation on Procedures and Principles for the Development and Dissemination of Turkish Sign Language Practices" was carried out with the participation of representatives of non-governmental organizations, public institutions and universities working in the field, and reminded that turkish sign language-speaking personnel were assigned to Alo 183, Alo 144 and Alo 170 Call Lines and provided video services to our hearing-impaired citizens.
Addressing the problems faced by hearing impaired people with access to information, basic services and products, Minister SELÇUK stated that work has started to provide sign language translation services with call centers within our Ministry within the scope of solving problems and accelerating their access.
Minister SELÇUK also noted that hearing impaired people continue to work on accessing services provided by public institutions and organizations through e-Government.
"Coronavirus Information Guide" prepared for hearing impaired individuals
The "Coronavirus Information Guide" for hearing-impaired individuals and their families has been prepared and the guide has been made available both in video format with Turkish sign language translation and in PDF format. At the same time, during the pandemic process, the Ministry of Health 'Coronavirus public spotlights' and "Health information" videos were accessed in sign language.
EBA TV Course Contents Translated into Sign Language
While distance education continued during the pandemic period, EBA TV also featured content for people with disabilities. Within the scope of disability week, "Basic Turkish Sign Language" Course contents were prepared and video recordings were made and broadcast on EBA TV. At the same time, the awareness study in which hearing-impaired students who continue their integration education in their cities explained the problems they experienced in classes and school took part in EBA TV. EBA TV course contents organized by the Ministry of National Education (MEB) were also translated into sign language.
Steps have also been taken to make it easier for people with disabilities to access religious information; The 'Family' themed hadiths were translated into Turkish Sign Language and made available. In addition, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been translated into Turkish Sign Language. Turkish Sign Language translation studies of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities have also started.
Important events were also held; On 22.05.2020, an 'NGO-Academician Meeting' meeting was held for the first time with representatives of non-governmental organizations and academicians working in the field of hearing impairment. On September 23, 2020, an online panel titled "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow of Turkish Sign Language" was held on International Sign Languages Day. The "Turkish Sign Language Studies" Cooperation protocol was also prepared between the rectorate of Ankara university and the General Directorate of Disability and Elderly Services of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services.
Hearing-impaired individuals within the scope of 81 provinces; The "Tİd Unhindered Access Center Project", where it can meet the communication needs 24/7, is also underway. With this project, disabled people can access the sign language interpreter continuously and access all media without barriers.