Project Summary
Grantee	: Youth Federation of Turkey
Purpose	: To facilitate participation of people with hearing impairments in society helping them develop right-based projects
Location	: Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Eskisehir (Pilot province) Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir, Kayseri, Samsun, Sivas, Trabzon
Grant Amount	: 237.000 TL
Project Partner	: Turkish National Federation of the Deaf
Period	: 15 April 2010-15 July 2011
Status	: Completed
Project Year	: 2010

Background

Young people with hearing disabilities are excluded from youth development programs and are unable to take on an active role in civil society. (Youth Federation of Turkey, 2010)

Project Goals

• In 13 provinces:
  • 20-40 youth workers will be trained on training methods, the concept of civil society, human rights and project management.
  • Equipped with the required skills and knowledge, youth workers will teach 240 youth with hearing impairments human rights and project management
  • Youth with hearing impairments will develop 24 project ideas and 12 projects with a clear plan to implement.
  • Local government, NGOs and media will be informed about the project.

Project Results

• The project’s communication tools, posters and handouts were printed, the website was developed and launched. (www.katilimdaengelyok.org)
• The trainee and sign language course materials were developed for the youth workers.
• After completing the courses, 30 youth workers developed skills to work with youth with hearing impairments.
• Facilitated by youth workers training programs in 13 project provinces have reached 360 youth with hearing impairments.
• Trained youth with hearing impairments developed 34 projects, which then evaluated by a Jury. 3 of the projects were awarded to be implemented in 2012.
• Among 360 trained youth with hearing impairments 30 completed the peer-learning trainee course to reach out to their peers and help them develop awareness on their rights.
• The project reached 62 representatives from the related public offices and another 35 NGO representatives in the project provinces to raise awareness on the rights of youth with hearing impairments.
• A report on project activities and outcomes was published to be shared with other youth-oriented NGOs.

Testimonials

“I am working as a camp leader at Youth Services Directorate. This year I met a young camper with hearing impairments. I was shocked but not terrified.’’

Trained Youth Worker

‘’I watched you there at trainings all day long. I have come to realize that you really make all the efforts even more than us to work with our kids. Thanks to you my kid felt that s/he is important.’’

Mother of Child with Hearing Impairments

“Thank you so much for all the work you did in our province. We would like the youth with hearing impairments benefit from it. If you somehow have intentions to repeat this type of project in Diyarbakır (a Southeastern province) I would do my best to support you in your efforts’’

Diyarbakir Provincial Governor

“There is nobody who gives an opportunity to these kids, but you.’’

Chair of Samsun Association of Deaf People