Organisation: Turkey Youth Union Association. "Elephant in the room" is a metaphorical idiom for an obvious situation that is being totally ignored or goes unaddressed. It also applies to an obvious problem or risk which no one even wants to discuss. It is based on the idea that an elephant in a room would be impossible to overlook; thus, people in the room who pretend the elephant is not there have chosen to avoid dealing with the looming big issue. From this perspective, “Disability” is kind of a big white elephant standing just in the middle of the society, however the majority neither raised enough awareness nor develeped the required course of conduct. People should first stop ignoring the disability and realize how their ignorance effects millions of people’s daily lives in a very negative way. We recognise that interacting with people with disabilities can be a part of life that seems sometimes shrouded in mystery. Many people feel uncomfortable about it. On the one hand, they really want to help, but on the other, they are very afraid of causing offence. There are many civil society organisations in all around the world working with or for disabled people to support them protecting their rights and developing the new disability policies. As Turkey Youth Union Association we are also working with disabled young people from different categories of disability. We are organizing many projects in order to include disabled youngsters into the society and support their active participation in all dimensions. Working with young people having different disabilities requires special skills and innovative methods. For example in order to work with a totally deaf youngster, the youth worker has to learn how to sign, that is the best way to communicate with deaf people. Empathy and being aware of their special needs are the major essentials. Different disability groups have different perceptions, requirements and abilities. As youth workers we should include and interact with the disabled young people around us. At least we should try to develop new ways to reach them.

Do you see the elephant in the room? Then it is time to see the other elephants in the room!:)

Objectives:

1-Project partners should be ;

Either currently working with young people from at least one of the disability categories: deaf, visually impaired, physically disabled

Or having a high motivation and future plans to work with young people from at least one of the disability categories: deaf, visually impaired, physically disabled

2- 3 participants from each partner organisation (Having 1 disabled participant in the group is encouraged)

3- It is possible to participate NGO's or groups only from Programme Countries.

Participant profile:

1- No age limit (but has to be over 18 years old.).

2- High motivation to share and present

Practical info: - The duration of the training is 7 days, excluding travel days - English will be the working language. Participants must have sufficient understanding of English.

-If you will send a disabled young person with special needs please inform us, we will deal with it. - VISA costs will be covered 100%.

-An international sign language interpreter will accompany during the project - Youth in Action programme cover 70% of the travel cost and 100% hotel, food, local transports etc.

If you are interested to take part please

1) fill the attached form (not any other), send the Word version to elifce10@gmail.com immediately

2) sign it in blue ink and put your NGO stamp on it. Send via FAX to us, our fax number is 0090 312 312 38 20

3) Finally send the signed and stamped form via registered mail to our address: C. Elif SERBEST (TGBDER)

Mesrutiyet caddesi Bayindir-2 sokak

No:62/20

Kizilay-Ankara-Turkiye

Please forward this call to any partner or organisation of your contacts you deem possibly interested.