Daily Sabah – Kemal Çelik, a ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Antalya deputy and the head of Turkey’s Parliamentary Down Syndrome, Autism and Other Developmental Disorders Research Commission, said in a statement on Sunday that commission deputies are preparing a bill designed to help those with special needs.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) days before World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, Çelik said that the commission is working in tandem with the relevant ministries and nongovernmental organizations.
Çelik noted that everyone must be informed about the requirements of those with special needs. The official also said that they are in talks with the Ministry of Interior over efforts to inform district governors about the needs of people with developmental disorders.
The commission chief underlined that investing in a person with special needs at a young age pays off eight-fold in the long run. Çelik said that despite the substantial progress made so far, Turkey still has a fair way to go in regard to best serving those with special needs in the country.
Çelik further stated that the families of people with special needs are actively involved in getting their disabled family members’ rights improved and they are organized under NGOs for collective efforts, as exemplified by the Turkey Autism Council.
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