CIU students held an event within the Scope of 3rd December, World Disability Day

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Education, Special Education Department and Special Education Club’s collaborative online event titled "My World" Film Screening and Analysis, was organized within the scope of "International Day of Persons with Disabilities" on 3rd December.

CIU Faculty of Education, Special Education Department Chair, Assist. Prof. Dr. Cahit Nuri moderated the event, while Faculty of Education Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Fatoş Silman and Instructor Vasfiye Karabıyık participated as speakers.

During the event, Special Education Department Chair Assist. Prof. Dr. Cahit Nuri explained the term disabled, elaborating that the condition of being disabled is caused by the loss of physical, mental, spiritual, sensory and social abilities in various degrees, from the moment of birth.

Expressing that these individuals have difficulties in adapting to social life and meeting their daily needs and therefore need protection, care, rehabilitation, counseling and support services, Nuri went on to say, “We wanted to show our students movies related to the topics covered within the curriculum, in order to reinforce theoretical knowledge on this subject. We prefer this type of activity in an effort to inform them and to make this information visually more permanent in the minds of the students.

In her speech during the event, Prof. Dr. Fatoş Silman noted that in order to create awareness and understanding, films are not only educational, but also provide people with different experiences as forms of educational material.

Stating that this activity was organized in an effort to develop the student's creativity, analytical thinking and problem solving ability, Silman said that their aim is to encourage them to think through the film, bringing the creativity of the audience to the forefront, making them think analytically.

Drawing attention to the relationship between society and disability before the screening of the movie, academic staff Vasviye Karabıyık informed that individuals with disabilities feel loved when they have acceptance of the society, and in the event they are allowed to obtain roles, positive results are seen in their behavior.

Stating that individuals with disabilities should be recognized within societies, Karabıyık also drew attention to the importance of preparing qualified education programs in line with the needs of these individuals.

Karabıyık stated that individuals with disabilities has experienced an increase in the quality of their lives, due to the acceptance by society and the assimilation of their existence, and due to this, individuals with disabilities can lead their lives independently.