The Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Kastamonu University, organized an event titled "Strengthening the Social Structure for Individuals with Disabilities" as part of World Disability Day on December 3rd.

The program, held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in the Sezai Karakoç Hall of the Central Library, was attended by academics, students, representatives from civil society organizations, public institutions and organizations, and individuals with special needs. 

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir Tuna, who delivered the opening speech of the event, reminded that they must support individuals with special needs to participate fully and effectively in social life, and pointed out that being an individual with special needs is not a deficiency but a matter related to the egalitarian approach of the social order. Prof. Dr. Tuna continued, saying, "As the Faculty of Health, we are aware that reducing barriers is only possible through scientific knowledge, sensitivity, empathy, and qualified human resources." 

The opening speeches of the program were delivered by Huriye Boyraz, President of the Kastamonu Special Individuals and Families Association and President of the Western Black Sea Autism Federation, and Serhat Yolaşığmazoğlu, President of the Turkish Disabled Association Kastamonu Branch. Speakers called for solidarity toward a more inclusive society, stating that the difficulties faced by individuals in social life can only be reduced with the contributions of all stakeholders. 

Among the speakers at the event, Mihriban Yazıcı, the principal of Hüseyin Üster Application School, discussed the challenges faced in educating children with special needs and proposed solutions. Şerife Çim, a student at the Barrier-Free Life Center, shared her experiences with the audience regarding the center's activities and the participation of individuals with special needs in social life. 

The program included a performance of the Aydın Efe play by Hasan Efe Sarıcı and Cengizhan Koç, as well as a theater performance by fourth-grade students 

In the panel section of the program, the topic "Problems Faced by Individuals with Special Needs" was discussed. In the panel moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Havva Kaçan, nurse Gülçin Gümüş Çalış, disability employment coach Nurcan Yargı, and social worker Eylem Aydın provided evaluations on the access of individuals with special needs to healthcare services, their participation in social life, and employment processes.

As part of the event, Daniyar Ergashov, a student in the Nursing Department, shared the composition he had prepared with the audience.