The core objective of the project is to comprehensively increase institutional capacity and awareness in foreign language education for the visually impaired and to fill methodological gaps. First, it aimed to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of diverse stakeholders, such as Ibn Haldun University and the partner association in Greece (university and NGO), regarding rights-based teaching methods through mutual experience sharing. Second, it sought to discover and apply innovative, inclusive pedagogical methods (like language teaching with music, Braille technology integration, AI use, and peer support) by hosting interactive workshops for educators and young participants. This process aimed to produce tools for overcoming learning barriers while also raising awareness to reduce institutional and social prejudices. Ultimately, the project aimed to lead the way in solving systemic barriers to foreign language learning using a rights-based approach, creating a sustainable outcome that extends the project's impact beyond the direct participants.
This project addresses the chronic issues faced by visually impaired students, primarily the structural barriers in foreign language learning, compounded by the lack of pedagogical capacity and sufficient materials. Our application is necessitated by the Turkish education system's reliance on visually-centric foreign language materials and methods, the scarcity of Braille resources, and teachers' insufficient training in disability pedagogy. This situation disadvantages visually impaired students and is exacerbated by institutional prejudices. The core objective is to overcome methodological barriers (lack of technology), improve the empathy and alignment between learners and educators, and increase institutional awareness using a rights-based approach to eliminate systemic discrimination (in exams and access). The project is motivated by a desire to develop pedagogical tools that empower visually impaired individuals, shifting them from passive victims to active learning subjects, thus filling a critical capacity gap.