Date	03.12.2025
Department	Faculty of Tourism
SDG

An inclusive and experience-based awareness event was held at Mahmut Sami Ramazanoğlu Girls’ Anatolian Imam Hatip High School as part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3. The event aimed to raise awareness of the physical and social barriers faced by individuals with disabilities in everyday life. The program was organized under the guidance of Technology and Design Teacher Seher Aydoğmuş and implemented through a collaborative approach. Students from the Recreation Management Department of the Faculty of Tourism at Necmettin Erbakan University participated in the event as part of their volunteer activities. The students joined the program under the coordination of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yalçın Tükel and took an active role throughout the activities. The event focused on experiential learning and direct engagement, allowing participants to better understand the daily experiences of individuals with disabilities. During the program, several inclusive sport and recreation practices were implemented. These included Goalball, orientation using a white cane, sitting volleyball, and table tennis played in wheelchairs. Each activity was designed to simulate the physical conditions experienced by individuals with visual or physical impairments. Through these practices, participants were able to experience challenges related to mobility, orientation, and coordination in a controlled and supportive environment. The event was not limited to physical participation alone. It also aimed to foster empathy, challenge stereotypes, and promote a culture of inclusion. By engaging in these activities, participants gained a deeper understanding of accessibility, equal participation, and social inclusion. The experiential structure of the program supported learning through practice and reflection, rather than observation alone. For the Recreation Management students, the event provided an important opportunity to strengthen their sense of social responsibility. By taking part in a community-based awareness initiative, students developed professional awareness and gained practical experience related to inclusive recreation practices. The event highlighted the role of recreation as a tool for social integration and empowerment. The organizers expressed their gratitude to Seher Aydoğmuş, the school administration, and all contributing stakeholders for their support. The event served as a meaningful example of how educational institutions and universities can collaborate to promote inclusion, awareness, and equal participation in society.