Status of the disabled in Turkey. A theoretical approach to the perception of the disabled in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose. Although the ratio of the disabled population is higher in Turkish society than the average value in the world, studies in this issue have been limited to statistical surveys and no firm theoretical bases on investigation of the perception of disability in the perspective of Turkish society have been established. Reliable theses on the form and manners of Turkish society's responses to disability have not been put forward, yet. Therefore, existence of the sociology of disability in Turkey, which is a relatively new field also for western societies, cannot be stated. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the perception of disability and responses to the disabled in Turkish society in the light of the findings of research, which was conducted in 2002, into the disabled in Turkey.Method. Theoretical assessment is carried out from the perspective of two viewpoints: The structural-functional and interactional theses.Conclusion. It is concluded that the interactional thesis sets a better ground for explanation of the circumstances of the disabled and response of the society to them in Turkey.