The Metropolitan Municipality’s Short Break service has become a hope for individuals with special needs.

Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, upon the request of the Muğla Association for the Mentally Disabled, opened courses that could not be offered this year at the Public Education Center due to austerity measures at the Menteşe Short Break Center.

The Short Break Centers, which are the first of their kind in Turkey and established to serve individuals with disabilities, are located in significant areas of Muğla. The Short Break service, which stands alongside citizens with social municipal services, continues to be the preference of families with disabled children. Courses that are usually opened at the Public Education Center every year were not available this year due to austerity measures. In response, the Muğla Association for the Mentally Disabled requested the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality to open courses, and their issues were resolved with the Short Break Center.

34 mentally disabled individuals, who have completed their education and are at a mild to moderate level, participate in activities at the Menteşe Short Break Center in pairs for four days a week. Activities include practical applications such as wood painting, painting, handicrafts, jewelry design, and ceramics.

Individuals with autism will also benefit from this application.

In addition to individuals with mild and moderate special needs, individuals with autism are also conducting sports activities with expert trainers twice a week at the ‘Bi Nefes Autism Movement Center’ owned by the Menteşe Municipality, as a result of collaboration with Menteşe Municipality.

“The Short Break Center did not let us down”

Father Ali Çömentepe, who brought his child to the Short Break Center, said, “Previously, courses were opened at the Public Education Center for our special needs children. But this year, due to austerity measures, the courses we attended every year were not opened. We used the courses at the Short Break Center to benefit our children and create a time frame for families to catch a breath. Our requests were not rejected by our Metropolitan Municipality and Menteşe Municipality. Thanks to the Short Break service, our children can have fun while families find time to relax,” he said.

“Both our children and we have breathed easier”

Father Mustafa Dökel expressed his gratitude to the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, stating, “We are not forced to confine our children at home. It also relaxes families with special needs children. Our Metropolitan Municipality saw our deficiency. As a result, our children do not have to be confined at home. Thanks to this service, both the children relaxed and the families were able to breathe easier. Since our children are more anxious, we sometimes struggle to find activities to keep them occupied. However, thanks to the activities they participate in here, they can socialize while spending time. We thank everyone who contributed to this service.”

“President Aras did not remain indifferent to our requests”

Menderes Çetinözlü, President of the Muğla Association for the Mentally Disabled, addressed the fact that the courses they have opened every year could not be opened this year, saying, “Due to austerity measures, our Lifelong Learning courses, which we regularly open at the Public Education Center, could not be opened this year. In response to this news, we made a statement as an association, and our Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Aras did not remain indifferent to our requests. I would like to thank everyone who contributed.”

Menteşe Municipality and Metropolitan Municipality are working together

Social Services Specialist Zeliha Balık, who works at Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, explained the details of the project, stating, “We work with individuals with special needs who have completed their education and are directed to the Public Education Center, aged 20 and above, at our Menteşe Short Break Center. We conduct activities with our mentally disabled individuals at mild to moderate levels in pairs for four days a week. Our activities include practical applications such as wood painting, art activities, handicrafts, jewelry design, and ceramics. Additionally, our individuals with autism participate in courses at the ‘Bi Nefes Autism Movement Center.’ For this, we collaborate with Menteşe Municipality to enable our individuals with severe autism to socialize and expend their energy. At the ‘Bi Nefes Autism Movement Center,’ individuals with autism engage in sports activities with expert trainers twice a week.”

President Aras: “We will continue to stand by individuals with disabilities”

Ahmet Aras, President of the Aegean Coast Municipalities Union and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, stated that they stand by all citizens with social municipal services and work to overcome barriers with love and services. President Aras said, “Due to the economic conditions our country is facing, some services have been suspended under the name of austerity measures. When we learned that some services for individuals with disabilities in Muğla could not be provided due to these measures, we intervened as the Metropolitan Municipality. We opened the courses that could not be conducted due to austerity measures at our Short Break centers for families with individuals with disabilities and their children. We were able to bring a smile to their faces, even if just a little. As the Metropolitan Municipality, we are always by our citizens’ side.”