A project led by Dr. Elif Mercan Uzun of the Department of Primary Education at Ondokuz Mayıs University’s (OMU) Faculty of Education has been selected for funding under TÜBİTAK’s 2025 call for the 4008 Inclusive Society Practices for Individuals with Special Needs Programme.

Titled “Health Begins at Home,” the project aims to improve the health literacy of parents of children with special needs.

The project was developed in cooperation with Altınkum Special Education Practice School, the OMU Center for Women’s and Family Studies, and the OMU Developmental Education Application and Research Center.

The project team includes Dr. Melek Baba Öztürk of OMU’s Faculty of Education, Dr. Uygar Bayrakdar of OMU Samsun Vocational School, and Senior Teacher Bilal Akdağ of Altınkum Special Education Practice School, who will contribute as experts.

Strengthening Parents’ Health Literacy

The project aims to increase access to essential health information for parents of preschool- and primary-school-aged children with special needs and support their informed participation in healthcare processes.

It also seeks to help parents make evidence-based contributions to their children’s healthcare, raise awareness of health-related issues within the community, and strengthen their ability to make informed decisions based on scientific knowledge.

Thirty Inclusive and Practice-Based Activities Planned

A total of 30 activities will be organised with contributions from specialist trainers representing different fields. Seventeen trainers will take part in the project, delivering inclusive and practice-based activities designed specifically for families of individuals with special needs.

OMU congratulates Dr. Elif Mercan Uzun and the project team and wishes them continued success.