ASSOCIATION OF TURKISH SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
Located in Ankara, the headquarter of the association IDTD (ATSLI) was established in 2010 with a current number of 174 volunteering members. The association aims to provide solutions to problems encountered by the Sign Language Interpreters in Professional and Social life and for the development and training of professionals in the field. In order to achieve these goals, it aims to conduct joint projects with the authorities and individuals through grant support for the project to be conducted successfully. It seeks to take joint actions with the members of this profession by following a national common policy related to the profession, to eliminate the inequalities that the hard of hearing have been exposed to throughout their professional and social lives, to support their career opportunities for a better professional life by providing social activities and opportunities for research to the members of the association, to protect the rights and interests of the volunteers and help them develop their skills and knowledge, and to maintain the feasibility of the members of the profession within the scope of “Ethical Principles of the Sign Language Interpreters” as stated in the article 23 of the legislation, as well as the national development of the profession within the scope of the opportunities of the association based on the activities of international institutions such as WASLI (World Association of Sign Language Interpreters) and EFSLI (European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters).
Researchers from IDTD
- Banu Türkuğur Şahin
Banu Turkuğur Şahin is the head of Sign Language Interpreters Association and a board member of the Confederation of the Deaf She has worked as a sign language instructor at Islamic Sciences Deaf Association, Sign Language Teacher at Ankara and Hacettepe Universitiesy, an educator in Turkish National Federation of Deaf (TIEMF), a committee member in World Federation of the Deaf Representative of Turkey in WASLI, a Turkish Sign Language Specialist of “Spread the Sign” Project at the Kınık School for Hearing Impaired, a coordinator at “Sign5” Conference by Gazi University, a sign Language teacher in “No Barriers for Participation” Project, and a Turkish Sign Language Interpreter in “Education Overcomes All Barriers” project.
- Başak Albay
Başak Albay is a sign language interpreter in the Ministry of Family and Social Services She has participated in many projects for the sign language interpreting and interpreters.
- Kadir Demir
Kadir Demir is a sign language interpreter at Anadolu University. He has participated in many deaf-related interpreters’ events in the country.
- Dilan Arık
Dilan Arık is the head of Deaf Women’s Solidarity Association. She has worked for the Emergency Call Center (112) as a Turkish Sign Language Interpreter.
- Öznur Akto
Öznur Akto is a sign language interpreter at Lokman Hekim Health Group. She has worked as a teacher at social Service and Children Protection Institution and Ministry of National Education. She has participated in a lot of educational events related to the deaf in the country.
- Can Akto
Can Akto is an occupational safety specialist. He graduated from the Department of Electrical Electronics Engineering, METU and business administration program, Anadolu University. He has worked in EU projects for the Deaf working in heavy metal works. Among his research interests is access in occupational safety. He supports the projects of Association of TSLI in terms of technic and administrative aspects.