Down syndrome march held in Taksim

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Over 3,000 people from all around Turkey attend the parade in Istanbul. DAILY NEWS photo

Over 3,000 people from Turkey attended a parade, held simultaneously in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu neighborhood and Izmir’s Karşıyaka neighborhood, organized by the Down Syndrome Association.

The “We Are Here,” parade was held in both cities Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. in conjunction with multiple other parades organized for the same cause around the world.

Education rights

“I think one of the most important attainments of the works we have made so far is inclusion education and the right for free rehabilitation,” said head of the Down Syndrome Association Gün Bilgin in a speech before the parade started.

“These rights were acquired thanks to the collaboration of families, associations, pedagogues and civil servants who understand us. With the implementation of inclusion education and life-long education our children can leave their homes,” he said.

“They converge on the places they belong; in their classes with teachers and friends. Our youth have started to integrate into society,” Bilgin said.