TEDx Talks - ASLINDA ENGEL YOKTUR | Burak Uyanık | TEDxEOSB Teknik Kolej Youth
The speaker, who is hearing-impaired, discusses their journey from childhood dreams of becoming a pilot to finding their passion in computer programming. Initially discouraged from pursuing piloting due to communication barriers, they discovered a new path after witnessing a programmer at work. Despite systemic challenges, such as limited access to engineering programs for vocational school graduates, they persevered through alternative educational routes, consistently graduating second in their class. The speaker highlights the importance of maintaining inner motivation and finding ways around obstacles, such as using interpreter support during their doctoral studies. They emphasize that accessibility can significantly enhance the performance of individuals with disabilities, as demonstrated by their own achievements in software development and academia. The speaker's story also includes forming a team to inspire other hearing-impaired individuals to pursue STEM fields, showcasing that with the right support and belief, nothing is impossible.
Key Points:
- Accessibility is crucial for enabling individuals with disabilities to perform at their best.
- Perseverance and finding alternative paths can lead to success despite systemic barriers.
- Maintaining inner motivation and setting realistic goals are key to overcoming challenges.
- Support systems, such as interpreters, can significantly aid in academic and professional achievements.
- Inspiring others by sharing success stories can change societal perceptions and encourage more inclusive opportunities.
Details:
1. 👏 Visual Applause for the Hearing Impaired
- Visual applause is utilized as an alternative for hearing impaired individuals who cannot perceive traditional auditory applause.
- The adaptation of visual signals, like waving hands, enhances inclusivity and engagement for hearing impaired attendees at various events.
- Examples include using visual applause in educational settings, conferences, and public events to ensure that all participants can equally engage and feel acknowledged.
- This practice has been well-received and recognized as an effective means to bridge communication gaps for the hearing impaired.
2. 📚 Understanding the Term 'Engelli' (Disabled)
- The term 'engelli' translates to 'disabled' in English, encompassing meanings such as 'desibel', which refers to decibel, and 'passive'.
- Understanding these meanings is essential for contextualizing the term's application in social, cultural, and linguistic scenarios.
- In social contexts, 'engelli' often denotes limitations placed on individuals due to societal structures, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies.
- Culturally, the term may highlight passive roles traditionally assigned to disabled individuals, sparking discussions on empowerment and active participation.
- The dual meaning also reflects in language, where 'engelli' can imply barriers to communication or action, underscoring the importance of accessibility and support.
- For example, in workplace settings, using 'engelli' could pertain to needing accommodations for equal participation.
- By recognizing these nuances, stakeholders can better address the challenges and promote a more inclusive environment for disabled individuals.
3. 🎓 From Law Graduate to Personal Story
- The individual faced numerous challenges throughout their educational journey, including societal and institutional barriers, showcasing resilience and determination.
- Support structures, such as family, community, and educational accommodations, played a crucial role in the individual's success.
- The graduate's story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the potential for overcoming adversity with the right resources and mindset.
- This achievement demonstrates the importance of inclusive education systems that cater to diverse needs, promoting equal opportunities for all.
4. 👶 Childhood Dreams and Career Shift
- The speaker was born with a hearing impairment and identifies as deaf, emphasizing that this is not just a condition but a cultural identity, with Turkish sign language as their primary language.
- During childhood, the speaker dreamed of becoming a pilot by the age of 7 or 8.
- The speaker's father explained the demanding and challenging conditions of the pilot profession, leading to the speaker's decision to abandon this dream.
- Following the realization about the impracticality of becoming a pilot, the speaker shifted focus to a career that aligns better with their personal identity and cultural background, although specific details about the new career path were not provided.
5. 💻 Discovering a Passion for Coding
- A visit to a computer department at a workplace was a turning point, leading to a passion for programming.
- Witnessing a software developer writing code ignited a strong desire to pursue coding as a career.
- The experience transformed a small spark of interest into a significant passion for learning coding.
- The individual was determined to study in a computer department to quickly learn coding skills.
6. 🎯 Overcoming Educational Barriers
- The narrative highlights the challenges faced in transitioning from vocational high schools to engineering programs, emphasizing the lack of direct pathways.
- Despite the discouragement, the speaker was determined to pursue a career in computer engineering, illustrating the personal drive needed to overcome systemic barriers.
- The educational system presented significant obstacles, with teachers informing students that direct entry from vocational schools to engineering fields was nearly impossible, highlighting a critical area for educational reform.
- To navigate these barriers, the speaker likely employed self-directed learning and external resources to meet the prerequisites for engineering programs, exemplifying a proactive approach.
- An essential strategy might have included seeking mentorship or guidance from professionals in the field to better understand the requirements and opportunities available.
7. 💪 Persistence in Pursuing Computer Engineering
- A mentor advised pursuing a shorter program as a strategic entry point to computer engineering, utilizing subsequent exams to transition.
- Despite only a small percentage succeeding in transitioning to engineering, the speaker's perseverance was key.
- Consistently ranked second in class through high school and higher education, demonstrating sustained effort and commitment.
- Focused on self-improvement with a personal benchmark rather than external competition, aiming to surpass previous achievements.
- Demonstrated resilience by finding solutions to systemic educational barriers, maintaining a mindset geared towards growth and determination.
8. 📱 First Steps as a Software Developer
- Continuous effort and determination are essential to keep the inner spark alive, which drives us towards our goals.
- The speaker developed their first mobile application at their workplace, feeling no different from a non-disabled peer.
- Accessibility in the environment and passion for the job led the speaker to pursue a Master's degree to keep up with the continuous innovations in the IT sector.
- Specific challenges such as adapting to new technologies and overcoming initial barriers in the workplace were highlighted.
- The speaker emphasized the impact of supportive colleagues and mentors in overcoming these challenges.
9. 🎓 Pursuing Higher Education with Accessibility
- Despite initial hesitation due to hearing impairment, pursuing a PhD with interpreter support can enhance academic performance beyond expectations.
- Increasing accessibility allows hearing-impaired individuals to perform at levels exceeding societal expectations, similar to how visual impairments can enhance other senses.
- Promoting awareness and changing societal perceptions about hearing impairments can lead to significant societal advancements.
- Practical strategies for improving accessibility include providing interpreter services, utilizing technology to facilitate communication, and fostering an inclusive academic environment.
- Case studies show that institutions implementing these strategies see increased enrollment and academic success among hearing-impaired students.
10. 📜 Achieving a Historic Doctorate
- The speaker completed their doctorate, becoming the first deaf individual to achieve this milestone.
- The achievement was not just personal but also significant for the deaf community, changing perceptions.
- A hearing-impaired individual was inspired and successfully admitted to a master's program, citing the speaker as an example.
- The doctorate accomplishment has led to a shift in perspective, fostering more inclusivity for hearing-impaired individuals in academia.
- The speaker highlights the importance of proper planning and time management as keys to achieving goals despite disabilities.
11. 🗝️ The Keys to Success
- Understanding personal strengths and limitations is crucial for setting realistic goals. For instance, the speaker realized that becoming a pilot was not feasible due to a hearing impairment, highlighting the importance of aligning career aspirations with personal capabilities.
- Passion is vital; engaging in work you love can make the experience feel effortless. The speaker emphasizes that working in a field you love ensures you never feel like you're working a day in your life.
- Effective planning involves understanding one's working style and leveraging it. The speaker managed to prepare for a doctoral qualification exam while working at TÜBİTAK and handling personal responsibilities, demonstrating resilience and strategic planning under pressure.
- Collaboration and discussion with peers enhance learning. Despite assumptions about being unproductive, the speaker found value in discussing and debating study material with friends, which was more effective than solitary study.
- Adaptability and the pursuit of knowledge through unconventional methods are essential. Despite hearing challenges, the speaker developed unique strategies to access and comprehend information, underscoring the importance of adaptability in achieving success.
12. 🤖 Inspiring the Next Generation
- Success may require persistence, as reaching goals might take up to 50 attempts, emphasizing perseverance as key.
- The initiative aims to inspire hearing-impaired individuals by forming a team to demonstrate their potential in robotics and STEM fields.
- Batuhan, the team captain, received offers from 9 different international universities, showcasing the success possible with the right support.
- Several hearing-impaired members of the team are pursuing education at various universities, reinforcing the message that nothing is impossible with proper support and belief.
13. 🚪 Opening Doors Through Determination
- Real success is born from a heart that believes 'I can do it'.
- Every step you take impacts not only your own life but also the dreams of those around you.
- Regardless of the circumstances, by moving forward with the right steps, faith, and passion, all the doors you wish to open will open for you.
- Reflecting on one's own story reveals that obstacles are self-created, implying that perceived barriers are often internal rather than external.