In Türkiye, children with disabilities are engaged in the education system through various programs, such as inclusive classrooms, individualized education plans, early childhood education, and hospital-based learning. The 2018 Special Education Regulations, published by the Ministry of National Education, provide a legal framework for these services.

However, despite these policies, many children with disabilities—especially those with refugee status—face barriers that prevent them from fully accessing education. Relief International Türkiye’s advocacy report, Children with Disabilities in Education–Challenges and Barriers to Access Education Services, highlights the key obstacles that continue to exclude children from learning opportunities.

The report identifies accessibility challenges, financial constraints, social attitudes, registration difficulties, and health-related issues as major factors limiting school attendance for children with disabilities. Without urgent action, these barriers will continue to prevent thousands of children from receiving the education they deserve.

Challenges Preventing Children from Accessing Education

Inaccessible Schools and Transportation

Many children with disabilities struggle to attend school simply because transportation and infrastructure are not designed for them. Public transport often lacks accessibility, leaving families with no way to get their children to school. Even when students reach the school, many buildings lack ramps, elevators, and accessible classrooms, making it difficult or impossible for them to move around independently.

Assistive devices—such as wheelchairs, mobility aids, and hearing devices—are often unavailable or unaffordable. Without these essential tools, students are left without the means to participate in education. Learning materials and communication methods also fail to accommodate students with sensory or intellectual disabilities, excluding them from meaningful engagement in the classroom.

Social Stigma and Bullying

Negative attitudes at home, in schools, and in communities create additional barriers. Some families believe their children will not benefit from education, leading them to keep them at home rather than enrolling them in school. Those who do attend often face bullying and social stigma, especially refugee children with disabilities, making school a hostile environment rather than a place of learning.

Overcrowded classrooms make it harder for teachers to intervene, leaving students without the motivation and emotional support needed to stay in school. Without targeted efforts to shift mindsets and promote inclusivity, many children with disabilities will continue to feel unwelcome in education settings.

The Cost of Education

For many families, the cost of education is simply too high. Transportation expenses alone prevent children from reaching accessible schools. Assistive devices, which are essential for mobility and learning, remain out of reach due to high costs. In some cases, families are forced to prioritize income over education, leading to an increase in child labor.

The financial burden is particularly severe for refugee families, who often lack stable income sources and access to financial aid programs. Without intervention, many children with disabilities will continue to be left behind simply because their families cannot afford the cost of learning.

Registration and Documentation Barriers

Refugee children with disabilities face additional hurdles in school enrollment due to missing or incomplete documentation. Without the right residency status or official paperwork, many schools refuse to register them, leaving them without access to formal education.

Even when families attempt to enroll their children, differences in registration requirements create confusion and delays. School administrators may be unsure how to process these cases, making the system even more difficult to navigate. As a result, many refugee children remain locked out of education despite policies that should, in theory, include them.

Healthcare Needs That Disrupt Learning

Many children with disabilities require frequent hospital visits or extended stays, which interrupts their education. Without proper systems in place, these students fall behind and struggle to catch up. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services are also lacking, leaving students without the emotional and psychological care they need to succeed in school.

Without better healthcare coordination and flexible learning options, children with disabilities will continue to be at risk of falling behind academically or dropping out entirely.

Recommendations for Improving Access to Education

Improving Accessibility in Schools

• Municipalities should address infrastructural barriers, including ramps, elevators, and accessible public transportation.
• Schools should ensure classrooms are located in accessible areas for students with mobility impairments.
• Teachers should receive training on developing accessible learning materials for students with different disabilities

Promoting Inclusion and Addressing Bullying

• Awareness campaigns should help families understand the importance of education for children with disabilities.
• Teacher training programs should include strategies for inclusive education and bullying prevention.
• Schools should develop activities that encourage peer support and a positive learning environment.

Addressing Financial Challenges

• Families should receive information on available financial support programs for assistive devices and school transportation.
• Schools should collaborate with NGOs and government agencies to provide financial assistance and referrals.
• Child labor prevention programs should be strengthened to ensure children remain in school.

Simplifying Registration for Refugee Children

• Schools should provide guidance to families on addressing documentation challenges.
• Better coordination is needed between migration offices and education departments to streamline the registration process.

Expanding Healthcare and Mental Health Support

• Schools should support children who need long-term medical care by offering flexible learning options.
• Mental health services should be expanded to help children cope with emotional and psychological challenges.
• More information should be shared with families on how to access assistive devices and health services.

Ensuring Every Child Has a Chance to Learn

Relief International Türkiye’s advocacy report highlights the urgent need for action to remove barriers preventing children with disabilities—especially refugee children—from accessing education. While policies exist, the implementation remains inconsistent, leaving many children without the opportunity to learn.

Relief International is committed to working with schools, families, and policymakers to ensure every child has access to quality education.

To access the full report, click here.