SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Participating in social life and existing in the public sphere are essential needs of individuals. There may be some problems and obstacles regarding this. Cities present difficulties for disabled people in participating in social life. Disabled people may experience more problems depending on the type and rate of disability they have. Local governments open various centres and support the social participation of disabled people through activities there.

It is known that people with Down syndrome, who are a particular group of disabled people, achieve significant improvement in their cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills after participating in recreational activities. Organizing recreational activities and dance and music activities in these collaborations is essential. Individuals with Down syndrome generally enjoy participating in recreational activities and love rhythmic music games and dancing to music.

In this study, the contribution of the workshops of the disabled centre in a district municipality in Istanbul to the socialization of individuals with Down syndrome is examined within the sociology of leisure time. Various activities and workshops in the centre where the study was conducted were evaluated in this regard. Among the workshops in the centre, a) sports dance, b) hobby garden, c) ceramics, d) computer and photography and e) music and dance workshops are noteworthy. Among these, studies in dance and music workshops can provide fun support for participants to increase their muscle strength, endurance and fitness, gain agility, balance and flexibility, develop self-confidence and self-esteem, acquire social skills, develop communication methods through movements and express their feelings and thoughts through movements.

Keywords: Disabled People, Sociology of Leisure, Hobby, Istanbul.