Bahar Yavuz

Bahar has studied at mainstreaming schools since the elementary school. She lived with her family in Antalya until she was 18. She had never gone out alone. Now she is studying psychology at Boğaziçi University. Although she has visual impairment from birth, she did not know how to use a white cane until she came to İstanbul. She has been staying at the dormitory of the university for four years. She can convert her books into audio books at the university. “I used to feel ashamed of willing more in the past. I learned demanding my rights at the university” she says. She enjoys singing in chorus. She is learning Spanish and wants to go to a country where Spanish is spoken.
Bahar is working at various associations for the people with disabilities. As she believes that women with disabilities experience double disadvantage in Türkiye, she wants to continue her studies in this field. She feels free in Istanbul, where she can realize her dreams. But the streets are the places where she feels most disabled.
“I cannot bear with people tugging me at my arms as I cannot see. If I need help, I would tell you. Do not touch me before I ask you to do so.”