A case study on the socialization activities of non-governmental organizations: The case of Niğde

Disability is a multidimensional phenomenon that has been studied since the first years of humanity. It also takes place as a massive problem studied in many disciplines. It is noteworthy that there is more than one concept and definition of disability in the literature on Sociology of Disability, which is a sub-research field of sociology. It is seen that these concepts and definitions have been accepted in certain historical processes and examined in the context of rights and individual-based human rights nowadays. On the other hand, since the approaches of other disciplines to people differed before sociology, it was an obvious fact that it was very difficult to make a universal definition of disability in every geography. The main purpose of this master's thesis is to examine the social policies of non-governmental organizations that have historically played an important role in the rights and gains of the disabled people in Turkey, and to evaluate these policies from a sociological perspective. The concept of disability, the dimension of social exclusion created by the disability case of individuals with disabilities, has been explained in outline using a literature review that includes studies from the past to the present. Performed by the associations operating for the disabled people in the province of Niğde, the studies about ensuring the full participation of the disabled people in social life and their social integration have been examined.