Melike Bal Email and Phone Number

I deliver disability inclusion training sessions to the personnel of UN Türkiye agencies, humanitarian workers (in collaboration with UNFPA), as well as staff and volunteers from various civil society organizations in Türkiye. My approach involves delivering engaging training through the use of narratives and analogies. The training curriculum spans a diverse range of topics, covering disability rights, models of disability, disability history, UN CRPD, disability-inclusive communications, national disability laws, and social benefits available to individuals with disabilities. Proficient in presenting in both English and Turkish, I strive to enhance awareness and understanding of disability inclusion among diverse audiences.

As the Communications Manager at the Association of Women with Disabilities, my role encompassed a wide array of responsibilities. I oversaw the organization's social media presence by efficiently managing DMs, engaging with followers, and implementing strategic content plans. Utilizing graphic design tools like Adobe Express, I created visually appealing social media posts and captions, ensuring alignment with our messaging. Additionally, I leveraged my proficiency in English to nurture international partnerships, including effective communication, collaboration, and the preparation of written materials. My data-driven approach helped optimize our social media strategies for maximum impact.

I was elected as a board member by ENIL Youth Members in November 2022. As a board member, I represent ENIL at international events, provide assistance with maintaining contact with partner organizations, support the board's efforts of organizing events, and help with inter-organizational communications. Additionally, I highlight the importance of disability and youth activism's intersectionality when I represent ENIL at the events.

As the inaugural Stephanie Ortoleva Legal Intern, I conducted research on obstetric violence, stereotypes impacting women and girls with disabilities, home and community-based services for people with disabilities, supporting WEI’s advocacy work at UN and beyond. Based on my research I prepared memos for internal and external use. In this role I was a part of Advocacy and Accountability division of Women Enabled International and I directly reported to manager at Advocacy and Accountability, Ishani Cordeiro.

I started the Neurofeedback Turkey Campaign to increase access to the method in Turkey. Neurofeedback is a computer-based therapy method that could potentially improve the health and life quality of disabled people. My medical traumas make me more passionate about it. Here is why? Throughout my childhood, I made attended many painful, but not as helpful, physical therapy sessions. Also, my medical team convinced my parents to a very excruciating orthopedic surgery to make me "more like my friends." When I found out about it, which is pain-free, I felt amazed. The method does not aim to make someone nondisabled but offers them support and help to adapt to the world.So, I want disabled people in the country to have access to edge-cutting technology while getting to choose what is best for them. To impact decision makers and get the method under national insurance coverage: I prepared a report and presented it to members of our parliament, met with NGO representatives, and interviewed by local news channels about the campaign.