The Turkish Library for the Visually Impaired (TÜRGÖK)
TURGOK was founded in 2004 in İzmir under the leadership of educator, writer, translator, and lawyer Gültekin YAZGAN. He lost his sight in an accident at the age of 11.
Its mission is to provide access to written resources for visually impaired individuals living in Turkey and abroad who can read Turkish. TÜRGÖK is Turkey’s first and only library serving the visually impaired, offering free services aimed at supporting their education and cultural development. Through this service, visually impaired individuals can also create their own personal libraries.
TÜRGÖK offers its free and non-returnable services not only throughout Turkey but also to members in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the United States, and Germany. The number of visually impaired members benefiting from these services exceeds 6,000. The library sends novels in audio and Braille format, as well as E-KPSS, KPSS preparation materials, and the "Audio Friend" magazine in English MP3 format, free of charge to the homes of its members.
All these services are made possible through the support of over 400 volunteers and benefactors who have supported us since our establishment. Our aim is to increase literacy rates in Turkish visually impaired individuals, contribute to their education and culture, and thereby improve their quality of life.
The Turkish Library for the Visually Impaired is becoming more widely recognized through various projects, promotional activities, and media appearances, with its membership continuing to grow as a result.
