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- Barikat Art Foundation was established as the result of an accumulation rooted in 36 years of struggle, dedication, and the pursuit of rights. This long and enduring journey represents a determined effort to ensure that persons with disabilities take their rightful place in society as equal, visible, and dignified individuals. As a concrete reflection of this struggle, in 2018 our Foundation carried out a 4,521-kilometre cycling journey, starting in Türkiye, passing through 10 European countries, and concluding in The Hague, the Netherlands. Realised with the active participation of visually and physically impaired individuals, this journey was neither a touristic nor a sporting event in the conventional sense. Rather, it became a powerful and peaceful call for social awareness, expressing the demand of persons with disabilities, who are too often ignored, marginalised, and unheard, for equal rights and a life worthy of human dignity. Each turn of the pedals symbolised not only the distance covered, but also the determination to overcome prejudices, invisible barriers, and silence. Barikat Art Foundation advocates for the full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in social life through the transformative power of art and sport. In this context, our Foundation has achieved a world first by enabling visually and hearing-impaired individuals to access cinema through audio description, subtitles, and dubbing. This initiative stands as a strong affirmation that participation in cultural life is not a privilege, but a fundamental right. The work and impact of our Foundation have received official written support from various international institutions and organisations, including partners and representatives from the United States, Canada, France, Spain, and the Netherlands, as well as from the Cervantes Institute and the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO. These endorsements further underline the international recognition and credibility of our efforts in the field of disability rights and accessible culture. Our Foundation aims to position persons with disabilities not merely as recipients of support, but as equal individuals who produce, participate, and contribute to shaping society. Within this framework, we kindly request a meeting to further inform you about our work and to explore possible areas of cooperation in the field of disability rights. Yours sincerely,
