Turkey’s Changemakers: Good smells from the kitchen for people with visual impairments

The Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemakers Program is continuing in its fifth season of sharing the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development.

The ninth Changemaker of the fifth season is the “Good Smells from the Kitchen” project, which is being implemented by the Library of Turkey for the Visually Disabled (TURGOK).

The Library of Turkey for the Visually Disabled, founded by Gültekin Yazgan, a Changemaker from the first season, published the first cookbook of Turkey, “Good Smells from the Kitchen,” for persons with visual impairments with the collaboration of the Rotary Club. “Good Smells from the Kitchen,” which is prepared in Braille and as an audio book, is a special book for people who cannot see, but can smell the food they eat.

There are 100 recipes appropriate for the use of persons with visual impairments in the “Good Smells from the Kitchen” recipe book. The book avoids expressions such as “cook until onions get brown” or “bake until chicken is roasted.” All of the recipes are adjusted with appropriate smell descriptions.

The book, which was prepared with the professional recommendations of chefs and dieticians, and tested in cooking workshops with the participation of persons with visual impairments, is sent for free to members of the Library of Turkey for the Visually Disabled.