Barrier-Free University Unit

The Barrier-Free University Unit was established under the Rectorate of Hasan Kalyoncu University. The Unit identifies the academic, administrative, physical, accommodation and social needs of students and staff with disabilities, and ensures coordination and cooperation among the university’s units to meet those needs.

The Unit’s work is based on the Directive on the Barrier-Free University Unit of Hasan Kalyoncu University, adopted by Senate Decision No. 2017-001 dated 11.01.2017. The Directive was prepared on the basis of the Regulation on Advisory and Coordination for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions. The Unit’s activities are carried out by a coordinator appointed by the Rector for a three-year term; the Board meets under the chairmanship of the responsible Vice Rector and includes representatives of students with disabilities.

The rules concerning examinations for students with disabilities are set out in the Examination Directive for Students with Disabilities, adopted on the same date.

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Purpose and Scope

The purpose of the Directive is to set out the organisation, management and working procedures of the Barrier-Free University Unit. The Unit serves students with disabilities enrolled in associate, undergraduate, master’s or doctoral programmes at the university, as well as staff with disabilities. Its areas of work include:

• Identifying the academic, administrative, physical, accommodation and social needs of students and staff with disabilities, and planning, implementing and evaluating the work to meet them,
• Ensuring coordination and cooperation among the university’s units,
• Working to ensure that students with disabilities are assessed and evaluated fairly and accurately in line with the principle of equality,
• Working with the relevant directorate to make campus buildings and indoor and outdoor areas accessible,
• Making arrangements for priority parking for students and staff with disabilities,
• Planning social, cultural, artistic and sports activities, and carrying out events and publications that raise awareness,
• Evaluating requests and complaints from students and staff with disabilities and sharing them with the relevant units,
• Building cooperation, platforms and networks at regional, national and international levels, and submitting the annual activity programme and evaluation report to the Rectorate.

Accessibility and Support Services

Classrooms, dormitories, the library and social areas on campus have been arranged to meet the needs of students with disabilities, including ramps, lifts, accessible toilets and parking. The Unit’s main support services are as follows:

• Examinations are conducted in accordance with the Examination Directive for Students with Disabilities; extra time, reader/scribe support and a suitable examination environment are provided.
• With the Individual Accommodation Letter introduced in 2025, students’ needs for access to course materials and examinations are communicated to course instructors through academic advisors.
• In September 2025, a train-the-trainer programme titled “Supporting the Academic and Social Adjustment of Our Students with Disabilities in Higher Education” was held for instructors.
• The library has a dedicated study room for visually impaired students, equipped with text-to-speech, screen magnification and book scanning equipment.
• Newly enrolled students with disabilities are contacted by the Unit so that their needs can be identified, and the Unit meets regularly with faculty representatives.
• Awareness events have been held throughout the year on topics such as the “Solutions That Overcome Barriers Workshop”, “Disability Week” and “Autism Spectrum Disorder”.

Achievements and Activities

• 26 December 2025: The university received 5 badges in the YÖK 2025 Barrier-Free University Programme Badge awards, ranking among the top 7 universities in Türkiye.
• 11 February 2025: A cooperation protocol was signed with the Turkish White Crescent Association (Türkiye Beyazay Derneği).
• 2 December 2023: “An Accessible World for All” events were held for 3 December, International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
• 3 December 2022: A programme was held for International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
• 2 July 2022: The university received 4 Barrier-Free Programme Badges at the YÖK 2022 Barrier-Free University Awards.
• 3 December 2021: An awareness programme was held for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Turkish).
• 9 December 2020: A master’s thesis on instructional adaptations for visually impaired students received an award (Turkish).
• 25 May 2018: The university received a Barrier-Free Programme Badge at the YÖK 2018 Barrier-Free University Awards ceremony (Turkish).
• 5 December 2017: An event titled “Sustainable and Accessible Education for Everyone” was held (Turkish).
• 31 December 2015: The Rector met with students with disabilities (Turkish).

Coordinator and Contact

• Unit Coordinator: Asst. Prof. Dr. Emine Erden
• Email: engelsiz@hku.edu.tr
• For address, phone and working hours, see the Contact page.