Hasan Kalyoncu University (HKU) Faculty of Education, Special Education Department, Special Education Application and Research Center (SEARC), Inclusive Student Unit, and the Special Education Student Community collaborated to organize “An Accessible World for All” activities to increase awareness of individuals with special needs and emphasize the importance of accessibility on December 3rd, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
In addition to simultaneous activities in all faculties, HKU Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Gül Rengin Küçükerdoğan and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Lütfi Yola, academic and administrative staff, as well as students participated in the events held at various points on the HKU campus.
Rector Prof. Dr. Türkay Dereli stated that the purpose of these organized activities is not only to create awareness about accessibility or increase awareness but also to remind everyone of their responsibilities towards each other and to provide an opportunity to build a more inclusive society. He expressed, “At Hasan Kalyoncu University, we embrace a higher education understanding that sees differences as wealth, practices constant empathy, and is accessible. Accessibility is important not only physically but also in every necessary area, especially in social and cognitive fields. Therefore, we must work together to remove barriers, ensure the overcoming of obstacles, facilitate life, and improve conditions for every individual to reach their potential. Our university and units are always active in this mobilization. Indeed, our university and faculties have the ‘Accessible University’ award and flag in many categories granted by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). We wholeheartedly believe that the most important thing for an inclusive world is not to overcome obstacles but to remove them, especially to remove mental barriers. We also believe that all barriers can be overcome with love, empathy, and solidarity. For a more accessible and inclusive world, we must act together, make more efforts to facilitate the lives of disabled individuals, provide them with more opportunities, and achieve genuine and sincere equality in society. Our effort should be an effort that continues not just for one day but every day.”
Under the theme “An Accessible World for All,” the events included a “Rarely Encountered Special Needs Poster Exhibition,” which brought awareness together with art. The exhibition provided information about rare special needs such as Progeria Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, and Waardenburg Syndrome.
The events concluded with an ‘awareness walk’ on the campus streets adorned with balloons, accompanied by the performance of the Oğuzeli Inclusive Living Center Janissary Band.
