Atatürk University implements multiple access schemes designed to reduce barriers and ensure equitable participation in education and university life for persons with disabilities. These schemes cover tuition/material fee waivers, priority or reserved access, administrative support systems, and adaptive online/distance education accommodations.
1. Tuition, Material & Fee Exemptions / Discounts
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In the YKS admission procedures for the Open & Distance Education faculty, the university offers material fee waivers or refunds to student applicants with ≥ 40% disability status, upon presentation of required documentation. Açık ve Uzaktan Öğretim Fakültesi
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The Open Education Faculty (Açıköğretim Fakültesi) explicitly includes disadvantaged groups such as persons with disabilities among its target access scheme populations. It maintains that its mission is to provide learning opportunities to groups that may otherwise lack access. DergiPark
These financial access schemes help reduce the cost burden for disabled students and improve equitable enrollment.
2. Adaptive Learning / Online Access Schemes (“Engelsiz ATAUZEM”)
Atatürk University’s distance education arm, ATAUZEM, runs a dedicated initiative “Engelsiz ATAUZEM”, providing access schemes tailored for disabled students:
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Online exams support screen resizing, screen reader compatibility, and voice narration of questions (audio question option) for visually impaired students. Atauzem
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Live lectures are recorded and converted into audio formats (MP3), allowing students greater flexibility in how they access content. Atauzem
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The Moodle-based learning management system is equipped with accessibility plugins, enabling screen reader, resizing, and other assistive tools. Atauzem
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Students elect to submit an “Academic Adaptation Letter” when registering, indicating their disability needs; the system routes their accommodation requests to relevant instructors. Atauzem
These schemes ensure that disabled students in distance education receive learning parity.
3. Institutional Access Structures & Commissions
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The Engelli Öğrenci Birimi (Disabled Student Unit) maintains several subcommissions / commissions, including the Bilişim ve Erişilebilirlik Komisyonu (IT & Accessibility Commission) and the Mekânda Erişilebilirlik Komisyonu (Spatial Accessibility Commission). Engelli Öğrenci Birimi –
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The Unit collaborates with all academic and administrative units to identify barriers and implement access schemes across campus (libraries, classrooms, cafes, social spaces, transportation, housing). Atatürk Üniversitesi
These institutional bodies coordinate and monitor the access schemes.
4. Academic Accommodations and Access Guarantees
Beyond financial and technological access, the university offers schemes to ensure inclusive academic participation:
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In the Faculty of Communication, disabled students may request classroom recordings and receive the video resources. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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On request, students may receive alternative exam formats, extended exam duration, reader / scribe support, or oral exams instead of written exams. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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Lecture materials (notes, slides, syllabi) can be delivered in advance, printed, or digital form, accommodating students’ varied needs. Atatürk Üniversitesi
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Use of audio description, subtitles, transcripts, or format conversion (text-to-speech) of educational media is permitted upon request. Atatürk Üniversitesi
These academic access schemes ensure that disabled students are not disadvantaged in learning or assessment.
5. Awareness & Seminars Enhancing Access Culture
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Atatürk University has hosted “Erişilebilir Üniversiteler Seminerleri” in partnership with the Ministry of Family and Social Services to promote accessibility practices across university campuses. Aile
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The university also organizes “Education in Accessibility” conferences where panels present accessible campus implementations, including access schemes in policies, classroom media, and support services. eged.org
These activities reinforce institutional commitment to access and help refine access schemes over time.
