Accessible Facilities & Inclusive Academic Support for Persons with Disabilities

Atatürk University is committed to making its campus, academic infrastructure, digital learning environments, and student services fully accessible to persons with disabilities. Through the Engelli Öğrenci Birimi and coordinated institutional efforts, the university ensures both physical accessibility and academic accommodations so that students, staff, and faculty with disabilities can participate on an equal basis.

1. Institutional Mandate & Regulatory Basis

• The Engelli Öğrenci Birimi Yönergesi of Atatürk University outlines the unit’s mandate to coordinate physical, administrative, and academic arrangements for disabled students, establishing standards and procedures. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• This bylaws document references Law No. 5378 (Disabilities Law) and relevant higher education accessibility regulations as its legal foundation. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• The Engelli Öğrenci Birimi works in cooperation with all academic and administrative units to identify obstacles and implement accessibility improvements. Atatürk Üniversitesi

2. Physical Accessibility Across Campus

Atatürk University has implemented wide-ranging physical accessibility measures across its campus to comply with universal design principles:

• All academic, administrative, dormitory, library, cafeteria, and social buildings are equipped with ramps and elevators to ensure barrier-free vertical circulation. Atatürk Üniversitesi+2Atatürk Üniversitesi
  
  Campuses’ paths, sidewalks, pavements, and entrances are designed with accessible routes, tactile guiding surfaces, curb cuts, and gradual slopes to support mobility device users. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• The university has received or maintained Engelsiz Üniversite Bayrakları (Accessible University Flags) in categories such as “Mekanda Erişilebilirlik (Physical Accessibility)” and “Eğitimde Erişilebilirlik (Accessibility in Education)”, reflecting that infrastructure and academic services meet standards. Atatürk Üniversitesi+2Atatürk Üniversitesi
  
  

• The university periodically participates in accessibility seminars such as “Erişilebilir Üniversiteler Seminerleri”, hosted at its campus, to promote best practices in design and infrastructure improvements. Aile
  
  

• In the news, the university leadership emphasizes that “each unit works toward accessible learning and accessible access,” highlighting a systemic approach to infrastructure upgrades. Atatürk Üniversitesi
  

3. Academic & Digital Accommodation Measures

Beyond physical access, Atatürk University ensures that academic delivery and course materials are adapted for disabled students via these practices:

• Faculty of Communication’s “Engelli Olanakları” page lists numerous accommodations offered upon request:
    • Classes may be recorded via camera to give access to students who require review. Atatürk Üniversitesi
    • Exam accommodations: alternative formats (oral exam, Braille, large print), extra time (e.g. up to +50% in certain exams), readers or scribes, or assistive marking tools. Atatürk Üniversitesi
    • Course materials & lecture support: dissemination of lecture notes, slides, detailed syllabus ahead of time, provision of written or digital copies, multiple formats (print, digital) for accessibility. Atatürk Üniversitesi
    • For audiovisual materials (videos, films), the department offers subtitles, text transcripts, and/or audio descriptions where feasible. Atatürk Üniversitesi

• These measures ensure equity in learning for students with visual, hearing, or other impairments.

4. Projects & Concrete Initiatives

• The “Eğitim İçin Engelsiz Yol Projesi” (Barrier-Free Path for Education) was a regional project led by TDP that aimed to install accessible ramps in Oltu Vocational School. Due to constraints, the project pivoted to supplying an accessible wheelchair for campus use. tdm.atauni.edu.tr
  
  

• Atatürk University organizes awareness events and exhibitions (e.g., under the title “Engelli Bireyleri Unutmadı”) on International Disability Day (3 December). Atatürk Üniversitesi

• In October 2021, a virtual meeting jointly hosted by university officials and local stakeholders addressed the problems encountered by persons with disabilities, reinforcing institutional engagement. Engelli Öğrenci Birimi –