The fundamental principle of the Office is to identify the barriers that hinder students in pursuing their academic lives equally and effectively, and to create opportunities that eliminate these barriers, thus fostering an environment supportive of students’ academic, social, and personal development on campus. The Office provides the following services:

• Equal access to academic programs,
• Priority in accommodation,
• Equal access to campus and university life,
• Creating campus-wide awareness on disability issues.

 

Services for Students with Visual Impairment

• Tactile paving markings have been installed to facilitate navigation through the campus.
• The elevators in the buildings have been equipped with voice assistance systems for enhanced accessibility.
• JAWS software support is provided for adding text-to-speech capability to Word files.
• Books and documents required for courses or other purposes are scanned and converted into Word documents via the ABBYY FineReader software, ensuring text-to-speech functionality via JAWS.
• Our specialized printer is capable of producing Braille documents on demand.
• An e-book archive in Word format is being compiled for our students.
• We are preparing an audiobook archive of books requested by students, narrated by Koç University students and personnel.
• Our library features more than 200 audiobooks in English.
• Peer support is available to assist student with notetaking during classes.
• At the beginning of each semester, faculty members receive guidelines outlining considerations for facilitating the teaching of students with visual impairments.
• Meetings are held with faculty members at the start of the semester and periodically thereafter to identify their requirements and develop appropriate solutions.
• If the student makes a request beforehand, arrangements will be made for examinations to be held in a separate classroom with support from a teaching assistant.
• At the registration stage, individual meetings are held with students. A suitable room is allocated based on student requests and needs.
• Training sessions and workshops are organized to promote equal participation in university life.
• Support for career planning is offered.
• Mentor students are assigned to encourage the student’s engagement and socialization.

 

Services for Students with Physical Disabilities

• Environmental arrangements were conducted to cater to students with physical disabilities.
• Ramps facilitating wheelchair use were constructed at necessary points, including dorm entrances, and edges of sidewalks.
• Courses and examinations are schedules in venues that are accessible.
• Campus doors that are frequently used by students have been automatized.
• An elevator dedicated to carrying wheelchairs has been provided.
• At the beginning of each semester, faculty members receive guidelines outlining considerations for facilitating the teaching of students with physical disabilities.
• All elevators on campus are now accessible by wheelchair.
• To ensure easy access for students, rooms are assigned in dormitory buildings closest to the university square and with the most convenient entrances and exits.
• Support is provided for students so they can arrange their rooms based on their needs.
• Training sessions and workshops are organized to promote equal participation in university life.
• Support is provided for career planning.
• Mentor students are assigned to encourage the student’s engagement and socialization.

 

Services for Students with Hearing Impairment

• With the permission of the faculty member teaching the course, hearing-impaired students are allowed to record lectures.
• These recording are then transcribed by our personnel into text that the student can read.
• With the permission of the faculty member, materials related to topics covered in the lecture are provided in advance.
• Support is provided for career planning.
• At the beginning of each semester, faculty members receive guidelines outlining considerations for facilitating the teaching of students with hearing impairments.

Koç Holding has awarded our university the “No Barriers in My Country 2014: First Prize in Corporate Practice” for our efforts in creating an accessible campus.