1. On which subjects can services be obtained from the Disabled Student Unit?

Basic working principle of the Disabled Student Unit; To identify the ‘barriers’ in front of students ‘ability to maintain their academic life equally and effectively, and to create opportunities to create a campus environment that supports students’ academic, social and personal development by removing these obstacles. The services of the unit established for this purpose can be summarized as follows:

  • Equality in access to academic programs,
  • Priority in accommodation needs,
  • Equality in being included in university life,
  • Awareness of disability within the university

2. Disabled Student Unit services are provided for which disability groups?

Services for Visually Impaired Students, Services for Physically Handicapped Students, Services for Hearing Impaired Students are provided.

3. What are the services for visually impaired students?

  • Guide lines that provide easy access to the campus have been made.
  • The elevators in the buildings are included in the voice guidance system.
  • Support is provided for JAWS program, which voices texts in “Word” format.
  • The course and the books and documents required by the students are scanned and converted into a “word” document format that the JAWS program can read through the ABBY FINEREADER program.
  • If our visually impaired students need Braille documents, we have a “Braille printer”.
  • A search archive of “Word” format books is created for our students.
  • An audio book archive, composed of the books our students want to read, voiced by Koç University students and staff, is being brought together.
  • There are around 200 audio English books in our library.
  • Peer support is provided to take notes in lessons.
  • At the beginning of each semester, a directive prepared for visually impaired students is sent to the faculty members of the courses taken by our students, explaining the issues they should pay attention to.
  • By meeting with the faculty members of the students at the beginning and within the term; needs are determined and solutions are produced in line with these needs.
  • If students request before the exam, the exam is held in a separate classroom and assistant support is provided.
  • If students request before the exam, the exam is held in a separate classroom and assistant support is provided.
  • Individual meetings are held with students during registration. A room is allocated according to the demands and needs of the students.
    Trainings are given and workshops are held to ensure equality in being included in university life.
  • Support is given for career planning.
  • Guidance students are assigned to encourage students’ approach and socialization.

4. What are the services for students with physical disabilities?

  • Necessary environmental arrangements are made in line with the needs of our students with physical disabilities.
  • Ramps are built at the necessary points, dormitory entrances, sidewalk start and end points for wheelchair users.
  • It is ensured that lessons and exams are held in accessible classes.
  • The doors on campus, which are used extensively by students, have been made available automatically.
  • At the beginning of the term, a directive prepared for students with physical disabilities explaining the points to be taken into consideration to the faculty members of the courses taken by our students is sent.
  • Our elevators within the campus are made suitable for wheelchair use.
  • In terms of providing comfortable transportation to students, rooms are allocated in the dormitory buildings that are closest to the University square and are thought to be the most comfortable entrance and exit.
  • Students are supported to make arrangements in their room according to their needs.
  • Trainings are given and workshops are held to ensure equality in being included in university life.
  • Support is given for career planning.
  • Guidance students are assigned to encourage students’ approach and socialization.

4. What are the services for hearing impaired students?

  • Our students with hearing impairment can take audio recordings in lessons with the permission of the relevant instructor.
  • These sound recordings are deciphered by our unit; it is made into a text that the student can read.
  • With the permission of the relevant instructor, it is ensured that the materials related to the topics to be covered during the lesson are forwarded in advance.
  • Support is given for career planning.
  • At the beginning of the semester, a “directive for students with hearing impairment” is sent to the faculty members of the courses taken by our students, explaining the points to be taken into consideration.

5. How can I get detailed information about the Disabled Student Unit?

They can visit https://dos.ku.edu.tr/en/the-office-of-disability-services/

You can send an e-mail to nkarahalil@ku.edu.tr.