As part of the December 3rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities events, the official opening of the Disability Student Unit Office was held, followed by a panel titled "Inclusion on the Basis of Equality of Opportunity." The ceremony was attended by the Acting Governor of Çanakkale Hakkı UZUN, Rector of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ) Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt ERENOĞLU, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Dinçay KÖKSAL and Prof. Dr. Evren Karayel GÖKKAYA, Disability Student Unit Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan KALKAN, and various university members.

The event commenced with a musical performance featuring Dr. Ayşegül Göklen YILMAZ (Faculty Member at ÇOMÜ State Conservatory), students Ali Onur SARI and Ayşe Tuğçe KILINÇ, and graduate student Batuhan KİL.

Following the performance, the panel was held under the moderation of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sinan KALKAN, Coordinator of the Disability Student Unit. In his opening remarks, Dr. KALKAN discussed the historical significance of the December 3rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing that awareness is key to upholding the rights of individuals with disabilities worldwide.

"Disability is not merely a physical or mental limitation; it encompasses societal attitudes, infrastructure, and equality of opportunity. Every individual possesses unique talents, and each of these differences holds inherent value. We must strive to remove barriers, end discrimination, and ensure true equality. Today, while we address the challenges, we must also celebrate the resilience and success stories of individuals with disabilities," Dr. KALKAN stated.

Voices from the Panel: Perspectives on Autism and Visual Impairment

Panelist Aydın KİL, the parent of an individual with autism, expressed his gratitude to the university for its commitment to equality. He shared his personal journey, noting, "The early years were a long marathon of behavioral challenges, but through specialized education, we saw significant progress. I encourage other parents to stay resilient." He also highlighted the university’s Autism Music Summer School, inviting children from all over Türkiye to develop their musical talents at ÇOMÜ.

Nagehan ÇETİN, President of the Çanakkale Branch of the Six Points Association for the Blind and a ÇOMÜ alumna, expressed her pride in seeing her alma mater's dedication to becoming a "barrier-free university." She invited the public to participate in their association's literacy and computer literacy courses to foster greater social awareness.

Our Goal: An Accessible University Offering Equal Opportunities

Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Evren Karayel GÖKKAYA began her speech with a descriptive narration of herself and the hall for the benefit of visually impaired attendees—a powerful gesture of inclusivity.

"As the Rectorate, we reaffirm our commitment to providing equal opportunities and a truly inclusive learning environment for every individual," Prof. Dr. GÖKKAYA stated. She emphasized that the university's mission extends beyond knowledge transfer to fostering social skills enriched by diverse perspectives. She highlighted recent administrative regulations designed to support disadvantaged students and noted the university's ongoing projects under the slogan "Accessible Campus."

Addressing the students, she added: "By leading the way in inclusivity, you become a source of inspiration for everyone. Our goal is to ensure that every individual requiring special education can actively work, live, and produce within this campus."

The panel concluded with a Q&A session, followed by the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the participants.