Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi
Engelli Öğrenci Birimi
Purpose Article 1- The purpose of this directive is to regulate the procedures and principles regarding the operation of the Unit for Students with Disabilities—established to provide the necessary physical and academic environment and take measures to ensure full participation in education-training processes for students with special needs affected by impairments studying at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University—and the procedures regarding the measurement and evaluation processes for these students.
Scope Article 2- This directive covers the activities and services of the “Unit for Students with Disabilities” established under the Rectorate of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, as well as instructional arrangements and exam adaptations for students with special needs affected by impairments.
Legal Basis Article 3- This directive has been prepared based on Articles 42 and 50 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye, Articles 11 and 12 of the “Regulation on Counseling and Coordination for the Disabled in Higher Education Institutions” published in the Official Gazette dated 14/08/2010 and numbered 27672, and the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Definitions Article 4- For the purposes of this Directive;
Academic Unit: Institutes, Faculties, Schools, and Vocational Schools conducting education and training activities at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Unit: The Unit for Students with Disabilities,
Departments: Administrative departments within Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Course: Compulsory, elective, theoretical, and practical courses in the associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Relevant Department: The Department of Health, Culture, and Sports and the Department of Student Affairs,
Commission: The Commission of the Unit for Students with Disabilities,
Faculty Member: Academic staff of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Instructional Adaptations: Adaptations made throughout the entire instructional process (teaching environments, content, exams, etc.),
Student with Special Needs: An individual who differs significantly from their peers in terms of development and requires special education support due to these differences,
Report: A disability health report obtained from full-fledged health units expressing impairment and loss of function,
Vice-Rector: Vice-Rector of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Rector: Rector of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Examination: Midterm and final exams held in associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs, as well as make-up, resit, single-course, and exemption exams,
University: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University,
Impairment: The inability of an organ to fulfill its function due to any injury or prenatal anomaly (disability status),
Student with Special Needs Affected by Impairment: A student of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University who has difficulties in adapting to social life and meeting daily needs due to loss of physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and social abilities to various degrees, whether congenital or acquired, and who requires protection, care, rehabilitation, counseling, and support services.
Organs of the Unit Article 5-
Unit for Students with Disabilities
Commission for Students with Disabilities
Coordinator of the Unit for Students with Disabilities
Executive Board of the Unit for Students with Disabilities
Unit for Students with Disabilities Article 6- (1) Units for students with disabilities are established directly under the rectorate to identify administrative, physical, housing, social, and academic needs of students with special needs and to plan, implement, and evaluate the work required to meet these needs. These units operate under the chairmanship and responsibility of a vice-rector responsible for academic affairs and consist of coordinator faculty members or assistants specialized in special education or related fields, representatives from relevant departments, and academic/administrative representatives from faculties, schools, and institutes. (2) The unit carries out its activities within the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports at the central campus, covering all campuses. (3) The unit reports its annual activity and evaluation results to the Rectorate to be sent to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
Duties of the Unit for Students with Disabilities Article 7- (1) The duties are as follows: Identifying the education, scholarship, administrative, physical, housing, and social needs of registered students; organizing instructional programs to prevent academic and social barriers; publishing documents for awareness; developing projects, seminars, and conferences; establishing a website for communication; ensuring financial support for assistive devices; and taking measures for accessible campus environments.
Commission for Students with Disabilities Article 8- (1) A Commission for Students with Disabilities is established to coordinate between university units. It is chaired by a vice-rector and consists of at least five members, including three experts in special education and at least one student representative with special needs.
Duties of the Commission Article 9- (1) The duties include: determining policies and strategies for full participation in education; solving accessibility issues; setting standards for course materials and exams; and regulating criteria for horizontal/vertical transfers and course equivalencies.
Coordination of the Unit for Students with Disabilities Article 10- (1) Appointment: A coordinator and an assistant coordinator are appointed by the Rector for 3 years. (2) Duties: Implementing Board decisions, ensuring inter-unit coordination, and representing the unit.
Executive Board of the Unit for Students with Disabilities Article 11- (1) Appointment: Consists of the vice-rector, coordinator, assistant coordinator, and representatives from all faculties and administrative departments. (2) Duties: Identifying academic and physical needs, planning projects, and evaluating results. (3) Secretariat: Provided by the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports.
Course Applications Article 12- (1) To ensure equal opportunity: A statement regarding academic adaptation needs is added to course syllabi; student data is kept confidential; faculty members cooperate with the Unit for materials; physical seating arrangements are made; teaching methods (e.g., facing the class, recording) are adapted; and assignments/projects are modified based on the type of impairment.
Examination Applications Article 13- (1) Accessibility is prioritized in exam hall selection; announcements are made according to impairment types; assistive devices are permitted; readers/scribes are assigned for visually impaired students; alternative formats (Braille, large print) are provided; and "half the original exam time" is given as additional time for eligible students.
Internship Article 14- (1) The academic advisor and Unit representative monitor the accessibility of the institution where the student will perform their internship.
Adaptation of Courses Article 15- (1) Equivalent courses are provided upon application; if not possible, the program is adapted. Students may be exempted from certain mandatory courses (like foreign languages for the hearing impaired) in favor of equivalent credit courses.
Part-time and Volunteer Student Support Article 16- (1) Part-time or volunteer students may provide study support services, coordinated by the Unit and relevant academic units.
Physical Accessibility Article 17- (1) Architectural areas are designed according to universal standards; existing buildings are renovated for accessibility; elevator access is granted to students with mobility impairments; and tactile/audio warning systems are implemented for the visually impaired.
Access to Information Article 18- (1) Electronic systems follow W3 standards; library materials are reproduced in accessible formats (MP3, Braille, PDF) in accordance with Law No. 5846 on Intellectual and Artistic Works.
Access to Health and Rehabilitation Services Article 19- (1) Priority is given at the University Training and Research Hospital and psychological services.
Access to Social and Cultural Activities Article 20- (1) Participation in cultural/sports events is encouraged; creative capacities are supported; and assistance is provided for scholarships and housing.
Absence of Provisions Article 21- In cases where there is no provision, relevant legislation and Senate decisions apply.
Budget Article 22- The budget of the Department of Health, Culture, and Sports is used for activities.
Effectiveness Article 23- (1) This directive enters into force upon approval by the Senate. (2) Previous directives are repealed.
Execution Article 24- The Rector of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University shall execute the provisions of this directive.