Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University Disabled Students Academic Unit Coordination Information Meeting

Within the scope of the activities carried out by the Disabled Students Unit Coordination Office at Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, an information meeting was held for the academic staff of our department by our Disabled Students Academic Unit Coordinator, Lecturer Hande Boğazlıyan Turanlı. The meeting focused on the rights of disabled students and practices related to exam procedures.

Date: February 23, 2026
Time: 13:30 – 14:00
Venue: A303

During the meeting, comprehensive information was shared regarding practices aimed at supporting the academic and social lives of our disabled students, their rights within the framework of relevant legislation, and the operational processes of our unit.

It was explained that the Disabled Students Unit Coordination Office is a unit affiliated with the Rectorate, established to identify the administrative, physical, health, accommodation, social, and academic needs of students with special needs; to plan, implement, and improve activities to meet these needs; and to evaluate the outcomes of such activities.

Disabled students were defined as higher education students who, due to congenital or acquired conditions, have partially or fully lost their physical, mental, psychological, emotional, or social abilities, leading to difficulties in adapting to social life and performing daily activities, and who require protection, accommodation, care, rehabilitation, counseling, and support services, as documented by an official Disability Health Board Report.

It was stated that the Academic Unit Representative is appointed by the relevant Dean/Director for a period of three years to coordinate the activities of the Disabled Students Unit Coordination Office within their academic unit. The duties of the Academic Unit Representative include:

• Identifying students with special needs enrolled in the academic unit at the beginning of each academic year and establishing communication with them,
• Assisting these students in all areas where they require support and in resolving the problems they encounter,
• Identifying administrative, physical, social, and academic needs and problems faced by these students and reporting them to the Academic Unit Head, while contributing to commission activities.

General information regarding the distribution of disabled students enrolled in our faculty was also shared. It was emphasized that students from different departments may have varying support needs, particularly in elective courses offered at the university and faculty levels, where students from different departments attend the same classes and may require specific arrangements in course delivery and examination processes.

The rights of disabled students within the framework of legislation were discussed under the following headings:

• Additional time in exams,
• Provision of reader/scribe support,
• Opportunity to take exams in an appropriate physical environment,
• Large-print exam papers,
• Access to course materials in accessible formats.

It was emphasized that such arrangements are planned based on the documented needs of the student and the evaluation of the Coordination Office, with the primary aim of ensuring equal opportunities.

AGENDA ITEM

1- Providing information to the academic staff of our department by our Disabled Students Academic Unit Coordinator, Lecturer Hande Boğazlıyan Turanlı, regarding the rights of disabled students and practices in exam procedures.

DECISIONS

1- An information meeting was held for the academic staff of our department by our Unit Disabled Coordinator, Lecturer Hande Boğazlıyan Turanlı, regarding the rights of disabled students and exam practices. Additionally, it was decided that on March 2, 2026, at 12:00 in classroom A302, an information session about the Disabled Students Unit Coordination Office will be provided to our current students. Furthermore, it was decided that the academic staff of our department will inform students about the purpose and operational structure of the Disabled Students Unit Coordination Office during their courses.

DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC STAFF

• Prof. Dr. Tolga TORUN (Chair)
• Dr. Esra CENGİZ TIRPAN (Member)
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nur Kuban TORUN (Member)
• Dr. Ecenur DEMİR (Member)
• Dr. Osman AKARSU (Member)
• Lecturer Hande BOĞAZLIYAN TURANLI (Member)
• Dr. Hüseyin PARMAKSIZ (Member)
• Research Assistant Elif Tuba ÖZTÜRK