Berk Can Dereci
Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), a pioneer in creating an inclusive educational and living environment, achieved significant success in the 2024 Accessible University Awards. The university received 8 Orange Flag awards in the "Accessible Spaces" category, increasing its total number of flags to 18.
The "Accessible Spaces" awards, signed by the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, were presented to eight units, while six other units were recognized as nominees. OMÜ Rector, Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, handed the awards and nomination certificates to the respective managers.
The award ceremony, held in the Rectorate Senate Hall, was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Alper Kesten, Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, and Prof. Dr. Ayşe Pınar Sumer, General Secretary Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erhan Burak Pancar, faculty deans, academicians, and administrative staff.
Rector Prof. Dr. Fatma Aydın emphasized the resilience and accomplishments of individuals with disabilities, stating, "Their success in sports, art, education, business, and many other fields is a source of inspiration for us all. Beyond their achievements, they consistently demonstrate that they are an integral part of society."
Expressing the university's commitment to accessibility, Prof. Dr. Aydın remarked:
"At OMU, achieving an 'Accessible University' for our students and staff with disabilities is a priority. This involves ensuring access not only to education and research but also to cultural, sports, and artistic activities. We are proud that 18 of our units have been awarded the Orange Flag by YÖK for their exemplary work. Moreover, nine additional units have been named as candidates for the Orange Flag. Our ultimate goal is to achieve 100% accessibility across all our units and facilities, elevating our accessibility standards to new heights."
Highlighting OMU’s efforts to ensure that students with disabilities fully benefit from their rights under existing regulations, Rector Aydın stated:
"We have established an 'Accessible Student Unit' and designated 'Academic Unit Representatives' in each faculty to oversee accessibility-related matters. These representatives have developed comprehensive guidelines and forms, including the 'Accessible Student Practices Manual,' 'Student Identification Form,' 'Volunteer Support Form,' and 'Accessibility Evaluation Form.' Through collaborations with student organizations, we have conducted numerous awareness-raising activities such as seminars, accessible film screenings, and sports events. Our Developmental Education and Research Center supports children diagnosed with developmental delays and their families, while our Speech and Language Disorders Center provides evaluation and therapy services.”
Rector Aydın continued by emphasizing OMU’s robust support infrastructure for individuals with disabilities:
"From specialized departments at the Faculty of Health Sciences—such as Speech and Language Therapy, Ergotherapy, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, and Gerontology—to the Psychology Department at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Special Education and Counseling Departments at the Faculty of Education, our university offers comprehensive resources for our disabled students and staff. Beyond physical accessibility, we aim to break barriers in minds and hearts through awareness-raising activities. We will continue our efforts to ensure that individuals with disabilities actively participate in social life and lead fulfilling lives with dignity. On the occasion of December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all our disabled students, staff, and citizens for health and happiness, celebrating their perseverance and determination as an example to us all."
The ceremony concluded with a group photo of the attendees.
In the 2024 Accessible University Awards, the following units received the Orange Flag for Accessible Spaces:
• Kurupelit Campus
• Rectorate Building
• Faculty of Education
• Faculty of Medicine Classrooms
• Yaşar Doğu Faculty of Sports Sciences
• Faculty of Tourism and Bafra Vocational School of Tourism
• Student Affairs Directorate Building
• Library and Documentation Directorate Building
The following units were nominated for the Orange Flag:
• Faculty of Theology
• Faculty of Engineering and its D Block
• Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
• Faculty of Fine Arts
• Atatürk Cultural and Congress Center
The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) recognizes universities that demonstrate significant efforts in creating accessible environments for individuals with disabilities. These efforts include compliance with laws, regulations, urban planning standards, national and international guidelines, as well as technical and environmental requirements for open, semi-open, and closed spaces. Universities meeting these criteria are honored with the Orange Flag.
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