Sakarya University’s Barrier-Free Life and Support Coordination Office and the Library’s Visually Impaired Users Unit provide support for access to learning, information and assessment. The Senate directive establishes how teaching and examination adjustments are assessed and assigned to the competent units. The coordination service includes advice on academic adjustments, psychosocial support, peer assistance and accessible materials. [2, 3, 4]
The Library’s 2025 service records distinguish three types of training. Three students received independent mobility training, one received computer training and one received Braille-writing training. The figures are reported separately for each service. [1, Table 38]
The specialist unit digitises core textbooks in students’ fields and provides access through its website. The Library reports that its collection of more than six million electronic information resources is available to students with visual impairments. It provides scanners, screen readers, printers, audiobooks and a study space. Students may request a screen-reader-compatible book or assignment file at ibingul@sakarya.edu.tr or contact the unit on +90 264 295 37 28. [1, 2]
Students can discuss support with an accessibility representative in their faculty or approach the Coordination Office. The office assesses requests and advises units on accessible material formats and teaching or examination arrangements. Depending on the assessed need, these may include an appropriate examination room, a reader, a scribe, assistive technology or extra time. The Coordination Office explained its services at the orientation held on 24 October 2025. [3, 4, 5, 7]
The accessible SABİS learning platform supports keyboard control of live classes and screen-reader access to chat, the whiteboard and exam questions. Live speech can be followed with automatic subtitles. During examinations students can enter answers, identify unanswered items and use individually configured extra time. The continuing-education project also introduced keyboard navigation and subtitle and contrast adjustments in SAÜSEM interfaces. It received its award in 2024, and the University records related staff training continuing in 2025. [7, 8]
The Coordination Office and Personnel Department also delivered basic Turkish Sign Language training for staff from 17 February to 17 June 2025. The University’s completion notice records eligibility for certification after successful assessment. The training record documents staff capacity to support communication. The Library’s Table 38 separately records the services delivered to students. [1, 6]
In a report published on 4 June 2025, the University described the Equality at Work session. The coordination office presented its accessibility work, and İŞKUR explained employment routes and support for people with disabilities. [10]
In December 2024, the In-Service Training Branch and the disability coordination office taught staff how to add alternative text, captions and voice-over to public communications. The Personnel Department records this training in its 2024 activity report. [11a, 11b]
The Barrier-Free Living and Support Coordinatorship hosted a Family Festival (Aile Şenliği, 30 May 2025) for families of students from Nilüfer Special Education School. Four student communities — Special Education, Altın Adımlar, Turkuaz Preschool and Social Services — organised activities for children with special needs on campus [12].
Figure 1. Library and Documentation Department 2025 Activity Report, Table 38, printed p. 17 (PDF p. 18). The right-hand column gives the 2025 counts by service. Source [1]
Figure 2. Room Z08 sign for the Library’s Visually Impaired Users Unit. The photograph identifies the specialist service location. Source [9]
Figure 3. Specialist library services and accessible documents for visually impaired students. Extract from the published web text (print layout). Source [2]
Figure 4. Assistive equipment and how to request an accessible document. Extract from the published web text (print layout). Source [2]
Figure 5. Coordination Office orientation on 24 October 2025. The meeting introduced students to the available service routes. Source [5]
Figure 6. University directive, PDF p. 10. Article 13 describes examination arrangements subject to assessed needs. Source [4]
Figure 7. Institutional report on accessible learning systems and disability support. PDF p. 59. Source [7]
Figure 8. Basic Turkish Sign Language course for staff, June 2025 completion report. Source [6]
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