Sakarya University provides a request-based route to targeted support for students with disabilities. Its 2025 YKS registration notice directs incoming students to the Barrier-Free Life and Support Coordination Office. The office introduced its services at the orientation on 24 October 2025. Health, Culture and Sports also describes an intake process in which the student unit contacts incoming students to discuss their needs and register them for support. [1, 2, 4, 7]
The University’s news report published on 28 October describes the 24 October orientation. Students discussed their needs, their adjustment to university life and their suggestions with the Coordination Office and the Vice Rector. [4, 13]
Under Article 5 of the University directive, students can submit a request directly to the Coordination Office. The office may ask for further information and, where necessary, a medical board report. It identifies suitable teaching or examination adjustments following an application or its own assessment. The competent university authority makes the decision and the relevant academic unit implements it. The directive also permits urgent adjustments. The Sustainability Report 2025 gives examples of available settings, including extra examination time and screen-reader access. [1, 8]
Article 15 provides for part-time or volunteer student assistants, preferably from the same class or field. Note-takers support students who cannot take notes independently. Volunteer study partners assist students who need help with their studies. [1, 5, 7]
In 2025 the Library recorded three students trained in independent mobility, one in computer use and one in Braille writing. It also recorded 118 PDF books uploaded under the Audio Book Project. Its specialist unit digitises core textbooks and gives guidance on educational and social rights. [3, printed p. 17, PDF p. 18]
The July 2025 Braille certificate programme trained instructors to teach religious concepts to people with visual impairments. [14]
SAÜ’s scholarship commission invited eligible students with disabilities to apply for a TESYEV scholarship by 31 October 2025. TESYEV is the external scholarship provider. [6]
A separate community programme, Sevgiye Engel Yok, took place at the Sakarya Day Care and Rehabilitation Centre with the Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. The University’s 30 December 2025 completion report records ten weeks of social and educational activities for community members with additional needs, including educational games and recycling workshops. The Sustainability Report describes a printing and painting workshop within this initiative. These were community participants. The campus evidence above concerns individual adjustments, targeted training and peer assistance for students. [8, 9]
Students can request peer assistance from the Coordination Office. Article 15 allows part-time student assistants and volunteers to provide this support. Separately, the University’s general part-time employment rules reserve a minimum 3% quota for students with disabilities. [1, 11a, 11b, 12]
On 25 December 2025, YÖK recognised 40 SAÜ programmes with Barrier-Free University Programme Badges. The recognised programmes included Law, Social Work, Child Development and Software Engineering. The awards cover accessible teaching and support across a range of disability categories. [15a, 15b]
The 11th session of the Science Talks (Bilim Söyleşileri) series, held on 1 December 2025, showcased a Smart Wheelchair project developed under TÜBİTAK 2209-B by Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Uraloğlu and students Abdulsamet Taşoğlu and Ayşe Nur Bulutoğlu, with guests from Sakaryaspor Amputee Football Team. The project targets safety and communication for individuals with visual, hearing and speech impairments [10].
Figure 1. University photograph of the 24 October 2025 orientation, a documented point of entry into support. Source [4]
Figure 2. University directive, PDF p. 3. Article 5 defines application, assessment, decision and implementation responsibilities. Source [1]
Figure 3. Detail of article 5(1). A student may apply directly to the Coordination Office. Source [1]
Figure 4. Provisions governing assistance and the responsibilities of student supporters. PDF p. 12. Source [1]
Figure 5. Library 2025 Activity Report, Table 38, printed p. 17 (PDF p. 18). The final three rows record students trained by service. Source [3]
Figure 6. Braille teaching certificate programme. The photo documents instructor preparation. Source [14]
Figure 7. SAÜ News photograph from the community programme at the Sakarya Day Care and Rehabilitation Centre. The University reported completion on 30 December 2025. Source [9]
Figure 8. Community programme at the rehabilitation centre. Its participants are external beneficiaries. Source [9]
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