Our Vocational School of Health Services Participates in the University Social Services Community's "Accessible Campus" Project

Our university's Social Services Community launched the "Accessible Campus" project, prepared in observance of December 3rd, International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The project, which received support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports' General Directorate of Youth Services under the University Student Societies Collaboration and Support Program (ÜNİDES), was held on December 5, 2025, at the Mezitli Barrier-Free Youth Center conference hall.

The event was attended by Social Services Community Academic Advisor Lecturer Dr. Gülten Acar; Health Services Vocational School Deputy Director Lecturer Dr. Yasemin Salkın; Private Toroslar Disabled Care Center Manager Social Worker Cennet Aydın; Center Assistant Director Social Worker Kasım Kırmızı; Social Worker Beyza Aybat; students from the Social Services and Counseling Department of the School of Social Sciences; and students from the Elderly Care Program of the School of Health Services.

Conversations were held in three different sessions as part of the project. The first session of the talk addressed vision, the second session addressed hearing, and the third session addressed physical disabilities. Surveys were administered before each session to gauge participants' knowledge of the topic.

The first session began with Social Worker Cennet Aydın's definition of visual impairment. Aydın provided information about the meanings of the cane colors used by visually impaired individuals, the correct approach to visually impaired individuals, and her professional experience in the field. In the second part of the session, Aydın was accompanied by Fadime Naz Lastik, a first-year student in the Social Work and Counseling Department, and project coordinator Cansel Yılmaz. Lastik, who is visually impaired, addressed the emergence of her disability, the challenges she faced in her educational life, and the key points individuals should consider when approaching people with disabilities. She also evaluated our university campus in terms of accessibility for individuals with disabilities. After participants' questions were answered, the first session concluded with Cennet Aydın being presented with a certificate of appreciation by Instructor Dr. Mehmet Enes Salkın, a faculty member in the Social Work and Counseling Department of the Vocational School of Social Sciences. The second session continued with Social Worker Kasım Kırmızı's presentation on the definition and types of hearing impairment, common misconceptions about hearing impairment, and communication with hearing-impaired individuals. Kırmızı also shared his field experience and emphasized the importance of empathy and respect in communicating with individuals with disabilities. In the second part of the session, Kırmızı was moderated by Elif Nur Geran, a first-year student in the Department of Social Work and Counseling. Geran, who noted that her own sibling is also hearing-impaired, commented on the communication we establish with individuals with disabilities, their inability to communicate with us, and the anger and stress caused by their inability to express themselves properly. After answering the participants' questions, the second session concluded with Kasım Kırmızı being presented with a certificate of appreciation by Community Counselor Dr. Gülten Acar.

 The third session began with Social Worker Beyza Aybat's presentation on the definition and types of physical disabilities. Aybat addressed the discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities, gave examples from her field experience, and highlighted some misconceptions about socially accepted practices. In the second part of the session, Aybat was accompanied by İlknur Yasan, a first-year student in the Department of Social Work and Counseling, and moderator Berfin Karadaş. Yasan, who has a physical disability, shared the process of her disability, discussing the positive effects of physical therapy, the challenges she faced in her academic life, and the hurtful and hurtful approaches she faced. She also assessed the campus's suitability for students with disabilities. Following questions from the participants, the third session concluded with Beyza Aybat being presented a certificate of appreciation by Instructor Dr. Yasemin Salkın, Deputy Director of the Vocational School of Health Services.

 The three-session talk, held as part of the "Accessible Campus" project, concluded with a closing dinner held at the university's Vadi Cafe Restaurant after the presentation of certificates to the participating students.