Hacettepe University ensures the full and equitable participation of students with disabilities by implementing comprehensive reasonable accommodation practices and robust institutional support mechanisms across all aspects of academic, social and campus life.

•  Institutional Policy and Framework
  • Hacettepe University implements a comprehensive reasonable accommodation policy to ensure equal participation of students with disabilities in academic, physical and social aspects of campus life.
  • The policy is coordinated by the Disabled Student Unit, which oversees all institutional processes, support mechanisms and accommodation procedures.
  • All rights, procedures and responsibilities related to accessibility are publicly communicated through the university’s official web pages.

Needs Assessment and Application Procedure

• Students may request accommodations through a formal application process managed by the Disabled Student Unit.
• Individual needs are assessed through documented evaluations.
• Accommodation decisions are developed in collaboration with:
  • Faculties
  • Programme coordinators
  • Department disabled student counselors
  • Relevant administrative units

Reasonable Accommodation Measures

Depending on individual needs, students may receive:

• Exam adjustments (extra time, separate room, adapted exam formats)
• Alternative-format course materials
• Assistive technologies, such as JAWS, PEARL, Abbyy FineReader, accessible scanning tools
• Accessible transportation support
• Guidance and academic support through trained part-time student assistants
• Library accessibility services, including:
  • Accessible reading rooms
  • Priority elevator access
  • Disability-friendly software
  • Digital accessible collections (e.g., Görme Engelli Koleksiyonu)

• Psychological counselling, offered free of charge by the university’s Counselling Center

Departmental Disability Advisors

• Each department appoints a Disabled Student Counselors who:
  • Maintains regular communication with students
  • Helps implement course and assessment adaptations
  • Supports academic staff in applying required measures
• The updated list of advisors is published on the Disabled Student Unit’s webpage.

Physical and Campus Accessibility

Hacettepe University continuously improves physical accessibility across all campuses, including:

• Guiding tactile paths
• Ramps and accessible walkways
• Elevators with accessibility features
• Accessible toilets
• Vehicle access and transportation support
• Accessible learning and study spaces

In addition, Beytepe Campus, student dormitories and central facilities have been recognised with awards under the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Accessible Universities – Barrier Free Awards.

Funding and Support Mechanisms

The university allocates financial and operational resources to ensure sustainable implementation of accessibility policies:

• Part-time student assistants are employed by the Disabled Student Unit and funded by the university.
• Erasmus+ Inclusion Support provides extra grants for students with disabilities participating in mobility activities.
• Continuous investment is made in:
  • Assistive technologies
  • Accessible library infrastructure
  • Digitised accessible collections
  • Physical accessibility improvements.

Transparent Communication

• All procedures, application forms, flowcharts and guidance documents are publicly available through the Disabled Student Unit’s official website.
• Newly enrolled students receive a step-by-step workflow chart outlining the entire accommodation process.

Contact

Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences

Occupational Therapy Department, 3rd floor

Sıhhiye/Ankara

Disabled Student Unit mobile number
0 537 956 22 62