Barrier-Free Living Unit

In order to provide academic and social support to disabled students studying at our university and to improve their quality of education and life, the "Disabled Student Unit" was established within the Health, Culture and Sports Department of our university on September 22, 2006, with Rectorate Approval No. 1898, in accordance with Article 8 of the Regulation on Advisory and Coordination of Disabled Persons in Higher Education Institutions, published in the Official Gazette dated June 20, 2006, and numbered 26204. It currently operates within the Rectorate of our university. To avoid emphasizing the disability status and causing discrimination for applicant students, the name of the "Disabled Student Unit" has been changed to "Barrier-Free Living Unit". To broaden participation in the unit's work, a "Disability Support and Counseling Services Commission" has been established, consisting of experts from all Departments, Faculties, Schools and Vocational Schools, and the Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center. In order to assist our disabled students in our University's Faculties, Schools, and Vocational Schools, a committee has been established with academic advisors for disabled students in each department, based on a voluntary basis. First, considering the students' disabilities, academic advisors identify and assist students with disabilities in attending classes on the ground floor. Currently, in a single-story (fully accessible) building located next to the Rectorate building (behind the central cafeteria) on our University's Central Çiftlikköy campus, one academic staff member (lecturer) and four administrative staff members guide our students with special needs (disabilities) in resolving all their academic and social problems, legally securing their rights, and striving to provide them with a high-quality higher education experience. As part of the work of our University's Disability Support and Counseling Services Commission to create a service inventory for disabled individuals, the following have been established in our Faculties/Schools/Vocational Schools and Institutes for individuals with disabilities and mobility limitations (including the elderly): Thesis studies, research articles, conference presentations, and consultancy training services are ongoing. To facilitate the lives of our students with special needs (disabilities) studying at our university and to promptly resolve the problems they face, Academic Representatives of the Barrier-Free Life Unit have been appointed in our Institutes, Faculties, Schools, and Vocational Schools.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, 149 students with disabilities are continuing their formal education at Mersin University.

Number of Students with Disabilities at Mersin University – 2025

Type of Disability

Student Number

Orthopedic (Physical) Disability 37

Visual Impairment 31

Hearing Impairment 27

Multiple/Other Group Disabilities 55

Total = 150

Sources:

Our unit is located on the central campus. Our unit's physical facilities include a multi-purpose application laboratory, a sound recording studio (used for audiobooks created for our visually impaired students), 2 staff rooms, 1 kitchen, and 2 toilets/washbasins adapted and arranged for individuals with special needs, as well as a ramp with an appropriate slope at the entrance. Our unit does not have an additional financial budget and is under the Rectorate's private office. Our activities are generally carried out through projects with other institutions and organizations, and financial budgets are also covered through projects. The unit's human resources are provided by 1 academic staff member and 2 administrative staff members assigned as coordinators by our university's personnel department.

Activities and Improvement Studies:

On August 9, 2025, the Coordinator of the Barrier-Free Living Unit, Dr. Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Serhat UÇAR, was a guest on the Nil RTV radio program and provided information about "The Barrier-Free Living Unit from Yesterday to Today," discussing the unit's capabilities and its operation. On October 17, 2025, a tree planting event was organized at Hüseyin Polat Special Education Application School in collaboration with the Barrier-Free Living Unit and the Special Education Department, as part of the UNIDES Barrier-Free Greenery project.

On October 20, 2025, students from the Barrier-Free Living Unit, the Special Education Department, and the Barrier-Free Campus Community visited the Mezitli Barrier-Free Living Center, which provides opportunities for children and young people with special needs to participate in education, social, cultural, artistic, and sports activities.

On October 23, 2025, students from the Barrier-Free Living Unit, the Special Education Department, and the Barrier-Free Campus Community volunteered at the "2025 World Physically Disabled Beach Games," the first of its kind in the world.

On October 24, 2025, students from the Barrier-Free Living Unit, the Special Education Department, and the Barrier-Free Campus Community participated in the 5th International Barrier-Free Tourism and Sports City Mersin Festival.