"December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities" Event was was organized at the Mimar Kemaleddin Hall by the Disabled Students Unit of our University.
The event was attended by our University Rector Prof. Uğur Ünal, Vice Rectors Prof. Necdet Hayta and Prof. Hasan Tezer, Secretary General Mustafa Afşar, Rector’s Advisors Prof. Selami Candan and Prof. Serdar Polat, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Bülent Elbasan, Athletics Olympic Champion Yasin Süzen, National Amputee Football Team Coach İsmail Temiz, numerous academics, administrative staff, and students.
The event began with a moment of silence and the National Anthem, followed by a concert. In the opening speech, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Bülent Elbasan, highlighted the significance of December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the equal, free, and full participation of individuals with disabilities in society and raising awareness on this matter. Prof. Elbasan, who also serves as the Coordinator of the University’s Disabled Students Unit, provided information about the efforts aimed at improving the academic and social opportunities for students and staff with disabilities at the University.
Following Prof. Elbasan, our Rector Prof. Uğur Ünal remarked that disability is not merely a matter of physical or mental differences in individuals but a measure of society's ability to embrace such differences. Prof. Ünal stated, "We must focus on individuals’ potentials rather than their disabilities because obstacles grow not from physical limitations but from a lack of understanding, inaccessibility, and prejudice." He further emphasized that creating a more accessible world is not just a goal but a fundamental necessity of being human. Prof. Ünal continued, "As a University, we consider it our essential duty to create an environment where all individuals can equally participate in education, social life, and the professional world." Expressing his gratitude to Prof. Bülent Elbasan and the Disabled Students Unit for organizing the event, Prof. Ünal also shared his pride in hosting this significant event at the University.
Wishing for today to serve not as the beginning of awareness but as a milestone to deepen our commitment, Prof. Ünal concluded his speech with these words: "Barriers begin to diminish the moment we decide to overcome them. Let’s overcome them together."
Following the opening speeches, a panel was held moderated by Prof. Halil Sarol, a faculty member from the Faculty of Sports Sciences. The panel featured Athletics Olympic Champion Yasin Süzen, National Amputee Football Team Coach İsmail Temiz, Dr. Önder İşlek from the Special Education Department of Aksaray University, and Goalball Olympic Champion Sevda Altunoluk as speakers. The program for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the moderator and panelists by Vice Rector Prof. Hasan Tezer and the opening of the Tactile Art Exhibition.
