In 2024, our University was awarded the Barrier-Free Informatics Education Award with the Accessible Lifelong Learning Project.
Within the scope of the project carried out through the cooperation between our Coordination Office and the Continuing Education Application and Research Center (SAÜSEM), various activities were conducted to ensure the accessibility of the training programs offered by SAÜSEM, which are open to everyone.
In this context, the accessibility of the SAÜSEM website and application interface was improved. Keyboard shortcuts that speed up page access were added for visually impaired participants. In the distance education program selected as a pilot, videos were supported with short and clear lecture notes. Subtitles were added to the lecture videos for individuals with hearing impairments. In order to enable participants with low vision and color blindness to benefit from the subtitles, a yellow background and black text color were used. Visuals included in the course materials presented in an accessible format were described within the same document using alternative text for visually impaired participants.
The page used for the exam conducted digitally at the end of the training was also developed to be compatible with screen readers. In this way, visually impaired participants were able to take the exam and complete the training program without needing assistance from others.
Click here for the promotional video of the Accessible Lifelong Learning Project.
At Sakarya University, meetings and training sessions are also organized with the participation of representatives from the units responsible for information technologies. More comprehensive efforts are being carried out to improve the accessibility of the information technology infrastructure. Within this framework, Barrier-Free Life representatives are designated not only in other units but also in the units responsible for information technologies, enabling accessibility needs to be communicated directly to the relevant units.
