Marmara University’s Disabled Student Unit Coordination, New Media Club, and Accessible Marmara Club organized the "Empowering Through Narratives: Inclusive Representation in Media" event for the "International Day of Disabled Persons." The event took place on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the Dr. İbrahim Üzümcü Conference Hall at Marmara University’s Göztepe Campus.
The event, attended by Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, celebrated achievements beyond barriers and discussed the role of media in increasing inclusivity.
In her opening speech, Disabled Student Unit Coordinator Lecturer Zuhal Özgenç Pek said, “As Marmara University, we work tirelessly to educate students from all parts of our country to become individuals who will benefit society and secure the future. Our belief in education and social benefit is one of our core values, and we continue with determination on this mission. In an education approach based on rights, equal opportunity is always our priority, and we continue our efforts toward this goal. We believe that this awareness of human dignity and value must become an attitude from a young age. Therefore, we wanted to draw attention to the role and power of media, which is an effective tool that can reach every individual in society, in our 2024 International Day of Disabled Persons event.”
Marmara University Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt, who spoke next, stated, “Universities are scientific and educational institutions that shape society, provide vision, and contribute to the construction of the future. As Marmara University, with our deep-rooted history and strong institutional identity, we firmly continue our mission to benefit society.”
Kurt continued, mentioning that they are pioneering efforts to increase spatial and digital accessibility, make inclusive educational arrangements, provide reasonable accommodations for employees, conduct social contribution projects, and organize socio-cultural events. “These efforts have been recognized with 46 awards in the Higher Education Council’s Accessible Universities Flag and Medal Competition and BİLTEVT Accessible Access Education Awards. To go even further, within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we are rapidly continuing our work, guided by the principles of reducing inequality, providing quality education, and supporting healthy and quality living.”
Prof. Dr. Mustafa Kurt emphasized the university’s pride in fulfilling its responsibilities and added, “However, we attach great importance to the role of media in raising awareness about these services, spreading the consciousness of equality, and eliminating discriminatory labels. As a university that trains a qualified workforce for the media, we are gathered here today to discuss inclusive representation in media. I would like to thank the Disabled Student Unit Coordination, Accessible Marmara Club, and New Media Club for organizing this event, and all the esteemed guests who joined us.”
The event also featured the “Overcoming Barriers Awards Ceremony and Talk,” where awards were given to individuals who demonstrated extraordinary success in their fields, proving that barriers can be overcome and offering hope and motivation to society.
The award recipients included disabled Member of Parliament Serkan Bayram, Turkey's first disabled Mayor Turan Hançerli, NTV Radio Program Host Ayhan Aktaş, Amputee National Football Team Player Barış Telli, World Champion Down Syndrome National Gymnast Berk Canbulat, Turkey's first and only Down Syndrome TEDX speaker Cem Robert Osborn, Galatasaray Scout Committee Emre Utkucan, Turkey’s first and only disabled female news reporter CNN Türk Reporter Gökçe Tümer, News Türk disabled program host Haluk Kesim, the world’s first and only disabled female rally driver Kübra Denizci Keskin, and the first autistic radio host Muhammed Emirhan Güngör.
