YÖK Barrier-Free University Flag Awards

The Barrier-Free University Flag Awards, carried out by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), is a national evaluation system aimed at encouraging accessible, inclusive, and egalitarian practices offered by universities for individuals with disabilities and special needs. Within the scope of this award program, Özyeğin University continues its activities in line with the goals of continuous improvement, institutional sustainability, and accessibility-oriented transformation through the efforts coordinated by the Disabled Student Unit.

What are the Barrier-Free University Flag Awards? The Barrier-Free University Flag Awards is a system that evaluates, within the framework of objective criteria, the practices of universities that support the full and independent participation of individuals with disabilities in higher education. Within the scope of this evaluation, universities are examined under the following headings:

• Physical spaces,

• Education and training processes,

• Socio-cultural activities.

Orange Flag (Physical Accessibility) The Orange Flag represents the accessibility of physical spaces across the campus for individuals with disabilities, such as:

• Buildings

• Classrooms

• Exam halls

• Dormitories

• Common areas

Green Flag (Accessibility in Education) The Green Flag covers practices that ensure equal and fair access for students with disabilities and special needs to education and training processes. In this context, the following are evaluated:

• Accessibility of course materials,

• Exam and assessment-evaluation accommodations,

• Reasonable accommodation processes.

Blue Flag (Accessibility in Socio-Cultural Activities) The Blue Flag represents practices that support the equal and active participation of individuals with disabilities in:

• Social activities,

• Cultural activities,

• Sporting events,

• Club activities.

The Role of the Özyeğin University Disabled Student Unit The Disabled Student Unit:

• Manages the application processes for the Barrier-Free University Flag Awards,

• Ensures coordination with relevant units,

• Monitors and records evidence, documents, and practices,

• Identifies areas for improvement and develops sustainable solutions.

These processes are carried out within the framework of institutional policies and procedures, relevant legislation, and ethical principles.

Continuous Improvement and Institutional Approach Özyeğin University considers the Barrier-Free University Flag Awards not merely as an award process, but as an institutional development tool that:

• Expands accessibility,

• Strengthens an inclusive university culture,

• Centers on the student experience.

The feedback, monitoring results, and evaluation reports obtained in this direction guide improvement efforts across the university.