Since the establishment of the Unit for Physically Disabled Students, many messages of appreciation and acknowledgement were received in our office from various members of the Bilkent community.

While the unit was being formed within the Dean of Students, Social Responsibility Project Unit, a land survey was conducted on how to improve the physical conditions of our campus, not only for the usage of disabled members, but with a plan to address the needs of all individuals. One of our physically disabled alumni Ms. Gizem Girişmen of MAN '04 was the leading advisor of the survey and contributed to the physical need assessment along with architects from the construction unit. Gizem shared her experiences and insights while she was a student here and and volunteered to participate in the projects of the unit.

In the meantime, the projects of other universities were also observed; short and long term goals were set. Initially, the presence of the unit will be announced on the web and information about the center will also be in the Student Guidebook. A survey is being planned to coincide with the registration of the new, incoming students in September to form a proper database. As part of these plans, a budget and guidelines of the unit were also established.

Please feel free to contact the unit with your ideas, projects and support.

Contact info:
Ms. Sena Özel
Office: Student Union Bldg. No: Z08
Phone: ext. 1550
e-mail: esena@bilkent.edu.tr

Banu Bilgiç (PHIL/III)