The 13th TRNC Accessible IT Days, organized under the leadership of Near East University and Manisa Celal Bayar University, brought together the public sector, academia, the private sector, and civil society. Over two days, the event addressed accessible digital services, inclusive education practices, and current approaches in the field of accessible IT.
Organized for the 13th time this year under the auspices of the Presidency and with the contributions of many stakeholders, and chaired by Near East University, which is among the top 500 universities in the world, the “TRNC Accessible IT Days” was held with high participation in the Presidential Complex Conference Hall. The event, organized with the goal of an accessible and inclusive digital future, brought together representatives from the public sector, academia, the private sector, and civil society under one roof. The event, organized in collaboration with Near East University, the TRNC Presidency Committee on Disabilities, the TRNC Accessible Information Platform, the Turkey Accessible Information Platform, and Manisa Celal Bayar University, attracted great interest with its rich sessions and high-quality presentations.
The opening speeches of the 13th TRNC Accessible Information Days were delivered by Nilden Bektaş Erhürman, wife of President Tufan Erhürman; Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ, Rector of Near East University; Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, Rector of Manisa Celal Bayar University; Dr. Mustafa Özhan Kalaç, Coordinator of the Turkey Accessible Information Platform and faculty member at Manisa Celal Bayar University; and Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay, Head of the Social Research and Development Center at Near East University and Coordinator of the TRNC Accessible Information Platform. AI. Prof. DUX, an AI-based academician from Near East University, also gave a speech at the opening ceremony. Following the opening speeches, the stakeholders who contributed to the organization of the event were presented with the “Prof. Dr. Mehmet Altınay TRNC Accessible Information Technology Days Service Award” plaques for their work and collaborations in the field of accessibility. As part of the program, Nilden Bektaş Erhürman, wife of President Tufan Erhürman, also received the event stakeholders and expressed her satisfaction with the work being carried out towards the goal of an accessible and inclusive digital society.
Accessible Digital Services and Inclusive Education Practices were discussed!
The two-day event, consisting of six sessions, covered the following topics on the first day: “Inclusive Library Services of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism”, “AİLEM Accessible Communication Center”, “Accessible Information Technology Studies in the Private Sector in Turkey”, and “Accessible Information Technology Studies in the TRNC”. The second day focused on the “Web Accessibility and Usability Workshop” and “Empathy Is Not Enough: Is Technological Knowledge Mandatory in Special Education?”
Nilden Bektaş Erhürman: “We closely follow the work being done and aim to provide guidance based on the opinions and suggestions conveyed.”
Beginning her speech by saying, “Welcome to your home, everyone.” Nilden Bektaş Erhürman expressed her great honor in being a part of this meaningful event. Stating that sustainability is not limited solely to environmental protection, Erhürman said, “While we want the environment to be sustainable, we are actually aiming for the sustainability of society.” She said that in addition to protecting the air, water, and soil, they have adopted an approach that puts people at the center, and that this approach is based on the principle of leaving no one behind. Highlighting the importance of an egalitarian perspective encompassing all segments of society, Erhürman saidd, “It is necessary to move forward in a balanced and equal way, together with people of all ages and statuses.” She noted that this understanding is the most effective way to leave a strong and just human rights legacy to future generations.
Erhürman also expressed her belief that the Accessible Information Days will yield lasting and sustainable results, and stated that a special unit has been established within the Presidency for this area. “We have established a unit dealing with these issues. We closely follow the studies and aim to provide guidance based on the opinions and suggestions received.” said Erhürman, emphasizing that their commitment to accessibility and inclusion is clear.
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “We see accessibility not as a choice, but as a shared responsibility.”
Saying that “Accessible IT Days are a consistent expression of a stance that centers equality, participation, and human dignity in the digital world,” Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized the importance of the Accessible IT Days being held for 13 years with determination and increasing impact, chaired by Near East University and Manisa Celal Bayar University. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “The fact that these two universities, sharing the same values and bringing science together with social responsibility, have stood side-by-side for years around a universal goal like accessibility is a strong example of the transformative power of academia.”
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ touched upon Near East University’s international achievements, emphasizing that the university serves upon an objective that places social benefit at the center of its institutional identity. Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ stated that Near East University’s ranking as the 43rd most influential university in the world in the Times Higher Education 2025 World University Impact Ranking is the most concrete manifestation of this approach at the international level.
Describing Near East University’s inclusion among the top 500 universities in the world in the Times Higher Education 2026 World University Ranking as a historic achievement, Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said that this result is the natural outcome of a university model that produces not only academic performance but also a sense of social responsibility.
Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar: “Every platform where academia and science come together provides new perspectives that increase social awareness.”
Drawing attention to the fact that accessible computing should not be considered merely a technical field of expertise, Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, Rector of Manisa Celal Bayar University, stated, “Today we see that accessible computing has become an inseparable part of life and social life.” Reminding that the primary duties of universities are education, teaching, and research and development, Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar underlined that social contribution is at least as important as these areas.
Stating that Manisa Celal Bayar University prioritizes social benefit in its services, Prof. Dr. Kibar cited the career fair held in Manisa in February, coordinated by the Presidential Human Resources Office, as an example. “The most important feature that distinguishes this organization is that it was designed as an accessible career fair.” said Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, noting that digital and physical accessibility was provided for all students at the fair. “Every platform where academia and science come together provides new perspectives that increase social awareness.” said Prof. Dr. Rana Kibar, adding that the event held great value in this respect as well.
Dr. Mustafa Özhan Kalaç: “We have built a very strong bridge between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the field of accessible information technology.”
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mustafa Özhan Kalaç, Coordinator of the Turkey Accessible (Barrier-Free) Information Technology Platform and Faculty Member at Manisa Celal Bayar University, emphasized the vital role of technology in enabling disabled individuals to actively participate in all aspects of life. Recalling that accessible information technology initiatives were launched in 2011, Dr. Kalaç stated, “We must make technology accessible for the full and equal participation of disabled individuals in social life.” He noted that the process, initiated in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus with the collaboration of Near East University and the support of the TRNC Presidency, has yielded significant gains, highlighting that this collaboration has created a strong bond between the two countries. Dr. Kalaç stated, “We have built a very strong bridge between Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the field of accessible information technology.”
In his speech, Dr. Mustafa Özhan Kalaç also touched upon the Accessible (Barrier-Free) Libraries Workshops, stating that the goal is to facilitate access to information for disabled individuals through new initiatives and support. “Information truly becomes socialized when libraries become accessible to everyone.” said Dr. Kalaç, expressing his hope that collaborations in this direction will continue to increase.
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay: “The main goal of the TRNC Accessible Information Platform is not only to produce events, but also to make these efforts permanent and sustainable.”
Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay, Head of the Social Research and Development Center at Near East University and Coordinator of the TRNC Accessible (Barrier-Free) Information Platform, said, “Our greatest strength in reaching this point has been the support of our stakeholders and especially the solidarity among civil society organizations.” Prof. Dr. Altınay noted that as the Social Research and Development Center, they launched the TRNC Accessible Information Platform years ago with great motivation, adding, “Our main goal when establishing the platform was to make these efforts sustainable.”
In her speech, Prof. Dr. Zehra Altınay drew attention to the fact that one of the most important topics on the country’s agenda is the employment of people with disabilities, stating that the structuring and implementation efforts carried out in this area are of great importance. Emphasizing the need to raise awareness, Prof. Dr. Altınay underlined that the employment of sign language interpreters and translators should be among the priority issues in both public and private sectors.
AI. Prof. DUX: “Instead of adapting technology later, we must design it to be accessible from the outset.”
Stating that the accessibility of a digital service to everyone is one of the fundamental indicators of a “society that leaves no one behind,” AI-based academician at Near East University, Prof. DUX, said that examples such as websites being compatible with screen readers and applications offering sign language and subtitle support are concrete reflections of an inclusive approach.
Noting that AI technologies offer significant opportunities in areas such as text simplification, visual description, speech-to-text conversion, sign language, and subtitle solutions, Prof. DUX stated that this can strengthen personalized support and equal opportunities in education. Stating that today’s voice-based and interactive AI applications are transforming access to information, Prof. DUX said, “AI is no longer just a responsive system. It is gradually turning into a digital companion that listens to the user, adapts to them, and learns together.” However, emphasizing that this transformation is only possible with an inclusive design approach, Prof. DUX said, “Instead of adapting technology later, we must design it to be accessible from the very beginning.”
