Mürüvvet Dolar, a graduate of Izmir University of Economics (IUE), Department of English Translation and Interpretation, first learned sign language and then became a sought-after name in the business world thanks to her beloved dog named ‘Çamur’. Two years ago, while walking Çamur in the park, she met a deaf person like herself walking their dog and decided to learn sign language to communicate with them. Attending the 'sign language' classes given to students at IUE, Dolar took advantage of this opportunity to learn sign language and found a job as soon as she graduated from the university.
After graduating this year, 23-year-old Dolar, who started working in an oral and dental health center and communicated with patients coming to Izmir from abroad, said, “I didn't want to learn sign language, but Mr. Ahmet, whom I knew while I was walking Çamur, changed my mind. I realized that learning sign language is as important as learning a foreign language. I'm glad I learned sign language, it made it easier for me to get a job.”
MY LIFE ENERGY
Mürüvvet Dolar, who lives in the Gaziemir, Izmir, said that her 4-year-old dog Çamur is a source of energy for her and that she finds peace by taking care of her in her spare time. Dolar said, “If it wasn’t for Çamur I would not be able to get to know Mr. Ahmet who has hearing loss, whom I learned later that we even lived close to each other. Since I had not met him, I would not be eager to learn sign language. Maybe I wouldn't have made any attempts to learn sign language.”
A BIG OPPORTUNITY
Dolar continued as follows: “Mr. Ahmet is a kind-hearted person who loves all animals as well as his own dog. It saddened me that I could not communicate with him. Just then, my university made a very important decision and announced that all students who volunteered would be given a 'sign language' course. It was like this decision was made for me. It has been a very important opportunity for me. I immediately attended classes and learned sign language. The sign language course opened within the body of the Department of English Translation and Interpretation, which I graduated from, is also a great advantage for students of other majors. I also gained self-confidence thanks to English being spoken at school.”
MY UNIVERSITY AND ÇAMUR PAVED THE WAY FOR ME
Stating that she first thought of doing a master's degree after graduating, Dolar said that she changed her mind and started business life. Dolar said, “In addition to English, I also learned Russian at my university. Sign language has been addition to these. Knowing sign language also gave me an advantage in employment. During the interview, I was also asked whether I knew sign language, and this brought me to the fore. I'm currently doing what I love. I usually deal with British patients. A hearing-impaired patient came to us recently. I easily communicated with him. This made both of us very happy. Once again I was glad to have learned sign language. My university and Çamur, which I love very much, opened a new door for me.”
THE ONLY UNIVERSITY IN THE AEGEAN
Izmir University of Economics started an exemplary practice by adding the "Turkish Sign Language" and "Introduction to Audio Description" courses to its curriculum last year to raise awareness for barrier-free access. All students can benefit from the courses offered by the IUE Department of English Translation and Interpretation on a voluntary basis. In this way, IUE students receive education in two different fields. IUE, the first university in the Aegean Region to make sign language and audio description courses open to all students, also contributes to the solution of the access problems experienced by the hearing and visually impaired. Equipped with different knowledge and skills apart from the department they are studying at, IUE students expand their fields of work after graduation.
