The Stellenbosch University (SU) Disability Unit (DU) and the Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation recently hosted an annual Casual Day event under the theme ‘Beyond the Labels: Embracing Unity through Inclusion and Diversity’, which allowed a space for students and staff living with disabilities to open up about the challenges they face.
SMF News attended the event at Victoria Hub on 4 September.
Attendees at the Casual Day event under the theme ‘Beyond the Labels: Embracing Unity through Inclusion and Diversity’. The event was hosted by the Stellenbosch University (SU) Disability Unit and the Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation on Thursday, 4 September, at SU’s Victoria Hub. SMF News was in attendance. PHOTO: Uendjizuvira Kandanga
Dr Marcia Lyner-Cleophas, the head of the DU, said that there are approximately 560 students who have disclosed a disability, and another 1 000 use the DU’s services in one way or another.
“These often range from students with debilitating medical conditions, mobility impairments, reading and writing challenges, and neurodiversity, which includes attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and students on the autism spectrum, to [students with] visual and hearing difficulties,” said Lyner-Cleophas.
Striving for inclusion
Dr Megan Bruwer, a senior lecturer in the faculty of civil engineering, said that there is accessible infrastructure around campus, including pedestrian walkways that accommodate mobility aids, pedestrian crossings with tactile paving, and audible and tactile notification of safe crossing times.
Luigia Nicholas, the marketing and training co-ordinator for the DU, said that she uses a guide dog to walk around campus safely.
Luigia Nicholas, the marketing and training co-ordinator for the Stellenbosch University Disability Unit, with her guide dog. PHOTO: Uendjizuvira Kandanga
Nicholas shared that her experience as a staff member with a visual disability has been positive, and that her unit has been accommodating and supportive.
“I received reasonable accommodations, including assistive software and an enlarged-font keyboard, which have enabled me to work effectively,” she said. “My department makes a genuine effort to ensure I feel included, and my line manager is approachable and responsive to any additional accommodation needs.”
Proactive engagement
Sarah Gafieldien, a PGDip (Marketing) student at SU, said that such discussions are important for the university to be accessible to people experiencing challenges with disabilities.
“They’ve been adding more for people who are blind, [like] more accessible walkways,” said Gafieldien. “I get that they’re putting a lot of effort into people with physical disabilities, but in terms of disabilities that are not seen, I don’t think that they’re doing enough with that.”
Sam Morrick, the outgoing vice-chairperson of the academic affairs council, said that Stellenbosch University needs to do more of a bottom-up approach to understanding the needs of students with disabilities. “Listening to and consulting with disabled students who have the lived experience of being a student with a disability is essential,” said Morrick. “These students are an undervalued resource that should be brought more into the conversation when talking about change.” PHOTO: Uendjizuvira Kandanga
Faculties and lecturers should not wait until a student is struggling before they think about accessibility, according to Sam Morrick, the outgoing vice-chairperson of the Academic Affairs Council (ACC).
Morrick said that, from the ACC’s perspective, disability inclusion is everyone’s responsibility, and academic structures, faculties, and lecturers play a crucial role in creating a learning environment that is welcoming and accessible for all.
“This includes making learning materials accessible, providing flexible assessment options, and ensuring that venues are accessible for mobility-disabled students,” he said.