WSU CREATING A MORE ACCESSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR DISABLED STUDENTS

The Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Directorate of Learning and Teaching (DLT) in partnership with the Student Counselling Unit held a focus program for Students Living With Disability (SLWD) recently.

The main aim of the event was to ensure that the needs of these students are well attended to and included in all that happens within the university.

Academic advisor for SLWD, Nomvuyo Nyembezi said, “As a collective we have a duty to strive for academic success irrespective of the state one may be in. We should learn to eradicate the attitude of “it is impossible” and start being positive thinkers”.

This inclusivity drive is to make sure that disabled students have access to lecture halls, institution facilities, sports, and all that takes place in the university.

The event which was themed ‘making university more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable for students living with disabilities towards learning’ focused on making the institution a friendly environment for everyone and in so doing promoting academic success.

Student Counselling Unit Social Worker Zanele Nomatshila, said, “The problem is not the disability, but the attitude we have towards people with disabilities. This event is to embrace the inclusivity of students living with disability in every activity that takes place in the institution”.

Nomatshila further added that it is a known fact that in most situations in society people living with disabilities feel excluded and left out, it is an effort by the university to change this firstly within the institution. 

DLT Acting Manager, Dr Stanford Matenda said, “Issues of inclusivity are important, and it is our duty to listen to students and offer to them what they desire. We want to ensure that student voices are heard”.

This event was attended by various stakeholders such as social workers, campus Information & Communication Technology, finance office, and health services who all were dedicated to ensure that the inclusion of students with disabilities is successful and that their respective offices will provide the available support.

Student Counselling Unit Manager, Khuzekani Ntakana said, “We need to interact continuously about these sorts of issues so that we know what to do in terms of provisions to make the university a healthy environment for all. This is a platform to learn from each other”.

By Hlomla Mpetsheni