Languages: 
The Disability Support Services Unit in Transformation and Language Directorate (TLD), Student Counseling Unit (SCU) and the Directorate of Learning and Teaching (DLT) hosted an induction workshop for differently abled students in Mthatha under the theme “We Belong”.
The purpose of this induction workshop was to empower students, especially the differently-abled ,to become advocates for their rights and the transformation agenda while it recognized and celebrated deaf awareness month in September.
Disability Support Services Acting Manager, Zanele Nomatshila, said: “Differently abled students are part of us, and they must be included in all university activities and structures, in accordance with the Approved Strategic Policy Framework on Disability for Post-School Education and Training.”
The workshop also celebrated the declaration and signing of South African Sign Language as the twelfth official language. Thus, Nomatshila made all attendees aware that Sign Language is a visual language with its own unique grammar and syntax rules.
Nomatshila further said that despite the efforts to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment, WSU’s differently abled students still encounter significant barriers to academic success. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to break the barriers and enhance academic success.
The workshop was not only informative, but students’ voices were heard through the “Masithethe, let’s talk” session chaired by Komani campus social worker, Nomathamsanqa Daweti.
Diploma in Accountancy level 3 student, Nceba Mkhondo, said: “It should be a top priority at WSU to have scribers and personal assistants for people in most dire circumstances since they make it simple for us to do schoolwork on time and make our learning more flexible so we may perform to the fullest.”
This session aimed to learn from the students what they consider barriers to academic success and how these can be addressed. Some of the barriers as highlighted by students involved too steep ramps, delays on NSFAS allowance and unavailability of assistive technology.
Hospitality Management level 3 student, Nomzamo Makhubalo, said: “The online learning is challenging to us because lecturers move faster, and we can’t grasp everything that was taught during lesson hence some are slow in note-taking, our level of grasp is not the same and that affects us.”
Medical specialists were invited to empower students with different categories of disabilities and the support that they can offer students with disabilities. Academic and support staff also graced the workshop with their presence and contributions.
This was the beginning of a series of activities that the unit will have in supporting differently-abled students and ensuring that inclusivity and access are implemented at WSU.
By Mkuseli Mtenjwa
