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CUADS at 20 years - creating accessible learning environments

06 December 2021 | Story Martie Miranda and Mosa Moerane | Photo Supplied

The CUADS office promoting accessible learning environments.

Twenty years ago, the need was identified to accommodate students with disabilities on the Bloemfontein Campus, and in an attempt to provide an accessible environment and academic life for these students, the Unit for Students with Disabilities was established in February 2001. The unit started with one staff member, fifteen registered students, and one Braille printer. Since 2015, the name of the unit has changed to the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS), with offices on all three campuses. There are currently 247 registered students, 13 staff members and three Braille printers, with a pool of ad hoc South African Sign Language interpreters, editors, and amanuensis.

Full integration of students with disabilities

After 10 years of existence, the unit was ready and committed to look at future possibilities for the full integration of students with disabilities. A lot of work has been done to accommodate students with disabilities across all categories of disability, including study courses, accessibility to buildings, accessibility of learning materials, residences, sporting activities, computer facilities, interpreting services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafened students, as well as the provision of a specialised exam and test venue for alternative test and exam procedures.

CUADS now forms part of the dynamic student support environment of the Department of Student Affairs, and although the last decade has not been without a lot of growing pains and buy-in from different stakeholders, the centre has aimed to ensure that the University of the Free State (UFS) becomes an accessible higher education institution of choice for students with disabilities. While the primary focus of the support services offered by CUADS is to promote equity for students with disabilities in order to reach academic success, a holistic approach to student participation and success is followed to ensure a humanising experience.

Universal Access

CUADS’ involvement with the UFS Integrated Transformation Plan through the Universal Access Work Stream has assisted in integrating disability and universal access matters, which have contributed thus far to the approval of Disability Sport as part of the Integrated Sport Strategy, Disability and Universal Access advocacy as part of the Advocacy, Awareness and Analysis Strategy, including universal access considerations in the UFS Estates Technical Manual for infrastructure, and the Policy on Universal Access and Disability Support for students with disabilities.

Timeline

2001: Establishment of Unit for Students with Disabilities (USD) within Student Counselling and Development

First blind student graduated at the UFS (having been at the UFS without the support service)

2005: First deaf student (Sign Language user) registered, with Sign Language interpreting services provided

2008: Unit became an independent department within Student Affairs

2009: First full-time Sign Language interpreter appointed

2011: Ten-year celebration, embarking on integration of support to students with disabilities

Celebrating a ramp at the front door of the Callie Human Hall as a graduation venue

2012: Alternative exam arrangements integrated with Exam Division

2013: Sign Language interpretation integrated with Interpreting Services

2014: Accessible transport services established between South Campus and Bloemfontein Campus with First Car sponsorship

2015: Name change to Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) and adopting universal access as approach to include students with disabilities

2016: Documenting 40 graduates with disabilities in one year for the first time, which repeated itself in the following years

2017: Became part of the UFS transformation agenda through the UFS Integrated Transformation Plan

Mental health challenges added as a category of students with disabilities supported by CUADS
Formalised orientation and mobility training for students with visual impairments to enable independent movement around our three campuses

2018: Establishment of CUADS offices on South Campus and Qwaqwa Campus, with CUADS coordinators appointed

First Biennial CUADS Formal Function held

2019: Commenced with tactile paving project on Bloemfontein Campus

2020: Disability Sport integrated into ITP Sport Strategy

Disability and Universal Access advocacy integrated with ITP Advocacy, Awareness and Analysis Strategy

2021: Policy on Universal Access and Disability Support for students with disabilities approved by Council

Universal access considerations within the UFS Estates Technical Manual for infrastructure.

News Archive

Strong support for march against gender violence

2013-02-27

A huge group of students, led by the Student Representative Council, took part in the "Enough is Enough: Are you man Enough?" march on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Johan Roux
25 February 2013

YouTube Video: "Enough is Enough" Harlem shake

YouTube Video: "Enough is Enough" protest

Enough is enough. The UFS took a vocal and visual stand against gender violence and rape with a march joining the national protest movement. With banners reading: ‘No to rape,’ ‘Stop sexual terrorism’ and ‘Enough is enough’, hundreds of Kovsie men and women took part in the Enough is Enough: Are you man Enough march held on the Bloemfontein Campus. Led by Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, staff and students, mostly men, told the world what they think about the scourge of violence and rape in the country.

Addressing protestors, Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, highlighted shocking rape statistics, saying that it is dangerous to be a woman these days with a woman raped every minute somewhere in the country. “Women can hardly breathe without being worried.Culture has deceived our young men. The country is experiencing a tragic time. We need to raise our children, mostly boys, to respect women from an early age. They must also learn how to deal with their emotions – boys must learn how to cry.”

Joining Prof Jansen on stage was the Student Representative Council (SRC) presidents of three universities in South Africa – William Clayton from the UFS, Horne Hallendorff from the University of Cape Town and Clinton du Preez from Stellenbosch University. “Enough is indeed enough and men should take their role seriously to ensure that we say NO to gender violence and rape against women,” Clinton told protestors.

At the request of the Dean of Student Affairs, all the men that were present kneeled as a sign of apology of the selfish acts of men against women.

The university will continue the fight against gender violence with a series of dialogues creating awareness, but also facilitating broader understanding of gender violence.

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