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UFS campuses inclusive and accessible

17 March 2021 | Story University Estates | Photo UFS Photo Archive

wheelchair ramp_web read more — The UFS is committed to providing inclusive and accessible living, teaching, and learning spaces that are welcoming to all.

In accordance with its vision to be a university that is recognised across the world for excellence in academic achievement and human reconciliation, the University of the Free State (UFS) is committed to providing a universally accessible environment for all students, staff, and visitors on all three of its campuses.

A sense of belonging and togetherness

Creating an accessible environment that is conducive and welcoming to everybody on the campuses – which were not designed with accessibility in mind – is not an easy task. When the principles of universal design and access are applied, the environment and spaces can be enjoyed by all users alike, creating a sense of belonging and togetherness. The common perception that accessibility only provides equitable access and opportunities for persons in wheelchairs is refuted by universal access, stating that it is to the advantage and for the use of everybody. Parents with infants in strollers, delivery persons with trolleys or carrying heavy material, library patrons carrying an armful of books, academic staff with wheeled (rolling) laptop bags, and older people all benefit from the availability of a ramp, elevator, or automated door.

The current accessibility project of the UFS was initiated in 2009, evaluating the accessibility status of the UFS at the time. Priority inaccessible areas and spaces were identified and listed to be converted and improved over a period of five years, revising the list every year. The focus of the project was primarily on areas and spaces where most student activities take place, where specific needs and challenges have been identified, and where specific departments/divisions of the UFS have requested the improvement of access. The project does not only include access to buildings, but also accessible bathrooms, sufficient accessible parking spaces, accessible walkways, and accessibility within the classroom. The emphasis of the project is not only on wheelchair users and persons with mobility impairments, but also on creating an environment that can easily be navigated and used by everybody.

All new infrastructure incorporates accessibility measures

University Estates updated the accessibility reports mid-2020 and identified project priorities up to 2024. Among other things, the key focus areas were to make all walkways wheelchair-friendly, to create ablution facilities for persons with disabilities, to install lifts in buildings, and to install ramps. All new infrastructure by default incorporates accessibility measures in the planning stage.

On the South Campus, ramps were installed around the campus and pathways were made wheelchair-friendly. Entrances to existing lecture halls and other buildings have also been made more user-friendly for persons with disabilities. Additional to the above-mentioned initiatives, the institution has also embarked on a project that seeks to assist the visually impaired to better navigate the campus.

For our Qwaqwa Campus, immediate critical interventions that are in the planning stage and that should be done within the next year, are the creation of accessible ablution facilities in the Administration Building, library, and the Humanities and Education buildings.

WATCH video below:

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus’s Teaching and Learning Champs scoop up award

2014-10-24

Dr Elize Smuts (right) proudly displaying the UFS Vice-Chancellor’s Team Award. Equally ecstatic, is Qwaqwa Campus’s CTL Manager, Fred Mudavanhu.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

Action research to improve classroom practice and student success rates, recently received a boost when the Qwaqwa Campus’s Teaching and Learning (TL) Champions were honoured with the prestigious UFS Vice-Chancellor’s Team Award. The award was in recognition of the team’s efforts to enhance professional development and was accompanied by a R50 000 prize that will be utilised to further encourage and develop a scholarly culture on the Qwaqwa Campus.

“An active learning community has developed over the past four years, which led to the creation of a scholarly forum for sharing problems, experiences and new knowledge”, revealed Dr Elize Smuts, who has been the pillar of strength in the development of TL Champs.

“This”, Dr Smuts said, “has continuously motivated the group to persevere in challenging and often under-resourced circumstances.”

“Over a four-year period, 44 projects were undertaken, many with great success. Thirteen scholars participated in a pilot of CLASSE (Classroom Assessment of Student Engagement) in 2013. This survey, contextualised by staff from the Centre for Teaching and Learning, was a first in South Africa,” said Dr Smuts.

“The team undertook extensive literature reviews and attended numerous workshops on principles and practices of good teaching, research and writing. The two summarising booklets they prepared from two publications (How Learning Works: 7 Research-based Principles for Smart Teaching and Student Engagement Techniques) in 2013, will serve as guides and inspiration for the larger academic community of the UFS for many years.”

Since the formation of this team, TL scholars have presented 25 papers at 12 national and two international conferences.

“Taking into consideration that it is not easy to get an abstract accepted for presentation, these are impressive achievements,” Dr Smuts said.

“Some of the immediate results of scholars engaged in this project, include improved student success rates averaging 20% compared to only 8% improvement by academics who are not part of the project.”

“In 2013, one TL scholar reported student success rates that increased by 29%; another reported 80% on average; and another reported an increase from 65% to 95% in a class bigger than previous years.”

In congratulating the team, Centre for Teaching and Learning’s (CTL) Prof Annette Wilkinson said that she was very proud of the team.

“The team’s dedication and growth in scholarly practice – amidst challenging circumstances – are in my mind, the outstanding features of the project. I am very proud of the entire team”, said Prof Wilkinson.

The two presentations at international conferences were delivered by Ms Lea Koenig at the 32nd Annual Conference on the First-Year-Experience in Orlando, Florida and by Dr Elize Smuts in North Carolina. Both of these were presented in 2013.

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