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

Juan Odendaal invited to training camp in Switzerland
2015-10-19

Juan Odendaal recently in action at the UCI Paralympic World Cup
for road races in Pietermaritzburg.
Photo: Bertus Odendaal

Juan Odendaal from the University of the Free State (UFS) was invited to be part of a training camp in Switzerland, together with some of the world’s leading para-cyclists.

This first-year BA student was recently selected by the cycling body, Union Cyclist International (UCI), to attend the camp which will be held in Aigle from 2-12 November 2015.

Afterwards, Odendaal, who has been the junior South African champion in the C3 division in road races, time trials, and pursuit races, will travel to Manchester, England, where he will compete in a para-cycling event from 13-15 November 2015.

Recently, he took part in the senior division of the UCI Paralympic World Cup for road races for the first time, and has performed well. In this event, which was held in Pietermaritzburg, he competed against participants from countries including Germany, Australia, Spain, and Russia.

Odendaal on 11 September 2015 took eighth place in the road race and tenth place in the time trial. The road race takes place over 55 km and the time trial over 24 km.

Odendaal said he realised immediately that he was competing at senior level.

“There was a marked difference in the quality of the races,” he said, about the World Cup in Pietermaritzburg.

“It was much faster than I had expected. The average speed was 37,2 kilometres per hour.”

Odendaal also made his debut for South Africa in March of this year at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. At this event, he finished in fifteenth place in both the time trials and the pursuit event.

Odendaal said his main goal is the World Championships, which will take place in Montichiari, Italiy, in March 2016. He is hoping to achieve good times there in order to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

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