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09 May 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied
Disability Conference 2024
Empowering change: Advocates and experts unite at the UFS Conference on Disability Rights to foster inclusion and equality for all.

The Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) through its Free State Centre for Human Rights, in collaboration with the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) and Counterpart International, recently hosted the International Conference on Disability Rights from 24-26 April 2024. This significant event not only convened experts and advocates but also marked the launch of the Disability Rights Unit within the Faculty of Law.

Themed “Embracing Inclusion and Equality: A Perspective on Disability Rights Transformation", the conference served as a platform for insightful discussions and presentations aimed at fostering a more inclusive society.

Prof Serges Kamga, Dean of the Faculty of Law, emphasised the importance of the newly established Disability Rights Unit, stating, “The Disability Rights Unit will pave the way for promotion and protection of disability rights in our society.”

Martie Miranda, Head of CUADS, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the crucial role of such initiatives in advancing disability rights. “While CUADS provides holistic student support to students with disabilities, the Disability Rights Unit will provide for leverage in terms of access as their fundamental human right to optimally participate equally to their peers.”

Lessons from Mozambican disability legislation

Felisberto Elija Nhanenge and Jytte Nhanenge from Mozambique shed light on community inclusion through an examination of Mozambican disability legislation. Despite strides in policy, challenges persist in ensuring full societal participation for people with disabilities. The presentation highlighted the systemic barriers hindering access to education, healthcare, transportation, and employment. Moreover, it drew attention to the underlying influence of Western paradigms, emphasising the need for a holistic worldview to address entrenched biases and promote inclusivity.

Barriers to inclusion: The case of “unsound mind” provisions

Dr Dianah Msipa from the University of Pretoria delved into the legal hurdles faced by individuals with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities due to “unsound mind” provisions in African legislation. These provisions, found in several countries, restrict fundamental rights such as voting, property ownership, and personal liberty based solely on disability. Dr Msipa highlighted the urgent need for African states to align with international standards, advocating for universal legal capacity to ensure the full inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Visibility of disability: Data collection challenges

Bianca van der Schyff, representing the National and Provincial Women's Representative for DeafBlind in South Africa, addressed the critical issue of data collection regarding dual sensory impairments. She stressed the inadequacies in existing legislation which fails to capture the unique challenges faced by DeafBlind individuals, particularly concerning domestic violence. Van der Schyff put emphasis on the necessity of specialised research and comprehensive data collection to inform targeted interventions and support services for this marginalised group.

Advocating for dual-sensory impairments

The presentation underscored the importance of advocacy and empowerment for DeafBlind individuals, urging for a nuanced understanding of their needs and rights within broader disability discourse. Advocacy organisations play a vital role in raising awareness and promoting inclusive support services, yet there remains a pressing need for greater recognition of the complexities inherent in dual-sensory impairments.

In conclusion, the UFS International Conference on Disability Rights served as a catalyst for dialogue and action, reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society that upholds the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of ability, as stipulated in Vision 130 – the strategic intent of the UFS to reposition itself for its 130th anniversary in 2034. As discussions continue and initiatives take shape, the conference represents a pivotal step towards realising the transformative potential of disability rights advocacy.

News Archive

From music to theology: Stats Unit valuable in research process
2017-02-23

Description: Prof Robert Schall Tags: Prof Robert Schall

Prof Schall, head of the UFS Statistical Consultation Unit
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Whether it is analysing data on church attendance, climate change in the Northern Cape or injuries among elite female hockey players, the Statistical Consultation Unit at the University of the Free State (UFS) can assist researchers from the planning of research to publication therof.

Many students and researchers think that the time to consult a statistician is after their research data has been collected. According to Prof Robert Schall, head of the unit, the most significant contribution a statistician can make to a research project is often during its planning. Preferably all researchers should consult the unit early in the research process.

Statistical consultation service free for postgraduates
The consultation unit, established in 2014 in the Department of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science, provides support to all UFS researchers. This service is rendered to postgraduate students at no charge.

“The unit can make a contribution throughout the research process, from the planning of the research project, through the analysis of research data, up to the publication of the findings. I have been involved in projects where, for example, a few very simple changes to the design of a questionnaire would have saved the researcher and the statistician a lot of trouble. It will be beneficial for researchers to have their questionnaires and study proposals (where relevant), reviewed by a statistician,” Prof Schall said.

“The unit can make a contribution
throughout the research process,
from the planning of the research
project, through the analysis of
research data, up to the publication
of the findings.”

Fascinating research topics deliver fascinating data
The professor assisted in a study for the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences to determine whether rainfall in the Northern Cape had changed over the past 90 years, potentially indicating climate change.

Other interesting projects he has worked on came from the Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences. “Who will not be fascinated by data sets on aspects of rugby, cricket or even netball? One significant finding was a predictor of injury in elite female hockey players. The PhD student identified a pre-season test which predicted the occurrence of an in-season injury with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity. The finding was quite surprising, and, if the results can be replicated, obviously would be useful in the prevention of injuries,” he said.

This is, of course, not an exhaustive list of projects the unit has worked on. “Not in my wildest dreams would I have expected to be involved in projects coming from the Faculty of Theology, or from the Odeion School of Music,” Prof Schall said.

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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