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Mr Willem Joubert (programme director), Prof Barney Erasmus & Dr Siva Moodley
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Ever wondered how to get into a bus with a wheelchair? What it feels like to "read" with your fingertips or "speak" with your hands? The Unisa community had the opportunity to learn more about the world of people with disabilities during Disability Week from 1 to 5 September 2008, which was hosted by the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD). "The primary aim of Disability Week is to spotlight issues on disability, particularly in view of the fact that disability is one of the national priorities," says Dr Siva Moodley, Director of ARCSWiD.
Dr Moodley explained that with the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities on 3 April 2008, all facets of society are expected to develop and implement policies pertaining to people with disabilities. "In recognising the importance of the UN Convention, Unisa also wishes to integrate disability into its programmes and activities. However, awareness-raising is perhaps the first critical step in this process, and ARCSWiD, through the Disability Week, hopes to raise the level of awareness among the Unisa community."
Disability Week included activities such as basic Braille and basic sign language classes for staff and students. Staff and students were also given the chance to gain first-hand experience of what it is like to get into a bus with a wheelchair. The latest technology and devices available to assist people with sight, hearing or physical disabilities were on display at the library. |
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Prof Barney Erasmus, Vice-Principal: Operations, delivered the opening address at the launch of Disability Week on Monday 1 September. He said that at a national level we could expect greater transformation in terms of ensuring that issues of disability are integrated more meaningfully into various facets of society, including education. He also added that the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities is evidence that Unisa is striving to accommodate the teaching and learning needs of students with disabilities. Furthermore, the Employment Equity Directorate, with its focus on diversity, strives to ensure equal opportunities for staff with disabilities.
Prof Erasmus applauded the Director and staff of ARCSWiD for their initiative in planning Disability Week. "Much is being done, but as a collective we can do far more," he said. This is the first time that ARCSWiD has devoted an entire week to focus on disability. |
