Prof Narend Baijnath (Unisa Pro Vice-Chancellor), Zett Gqweta (NCPPDSA), and Prof Mandla Makhanya (Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor).
As Africa’s leading open distance learning institution, Unisa has always been instrumental in alleviating education challenges facing the disabled. This was further solidified when Unisa signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Council for Persons with Physical Disability in South Africa (NCPPDSA) on 29 April.
Partnering with the NCPPDSA to lead the way in embracing disability as part of the spectrum of diversity, the initiative was championed by Unisa Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof Narend Baijnath. Like other higher education institutions in South Africa, Unisa has a disability directorate – Advocacy & Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) – that continually strives to improve all aspects of accessibility which includes representation by persons with disabilities on the Unisa Council and other structures.
This year, as Unisa acknowledges 140 years of shaping futures in Africa, it also looks to its future where it accepts the responsibility of creating a culture of inclusiveness, specifically with regard to students, staff and visitors with disabilities who visit their environment and access their services and products. Baijnath says the signing of the MoU with the NCPPDSA is a momentous development for Unisa, for it signals a new era of consciousness and commitment to the needs, aspirations and interests of persons with physical disabilities.
A central tenet of the university’s strategic framework is a commitment to social justice. In effect, this means a commitment to promote access to marginalised and under-represented groups in our society. The disabled have to overcome considerable obstacles and barriers to access facilities, amenities and opportunities that the able-bodied among us take for granted, and spare no thought on … Ultimately this partnership signals that from the inception of an infrastructural project to design, and implementation, attention will be given to the interests of this community. It also signals a closer working relationship with the organised sector so we better understand their aspirations, concerns and frustrations so Unisa is more accessible, friendly and open to the disabled community,” says Baijnath.
The NCPPDSA serves as a proactive forum for the advancement of people with physical disabilities, enabling them to attain their maximum level of independence and integration into the community. This includes initiatives and services in enterprise development and job placement. The partnership takes Unisa’s commitment to the next level towards removing all barriers to full integration of persons with disabilities in the Unisa community.
ARCSWiD Director, Dr Siva Moodley, says the partnership with the NCPPDSA has immense potential, as both organisations would be able to work collaboratively to create a nurturing environment at Unisa for staff and students with disabilities. “While there are several national disability-specific organisations in South Africa that would be able to add value through an MoU with Unisa, I believe that the collaboration with the NCPPDSA heralds a new beginning in striving to be the African university in the service of humanity,” he concludes.
 Prof Mandla Makhanya (Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor) and Zett Gqweta (NCPPDSA) |
 Prof Narend Baijnath (Unisa Pro Vice-Chancellor) and Zett Gqweta (NCPPDSA) |
