Reaffirming its commitment to diversity, inclusion and accessibility, the university has revived the Unisa Employee Disability Forum (UEDF) under the Department of Leadership and Transformation (DLT).

Speaking about the UEDF, Nozuko Langa, the recently appointed chairperson, said the reestablishment of the forum marks an important step towards advocating for an inclusive, accessible and equitable working environment for employees with disabilities across the university. Langa is a lecturer in the Department of Information Sciences at the College of Human Sciences.

The revived forum will serve as a platform for engagement, awareness and collaboration on matters affecting employees with disabilities, while contributing to the creation of a more inclusive working environment in practice rather than rhetoric.

The forum was initially established in 2011 to address issues and challenges affecting employees with disabilities at Unisa. According to Langa, the revitalisation of the UEDF gives hope to employees with disabilities that nothing will be discussed about them without their involvement. 

She also outlined that the forum was established to provide a platform for employees with disabilities to raise concerns to be addressed, while supporting the university’s transformation and employment equity agenda.

The motivation behind reestablishing the UEDF  

Langa explained that the forum advocates for the rights and inclusion of employees with disabilities, and will raise awareness about disability issues across the university, promote reasonable accommodation and accessibility in the workplace, advise university structures on disability-related policies and practices, and foster a culture of diversity, equality and non-discrimination. 

Nozuko Langa, Chairperson of the UEDF

Langa also highlighted that when people with disabilities apply for a position, they often face discrimination. She said disabled people are sometimes seen as a burden, challenging supervisors and managers to integrate them into their teams.  

The reestablishment of the forum comes at a time when institutions globally are placing greater emphasis on equity, diversity and employee well-being. The forum has identified several key goals and intends to develop solutions that will draw attention to their plights.  

Plans to achieve key goals 

Looking ahead, Langa said that it will be ideal to have employees with disabilities participating in university structures at all post levels. Furthermore, she said the university often utilised a blanket approach to policies, which creates barriers to inclusivity.

Langa also raised the issue of collaborations with university departments and transformation structures, as an advisory forum, to assist them in understanding how to craft and implement disability-inclusive policies and practices.

She said that employees need training in working with people with disabilities, in arranging office space to accommodate disabled employees and in establishing support networks.  

Initiatives which will be prioritised  

Langa said that the executive committee of the forum intends to start disability awareness campaigns and workshops within the university, and that membership of the UEDF is open to anyone interested in the issues of disabled persons. 

"The forum intends to initiate and influence policy-making structures on an advisory basis about how to handle issues affecting people with disabilities," Langa continued. "One of the critical issues is the technology and communication systems for disabled employees to function in their work environment, which the forum will address as a matter of agency. There should also be mentorships and support initiatives to assist employees with disabilities with guidance for professional prosperity." 

Contributing to institutional transformation through student support, partnership and engagement

Langa said that although the UEDF is a forum for staff members, it will partner with the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD). 

"We will establish a database to understand the extent of disabilities amongst Unisa’s employees and students," Langa continued. "The forum is going to promote an inclusive culture that will benefit both staff and students."

Concluding, Langa stated that the forum must contribute to creating a university where persons with disabilities may participate fully, succeed academically and professionally, and feel that they are valued members of the Unisa community. 

* Article by Tshidiso Madiseng, with photography by Victor Malatji, Department of Institutional Advancement