Varsity
7
focus
What UCT services do and do not offer
UCT fails disabled students Operating Principles stall after seven years of attempted implementation Erin Bates THERE are two kinds of students at UCT; those with disabilities and those without. The first kind struggle to ascend Jammie steps, while the second move about campus with ease. When it comes to disability, UCT has simply not done enough.
‘UCT has simply not done enough’ Disability affects every student on campus and while most do not need a guide dog or wheelchair, there are some students who do. They are part of the student body and their needs must be recognised.
The Student Disability Service provides some help, yet ironically, it is on the fourth floor of the Steve Biko building. There is wheelchair access but nevertheless, it is difficult to reach and resources are limited. Fortyseven students registered with the Disability Service this year. Their disabilities range from learning difficulties to mobility, visual and hearing impairments. Michelle Botha is a secondyear BA student who is visually impaired; a disability that is best provided for by the University. The amount of reading in her degree is a ‘problem’ and ‘a strain’. She regularly uses the Disability Service’s computer lab where she reads computer-enlarged texts and listens to articles read by a synthesiser. There are four voices available; ‘Grandpa is my favourite,’ she quips, ‘even though he sounds
like a woman.’ ‘As far as I’m concerned, most of my needs are being met. There is a good body of staff and volunteers,’ says Botha. ‘But,’ she adds, ‘as soon as I step out the door, I’m running the gauntlet, trying not to step on people.’ As if this is not worrying enough, Michelle has to cope with being stepped on by others. ‘I get pushed around; people stare at me,’ Botha reports. Sam Richmond, a visually-impaired post-grad, agrees: ‘I have been pushed and shoved.’ This is alarming and shocking as both students use canes and are noticeably disabled. After having completed her undergraduate at UCT without using the Disability Service, Richmond is doing her Masters in Political Studies. Asked what it is like finally using the service facili-
What would you like to address to UCT?
ties, Richmond, who has only 5% vision, replies, ‘It is nice not to feel abnormal all the time. It has
‘It is easy and politically correct to promote sensitivity and awareness of disability issues on paper’ been a great help.’ Both Botha and Richmond praise the Student Disability Service, but agree that UCT is not doing enough for the disabled. Both have a ‘big problem’ with Jammie Steps which are not marked. This is because they are a National Monument that must not be damaged. ‘It just means a little more effort on the part of the University and they just don’t want to do it,’ remarks Richmond. While neglecting disability issues, UCT is combating race and gender
inequalities. Reinette Popplestone is the manager of the Disability Service. She agrees that not enough is being done to address disability at UCT. ‘In principle, of course, the University supports [the Disability Service]. It’s easy to say that,’ she says. It is easy and politically correct to promote sensitivity and awareness of disability issues on paper. UCT came up with a list of operating principles with regards to disabilities in November 2000 (www.uct.ac.za/services/disabilities). Seven years on, these principles have still not been fully implemented. The Student Disability Service is working on a more detailed policy, covering how to better address disability at UCT. Once the policy is complete, it must be passed, and finally put into practice. While UCT wades through bureaucracy, Botha, Richmond and others continue to walk the gauntlet that is the UCT campus. VARSITY is now available in enlarged format from the Disability Service’s Computer Lab.
What Still Needs To Be Done • Improve wheelchair access in buildings Name: Michelle Botha Year of study: 2 Degree: BA Disability: Visually Impaired
Name: Gadija Edwards Year of study: 1 Degree: BA Disability: Visually Impaired
Name: Samantha Richmond Year of study: Masters (1st year) Degree: Political Studies Disability: Visually Impaired
‘There is a definite lack of compassion and respect for the disabled on campus. I often feel like an amusing sideshow. We worked hard to get here and we deserve to be respected!’
‘I would like to thank the Disability Unit and its volunteers for giving their time and having the compassion to assist me and help me realise my potential to get my degree.’
‘One should be sensitive to people with disabilities and their differential needs. Disabilities shouldn’t be thought of as dichotomous! There are different spectrums of disabilities and all need to be catered for, not just the ones that belong to the extreme.’
Overcome your writing woes Kayshinee Rye Ramchurn
THE onset of the academic year often coincides with an incessant flurry of reports, essays, literature reviews and the like. This year is no different and if you are feeling overwhelmed by the very prospect of writing, fear not. Written tasks should no longer be a cause for concern for this generation of bright and talented young minds. All students can improve their writing, whether they are experienced academic writers or complete novices. The Writing Centre is committed to assisting undergraduate and postgraduate students from all faculties in building good writing practices. It was established in 1994 to address concerns about the quality of student writing. It houses a drop-in consultancy service that is free-of-charge and allows students to interact with part-time postgraduate consultants on a one-on-one basis. The consultation itself is a learning experience and normally
lasts up to an hour, depending on the nature of the task and number of issues that need attention. The assortment of areas that can be covered during a session include; analysing the topic question, using prescribed or other readings for relevant information, sorting and arranging ideas into a logical flow, spelling, grammar and referencing, and draft revision. Students are encouraged to prepare themselves before a consultation by familiarising themselves with the assignment at hand – in terms of identifying its main objectives and devising a basic form of structural organisation. This hands-on approach ensures that students have the option of tailoring the sessions in accordance with their needs. However, students should bear in mind that The Writing Centre aims to assist in improving writing skills and does not constitute an editing service. Postgraduate students can also benefit from receiving invaluable feedback on their written work. These range from research propos-
als, to creative pieces via weekly Postgraduate Writers’ Circles organised by and held at The Writing Centre. Most of these are discipline-related but the crossdisciplinary circle has proved to be quite popular over the years. Writers’ circles are a sounding board for postgraduate students who would like to share their writing for feedback before completing the writing process. The Writing Centre is housed on the fourth level of the Hlanganani Building on Upper Campus. Interested students are strongly advised to book appointments with consultants at least three days in advance. For draft revisions, students must drop off their typed drafts (not more than 15 pages long, 1.5 spacing, and font size 12) at 9 am on the day of the consultation. Further information can be obtained from The Writing Centre website: (www. ched.uct.ac.za/adp/writing/) or by calling 021 650 5021/ 3319.
• Install, repair and enlarge lifts
• Increase student awareness about disabilities There are a number of other improvements that need to be made for the benefit of disabled students and staff.
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• Mark steps around campus