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of content subjects as well as additional languages. The UADS organised two TheraBox sessions that were
University’s multilingual policy is based on this thesis, and tailored to enhance the well-being of students living with
the introduction of multilingual tutorials in the Faculty as a disabilities. Particular focus was given to mental health,
pilot initiative may eventually be included in the provisions emotional, and physical difficulties related to academic
of the Institutional Language Policy Implementation Plan. performance and online learning during the pandemic.
First Rand Foundation donated funding of around R2
The University hosted a series of events to celebrate million to purchase equipment for students with visual
International Mother Tongue Day. This was headlined by impairments.
the virtual launch of Virus Fighters, a children’s book series,
on 25 February 2021 in five languages and featuring In line with strengthening our ongoing partnership with
storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe. In the development of this schools, UADS facilitated a tertiary education readiness
book series, the University collaborated with the University workshop with two schools in Nelson Mandela Bay and
of Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania to translate the books into one in the OR Tambo District. In collaboration with the
kiSwahili. Access and Enrolment office, UADS provided career
guidance to Grade 12 learners and assisted them with the
The University also released a digital anthology of poetry, Mandela University online application process.
Moments in Mother Tongue, in three languages; and
hosted a series of bite-sized lessons using pre-recorded First Rand Foundation donated nearly R3-million towards
videos in isiXhosa, isiZulu, French, and Afrikaans. postgraduate student bursaries, assistive devices and
equipment. A coaching and mentoring programme for
7. Enhance Teaching and Learning students living with disabilities has started, and a manual
Environment for Students with was developed on Student Success and Transitioning
Disabilities Pathways at Nelson Mandela University. A dictation
program was also developed to assist students who
The Universal Accessibility and Disability Services (UADS) require scribes for writing and typing. The Unit hosted a
Unit has developed a platform, “UADS Speaks Out”, to Special Schools Strategic Workshop and donated assistive
encourage students living with disabilities to share their devices to Northern Lights Primary School in Gqeberha.
experiences to facilitate a better understanding of their Newly appointed postdoctoral fellow, Dr Desire
needs. The Unit has digitalised certain services to ensure Chiwandire, is working with UADS, the Universal Access
that students living with disabilities are able to book Working Group, and the Transformation Office to advance
assistive devices and other forms of support through the inclusion of people living with disabilities at Nelson
an online registry. In collaboration with the Faculty of Mandela University.
Humanities, UADS developed an SLP on South African sign
language and is conducting research on augmentative and
alternative communication.

TABLE 9:
PROFILE OF STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITY ACROSS FACULTIES, ACCORDING TO GENDER,
POPULATION GROUP AND DISABILITY CATEGORY IN 2021

POP.
GENDER NUMBER NUMBER DISIBILITY CATEGORIES NUMBER FACULTIES NUMBER
GROUP
Africans 125 Blind 3 BES
Male 134
Asian 1 Hearing-impaired 9 EBEIT*
Coloureds 29 Neurodevelopmental 109 Education
Female 122
Indians 7 Health
Psychosocial 31
Whites 94 Sciences
Multiple 20 Humanities
Partially sighted 26 Law
Physically disabled 45 Sciences
Chronic 13
Total 256 Total 256 Total 256 Total 256
*EBEIT - Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology

26 | 2021