Fendall, Louisianan: As the University of Liberia prepares to begin a new academic semester, the head of the institution’s Disabled Students Association has re-echoed the need for the administration to take decisive steps in mitigating the transportation and classroom accessibility needs of disabled students.
According to Perkins Boye, students with disability at the state-owned tertiary institution have over the years faced unresolved huddles in accessing their classrooms and bathroom facilities due to the lack of rams and other assistive devices on the campuses of the institution.
Perkins narrated that despite the numerous advocacies and sit-in actions from the students, the University authority is yet to take concrete actions in addressing the perennial issues confronting students with special needs.
He wants the University authority to liaise with local and international organizations in Liberia to fast-track the academic development of physically challenged students under conducive environments, as contained in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the constitution of Liberia.
“We think the UL administration is foot-dragging; we will need more determination or intentional steps to address these issues of accessibility. For example, the day before yesterday, I spoke with the center on inclusive learning at the University of Liberia (UL) and I was told that some efforts have been made as regards to some of those ramps. Somewhere in August, we launched a ramp project on the campuses of the University of Liberia (UL) that is been funded by Orange Liberia GSM Company through our advocates; we were informed last week that some of those projects have been completed and extended invitation to do some assessments on the project that is ongoing at the UL campuses”, said Perkins ET Boye.
The UL Center for Inclusive Learning, through its head, Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor, said the university remains committed to ensuring that students with special needs are given unhindered access and equal opportunities to fulfil their academic dreams.
“We are not sitting; we are doing everything to ensure that our disabled students have equal opportunities to that of other students. Through collaboration with Orange Liberia, we will be constructing for the first time ramps on the Capitol and Fendall Campuses of the University”, said madam Saydah Williamson-Taylor. “We are also working with the schedule department to aid our students in identifying suitable classrooms for them to reduce the challenges they go through”, she added.
