Stellenbosch University
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Invitation for Comments: SU Universal Access Policy
Author: Dr MM Lyner-Cleophas
Published: 25/04/2017

To: All staff and students at SU

Invitation for comment as part of the review of the disability policy at Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) is reviewing its disability policy on students with disabilities. With this review, we will strive to follow a universal approach to disability that is inclusive of all people using campus services, whether on or off campus. We view the striving towards disability inclusion as part of the rights of people, as well as being crucial to the transformation agenda of South Africa and SU. Therefore, the need for the policy to respond not only to students with disabilities, but to all people on campus has become clearer. Indeed, if the lack of access to a building is, for instance, a problem for a student in a wheelchair, then it will be as much a problem for a staff member in a wheelchair, or a visitor on campus.

The need for redress regarding disability is evident in, inter alia, the SA Constitution (1996), the Employment Equity Act (1998), the South African Schools Act (1996), the Higher Education Act (1997) and the National Plan for Higher Education (2000). However, in a recent South African Human Rights Commission report (2017), it is clear that most violations regarding human rights are still linked to race, ethnic or social origin and disability.

The marginalisation of people with disabilities is akin to segregation experienced because of racial and linguistic divides, which are societally constructed. As we strive to break down a myriad of barriers in our environments and in our country, this quest is the same when we speak about disabilities.

Our striving with the Universal Access Policy is to ensure we cover all aspects of people's functioning on campus, in each and every department, so that we can put in place plans to address disability in a holistic and truly inclusive way.

We invite you to read the draft SU Universal Access Policy (available as a PDF or a Word document) and to comment on it. You can send your comments to either of the addresses given below.

E-mail: disability@sun.ac.za.

Postal address: Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602 (For attention: Dr MM Lyner-Cleophas, Centre for Student Counselling and Development).

The final date for comments is 15 May 2017.

Enquiries: Mrs Melanie Willems at 021 808 4707

With appreciation

Task Team: SU Universal Access Policy