PHOTO: Perkins Excellent Boye, President of the ULADS with another student living with disability
In the wake of planned resumption of classes at the state-owned University of Liberia (UL), the UL Association of Disabled Students (ULADS) has spoken of their decision to boycott classes, until a list of concerns are addressed by the University’s authorities.
In a statement recently, the UL students living with disabilities called the UL administration’s attention to unconducive learning environment at the University.
According to the President of ULADS, Perkins Excellent Boye, their official engagement with the UL officials about their concerns date “as far back as 2021, yet their concerns have attended to significantly, prompting our boycott of classes.”
So far, UL authorities have not reacted to the latest decision by their students living with disabilities.
Mr. Boye shared with the media one of their communications to the state-owned university spelling out their concerns.
SEE BELOW
February 18, 2021
The Administration
University of Liberia
Republic of Liberia
The above mentioned Students’ Association writes as a matter of urgency to bring to your attention some pressing challenges that has impeded smooth learning activities for all of our members on various campuses of the University.
Some of these challenges have deprived us from our fundamental rights, and Universal Declaration on the Rights of Persons living with Disabilities.
Permit me to submit to you some challenges are of looming concern and need urgent consideration.
Primary Concern
Provision of Bus – As it stands, according to our recorded membership, about 12 students currently studying at the University has extreme physical disability, while
Two (2) are handicap. Our classes are missed or lately attended because extreme difficulties of getting vehicle to get on campus. We ask that you provide a bus for exclusive use for students with disability
Disability Service Center – we are calling for the creation of such an office in the students’ affairs administration. It will help alleviate some of the challenges our colleagues face in planning courses, accessibility to classes, resolving issues, enrollment among others.
Bath Room – We find it very difficult to use the existing bath rooms you have on all the campuses. Our colleagues normally craw in other students’ urines and feces if they are pressed and need to use the bath rooms.
Monthly Allowances – As it stands we are barely survive the harshness of the economy. All of us are not working even though we have qualifications and competency, obviously we find it very difficult to get transportation fare, and barely eat on campus.
Secondary Concern:
Inclusion in students’ governance on campus – we are not considered in most if not all decisions you make that affect students. We are calling for the creation of the office of Vice President for Disability Affairs in the Student council government, ULSU. The occupant of that office should be a disabled who will
represent the Disabled students in all meetings that has to do with students’ and other matters. However, the creation of this office does/should not limit any persons with disability for contesting for other offices, but a constant representation of the disabled community.
Erecting Anti-Discrimination Billboard at all campuses of the University.
Reserved Seat in all classes downstairs: we are asking the administration to reserve at least two seats downstairs to be occupied for students with disability.
Disability should not be equated to inability. Our lives matter!!
High esteem,
Signed: Konah Kermie Approved: Perkins Excellent Boye
SG, ULADS President, ULADS