Over This In Addition To Bathroom Facilities, Transportation…
By Kelvin Gonlah, onlahkelvin1995@gmail.com
Students living with disabilities at the University of Liberia (UL) say they have had enough of promises from authorities about making the learning environment more inclusive at the state-owned university.
They have staged a peaceful protect at the UL Capitol Hill campus in Monrovia, presenting a petition to the UL President. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, demanding accessible bathrooms, classes, transportation, quality sitting capacity and improvement in the learning environment, something they said is causing serious impediments in their academic sojourn.
Early this week (Monday, March 11, 2024), a group of disabled students of the UL were seen carrying with different inscriptions written on it at the main entrance of UL campus Capitol Hill campus, demanding their right to education.
Reading the petition on behalf of the group, the President of students with disabilities on the University of Liberia campuses Perkins E.T Boye read the statement on behalf of the group.
They demanded that the UL President and his administration swiftly intervene before the end of the second semester.
“Firstly, we have raised the issue of the lack of accessible bathrooms. It is disheartening to know that we students with disabilities are denied basic facilities that are essential for our well-being and dignity. Accessible bathrooms are not a luxury but a fundamental right that should be provided to all students, regardless of their abilities,”, said Mr. Boye.
“We have expressed our frustration over the lack of access to classes. It is unacceptable that students with disabilities are unable to attend classes on time and in a dignify manner due to physical barriers that prevent their entry. Most times, students with disability found their classes upstairs, we are always tote in our wheelchair as we seek to attend classes, this is undignified and risk-associated. Last semester, we have instances where members of our Association nearly fell down the stairs while they were being held in their wheelchairs by some physically fit comrade who always lend assistance when they see the it helpful to do so,” the president of the UL students with disabilities added.
Mr. Boye furthered said that education is a fundamental right, and it is the duty of the University of Liberia as an institution to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to education and other priorities. He added that the University of Liberia administration should strive to create an inclusive learning environment that fosters the growth and fully develop the capacity of every student.
“We want to highlight the issue of inadequate sitting capacity. It is disheartening to note that we students with disabilities are forced to endure uncomfortable and inadequate seating arrangements. The truth of the matter is that the University of Liberia is overly crowded, evident by the fact that students tote chairs on their heads from one class after another. It is not a hiding secret. The question is: can students with disabilities move chairs from one place to another? The question is no. We disabled students are left standing, only at the mercy of students who will see reason to assist in good fate. This not only hampers our ability to concentrate and learn but also sends a message that our needs, well-being and providing for us a conducive learning environment are not a priority for the UL Administration, or they reneged on their responsibilities because we have not spoken out,” the head of the association of students living with disabilities at the state-owned university state.
Mr. Boye added that transportation is a serious impediment in the pursue of their quality higher education.
At the same time, he called on the University of Liberia Administration to implore mechanism that seeks to address the challenges they are currently facing to commute to and from campuses.
“We have heard conversation about part of the dormitory be provided to we students with disabilities in other to ease the burden of transportation. It is unfathomable why up to now that is not a reality. We also call on the UL administration to acquire assistive technology, collaborate with relevant stakeholders to procure assistive devices such as hearing aids, disabilities are hard of hearing and visual impairment. You must include and allocate resources in the University of Liberia’s budget to support accessibility efforts through rehabilitating key infrastructure to address the needs of students with disabilities and ensure that new infrastructures are built with disabilities features at the University,”, UL disabled students’ president indicated.
According to him, the University of Liberia administration should implement online classes as an alternative mode of instruction for students with mobility impairments in which they will have the opportunity to engage in their studies without the added burden of physical barriers.
“Invest in robust support services, including counseling, academic advising, and career guidance, tailored to the unique needs of students with disabilities to promote their holistic wellbeing and success. Promote employment opportunities by working with local employers and businesses to create internship and job opportunities that are accessible and inclusive for students with disabilities, empowering them to thrive beyond graduation. Assess and improve the physical accessibility of Campus building, pathways, transportation, and recreational facilities to ensure students with disabilities can navigate campuses safely and independently,” Mr. Boye cautioned UL administration.
However, he cautioned the President of the University of Liberia Dr. Nelson to swiftly intervene and address these concerns with urgency and commitment to have a peaceful dialogue them and find a resolution point and listen to their germane concerns and work together to find a practical solution.
Accepting the petition on behalf of the University of Liberia, Dean Sekou Konneh said disabled students’ concerns are serious and no one can’t deny; it is their educational rights to have access to issues raised by them; he also assured them that their concerns will be at the front of discussion with relevant stakeholders at the University of Liberia.
“We want to assure you that your position will be in the front of the agenda of discussion tomorrow. I think I proof that there was a meeting planned already to meet with you tomorrow and the University of Liberia President and other stakeholders. We want to assure you, we apologized for whatsoever pain you are going through. You don’t deserve it, and no human being deserve it to be treated differently from others. ou have the ability to articulate what you want to articulate; your issue is one of the many issues the University is confronted with,”,Dean Konneh asserted.