Restructuring Infrastructure at a Historically Disadvantaged University to Accommodate the Needs of the Visually Impaired Students

Abstract

Disability affects people in many different ways such as physical, sensory, cognitive and many more. The different perception of disability impact and influence the way it should be addressed, particularly with regard to what they do need and what they do not need in order for them to function to their fullest level in any endeavour. Visually impaired people are usually perceived as vulnerable people who are permanently dependant on others, and are unable to make appropriate choices. Hence they are seen as unable to participate as worthy citizen in the scheme of things in the society at large. This group of disabled people often suffer from prejudice, social isolation and discrimination. Against this backdrop, this paper accentuates that being visually impaired does not mean that the person is disabled to the point of not being able to care and fend for self. Towards this end, the paper vehemently argues that the environment and the infrastructure where they live and function just need to be structured to become user friendly in order to accommodate them. With the necessary infrastructure and conducive environment in place, the visually impaired would also function perfectly like their able counterparts whether at home, work and more importantly at schools including tertiary institutions. Pursuant to this, restructuring becomes important to accommodate and serve visually impaired students at historically black University where, by virtue of history, they have been denied, deprived and disadvantaged in all aspects of post-secondary school education in South Africa.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p3091