Blind student blasts Unisa branch’s stance
VISUALLY impaired Unisa student Themba Mpetha has lodged a discrimination and racism complaint against staff at the institution’s Parow branch.
The LLB student, who is also a diabetic, has expressed deep frustration at how the university handled his situation, despite being earlier informed that the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) at Unisa would assist him to complete his degree.
Mpetha has blasted the Parow branch, saying that disabled people studying at that branch were being marginalised and not treated equally “based on our disabilities”.
In his complaint addressed to the institution’s vicechancellor, he alleges that a tutor hired to assist students did not make an effort to accommodate his blindness.
“One of the tutors went as far as asking me why I attended tutorials as it is the same that is on audio tape.
“I took offence to this as I attended classes to discuss what was being studied in order to find clarity,” Mpetha said.
Mpetha has asked the vice-chancellor that staff at the Parow branch be addressed about their alleged racism and their method of communication towards students, and that a greater effort be made to accommodate students with disabilities.
Mpetha said a meeting in response to his complaints was scheduled for last Thursday, but nobody showed up to discuss his grievances and nothing was communicated to him.
In order to find an amicable solution to the challenges he faces, Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela said Mpetha should visit the offices of its regional director if he was not satisfied with the type of assistance he was receiving from the centre.
“It is our mission and practice to ensure that Unisa facilities are friendly to students with disabilities and that, within available resources, we have enough centres countrywide dedicated to serving students with disabilities, driven and managed by our ARCSWiD division.”
Ramotshela said the institution was also aware of Mpetha, adding that their regional staff had gone “out of their way” to accommodate and assist
Mpetha said disabled people were being marginalised and not treated equally
Mpetha, to the extent that they were able to do so.
“This includes advice on possible interventions to assist him since he apparently cannot use Braille, as well as conversion of material into audio format,” he added.