There is room for improvement in the accessibility of Stellenbosch University’s (SU) buildings and facilities for students and staff with disabilities.
This is according to Dr Marcia Lyner-Cleophas, the head of SU’s disability unit, who spoke to MatieMedia via email correspondence.
The environment beyond the university is also not as accessible as it should be, she said.
There is room for improvement in the accessibility of the buildings and facilities at Stellenbosch University, said Dr Marcia Lyner-Cleophas, the head of SU’s disability unit. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
‘Limited access within the cinema’
One example of a space that is not fully accessible for people in wheelchairs is the Neelsie Cinema.
The cinema reopened its doors and started screenings on 3 June after its four-month renovation, according to Kaiser Aryee, chairperson of Pulp Film Society.
“There [is] very limited access within the cinema [for] students with disabilities who use wheelchairs,” said Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson.
“The cinema has never been accessible to wheelchairs,” said Kaiser Aryee, the head of Pulp Film Society, a student society at Stellenbosch University, about the Neelsie Cinema. “Neelsie management should definitely allocate funds to making the cinema wheelchair-friendly,” she added. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
Cosmetic renovations
The recent renovations were cosmetic and not structural, therefore no changes to the entrances and walkways were made, said Viljoen.
The theatres can be accessed via an external entrance next to Roman’s Pizza restaurant, he said. “This is not ideal and other options are being explored,” stated Viljoen.
Accessibility is a key concern in all new buildings on campus, said Viljoen, adding that, as far as possible, accessibility will be factored in when conducting renovations.
Making SU more accessible
“There is always room for improvement. [Improving accessibility] is a constant process on campus as inaccessible areas come to light,” said Lyner-Cleophas.
Being able to access reading material and physical spaces and participate without being excluded in any way is what accessibility means to Luigia Nicholas, an SU student and the marketing and training coordinator of the disability unit.
“Not all [of] the buildings and venues at SU are accessible, given the history and structure of the buildings,” said Nicholas. However, SU has taken steps to make more of the buildings accessible, she said.
Most SU residences are not fully equipped with lifts and ramps so students stay in selected buildings which are accessible for them, added Lyner-Cleophas.
Most Stellenbosch University residences are not fully equipped with lifts and ramps, so students stay in selected buildings which are accessible for them, said Dr Marcia Lyner-Cleophas, the head of the Stellenbosch University’s disability unit. PHOTO: Andrea de Lilly
Accessibility awareness
There is not enough education about accessibility, according to Lyner-Cleophas. “[People] are still surprised about inaccessible spaces and what [accessible] places should look like.”
The key to making amenities more accessible is to allow people with disabilities to share their experiences and advice on what accessibility means for them, said Nicholas.