Unisa @ 150: ARCSWiD champions SA’s newest official language

Unisa staff members from the  Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) recently presented Sign Language training to Unisa staff members in the Industrial Psychology Department.

Established in 2003, ARCSWiD’s main mandate is to provide support services to students living with disabilities, including sign language training and interpretation services.

The training session took place on 26 July 2023. It was conducted by Sophy Mabaso, the Sign Language Interpreter from  ARCSWiD, who shared the importance of the 12^th official language in South Africa and the skills involved in signing.

Pictured above is Sophy Mabaso (centre, red jacket), the ARCSWiD Sign Language Interpreter, with some of the staff members who attended the training

Subsequently, Vukati Ndlovu, Student Administration Advisor, and Pintias Nkuna, Academic Support Officer, visited the Tshwane Rehabilitation Centre on 1 August 2023 to recruit prospective students with disabilities as part of ARCSWiD’s recruitment drive.

The Tshwane Rehabilitation Centre assists persons with spinal cord injuries. This is an institution where Nkuna was admitted  24 years ago after he was shot and robbed in an accident which left him with a permanent disability (paraplegia).

Sharing his story to motivate the prospective students with disabilities, Nkuna used his personal experience as a person who acquired a disability and overcame barriers associated with it.

Pictured above are (standing, far right) Vukati Ndlovu (Student Administration Advisor) and (seated, fourth from left) Pintias Nkuna (Academic Support Officer) with Tshwane Rehabilitation Centre staff and the prospective students

His motivational narrative covered accessibility and the stigma associated with disabilities. He encouraged people who are new to the world of disability not to give up in the midst of challenges. Moreover, Nkuna advised attendees to prepare for the outside world after being discharged and to take advantage of the study opportunities available at Unisa.

In his presentation, Nkuna discussed the many inconveniences facing persons with dissabilities such as inaccessible buildings and transportation. The attendees were inspired by Nkuna’s story that testifies that there is life after a disability. He also cautioned them about the challenges that they may experience in the outside world, including stigma.

At the end of the engagement, the prospective students  expressed interest in enrolling with Unisa after learning about the services Unisa provides to students living with disabilties.

Staff members who are interested in learning Sign Language should contact ARCSWiD on ARCSWiD@unisa.ac.za.

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*Submitted by Pintias Nkuna, Academic Support Officer, ARCSWiD