IUCTT - A helping hand

Sunday July 29, 2007

By RICHARD LIM
educate@thestar.com.my

MANY disabled students find it difficult to make the transition from secondary school to university, says International University College of Technology Twintech (IUCTT) vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Ismail Mohd Salleh.

“Disabled students lack counsel about things like subject choices. Universities must adopt a more proactive approach to meet their needs.

"A resource centre that caters specifically to the disabled is a must" - DATUK DR ISMAIL MOHD SALLEH

“A resource centre that caters specifically to disabled students is a must,” says Dr Ismail, who is visually-impaired himself and also president of the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB).

There should be greater acceptance of their presence amongst the university community, he adds.

However, disabled students should also strive to mix with others so that they can be counted as “visible” members of society and contribute more towards nation building.

Dr Ismail concedes that the private sector is usually in a better position to cater to the needs of disabled students compared to public institutions, partly due to their smaller size and newer infrastructure.

IUCTT, for example, offers a diploma programme in sign language as well as courses for autism instructors. In September, the university college will also be offering a higher national diploma in information technology for visually-impaired students.

There are many examples of the private sector’s initiative in giving education opportunities to the disabled.

LimKokWing University of Creative Technology, for instance, sponsors hearing-impaired students while the University of Nottingham's new Semenyih campus is extremely disabled-friendly, says Dr Ismail.

Presently, MAB supports visually-impaired students by assigning transcribers for examinations and setting up an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre to impart technological skills. The association also provides scholarships and attachment training for deserving students.

“I hope that the performance of our disabled athletes at the Paralympics, coupled with greater government intervention on campus, will translate into a higher level of acceptance of disabled students,” says Dr Ismail.

Upbeat attitude

Many disabled students in private institutions count themselves lucky to be given the chance to pursue higher education.

One of them is University College Sedaya International (UCSI) first-year accounting and finance student from Nigeria, David Enogho ThankGod, who was afflicted with polio when he was six and has been on crutches ever since.

“It is a different life altogether,” says David, of his limited mobility.

“However, there are many ways that I can contribute to society despite my disability and I am determined to make an impact on my immediate community.”

David (left) feels that the UCSI campus is disabled-friendly.

A recipient of the River State Scholarship from his government as well as the UCSI Inspirational Award Scholarship, David hopes to contribute to the financial planning and stability of Nigeria in the near future.

Although he initially faced difficulty adapting to his new environment, David says that the UCSI campus is very disabled-friendly as there are several lifts.

UCSI also provides a shuttle service to various LRT and train stations.

After seven months in Malaysia, David is able to converse in basic Malay and urges fellow disabled students to keep their aspirations alive, regardless of the challenges they face.

“Do not see yourself as disabled or let obstacles hinder you from your goals,” stresses David.

More can be done

Brandon Yim Yong Kang, who aspires to be a website designer, is another disabled student who has an upbeat outlook on life.

An operation to remove a tumour in his spinal cord at the age of three affected Brandon's nerves and caused him to lose control of his legs.

The third-year student at Sunway University College (SyUC) is currently pursuing a degree in Multimedia Systems and moves around on his wheelchair with amazing ease.

“Moving around is not a problem, especially since there are so many ramps and lifts around the campus.”

Nevertheless, Brandon says, several improvements can be introduced to make the lives of disabled students easier. Bigger toilets, notices encouraging able-bodied students to be more considerate about giving way to the disabled in cases of emergencies as well as lift buttons that are positioned at a lower level are just some of the things that can be done.

“I find it difficult to manoeuvre my wheelchair in the narrow toilet cubicles. If only the cubicles were wider. Sliding doors would help too,” he adds.

SyUC has taken note of many of Brandon’s suggestions and promised more facilities for the disabled. According to Brandon, prejudice against the disabled is more prevalent outside the university than within campus.

“My needs were ignored when I went to catch a movie at a local shopping centre, ” he says.

“The steps in the cinema were too steep but the attendants had a ‘take it or leave it’ attitude. I ended up watching the movie at the side of the cinema hall, separated from my friends.”

Brandon will be graduating in April next year and says that for people with disabilities, determination is the key to overcoming obstacles.

“Do not let negative comments affect you; you must have confidence in yourself,” he says.

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