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Ebonyi State University (EBSU) has taken a significant leap forward in inclusive education, introducing a specialized department catering to the needs of students with sensory impairments.
As revealed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, this dedicated program will provide a supportive learning environment, empowering blind and deaf students to overcome barriers and achieve academic success.
While accepting the distinction of national patron from the Nigeria Physically Challenged People’s Assembly (NPCPA) at St. Paul Catholic Church in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu lauded the organization’s tireless efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility. He pledged to continue advocating for the rights and welfare of individuals with physical challenges.
The vice chancellor explained that the innovative department aims to empower individuals with disabilities, providing them with equal opportunities to succeed. With a notable milestone, the university has recently welcomed a student with mobility impairment, who will be pursuing their academic dreams from the comfort of a wheelchair.
The vice chancellor disclosed that the institution has made a concerted effort to foster a culture of inclusivity, with two sign language interpreters on board, actively training others to facilitate seamless communication.
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Moreover, engineers have been instructed to implement modifications that will make the department easily accessible for students who rely on wheelchairs.
“JAMB can be written with Braille and EBSU is making arrangements for more Braille machines, this is why I am advising some of them with O’ Level results to strive for more education or think about how they can make it on their own before requesting for support from other people,” he said.
The VC also said that the people should not feel rejected as none on earth was immune to disability, promising to always support them.
President of NPCPA, Mr. Joseph Enyi, said that the union was formed to accommodate other disabled persons, who were not doing anything meaningful and appealed for the establishment of skill acquisition centres for their members.
“If my members can be trained in shoemaking, sewing, computer and other skills, the act of indolence will no longer be found among us.
“With the skills, in collaboration with empowerment, my people will be taken out of the streets and made to be useful to the society,” he said.
He praised the Vice Chancellor’s forward-thinking approach to inclusivity, acknowledging the significant strides made at EBSU in supporting individuals with disabilities.
Further expressing his gratitude, he commended the VC for his dedication to creating a more inclusive academic environment.
