Disability Unit

Disability Unit arrangements during the national lockdown due to COVID-19 

Dear Students
 

We have made special arrangements to continue our services during the national lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The UP-Disability Unit is currently functioning virtually until further notice, meaning that no staff are present on campuses. All sessions, however, will continue to be offered mainly virtually or telephonically. Many of you will already be familiar with the Disability Unit’s online process for consultations  which can be accessed at Disability Unit Walk-In/Consult Form

2020 November Examinations for Students with Disabilities

As per University regulations, the 2020 first semester examinations will be facilitated as from Friday, 13 November. While some Faculties will be facilitating examinations online, others have communicated that final year students for selected courses will be required to write examinations on campus. Students are reminded to check which of these arrangements will be followed by their respective faculties and programs by consulting the official communications via email and ClickUp.

Whilst the Disability Unit has informed all faculties of approved concession applications for 2020, students are required to email a copy of their 2020 concession letter to their respective lecturers and course coordinators for each module. To receive a copy of your 2020 concession letter kindly complete the following link: Disability Unit Walk-In/Consult Form or contact us at [email protected] as early as possible.

 

Disability Specific Support:

• Students with Disabilities who receive additional time only : You are required to timeously email a copy of your 2020 concession letter to your respective lecturers and course coordinators for each module. Thereafter, the academic department concerned will ensure that additional time is included for the online examination. Failure to do so timeously results in you forfeiting support.
• Students who will have to complete examinations on campus and who make use of human support or assistive technology at the Disability Unit are reminded to complete the test and examinations booking form by 12 November or as soon as you have confirmed information from your lecturers. If you have any questions or need us to resend the link to complete the form please contact us at [email protected] as early as possible.
• Please note that only students with disabilities who make use of assistive technology or human support will be permitted to complete any examinations at the Disability Unit. Any exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require proper motivation and supporting documents.
• Students with comorbidities must contact their Faculty for permission to write remotely.

 

We wish you all success with your upcoming examinations, please do not hesitate to use the contact information above  if you need any assistance.

 

FAQs related to Disability Support during the lockdown:

 

 

1. I would like to apply for  extra-time for the upcoming tests what do I do?

The application process for concession support is online. Students with disabilities are able to submit applications for additional time amongst other support requirements, via the Online Disability Unit Registration Form. You can complete the Disability Unit Registration Form by clicking  Online Disability Unit Registration Form. The form requests detailed information about your support requirements. To this form, you can upload your supporting documentation from your health professionals and proof of concession support. It is therefore recommended that you only complete this form once you have electronic copies of : reports from your health professional. (e.g. psychologist). a letter confirming concession support at previous institutions (if available), history of remedial/learning support whilst at school (if available). It must be noted that first time applications take a minimum of four weeks to be processed.

 

2. I have been approved for extra time for 2020. What should I do next?

All student are required to email a copy of their 2020 concession letter to each lecturer and course coordinator.

 

 3. I was approved for extra time last year (or before last year). Is my approval still valid for 2020?

All students are required to renew their concession letters for the 2020 academic year. Please  email [email protected] to renew your 2020 concession letter.

 

4. Is there someone at the DU who works directly with my faculty if I or my lecturers need any help or information regarding my concessions?

Mr Nicholas Nthite ([email protected]) (EMS, EBIT, Health Sciences, Vet Sciences)

Mr Juan Erwee ([email protected]) (Humanities, Law, Education and NAS)

 

5. I have been granted extra time. Will this apply to my online tests?

Whilst, the Disability Unit has informed all faculties of approved concession applications for 2020, students are encouraged to email a copy of their concession letter to their respective lecturers and course coordinators for each module.

 

6. I use to write my tests and exams at the Disability Unit, what happens now?

As per University regulations, the 2020 first semester examinations will be facilitated online for all students with disabilities, by the respective academic departments. Students who previously completed their examinations at the Disability Unit, will now do so online.  Assistive technology will be used in place of human support. Whilst, the Disability Unit has informed all faculties of approved concession applications for 2020, students are encouraged to email a copy of their 2020 concession letter to their respective lecturers and course coordinators for each module. To receive a copy of your 2020 concession concession letter kindly complete the following link: Disability Unit Walk-In/Consult Form.

 

7. I am experiencing problems with the online learning system because of the assistive software I use. Who can assist me?

Mr Nicholas Nthite ([email protected]) (EMS, EBIT, Health Sciences, Vet Sciences)

Mr Juan Erwee ([email protected]) (Humanities, Law, Education and NAS)

 

Students with disabilities who might be unsure of support, do send enquiries as follows:

• For queries related to test and exam concessions, email: [email protected]
• For queries related to text conversion/accessible texts related to your assessments, teaching and learning material : [email protected]
• For test and exam concession applications : [email protected]
• For queries related Assistive Technology Support, email : [email protected] or [email protected]
• Any other disability-related queries can be addressed to [email protected] or to the individual Disability Unit practitioner that you were interacting with prior to the COVID-19 period.
• Important information regarding COVID-19 can be found on the UP Website in the COVID-19 newsfeed section. See  https://www.up.ac.za/coronavirus-updates
• Also note that the official South African COVID-19 website has been made 100% free and no data or airtime is required to access it. Please go to https://coronavirus.datafree.co for updates - this is the official website and the latest, correct  news is displayed here. Please don't follow information from uninformed sources or individuals. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Take care and reach out.

The Disability Unit

 

UP  recognises  the rights of all its students and takes special pride in making education accessible to students with disabilities. In order to do this, we try to have a culture of human rights which enables students with disabilities to  equally  access and participate in our dynamic learning and teaching environment. The Disability Unit works closely with departments and faculties to make the academic journey more equitable to navigate for students with disabilities.

 

Welcome to the University of Pretoria’s Disability Unit. The University of Pretoria has an institutional commitment to ensure an integrated and inclusive learning experience for students with disabilities. Accordingly, the Disability Unit aims to create an enabling environment by providing support to students with disabilities.We encourage you to register with the Disability Unit and visit our webpage regularly to keep abreast of any updates. 

The Disability Unit operates within the Department of Student Affairs and supports students with disabilities in partnership with departments and faculties. The Disability Unit endeavours to establish a human rights culture at UP that allows for equal access and participation of students with disabilities in the UP learning environment. The Disability Unit facilitates academic accommodations in partnership with the university departments and faculty. 

Walk-In- Sessions/Consultations:

Disability Unit staff run walk-in sessions to support you with queries daily between 8.00 and 12.30 at the Old Chemistry Building, Room 1-4. The Disability Unit administrator will assist you with completing the walk-in form prior to each consultation. 

Sessions are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are suitable for a range of queries including:

• Should I register with the Disability Unit?
• What support is available?
• How do I book tests and exams at the Disability Unit?
• In-depth queries such as a change in support needs or a review of concessions? 

In efforts to create an integrated and inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities, the Disability Unit offers the following services:

• Assistive technological services: screenings, trainings and support to students with disabilities regarding a variety of assistive computer technologies and software applications available at the DU’s computer lab. Training sessions are available by request.
• Adapted text arrangements: Conversion of study material into accessible formats.
• Facilitation of test and examination accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Academic Accommodations/Concession applications (relevant supporting medical report required and registration with DU).
• Orientation and mobility training.
• Academic support for students with learning disabilities.
• Referrals for recommended textbooks in electronic format.
• Accessible study venues and a computer lab.