At the University of Pretoria (UP), the Access, Disability and Inclusion Services (ADIS) division continues to champion student success by meeting real and urgent needs, one pair of spectacles at a time. Through funds raised by the annual Casual Day initiative, ADIS has been able to provide five students with prescription spectacles and support additional mobility needs by purchasing canes for students with visual impairments. 

From 1 August 2025, UP will once again participate in Casual Day, South Africa’s leading fundraising and awareness campaign for persons with disabilities. ADIS invites students and staff to support the initiative by purchasing Casual Day stickers and Casual Day merchandise, with a portion of the proceeds going directly towards support services for UP students with disabilities. 

For Mbali, struggling to see the board or slides during lectures was becoming more than just a nuisance; it was affecting her confidence and ability to stay engaged. 

“Reading from a distance, following discussions, or just walking around campus was getting harder and harder,” she says. “But spectacles were something I couldn’t access at the time.” 

That changed when ADIS offered her support.  

“They didn’t just listen, they took action. They referred me to Spec-Savers and covered the full cost of my glasses. It wasn’t just about clearer vision, it was about knowing someone cared.” Now, Mbali says she participates fully in class and navigates campus with ease. 

“It’s a small change that’s made a massive difference. I’m so grateful.” 

For Ndikhwine, the challenges of keeping up visually in lectures were a growing concern. 

“I often couldn’t see the projector clearly, and I’d fall behind,” she says. “It made lectures frustrating and discouraging.” Once connected to ADIS, she received assistance with an eye test and spectacles. 

“Since then, everything has changed. I can follow along, take part, and actually enjoy learning again.” 

Mancha shared a similar experience. She had been using glasses that no longer met her needs, and the effects were starting to show. 

“I had constant eye strain, headaches, and struggled to concentrate during class or while reading,” she explains. 

Through ADIS, she received a new pair of prescription spectacles that brought both relief and renewed focus. 

“Now I can sit through lectures without discomfort. My learning feels more manageable and less exhausting.” 

This Year, Be Part of the Change. The sale of Casual Day stickers and T-shirts at UP resumes on 1 August 2025. Every item sold contributes directly to improving the student experience for persons with disabilities, whether through spectacles, canes, or other essential resources. 

Casual Day, launched in 1994 by the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), is South Africa’s most well-known awareness and fundraising initiative for disability inclusion. Each year, South Africans are encouraged to dress up or down in line with the theme and wear the official sticker to show their support. 

At UP, this campaign is more than a symbol; it’s a way for the community to show solidarity, take action, and directly improve someone’s learning experience.