University of Bamenda (UBa) poised to Promote Universal Designs
The Socio-Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SEEPD) program of the CBC Health Services has organized a 3-day workshop for staff of the Directorate of Development Physical Plant and Infrastructure (DPPI) of the University of Bamenda. The workshop, which took place from the early this year at the Baptist Center Nkwen Bamenda aimed at building capacities of the participants on the concept of disability and inclusive development and to translate the principle of universal designs into practical plans in terms of development, physical plant and infrastructure within the University community.
Speaking at the start of the workshop, the Deputy Director of Administration and Finance (DDAF) of the CBC Health Services, Mr. Warri Denis described the partnership between the CBC Health Services and the University of Bamenda over the years as fruitful. He drew the attention of the participants to the fact that as staff of the Directorate of Development Physical Plant and Infrastructure in UBa, an inclusive future of the University in terms of infrastructure is in their hands. The workshop intended to capacitate them with skills to make life more accommodative for persons with disabilities through accessible structures.
Mr. Awa Jacques Chirac, SEEPD Program Manager recalled that the workshop was organized within the partnership signed between the SEEPD Program and the University of Bamenda, which seeks to promote inclusive practices in UBa. In this regard, Mr. Awa pointed out that several interventions have been carried out to demonstrate good practices and building of capacity of staff on universal design is just one step in the right direction to achieving the objectives of the partnership.
Given that the University of Bamenda has some infrastructures which cannot be accessed by some persons with disabilities, it limits the full participation and even excludes some learners from accessing some lecture halls/ and administrative offices as well as other service delivery points in the University.
In an interview with one of the facilitators who is also the Supervisor for Technical Services Department of the CBC Health Services, Mr. Chambah Abraham noted that with the challenges learners with disabilities face, there is a need to consider an accessibility standard for UBa that will make designs, structures, and the environment to adapt to the needs of all students and teachers. After using his experience to drill the participants on Universal Designs, he expects them to formulate an operational framework for their accessibility concerns with a focal person assigned to influence accessibility in new structures.
Responding to the concerns of inaccessible structures, the Director of Directorate of Development Physical Plant and Infrastructure of the University of Bamenda, Prof. Forgwe, himself a participant at the workshop, explained that UBa infrastructures were inherited from CCAST Bambili, built in the 60s with no consideration for persons with disabilities. The partnership with SEEPD Program, he noted, is helping the University to emerge from inaccessible structures to meet with expected norms and universal standards. In his closing remarks, Prof. Forgwe said with the knowledge gained during the workshop, he will use his authority as the Director to ensure that they start implementation immediately within the technical service. He tasked the participants to get to work as they return. He commended CBC Health Services’ efforts in ensuring inclusion at all levels in the University of Bamenda.
The workshop was attended by eight staff of the Directorate, who acknowledged there is still a lot of work to be done at their level to achieve the universal design but it is a step at a time. They appreciated the CBC Health Services for building their capacities on the aspects that will enable them adapt UBa structures to accommodate persons with disabilities.
The SEEPD Program acknowledges the support of the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) in sponsoring the workshop.