NUL ENHANCES LIBRARY ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

December 8, 2009; Office of Communications and Marketing

The National University of Lesotho believes that everyone has the right of access to library services and materials to meet their needs for information, inspiration, education and recreation. On 7 May 2009, the university Library launched a project that focuses on enhancing access to NUL library services for clients with disabilities at the audio-visual room. The launch was attended by guests from representatives of other libraries in the country, people with various disabilities as well as some government officials from the Ministry of Education. The Minister of Labour, Mr. Refiloe Masemene, who is visually impaired, also graced the event with his presence.

Over the years the National University of Lesotho has been admitting students with disabilities to its programmes without providing them with appropriate facilities. Obviously, this situation was seriously hampering the academic progress of these students as they were unable to access some library services. However, with the completion of the library extension in 2006 new attempts were put in place to meet them halfway. For example, ramps were erected to facilitate movement by clients with physical disabilities. Visually impaired clients on the other hand were provided with Braille by one staff from the Faculty of Education, but as the number of these clients increased the demand for more resources became apparent. This was a challenge to the university as a whole and the library in particular. Hence the library initiated this project.

In his welcome remarks, the acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Molapi Sebatane indicated that University as a whole still has a long way to go in the provision of facilities for its community members with disabilities. “For example, there are still a number of buildings, particularly old buildings, which are not yet wheelchair accessible. The main drawback is funding. However, the University has established a small computer lab for the visually challenged students”, he said.

The LANFORD representative, Mrs. Mapitso Mosito expressed her appreciation towards this remarkable development by the Library and further highlighted the need to continue working hard to ensure that issues of access for people with disability are fully addressed. Also, Mosito said “ LANFORD is ready and willing to work with NUL to ensure that the progress of this project is monitored and evaluated from time to time so as to inform the next planning session on issues similar to this. Mosito further impressed upon the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities are involved throughout the implementation of the project and to ensure that the project also engages people who are trained in this field.

One of the people with disabilities who attended the launch, Mrs. Cecilia Sehlabaka cautioned against use of discriminatory language when referring to people with disability. She indicated that use of certain words can be demeaning to people with disabilities and wished NUL well in this endeavor. “We want to get to a time when we can have a generation which does not see disability”, she said.

The launch of this project revealed that NUL is still far from complying with the international standards of ensuring access to facilities for people living with disabilities. The University Librarian, Dr. Matseliso Moshoeshoe-Chadzingwa gave a presentation on the progress made by NUL to address such. Key to her presentation was the highlight that NUL is committed to human rights principles enshrined in the country’s constitution which discourages discrimination towards all persons including people with disabilities and the Commonwealth principles of inclusive education. Further, Dr. Chadzingwa said “NUL is not yet complying with the standards of Commonwealth but it is our moral duty to ensure access to library services for people with disabilities”.

The keynote speaker of the day was the Honourable Minister of Labour, Mr. Refiloe Masemene who has been visually impaired since the age of 11. In his address, Mr. Masemene indicated that it is very important for people adapt to the changing environment for the people with disability by being particularly sensitive in their use of language. He said, “Old language uses negative terminology and is not acceptable. Disability is not inability. We have been pre-pioneers when there was no support. Everything that is good for people with disability will be good for you”. The honourable minister further appealed to NUL to keep up the good work and ensure that it adapts to the changing environment by introducing disability studies.

The Minister then cut the ribbon to officially launch the project and the facilities availed for people with disabilities. The event was also blessed by a wheelchair donation from the Maloti Rotary Club to one of the Roma community member.