Septembr 2011


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Ease my troubles: Campus Unit helps students find their way

By Asha St. Bernard

“Persons with disabilities are agents of their own destiny and equal citizens of this nation. They have the same rights and responsibilities and should enjoy equal access to the services available to each citizen.” –Trinidad and Tobago Government’s National Policy on Persons with Disabilities (December 2005)

The Academic Advising/Disabilities Liaison Unit (AADLU) was established in November 2006 when Professor Gurmohan Kochhar was Deputy Principal, to ensure equal opportunity for all at The UWI. The Unit has had two recent changes: it is now headed by Jacqueline Huggins, and it is now called the Academic Support/Disability Liaison Unit (ASDLU).

The Unit however, does not only meet the needs of students with disabilities. It exists to lend support to any student who might need extra help. For instance, a student having difficulty with a particular course can register with the Unit, which will arrange for the student to get a tutor; or someone having trouble at home or adjusting to university life can get professional counselling.

The main purpose of ASDLU, according to Ms. Huggins is, “To ensure the success of every student.”

Two students who are currently registered with ASDLU were delighted to share their experience.

The first, a 24-year-old, Faculty of Social Sciences undergraduate student from St. Vincent, in her third year, pursuing Psychology with a minor in Criminology, had only positive words to describe ASDLU. She registered with the Unit in the second semester of her third year when she found out that she was dyslexic. ASDLU supplied her with a personal tutor to assist with studies.

In addition the Unit requests special examination conditions, which allow her more time, as well as access to a laptop.

The second, a male student, also 24, in his third year in the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, studies Computer Science. He registered with ASDLU when he first started UWI some years ago. He found out about the Unit from a friend who studied at The UWI and believes that it has helped him immensely with his journey on campus.

He is the first visually impaired student to pursue Computer Science and as a result, this caused several challenges. Through the Unit he is given a reader and a writer who have a background in computers for examinations, as well as much-needed extra time.

He was very proud to add that he and some friends, who also have disabilities, recently launched an online radio on May 1, 2011 – Blind Awareness Day. The site, www.ccvradio.com (Caribbean Culture Vibz Radio) acts to raise awareness of persons with disabilities, as well as to promote Caribbean culture. It first aired on Sunday 7 August, 2011 as it brought live coverage of the PAVI (Persons Associated with Visual Impairments) calypso competition. He said, “ASDLU has a lot of determination and willingness to assist students,” and he believes that the sky is the limit for ASDLU.

The ASDLU recognizes a variety of disabilities such as arthritis, attention deficit disorder (ADD), blindness, dyslexia, psychological disorders, just to name a few. Accommodations for these disabilities include readers/note-takers, counselling, Braille, and special exam arrangements. They train and sensitize staff members to better deal with students with disabilities as well others who are having difficulty with student life. ASDLU welcomes any student in need of assistance and is happy to have had 148 students registered for the academic year 2010/2011.