LAUTECH pledges wider access, stronger support for students with disabilities

He added that the university’s approach to inclusion would not be limited to admission but would also cover the physical environment in which students and staff operate.

According to him, the Vice-Chancellor had directed that ramps be included in ongoing renovation and improvement works on toilet facilities across the university to make the facilities easier to use by wheelchair users.

The development, he said, reflected the institution’s broader commitment to ensuring that people with different forms of disability could participate more fully in university life.

Ogunkunle further stated that LAUTECH’s inclusiveness agenda was intended to recognise the needs of people with various disabilities rather than concentrating solely on academic considerations.

Earlier, the association had called on the university to establish a more structured relationship with the organisation instead of relying only on general commitments.

The delegation said such collaboration could help expand educational opportunities for people with visual impairment within the South-West and other parts of the country.

The Zonal Coordinator of the association, Samuel Bello, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, and the Zonal Secretary, Kemi Odusanya, a journalist, said LAUTECH had an important role to play in advancing inclusive education and technology.

They proposed collaboration with the university on inclusive education, assistive technologies, digital innovation and admission opportunities for persons with visual impairment.

The association also urged LAUTECH to pay greater attention to the academic development and support needs of young people with visual impairment who are already studying in higher institutions.