By Esther Olaifa
Doctorate Researcher at the University of Sussex, UK and a member of the Nigeria Association of the Blind (NAB) Lagos State Chapter, Michael Fadeyi has said assistive devices like laptops, is not a luxury for visually impaired persons, but a tool to enable them to have access to quality and inclusive education.
Fadeyi made this claim during the distribution of laptops and payment of second-year tuition fees to 7 female Blind undergraduate students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), organized by BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) and NAB Lagos.
The beneficiaries are 5 UNILAG students, 1 UNIBEN student and 1 UNILORIN student.
Fadeyi who facilitated the project with support from Marlon and Anna Oliver, a couple in the Thames Valley Church of Christ in the UK, noted that it would have been impossible for him to pursue his doctorate if he never had access to a laptop.
Fadeyi urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the laptops with screen readers, stressing that “the society will always ask more of us than the non-disabled even when it has not enabled us to thrive.
“In essence, we are seen as the problem rather than the society. This is even more compelling for you as women. In a society where women are believed to be inferior to men, women with disabilities are relegated to the runt of the litter. It is my hope that you will use your educational pursuit to change the narration for yourselves and those coming behind.”
While attesting to UNILAG’s reputation for providing reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities, Fadeyi called for the setting up of a standard policy on diversity and inclusion within the university.
He said “the implication of not having this policy is numerous and having a policy in place will do everyone a lot of good.”
While delivering her goodwill message, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics & Research, Professor Bola Oboh, appreciated the organisers on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, and then congratulated the recipients most especially the 5 students of University of Lagos.
Professor Oboh charged the recipients to stay committed in their education and be good ambassadors of the institution.
Also, Chairman, NAB Lagos, Barr Lukman Bolarinwa, demanded for disability-inclusive department in the University of Lagos where some of the challenges faced by PWDs can be taken care of.
“We are categorically asking if there is a space for us to have a disability-inclusive department so that this can take care of some of these challenges and we will be able to interact with the system as we wish.”
“If that particular department exists, we can come as volunteers to render our advisory capacity and see what we can do to advise and encourage UNILAG to do more to serve our society,” he added.
While congratulating beneficiaries, the Executive Director of BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM), Blessing Oladunjoye said that “this is not just a mere gesture, it is meant to address the gaps that Blind students experience without assistive devices for their school work. We know that it is beyond accessing education, but being able to navigate the system effectively and efficiently.”
“I believe that these laptops would help you to excel in your academics and that you would make the best use of it. Stay committed to your study and be an example that other blind students can emulate.”
Oladunjoye, who noted that the tuition fee will be paid directly to the school, stressed the importance of institutionalizing the gesture, such that other organizations can provide similar support for other visually impaired students who are still in need.
“We hope that UNILAG will be able to institutionalize this initiative at some point so that it can become regular beyond what BOFIM and NAB are doing today,” she added.
The beneficiaries are; Ogunabyo Khadijat Doyinsola; Adeleye Mojisola Aderonke, Adesesan Adesewa Oyinda, Adetifa Oluwaseyi Adesola, Salaudeen Titilola Zamiat, Grace Mfon Joseph and Omoigue Abiodun Christiana.
