The General Manager of Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA), Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal has lauded the Management of the Lagos State University (LASU) for providing Disability Support Unit for students of the school with one form of disability or the other.
Oyetunde-Lawal gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by a team from the Lagos State University’s Disability Support Office, led by the Deputy Registrar,Afolami Arojojoye, emphasising the urgent need for institutions across the State to set up disability desks to ensure inclusion of Persons with Disabilities,
Stressing the need to create inclusive policies to ensure that people with disabilities are encouraged to explore the many possibilities of getting an education regardless of their disability type, the General Manager pointed out the importance of providing an enabling environment for them.
Oyetunde-Lawal highlighted the accessibility issues affecting high numbers of PWDs, saying that inclusion involves creating equal access and opportunities for all students regardless of their disabilities and that the interventions would ensure that students with disabilities can effectively acquire the same knowledge as other students.
She said, “I commend the Lagos State University for this initiative, it is a great development and the overall objective is to create an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive. It will encourage parents of children with disabilities to see the possibilities of getting their children educated thereby improving their lives”.
Furthermore, the General Manager added that a lot needs to be done to create awareness amongst other students as well as the lecturers to provide a well-equipped resource centre where students with disabilities can participate without hindrances thereby exploring their potential.
“You need a well-equipped resource centre for your students; Braille, Jus-enabled laptops for students with visual impairments, sign language instructors for those with hearing impairments, magnifying glasses for those with albinism, ramps, rails and other tools for the physically challenged”, she reiterated.
She said that the Agency remains committed to the advancement of the cause of Persons with Disability and will be willing to refer, support and partner with Lagos State University in this regard.
Earlier, Ms. Arojojoye, the leader of the visiting team, said the Lagos State University is looking to upgrade the Disability Support Unit of the Institution and needs the input and support of the Lagos State Office for Disability Office Affairs.
She said LASU has put in place a Disability Support Unit to cater for the needs of students with disabilities in the institution.
Present at the meeting were the Head, Legal Unit, LASODA, Barr. Babatunde Kazeem Safiu; Director, Admin & HR, LASODA, Omolade Sonubi; Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Orientation,Folusho Adeolu; Director, Medical Aids, Rehabilitation and Appliances, Eniola Olukanni-Abokhai and other officials and students with disabilities from the Lagos State University.
