The Disability Rights Unit (DRU) at Wits is a support unit within the Registrar’s Division committed to working toward the goal of creating an equal, accessible and welcoming environment for all students and staff with disabilities.
We endeavour to make the learning and working experience a rewarding and enriching one and pledge to create awareness of the issues and abilities of people with disabilities amongst the Wits community.
The Disability Rights Unit is able to assist students with the following disabilities:
In order to access the DRU's world-class services and support, students with disabilities must first register with the unit.
For any DRU registration problems or enquiries, please contact Mr Andrew Sam at: andrew.sam@wits.ac.za.
Applications for extra time and other concessions for tests and exams are facilitated through the Disability Rights Unit (DRU), the Campus Health and Wellness Centre (CHWC), and the various Faculties, where only students with documented disabilities are eligible to apply.
All first-time applicants must comply with the University's policies and procedures on extra time and concessions and be assessed by the University's extra time and concessions team, regardless of any previously granted extra time. Extra time and concessions can only be approved by the Faculty, after which a Faculty letter indicating any approved extra time and concessions will be sent to the student.
Returning Wits students with previously faculty-approved extra time and concessions indicating "rest of university career" must register with DRU every year to acquire a renewal extra time and concessions letter for the current year of study (proof of the original faculty approval letter is required).
Full-time students are supported by the DRU and can apply for extra time and concessions using the indicated process below.
WITS Plus (PTY) (short course) students are accommodated by WITS Plus (PTY) and should please contact their course coordinator for disability support.
Part-time students are accommodated by the Faculty internally and should contact their course coordinator for disability support.
To ensure that all students receive their faculty-approved extra time and other concessions before each exam session begins, the closing dates for applications are indicated below, unless in the case of unforeseen temporary or permanent disabilities:
Semester 1 (June examination session): 30 April
Semester 2 (November examination session): 30 August
Please Note: Extra time and concession applications can take a minimum of 5 to 10 working days for Faculty approval.
Full-time registered students requiring extra time and concessions must follow one of the procedures below. For any queries regarding extra time and concessions, please contact Dr Leila Abdool Gafoor at: leila.abdoolgafoor@wits.ac.za.
|
FACULTY |
CONTACT PERSON |
|
Science |
Valerie John |
|
E&BE |
Alan Clark |
|
Humanities |
Thabisile Nkambule |
|
Health Science |
Henda van der Walt |
|
CLM |
Marike Bosman |
The staff of the Disability Rights Unit will gladly assist lecturers by providing information on specific disabilities and the needs of students who have them.
Lecturers Guide to Assisting Student's with Disabilities
The Disability Rights Unit has also compiled the Guide to Teaching Students with Disabilities to provide helpful tips on teaching students with disabilities.
As one of the leading disability support units at tertiary institutions in South Africa, the Wits Disability Rights Unit is often contacted by various stakeholders who have a keen interest in providing bursaries and other funding opportunities to students with disabilities
To increase the reach of these opportunities they are regularly posted on our Facebook and Instagram social media pages:
Facebook: Wits DRU Facebook Page
Please note that these opportunities are for Wits students with disabilities only, and all applicants will need to provide valid proof of disability and proof of Wits registration for the current year.
Over the years the Disability Rights Unit has been wonderfully supported by many outside organisations.
We strive to provide an outstanding support service to all students with disabilities, and with the added support of our donors, we continually look to new emerging and innovative technologies and programs to further enrich and strengthen students studying at Wits.
If you would like to contribute to the Disability Rights Unit, please contact Dr Leila Abdool Gafoor on: 27(0)11 717 9151 or leila.abdoolgafoor@wits.ac.za.
DRU undertakes assessments to determine if the student has a disability hindering educational access.
Depending on the disability, students may require programme modifications referred to as ‘reasonable accommodations. These could include one or more of the following:
DRU has specialist computer centres at various locations around campus, all of which are accessible and equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
Our computer centres are open to all students with disabilities who use assistive technology including:
DRU boasts a fully accessible Test & Training Centre which serves as:
DRU runs an orientation programme early in the year for newly registered students with disabilities.
Students with visual and physical impairments, in particular, are advised to attend this programme as it will assist them with:
DRU works tirelessly to make all campuses fully accessible for all students.
Although not all buildings may be fully accessible (due to certain restrictions such as heritage status, etc.) the DRU is instrumental in organising structural or organisational adjustments to enable students with disabilities to attend their classes or, if required, find alternative ways of making the curriculum accessible.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the University at an early stage in their application in order to assess the suitability and accessibility of departments, lecture venues and living accommodations, and to identify the level of support and facilities available. If a student's requirements are known well in advance, the University will try its best to make the necessary adaptations for the student.
DRU’s Academic and Facilities Access Coordinator will assist staff with disabilities with requests for reasonable accommodations.
All requests are subject to a review in order to determine the nature and extent of the request, the financial implications of the request, as well as the availability of existing resources.
A final decision will be made after consultations with key stakeholders and in accordance with the relevant Wits policies and guidelines.
Please refer to the Documents section above for the University's policy for staff with disabilities, as well as for the DRU Disclosure of Disabilities / Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form.
For more information please contact Subhashini Ellan, Email: subhashini.ellan@wits.ac.za / Tel: 011 717 9161
Your privacy is important to us. All information provided regarding your disability will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will only be shared with individuals directly involved in assessing concessions, reasonable accommodations or providing support services. Disclosure of your disability is voluntary and will not affect your eligibility for services or reasonable accommodations. We respect your right to privacy and will take all necessary precautions to protect your personal information.
By registering with the Disability Rights Unit, you acknowledge that you understand and consent to the use and disclosure of your disability-related information as described above.