Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support - UFS

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Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support - UFS

CUADS aims to develop and implement co-curricular programmes, activities, and services that provide

03/09/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺

As part of 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, the Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies invites staff to a practical session on 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.

The session will explore simple strategies for creating a more inclusive and supportive classroom environment.

📅 𝟮𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
⏰ 𝟭𝟯:𝟬𝟬–𝟭𝟰:𝟬𝟬
💻 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗼𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀
📧 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣: [email protected]

Everyone interested in learning more about supporting Deaf students is welcome to join.

01/09/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵! 💙

This month, we celebrate Deaf people, Deaf culture, sign languages, and the many contributions of the Deaf community.

Deaf Awareness Month is also an 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻, 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱. Small actions can make a meaningful difference:

🤝 Face the person you’re speaking to
💬 Communicate clearly and respectfully
🎥 Use captions and accessible content
👋 Learn a few signs
💙 Ask people what communication support they prefer

Let’s move beyond awareness and take action to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, respected, and included—not only in September, but every day.

Hands speak loud!

𝑉𝑖𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
Several hands are shown using sign language to spell “Thank You” against a blue background.

01/09/2026

🎉 Did you know that September is Deaf Awareness Month? We are excited to kick off this important month with a special virtual event!

Join us tomorrow, 1 September 2026, as we dive into the fascinating world of South African Sign Language (SASL) and Deaf culture. You will hear from inspiring subject matter experts and gain valuable insights that will broaden your perspective.

Let us celebrate, learn and connect together! 🤟🏽

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/319035914057376?p=HZU26cWDhVv02iD2E6

Meeting ID: 319 035 914 057 376
Passcode: iq2ZC3Pw

28/08/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 🎓💙

The 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 (𝗜𝗦𝗥𝗖) elections have concluded, and we are proud to see students with disabilities represented in the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀.

Congratulations to:
🎓 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗲𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀: Junior Obechiefu
🎓 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀: Innocentia Radebe
🎓 𝗤𝘄𝗮𝗾𝘄𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀: Chipilika Duzeni

The inaugurations for the Bloemfontein and South Campuses took place on 27 August 2026, with the Qwaqwa Campus inauguration taking place on 28 August 2026.

We congratulate Junior, Innocentia and Chipilika on their appointments and wish them well as they take on their roles in representing students and advancing universal access and inclusion across their respective campuses. 💙

𝑉𝑖𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
Students are pictured during the 2026/2027 Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) inauguration ceremonies, including moments where newly elected representatives are formally sworn into office.

24/08/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Silent March is an annual awareness initiative aimed at 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀. The event brings together students, staff, government departments, community organisations and other stakeholders to raise awareness of Deaf culture and advocate for a more inclusive society.

This year’s march will take place on 16 September 2026, beginning at the 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗖𝗨𝗧) and concluding at the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗨𝗙𝗦). The route symbolises the shared commitment of both institutions to promoting accessibility and inclusion within higher education and the broader community.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 08:00–09:45
𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: 10:00
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: CUT Main Gate
𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁: UFS Kovsie Health Lawn
𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲: Blue attire in support of and celebration of Deaf Awareness Month.

We look forward to coming together to raise awareness, celebrate Deaf culture and continue advocating for a more inclusive society.

21/08/2026

On Friday, 21 August 2026, CUADS participated in the 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, hosted by the 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲.

We would like to extend our special thanks to the Access Office for inviting CUADS to showcase our services. We are grateful for the opportunity and for the 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀.

A special thank you to our Council Members and students who made themselves available and assisted throughout the event:

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻: Junior Obiechefu
𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 – 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Thandolwethu Thwala
𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 – 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Lesego Ramothibe
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀: Khumbulani Nyandeni and Sisipho Danisa

We appreciate everyone who contributed to making the event a success.

𝑉𝑖𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
CUADS representatives are pictured at an outdoor information stand, engaging with students and sharing information about CUADS services during the Bridge Activation for Menstrual Health.

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19/08/2026

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲! 💙

We are incredibly proud to celebrate 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗶-𝗔𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗵 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗽, who was crowned Mxss UFS 2026 at the third annual UFS Mx and Mxss Pageant held at the Qwaqwa Campus on 15 August.

As a person with a mobility impairment, Bibi’s achievement is a beautiful reminder that disability should never be a barrier to participation, achievement or belonging.

Congratulations, Bibi! We are so proud to see one of our own breaking barriers and inspiring others. 🌟

𝑉𝑖𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛:
Bibi-Aishah Essop, crowned Mxss UFS 2026, is seated in her wheelchair at the centre of the stage, surrounded by fellow pageant participants. She is wearing her crown and sash and holding flowers and a trophy.

18/08/2026

𝗢𝗻 𝟭𝟮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟯 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗗𝗦 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝟵 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀.

CUADS was represented by Thandolwethu Thwala, Cohort Leader for the Hearing Impairments Cohort; Katleho Talane, CUADS Intern; and Lesego Ramothibe, Cohort Leader for the Mobility and Mental Health Cohort.

We were also grateful for the additional support of Sisipho Danisa, a Deaf student from Thandolwethu’s cohort, who willingly joined us and assisted with the initiative.

Thank you to Ms Motshelanoka Sising, CUADS Officer, and everyone involved for helping create an engaging space where learners could explore their options and make informed choices about their future.

𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯:
CUADS staff, student leaders and students are pictured participating in the Grade 9 Subject Choice Initiative. The photographs show CUADS representatives attending the event, posing together, and engaging with learners from different schools while providing information and guidance on subject choices and future opportunities.

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13/08/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆! ✋

An accessible environment or learning space should also recognise and include left-handed individuals. Inclusion means creating spaces where everyone can learn, participate and thrive—regardless of which hand they use.

Today, we celebrate the brilliant minds who are left-handed and the unique perspectives they bring.

Different, not less. Left-handed and proud! 💚

𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯:
A close-up, black-and-white photograph of a left-handed person writing with a pen in an open spiral-bound notebook.

Address

Centre For Universal Access And Disability Support, SASOL Library, University Of The Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive
Bloemfontein
9999

Website

https://www.ufs.ac.za/supportservices/departments/student-affairs-home/bloemfontein-campus/center-for-universal-access-a

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