Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support - UFS

15/10/2026

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗲: 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 💙

Every year on 15 October, 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 recognises the importance of the white cane in supporting the independence and mobility of people who are blind or have low vision.

But did you know that a white cane does more than help someone navigate their surroundings?

It can help its user detect obstacles, identify changes in walking surfaces and move through unfamiliar environments. It can also signal to others that a person has a visual impairment.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲?
🔹 Keep walkways clear of obstacles, including bags, bins and other objects.
🔹 Never grab someone's cane or attempt to guide them without asking first.
🔹 If you want to offer assistance, ask whether they would like help and follow their instructions.
🔹 Be considerate at pedestrian crossings and give people enough space to navigate safely.

A white cane supports independent mobility, but the responsibility for accessibility belongs to all of us. Clear pathways, accessible infrastructure and considerate communities help make independent movement possible.

Accessibility starts with awareness — and continues through the choices we make every day. 💙

14/10/2026

“𝗦𝘁𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲.” 💙

These words from a UFS law student are a powerful reminder that stuttering does not define a person’s potential, abilities or future.

Students who stutter deserve to participate in class, share their ideas and pursue their goals without being held back by stigma or a lack of understanding.

Creating a more inclusive university means making space for different ways of communicating, listening without judgement and ensuring that students receive the support they need to thrive.

Thank you to the I Stutter Foundation for bringing attention to the experiences of students who stutter and the importance of awareness in higher education.

09/10/2026

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 💙

Independence means having the freedom to navigate the world, make choices and participate in everyday life on your own terms.

For people who are deaf-blind, accessible environments and appropriate mobility tools can make a meaningful difference in navigating spaces and participating more independently.

But accessibility goes beyond individual tools. It also means creating environments where people with different sensory needs can move, communicate and participate without unnecessary barriers.

Let’s continue building a society where accessibility is considered from the start, and everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Independence isn't just about getting from one place to another—it’s about having the freedom to live life on your own terms. 🌍✨

​For a deaf-blind person, navigating a world built primarily for sighted and hearing individuals can sometimes feel deeply isolating. Not experiencing the sights and sounds of the world the way others do brings unique challenges and quiet moments of loneliness.

​That is why tools like a specialized cane or a well-trained guide dog are so much more than practical aids. They are lifelines. They provide spatial awareness, confidence, and the invaluable gift of self-reliance.

​To step out independently, to cross a street, or to enter a room with assurance—these aren't just small tasks. They are a way of living. They allow our deaf-blind community to connect with the world around them, participate fully in civilization, and show everyone what true capability looks like. 💙

​Let’s continue to support, include, and champion accessibility for all!

​

08/10/2026

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄? 👁️
When we talk about 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, we’re not necessarily talking about complete loss of sight.

People can experience vision differently depending on the part or function of their visual system that is affected. For example, someone may experience:
🔹 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 — objects may appear unclear or out of focus.
🔹 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 — difficulty seeing what is directly in front of you, while some peripheral vision may remain.
🔹 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 — difficulty seeing objects to the sides, sometimes described as “tunnel vision”.
🔹 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 — difficulty seeing in low-light conditions.
🔹 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 — difficulty seeing fine details or objects clearly, either close up or at a distance.
🔹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 — difficulty distinguishing certain colours.

These experiences can vary significantly from person to person. Someone with visual impairment may have some usable vision, and the amount and type of vision they have can affect how they navigate their environment and perform everyday activities. National Eye Institute

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

This World Sight Day, let’s look beyond assumptions and recognise the different ways people experience the world around them. 💙

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: A World Sight Day graphic with colourful illustrations showing different experiences of visual impairment, including blurred vision, reduced peripheral vision, difficulty seeing in low light and reduced visual clarity.

07/10/2026

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗗𝗦 💙✨

If you missed it… 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗧. 👀

September was busy at CUADS — from awareness sessions and campus activations to Deaf Awareness, Casual Day, the Silent March and plenty of opportunities to connect, learn and advocate for greater inclusion.

So, here’s a little look back at some of what we got up to.

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
A video montage featuring photographs from CUADS activities and events throughout September, including staff, students and participants engaging in various campus activities and awareness initiatives.

24/09/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 💙🪘🇿🇦

Earlier this month, CUADS came together for our 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗵𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗺 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮, celebrating the 2026 theme, 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘴 𝘖𝘯𝘦 – 𝘙𝘩𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘮 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴.

With 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗯𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘂 at the heart of the day, it was a celebration of coming together, sharing our rhythm and recognising the part each of us plays in creating a more inclusive community.

Today, as we celebrate Heritage Day, those ideas feel just as meaningful. Our heritage is made up of different cultures, languages, traditions and lived experiences — all contributing to the South Africa we share.

Different rhythms. Different stories. One community.

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗗𝗦. 💙🇿🇦

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: A video montage of CUADS staff and participants taking part in the Casual Day Rhythm Extravaganza, with photographs capturing the celebrations, group moments and activities from the day.

23/09/2026

𝗖𝗨𝗔𝗗𝗦 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁

CUADS recently hosted a 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 with colleagues from the University Of Venda and University of KwaZulu-Natal, creating an opportunity to share practices, experiences and approaches to supporting students with disabilities in higher education.

The visiting team included 𝗠𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗼, Student Counsellor; 𝗠𝗿 𝗔𝘇𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮, Acting HOD; and 𝗠𝗿 𝗢𝘄𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗶, Adapted Technology Practitioner, from the University of Venda, as well as 𝗠𝗿 𝗠𝘅𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗶 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗲 and 𝗠𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗸𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗼𝗹𝗮, Reformatting Assistants from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

As part of the benchmarking visit, the group also met with the 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗼𝘃𝘀𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 to learn more about how UFS supports and assists athletes with disabilities. 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝘁𝘇𝗲𝗲, 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗼𝘃𝘀𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, was part of the engagement.

Benchmarking opportunities such as these allow institutions to 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣:
Photos from the two-day benchmarking visit show staff from CUADS, the University of Venda and the University of KwaZulu-Natal posing together and engaging during the visit. The photographs also include the Head of CUADS and ParaSport Manager at Kovsie Sport during the group’s engagement with the ParaSport Office.

22/09/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄 💙

Join us tomorrow for a practical session on:
𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺.

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

The session will focus on practical ways of communicating with Deaf students and working effectively with interpreters in the classroom.

𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣!

21/09/2026

15/09/2026

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 💙

On 𝟭𝟰 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, CUADS hosted a 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 in commemoration of and support for 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵.

The session was arranged by 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗯𝗲, newly elected South Campus SRC member for Universal Access, and created an opportunity to learn from lived experiences and perspectives on Deafness.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮, Head of CUADS, shared her personal experience as a 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗳 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 (𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗔) and how this shaped her passion for disability inclusion. 𝗠𝘂𝘇𝘂𝘃𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗸𝗵𝗶𝘇𝗲, a Deaf student and former South Campus SRC Universal Access representative, shared his lived experience as a Deaf person and as a student at UFS.

We appreciate everyone who took part in creating a space for greater awareness, understanding and inclusion. 💙

𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
Students are seated in a lecture hall during the Deaf Awareness Session. CUADS representatives Martie Miranda and Muzuvukile Mkhize are pictured engaging with attendees, with some photographs showing participants using a hand gesture representing “love” in sign language.