Orientation Booklet 2012 - University of Limpopo

Orientation Booklet 2012 • Page 23special word of welcome from theDisabled Student Unit (DSU) isAextended to students with disabilities.DSU is a support service established to enablethe University to cater for students withdisabilities. However, due to limitedresources not all disabilities are catered for.Transition from high school to a tertiaryinstitution is often very difficult for moststudents. As a result they may find the newenvironment of the University veryoverwhelming.One of the most difficult transitions you willbe making from high school to the Universityis that of becoming your own advocate. Thismeans you have the freedom to make yourown decisions, speak up for yourself and makethings happen.As a student with a disability, it meansidentifying yourself as a student with adisability and accepting your condition. Itmeans being aware of the impact of yourdisability on your ability to function and thenseeking out resources that would assist you inovercoming obstacles presented by yourdisability. Throughout your schooling years,teachers did everything in their power toassure success for their students. However,once a student graduates from high school toa tertiary institution, the focus changes fromsuccess to access.Access to students with disabilities meansgranting accommodations and academicmodifications so that they have equalopportunities to be successful like their ablebodiedcounterparts.DSU's mission is based on the philosophy ofempowering and developing students. Ittherefore provides students with disabilitiesservices that permit them as much as possibleto independently meet the demands of theuniversity life. It also aims at ensuringaccessibility to all programmes and facilitiesof the University as well as to all members ofthe University community.We however, rely on you as students withdisabilities to make your needs known to theDSU and to the lecturers. The lecturers willneed to know what your needs are and howyou need to be assisted. Be as frank as youcan about your disability. You know yourselfbetter than anyone else. So discuss thechallenges that you encounter and yourconcerns with the DSU and the lecturers.There are also other support services onCampus that may be of help to you.You will need to provide appropriatedocumentation from a medical practitioner insupport of your disability in order to beregistered with DSU and for the University tomake the necessary accommodations oracademic adjustments.The DSU will help you to develop your skills asa self-advocate by explaining procedures,rules and regulations, providing resources andservices and also to act on your behalf whenrequested, but the onus rests on you.Once again, a hearty welcome to UL and wehope your stay at this University will be apleasant and memorable one!!!