Improving access for people with disabilities at Flinders

Ms Romana Challans on campus

With the celebration today of the International Day of People with Disability, Flinders University is continuing to work to make its steeply sloping site more accessible.

The International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to promote an understanding of people with disability and encourage support for their dignity, rights and well-being.

Disability Adviser Ms Paula Williams said the University’s Disability Committee has a budget each year for specific projects to improve access.

Following a major project to build a ramp at Health Sciences to make wheelchair access possible between Sturt and the Central campus, Ms Williams said other improvements such as external automatic sliding doors and handrails are being added to buildings and stairways around the campus as part of the Disability Action Plan.

Ms Romana Challans, an associate lecturer in the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics who uses an electric wheelchair because of mobility impairment, said that she loves working at Flinders since she finds her disability makes no difference to the way she is treated as an employee.

“However, when I do need assistance, people are responsive and respectful,” Ms Challans said.

As well as making provision for physical access, Flinders offers a range of services and specialised aids to assist students in retrieving and using material for study. The University’s  Disability Advisers, who provide free, confidential advice and advocacy for students with disabilities are located within Health, Counselling and Disability Services and also in the Faculties.

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