Are we still left behind? Despite the research papers, the shabby ramps, and the occasional poster about inclusion, is the University of Cape Town accessible?
The inspiring SRC Disability Inclusion Coordinator of 2026, Kate Oliver Higgs, gives us the shocking current realities of accessibility for visibly disabled and invisibly disabled students in a private interview. She spoke of struggles she and others have faced as wheelchair-users: being excluded from tutorial activities because there was no wheelchair access to the front of the class, lecture venues not having enough space for more than one wheelchair user, lifts being broken for months on end rendering her unable to attend her classes and having to navigate convoluted accessible routes on campus.
To consider accessibility, we need to assess our view on what is needed to have the same chance of success as any other person. There are many facets to accessibility. Considerations need to be made for those with invisible disabilities, too, such as chronic illnesses, autism spectrum disorders, neurological and mental health disorders. Most of these listed are not known to be recognised by UCT as disabilities. On the topic of invisible disabilities it was said, “I don’t feel they account for those. I don’t feel they account for visible disabilities either.” It is this lack of awareness that leads to many students being left behind. Such students might become academically and financially excluded as a result.
In the case of financially excluded disabled students, most public transport is inaccessible, the Jammie Shuttle service is inaccessible. “The poorer you are, the more disabled you are,” says Kate. Financial and environmental stress causes and exacerbates chronic illnesses. How many disabled students who are from low-income households have been excluded? These are the people who do not have access to basic health care, let alone accommodations for their disabilities. How are they supposed to receive the documentation from a doctor needed in order to register with disability services in the first place?
The number of students registering for disability has more than doubled since Covid and yet there has been virtually no change in the amount staff within the disability department: “One of the main problems is a lack of staff members and budget in the disability service.”, says Kate.
In the UCT Vision 2030 there is, shockingly, no mention of accessibility improvement priorities. Disability is hence not viewed as a crucial part of transformation.
Kate Oliver shares the many things she is fighting for, including a map of accessible routes, sensitivity training for all staff across all the campuses and a review of policies. Within these policies, the language that is used can be viewed as ableist and leads one to believe that disabled people are:
“people that UCT have to accommodate because it is mandated and because they are being charitable, not because it provides them with any value or that disabled people could provide them with any value. “
Disabled students should not have to be grateful for what is provided to them. It is the bare minimum that a student can attend classes, reach bathrooms and have access to any other “typical” student experience. According to an article written in 2024 “What Does Research On Disability Inclusion At University Of Cape Town Reveal Regarding Strategies To Achieve Inclusion?”:
“Without a comprehensive comprehension of disability, it will prove challenging to actively participate in the intricate mechanisms through which injustices arise and persist.”
Not many understand the mental load that is placed upon disabled students. Endless forms to register for the proper support, making sure of accessible routes, finding safe spaces on campus for recovery. These are all put onto a student’s shoulders who already have to manage the symptoms of their disability and circumstances surrounding their disability.
Yes, we are making progress, but with the influx of students who require better accessibility, however, this progress is not happening fast enough. We owe it to the many students who feel they “take up too much space” by just existing in a university, to raise awareness surrounding these issues.
So, where do we go from here? The reality is that UCT is still far from being inclusive and accessible. The departments are understaffed and underfunded. The Vision 2030 clearly shows the university’s lack of consideration for accessibility and disability. As Kate stated, we need sensitivity training across all campuses to bring awareness to the UCT general public, but more importantly, to those in higher ranks who make the decisions. How different would our university be if our Vice Chancellor was impacted by the same accessibility challenges our undermined students face today?
The author reached out to the UCT Disability Department for comment; however, the department did not respond.