10.6.8 : Disability support services
Projek Braille UTM-DBP karya SN Datuk Siti Zainon perkukuh akses ilmu kepada golongan istimewa
UTM ensures robust Disability Support Services by implementing a systematic, multi-faceted program focused on enhancing the accessibility of knowledge, culture, and social inclusion for people with visual impairments and other special needs (Golongan Istimewa/Kurang Upaya).
Accessibility of Knowledge and Culture
UTM, through the UTM Library Department and a strategic partnership with the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), actively eliminates barriers to information and culture for individuals with visual impairments via the "Baca Celik Hati: Projek Buku Braille dan Audio" (Read with Enlightened Heart: Braille and Audio Book Project).
- Dedicated Braille and Audio Production: This long-running initiative (since 1998) has produced more than 500 Braille books (lebih daripada 500 naskhah buku braille). This demonstrates an enduring, scaled commitment to intellectual accessibility.
- Literary Access for Special Needs: In a recent collaboration, the project transcribed five works by National Laureate Datuk Dr. Siti Zainon Ismail into Braille and audio book formats. This action ensures that culturally significant and esteemed literature is accessible to the visually impaired community, emphasizing UTM's role in promoting the "ekosistem keilmuan" (knowledge ecosystem) for those with special needs.
- Technological Support: The University actively supports this service by providing the necessary tools, confirmed by the donation of a Braille printing machine and Duxbury software to the Library.
Comprehensive and Integrated Support
The University's dedication extends beyond the Library into its core operations and facilities:
- Faculty-Level Facilities: The Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying (FABU), under its welfare goals, explicitly prioritizes the provision of "Keperluan & Kemudahan" (Needs & Facilities) and "Laluan Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU)" (OKU Pathways), ensuring that physical accessibility is maintained at the operational unit level.
- Centralized Governance: The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) Office oversees OKU facilities, confirming that accessibility is a strategic and centralized infrastructural commitment.
- Welfare Initiatives: The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Office manages "Inisiatif Bagi Golongan Kurang Upaya" (Initiatives for People with Disabilities), offering essential welfare programs and services to support students in their academic and campus life.
This collective effort—spanning intellectual access via Braille, dedicated welfare programs, and systematic facility management—establishes a comprehensive and institutionalized framework for Disability Support Services at UTM.
Source :
Disability And Accessibility
UTM provides comprehensive Disability Support Services through its dedicated Disability Support Unit (DSU), ensuring an inclusive environment that addresses the academic, financial, physical, and emotional needs of students with disabilities (OKU).
Centralized Support and Financial Assistance
The Disability Support Unit (DSU), established in November 2019 under the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs) Office (JTNCHEP), serves as the central hub for all support services for students with disabilities.
- Registration and Eligibility: To access services, students must first register with the Department of Social Welfare (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat), which formalizes their status and eligibility for support.
- Financial Aid: Eligible students can apply for the BKOKU (Bantuan Kewangan Orang Kurang Upaya) program, which provides financial assistance based on the student’s study level and individual needs. This directly removes financial barriers to higher education.
- Academic and Personalized Support: The DSU offers personalized assistance for campus-related matters and ensures the dissemination of information tailored to students with disabilities, guaranteeing they receive the necessary guidance to navigate their academic journey successfully.
Accessible Facilities and Welfare
UTM's commitment extends to providing specialized physical infrastructure and welfare programs:
- Accessible Accommodation: Ten OKU-friendly rooms are available at College 9 (a female college), which are equipped with accessible toilets and wheelchair-friendly pathways. This provision supports both permanently and temporarily disabled students.
- Campus Mobility and Health: The University provides essential mobility support, including wheelchair-accessible transportation services (especially for students with physical disabilities) and a loan service for manual wheelchairs and walking canes from the University Health Center (PKU) for temporary needs.
- Physical Facilities: Dedicated toilets for people with disabilities are strategically provided across the campus, confirming the institution's investment in accessible infrastructure.
Inclusion and Community Engagement
Beyond direct support, UTM actively fosters a culture of inclusion:
- Inspirational Leadership: The appointment of Dr. Ruzimi Mohamed, a UTM alumnus, as the OKU Icon aims to inspire and motivate current students with disabilities by showcasing success stories within the community.
- Awareness Programs: The DSU regularly organizes events, such as online engagement sessions and meet-and-greet sessions, to promote inclusion and raise awareness across the university community.
By combining financial aid, customized academic support, specialized accommodation, and a visible commitment to inclusion, UTM's Disability Support Unit offers a comprehensive suite of services that fully address the needs of its students with disabilities.
Source :
https://www.utm.my/disability/
