NASSAU, BAHAMAS — “Difficult” is a term that understates the plight parents of children with disabilities face when finding schools that accommodate their child’s learning needs. In light of this, the University of the Bahamas, continuing with a long-held culture of inclusivity, formed the Office of Disabilities and Compliance, providing accessible learning opportunities for registered students with disabilities.
Erin Brown, the university’s Disabilities and Compliance Officer, described the office’s role in supporting students with disabilities to Eyewitness News. “We provide student support services for our registered students with disabilities, “she stated.
Established in 2017 from the Disability Unit of the former College of the Bahamas, the office provides support services such as inclusive computer labs, peer tutoring, academic and social accommodations, and text formatting for course material. Located in the Keva M. Bethel Building, the Mingoes Access Center also provides sensory-free rooms, used to help individuals who are sensitive to sensory stimuli. Over the past few years, the Office has experienced significant growth, with double-digit numbers of students registering with the office.
Prospective students and parents are encouraged to use the university resources as the office welcomes diverse and differently-abled individuals.
Both Brown and Brittani Braynen, Miss University of the Bahamas, offered words of encouragement to incoming and prospective students, with Braynen urging them to “go for it.” Brown asserted that “the time is now” for students and parents to engage with the office’s resources.
“If I have one final thing to say to students, get here. We are waiting for you!”
The office’s recent collaborative efforts with Braynen are part of the new age of inclusive education aimed at students. Braynen, inspired by her blind and autistic niece uses her platform “Mingoes Reign: Embracing Inclusive Education, Learning with Diversity to Conquer Adversity” to raise disability awareness among students.
“Just because the way they operate from us is different does not mean that they are less,” she empathetically stated.
The university will continue to offer workshops and activities, collaborating with the student government and community organizations, to educate students about disabilities and promote inclusion. The efforts of Miss University of the Bahamas and the Office of Disability and Compliance seek to fulfill the university’s mission by ensuring every student is equipped with the necessary tools for academic success.
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