The specialised disability support facility at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), known simply as the ESCCOM Resource Centre, continues to expand academic access for students across its campuses. Located at the Institute of Distance Education (IDE), the facility has been fully operational since its official commissioning by His Majesty King Mswati III, the Chancellor, during last year’s graduation ceremony in October. Established through a generous sponsorship from the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM), the centre represents a powerful, ongoing partnership between academia and the ICT sector designed to bridge the accessibility gap in higher education. The centre is already a hub of activity, serving a diverse group of students, including those with low vision, partial blindness, physical impairments, multiple disorders and those living with albinism or dwarfism. By centralising these resources, UNESWA ensures that physical or sensory barriers do not hinder academic excellence. “This facility is a testament to UNESWA’s commitment to ‘leaving no student behind’,” said Max Mkhonza, the university’s Registrar.
“We are not just providing a space; we are providing the tools for independence and success. It is one of the many ways the university demonstrates its care and dedication to catering to the unique needs of our entire student body.” To ensure students can compete on an equal footing, particularly during critical examination periods, the Resource Centre is equipped with specialised assistive tools designed to remove traditional classroom barriers.For students with visual impairments, the facility offers high-definition low-vision machines and large smart screens for presentations, while advanced screen-reading software makes digital navigation entirely seamless. innovation is a core feature of the centre; students can instantly convert Braille into text including complex mathematical graphs, while specialised embosser machines transform digital modules and exams into tactile hard copies.
To support deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the centre utilises advanced audio systems that amplify sound waves and convert live speech directly into text. Furthermore, the university has prioritised physical comfort and mobility through adjustable workstations and specialised, portable laptops that students can take directly to their lectures, ensuring that the support of the Resource Centre follows them into every classroom. The ESCCOM Resource Centre is more than a building; it is a gateway to a future where every Eswatini student, regardless of their physical ability, can achieve their full potential.
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