At the University of Nairobi, we provide opportunity for a fair and equal educational and work experience for persons with disabilities and enhance the capacity of the University to interact appropriately with students, staff, prospective students and visitors with disabilities.
Overview
The Disability Support Service is situated within the Office of Registrar Administration. Registrar Administration will be supported by disability support desks located in the office of College Registrar in each of the six colleges (College of Architecture and Engineering (CAVS), College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences (CAVS), College of Biological and Physical Sciences (CBPS), College of Education and External Studies (CEES), College of Health Sciences (CHS) and College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) and office of the Director Students Welfare Authority (SWA).
The Student Counselors will work hand in hand with the college Registrars to offer Disability Support services in each of the campuses (Parklands, Lower Kabete, Upper Kabete, Chiromo, Main, Kisumu and Mombasa).
How to Register
All students and staff are advised to register with the disability support desks to access the relevant support services. Students are advised to register with the specific College Registrars whereas staffs are advised to get medical assessment by the Chief Medical Officer, University Health Services before their details are updated in the Human Resource Management Information System.
All staff and students with Disabilities are advised to register with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities to access the services offered by the government.
Accessible Technologies
Assistive Technology for Blind or Low Vision
What technology is preferred or needed depends on previous training or the type and amount of visual content that is being accessed.
Computer proficiency is expected for a variety of tasks, and by using adaptive software, such as screen-readers, which translate the contents of the screen into speech or refreshable braille while enabling the user to control the computer with keyboard commands or touch screen gestures, standard computers can be made much more accessible. Accessing books and other printed materials in accessible formats like doc, rtf or daisy also can be done using braille- related technology or magnifying equipment, some of which are portable.
Screen-reading Software
- Uses synthetic speech to read aloud the content that appears on a computer
- Compatible with most programs and features for PC operating
- Available as an add-on for PCs running Linux or Windows, while Mac computers typically run a built-in screen-reading
- Examples of screen-reading software include JAWS and Window Eyes for PC, Voice Over for Mac and Orca
Magnification Software
- Works similarly to a high-powered magnifying glass moving over a
- They can magnify all screen items by following the mouse cursor or
- Compatible with most Windows operating systems. Mac computers have a built-in magnification
- It is possible to use screen magnification software in conjunction with a screen reader for individuals who need both types of
- Examples of screen-magnification programs include Zoom Text
- Some low-vision individuals might be able to benefit from larger monitors and internal features that enlarge font, increase contrast or otherwise modify computer
- However, those features are not adequate for many low-vision Individuals and additional magnification software is required.
Dictation Software
- These programs often utilize standard QWERTY keyboards, but other modified accessories can be used as
- Individuals who are blind or have low vision usually learn to touch-type, but if a blind individual has an additional disability that affects typing proficiency, the individual may be interested in trying dictation
- It will be important to research the compatibility of any dictation software with the screen reader of choice prior to making a
- Writing Braille and Using Braille Embossers
- Writing braille by hand with a slate and stylus is portable and most appropriate for shorter
- Individuals can also type braille manually with Perkins braillewriters although they are not as
- Can convert electronic text into a braille hard copy by sending computer files to a braille embosser, which is the braille equivalent to an ink
- Braille embossers typically require heavyweight paper and utilize more pages than print.
- Embossing contracted braille requires the use of a braille translation software Refreshable Braille Displays
- Operates by raising and lowering combinations of pins to create braille
- Allows individuals to both read and write braille quietly and save
- Portable and are usually able to interface with a computer and/or connect to the internet.
For more information please contact the below address:-
Registrar, Administration
Administration Block
1st Floor, Rm 108
Tel: 318262, Ext. 28273
email: regadmin@uonbi.ac.ke
Hours
Monday—Friday: 8:00AM–5:00PM