The growing number of students with visual impairment at the University of the West Indies (UWI) now have a more accessible library service through a new established unit.
The Kerryann Ifill Unit which has been named after President of the Senate Kerryann Ifill, was officially opened today at the Campus’ Main Library, encouraging people with a visual impairment to consider Cave Hill as a viable alternative to accessing tertiary education at home rather than travelling overseas.
The unit, located in a space near to the WIC Reading Room, has accommodations for four work stations and a table for small group work.
The accommodations include technologies with the ability to magnify, read and scan print.
In delivering remarks, Ifill, the first blind person to graduate from Cave Hill Campus in 1999 having gained a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Psychology, said that she was humbled and honoured to have the facility named after her.
She said it was fitting that UWI took the step to house the unit targeting students with disabilities, adding that other campuses around the world and in the Caribbean have made attempts to do it. She commended UWI for broadening its work in that area.
“This unit is another opportunity for a university who holds the mission to advance education and create knowledge through excellence in teaching, research, innovation, public service, intellectual leadership and partnership in order to support the inclusive social, economic, political, cultural and environmental development of the Caribbean region and beyond.
“All of these things represent what this unit will be to those students living with visual challenges. It is not just a room where you can study, it is a room like persons with disabilities, filled with limitless possibilities. It can provide opportunities for students here, students outside. . .,” she said.
The senator said she also believed the campus held many exciting oppotunities and an environment with the potential to bring students from across the Caribbean with disabilities, “if we were only able to increase the level of accessibility”.
Principal Sir Hilary Beckles who described Ifill as a “rose on the campus”, added that the institution was proud of both her outstanding and commendable academic and political achievements.
“We are pleased to honour her again in this specific way; to name a facility for teaching and learning and researching programme, reflective of her own ideology of education and human development,” said the principal.
