Stakeholders have called for reforms of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) process to address challenges faced by people with disabilities (PWDs).
This is contained in a communique signed by representatives of the PWDs after a one-day stakeholders meeting organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in partnership with the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training at Mambayya House, Kano.
The forum expressed concerns over the exclusion of various disability groups, noting that JAMB primarily focuses on candidates with vision impairments, neglecting other disabilities.
They identified the absence of a comprehensive national database for PWDs eligible for the UTME as a critical issue, making it difficult to plan and provide adequate support.
According to the forum, over 80% of visually impaired candidates lack the necessary computer skills for the UTME’s computer-based test format.
Additionally, the stakeholders lamented funding and resource shortages, with outdated braille machines and a lack of trained scribes adding to the challenges.
The communique partly read: “Lack of accessible examination halls with features like ramps and elevators.
“The albino group has raised concerns about the inadequate lighting system in the examination halls, which negatively affects the performance of members with partial sight during exams.
“It was observed that there are no or inadequate magnifying glasses for the Albinos candidates. Another observation made was the lack of sign language interpreters during exams. For the physically challenged people, it has been noticed that the JAMB centres lack ramps/elevators, public convenience accessible for the physically challenged people.”
The forum recommended a national stakeholders’ meeting and collaboration with technology organisations to provide training and equipment for PWDs.
It also urged adequate accommodation, transport and feeding for all PWD candidates, sign language interpreters at exam centers, magnifying glasses for albino candidates, trained scribes, and simplified keyboards for visually impaired candidates.
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