Historical background

The University of Venda, situated in Thohoyandou in the scenic Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province of South Africa was established in 1982.  The university has ever experienced tremendous growth and change.  From its early years, staff members were drawn from various backgrounds in South Africa but by 1994 staff was increasingly recruited from other African countries and overseas.  The presence on campus of staff from diverse backgrounds creates a unique atmosphere and a fertile environment for new ideas and a capacity for change. 

Limpopo is characterized by high incidences of disabilities which are attributed to poverty, malnutrition, insufficient medical care, and lack of access to health facilities.  This partly explains why Univen has the highest number of students with disabilities in the country.  Univen has since 2001 begun to move towards the institutionalization of services for students with disabilities by appointing two staff members on a part-time basis.  This decision was in line with the Constitution of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) Section 2a (1) which state that everyone has the right to:

• Basic education, including Adult Basic Education and
• Further education, which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible.

Following the establishment of the establishment of the disability unit on a part-time basis, the university made a subsequent appointment of fulltime staff in 2005.

DU supports students with disabilities of various disabilities, including:

• Visual
• Hearing
• Physical
• Speech impairments
• Chronic illnesses (e.g. diabetes, epilepsy)
• Painful conditions (e.g. back injuries & carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Psychological disabilities (e.g. bipolar disorder & severe anxiety/depression)
• Temporary disabilities (e.g. broken limbs) may request services for the period during which they require them.