Student Ambassadors for Disability Inclusion on Campus

Sujoud Saqer

Sujoud Saqer (right), and Noa Toib, an MA student in the Department of General History,
at a Student Association fair promoting social causes and cultural activities on campus.

 

Campaigning for Inclusion

 

Sujoud Saqer is passionate about spreading a message of inclusion on campus. The inspiring undergraduate student and recipient of a Saman (Hebrew for ‘Students Leading Accessibility’) Scholarship* is heading a campaign to create a more inclusive community of students. Together with Samah Saqer, she is leading efforts to improve braille signage on campus, form a disability awareness group for fellow students, and launch a social media site to engage the University community in social inclusion issues.

 

“When I first moved into the dormitories three years ago and began my studies here, I was unprepared for the challenges I would face,” explains Sujoud who has been blind from birth. “Aside from mastering a new physical environment, there were plenty of non-visible layers to overcome – mainly, the overwhelming emotional barriers of suddenly living on your own, and blending into a new learning environment and social experiences.”

 

Sujoud, 19, and majoring in English Literature, was raised in Kfar Kanna, an Arab town in the Galilee. Two years ago, she picked up psychology as a second major. “I believe strongly that promoting inclusion of individuals with disabilities will help to mitigate stereotypes. Even as a child, I insisted that I wanted to study in a regular school. When I read about the Saman Project and the important contributions the scholarship recipients are making I had an `aha!’ moment - why shouldn’t I be included among these courageous leaders?”

 

“The University of Haifa is committed to helping all students pursue their education in a safe and ‘barrier-free’ learning environment,” notes Nitza Arie, Head of the Department of Accessibility Services. Under the direction of Dean Jenny Kurman, the Office of the Dean of Students established the Department to accommodate the growing number of students with physical and learning disabilities. “We recently introduced support services, including learning strategies and adaptive technologies, student tutorials, and assistance in accessing disability-related funding. Our goal is to expand these offerings and initiate additional programs to meet the increasing and changing needs.”

 

“I am very grateful to the Student Association for their assistance in promoting the initiative and for the guidance I received from Nitza and her professional staff at the Office of the Dean of Students,” adds Sujoud. “The team always puts me at ease and makes me feel at home.”

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*Saman Scholarships encourage students to raise awareness of disability inclusion issues on campuses across Israel. 
The Saman Project is jointly funded by JDC Israel, Ruderman Family Foundation, Ted Arison Family Foundation, Jewish
Federation of Palm Beach County, and National Union of Israeli Students.

לוגו סמן 

 

 

For more information about supporting accessibility programs and services on campus,
please contact the Office of the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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