Special needs student accuses KAU of ignoring his needs
Special needs student accuses KAU of ignoring his needs
October 13, 2016 | 12:02 AM
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October 13, 2016 | 12:02 AM
Last Updated: October 13, 2016 | 12:02 AM
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Essa Al-Shamrani moving around in his wheelchair on the KAU campus. — Courtesy photo[/caption]JEDDAH – Essa Al-Shamrani is a student with special needs who has faced a lot of obstacles during his time at King Abdulaziz University, which has led him to think how to eliminate the challenges of having to earn a university degree.
Al-Shamrani said that his suffering began when he was diagnosed with osteocalcin in his childhood and he now depends on a wheelchair to move around.
“When I was accepted at King Abdulaziz University, I was overwhelmed with joy. I thought that the road in front of me was furnished with flowers, but I was surprised on the first day of school that first year students attend classes in buildings that are far away from each other. In addition, these buildings are not well prepared for people with special needs and lack special entrances to help me get into the building without someone helping me,” Al-Shamrani said.
He said it was a shock to discover the indifference the educational institution had toward people with special needs.
Al-Shamrani said high sidewalks were impossible to overcome alone, and so he had to rely on others to assist him, a struggle considering that he is extremely shy.
“I tried to ignore this suffering so as not to get frustrated, and I go to the university early to get help from others especially with lack of private car parking for people with special needs. But all that causes me grief and shame and a lack of desire to continue my education at the university,” he said.
He said he now suffered from joint pain in his hands because of his reliance on a wheelchair to get between the university halls, and that he hoped that the university administration would consider the matter and finds solutions so he can complete his university studies.
Essa Al-Shamrani moving around in his wheelchair on the KAU campus. — Courtesy photo[/caption]JEDDAH – Essa Al-Shamrani is a student with special needs who has faced a lot of obstacles during his time at King Abdulaziz University, which has led him to think how to eliminate the challenges of having to earn a university degree.
Al-Shamrani said that his suffering began when he was diagnosed with osteocalcin in his childhood and he now depends on a wheelchair to move around.
“When I was accepted at King Abdulaziz University, I was overwhelmed with joy. I thought that the road in front of me was furnished with flowers, but I was surprised on the first day of school that first year students attend classes in buildings that are far away from each other. In addition, these buildings are not well prepared for people with special needs and lack special entrances to help me get into the building without someone helping me,” Al-Shamrani said.
He said it was a shock to discover the indifference the educational institution had toward people with special needs.
Al-Shamrani said high sidewalks were impossible to overcome alone, and so he had to rely on others to assist him, a struggle considering that he is extremely shy.
“I tried to ignore this suffering so as not to get frustrated, and I go to the university early to get help from others especially with lack of private car parking for people with special needs. But all that causes me grief and shame and a lack of desire to continue my education at the university,” he said.
He said he now suffered from joint pain in his hands because of his reliance on a wheelchair to get between the university halls, and that he hoped that the university administration would consider the matter and finds solutions so he can complete his university studies.
