Prof. Sunday Ododo, the Abuja Centre Coordinator of JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG), says no fewer than 383 candidates with visual impairment and other forms of disability sat for the 2022 UTME.
Ododo, who is also the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos State, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
The Abuja centre coordinator said there was no form of challenge, because, they use typewriters, computers and Braille devices, among other materials.
“However, there are few exceptions; there are those that are not blind but scared to write the examination, like those with Down Syndrome and autism.
“In their case, we bring Examiners to read questions to their hearing and allow them to produce the answers and the Examiner help to write them down or the candidate could braille them down.
“We read the questions twice before they write down the answer. We give them one and half hours; so, the time is sufficient for them,” Ododo stressed.
Similarly, Mr Jake Epelle, the President and Founder of Albino Foundation, said the 2022 JAMB’s UTME for blind candidates was an amazing exercise.
He, however, called on JAMB to expand the demography to accommodate others who also need this kind of intervention.
“Most especially, my community; Persons with Albinism. They need this kind of intervention, because, the general examination did not include them.
“So we will talk to JAMB and the committee to look for a way to expand this kind of intervention to reach not only people in my community but others that have similar challenges.
“We are also looking at employing technology. There is a way that this examination can be done without going to a centre. The candidates could do the examination in the comfort of their homes with tablets. It is very possible.
“If done, it would be shortened and reduce cost and personnel drastically. So it is a laudable initiative. For me, this is a dream come true,” Epelle said.
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One of the blind candidates, Mr Alex Godspower, who came from Lafia in Nasarawa State, told NAN that the examination was fantastic.
“I am satisfied with the conduct of those that attended to us in the Abuja centre. They paid attention to our complaints. The braille that the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, gave us is good. I appreciate.”
Another candidate, Miss Virginia Dofan, who came from Makurdi in Benue, said the braille gift was awesome.
“This is because I was not expecting it. With this gift now, I know my education is sure. I am being inclusive in everything now.
“I am grateful to all those that made it possible, may God strengthen them all,” Dan prayed. ( NAN)
