National Disability Awards winner challenging perceptions in Higher Education

Chaeli Mycroft is the first University of Cape Town student with a disability needing a personal assistant to live with her so that she is able to live in residence. She has adapted well to the discipline of university and residence life, attaining first-

INSETA provided Chaeli with a bursary to pursue her studies at university following her win in 2012.

Despite being a wheelchair user, the INSETA National Disability Award winner and bursary holder has moved onto residence at the university with her caregiver at the beginning of the year and is enjoying a rich student life. She passed her mid-year university subjects comfortably while successfully adapting to varsity life and even tackling the world’s biggest cycle race. Chaeli admits it was “quite an adjustment from high school. Being responsible for performance and organising my time to get all my work done on time was definitely something to get used to.”

As was adjusting to large classes. But far from expecting to be singled out, she is thrilled about being able to blend in. “It’s really nice to be one of the many. A friend told me that societies are where the fun happens and where the memories are made. She was right.”

Chaeli also joined UCT student newspaper Varsity and UCT Cycling, through which she trained for and completed the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in a buggy behind her cycling partner and friend Grant Kruger.

“Then there’s the whole new experience of living in campus residence. Res life is very interesting, very different to home life. I’m in a double room with my assistant, Nthabi. There is an amazing camaraderie between all the ladies in the res. Everyone is so willing to help anyone else.”

She feels that she can excel at the University of Cape Town. “There is such diversity of people, attitudes and study plans, that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. You can be whoever you want to be, and that freedom is incredible.”

Chaeli’s mother, Zelda, is proud of Chaeli’s ability to “knuckle down and do what she has to do. The Disability Unit at UCT advised her in January to enroll for an extended programme (doing her degree in four years instead of three). They were quite dubious when she said she would be doing the usual four subjects. She is therefore particularly amped at having succeeded in all her first semester courses.”

Zelda thanked INSETA for its generous bursary support and for creating opportunities for Chaeli to continue her work as an ability activist. “She has been very active on campus and her living in res is definitely changing perceptions of what is possible. We are very appreciative of the way in which you are partnering Chaeli in order for her to enjoy a full student life.”

INSETA CEO Sandra Dunn says this partnership goes further towards removing the barriers facing people with disabilities. “Persons with a disability can add valuable skills and experience to the workplace, but too many companies still don’t have an adequate ratio. People like Chaeli are invaluable in helping to raise awareness of the potential for the workforce. She sets a shining example of what can be achieved, and INSETA is honoured to stand behind her,” she said.

INSETA has provided bursaries to learners to study in public universities and FET Colleges for study areas that are scarce and critical skills in the insurance sector. These include Actuarial Science; Financial Planning; B Com Insurance and Risk Management; and NCV Business and Financial Management. The bursaries are managed by the public FET or University and are based on a combination of factors including merit and equity.