Dili, April 8, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Natalino Tilma, a student with disabilities, expressed deep concern over the lack of specialized teachers for students with disabilities at the Community Inclusion Department, Faculty of Social Sciences, National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL). He shared that, as a student with leg disability, he has been facing difficulties since his first semester and continues to struggle in the fifth semester.
In an interview with physical disability student Natalino Tilma, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity provided by the university for students with disabilities to continue their studies at UNTL. However, he pointed out the lack of specific teachers for disabled students in the department, particularly those who can assist in teaching and translating for those with visual, hearing, and language disabilities.
“Since semester 1 until now, in semester 5, the problem persists. We, the students with disabilities, face the issue of not having specialized teachers to assist us with translation and instruction. Many students with visual impairments struggle to follow along with the lessons, as they cannot write or read the materials without proper assistance. They only listen to recordings after classes and still face difficulties understanding the content,” said Natalino.
He further elaborated that even though the department acknowledged the importance of having teachers for sign language and visual impairments, the problem persists due to the lack of proper support, including trained teachers and volunteers. “The department has not provided adequate resources or prioritized specialized teachers for these students,” he added.
Natalino expressed his frustrations regarding the lack of progress and the challenges faced by students with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments, in understanding and engaging with the course content. He also mentioned that many students with hearing impairments face similar challenges, and without teacher’s proficient in sign language, they are unable to learn effectively.
“I feel that my classmates with disabilities are not able to fully benefit from their education because there is no specific teaching support for them. Even though the department has made some effort to create inclusive spaces, it is still far from what is needed for students with disabilities,” he continued.
He further mentioned the need for more dedicated action and urged the head of the department and the dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences to resolve these issues to ensure a more inclusive learning environment for all students, including those with disabilities.
Natalino concluded by urging the department and the faculty to focus on improving accessibility and providing the necessary support for students with disabilities, so that they too can fully participate in their studies and have an equal opportunity to succeed in their academic journey.
Report by : Domingas
Photo by : Domingas