Accessing a number of the historic buildings on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) three campuses has been a problem over the years, since some of the buildings do not have a ramp or a lift to accommodate people living with disabilities.

The NWU has since introduced the Garaventa Super-Trac stair climber, a portable inclined platform wheelchair lift that climbs staircases. Super-Trac is an instant and affordable solution that can be used where staircases are a barrier.

“The issue of access is very important, and the idea is to make the university as accessible as possible,” says Penelope Motshwene, the head of the Unit for Students with Disabilities on the Potchefstroom Campus.

“Although buildings are now being built with universal access design* in mind, we still have old buildings that may not be accessible and this is where the stair-climbers will come in handy.” She adds that while the university works on making all its spaces accessible, it is important to have an interim solution that will allow for the inclusion of all persons.

According to Penelope the stair climber can be easily operated and can be used indoors and outdoors. She says that each campus has been equipped with one Super-Trac stair climber that can be utilised by staff, students and visitors. The wheelchair lift can be easily moved from one stairway to another, or even to different buildings on the campuses.  

Staff and students can book the stair climber by contacting the following people a day or two prior to the use thereof:

Lerato Wana – Mahikeng Campus

Penelope Motshwene – Potchefstroom Campus  

Dr Sydney Vos – Vanderbijlpark Campus

*Universal access design refers to broad-spectrum ideas meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to older people, people without disabilities, and people with disabilities.

  Sky Sibisi from Jessen (PTY) LTD demonstrates to staff on the campus in Mahikeng how the stair climber operates.

 Penelope Motshwene, the head of the Unit for Students with Disabilities on the campus in Potchefstroom, tests the Garaventa Super-Trac stair climber.

Nthabiseng Maseko from the library on the campus in Vanderbijlpark shows how easy it is the manoeuvre the stair climber.

Video: See Penelope Motshwene demonstrating how the stair climber works.