SPED-UEW Introduces Disability Outreach Programme
The Department of Special Education (SPED) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has reinforced its commitment to community service, inclusion and wellness with the successful organisation of the Community Disability Health and Wellness Outreach Programme.
Held on Tuesday, 1st July, 2025, at the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSSE) Car Park, the event was under the theme “Bridging Gaps in Wellness: Advancing Health and Psychosocial Support for Persons with Disabilities.” It also involved the Department of Counselling Psychology and several strategic partners.
Mrs. Florence Akua Mensah, Head of SPED and co-host, lauded the collaborative efforts of participating departments and agencies, emphasising that the programme forms part of UEW’s broader vision of impactful community outreach under the leadership of Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual. “What we are doing today is just giving back to the community… in support of the university's vision,” she noted.
Prof. Clement Ali, who chaired the event, commended the long-standing commitment of the faculty to championing the rights and wellbeing of persons with disability. He urged postgraduate students and faculty members to go beyond academia and make meaningful societal contributions. “It is not enough to get MPhil or PhD without making an impact. The certificates we acquire must serve the people,” he challenged, pointing to innovative technologies like smart canes and sign language tech as examples of practical impact.
Delivering the purpose of the gathering, Dr. Emmanuel Kwasi Acheampong stressed that the outreach was not just a university event but a direct intervention for members of the community living with disability. Services provided included health screening, audiological checks, counselling and mental health support as well as education on navigating public health facilities.
The official opening was performed by Prof. (Mrs.) Esther Yeboah Danso Wiredu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, who stood in for the Vice-Chancellor. She highlighted the significance of prioritising the health of persons with disability, particularly their mental wellbeing. “We do not always have to wait for our vulnerable to fall sick before we check on them. Today’s counselling sessions are a powerful tool to uplift those who feel downcast,” she said.
Underscoring the interconnection between disability and mental health, Dr. (Mrs.) Nyuiemedi Agordzo Edoh-Torgah, Acting Head of the Department of Counselling Psychology, explained the rationale for the joint departmental effort. “Mental health issues can lead to disability and vice versa. Our partnership today is about bridging that gap,” she said.
Mr. Kingsley Eyram King-Kuadzi led a session addressing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and the societal stigma faced by people with disability. “This programme shows UEW does not discriminate. This is a plus for the University,” he affirmed.
On the medical front, Ms. Kindness Laar sensitised participants on the importance of regular blood pressure checks, describing hypertension as a “silent killer,” especially among underserved populations. She urged individuals with disability to seek professional medical advice rather than resorting to self-medication.
The outreach recorded high engagement, with over 65 individuals receiving group and individual counselling sessions facilitated by professional counsellors and postgraduate students. Pressing issues included trauma, anxiety, depression and financial hardship. The session maintained high standards of empathy, confidentiality and professionalism.
En-Quest Services, led by Mrs. Florence Mensah and her team, provided career and academic guidance to 40 individuals with disability aged between 11 and 24. Their post-event plan includes creating Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) and structured transitional programmes to ensure continued development.
The Special Education Students Association (SESA) also made significant contributions. Their disability awareness exhibition, donation of food items and dedication to inclusive instructional materials were a highlight of the event. SESA President Gideon Nyubiche Ntasan along with five other executives represented the student body in promoting disability inclusion through innovation and peer engagement.
The programme’s success has been widely praised as a shining example of how academia can directly transform lives beyond lecture halls. With the active participation of students, professionals, health workers and the larger Winneba community, the outreach fulfilled its mission to provide health and psychosocial support to persons with disability, aligning perfectly with UEW’s core values of equity, inclusion and service.
