MONROVIA – In a groundbreaking step toward inclusive education, the University of Liberia (UL) on Saturday, July 12, 2025, administered its first-ever undergraduate entrance examination for visually impaired students. Thirteen visually impaired individuals sat the exam at the Lake View facility on UL’s Fendall campus in Louisiana, marking a significant milestone in the university’s commitment to equity in higher education. An additional visually impaired candidate was scheduled to take the UL Aptitude Test for the Graduate and Professional Schools on Monday, July 14.
This historic achievement has expanded the university’s inclusive education agenda, reinforcing a national commitment to leave no one behind, regardless of physical or visual challenges. The initiative was led by the Resource Center for Support Services and Alternative Learning at the University of Liberia, directed by Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor, which oversees students with special needs, including those with visual impairments.
To make the examination possible, the Resource Center collaborated with the University Innovation Pod (UniPod), an innovation hub based at the university. The Center’s engagement with UniPod’s Executive Director, Dr. Michael Flowers, helped identify the longstanding challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in gaining admission to UL.
President of the University of Liberia, Prof. Dr. Layli Maparyan, approved the inclusive testing initiative as part of her broader vision to ensure that all students, regardless of physical ability, have access to quality higher education. On the day of the entrance, UniPod Director Ms. Stephina T. Warner emphasized that inclusivity is a key pillar of Dr. Maparyan’s leadership. Ms. Warner explained that facilitators were trained throughout the week leading up to the exam, receiving hands-on instruction on how to support visually impaired candidates using assistive technologies and adaptive tools.
“This is a whole new achievement, especially for the President of the University of Liberia,” Ms. Warner said. “Our facilitators have been here since Monday, learning how to use the gadgets, understanding the process of how to support students in reading and responding to questions.”
Mrs. Saydah Williamson Taylor, visibly emotional, described the moment as transformative for the country’s educational landscape. “I can’t say I’m overjoyed. I’m in tears. My staff are jumping up. We’re happy that the administration saw a reason to support this and let us try,” she said. “From today, our fear of whether we can really serve this population will reduce, as we sharpen our tools and ideas on how to be more inclusive and how to educate our students with visual impairments, hearing impairments, physical disabilities, and more.”
Mrs. Taylor added that if these candidates are successful, they will sit in the same classrooms and receive the same instruction as their peers. Instructors will be required to provide their lecture notes to the Resource Center to be converted into Braille or other accessible formats.
Among the 13,000 candidates who sat the 2025 UL entrance exams for undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, the 13 visually impaired individuals represent a new frontier of access. Mr. Jackson Suah, speaking on behalf of the candidates, expressed gratitude to the university’s leadership for making their long-awaited dream a reality.
“We must say thanks and appreciation to the president and the authorities at UniPod and the Office of Students with Special Needs and Alternative Education,” Mr. Suah stated. “The university authorities worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this vision to life.”
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