By BANNERNEWS Reporter
A disability inclusion advocate and Executive Director of Hope Ability Empowerment Initiative, Dr. Martina Ntino, has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for introducing concessions to ease the participation of candidates with disabilities in the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Ntino, a lecturer in the Department of Special Education at the University of Calabar, praised the Board’s decision to provide registration refunds, transportation support and accommodation for blind candidates and their guides.
However, she stressed that such interventions should be clearly communicated at the point of registration to prevent confusion and additional stress for candidates.
While describing the refund initiative as a positive step, Ntino argued that the timing and process of implementation are critical. She warned that refunding fees on examination day could create logistical challenges for candidates who already face mobility and accessibility constraints.
“Offering to refund what persons with disabilities have paid is commendable,” she said. “But efforts aimed at reducing their burden must be done at the right time. Refunding their money on exam day may pose more challenges.”
She emphasised that accessibility extends beyond providing extra time or digital facilities in examination halls. According to her, access to clear and timely information is equally important.
Ntino noted that charging blind candidates registration fees upfront without clearly stating that the payment would be refunded creates anxiety and uncertainty, especially for individuals already grappling with financial hardship, societal stigma and limited institutional support.
“Asking them to pay first with a promise of refund compounds their plight. Many are not even in school because they cannot go through such processes or raise the money in the first place,” she said, urging JAMB to clearly declare free registration where applicable rather than adopt a pay-now-refund-later approach.
On JAMB’s plan to provide audiobooks and other assistive materials for candidates with visual and hearing impairments, Down syndrome, autism, dyslexia and ADHD, Ntino called for deliberate efforts to reach candidates in remote communities who may lack access to digital tools and assistive devices.
She further advocated for a monitoring mechanism to ensure private examination centres comply with disability guidelines and urged the Board to publish comprehensive registration guidelines detailing the support available and how eligible candidates can access them.
Ntino also stressed the need for disability-specific materials, insisting that visually impaired candidates should receive examination support in Braille, audio formats or screen reader-compatible versions. She recommended the employment of Braille specialists to ensure proper transcription of materials, noting that while policies are often well-crafted, implementation remains the real challenge.
