The Manila Campus has introduced significant developments to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for Persons with Disabilities (PWD), notably the installation of new elevators at St. Miguel Hall and the refurbishment of campus ramps. These physical improvements complement existing provisions, such as priority course enlistment and tuition fee discounts.
Yet, even with these, questions remain about how well the University’s systems accommodate not only students with physical disabilities, but also those with psychological and cognitive conditions. Emerging concerns highlight on-campus accessibility, safety beyond University grounds, eligibility or priority enlistment, and support for students with mental health conditions and autism spectrum disorders.
The priority processes
In an interview with The LaSallian, USG Commission on Disability Inclusion (CDI) Commissioner Kristoff Cruz (II, BIO-MED) outlines the current procedures and requirements for priority enlistment.
According to Cruz, qualified students may apply each term to be included in the first batch of enlistment. This process is overseen by the Health Services Office (HSO) in coordination with the CDI.
Once students have submitted their applications, their names will be forwarded to the HSO, where they will secure their clearance and approval. Then, the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) will verify these names for priority enlistment eligibility. Currently, students must renew their priority status every term. However, the CDI is seeking provisions for automatic renewal for students with permanent conditions, while maintaining manual renewal for temporary disabilities such as injuries.
It was emphasized that while physical accessibility has improved on campus, policy adaptations are equally crucial to ensure that students with disabilities can benefit from inclusive academic gestures.
Accommodating neurodivergent students
Cruz elaborates that the current criterion for eligibility covers only students with physical disabilities, leaving those with psychosocial, psychological, or cognitive conditions without any priority.
The CDI is actively lobbying for an expansion to include students who are on the autism spectrum or have cognitive disorders. “Students with autism in the [University] have to undergo the same process of enlistment…except if they [are on the dean’s list] or [have] any other special privileges granted to them,” Cruz stated. He added that if a student is on the autism spectrum disorder, they are also not granted an enlistment privilege by the HSO.
HSO Director Dr. Laarni Roque clarified to The LaSallian that while the office recognizes all disabilities, they can only endorse students with mobility issues, following guidelines from the Office of the University Registrar and the Academics Council.
While the HSO oversees students with physical disabilities, the Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) assists those with mental health concerns. Ms. Julse Zantua, counselor in charge of the CPS Accommodations Program, explains that the office manages excused absence and leave-of-absence (LOA) endorsements for these students.
On tuition fees and hidden costs
Wyonna Quiambao (II, OCM), a student with visual impairments, shared that although she is not eligible for priority enlistment, she receives a tuition discount. “All I have right now that accommodates me as a PWD is my tuition…I get a P10,000 discount, but it kind of fluctuates… sometimes I would see P6,000 to P7,000…so I am wondering what the transparency on that [is],” she explains.
To address financial concerns, the CDI is proposing a designated PWD grant to help cover the hidden costs for these students. “We believe that as a PWD student, you are not just paying tuition [but] also paying for [the] things [that] help you study…therapy, hospital appointments, and [those] for your wellness and capacity to [attend] school and learn,” Cruz emphasized this as the “hidden tuition costs” they seek to address in their reform.
Difficulties outside of campus
While the campus itself is accessible, students have complained about the inaccessibility around the Agno area. In particular, the heavy traffic and uneven pavements near the Science and Technology Research Center (STRC), Enrique M. Razon Sports Center, and Gate 5B of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall has made crossing the streets difficult for some students.
Quiambao suggested that the University can station more guards near the area, mentioning that “Sometimes [drivers] park anywhere [and] they put themselves in other blind spots…then ‘yung mga drivers [na-iistorbo] tuloy, and students will also be bothered.”
(…then the drivers are the ones who get disturbed,)
Director of the Facilities Project Office Engr. Roland Oliva assured that the Manila Campus is continuously improving in-campus accessibility. These efforts include renovating restrooms without PWD access, adding pedestrian lanes, and retrofitting older buildings.
Meanwhile, Facilities Services Office (FSO) Director Mylene Grecia noted that while a safer route bypassing Agno exists, it remains temporarily closed due to the construction of the St. Mutien Marie building.
Oliva also clarified that the areas near Agno, STRC, and Razon are under the jurisdiction of the Manila local government unit. As such, the Safety and Security Offices can only evaluate concerns, recommend appropriate measures, and facilitate coordination with authorities.
Despite these challenges, Quiambao commended DLSU for having elevators and ramps in every building. However, she noted that the areas surrounding the campus could benefit from smoother roads and more lighting for those with mobility and visual disabilities.
This article was published in The LaSallian’s March 2026 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSMar2026.
