Access-ability

Delhi University needs to examine it disability policies

Even as the admission rush is on in the capital, higher education seems to be getting tougher for physically disabled students. This is because the disabled unfriendly architecture of college campuses continues to be a challenge for them.

Last year, out of 1,000 reserved seats for the disabled in Delhi University (DU), only 350 were filled. It seems that many of them are giving up their dream of seeking education in mainstream institutions. Prabash Shukla, 24 a second year student at a DU college wants, to pursue masters in history. Climbing stairs with crutches is tough. Plus, we have to move to different rooms for lectures for each subject,” says Shukla, who has polio below his right knee, but I find it hard to study with others. I am thinking of going in for distance education as that might be easier for me,” he adds.

Chapter 8 of the Persons with Disabilities Act outlines the responsibilities of the government and how it should provides ideal access for such students. This includes ramps for wheelchair users, the correct height length ratio being 1:12, big enough washrooms for wheelchair movement with specially designed handrails, guide blocks for the visually challenged and electronic boards and signage for the hearing impaired.

Also in the past few years, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken steps to provide higher education to the differently abled. Under the Ninth Plan, the commission has begun funding colleges so that they can make classrooms, washrooms and laboratories accessible for them.

The Kamla Nehru College has received Rs 2 lakh to build ramps and disabled friendly toilets. The college also plans to make a recording studio for the visually impaired and introduce ambi-lifts on the campus. “Keeping in mind physically challenged students, we got toilets with European seats, ramps for those on wheelchairs and computers with a special software,” informs S.K. Arora, principal Hans Raj College. DU may be among the best varsities in the country, but it still has miles to go in terms of providing facilities for special students. “Two ramps and one washroom does not make a campus disabled-friendly. As a society, we are yet to become more conscious of the needs of the disabled,” says Shubra Mukherjee, principal, Udaan for Differently Abled.

The university’s only hostel for the disabled, the Blind Hostel in Outram Lines can accommodate only 106 students. Though the DU reference library has a Braille computer, attending college is anything but a stroll for visually-challenged students. Colleges like St. Stephen’s, Hindu, Miranda, Hans Raj, Kirori Mal, LSR, Daulat Ram and Ramjas have their own hostels, but the disabled seem to be an ignored lot. “We have to stick to a set pattern as far as the course curriculum is concerned as the infrastructure does not address our special needs,” laments Shukla.

International universities like Harvard, Maastricht and MCGill have special ramps and lifts in all necessary building, reading rooms with the latest Braille technology, specially designed hostel rooms, besides parking areas.

The DU recognizes only physically challenged students while these universities also recognize all motor, sensory or psychological disorders and non-visible disorders, chronic fatigue , depression, chronic illness as well.

Ironically, students aside, even disabled teachers have a tough time in DU, with only 25 of 185 posts reserved for them filled at present.

“For any academic help, disabled students in these varsities can approach deans, students advisors, career counselors and student psychologists for specialised help,” Shukla adds.

Source: Campus yet to be disabled-friendly. Asian Age, New Delhi, 13 July 2007.

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Historical monuments gearing up to welcome all

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) is finally taking steps to make the historical monuments in the capital more accessible to senior citizens and physically-challenged people.

In the first of a kind initiative, the ASI and an NGO carried out a study at Qutub Minar to make the ancient monument disabled friendly. “We had found certain shortcomings and have made recommendations that were accepted by the ASI. These recommendations were made keeping in mind the international standards applicable the world over,” said Abha Negi, director of Svayam.

“Since most of the monuments are protected sites and permanent structures cannot be constructed, we have suggested that temporary structures be set up for the convenience of the people,” added Negi.

After the study of Qutub Minar is completed and steps are taken to make the site disable-friendly, the ASI and the NGO will start a series of surveys of the other monuments in the capital.

“Once the work at the Qutub Minar is completed, we will start working on the other important monuments in Delhi,” said Negi, adding that the ASI was also planning to broaden the sphere and make all monuments in India people friendly at a later stage.

The director said the ASI and the NGO had also conducted workshops for ASI engineers to sensitize them towards the importance of these temporary structures.

“After the work is completed, a person would be able to go up the Ashok pillar without any difficulty,” said Negi.

Source: Now, disabled-friendly monuments on cards, DNA, Mumbai, 1 July 2007.

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