UGC asks institutes to form units for disabled

BHUBANESWAR: To create a harmonised atmosphere for the students with disabilities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed colleges and universities in the state to form internal committees to look after the day-to-day needs of such students in the institutes.
The commission in its direction stated that the committee should comprise teachers, staff, students as well as parents for taking care of the day-to-day needs of differently-abled students. It said the committee should work in tandem with equal opportunity cells of the institutions.
"We already have an equal opportunity cell in our university and it is functioning for students with disabilities according to the direction issued by the commission. However, we are yet to form the internal committee for such students as asked by the commission in its recent directive," said Rama Devi Women's University vice-chancellor (V-C) Padmaja Mishra.
She said all care has been taken at their university to ensure that students with disabilities get an equal opportunity in the education system. "We deliberate on the issues of such students periodically and will surely go for formation of the internal committee as asked by the UGC," the V-C said.
Besides asking for the formation of the internal committee, the commission has also asked the higher education institutions to review disabled-friendly infrastructure available at the institutions. It maintained that barrier-free access should be provided at each educational institution.
Union ministry of urban development has already formulated a guideline to build barrier-free environment for persons with disabilities and elderly persons in all the public buildings. According to the guideline, ramps, tac tiles and other such components are a must for new public buildings.
"We are taking a number of steps for persons with disabilities, especially students. Besides, we are also inspecting the buildings and other public facilities to ensure that the barrier-free infrastructure is available for such persons," said an official of state's social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities department.
To help visually-impaired students study and take examinations in a hassle-free manner, the higher education department has taken initiative to open special scribe clubs at universities and colleges. Besides, a new scribe policy is in place, which is framed in line with the one asked by the Union ministry of social justice, said an official.