UGC finalises guidelines that increase accessibility for differently abled students Source: Rawpixel
In answer to a PIL filed at the Supreme Court, the University Grants Commision has framed a 5-year long phase-wise programme for to facilitate inclusivity and accessibility for differently abled students enrolled in UGC approved colleges. These finalised guidelines have been put up on the official website of UGC and said they will ensure that the progress is monitored closely and timely steps are taken to reach the goal in the stipulated time.
Click here to view guidelines
Letter sent by UGC to VCs and principals on inclusivity for disabled students
The UGC penned a letter to the vice-chancellors of all universities, and principals of colleges containing information about the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). This letter highlights the steps to take to make these differently-abled students feel more included.
The letter also states that the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) was initiated by the government back in 2015 to ensure “barrier-free urban development for persons with disabilities in three broad domains i.e., Built Environment, Information Technology, and Transportation.”
This campaign is to be carried forward on a nationwide basis to “achieve universal access and development for persons with disabilities.”
“Higher education institutions (HEIs) need to create a common learning environment that is flexible and accessible for all the students to learn together including those from varied backgrounds and diverse abilities,” the letter mentioned.
“Such an inclusive environment will not only be beneficial for the learners but will also form a strong foundation for social inclusion and accessible environments as a whole,” the letter further added.
The letter lays emphasis on bringing necessary alterations in infrastructure, teaching learning procedure and curriculum along with the components for equal and quality participation for social and academic aspects.
These guidelines have been prepared with an aim to level up the participation and learning experiences of these sections of people besides achieving the goals of NEP 2020 and the provisions of Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
The letter sent by the UGC concluded with a request being forwarded to VCs and college principals to take valid steps for implementing the ‘Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities.'
With these guidelines, the UGC’s aim is to champion the rights of disabled students, providing ‘quality education without discrimination’ as well as a ‘universal access and enablement for persons with disabilities through infrastructure ecosystems involving built environment, transportation, and Information & Communication technologies.’
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