Bhubaneswar: The state government is considering opening a special department of disability studies in the state-run universities in Odisha beginning with the Utkal University.
The department will be specially designed for development of professionals to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities. It will also offer specialised courses in different aspects of disability studies.
The move comes as part of implementing Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act. The decision of opening the department was taken at a meeting earlier this month.
"We held the meeting to discuss various aspects of implementing the act. At the meeting, the idea of opening a department of disability studies in the state-run universities came up," said an official of the department of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
Sources said chief commissioner for persons with disabilities Kamlesh Kumar Pandey proposed the idea of the special department. He suggested that the government establish such a department in all state-run universities or at least in one university in the state.
"The idea is to prepare professionals in the field of rehabilitation and special education for the persons with disabilities. The higher education department has assured us of taking efforts to set up the department in at least one university," the official said.
Officials in the higher education department said they had received the communication from the government and were preparing to conduct a feasibility study. "We will first consider Utkal University to open the special department. It will be expanded later to other universities if possible," said an official of higher education department.
Earlier, the state government has decided to open the equal opportunity cell for persons with disabilities in the state run universities, execution of which is in process. "It is a good move of the government to consider the need of persons with disability. They have every right to get equal opportunity," said social worker Alok Kar.
