Visually-challenged students attend an event at Ravenshaw University in Cuttack on Wednesday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Aug. 28: Ravenshaw University authorities accorded a warm welcome to a group of visually-challenged students, who have taken admission in various undergraduate courses this year.

The special event also provided a platform to the students to air their grievances before the varsity authorities.

“At present, there are 80-odd visually-challenged students in the university. However, they are deprived of various facilities, which we have already brought to the notice of the authorities. For example, many of them, including those at Ravenshaw Junior College, have not got hostel accommodation,” said coordinator of visually-challenged students Kushadhara Bagh.

He said as the varsity’s sole library with advanced software was operating from 8am to 8pm, the visually-challenged students were unable to study at night owing to lack of access to the advanced computers and software at the hostels.

“There is a requirement of audio-books. The authorities should also provide us with writers to assist us during the examination. The varsity has agreed to pay a remuneration of Rs 100 for the writers this year, but very few persons are eager to volunteer,” said Rakesh Sahu, a Plus Three first year student.

On the other hand, Ravenshaw authorities said that steps were being taken to resolve various issues of the students.

“The objective of today’s event was make the students feel welcome and at the same time make them aware of the various facilities available for them on campus as well as their rights,” said vice-chancellor B.C. Tripathy.

Tripathy said efforts were on to procure more computers and software so that the students could study at their respective hostels. Similarly, provision is being made for purchasing an advanced scanner, which can convert written material into audio form.

Further, the varsity is also exploring possibilities to publish textbooks for students in Braille format for the visually-challenged students, Tripathy added.