DU issues guidelines to make campuses disabled friendly

Acting on such complaints,DU has asked colleges to implement earlier guidelines issued by it. In September,the university had provided a concession in hostel fees and waived off the tuition fees for these students.

With the semester examination scheduled to start around November-end,colleges and departments have been asked to make special arrangements for students with disabilities. They should be provided with writers,interpreters and an invigilator per student as well as extra time,the letter issued by the Equal Opportunity Cell of Delhi University to the heads of all colleges,departments and faculties said.

An “access audit” was done by DU in 2008 for recommending alterations to college and university buildings to make them more accessible by constructing ramps,tactile paths,lifts,accessible toilets and Braille signs. The university has directed colleges and departments to implement the recommendations of this access audit report.

Bipin Tiwari,Officer on Special Duty,Equal Opportunity Cell,said: “The university is trying its best to provide facilities to students with disabilities. We are trying to get custom-made notebooks for them. However,till that happens,students will face some problems.”

Instructions have also been given for arranging volunteers for students with visual impairments. The university has also asked all colleges to provide devices such as hearing aids,wheelchairs,access-enabled computers and recording devices to students with disabilities. Libraries have been instructed to provide instant reading devices for converting study material into an accessible format,the letter said.