The University Grants Commission (UGC) urged Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and Universities to implement accessibility guidelines and standards for the benefit of Divyang students. This initiative aims to enhance the participation and learning experiences of individuals with disabilities in HEIs. It also aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the provisions outlined in the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016.
Notably, the Government of India launched the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) in 2015 to promote barrier-free urban development for individuals with disabilities, focusing on three main domains: Build Environment, Information Technology, and Transportation.
According to the official notification, “The NEP 2020 has also envisioned the provisions for extensive use of technology in teaching and learning, removing language barriers, increasing access for Divyang students and educational planning and management including full equity and inclusion as the cornerstone of all educational decisions to ensure that all students can thrive in the system of modern education.”
The Commission has asked HEIs to establish a common learning environment that is flexible and accessible to all students, regardless of their backgrounds and abilities. Such an inclusive environment will not only benefit learners but also lay a solid foundation for social inclusion and accessible environments overall. Consequently, it should lead to the removal of barriers by implementing necessary transformations in infrastructure, curriculum, teaching-learning processes, and all other components to ensure equal and quality participation in both academic and social aspects of campus life.
The Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for HEIs and Universities released by UGC were developed under the guidance of an Expert Committee formed for this purpose. This comprehensive document was created following extensive public consultation, including discussions with the Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities.
The Accessible India Campaign (also referred to as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is a program designed to cater to the needs of the differently-abled community in the country. This flagship program features an index to evaluate the design of buildings to ensure they are accessible for individuals with disabilities, along with human resource policies tailored to their requirements. Launched by the Prime Minister on December 3, 2015, the International Day of People with Disabilities, this initiative aligns with Article 9 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which India has been a signatory since 2007.
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