Physically-challenged students of Delhi University have been promised a hassle-free examination season with a host of new facilities being announced by the authorities.
The notification, “Examination writing policy for students with disability”, has provided for students with different types of disabilities such as ‘100 per cent visual disability' and ‘low vision'; orthopaedic, hearing and speech impairments; and cerebral palsy and other brain-related ailments. Provisions have also been made for students suffering from short-term disabilities due to injuries.
According to the student welfare office of the university, this policy was long overdue.
“Previously, physically-challenged students in order to get the benefits due to them like extra time had to run from pillar to post to fulfil all the formalities. First an application had to be made to the examination centre, which would then forward it to the chief medical officer, who would then issue a certificate, which had to be carried by the student to prove that he was physically challenged,” said Joint Dean (Student Welfare) Vipin Tiwari.
According to the new policy, a disability certificate from a government hospital will suffice to avail of all the facilities which include scribes, interpreters, extra-time and permission to use laptops or computers with disabled-friendly software.
The scribes and interpreters will be remunerated by the University and special seating and restroom arrangements for students with locomotor disabilities have also been outlined in the policy with binding and immediate effect.
