The technical education regulator advised the universities to keep in mind the challenges concerning students with disabilities while releasing amended exam date sheets.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has asked colleges and universities to implement the direction issued by the Supreme Court for ensuring accessibility of online education to persons with disabilities (PwD) students.
In a circular issued by the technical education regulator, it said, “ln the lockdown period, online classes were conducted by many universities. These classes which are being provided are inaccessible to persons with disabilities because of diverse reasons. The study material which is provided is at times inaccessible because it is either in the image form and no alternative text is provided for the description of the images. The scanned documents are at times not properly scanned or at times not converted via OCR reader. Please ensure that the study material which is being provided is accessible to those having visual disabilities and specific learning disabilities.”
It said, “Students with hearing disabilities are not able to participate as the lectures do not have transcripts and there are no sign language interpreters. Necessary action may be taken to have sign language interpreters and transcripts for ensuring inclusion of people with hearing and communication disabilities. Some people with disabilities need individualised support in specific subjects. Necessary action may be taken to assign teaching assistants to provide the needed support.”
Regarding examination schedule, the council said, “When students with disabilities do not have access to the study material or many of them do not even have access to the electronic devices to access the online classes, how will the students prepare for their examination?” It said, “Universities are advised to keep these challenges in mind while releasing the amended date sheets for conducting the examinations.”
The council advised the colleges and universities that in case social distancing is not possible, other alternatives such as wearing of gloves, using hand sanitisers, etc, should be adopted for the safety of such students.
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