IIT Delhi Introduces Innovative Solutions for Empowerment of Students with Disabilities

IIT Delhi has taken various initiatives to support and empower students with disabilities. These efforts are aimed at enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of the campus environment. 

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has implemented multiple initiatives to assist and empower students with disabilities. These measures are focused on improving both the accessibility and inclusivity of the campus environment. Over the past year, IIT Delhi has significantly advanced the inclusion of students with disabilities on campus. The Office of Accessible Education, part of the Diversity and Inclusion Office, has led efforts in academic accommodations, accessible transportation, infrastructure enhancements, and integrating students with disabilities into extracurricular activities.

“Accessible higher education is a fundamental right of PwDs. At IIT Delhi, we are committed to providing an inclusive environment to ensure that no student is marginalized in any academic or extracurricular activity on campus because of their disabilities," Prof. Vikram Singh, Faculty Advisor, Office of Accessible Education, said.

Initiatives for the Empowerment of Students with Disabilities

The installation of a portable, accessible restroom for persons with disabilities at the main administrative building in the academic area to accommodate those who have mobility issues is the most recent inclusive endeavour. Along with this, accessible washrooms have been installed in other academic blocks as well. 

IIT Delhi has prioritised accessibility by acquiring an e-cart specially designed for transporting students with disabilities around the campus. The institution has made significant strides in making its buildings more accessible by installing ramps in classrooms, incorporating braille signage in elevators, adding braille nameplates, and providing accessible hostel accommodations.

Additionally, ramps have been built on the campus to make common areas more accessible for students with disabilities. Height-adjustable tables have been installed and an elevated wheelchair purchased to make labs and experiments more accessible. It is a matter of pride for the Institute that it has probably the first accessible chemistry lab in the country.

Academic accommodations are an essential component of the inclusion of students with disabilities on campus. Provision of scribe and compensatory time is given to students with disabilities as mandated by the law. Other aspects of accommodations, which include providing assistive devices such as low-vision magnifiers, hearing aids, KIBO reading and writing devices, braille embossers, laptops, accessible keyboard trays, and electric/elevated wheelchairs, have been provided to the students with disabilities as per their needs.

IIT Delhi continuously strives to implement inclusive initiatives. The goal is to envision an inclusive campus that respects diversity and equality of opportunity for all. The students with disabilities on campus praised the multiple efforts being taken by the Institute for their welfare.

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