DU cuts a sorry figure in disability category

Updated on: Friday, June 24, 2011

The number of differently abled students passing Class XII has been on the rise. But despite the special bus service that picks and drops them to their colleges and the special camp that helps them procure disability certificates, Delhi University has seen just a marginal rise in the number of such students seeking admission this year.

In 2011, 684 differently abled students passed the CBSE Class XII Board in the capital as against 569 in 2010. The all-India figures also saw a substantial rise from 1,112 students in 2010 to 1,366 in 2011. But DU has registered 507 students till date as against 499 students in 2010. the university reserves 1,600 seats across colleges and courses for the category.

Officials at the equal opportunity cell say the numbers have remained low because of lack of awareness and the social dogmas attached with such students.

"Most differently abled students aspiring to pursue higher studies are not aware of such provisions and facilities in the university. Besides, many families think there are no future prospects in higher education for such students. Hence, the student starts earning," said Chandra Nisha Singh, the officer-on-special-duty at the cell. "Adding to these reasons are financial constrains and security as parents are apprehensive of a differently abled student travelling on his/her own, especially in case of girls," she said.

However, authorities say that though the overall number remains low, there has been a gradual rise in the number of differently abled students seeking admissions.

Komal Kamra, faculty at SGTB Khalsa College, said that as compared to previous years, the rush of these students this year was quite surprising. "Last year, there were 300 registrations in 10 days. This year, 431 students were registered within the same time span. And the number is sure to go up in the coming days," she said.

Kamra added this rise has been due to continuous sensitization and the facilities being provided by DU. "There are continuous efforts being made to make the university accessible. There are ramps and railing installed. A student whose hearing is impaired is assisted by a person who translates the lessons in sign language. There are also pick-up services for them. Slowly the word is spreading."

However, not everybody agrees with the authorities' claim that the campus has become more accessible to differently abled students. Clinical psychologist Jayanti Dutta said it was not only the infrastructural changes which cater to the special needs of these students. "There also has to be an understanding of the student's need and of soft skills required to fulfill them. In a school, the teachers understand these students in a much better way but in colleges, that is not the case. Teachers do not understand the cause and the level of help these students require. They perform their duties as they are assigned to do it."

Dutta added, "Providing them education in Braille is not the only way they can help. These students also need attention when it comes to heightening their self-confidence. With so many students in a class, it is difficult for a teacher to give the child that kind of attention."

Times of India

DU cuts a sorry figure in disability category

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