Accessible Delhi University

Delhi University turns disabled friendly based on UGC’s recommendations. New apparatus installed in colleges to promise better accessibility for the physically challenged

Accessibility does not only pertain to the physical access of schools and colleges, but it also implies access to other services and information required by the differently-abled students so that they are able to go for higher education in spite of their physical challenges.

With 71 colleges spread all over the city, Delhi University is one of the largest universities of the world offering undergraduate and post graduate courses. Although it is one of the premier universities in the country, Delhi University is now turning disabled friendly. In association with Samarthyam, (a civil society organization promoting accessible environments for the disabled), Delhi University has launched a program to make the university campus as well as the education programs accessible for those with physical challenges under the project “Accessible University of Delhi”.

Physical barriers have made educational institutes unapproachable. Thus the objective of mainstreaming the students with physical challenges cannot be achieved in the present state of affairs.  Necessary orders have been issued by UGC to the colleges and institutions to implement the provisions of the Persons with Disabilities Act besides providing adequate funding to them.

New Reforms

The new reforms include providing access to the ground and first floor through ramps. The ramps must have handrails. Signage must be provided in bold with colour contrast. Even the height above ground level for each of these signs has been specified before allowing them to be fixed. Special and reserved parking lots are provided as per the standards in front of the buildings as well as the ICICI ATM counter. The security guards are to be sensitized and well informed about the parking lots.

One of the steps which aim at removing the architectural barriers is the provision of colour contrast in the steps and on the floors to help the students with low vision. Before the beginning of each ramp, strips of warning blocks are to be provided. Handrails are provided to make movement easier on the ramps. The handrails are circular in section so that people holding it should have no difficulty in gripping it. The gradient ramps are also built according to specific criteria. It is made sure that the surface of these ramps is not slippery with smooth landings. The places where steps are present have proper warning strips and the steps also have an unobstructed width.

The areas where the floors are slippery have to be provided with non slippery PVC strips and that too with colour contrasts.

Special counters, with specified height at banks, post offices or information counters inside the campus area are to be provided for students using wheelchairs. The Railway Reservation Centre inside the campus is to be renovated with resting spaces  provided for the students with disabilities. A two way microphone system is to be installed for students who suffer from impaired vision. A separate counter is to be there for students with disabilities especially during vacations. The DTC bus stands too are provided with resting benches for those who have impaired mobility.

As far as the toilet facilities are concerned, it is being ensured that the toilet compartments have enough space for wheelchair users to enter and exit easily. Grab bars are also provided in the toilets. Braille signage and signage having contrasting colours are to be provided at the eye level on the doors of the toilets for those with low vision. The water closet and wash basin too have grab bars.

It has been recommended that the accessible toilets should have an emergency alarm system in case of any problems faced by the person. There needs to be a provision for emergency evacuation from the buildings of colleges and institutes. Emergency exit doors with proper signage are to be provided with clear instructions on them. Employees, security guards and staff are to be trained to be able to shift the students with disabilities to safe areas in case of an emergency.

Thus we can see that the Delhi University has become conscious to the needs of the disabled students and is trying to take every possible measure to achieve the goal of “Education for All”.  Almost 700-800 students with disabilities come for admissions every year. These figures can increase tremendously in the wake of all these reforms and renovations.

The changes brought about in improving the environment by making it barrier free has the potential of providing good education leading to better career opportunities and to social and cultural integration in a remarkable way.


Glossary

Premier            first in importance, size, or quality
Civil society     connected with ordinary citizens and organizations as opposed to the armed forces
Handrails    a rail to hold with the hand for support, e.g. at the side of stairs or a ramp
PVC            tough synthetic material
Impaired    with something absent or lessened, either temporarily or permanently
Signage            the design and display of signs
Braille    a writing system for vision-impaired or sightless people, consisting of patterns of raised dots that are read by touch