In order to best serve Divyangjan, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday requested that Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) adopt the accessibility standards and guidelines. The action intends to enhance individuals with disabilities’ involvement and educational opportunities in HEIs.
This also seeks to fulfil the requirements of the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disability Act and the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It is important to note that the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) was initiated by the Indian government in 2015 with the aim of promoting barrier-free urban development for individuals with disabilities.
For this purpose, three broad domains were determined. They consist of transportation, information technology, and the built environment. According to UGC in a letter, the effort to provide universal access and development for people with disabilities has so far been a national flagship initiative.
“In order to ensure that every student can succeed in the system of modern education, the UGC letter stated that the NEP 2020 has also envisioned the provisions for extensive use of technology in teaching and learning, removing language barriers, increasing access for Divyang students, and educational planning and management including full equity and inclusion as the cornerstone of all educational decisions.”
