Varsity's steps to help disabled students leave a lot to be desired : Delhi University

Delhi University on Thursday lined up a slew of measures intended to help disabled applicants this admission season on a day complaints poured in of lack of clarity among such candidates regarding the application process. 

On Thursday, the varsity's equal opportunity cell released the admission brochure in Braille, which varsity authorities hope will go a long way in helping visually-challenged applicants.

"It will be available free of cost to students at all counters and admission centres across the city. A version of this bulletin with the screen reader option for visually-impaired students has also been made available on the EOC website," said Bipin Tiwary, officer on special duty, EOC.

A separate counter for disabled students was also set up and students were given forms at the EOC itself.

The cell also stationed 10 volunteers in the North Campus area to help disabled students with the admission process. They were seen queuing up to buy forms for such students and even assisting them in filling the form. EOC also set up a separate counter to sell forms to the students.

"On Wednesday, we assisted 28 applicants with the admission process. The number rose to 34 students on Thursday. We are trying to extend any kind of assistance or support to them," said Tiwary.

Officials also suggested that students with disabilities fill admission forms online in order to avoid travelling. However, some disabled students complained that they had not been assisted much while they went about in search of forms.

"On Wednesday, I was asked by the person at the counter selling forms to go to the equal opportunity cell (EOC). I was turned away by the EOC and told to get the form from the faculty of arts. Nobody helped me," said Sumeet Singh Chauhan, a disabled applicant.

Student groups and varsity representatives had set up help desks at centres selling application forms. These, however, turned out to be of little help for the intended beneficiaries.

"There is a lot of confusion and students applying under the physically handicapped category have faced a lot of problems. We are trying our best to help so that they don't have to run from pillar to post to buy forms, fill and submit them," said Arun Hooda, president, Delhi University Students' Union.