Although authorities have failed for a long time to construct ramps in various buildings of Allahabad University
to make them accessible to physically challenged students, they have
finally woken up to the crying need. Following efforts of the Dean
Student Welfare (DSW) Jagdamba Singh, university authorities have
started constructing ramps on the campus, beginning with PCB hostel.
Talking to TOI, Singh said two ramps would be constructed at PCB hostel, one at the entrance of the new annexe of the hostel and the other at the entrance to the common mess and the annexe. "Gradually, we will build one ramp at a time and by the starting of next academic session, all buildings of the university will have ramps", said the DSW.
The DSW office and Central Library would be taken up on priority as both buildings are visited frequently by physically challenged students, said Singh.
TOI has time and again raised the issue that almost all the departments and important offices at AU are not accessible to physically challenged students at various buildings and there are no toilet or water taps to suit their needs. The situation persists on the campus despite the University Grants Commission (UGC) having directed AU and other educational institutions to construct ramps for handicapped students, more than 150 of whom are enrolled. Dr R K Chauhan, secretary UGC, sent a letter, dated September 29 (D.O No.F.6-1/2006 (CPP II), instructing AU and other institutions to make suitable arrangements. Last year, AU V-C AK Singh directed authorities to construct ramps at various buildings. Ramps are need at offices of DSW, V-C, registrar, accounts department and the Central Library.
Even the district handicap welfare officer, referring to the Disability Act 1995, had mentioned compulsion to provide various facilities for the physically handicap students. Besides mentioning different amenities in the letter, it suggests the university administration should prepare a proposal to provide these facilities on the campus and that the funds needed would be provided under the SIFDA scheme for constructing ramps, adaptation of toilets for wheel chair users, Braille symbols and audio signals in elevators or lifts, etc. The official's letter had mentioned that once the university authorities prepare proposal and submit the same at district administration, the funds would be released.
Source : TOI , 20th Dec 2013
Talking to TOI, Singh said two ramps would be constructed at PCB hostel, one at the entrance of the new annexe of the hostel and the other at the entrance to the common mess and the annexe. "Gradually, we will build one ramp at a time and by the starting of next academic session, all buildings of the university will have ramps", said the DSW.
The DSW office and Central Library would be taken up on priority as both buildings are visited frequently by physically challenged students, said Singh.
TOI has time and again raised the issue that almost all the departments and important offices at AU are not accessible to physically challenged students at various buildings and there are no toilet or water taps to suit their needs. The situation persists on the campus despite the University Grants Commission (UGC) having directed AU and other educational institutions to construct ramps for handicapped students, more than 150 of whom are enrolled. Dr R K Chauhan, secretary UGC, sent a letter, dated September 29 (D.O No.F.6-1/2006 (CPP II), instructing AU and other institutions to make suitable arrangements. Last year, AU V-C AK Singh directed authorities to construct ramps at various buildings. Ramps are need at offices of DSW, V-C, registrar, accounts department and the Central Library.
Even the district handicap welfare officer, referring to the Disability Act 1995, had mentioned compulsion to provide various facilities for the physically handicap students. Besides mentioning different amenities in the letter, it suggests the university administration should prepare a proposal to provide these facilities on the campus and that the funds needed would be provided under the SIFDA scheme for constructing ramps, adaptation of toilets for wheel chair users, Braille symbols and audio signals in elevators or lifts, etc. The official's letter had mentioned that once the university authorities prepare proposal and submit the same at district administration, the funds would be released.
Source : TOI , 20th Dec 2013
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