The Hindu : New Delhi News : A roadblock for a bright talent

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 03, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

A roadblock for a bright talent

Staff Reporter

Despite getting 92 p.c. marks, top Delhi colleges inaccessible for special student Nipun

NEW DELHI: Criticising Delhi University for failing to make its campus disabled-friendly, the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People has said that despite the required mandate and money, colleges are making higher studies an inaccessible option for students with special needs.

While pointing out that the will to bring about a change was missing at most colleges, NCPEDP on Wednesday took up the case of Nipun Malhotra, an Apeejay Noida student who despite getting 92 per cent in his best of four subjects in Class XII, may not be able to study in any of the prestigious North Campus colleges.

"It has been almost nine years since the Disability Act came into force, but little has changed for people with disability. Despite the University Grants Commission introducing a scheme in 1998 that grants colleges funds to make their colleges accessible, no one seems to be utilising it. What is the use if talented students cannot go to college, only because they don't have access?" said disability rights activist Javed Abidi.

Criticising the University's plans to introduce a new software to help decide the most suitable college for disabled students, he said a majority of the colleges don't have ramps or Braille facility and hold classes in the second floor making it difficult for such students.

Mr. Abidi accused the University of not being ready. "It is time the University took note. It is a national shame to have bright people like Nipun who cannot go to college," he added.

An access audit report on the accessibility of five Delhi University colleges by NCPEDP last year had revealed that none of the top colleges including Hindu, Miranda House, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Sri Venkateswara and Gargi was totally disabled-friendly.

NCPEDP feels that lack of awareness about disability has made matters worse, with most colleges unable to understand the needs of such students. Speaking for Nipun, Mr. Abidi said the young student should be given admission on the basis of merit with the college concerned making arrangements to ensure that he can attend the classes without any problem. "My mother has spoken to some colleges and while they all said I can get admission, they also added that I would have to face the problem of accessibility. What is the use of the cut-off if you can't go to college?" asked Nipun.

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