Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) organised a two day workshop in 'Dealing with Students with Disabilities in Open and Distance education' for Deputy Registrars, Assistant Registrars and Section Officers posted at different Regional Centres (RCs) of IGNOU.

Inaugurating the workshop the University Vice-Chancellor Prof. M.Aslam said that IGNOU conducts this type of capacity building programmes to train the Assistant Registrars, Section Officers and other staff of RCs   to handle the disabled people who are visiting to Regional Centres of IGNOU. The Vice Chancellor also stated that new wheelchairs, lifts and additional security will be provided at all RCs soon to support the students with disabilities.

VC emphasised that many students with disabilities are seeking admission to various programmes/ courses offered by IGNOU. At present there are a few thousands of students with different categories of disabilities on the rolls. These students need some special service and aids in order to realize independent forms of studying and living. The student support system must take into account their individual needs and should provide alternative and reliable special support services. The support staff should have adequate knowledge and information about the students with disabilities and the services available at IGNOU, to meet their requirements.

Prof. Basanti Pradhan, Director, Staff Training and Research Institute (STRIDE) stated that the administrative and support staff of an organisation play a vital role for its smooth and effective functioning. It is well accepted that they are the pillars of any organisation.  The staff of Regional Centres, Student Evaluation Division, Student Registration Division and Schools/ Centres/ Divisions, are directly engaged in carrying out all the activities related to the students, starting from their admission till the declaration of results. Therefore, these staff should have all the necessary information, knowledge and skills available for providing better service to the students. So, this type of Workshop is very much needed for the staff members working at Regional Centres.

Mr. Tata Ramakrishna, Asst. Prof, STRIDE- who is the Coordinator of this workshop had conducted one such type of programmes in headquarters and this is the second programme for Deputy Registrar, Assistant Registrars, and Section Officers   of Regional Centres   . His main motto is that every student with disability got special education in higher education and ODL should reaches door steps through assistive tec