Chandigarh, June 3

More than 10 visually impaired and ambulatory disabled PwD students of the PU marched from the Chemistry Department canteen to the Vice-Chancellor office at the university here on today.

They shouted the slogans of inclusivity and demanded a representation in the newly formed committee for RPwD Act, Syndicate, Senate and other governing bodies of the PU.

As per the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPWD Act, 2016’, there is 5 per cent reservation in the higher education. Under Clause (16) of the said Act, it is also mandatory for all educational institutions, including the PU, to provide inclusive environment to persons with disabilities (PWDs) by taking appropriate measures.

However, at the PU, there are only around 48 or 50 students with disabilities — only 0.3 per cent of total enrolment,” said Rimpi Arora, one of the protest marchers.

The PwD students have written several letters to the PU VC, but neither received a satisfactory response nor an assurance. “We requested the authority to redress our problems before the commencement of summer vacation period so that new strategies/agendas would be prepared for students with disabilities in the upcoming academic session.”

The students demand a meeting with independent committee along the Vice-Chancellor for the feedback on the issues being faced by them. “We also want feedback on MPhil/PhD admission process for students with disabilities as per the provision of ‘Special Admission Drive’ of the UGC guidelines in writing. We demand uniform fee concession to all classified disabilities instead of particular to one category of disability (Visually impaired and separate budget for students with disability,” said protesters.

They said they were not satisfied with the appointment of Prof Anil Kumar as the in-charge of the EOC-PWDs and report prepared by the Coordinator (Dr Sanjeev Gautam) on their problems.
Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/pupils-want-to-be-heard-in-senate/782749.html