UGC issues draft of Comprehensive Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions (“HEIs”) and Universities
The Universities Grants Commission (“UGC”) has proposed a draft of Comprehensive Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions (“HEIs”) and Universities.
Key Highlights:
• Accessibility in Higher Education Institutions: Inclusive practices in education ensure quality education without discrimination to any learner. University Grants Commission (UGC) aims to improve the participation and learning experience of persons with disabilities in HEIs
• Need Assessment and Support Provisions: The various aspects of access and need assessment in higher education include Curriculum & Instruction; On & Off-Campus Services; Physical Spaces; and Information & Communication Technology. From policies and evaluation of specific needs to planning and reviewing the curriculum, delivery methods, feedback, individualized modifications, assistive technology, safety, campus climate, events, residential and non-residential facilities, and capacity building of stakeholders are major areas for evolving our HEIs towards an inclusive future. One of the most critical aspects however is to understand the specific needs of persons with disabilities by all stakeholders of HEIs including peer groups. So that, appropriate measures for accessibility and inclusion can be initiated by each institution in information, infrastructure and the overall learning culture and systems.
• Accessible Information, Communication and Learning Resources: Access to information principally implies a focus to create and provide information for diverse purposes in higher education including moving to and around the campus, interacting with administrative systems, participating, and engaging in learning activities and anything else that’s considered part of a higher education environment. Information and Communication Technologies (“ICT”) play a vital role in today’s learning environments and in enhancing accessibility to information. As a guideline, it is recommended that all HEIs and universities shall strive to integrate the best possible ICTs and other means of communication to ensure access to information to diverse users including ones with visual and hearing impairments.
• Inclusive Mobility Infrastructure: Mobility is critical to all forms of life including education. It is therefore extremely relevant and important to enhance accessibility to HEIs through inclusive mobility infrastructures keeping in view mobility in HEIs. All HEIs should get a mobility audit survey conducted of the campus to identify the needs of accessibility sustainable mobility infrastructure for the diversity of students and staff and prepare a ‘mobility action plan’ to implement the same in a time-bound manner.
• Accessibility of Resources and Services: Making provisions of equipment/resources will not serve the purpose unless due emphasis is given to provide the services and operationalization of the system effectively. Therefore, all the units under the HEIs need to be integrated to cater to the needs of the persons with disabilities to achieve the sustainable development goal of imparting quality education without any barrier and to ensure accessibility on an equitable basis without any discrimination.
• Inclusive Campus Life: Achieving an inclusive campus life in an HEI requires a comprehensive approach that considers how to fully embrace the students, faculty, and staff with disability by changing the culture and not only ensuring accessibility and providing need-based specific accommodations but also creating an environment of respect and dignity for effective inclusion of diversity.
A Copy of the Guideline is attached for ease of reference.
Source: Universities Grants Commission
