iPods,special computers for physically challenged students at DU

College principal V K Kawatra said,“This is an initiative of the college and its alumni. They will also be provided equipment to record their lectures.”

Despite having 20 seats for students in this category,Zakir Hussain College has managed to only lure three students so far. The college provides recorded lectures and study material in Braille to its visually challenged students.

Principal,Zakir Hussain college,Aslam Parvez said that this year the college will be providing special computers for such students to help them make the most of their education.

The admission statistics of students in this category is much more encouraging at Lady Shri Ram college. Of the 16 seats reserved for disabled students,12 have been filled.

Ujjaini Ray,convenor of admissions,said,“National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers take care of the special students and we try to record books and other audio material for them”.

NSS volunteers help these students come to college from their homes everyday and also during classes. This year the college plans to have lifts installed in the buildings for the ease of physically handicapped students.

The SGTB Khalsa college does not have the facility of Braille printing as of now but they are looking to have lifts and special restrooms for such students. Unfazed that only 3 out of the 21 seats have been filled,the college authorities have made ramps to facilitate the movement of wheel chairs in the college.

“We are ready to help the students in every possible way”,said the principal of the college Jaswinder Singh.

Besides these facilities,physically handicapped students at DU are provided extra time of one hour during exams. They can also ask for writers during their exam and avail of a free reading service. Transportation facility from their homes and hostels is also available to the physically challenged.

Nisha Singh,Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Equal Opportunity Cell said,“Although many colleges in DU are Physically handicapped friendly,we still have some way to cover.”