PWD- Support Cell

Disability is a part of life. People can experience disability, permanently or temporarily in any phase of life. The debate around normalcy in relation to disability is profound. The idea of normal is anything that conforms to the common standards followed in society regarded not as deviant or different. The cultural production of such negative differences and the evocation of adverse responses (stigma) has changed disability's symbolic meaning. It is very important to understand the difference between impairment and disability in the context. While impairment can be traced to the medical model which focuses on individual conditions, the social model does not see the individual as the source of disability but rather the social barriers which disable a person. The social model of disability has profoundly influenced how disability is understood in contemporary times. Thus, disability results from the interaction between individuals and the environment through inaccessible infrastructure, negative social attitudes, and limited social support. The RPD (Rights of Persons with Disabilities) Act, 2016 recognises disability as an evolving and dynamic concept. The RPD Act 2016 was enacted on 28.12.2016 and came into force on 19.04.2017.

The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21. The Act covers the following specified disabilities.Disabilities covered under the Act:

• Blindness
• Low-vision
• Leprosy Cured persons
• Hearing Impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
• Locomotor Disability
• Dwarfism
• Intellectual Disability
• Mental Illness
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Chronic Neurological conditions
• Specific Learning Disabilities
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Speech and Language disability
• Thalassemia
• Hemophilia
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Multiple Disabilities including deaf-blindness
• Acid Attack victims xxi. Parkinson’s disease

As per Census 2011, in India, out of 121 crore population, 2. 68 crore people have a disability, male-1.5 cr, female-1.18 cr. Out of the male disabled population, 62% are literate, and among the female disabled 45% are literate. This National Education Policy 2020 proposes the revision and revamping of all aspects of the education structure, including its regulation and governance, to create a new system that is aligned with the aspirational goals of 21st-century education. It aims to recognize, identify, and foster the unique capabilities of each student, by sensitizing teachers as well as parents to promote each student’s holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres. Hence each institution is expected to build up an environment that can accommodate students with diverse needs also and provide them with the necessary support that can help them develop their skills in the same classroom setting. The educational attainment of disabled persons is important in improving their living conditions.

The PWD support cell in our institution was established in 2019. The objectives of this cell are to create awareness around disability among various stakeholders, to sensitize teachers, students, and parents, and to provide holistic support to students with disability enrolled in our institution.

The facilities provided at our institution

• Ramps
• Elevators
• Wheelchairs
• Scribes for examinations (for students with visual impairments)
• Medical support

Future Goals

• Sensitization workshops and seminars for teaching, non-teaching staff, and students
• Job oriented programmes
• Separate toilets for students with special needs.
• Disabled-friendly seating arrangements in the classroom