News

Volume 2 Issue 12 - June 15, 2004

DU access still a problem

DNIS News Network - Delhi University has seen a huge increase in admission numbers for disabled people. But life will not be easy for any of these disabled students -- the university still has few facilities to cater for their needs.

Delhi University has seen a huge increase in admission numbers for disabled people. There were 190 disabled students registered for a range of courses with still a week left to the closing date.

However, despite this seeming good news, life will not be easy for any of these disabled students. The fact remains that the university still has few facilities to cater for the needs of disabled people. Ramps are rare, libraries often inaccessible and appropriate toilet facilities are practically non-existent.

It seems little has changed since 2003 when the National Centre for the Promotion of Employment of Disabled People (NCPEDP) conducted an accessibility audit at five DU colleges. The resounding result then was that none could be considered disabled friendly and that, to all intents and purposes, is still the case today.

While the increased numbers of disabled students is a cause for celebration, DU cannot count itself as truly accessible until the appropriate facilities are put in place to help those it admits complete their studies, with no obstacles in their path.