Ramp scorchers of Delhi University in distress

Barriers galore for the disabled on the campus; colleges say no funds to bring in changes

A coffee break for a differently-abled student at the Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) of the Delhi University is nothing more than climbing Everest.

Reason being the college canteen is situated on the first floor. Leave alone ramps and railings to help those with disabilities the college is yet to shift its canteen to the ground floor even after a year of an assessment report which recommended the measure.

Over 700 persons with disabilities, including students, teaching and non-teaching staff are currently enrolled/work in various colleges of the University. Still, many opt out because of accessibility issues.

Access to the college buildingsu00a0both external and internalu00a0is usually full of barriers and some sporadic ramp or railing, which have been installed is unapproachable.

Last year, the University roped in Samarthyau00a0a non-government organizationu00a0to conduct an access audit of the campus to make it barrier free. However, the recommendations made after the audit are yet to be translated into action.

Samarthya had asked the colleges to put up Braille signages, put tactile floor tiles, sign language interpreter and digitized lecture system apart from minor changes to make laboratories and toilets more accessible.
Samarthya had also recommended that each college should be provided a fund of Rs 20 lakh to make the recommended changes.

During a reality check by MiD DAY on Monday it was found that none of the colleges had installed a lift and barring one or two colleges, most have no braille signages, tactile floor tiles, sign language interpreter and digitized lecture system.

Principal of Ramjas College, Dr. Rajendra Prasad said, "We have provided accessible toilets for the disabled students. We are in the process of making lecture system digitized. We have hired a visually impaired lady who is given the responsibility of setting up a Braille library of international standards."

"The main hindrance is money. Once we get it we will make other infrastructural changes also," Prasad added.

Dr. Rama Kant Agnihotri coordinator of the Equal Opportunity Cell (EOC) said, "As per the 11th plan every college have already been given certain amount of money. Specific instructions have also been given to the colleges that the amount should be spent to make the entire campus accessible for the disabled." The EOC was set up around the same time Samarthya was asked to conduct the survey.

Out of an estimated cost of Rs. 20 lakh per institution, the colleges were expected to bear 25 per cent of the cost. Grants were released on a priority basis so that work was not held up.

Hindu College principal, Dr. DN Gupta said, "The total expenditure to be incurred on such changes has come out to be Rs 48 lakh. It is impossible for us to do it with just Rs 20 lakh. We had sent the report to Dean of colleges. The same proposal has been sent to the UGC."

Yogesh Kumar Yadav, a visually impaired 1st year History (Hons) student of Hindu college said, "Just improving the college premises will not make the university accessible for the disabled. Most of the footpaths outside the college are broken. There is no proper road also."