DU to make its campus `equal' Staff Reporter
Implementing 3 per cent reservation for differently-abled teachers, students There are only 1,000 physically challenged students in DU `Colleges asked to advertise department-wise vacancies for teachers' Plan to start sensitisation process for teachers, student and administrators NEW DELHI: Moving towards making the campus truly equal, Delhi University has taken a stand and is making sure that the 3 per cent reservation for differently-abled teachers and students does not remain just a "paper dream". And while this reservation issue might not be grabbing the headlines, the University is determined to finally implement it. Having woken up to the fact that at a time there are only about 1,000 physically handicapped students in the University, there are now attempts to correct this figure. Apart from making the campus more accessible to students, the authorities have also intensified efforts to fulfil this reservation quota within the faculty. "The University has asked all colleges to advertise the vacancies that they have department-wise so that differently-abled teachers can apply. There have been cases where people have applied and have been told that there is no space in the department for them," said Dean of Colleges Shirin Rathore. Taking the first few steps towards inclusion, Swami Shraddhanand College has appointed four differently-abled teachers recently. And these are not its first such appointments; the college had a visually handicapped teacher in the 1980s for Hindi. "I think it is a very good step. The reservation has been there, but no one really paid much attention earlier. All the candidates that we have selected are very highly qualified and were better educated than the general category applicants. We have two physically challenged teachers and two teachers who are visually handicapped," said Swami Shraddanand College Principal J.L. Bhat. There have also been appointments of differently-abled teachers in Kirori Mal College and Kalindi College. While the idea is not to single these teachers out for being "different", it is an attempt to give them the opportunity they deserve. No longer invisible, hiring teachers will set an example for students. It is hoped that seeing differently-abled teachers will go a long way in sensitising the younger generation. "Students will become more sensitive, we hope. The University is also planning on starting sensitisation process for teachers, student and administrators. The University will also become barrier-free and we plan to include a note on the differently-abled in every prospectus in institutions," said Ms. Rathore. http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/30/stories/2006073015550400.htm Vikas Kapoor, MSN ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype ID: dl_vikas Mobile: (+91) 9891098137. To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
