Hi, I really appreciate the time and expertise you have dedicated to drafting the scribe guidelines. However, your emails do not clearly conclude with actionable outcomes, which is disappointing.
My thoughts are as follows: The Windows platform should be mandatory, and Linux should be optional. Persons with visual impairments already spend a significant amount of time materializing content and preparing academically. Expecting them to additionally explore and learn a new operating system is unrealistic. Moreover, as of now, no blind organizations in India provide formal training on Linux. Since the question paper is accessible through a browser, a computer backup is not required. There is also a clear difference between graduation-level exams and competitive exams. In competitive exams, the internet is not used; instead, an intranet is deployed. Due to this, technical failures with screen readers are more likely. Providing a backup system would involve additional costs, and exam authorities may not agree to this arrangement. Regarding computer access two days before the exam: while allowing students to check the exam computer in advance to set accessibility preferences is well-intentioned, it is not practical. An exam taker would need to dedicate at least one full week for the exam process—traveling once to check computer settings and again to appear for the exam. This is not feasible for many candidates. A more practical alternative needs to be considered. These points need to be addressed clearly so that the guidelines are both inclusive and realistically implementable. From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Ashutosh Singhal Sent: Sunday, December 7, 2025 10:33 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: [AI] Official Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities consultation on new scribe guidelines Glad to share that after many efforts, I finally got the opportunity to represent the perspective of Students with Disabilities in the official Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) consultation meeting on the new Scribe Guidelines in front of the Honourable Joint Secretary, held on 18 November 2025. Since I am the first student in the entire Delhi University to take exams on a computer—both in graduation and post-graduation—typing in Hindi on a computer, I have firsthand experience of the challenges, gaps, and solutions related to computer-based exams. I also conducted India’s first-ever webinar with Ashoka University on 3 and 9 March to help students understand the challenges, solutions, and steps required to apply for computer-based exams. (This was before DEPwD released the new Scribe Guidelines on 1 August.) I also organised a consultation on the 1 August Scribe Guidelines so that more students with disabilities could share their feedback on improving the guidelines. You can access the first webinar recording here (English + Hindi). Other videos will upload on the same YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/lX-RFipWD2o?si=XEsAzS-VQolXDDoq Since you may be interested in what happened during the consultation, I am not mentioning other speakers’ points due to privacy, but here are my points, so you get a clear idea. (The consultation lasted 3–4 hours, so I did not repeat points already covered by others.) My Feedback Shared During the Scribe Guidelines Consultation 1. Need for S cribes and Trained Scribes: I highlighted that some disabilities—like Cerebral Palsy—must have scribes, as writing or speech clarity is affected. In Western countries, trained scribes are provided who understand the needs of persons with Cerebral Palsy. India should adopt similar practices. 2. Qualification Issues of Provided Scribes: Some students with visual impairments receive scribes who are either overqualified or underqualified, violating the exam authority’s own scribe rules. 3. Permission for Assistive Devices: Exam bodies often deny permission to bring essential assistive devices like Taylor Frames, even though they are allowed under existing and old guidelines. 4. Need for Mock Computer-Based Exams: I requested official mock exams so students—especially those hesitant or inexperienced—can practise before choosing the computer-based mode. 5. Backup Computer Requirement: There should be an extra computer available in case of technical failure. (In my graduation, Microsoft Office crashed and the system stopped working.) 6. Students with Disabilities Are Stakeholders: Only NGOs were invited, no student, and that too after great effort I got permission in the consultation. Scribe guidelines directly impact students, so they must be included atleast who have experience on giving exam on computer. 7. Printout Timing Must Be Clarified: Like UPSC and other pen-pencil based exams, the printout should be taken after the entire duration allotted to students with disabilities, not during the so-called “extra time,” which is actually compensatory time. 8. Computer Access at Least 2 Days Before Exam: Students should receive permission to check the exam computer at least two days earlier to set preferences, accessibility settings, etc. 9. Comparison With Western Countries: If we compare India with Western countries in many areas, why not compare our scribe and computer-based exam systems too? 10. MathML for Accessible Maths: MathML can make mathematical content accessible. I also mentioned that Microsoft Narrator will support accessible maths reading in future updates. 11. Ensuring Equal & Level Playing Field: Guidelines should be designed so no one can accuse students with disabilities of misusing scribes, while ensuring fairness. 12. Existing Computer-Based Exams in India: Exams like CLAT and AIBE are already happened on computer. This is not something new for India. 13. Windows vs. Linux Issue: Most competitive exams use Linux, where the screen reader is Orca, which has a learning curve. But work after selection happens mostly on Windows. Therefore, students with disabilities should have the option to take exams on Windows too. Ashutosh Singhal -- Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. 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