The University Grant Commission on 12th July 2022, has directed all the colleges and universities to implement ‘Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities’ to provide easy access to higher education to persons with disabilities (PwDs).
With a view to improve the participation and learning experiences of persons with disabilities in HEIs and also to achieve the goals of NEP 2020 and provisions of Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016, University Grants Commission (UGC) has prepared. Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities”, which will play a very significant role in making our HEIs accessible.
According to the guidelines, Higher education institutions (HEIs) need to create a common learning environment that is flexible and accessible for all the students to learn together including those from varied backgrounds and diverse abilities.
The HEIs shall provide wheelchair-accessible battery run shuttle service vehicles or other appropriate alternates to move within campus to specific destinations enhancing connectivity. This may also include provision of accessible mobility services from nearest mobility hubs to the HEI campus. Inclusive mobility within campus such as from the hostels to the departments, classrooms, libraries etc.