Sunday, August 16 (KNO): On Wednesday, the Department of School Education said that it would comply with the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and guarantee that all schools are “disabled friendly” by the year 2024.
In reaction to NHRC’s recommendations, the Director of School Education in Kashmir reportedly requested that all CEOs in the area adopt Section 45 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. This was reported by the Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
All existing public buildings must be made accessible in accordance with regulations created by the Central Government within a time not exceeding five years from the date of announcement of such rules, as required by Section 45 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
Part Two: “(2) The appropriate Government and local authorities shall formulate and publish an action plan based on prioritisation, for providing accessibility in all their buildings and spaces providing essential services, including all primary health centres, civil hospitals, schools, railway stations, and bus stops.”
Access audits of all schools should be a top priority for the Department of School Education as they work towards their goal of making all schools accessible to people with disabilities by the year 2024. Within the following three months, DSEK recommends that consultations with people with disabilities and organisations serving the disability sector be held at the high school and upper secondary school levels.
It further said that the Department of School Education will appoint a nodal person to investigate complaints from disabled students and faculty.
DSEK recommended establishing a help desk at the level of the Chief Education Office in each zone to better support students and teachers who are disabled.
The directorate has mandated that all publicly funded schools include wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, wash stations, and low-floor buses for students who need them.
Within 5 months, DSEK wants all school education department websites and test registration websites to be fully accessible for people with disabilities in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
It was also ruled that all government-recognized institutions, including private schools, must make their websites accessible to children with sensory impairments. To quote you directly: “There needs to be a toll-free telephone line for the children with disabilities.”—(KNO)
