New plans for the differently abled at DU

New Delhi: With an aim to provide equal opportunities to physically challenged students, Delhi University (DU) is planning to introduce a host of projects and awards this academic session.

"We will start awarding three gold medals to differently-abled candidates topping the Commerce, Science and Humanities streams", Dean of Students Welfare, S.K. Vij said here on Monday at an orientation programme organized for physically challenged students by the Equal Opportunity Cell at the varsity's North campus.

He further said, "We are keen on providing transportation facility to these students by plying low-floor buses that will pick up them from their homes and drop them at their respective college everyday. We are also thinking of developing a system that will help us keep track of the performance of these students after admission".

"The Dean of Cultural Council is planning to start an orchestra comprising of the differently-abled students", Vij added.

The setting up of a placement cell to provide assistance to these students for getting jobs according to their qualification and talent is also on the cards.

"The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has invested about Rs.60 lakhs in the construction of a resource centre for the differently abled in the North Campus. The centre will be equipped with a computer lab and counselling centre", said a university official.

Physically challenged teachers, staff and students shared their experiences with the audience at the orientation programme.

Students were also informed about audio books, reading services and computer labs available at the Braille library of the varsity.

The introduction session for the physically challenged students was also attended by Vice Chancellor, Prof. Deepak Pental, Pro Vice Chancellor, S.K. Tandon, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Poornima Singh and Coordinator of the Equal Opportunity Cell, Rama Kant Agnihotri.