New Delhi: Starting this year, students can learn sign language and study certificate or diploma courses in disability and human rights, law, theatre and media, among other courses at Delhi University’s centre for Disability Studies. The courses are likely to start after getting an approval from the academic council on June 22.

The idea of a centre for disability was first proposed in 2017. Subsequently, a preparatory committee was set up in which experts from DU and international disability experts from George Washington University of Glasgow, UK attended 8 meetings and came out with a report that will be tabled before the academic council on Saturday.

The chairman of the preparatory committee, Anil Aneja said, “The centre will change DU’s engagement with disability, right from empowerment to research.  It will act as a catalyst and give information to people about various aspects of disability

In its report, the committee has stated that the centre can offer courses on disability and gender, human rights, religion, media, sports and Indian sign language interpretation, etc. It is also being considered to start online and distance learning courses as well as MPhil and PhD.  The centre will act like a resource centre for disability studies for faculty members and students

Member Secretary of the committee Bipin Tiwary, said, “The centre will promote inclusion and also empower students with disabilities with special courses in skill enhancement.”

The committee has requested for an initial fund of Rs. 1 Crore to set up infrastructure, resource room, technology support and library. The draft of the report was displayed on the university website for comments by the public.  “The suggestions received have been studied by the committee and incorporated in the report,” Tiwary said.

Source: The Times of India