Inclusiveness of differently abled persons in higher education

Abstract

The Higher Education in India has witnessed many fold increase in its institutional capacity since independence. During 1950 and 2008, the number of universities has increased from 20 to about 431, colleges from 500 to 20,677 and the teachers from 15,000 to nearly 5.05 lakhs. Consequently, the enrolment of students has increased from a mere 1.00 lakh in 1950 to over 116.12 lakhs Inclusiveness, in this context, refers to application of the principles and instruments of equity, which could benefit groups that have so far either remained untouched or excluded from the processes of socio-economic and political development. The institutions obviously did not understand the issue of access and were under the impression that all the places were accessible for all present and future disabled students. Currently, Indian Higher Education system is in a very poor state in inclusiveness of Differently Abled persons. It has become the last priority and this can be changed only by changing the mindset of the people holding decision making positions. We need to revolutionize the enrollment criteria, curriculum, teaching methodologies and research approaches presently being employed in the Higher Education system.