Ramps, toilets, wheelchairs: CIC pushes UGC, CBSE to tighten disability access norms on campuses

The Central Information Commission (CIC) has recommended that the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) establish effective monitoring mechanisms to ensure that universities, colleges and schools provide essential accessibility facilities for students with disabilities.

In two separate orders, Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi invoked Section 25(5) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, to recommend measures aimed at strengthening compliance with disability-related provisions in educational institutions.

The recommendations followed appeals filed by an applicant who had raised concerns about the absence of basic facilities, including ramps, wheelchairs and accessible toilets, in educational institutions in Bihar and Delhi-NCR.

Although the Commission found the responses provided by the respective public information officers appropriate under the RTI Act, it emphasised the larger public interest involved in ensuring that students with disabilities were not denied access to educational facilities and support.

𝗨𝗚𝗖 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

In the appeal concerning the UGC, the applicant had sought inquiry reports and details of action taken on a complaint alleging inadequate accessibility infrastructure in colleges affiliated with Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University.

During the proceedings, the university informed the Commission that ramps had been constructed to provide access to its administrative building and important departments.

It also stated that work was underway to construct separate accessible toilets for male and female persons with disabilities.

The university further informed the CIC that all constituent and affiliated colleges had been directed to provide ramps with handrails, accessible toilets, lifts wherever necessary, designated parking spaces, suitable library facilities and wheelchairs.

The colleges were subsequently instructed to submit reports detailing the actual status of these facilities on their campuses.

Taking note of the submissions, the CIC recommended that the UGC issue appropriate guidelines for ensuring barrier-free access in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

The Commission also called for strict compliance with these provisions by universities approved by the regulatory body.

𝗖𝗕𝗦𝗘 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

In the separate appeal involving the CBSE, the applicant sought information on action taken against complaints concerning inadequate accessibility facilities in private and public schools across Bihar and Delhi-NCR.

The CBSE informed the Commission that it had already issued mandatory guidelines to its affiliated schools outlining provisions for children with special needs.

However, the CIC emphasised that issuing guidelines alone was insufficient unless their implementation was effectively monitored.

The Commission recommended that the CBSE issue necessary directions to affiliated schools and establish a monitoring mechanism to ensure strict implementation of the prescribed requirements.

It stressed that no eligible child should be deprived of facilities and support to which they are entitled.

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁

In both appeals, the CIC distinguished between the adequacy of information supplied under the RTI Act and the broader responsibility of educational regulators to safeguard the rights of students with disabilities.

While accepting the replies furnished by the public information officers, the Commission used its recommendatory powers under Section 25(5) to draw attention to the need for institutional oversight.

The provision empowers the Commission to recommend steps where the practices of a public authority may not conform to the requirements of the RTI Act.

The orders underline the importance of translating accessibility requirements into functioning infrastructure, rather than limiting compliance to circulars and directions.

The recommendations also place renewed emphasis on monitoring by the UGC and CBSE to ensure that students with disabilities can access educational institutions without facing avoidable physical barriers.