PANJIM: Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) has urged schools and colleges not to deny admission to students with disability. DRAG said cases of schools and colleges denying admission to persons with disabilities (PwDs) still continues in Goa.
DRAG has also offered educational institutions support to promote inclusive education. It says that schools/colleges should provide barrier-free access and reasonable accommodation to students with disability.
DRAG has reminded that professional colleges should maintain 5% reservations for students with disability. Schools/colleges violating the above are liable for penal action under the Disability Act 2016.
DRAG President Avelino D’Sa said that they had come across several cases of schools and institutions denying admission to students with disabilities. The association says that these cases still continue this year and the education department has not been cooperating with the disabled persons.
Students who have been accommodates by institutions are grateful to their alma mater for accommodating them.
“I am grateful to the management and staff of St Theresa’s High School, Vasco, St Andrew’s HSS Vasco, MES College, Zuarinagar and Carmel College, Nuvem for giving me an opportunity to be their student. I have completed my MA in Psychology in 2023,” said Vinita Bicholkar who has cerebral palsy.
“I am grateful to the management and staff of Lokvishwas Prathistan, Ponda, Santa Cruz HSS St Cruz, Dhempe College, Miramar, and Goa University for giving me an opportunity to be their student. I have completed my MA in English in 2022,” Akshay Bhangale, a visually impaired youth, told media.
DRAG has reminded that persons with disabilities are protected under the Indian Constitution and serious cognizance ill be taken against any such cases.
