Universities are likely to allow visually impaired students the option of writing answer papers for examinations on computers. This would do away with the age-old system of students using a ‘scribe’ during examination.

In a letter to all universities, including deemed universities, the University Grants Commission (U.G.C.) has taken note of a request in this regard from the office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (C.C.P.D.), and requested universities to take ‘necessary action in the matter’ and bring it to the notice of colleges affiliated to it.

T.D. Dhariyal, deputy chief commissioner, C.C.P.D.,commented on this: “This (letter) will help not only people with disabilities, but also us in getting it implemented. “While this is not a direction from U.G.C., we will definitely take up any cases that come to our notice.”

U.G.C.’s stance follows a similar instruction from the Central Board of Education (C.B.S.E.) allowing candidates from Delhi to use computers or typewriters during exams.

U.G.C. and C.B.S.E. stance has come as a ray of hope, though it’ll be a while before students can take full advantage of the change. Dipender Manocha, director, I.T. services at the National Association for the Blind (N.A.B.), Delhi, explained: “Students need to be trained to work on computers so they have the confidence to attempt exams in this manner.” N.A.B.-Delhi hopes that by 2007 they will have the training in place to transition DU’s students to computer-based exams.

Apart from training, another problem that some foresee in ‘using technology to give visually impaired students greater academic independence’ is infrastructure. On this, Dhariyal said: “Implementing this option shouldn’t be a problem.”

The only problem that could emerge is if colleges are asked to provide computers themselves, said Dhariyal. Providing a solution to this, Manocha said; schemes and funds allocated by the U.G.C. for colleges to set up computer labs could be put to fullest use. Colleges are not aware of these schemes... applications have not been coming to the U.G.C.