Student With Disabilities Require Collage-Readiness Programmes

Team Bharat Education | Published on: Apr 30, 2024 Views: 19

Student With Disabilities Require Collage Readiness Programmes

The 'd' in the word disability can very well stand for differences. It is a matter of mindset and attitude towards human diversity which are set early on in life. While a child, who may look different from others or may have different ways of learning, can be frowned at, or made to feel inferior, there can be another child in the same situation who is supported for their areas of challenge and valued for their strengths.

In both the above cases, it is mostly the adults who react in a certain way first and then the peers around the child. That puts the spotlight on the value of awareness and education amongst our community. While seeing a disability as a difference needs well designed awareness campaigns; education, being fundamental to leading an independent fulfilling life, deserves better attention and effort. It is a well known fact that a community thrives on education and if it includes its every member, the progress is manifold. However, it is also true that we tend to ignore the value people with disability can bring to the education system, and also the fact that, for them to contribute to the system, they need to be able to access it.

Less likely to participate

As per the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia's country profile of India titled 'Disability Inclusive Education Practices in India (2021)', they [students with disabilities) are less likely to participate in and complete their education compared to their peers with out disabilities.

According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22, the total estimated enrol- ment in HEIs is four crore, out of which, there are approximately 88,000 students with disabilities enrolled in higher education. This means that out of the total population of students enrolled in HEIS, only about 0.2% comprise those who have disabilities. It also marks a decline in the number of enrolled students with disabilities from 92,000, as in AISHE 2019-20. National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)'s white paper on India's National Education Policy AI DUAI AMERA and Disability Inclusive Education, 2021, also highlights the sharp drop in enrolment in hig- her education, stating that enrol- ment at secondary school is almost half that at the elementary level.

Seeing disability first

Addressing this issue is crucial to bridge the divide between inclusive policies and the practical challenges faced by students with disabilities in transitioning from elementary to secondary and then to higher education. Adults tend to see the disability first before they see the student; they see the limitations before seeing the abilities.

The overall prevailing approach tends to be centred around caregiving and hand holding, creating a void in fostering an environment conducive to responsibility taking, self awareness, and decision making for the students. The systematised lack of motivation tends to breed contentment with mediocrity, accompanied by diminished interest and capacity to function at one's best. Career awareness, aspiration building, communication skills and overall readiness for higher education and integration into an inclusive society is thus, significantly impacted.

Developing skills to not let oneself fall behind and to self advocate are essential for college success. It is not that difficult for students to integrate college and future readiness into their academic activities and daily tasks; however, their families and schools have a critical role to play there.

There is a huge scope of creating programmes that facilitate effective transition of students with disabilities from one stage of their academic life to the next. We need, not one, but many college readiness like bridge programmes to be developed, which can offer students a broader range of experiences. Specific bridge courses also need to be developed that can enable students to start their journey of becoming independent learners early and be future ready. These courses can help students build their own toolkit of strategies to manage their academics and daily work while they are still at school.

Published on: Education Times

Dated:30.04.2024