Coursing through mainstream

Ramneek Singh has many feathers in his cap—from a Masters degree in Commerce to a masters degree in library sciences.

He is also confined to a wheelchair.

Singh suffers from cerebral palsy with 80 per cent disability— a condition that hampers muscular development.

But his mind knows no such constraint. And now he is ensuring other differently abled students get the most opportunities to let their intellect unfurl.

Singh is also a technical assistant and a sensitivity coach at DU’s Equal Opportunity Cell, which teaches life skills to the differently abled to equip them for the career world.

“Due to lack of facilities, my education has been through the distant learning mode,” said Singh. “As a coach, I have been fortunate enough to help remove the learning blocks from the lives of the differently abled.”

The Cell provides certificate courses in sign language interpretation, communicative English, information and communication technology and Disability and Human rights designed specially for the differently abled.

“Our vision is the holistic development of our differently abled students,” said Nisha Singh, Officer on Special Duty. “These courses are extremely affordable and students have shown a remarkable improvement in their communication skills.”

Encouraged by the success of these courses, the Cell is also planning to start courses in mass media which will include news reading, anchoring and editing.

It has also designed a three month long unique orientation course for visually impaired students. The orientation course will aid them in performing their day-to-day tasks such as negotiating roads and boarding buses and trains.

The Cell also conducts sensitivity training programs for the teaching and non-teaching staff of the University. Techniques like blindfolding and movement on walkers and wheelchairs are used to help them empathise with the special needs of physically handicapped students.

“There is still a long way to go, but a beginning has been made in creating a congenial environment for the differently abled at the University,” said Geeta Joshi, who completed a certificate course in sign language interpretation.