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Inclusive Education · Equal Opportunity

Accessibility Policy & Cell

Building an inclusive, accessible and supportive learning environment where every student can participate in academic and campus life with dignity, equality and independence.

Read Accessibility Policy ↓ Accessibility Cell ↓ Request Assistance
Accessibility display settings

Our Commitment to Accessibility

Biswanath College, Biswanath Chariali, recognises accessibility and inclusion as essential elements of equitable higher education. The College seeks to reduce barriers in the physical environment, communication, information, teaching-learning processes, examinations and student services. Support should be responsive to individual requirements and provided with dignity, respect and confidentiality.

Equal AccessOpportunity to participate
Inclusive CampusRespect for diverse needs
Student SupportAssistance and accommodation
Institutional framework

Accessibility Policy

Principles guiding accessibility and inclusive practices at Biswanath College.

1. Policy Statement

The College is committed to promoting an educational environment in which persons with disabilities and students with diverse support needs can access learning opportunities, institutional services and campus activities on an equitable basis. The College shall endeavour to identify and address barriers and provide reasonable support in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.

2. Objectives

  • Promote equal access to admission, teaching, learning, assessment and student services.
  • Identify physical, digital, communication and institutional barriers.
  • Facilitate reasonable accommodation based on individual needs and applicable rules.
  • Encourage accessible information, learning materials and digital communication.
  • Promote awareness, sensitivity and respect among students, teachers and staff.
  • Establish a mechanism for accessibility-related requests, feedback and grievance redressal.

3. Scope

This framework applies to students, prospective applicants, faculty members, non-teaching staff and visitors who require accessibility support in connection with College activities and services.

4. Guiding Principles

  • Non-discrimination: Equal dignity and respect for all individuals.
  • Universal design: Encouraging environments, information and services usable by the widest possible range of people.
  • Reasonable accommodation: Considering appropriate adjustments based on individual requirements and applicable provisions.
  • Confidentiality: Respecting the privacy of individuals seeking support.
  • Participation: Involving persons with disabilities in identifying barriers and improving accessibility.
  • Continuous improvement: Reviewing accessibility measures and addressing identified gaps.

5. Legal and Regulatory Framework

The College’s accessibility and inclusion efforts are guided by applicable provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016; the National Education Policy, 2020; relevant Government of India accessibility standards; and the University Grants Commission’s Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities (June 2022), together with subsequent applicable directions.

Policy status: This webpage presents an accessibility policy framework based on the UGC guidelines and the College’s public-disclosure commitment. The final College-specific policy, committee composition and implementation arrangements should be read with the latest approved Office Order and institutional records.
Areas of support

Accessibility Across the Campus

Accessibility includes more than physical infrastructure.

♿

Physical Accessibility

Promoting barrier-free movement and access to academic and administrative spaces.

  • Accessible routes and entrances
  • Ramps, handrails and safe circulation
  • Accessible classrooms and service areas
  • Appropriate signage and seating
💻

Digital Accessibility

Encouraging accessible digital information and online institutional services.

  • Readable website content
  • Keyboard-friendly navigation
  • Alternative text for meaningful images
  • Accessible documents and online forms
📚

Academic Accessibility

Supporting equitable participation in classroom teaching and learning.

  • Accessible learning materials
  • Alternative formats where required
  • Appropriate classroom arrangements
  • Academic support and mentoring
📝

Examination Support

Facilitating examination arrangements in accordance with applicable rules.

  • Scribe/reader facility, where permitted
  • Compensatory time, where applicable
  • Accessible examination venues
  • Permitted assistive devices
🧭

Information & Communication

Promoting accessible communication with students and visitors.

  • Clear notices and instructions
  • Assistance at enquiry points
  • Accessible event communication
  • Alternative communication support
🤝

Campus Participation

Encouraging inclusive participation in the wider College community.

  • Sports and cultural activities
  • Student clubs and programmes
  • Awareness and sensitisation
  • Respectful and supportive environment
STUDENT SUPPORT MECHANISM

Accessibility Cell

The Accessibility Cell is intended to serve as a coordination and support mechanism for accessibility-related matters. It provides a channel for students and other stakeholders to communicate barriers, seek guidance and request appropriate assistance.

Key Functions

  • Receive accessibility-related requests and feedback.
  • Help identify individual support requirements.
  • Coordinate with relevant College departments and authorities.
  • Facilitate reasonable accommodation requests.
  • Promote awareness and sensitisation programmes.
  • Identify barriers in campus facilities and digital services.
  • Recommend improvements and follow up on reported issues.

Areas of Coordination

  • Admission and student registration support.
  • Classroom and laboratory access.
  • Library and learning resource accessibility.
  • Examination-related assistance.
  • Administrative and student service access.
  • Campus movement and event participation.
  • Accessibility-related grievance referral.
Committee information: The current names, designations and contact details of the Accessibility Committee/Cell coordinator should be published here after verification against the latest approved College Office Order.
How to seek support

Request for Accessibility Assistance

Students and stakeholders may use the following process to communicate their support requirements.

1
Contact the College

Contact the College office by email or telephone and mention that the request concerns accessibility support.

2
Describe the barrier

Explain the facility, academic activity, examination or service for which assistance is required.

3
Provide relevant information

Share supporting documents only where necessary and through an appropriate confidential channel.

4
Coordination and review

The request may be referred to the appropriate College authority for consideration and suitable action.

Privacy: Students should not publish medical records, disability certificates or other sensitive personal documents in public comments or open online forms. Such information should be shared only through an authorised and appropriate channel.
Institutional responsibility

Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

The College will endeavour to strengthen accessibility through periodic review and coordination. The areas for review may include:

  • Identification of barriers in buildings, pathways and common facilities.
  • Review of accessibility of the College website, online forms and notices.
  • Feedback from students and other stakeholders requiring support.
  • Availability and effectiveness of academic and examination accommodations.
  • Awareness programmes for faculty, staff and students.
  • Recommendations for infrastructure improvements and assistive resources, subject to institutional approval and available resources.

Accessibility-related issues may be referred to the appropriate institutional authority for necessary consideration and follow-up.

Student information

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can approach the Accessibility Cell?

Students, prospective applicants, employees and visitors who encounter accessibility barriers in connection with College facilities or services may contact the College for guidance.

Can I request examination assistance?

Yes. Students may communicate their requirements in advance. Any scribe, reader, compensatory time, assistive device or other examination accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable UGC, University and examination rules.

Can I request accessible learning materials?

Students may request suitable learning material formats or assistance through the College. The request will be considered according to the nature of the requirement and availability of resources.

Will my personal information remain confidential?

Accessibility requests should be handled with due respect for privacy. Sensitive documents should be shared only with authorised officials through appropriate channels.

How can I report an inaccessible facility?

Contact the College office by email or telephone, describing the location and nature of the barrier. The issue can then be referred to the appropriate authority.

This webpage provides general information about accessibility and inclusion at Biswanath College. Specific facilities, accommodations, committee composition and procedures are subject to verification against current institutional records and applicable regulations.