DU to include acid attack victims in Disability list

The University of Delhi has adopted the revised Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 while expanding its list to include acid attack victims in it.

Although the reservation of seats for the survivors is a much-appreciated step, several non-governmental organization associated with them feel that just securing seats is not adequate.

Ashish Shukla, NGO activist, said, "We appreciate the move, and we are gathering data about the previous education of the survivors to know their eligibility for admissions. Since most of them are from other states, coming to Delhi is a challenge for acid survivors."

He also added that the action has been taken on Chanchal petition at Apex court, and we request to the government to establish a committee and take the matter seriously on ground level.

Laxmi, acid attack survivor said, "Undoubtedly, it's a good initiative. We will get a chance to study with the normal people and that will boost our confidence. Despite knowing about the quota, very few will take admission."

The revisedRights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has been implemented which ensures the Right to free education for every child between the age of 6 to 18 years suffering from benchmark difficulties.

Earlier, the PWD (Persons with disabilities) act constituted the physical and mental disabilities, but this revision and prolongation now includes five major categories, that is, physical disorders, such as, blindness, deafness, dumbness, impaired limbs or multiple disorders, mental disorders, acid attack victims, dwarfism and blood-related disorders such as Thalassemics and sickle cell anemic.

The seat count has also been raised from 3 to 5 percent with now a total of 2600 reserved seats for disabled. 958 students have registered till now, for the Undergraduate Admission 2017.