AICTE asks technical institutes to set up EOFC, guidelines issued

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has issued guidelines for inclusive education for all including persons with disabilities.

In a letter, the AICTE has asked Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities and all its approved institutions to establish a cell known as ‘Equal Opportunity Facilitation Cell (EOFC).’

A senior faculty will be appointed as the nodal officer of EOFC with different members including male/female faculty, non-teaching staff, representative from NGO working in the area of empowerment of PWDs and others. This has been done to facilitate inclusive digital education for all including Persons with Disabilities.

Responsibility of EOFC:

To promote admission of PwDs in technical institutions. Create awareness among stakeholders in the area of equal opportunities on a regular basis. Address special needs of students pertaining to teaching-learning process.

To provide special assistance in training and placernent of students with disabilities. To provide free laptops and internet charges to PwDs through Institute/State Government.

In its letter, the AICTE has asked its approved institutions to include details related to the availability of barrier-free environment for students with disabilities on their websites including details of admission process, support services and status of persons with disabilities.

Institutes should create a separate budgetary head covering the expenditure towards activities promoting inclusion of persons with disabilities.