NEW DELHI, July 14, 2024 – IIT Kharagpur is set to launch a pioneering course on building accessibility for civil engineering students, starting from the 2024-25 academic year. This first-of-its-kind initiative, developed in collaboration with the Centre’s disability affairs department, aims to educate future engineers on creating accessible and inclusive infrastructure. The course will be optional initially and offer 30 credits, focusing on smart and inclusive living spaces, accessibility, and inclusive city planning.
Disability Affairs Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal emphasized the importance of early integration of accessibility concepts, stating, “We want students to consider accessibility when designing buildings. This course will fill a significant gap in our current education system.” Plans are underway to expand the course to 27 other institutes, including various IITs, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusive education. A senior official from the Council of Architecture mentioned, “We are in discussions to incorporate this subject into the teaching plans of 27 schools across India. Initially, it will be optional at IIT Kharagpur for three years, with the potential to become a mandatory subject.”
IIT Kharagpur Collaboration with NIUA
This course was the result of IIT Kharagpur, through its collaboration with National Institute Urban Affairs (NIUA) as a part of ‘Building Accessible Safe and Inclusive Indian Cities’ (BASIIC)initiative. Subrata Chattopadhyay, Haimanti Banerjee (both from the Department of Architecture and Regional Planning) are valuable contributors in developing the course content along with Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
A senior IIT Kharagpur official emphasized the need for expertise in accessible design, stating, “Educating our future builders on accessibility is crucial. While we’ve been teaching green building concepts, it’s now imperative to formally include accessibility in our curriculum.”
The course will cover smart and inclusive living spaces, infrastructure for better living, and inclusive city planning, aligning with the government’s Accessible India 2.0 campaign. This campaign aims to enhance accessibility nationwide, ensuring public buildings and transport systems are user-friendly for people with disabilities.
Government Initiatives and Progress
The Bill had also fixed a deadline for making buildings and transport systems accessible under the 2016 Disabilities Bill. According to the Accessible India campaign by July 2018 aimed that 50%of public buildings to be made fully accessible. The Social Justice Ministry said it had carried out an audit of 1,671 buildings across 48 cities and plans for improvement in as many as 1,484 buildings have been approved. Granting money to state governments to modify 623 buildings in 20 states for accessibility purposes, e.g., put ramps, bathrooms and Braille signage into elevators.
Future Prospects
The introduction of this course at IIT Kharagpur represents a significant step towards fostering an inclusive mindset among future engineers. As the course potentially becomes a mandatory part of the curriculum, it promises to create a new generation of engineers equipped to design infrastructure that meets the needs of all individuals, thus promoting a more inclusive society.
This innovative course at IIT Kharagpur is set to revolutionize the approach to accessibility in infrastructure design. By equipping future engineers with the knowledge and skills to create inclusive environments, this initiative will significantly contribute to the government’s broader goal of ensuring accessibility for all. For more information, visit the official website of IIT Kharagpur here.
- IIT Kharagpur Scholarship Programs Transforming UG and PG Education Apply Now for Admission [ IIT News]
- IIT Kanpur to Host Major Open Source Conference from August 24-26
- IIT Delhi and Prasar Bharati to Host DD-Robocon 2024 on July 13 and 14
- IIT Kharagpur, AEEE Partner to Revolutionize Sustainable Transportation Solutions in India
- IIT JAM 2025 Exam Date; IIT Delhi Conduct Exam on February 2, Check Details @jam2025.iitd.ac.in
- IIT Mandi Launches MS and PhD Courses in Music and Musopathy, Blending Technology – Apply Now!
- IIT Gandhinagar and AIT Thailand Unveil Prestigious Double-Degree Master’s Programme for 2024
