Section 17 of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
The appropriate Government and the local authorities shall take the following measures for the purpose of section 16, namely:---
- (a)to conduct survey of school going children in every five years for identifying children with disabilities, ascertaining their special needs and the extent to which these are being met: Provided that the first survey shall be conducted within a period of two years from the date of commencement of this Act;
- (b)to establish adequate number of teacher training institutions;
- (c)to train and employ teachers, including teachers with disability who are qualified in sign language and Braille and also teachers who are trained in teaching children with intellectual disability;
- (d)to train professionals and staff to support inclusive education at all levels of school education;
- (e)to establish adequate number of resource centres to support educational institutions at all levels of school education;
- (f)to promote the use of appropriate augmentative and alternative modes including means and formats of communication, Braille and sign language to supplement the use of one's own speech to fulfil the daily communication needs of persons with speech, communication or language disabilities and enables them to participate and contribute to their community and society;
- (g)to provide books, other learning materials and appropriate assistive devices to students with benchmark disabilities free of cost up to the age of eighteen years;
- (h)to provide scholarships in appropriate cases to students with benchmark disability;
- (i)to make suitable modifications in the curriculum and examination system to meet the needs of students with disabilities such as extra time for completion of examination paper, facility of scribe or amanuensis, exemption from second and third language courses;
- (j)to promote research to improve learning; and
- (k)any other measures, as may be required.
Summary
- The government must conduct a survey every five years to find children with disabilities and check if their needs are being met.
- New training institutions for teachers must be established, and current teachers must be trained in Sign Language and Braille.
- Resource centers must be set up to support schools in providing inclusive education at all levels.
- The curriculum and examination systems must be modified to include extra time, scribes, or exemptions from certain language courses.
- The government must promote research that helps improve the way students with disabilities learn.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. How often does the government survey children with disabilities under the 2016 Act?
Under Section 17 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the government must conduct a survey of school going children every five years.
2. What exam help is available under Section 17 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016?
Section 17 of the Disabilities Act, 2016 allows for modifications like extra time to finish papers, the help of a scribe, and exemptions from second or third language courses.
3. Does the Act require teachers to know Sign Language?
Yes, Section 17 of the 2016 Act mandates training and employing teachers who are qualified in Sign Language and Braille to support inclusive education.
Test yourself
Q1.When was the first survey of children with disabilities required to be done according to Section 17 of the Disabilities Act, 2016?
Q2.Up to what age does a student with a benchmark disability get free books under Section 17 of the 2016 Disabilities Act?
Q3.Which of these is a specific measure for exams mentioned in Section 17 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016?
Q4.Under Section 17 of the Disabilities Act, 2016, what must the government establish to support schools?