IIT Kharagpur Partners with Disability Affairs to Introduce Groundbreaking Civil Engineering Course on Accessibility

Education For A Purpose: IIT Kharagpur's New Course Integrates Accessibility into Infrastructure Design

The Indian Institute of technology Kharagpur has partnered with the Department of Disability Affairs to unveil a game changing course for civil engineering students. This trailblazing effort to champion inclusivity and innovation will surely set the stage for a future where infrastructure development embraces and empowers everyone. The innovative course, will be offered by the government in 27 institutions, including more IITs, available to students in the sixth and seventh semesters starting in the 2024–2025 academic year.

In the sixth and seventh semesters of IIT-Kharagpur's civil engineering department, the course will be available as an elective, for thirty credits starting in September for a period of three years, after which it may become mandatory subject. Disability Affairs Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal told PTI that the objective of this course is to integrate accessibility into education early so that students can incorporate it in building design as currently, there is no such course in the education system. A senior official provided details on the proposal to expand the course, stating that the disability affairs department is in discussions with the Council of Architecture to incorporate the subject into their curriculum. The course will be progressively introduced at 27 universities around the nation, according to the overall plan.

Previously, IIT-Kharagpur and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) collaborated on a project called "Building Accessible Safe and Inclusive Indian Cities" (BASIIC). Subrata Chattopadhyay and Haimenti Banerjee, two of the institute's foremost specialists from the Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, have been assigned the responsibility of creating the "Accessible Built Environment" course in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

"Experts are needed to construct accessible structures, thus it's critical that our future infrastructure builders receive the same kind of professional training. The aspects of green buildings have been taught to the students but now it's time to formally incorporate constructing accessible buildings into the curriculum. For the time being, the course will be available as an elective, a senior IIT Kharagpur official informed PTI. This course will include smart and inclusive habitat, accessibility, infrastructure driven livability and inclusive urban planning.

The project is a component of the government's Accessible India 2.0 campaign, which aims to provide PwDs (people with disabilities) with universal accessibility. The government is striving to make buildings accessible for people with disabilities throughout the nation, under this Accessible India Campaign. Establishing a deadline for the development of barrier-free access to buildings and transportation networks was one of the  recommendations of the Disabilities Bill, which was passed by Parliament in 2016. By July 2018, 50% of public buildings and transportation were expected to be completely accessible to people with disabilities as part of the Accessible India program.

In 48 cities, 1,671 buildings had access audits performed and financial proposals for the retrofitting of 1,484 buildings were submitted to the government. The Social Justice Ministry notified the Rajya Sabha that 623 structures across 20 states had undergone retrofitting and that 1,314 properties have received approval for work. Following the audits, state governments submitted recommendations to the DEPwD, which released funds for the building’s retrofit. Section 44 of the Persons with Disabilities Act stipulated that the standards for retrofitting included installing Braille symbols in elevators, making restrooms wheelchair-accessible, and erecting ramps.

The collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and the Department of Disability Affairs will pave the way for resolving complex societal challenges. This initiative not only enhances educational experience for civil engineering students but also sets a precedent for other institutions and disciplines to follow.

Editor's Note:

The groundbreaking initiative by IIT Kharagpur and the Department of Disability Affairs in the field of Civil Engineering challenges us to rethink the true purpose of education. It's not merely about constructing buildings; it's about building a nation that serves everyone. This innovative approach emphasises creating accessible facilities for people with disabilities, ensuring that our infrastructure is inclusive and empowering for all. The initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter in civil engineering education, where the focus on accessibility and universal design becomes integral to the development of future infrastructure.

Skoobuzz applauds for this remarkable beginning in the field of civil engineering which will produce a new generation of engineers committed to create an inclusive and accessible environment for all.