Ketan Non implementation is your headache and that of the NGO and then the court is always open. Cant put it in the Policy. . Kanchan Pamnani Advocate & Solicitor 9, Suleman Chambers, Battery Street, Colaba, Mumbai - 400 039.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ketan Kothari" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "pamnani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 10:22 AM Subject: Re: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent > Dear Kanchan, > > It is an excellent document except that there should be a provision > for viva exam in certain cases where the use of graphs is immense and > those of us who are totally blind by birth find it difficult to read > them. > > Further, after this policy comes into effect the nonimplementing body > such as the school/colleges/universities should invalidate the > examination and they should reorganize the same as the disabled person > looses the marks as it happened in my own case. > > Thank you. > > > On 11/29/07, pamnani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> Hi Friends >> Have drafted a Policy for Examinations of the Visually disabled in India >> thanks to the input from Anjali, Asif, Dipendra, Harish, Ketan, Neha, >> Pranav, Rajesh, Sam and SGS Sisodia and numerous others who helped when >> the >> Maharashtra Guidelines were being framed. >> >> >> >> Please let me have your comments on this draft urgently and no later than >> this evening. I need to send it to the Disability commission. >> thanks Kanchan >> >> >> Policy for Examination of the Visually Disabled >> >> >> The need for a standard and comprehensive Policy throughout India for the >> examination of the Visually Disabled has been growing since: >> >> >> >> a.. Every year more and more Visually Disabled candidates are appearing >> for various examinations. >> b.. Number of examining bodies has been increasing over the years >> >> >> a.. Various orders/judgments/directions have been passed by various >> Courts/Commissions/Authorities and deal with the problem in piecemeal. >> >> >> a.. Various examination conducting authorities have different rules >> and/or >> implement the rules in different ways. >> >> >> a.. Technology is improving and needs to be taken into account >> >> >> a.. The anxiety suffered by the examinees before and during the >> examination has to be removed >> >> >> a.. Questions asked at written examinations and the examinations >> themselves are varied and need to be answered in various ways. >> >> >> a.. Competition is increasing and the Visually Disabled have to be >> given a >> level playing field >> >> >> >> >> This Policy will apply to all examinations being conducted in India >> generally and specifically to examinations conducted by Educational >> institutions- schools and colleges (both internal and external), School >> and >> College Boards, universities and deemed universities, autonomous bodies >> conducting entrance or promotional examinations as well as all >> recruiting/promoting authorities and any other authorities or bodies >> under >> which a Visually Disabled examinee wishes to appear for an examination >> for >> any purpose whatsoever. The paramount purpose of the Policy is to >> alleviate >> the hardship being caused to the Visually disabled candidate due to >> uncertainty in policy and to mitigate the effects of a disability. >> >> >> >> >> >> 1. Scribe >> >> >> a. The Visually Disabled candidate must be allowed the use of a Scribe >> who >> will read the question papers and write/type the answers dictated by the >> Visually disabled candidate. >> >> >> >> b. Since one of the important factors while doing an examination is >> speed, >> adequate practice is necessary, Visually Disabled persons should be >> allowed >> to use the services of a scribe of his/her own choice. The Visually >> Disabled >> candidate may however request the Examining authority to provide a >> Scribe. >> >> >> >> c. The discretion to arrange for his/her own Scribe or to be provided by >> a >> Scribe by the Examining Authority is with the candidate alone. >> >> >> >> d. No other restriction other than those mentioned in Clauses 3 or 4 >> herein >> below should be imposed on the selection of a scribe. >> >> >> >> e. It is desirable that the candidate and the scribe are from the same >> stream. >> >> >> 2. Examination Form/Application >> >> >> a. All Application Forms/Advertisements for exams should mention that a >> Visually Disabled candidate will be allowed the use of a Scribe and >> alternative formats will be provided. >> >> >> >> b. The examining authority should give a clear option in the >> advertisement >> itself whether the examinee wishes the scribe to be provided by the >> examination conducting body or he/she wishes to arrange the scribe on >> his/her own. >> >> >> >> c. The Examining authority at the time of advertisement/application >> should >> also print the criteria/qualification for scribe to be followed. >> >> >> >> d. The application form should have a provision asking low vision persons >> to >> indicate the requirement of question paper in large print. The >> advertisement for examination as well as the application form should also >> clearly mention that the low vision persons would be allowed the use of >> magnifying glass. >> >> >> >> >> >> 3. Scribes chosen by Candidate >> >> >> >> >> >> a. In case the candidate avails the services of his/her own >> scribe/writer, >> the scribe/writer should be one grade junior in academic qualification >> than the candidate if from the same stream. However, this condition >> shall >> not apply if the scribe/writer is from a different stream. >> >> >> >> b. For competitive examinations the scribe needs to be one level below >> the >> eligibility criteria of the competitive exam in consideration. >> >> >> >> c. For internal exams of schools and colleges the condition of the scribe >> being one grade junior in academic qualification than the candidate >> should >> not be enforced strictly as this would cause undue hardship to the >> candidate >> and give rise to unviable solutions. >> >> >> >> >> >> 4. Scribes provided by Examining Authorities >> >> >> >> a. Considering the practical problems, it is necessary that even if the >> scribe is provided by the examination conducting authorities, at the >> request >> of examinee, such authorities must ensure the competence of the >> scribe/writer. If the scribe is provided by the examining authorities, it >> should be ensured that the scribe is adequately qualified to understand >> the >> questions and to explain them to the candidate. >> >> >> >> b. To ensure the competence of such a scribe provided, the following >> conditions should be adhered to: >> >> >> >> i. as far as possible and practical, the scribe himself/herself >> should be a current student; >> >> >> >> ii. In any case, the time interval between when such a scribe >> ceased to be a student himself/herself and the time he/she is acting as a >> scribe should not be more than three years, because with the lapse of >> time, >> natural abilities of a student like writing speed, taking dictation and >> writing an examination efficiently in a specified time frame, suffer a >> considerable decline. However strict adherence to this requirement cannot >> be >> stretched beyond a logical point. >> >> >> >> iii. The medium of instruction of the scribe in his/her studies >> should essentially be, or have been, the same as the examinee. >> >> >> >> >> >> iv. Scribe should, as far as possible, belong to the same stream >> as >> the examinee. >> >> v. In cases where the scribe is provided by exam conducting >> bodies >> at the request of the examinee, she/he should not have scored below 55% >> marks in the last exam. >> >> >> >> c. The examining body should identify the scribes/writers and make the >> panels at district/Division or state level as per requirement of >> examination. >> >> >> >> d. The Panels of scribe should be as per requirement of the >> stream/discipline eg. Arts, Commerce, Science & Mathematics, Engineering, >> Medical etc. and only eligible scribes should be included in the panel. >> >> >> >> 5. Supervision >> >> >> >> Any attempt at cheating and other malpractices can be curbed by ensuring >> proper supervision and vigilance by the invigilators. This is the >> responsibility of the Examining Authority. No restrictions should be >> imposed >> on the choice of a scribe by a candidate on this account. >> >> >> >> >> >> 6. Additional time >> >> a. The facility of Additional time must be allotted to >> all >> Visually Disabled candidates appearing for examinations in any format >> with >> or without the use of a Scribe. >> >> b. For a written test of duration of 1 hour at least 20 >> minutes extra time should be allotted. >> >> c. Similarly For written tests involving more than one >> or >> less than one hour extra time should be worked out on the basis of 20 >> minutes per one hour criteria. >> >> >> >> >> >> 7. Arrangements at the Examination >> >> >> >> a. Proper sitting arrangement should be made before commencement of the >> examination so as to avoid confusion and distraction. >> >> >> >> b. Sitting arrangements for the disabled candidates should be made on the >> ground floor, as far as possible. >> >> >> >> c. Refreshments, if any to scribes/writers should either are served >> before >> or after the examination and not during the examination. >> >> >> >> d. The Chief invigilator of the examination center should have >> discretionary >> powers to accept last minute change of scribes under exigencies. >> >> >> >> e. Considering the fact that many exams are held in overlapping schedules >> and also the fact that the scribes may not be free/willing to commit >> themselves for the entire duration of exam or examination of various >> languages, more than one person may be permitted to write different >> papers >> for the same examination, provided they fulfill all other conditions laid >> down in clauses 3 or 4 above. For enacting such a change in scribes for >> different papers, the ground of contingency should not be a mandatory >> requirement. >> >> >> >> f. The letter approving the scribe should contain the following >> information >> in writing: >> >> i. The extra time given to the candidate >> >> ii. He shall be seated separately >> >> iii. Contact address and phone number of competent authority should also >> be >> printed for last minute change of scribe. >> >> >> >> g. To minimize the need for last minute change in the scribe and in view >> of >> (e) above, a collective sanction letter may be issued, sanctioning >> multiple >> scribes proposed by the examinee, so that any of them may be called upon >> to >> act as the scribe in any particular paper, without the hassle of >> formalities >> involved in changing the scribe at the eleventh hour. >> >> >> >> h. Candidate, scribe and supervisor should be provided with full >> information >> about the duration of the examination. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> 8. Aids and appliances >> >> >> >> a. a. All Visually Disabled candidates may be allowed to carry special >> mathematical aids such as Taylor's frame or abacus as they have no other >> way >> of calculating sums. Neither abacus nor Taylor's frame calculate the >> sums >> but are mere aids such as a paper for candidates with vision. >> >> >> >> b. in papers such as accounts the visually disabled candidate may be >> allowed >> to carry Braille slates and papers for writing the numbers as it is >> difficult to remember the balance sheets >> >> >> >> c. The visually disabled candidate should also be allowed to use optical/ >> electronic low vision aids such as magnifying glass; >> >> >> >> 9. Alternative Formats >> >> >> >> a. In addition to the facility of a scribe the Visually Disabled >> candidates >> have the facility to write answers in Braille or on a computer or a >> typewriter or may ask for question paper in large font. >> >> b. The answer paper in Braille should be evaluated by the >> expert/examiners >> in Braille script. If possible the question paper may be provided in >> Braille >> or in digital text. >> >> >> >> c. The font size of the question paper should not be less than 20 for the >> benefit of low vision candidates. >> >> >> >> d. Considering the developments in technology, all examination conducting >> bodies should facilitate the use of computers for taking the exams by the >> visually Disabled examinees, if the candidate so desires. >> >> e. Visually Disabled candidates appearing for "Open book Exams may be >> provided the texts of such books in Braille, in digital format on the >> computer or in large text at the choice of the candidate. >> >> 10. Alternative Questions >> >> a. Alternative questions must be provided in cases where the original >> question contains visual elements and/or require the candidate to >> interpret >> or produce such visual elements. However the candidate may elect to >> answer >> the original question. >> >> >> >> b. Wherever possible, the visual graphs should be supplemented by >> descriptive explanation of the graphs for visually Disabled candidates. >> >> >> >> c. For practical exams the Visually Disabled candidate must be allowed >> the >> help of a laboratory assistant to conduct the experiment and or be >> provided >> alternative oral questions in place of the experiment to be conducted. >> >> >> >> 11. Examination on Computers >> >> a. Visually Disabled candidates can appear in examination on the computer >> only if students are computer literate and can type at least at the speed >> of >> 30 words per minute. The software and hardware is now available to make >> students write their examinations both in Hindi and English mediums >> >> >> >> b. This form of examination is preferable than the use of scribes due to >> the >> following reasons: >> >> >> >> i. High payments being demanded by Scribes >> >> ii. Wasting crucial time just before the examinations just to look for >> scribes. >> >> iii. Sexual harassment of girl students. >> >> iv. Losing marks due to mistakes of scribes or casual attitude of >> scribes. >> >> v. Week students getting away with good marks by making their scribes >> write >> answers to questions that they do not know. >> >> >> >> c. The use of computers for examination does not mean that a scribe to >> read >> the question paper is dispensed with. However the candidate may not >> require >> a sighted person and dispense with the same. >> >> >> >> d. The responsibility to bring a computer is not on the student/ >> candidate. >> The centre/ Examining authority shall spare one of its own Computers for >> the >> exam. >> >> >> >> e. However if it is feasible then the candidate may be allowed to use his >> own computer. This may be decided by the candidate and the examining >> authority mutually. >> >> >> >> f. the only responsibility that a student aspiring to give exam on >> computer >> has, is to bring the screen reading software. >> >> >> >> g. The candidate should be allowed to install the screen reading software >> a >> day in advance on the computer provided with printer installed >> >> h. recommended Equipment preparation: >> >> >> >> i. For each candidate appearing in the examination two computers may be >> set >> up for this purpose. One for writing the examination and one as stand-by >> in >> case of any failure in the machine. >> >> ii. The computer must have the following software installed: >> >> >> >> A. MS Office >> >> B. Page maker 6 >> >> C. Jaws for windows screen reading software. >> >> >> >> iii. The medium of examination for the student can be in English or Hindi >> . >> >> iv. All the data on the Computer must be password protected using the >> utility software called Folder Access. This software can make any folder >> access limited by password. >> >> >> >> 6.. UPS with back-up of 2 hours must be installed at the centre. >> 7.. Vi. Two printers may be kept for taking the final print-outs of the >> answer sheets. >> >> >> i. Recommended procedure for examination: >> >> >> >> i. The computer centre or the library may be designated as one of the >> examination centres for conducting the examination. >> >> >> >> ii. Question paper must be sent to this Centre on a CD. >> >> iii. The question paper may be sent in the page-maker file format. >> >> iv. The paper then requires to be converted into a MS word file. The >> original file may be opened in the page maker software. Each page of the >> question paper must be copied and pasted in the MS word document. >> >> v. if the candidate is appearing in English Medium, the Jaws software >> may >> speak gibberish where Hindi text appears, all Hindi language text must be >> deleted from the question paper. >> >> vi. This MS word file must be password protected. >> >> vii. Answer sheet- One blank MS-word document may be created on the >> Computer >> and shortcut to this may be created on the desk-top. This blank document >> must have the paper size and margins set according to the extension >> sheets >> of the answer sheet on which the final print-out will be taken. Viii. The >> role-number and other details of the candidate must be filled on the >> original sheet by the invigilator using normal pen. These extension >> sheets >> must be stapled with each sheet of the original answer sheet. Each sheet >> must be signed by the invigilator. >> >> >> >> 8.. The candidate must be allowed to have access to the Computer 10 >> minutes before the start of examination time. >> 9.. X. At the time of start of examination, the password for the >> question >> paper file must be told to the candidate. >> 12. Other Disabled Candidates >> >> >> >> Although the aforesaid guidelines are specifically for Visually disabled >> candidates these guidelines may be used by the Examining authorities >> while >> conducting examinations for other candidates suffering from disability >> whether permanent or temporary. >> >> >> >> >> To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> with >> the subject unsubscribe. >> >> To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, >> please >> visit the list home page at >> >> http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in >> > > > -- > Ketan Kothari > Phone: [r] 24223281, > Cell: 9833911866 > MSN ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Skype ID: Ketan3333 > > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > with the subject unsubscribe. > > To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, > please visit the list home page at > http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. 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