The examinee may be allowed to bring his own screen reading /magnification software Rohit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Abdul Razique Khan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:04 PM Subject: Re: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent
> Hello kanchan mam, > you are doing a really commendable job. It is a well drafted policy > barring > few of the points which are debatable. > 1. I stand by Pranav sir's point, of allowing extra 30 minutes per hour > instead of 20 minutes. > 2. As far as the softwares are concerned, in my opinion no softwares must > be > specified as said by Puneet sir. The college/ university should provide > the > softwares which the candidate demands for. this is because all candidates > may not be comfortable with the specified softwares. > > Carry on this good work, > Abdul > -- Original Message ----- > From: "AMIT BHATT" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> > Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:15 PM > Subject: Re: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent > > >> In my opinion, when scribe is one level junior than the applicant, >> deciding >> the marks in percentage for writer seems illogical to me. >> Specially, when the scribe is taken from the different stream. Therefore, >> the candidate should be allowed to use subscribe with whatever maximum >> percentage of marks. >> In addition, I would support Pranav's point that extra 30 minutes per >> hour >> should be given instead of 20 minutes to the applicant. >> Thanks, >> >> Amit Bhatt >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "sweety bhalla" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> >> Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:30 PM >> Subject: Re: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent >> >> >>> Moreover the scribe with 55 % marks for examinations, it is very >>> difficult >>> to get in this time. It should be at least 60%marks. Telling my own >>> experience and facing problems in my dept examinations. >>> Regards >>> (Sweety Bhalla) >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: Vetrivel Adhimoolam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> To: pamnani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <accessindia@accessindia.org.in> >>> Sent: 29/11/2007 8:56 AM >>> Subject: Re: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent >>> >>> > Hello Kanchan, >>> > >>> > It is certainly a well drafted policy. It pretty much covers >>> > everything. >>> But >>> > a couple of suggestions though: The policy also should include >> sufficient >>> > guidelines describing what should be done in the event of certain >>> > delays >>> as >>> > the result of computer problems or the malfunctioning of the software. >>> > Because things can go wrong on that front and visually challenged >>> candidates >>> > should not suffer as the result of such issues. So in my view, the >>> > software/hardware requirements should be amended to be inclusive of >>> > this >>> > issue. Second, visually impaired candidates are also increasingly >>> appearing >>> > on various exams that require solving of extensive mathematical >> problems. >>> > Some of those exams may actually allow regular students to use >> calculator >>> > and in such circumstances, visually challenged candidates also should >>> > be >>> > allowed to bring talking calculator in to the examination hall. >>> > >>> > Vetri. >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > ----- Original Message ----- >>> > From: pamnani >>> > To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in >>> > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:04 PM >>> > Subject: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > 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 >>> > 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. >>> >>> 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. >> >> 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. > > 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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