Kanchan, <snip>>>> > >>> > 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. </snip> The 30 words per minute restriction is not required. A student may elect not to use a computer if he/she is not comfortable typing. On the other hand, this may be limiting for people with orthopedic problems who may not be able to type fast enough but may still prefer a computer to a scribe -- in which case, they should request for more extra time instead of being prevented the use of a computer. The rest looks good to me.
Regards, Manish >>> > make >>> > students write their examinations both in Hindi and English mediums -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dr. Rohit Trivedi Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 12:55 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: Re: [AI] Draft policy for exams urgent 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.i n >>> > 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.i n >>> >>> >>> 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.i n >> >> >> 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.i n > > > 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.i n > To unsubscribe send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the subject unsubscribe. 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