There is only one point I would like to emphasise. The blind candidate must be given the definite opportunity to write exams using computers. This should not be dependent on Govt. facilities being available.
-----Original Message----- From: AccessIndia [mailto:accessindia-boun...@accessindia.org.in] On Behalf Of Kotian, H P Sent: Monday, June 18, 2018 3:01 PM To: accessindia@accessindia.org.in Subject: [AI] Scribe guidelines All Kanchan's mail did not get on the list. Hence, I am copying it below. Regards Harish Kotian Quoting From: Kanchan Pamnani [mailto:kanchanpamn...@gmail.com] Sent: 18 June 2018 10:49 To: 'AccessIndia: a list for discussing accessibility and issues concerning the disabled.' Subject: Scribe guidelines Hi Friends, You are all aware that U P S E had objected to some of the clauses of the 2013 Guidelines. So a committee was set up of which I am a member. In the last meeting it was decided to set up a subcommittee which has now sent its recommendations. The U P S E has commented on the recommendations. The meeting is on 20th June. Kindly go through the statement below and let me have your feedback by tomorrow evening. Kanchan Statement indicating recommendations of the Sub-Committee , UPSC's comments, and recommendations of the Department thereon Para No. Guidelines dated 26.02.2013 Revision recommended by the Sub-Committee UPSC's comments w.r.t. the Sub-Committee's recommendations Department's comments III The facility of Scribe/Reader/Lab Assistant should be allowed to any person who has disability of 40% or more if so desired by the person. The facility of Scribe/Reader/Lab Assistant should be allowed to persons with benchmark disabilities (i.e. with disability of 40% or more) and has physical limitation to write including that of speed. In case of persons with benchmark disabilities in the category of blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected-BA) and cerebral palsy, the facility of scribe/reader/lab assistant shall be given, if so desired by the person. In case of other category of persons with benchmark disabilities, the provision of scribe/reader/lab assistant can be allowed on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has physical limitation to write, and scribe is essential to write examination on his behalf, from the specialist of a Government health care institution of the relevant stream of disability as per proforma at Annexure I. The Commission agrees with the proposal of allowing the facility of scribe to the candidates falling under the categories of blindness, locomotor disability (both arm affected - BA) and cerebral palsy, if so desired by such candidates. As regards allowing the facility of scribe/reader/ lab assistant in case of other category of persons with disabilities on production of the certificate, the Commission agrees with the recommendation provided such certificate on physical limitation to write is issued to such candidates by the CMO of Government Hospital of respective District only. It is further stated that since the Commission does not ask for any certificate including PwBD at initial application stage, the Commission would allow such candidates of other benchmark disabilities the facility of Scribe/Reader/Lab Assistant for appearing at the First Stage (Preliminary/Stage-I) in a Multi-Stage Examination on the basis of undertaking from them. However, such certificates will be checked at the time of Second Stage (Main/Stage-II) of the Examination. UPSC mostly agrees on the recommendation of the Sub-Committee. However, they have suggested that the certificate, required to be produced by the person with other category of disability than blindness, locomotor disability & cerebral palsy for availing the facility of scribe, should be issued by CMO instead of specialist of a Government health care institution. Department may agree to it. IV The candidate should have the discretion of opting for his own scribe/reader/lab assistant or request the Examination Body for the same. The examining body may also identify the scribe/reader/lab assistant to make panels at the District/Division/State level as per the requirements of the examination. In such instances the candidates should be allowed to meet the scribe a day before the examination so that the candidates get a chance to check and verify whether the scribe is suitable or not. The examining body may identify the scribe/reader/lab assistant (language/stream wise) to develop a pool at the District/Division/State level as per the requirements of the examination. In such instances the candidates should be allowed to meet the scribe a day before the examination so that the candidates get a chance to check and verify whether the scribe is suitable or not. In case the examining body is not in a position to make available the scribe/reader/lab assistant from its side, the candidate would then be allowed for opting for his own scribe/reader/lab assistant on submission of the details about the own scribe as per proforma at Annexure II. The Coordinating Supervisor of the Centres (Cities) and Venue Supervisors arrange the services of the scribes (who are already trained in such matters) as per the requirement of the Commission. Such pool must be of dynamic nature so that any possibility of acquaintance or closeness of candidates with the scribe/reader/lab assistant could be avoided. The Commission agrees with the recommendation of meeting of candidates with scribes a day before the Examination. As regards the proposed recommendation with respect to the situation where the examining body is not in a position to make available the scribe/reader/lab assistant from its side, it is mentioned that the Commission will provide 100% scribe facilities to such candidates. Hence, there seems no necessity for having own scribe facility so far as the UPSC's Examinations are concerned. UPSC agreed on the recommendation of the Sub-Committee V Criteria like educational qualification, marks, scored, age or other such restrictions for the scribe/reader/lab assistant should not be fixed. Instead, the invigilation system should be strengthened, so that the candidates using scribe/reader/lab assistant do not indulge in malpractices like copying and cheating during the examination. In case the examining body provides the scribe/reader/lab assistant, it shall be ensured that qualification of the scribe should not be more than the minimum qualification criteria of the examination. However the qualification of the scribe/reader should always be matriculate or above. In case the candidate is allowed to bring his own scribe, the qualification of the scribe should be one step below the qualification of the candidate taking examination. Most of the Commission's Examinations have graduation as the educational qualification. The Commission agrees with the proposed recommendation of the Sub-Committee provided the Commission may also use the services of postgraduate scribe/reader/lab assistant in case graduates (the preferable choice) are not available in sufficient number. Since the Commission will provide 100% scribe facility, question does not arise for having own scribe in respect of the Commission's Examinations. This Department may agree to the suggestion made by UPSC that in case, scribe is being provided by examining body, it may use the services of scribe having one grade above qualification than the minimum qualification criteria of the examination. VI There should also be flexibility in accommodating any change in scribe/reader/lab assistant in case of emergency. The candidates should also be allowed to take more than one scribe/reader for writing different papers especially for languages. There should also be flexibility in accommodating any change in scribe/reader/lab assistant in case of emergency. The candidates should also be allowed to take more than one scribe/reader for writing different papers especially for languages. However, there can only be one scribe per paper. At present, the Commission is following this practice. Hence, the Commission agrees with this recommendation. UPSC agreed on the recommendation VII Persons with disabilities should be given the option of choosing the mode for taking the examinations i.e. in Braille or in the computer or in large print or even by recording the answers as the examining bodies can easily make use of technology to convert question paper in large prints, e-text, or Braille and can also convert Braille text in English or regional languages. Persons with benchmark disabilities should be given, as far as possible, the option of choosing the mode for taking the examinations i.e. in Braille or in the computer or in large print or even by recording the answers as the examining bodies can easily make use of technology to convert question paper in large prints, e-text, or Braille and can also convert Braille text in English or regional languages. The Ministry of SJ&E/ DEPwD will be in a better position "especially with respect to Braille" to identify technologies and provide necessary technical/ infrastructural support for smooth implementation of the available technology in a phased manner. It was earlier suggested that the DEPwD would provide the necessary technical and financial support in developing some Centres with computers/Braille etc., which can be used by the Examination Conducting Bodies. If such specialized Centres are developed by the Government (DEPwD), the Commission would select such Centres for conducting its Examination for the candidates of PwBD. Presently, the Commission provides large font size Question Papers to those Visually Impaired candidates, who request for the same. Suggestion made by UPSC with respect to para VI and VII regarding development of Centres for Computers/Braille etc. by DEPwD may not be agreed to. The guidelines will be followed not only by UPSC but also by all the examining bodies. Therefore, Department does not have resources of its own, financial or otherwise to create centres. Departments under whose administrative control these examining bodies are functioning should make provision for this purpose. This Department can provide only technical guidance to the examining bodies. VIII. The candidates should be allowed to check the computer system one day in advance so that the problems, if any in the software/system could be rectified. In case, the persons with benchmark disabilities are allowed to take examination on computer system, they should be allowed to check the computer system one day in advance so that the problems, if any in the software/system could be rectified. Use of own computer/laptop should not be allowed for taking examination. The Commission agrees to the provision of allowing the candidates to take Examination on computer system provided the Government (DEPwD) develops such Centres having computer facilities. Then, the Commission would select such Centres for conducting its Examination for the candidates of PwBD, who request for computer facility. XIV The examining body should also provide reading material in Braille or E-Text or on computers having suitable screen reading software for open book examination. Similarly online examination should be in accessible format i.e. websites, question papers and all other study material should be accessible as per the international standards laid down in this regard. As far as possible, the examining body should also provide reading material in Braille or E-Text or on computers having suitable screen reading software for open book examination. Similarly online examination should be in accessible format i.e. websites, question papers and all other study material should be accessible as per the international standards laid down in this regard. The Commission does not conduct any open book Examination. The Commission's online Recruitment Tests/Examinations are being conducted in accordance with the best practices and solution available in the country. UPSC agreed on the recommendation. XI The word "extra time or additional time" that is being currently used should be changed to "compensatory time" and the same should not be less than 20 minutes per hour of examination for persons who are making use of scribe/reader/lab assistant. All the candidates with disability not availing the facility of scribe may be allowed additional time of minimum of one hour for examination of 3 hours duration which could further be increased on cases to case basis. The word "extra time or additional time" that is being currently used should be changed to "compensatory time" and the same should not be less than 20 minutes per hour of examination for persons who are allowed use of scribe/reader/lab assistant. All the candidates with benchmark disability not availing the facility of scribe may be allowed additional time of minimum of one hour for examination of 3 hours duration. In case the duration of the examination is less than an hour, then the duration of additional time should be allowed on pro-rata basis. Additional time should not be less than 5 minutes and should be in the multiple of 5. The Commission provides compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour for the duration of the Examination to candidates suffering from blindness/LDCP irrespective of the fact whether they use the facility of scribe or not. Further, as regards allowing the facility of compensatory time to the candidates of other benchmark disabilities, the Commission suggests that this facility of compensatory time may be extended to such candidates provided they produce the certificate on physical limitation to write issued by the CMO of Government Hospital of respective District only as suggested in case of facility of scribe (Clause III). It is further stated that since the Commission does not ask for any certificate including PwBD at initial application stage, the Commission would allow such candidates of other benchmark disabilities the facility of compensatory time for appearing at the First Stage (Preliminary/Stage-I) in a Multi-Stage Examination on the basis of undertaking from them. However, such certificates issued by the CMO of Government Hospital will be checked at the time of Second Stage (Main/Stage-II) of the Examination. As suggested by the Sub-Committee, in case, examining bodies including UPSC conduct examination of less than 1 hour duration, the additional time should be given on pro-rate basis (20 minutes additional time for every hour of exam). Additional time should not be less than 5 minutes and should be in the multiple of 5. Virus-free. www.avg.com ________________________________ Caution: The Reserve Bank of India never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information such as your bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please do not respond in any manner to such offers, however official or attractive they may look. Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. 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