Equitable and Inclusive Learning Spaces in Higher Education (India)

Abstract

The education system in India is experiencing a period of innovation and evolution. Achievement gaps and disparate outcomes have shown that efforts to implement educational equality (the attempt to treat every student the same) has failed students from certain backgrounds. This highlights the need to progress towards new approach based on educational equity (addressing each student's individual needs) for the benefit of students, who failed to respond in desired manner to equality-based efforts, and also those who have been neglected, or marginalized. The broad objectives of present study is (1) to study the role and functions of enabling units/cells, (2) to understand the challenges faced by students with special needs in higher education institutes and colleges, and (3) to list the ICT solutions provided and practiced. The opinion of students was gathered on barrier faced due to infrastructure such as laboratories, washrooms, classrooms, library, cafeteria, conference halls, the pedagogy practices and ICT solutions available within the programs offered.