The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has amended the guidelines for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) in schools. The board recommended all associated schools and those seeking affiliation with it to follow the amended rules. The guidelines not only direct schools on the requirements but also aims at looking after the safety and comfort of these kids. The regulations contain directions for signage, ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, wash basins, etc. The complete list of guidelines is available on CBSE’s official website at cbse.gov.in.
Explaining the reason for a revision of the guidelines for CWSN students, the official notice mentioned, “The Board has been receiving written requests from schools and discussion points in various forums of the Board’s stakeholders to optimize the guidelines on the provisions for CWSN students studying in the schools.”
CBSE Guidelines for CWSN Students —
–– An appropriate ramp should be built on the ground floor of the school to ensure barrier-free access to these students and provide equal educational opportunities.
–– Separate CWSN-compliant bathrooms for boys and girls, with enough space for wheelchair or walker movement, should be maintained on the ground level or any other floors where the school holds classes.
–– When seeking affiliation or an extension of affiliation, the school must confirm the floors on which it intends to hold CWSN lessons or practicals.
–– The entrance to the school should be well-maintained, with a flat surface.
The path from the gate to the school buildings, playground and toilets must be clear, hard, level and well-maintained.
–– Classrooms, restrooms, labs and other areas should have a clear door width of at least 900mm.
–– The walkway must be devoid of hanging and protruding objects such as windows, lights, low branches, flowerpots, signposts and so on.
–– A railing should be installed at any risk points along the route.
Guardrails are required in circumstances involving a sudden change of level, such as staircases and verandahs.
–– To avoid injury, the handrail ends should be rounded off or grouted in the ground.
–– Bright, contrast-coloured tactile pavers (ideally yellow) should be used at every slope change, at the start and end of a stairway for easy identification, and at turns.
––All floor surfaces should have a non-slip/anti-skid/matt finish and loose gravel or cobblestones should be avoided.
Further detailed descriptions of signage and other measurements can be found on the official circular.
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