Special students’ needs

Letter November 15, 2012
It is insensitive on our part not to design our buildings etc. keeping in mind the need of people with disabilities.

ISLAMABAD: It is insensitive on our part not to design our buildings, roads, pathways, etc. keeping in mind the need of people with certain physical disabilities. This state of affairs is often all the more apparent in our educational institutions, where many students are seen struggling to survive.

To start with, there are always staircases at the entrances of universities but no ramps. Once this hurdle is passed with great difficulty, the size of classroom doors does not allow those on wheelchairs to enter. To add to it, universities often do not have lifts installed on their premises and classes are often scheduled in rooms on top floors, even for those students who cannot climb stairs. Though, as a nation, we have become insensitive to the plight of fellow human beings, at least a few very basic steps can be taken to ensure that those who need our help the most, are taken care of.


Dr Irfan Zafar


Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2012.