Inclusive Schools; Need of the hour! Part 2

Schools are the educational spaces that caters to the learning needs of children irrespective of individual differences. 

Being one of the vibrant socio catalysts, it boosts and churns the socioemotional development and overall wellbeing among children hailing from various communities and strata regardless of their physical and cognitive capacities.

An inclusive school therefore is the one that welcomes all children in an age appropriate class and ensure to provide need specific suitable infrastructure, amenities and learning experiences to students including the children with special needs. 

The irony of competitive rat race in the education industry made institutions indifferent towards the children with special needs as this calls for customisation and resource management to accommodate them with children having normal needs.  Hence, a vast gap in the social attitude and social fabric of schools rose since children with special abilities were encouraged to do schooling in special schools only.

But now as a good change and for a progressive Nation, NEP 2020 envisages an education system that offers equitable and inclusivschoole schooling to all children where they will learn, develop, socialise, accept and respect differences and grow as compassionate and competent youth of the society. 

Honourable Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) vide its affiliation circular No 05/2023, dated 06/03/2023 has issued guidelines for CWSN provisions for existing schools and schools seeking affiliation. 

The compliance towards CWSN provisions are being incorporated in Affiliation Byelaws 2018 under Rule no 4.7.3 that schools shall provide proper facilities like ramps at entry / exit points for wheelchair users, in toilets, auditory signals in lifts / elevators and other provisions as laid down in the Persons with disability Act 2016 and in conformity with National Education Policy of Education.

The Hon. Board has mandated and listed the provisions to be adhered to, by all its affiliated schools in the Nation to make schools inclusive in all areas of schooling for the cause of children with special needs.

YES, all schools to become inclusive schools from NOW! 

The CWSN provisions reiterated by CBSE includes the following general guidelines –

1.  A proper lift / Ramp to access all the floors of school building.

2. A Well-maintained approach path to the school with levelled surface for easy movement of wheelchairs.

3. Paved and firm flooring, necessarily slip resistant in all weather conditions.

4. Cleared path from entrance to school and within school to playground, toilets, and building areas avoiding sharp turns and obstruction by any hung / placed / protruding object. 

5. Main entrances / doorways of the school building should be 1500 – 1800 mm wide.

6. Classrooms, labs, toilets should have door width 900 mm minimum.

7. A handrail at any dangerous point and a guardrail where there is change in surface level for support while making movements. The handrails needs to have rounded ends to avoid injury.

8. Use of bright and contrast tactile pavers (preferably Yellow) at the beginning of slopes, beginning and ending of staircases for easy recognition and at turnings for easy identification.

9. Signage – For easy way finding visual & auditory

The external ones to be mounted above 2200 mm from the finished floor level for proper head clearance.

The internal ones should be placed between 1400 mm to 1600 mm from the finished floor level on the wall.

International symbol of accessibility to be displayed for all the accessible services and facilities.

10. Provision of Ramp - 

The gradient for indoor ramp is with gentle slope of 1:15 max,

The gradient for outdoor ramp for first floor and above is 1:15 or 1:20 depending on the availability of space.

The width of the ramp is minimum 1500 mm, however 1800 mm is preferred.

The landings, to be provided for every 750 mm of vertical rise with clear space of 1500 mm * 1500 mm minimum.

The handrails are required on both the sides at two heights – 760 mm – 900 mm painted in contrast colour, with its both ends rounded, grouted and extend 300 mm before and after the ramp edges.

Needless to mention, considering the safety on ramps, the surfaces are required to be anti-skid, non-slippery, firm and levelled. There should not be any obstructions while reaching out to its use, the beneficiaries must be provided with signage displays wherever necessary. 

11. Provision of Lift 

In case of space constraint, in multi-storey buildings, lift can be constructed with following inputs-

• The internal floor space in lift  of 1500 mm * 1500 mm minimum essentially with anti-slippery surface, with 900 mm wide doors with adjusted closing mechanism for the safe entry of people inside. Alternatively sensors should be installed. 
• The Emergency call button at a reach of 800 mm – 1000mm and 450 mm from any corner or wall to reach.
•  The control panel inside the lift should be made available on both the sides, having buttons with braille and raised letters in bright and contrast colour. The floor directory with available facilities is required.
• Audio announcements for door opening and closing and for floor level indication.
• Vision panels required on the lift doors at two distinct levels i.e. 800 mm & 1500 mm.
• The provision of mirror in the lift i.e. on the wall against the lift door will facilitate the persons on wheel chair to see the people entering in the space and move in and out of the lift easily. 

12. General Toilets 

• The signage for general toilets should be bold and in contrasting colours
• For children with visual impairment, the signage with braille and raised alphabets needs to be placed on the wall next to the door near the latch side, at a height between 1400 mm – 1600mm.
• Anti-skid thin rubber mat at the entrance of doors.
• Installation of incinerators, availability of hygiene materials, running water and provision of overhead water tank.
• Provision of fire alarm with audio and visual systems

13. Accessible Toilets 

• These are also termed as special toilets or CwD’s toilets and must be arranged next to or within 30 m of the main entrance / exit of the building.
• Minimum one toilet compartment with floor space of 2200 mm * 2200 mm to accommodate a wheel chair
• The door with 900 mm width opening with sliding or folding doors or doors opening outside.
• Toilet cubicles with slip resistant flooring, availability of switch near WC at a height of 300 mm and 900 mm respectively. 
• Handrails across all the walls of toilet cubicles for the support and safety.

How does all these work in practice?

• Connect with us to gain an insight and better understanding of inclusive practices governed by affiliation byelaws.
• Let us build and implement a comprehensive space to promote and practice inclusivity despite of any age of the school.
• Discover the potential barriers to inclusive education and endless possibilities to overcome them.
• Acquire practical solutions and ideas to implement inclusive education in the classrooms that is supportive to all learners.
• Going forward let us build an inclusive education space to value every child!