The Haryana Government has issued guidelines for conducting written examination for persons withdisabilities.

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said there will be a uniform and comprehensive policy for persons with disabilities for written examination taking into account improvement in technology and new avenues opened to such persons providing a level playing field. The policy will also have flexibility to accommodate the specific needs on case-to-case basis, he added.

He said there will be no need of fixing separate criteria for regular and comprehensive examinations. The facility of scribe or reader or lab assistant would be allowed to any persons who have disability of 40 per cent or more, if so desired by the person. The candidates would have the discretion of opting for his own scribe or reader or lab assistant or request the examination body for the same.

The examining body may also identify the scribe or reader or lab assistant to make panels at the district, division or State-level as per the requirements of examination.

In such instances, the candidates will 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 criteria like educational qualification, marks scored, age or other such restrictions for the scribe or reader or lab assistant would not be fixed. Instead, invigilation system would be strengthened, so that the candidate using scribe or reader or lab assistant do not indulge in malpractices like copying and cheating during the examination, said the Minister.

Sharma said there would also be flexibility in accommodating any change in scribe or reader or lab assistant in case of emergency. The candidates would also be allowed to take more than one scribe or reader for writing different papers especially for languages.

Also, persons with disabilities would be given the option of choosing the mode for taking the examinations ie. in Braille or in the computer or in the large print or even by recording the answers as the examining bodies could easily make use of technology to convert question paper in large prints, e-text, or Braille and could also convert Braille text in English or regional languages.

He said the candidate would be allowed to check the computer system one day in advance so that the problems, if any in the software or system could be rectified. The procedure of availing the facility of scribe would be simplified and necessary details would be recorded at the time of filling up of the forms.

Thereafter, the examining body would ensure availability of question papers in the format opted by the candidates as well as suitable seating arrangement for giving examination. The disability certificate issued by the competent medical authority at any place would be accepted, said Sharma.

The Education Minister added the word “extra time or additional time” that is being currently used would be changed to “compensatory time” and the same would not be less than 20 minutes per hour of examination for persons who are making use of scribe or reader or lab assistant.

All the candidates with disability not availing the facility of scribe would be allowed additional time of minimum one hour for examination of three hours duration which could further be increased on case to case basis.

Apart from this, they would be allowed  to use assistive devices like talking calculator in case where calculators are allowed for giving exams, tailor frame, Braille slate, abacus, geometry kit, Braille measuring tape and augmentative communication devices like communication chart and electronic devices, he added.

He said proper seating arrangement preferably on the ground floor would be made prior to the commencement of examination to avoid confusion or distraction during the day of exam.

He said all District Project Coordinators of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), all the recruitment agencies, academics or examination bodies have been asked to ensure compliance of these guidelines.