University of Hyderabad has been selected for the seventh NCPEDP- Mphasis Universal Design Awards for carrying out exemplary work towards the cause of accessibility and ensuring dignity for people with disabilities, under the category of corporates and organisations.

Other winners in this category include IndiGo, National Informatics Centre (NIC), and SAP Labs India Pvt. Ltd, among others. UoH is the only university and education institute to receive the award this year.

Dr. S. Rajgopal, a life science faculty and chairman of the Empowered Committee for Differently-Abled Persons (ECDAP), said, “The recognition jointly accorded to UoH by a reputed international non-governmental organisation, NCPEDP, and a multi-national corporation known for leading business solutions, Mphasis, is very special to us because it speaks volumes on the invisible work carried out for the benefit of students with special needs.”

National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), in association with Access Ability and Barrier Break, and with the support of Mphasis, instituted the NCPEDP – Mphasis Universal Design Awards in 2010.

The university got a grant-in-aid of about Rs. 6 crore by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, after a disability audit was done in 2012-13. The grant given is being utilised for installing 18 lifts in fifteen buildings on the campus. Each lift is fitted to accommodate wheelchairs in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards. Other fittings like auditory signals, Braille signing, etc. have also been undertaken, a press release said.

The recognition is very special to us because it speaks volumes on the invisible work carried out for the benefit of students with special needs.
Dr. S. Rajgopal,chairman, ECDAP

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – July 02, 2016