Best Practice 1
Practice what you preach - Providing accessible infrastructure as per harmonized guidelines
Objectives of the Practice:
- To provide an inclusive built environment.
- To showcase integration of accessible infrastructure in the institute’s building.
- To create awareness about the needs of differently abled users.
The institute promotes universal accessibility in the built environment through conducting workshops, training programs, consultancy, and advocacy. The institute’s building has demonstrated these practices by integrating accessible infrastructure in its own building.
The Context:
The RPwD Act 2016 is a disability law passed by the parliament of India to fulfil its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It mandates the inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream education. Providing accessible infrastructure facilitates the inclusion of all users by removing barriers. There is growing awareness regarding the same with this mandate, yet the facilities provided are not as per standards, thus leading to restrictions on use. Students of architecture who are going to design future buildings need to be sensitive towards this and need to observe and experience how the right kind of inclusive environments can facilitate use. This practice acts as a pilot for many other organizations.
The Practice:
An entrance ramp, amphitheater, stage for the seminar hall, and accessible toilet were created in addition to the lift in the building. The pathways and ramps leading to the stage, amphitheater, and entry have used tactile tiles, railing, and slopes as per the guidelines.
Evidence of Success:
The infrastructure is used effectively by all visitors with disabilities. It is used to conduct awareness and training workshops on universal design.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
Resources required were financial outlay for the provision of infrastructure and expertise.
Best Practice 2
Experiential Learning Systems
Objectives of the Practice:
To engage students in learning through various experiential curricular and co-curricular activities and the use of innovative teaching methods.
The Context:
Making learning interactive and experiential is necessary for an effective teaching-learning process. This helps students to imbibe the concepts clearly.
The Practice:
Use of smart screens has enabled interactive teaching, engaging students in visuals. Experiential learning is promoted through curricular activities such as site visits, hands-on workshops, interaction with experts, and co-curricular activities including MasterClass, Learning Out of the Box (LOoTB), GreenTech FEST, industry-institute interaction, and the alumni internship program.
Evidence of Success:
Students’ enthusiastic participation and appreciation through feedback.
Problems Encountered and Resources Required:
Meticulous planning is required to avoid overlaps with day-to-day academics. Coordination with a number of people at times is challenging due to the availability of resource persons, permissions to buildings, etc. Interrupted power supply and internet are also problems encountered. Resources required include materials, transport facilities, etc.