City colleges unaware of learning disabilities among students: Study

Around 10 colleges in the city, including engineering and vocational training colleges were surveyed by K Jayashree Ashok, founder-director, Centre for Holistic Integrated Learning and Development (CHILD). Out of them, the staff and lecturers of seven colleges were unaware of the condition and an equal number did not have the provisions to aid those with the condition. As many as 90 per cent of people with the learning disability struggle with basic mathematics and need help with reading besides extra time during exams.

The students surveyed include 126 dyslexia students and 120 students without the condition. Many have undergone schooling at The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), where they had the choice of subjects that complemented their condition. Jayashree said, “Among the institutions surveyed, Loyola College alone seemed to have worked a lot to make the atmosphere congenial. 

They have identified students with the condition and even give extra time to them during examinations. A few colleges told me they have none with the condition. It is highly unlikely, given research findings that 5-15 per cent of the population have dyslexia.” Learning Disabilities are responsible for life long difficulties – including reading, spelling, mathematics and comprehension. Those with LD suffer from low self-esteem, underemployment and have very few or no friends them in times of need. She added that the lack of awareness among college staff could be a huge reason for many to opt out. “Training them in soft skills, providing audio visual aid during callses to help them catch up and having someone to read out to them can go a long way in ensuring they are empowered,” she said.