Medical Colleges Ordered to Establish Disability Support Facilities by NMC

Prelims-testable facts

• 01The National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed all medical colleges to establish 'Enabling Units' for students with benchmark disabilities.
• 02The Enabling Units will provide academic and clinical support, ensure reasonable accommodation, and barrier-free access within the institution.
• 03All medical colleges under NMC's purview must set up these units in compliance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
• 04Sections 16 and 17 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandate accessibility measures for students with disabilities.
• 05The Supreme Court has directed medical institutions to provide equal opportunities to students with disabilities.
• 06The NMC has asked medical colleges to publicize details of Enabling Units through official websites and notice boards.
• 07Medical colleges must ensure that the Enabling Units remain functional, accessible, and adequately promoted.

Trap alerts

• Most people think the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, is a new law, but actually it was enacted in 2016.
• Most people think the NMC's directive only applies to students with physical disabilities, but actually it covers benchmark disabilities (PwBD).
• Most people think Enabling Units are optional for medical colleges, but actually they are mandatory under the NMC's directive.