On 23rd January 2026, a visit was conducted to the Support Centre for Students with Disabilities (SCSD) at the University of Colombo.
The purpose of the visit was to observe facilities and support systems for students with disabilities.
The Centre promotes inclusive education through assistive technologies, academic accommodations, and personalized student support.
Assistive Technologies and Learning Support
The SCSD provides a wide range of assistive tools, mainly for visually impaired students.
These include white canes, Braille writers, Braille slates, DAISY players, and digital magnifiers.
In addition, students use refreshable Braille displays and Braille embossers for academic work.
Specialized tools such as tactile chessboards are also available.
The Centre uses Duxbury software for Braille translation in Tamil, Sinhala, and English. This helps students access academic materials independently.
Examination Support System
The Centre provides structured examination support to ensure fairness.
Students receive 20 minutes of extra time per hour during examinations.
Reading assistants support students with severe visual impairments.
Students with low vision use magnifiers, while blind students use Braille-based systems.
The Centre maintains a student needs database. It coordinates with the Information and Documentation Center (IDC) to arrange accommodations.
Training and Skill Development
The Centre offers training in Braille literacy and assistive technology use.
Students also receive ICT training tailored for accessibility needs.
Visiting lecturers conduct workshops on assistive technologies.
These sessions help students prepare academic materials and examinations effectively.
Digital Inclusion and Accessibility
The SCSD strongly promotes digital inclusion for all students.
Online learning materials are available in Tamil, Sinhala, and English. These include captions and audio descriptions.
Screen readers such as JAWS and NVDA support digital access.
OCR tools like Envision AI and Seeing AI help convert text into accessible formats.
Word documents are preferred over PDFs due to better accessibility.
In addition, a buddy system supports peer learning and social inclusion.
Infrastructure and Student Life
The university provides accessible infrastructure for students with disabilities.
Facilities include ramps, lifts, step-free pathways, and accessible hostels.
Braille signage is used for classroom identification.
Students also participate in sports such as blind cricket, chess, athletics, and swimming.
These activities promote confidence and inclusion.
Challenges and Future Developments
The Centre faces challenges in supporting students with multiple disabilities.
This is especially difficult for students with both visual and hearing impairments.
Sign language training programmes are being introduced to improve accessibility.
The Centre also plans to identify disability types early during student admission.
In addition, future planning will focus on tailored support based on student needs.
Conclusion
Overall, the SCSD at the University of Colombo demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive education.
It provides academic, technological, and social support for students with disabilities.
This ensures equity, accessibility, and equal learning opportunities in higher education.
