Kendriya vidyalaya, Malad - Universal design approach

Abstract

A school, as an institution, leaves a deep imprint on the young developing minds and therefore school is chosen as my thesis topic. Inclusion is the need of the hour and it is the law, that all students should receive equal education. A school has a direct impact on the development and the understanding of a child. It is responsible for the physical, emotional, mental, social, cultural and intellectual development of a child. Campus environments are places where structured teaching and learning takes place and one can benefit from this. An inclusive school will provide opportunities for all physically disabled children to participate in education along with the non- disabled children in the mainstream school. Since the disabled students deprive the societal acceptance at the tender age, and are look down upon creating a sense of fear of socializing. We need to remove this stigma from the society and encourage an open mindset through the children in school. This school will help the children grow up socially and achieve a sense of independence and will polish their skills in various vocational trainings. All the existing structures in the society do not always meet the needs of every individual. The universality in the design of the structure is not seen. It is either done on a temporary basis or the versatility of the humans is ignored. The statement ‘Architecture is an art in combination with technology used to satisfy the human needs’ is in context to all kinds of human beings. So, my design thesis will be catering to the human diversity. According to the data in Mumbai Human Development report 2009, section elementary education, most of the illiteracy is seen in the lower class people and there almost negligible schools in the city that cater to the disabled children in a lower level schools, my school will be a municipal school which will be universally designed.