Editor in chief:

M Anjana IAS, Director, Social Justice Department, Govt Of Kerala.

Associate Editors:

Dr Anjana A. V.

Dr Anu Mukund

Mr. C. K. Dhanapandian

Dr Vinith Dani Jose

Editorial board members:

Dr Suja K Kunnath

Dr Vinitha Mary George

Dr Anne Varghese

Dr Lakshmi.S.Mohan

Sita Sreekumar

Arya Manoharan

Preethy Susan Reni

Manju S

Sreena E N

Vineetha Sara Philip

Shirly G

Joseph Bose H H

National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Trivandrum, publishes the Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences and Disability Studies (JRSDS), a multidisciplinary online open-access journal. It is a forum for exchanging information and disseminating current research and expertise on all aspects of disabilities and related topics from all disciplinary perspectives. It is a peer-reviewed journal published twice a year (in October and April).

Our review process is rigorous, and papers that do not meet the criteria are outright rejected.

The journal's vision is to build a global network of excellent academicians and researchers, and our research reviewers are working hard to keep the journal's standards high.

Best Wishes

Editorial in Chief

M. Anjana IAS

The Committee to Adress Sexual Harassment at NISH (CASH-NISH) has been formed at NISH to address the issues under Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and students in higher educational institutions, Regulations 2015. The committee addresses complaints of sexual harassment of any kind from students and teaching and non-teaching members and takes necessary action. NISH has a zero-tolerance policy toward any such transgression. We are committed to providing a safe and conducive work and academic environment to students and employees and is extremely alert to matters pertaining to any kind of harassment and gender sensitivity.

(Internal Complaints Committee to prevent sexual harassment)

In pursuance of UGC (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employees and Students in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2015 read with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 and in partial modification by UGC, the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is reconstituted as under to deal with complaints relating to sexual harassment at work place.

The committee has been constituted by the Executive Director and has the following members.

This committee will oversee all complaints from employees, students or visitors regarding sexual harassment. A sub-committee will perform the investigation and report to the full body CASH-NISH so as to review and take appropriate action.

The ICC shall comply with the procedure prescribed in the aforementioned UGC Regulations 2015 and the Sexual Harassment Act for inquiring into the complaint in a time bound manner.

If the ICC concludes that the allegations made were false or malicious, or the complaint was made knowing it to be untrue or forged, or misleading information has been provided during the inquiry, the complainant shall be liable to be punished as per the relevant provision of the aforementioned UGC Regulations 2015.

The Convenor, CASH-NISH shall receive the written/signed/verbal/typed complaints of sexual harassment, if any, on behalf of ICC and shall coordinate the deliberations of the ICC on the complaints received.

Who can approach ICC for help?

Any student, faculty, staff or client of the National Institute of Speech & Hearing.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

"Sexual harassment" includes any unwelcome sexually inclined behaviour, whether directly or indirectly, such as:

• Physical contact and advances
• Demand or request for sexual favours
• Sexually coloured remarks
• Showing any pornography, or
• Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature

What are the possible actions that can be taken against the accused if found guilty?

• Warning
• Written apology
• Bond of good behaviour
• Adverse remark in the confidential report
• Stopping of increments/promotion
• Suspension
• Dismissal
• Any other relevant actions

If you think you are being harassed, what should you do?

• Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or submit your grievances HERE.
• To know more about ICC procedures, click (English) here.
• You may also refer to www.shebox.nic.in

Your complaint will be kept CONFIDENTIAL

Inquiry process

• The inquiry shall be completed within a period of ninety days from the date of complaint.
• On completion of the inquiry, the ICC shall provide a report of its findings to the Executive Director within a period of fifteen days from the date of completion of the inquiry and such report be made available to the concerned parties.
• If the allegations against the respondent has been proved, it shall recommend punitive actions to be taken against the respondent to the Executive Director.
• The Executive Director shall act upon the recommendation within sixty days of

receiving it.

Caveat

 All female faculty members, non-teaching staff and students must bear in mind that such complaints are of an extremely serious nature and should, on no account, be made in a frivolous manner. This platform should not be misused to settle personal scores, or for any other non-genuine reason

Useful documents and notices

• UGC / MHRD Notifications
• Sexual Harassment Electronic Box
• Sexual Harassment Handbook

Criterion 4 - Infrastructure and Learning Resources

4.1: Physical Facilities                

4.1.1: Adequate Infrastructure and Physical Facilities for Teaching- Learning

4.1.1: Additional Information

4.1.1: Virtual Tour and Photos

4.1.2:  Adequate facilities for cultural activities, sports, games (indoor, outdoor), gymnasium, yoga centre etc.

4.1.2: Additional information

4.1.3 Number of classrooms and seminar halls with ICT enabled facilities

4.1.3 Additional Info

4.1.3 Other Facilities and Documents

4.1.4: Average percentage of expenditure, excluding salary for infrastructure augmentation during the last five years (INR in Lakhs)

4.1.4:  Budget allocation, excluding salary during the last five 

 4.1.4:  Audited utilization statements

4.2: Library and Learning Resources

4.2.1:  Automated using Integrated Library Management System

4.2.1: Additional information

 4.2.2:  E-resources

4.2.2: Additional information

4.2.2:  Details of subscriptions - Data template

4.2.3: Average annual expenditure for purchase of books/e-books and subscription to journals/e- journals during the last five years (INR in Lakhs) 

4.2.3: Data template 

4.2.4: Percentage per day usage of library by teachers and students (foot falls and login data for online access) during the latest completed academic year)

4.2.4: Lib Usage

4.2.4: Additional Info

4.3: IT Infrastructure

4.3.1: Additional Information

4.3.2: Student Computer Ratio

4.3.3: Bandwidth of internet connection in the Institution

4.3.3: Additional Information

4.4: Maintenance of Campus Infrastructure

4.4.1.Average Percentage of Expenditure incurred 

4.4.2:  Established systems and procedures for maintaining and utilizing physical, academic and support facilities

4.4.2: Additional Information

 Virtual Tour and Geotagged Photos

 Other Facilities Photos and Documents