Page 302 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

Finally, the pressing need for well-defined policies and guidelines tailored for

online teaching and learning for students with disabilities in the Sri Lankan
University system was discussed. The onset of digital education, while

revolutionizing the educational landscape, demands a structural framework to

ensure that no student, regardless of their disabilities, is left behind. Sri Lankan
universities, being the immediate custodians of higher education, bear the

primary responsibility for developing and implementing such strategies. Their
initiatives must prioritise accessibility, inclusivity, and equality, ensuring a

barrier-free digital educational realm for all students.

Furthermore, the University Grants Commission (UGC), tasked with funding,

planning, and maintaining standards in university education in Sri Lanka,
plays an instrumental role. The UGC's involvement ensures that the policies

developed are consistent, standardised, and uniformly implemented across all
universities, creating a cohesive digital learning environment. The

significance of the Ministry of Education cannot be overstated. As the apex

body overseeing the entire educational system, it has the onus to craft
overarching strategies, allocate resources, and introduce regulatory measures

to promote and monitor the inclusion of students with disabilities in the digital
shift.

The collective consensus among the university staff members emphasised that

a collaborative effort involving universities, the UGC, and the Ministry of

Education is paramount. Their synchronised actions and unified vision are
vital to sculpt an online teaching and learning environment that is not only

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