Man Power Development in Special Education& Rehabilitation in India: Need and Requirement

The Census of India (2011) estimates that the total number of disabled population is 26,810,557 which indicates that they need Education, Training and Rehabilitative Services. The manpower development in the area of special education and rehabilitation is regulated by Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), a statutory body under Ministry of Social justice & Empowerment. The present strength of personnel and Professionals in the field of Special Education and Rehabilitation is 67738 (RCI, 2011). The disabilities for which manpower development programme are conducted in different categories ranging from certificate to Master Degree in Regular, Distance and Online mode are Hearing Impairment, Mental Retardation, Visual Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disability, Loco-Motor Impairment and Neurogenic Disorder, Speech and Hearing, Community Based Rehabilitation, Multiple disabilities and others. In a total RCI conducts 60 different courses in regular mode and 8 courses in distance mode. There is a need of focusing new courses in the area of Special Education and Rehabilitation including more emerging disability and evidence based practices. The courses which are needed in the present context are superspecialised and employment oriented. The training centers which are imparting training for manpower development are also concentrated to certificate and diploma level. As Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is going to be implemented at higher education level, more focused programme has to be designed for smooth inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in University level institutions.