10 vocational rehabilitation challenges & road ahead (sneha )

“VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION-THE CHALLENGE AND ROAD AHEAD.”

UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

PROJECT ON

“VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION:

THE CHALLENGE AND ROAD AHEAD.”

SUBMITTED BY

SNEHA SHESHRAO BHONGADE

PROJECT GUIDE

Prof. V. S. GOPAL

BACHELOR OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES

SEMESTER V

(2009-10)

V.E.S. COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE & COMMERCE,

SINDHI COLONY, CHEMBUR – 400071

1



PROJECT ON



SUBMITTED BY


PROJECT GUIDE

Prof. V. S. GOPAL


SEMESTER V

(2009-10)

V.E.S. COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE & COMMERCE,

SINDHI COLONY, CHEMBUR – 400071

2



PROJECT ON



Submitted

In Partial Fulfillment of the requirements

For the Award of the Degree of

Bachelor of Management

By


PROJECT GUIDE

Prof. V. S. GOPAL


SEMESTER V

(2009-10)

V.E.S. COLLEGE OF ARTS, SCIENCE & COMMERCE,SINDHI COLONY, CHEMBUR – 400071

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DECLARATION

I SNEHA SHESHRAO BHONGADE student of BMS – Semester V (2009-10)

hereby declare that I have completed this project on,

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION: CHALLENGE AND ROAD AHEAD.

The information submitted is true & original to the best of my knowledge.

Student’s Signature

Name of Student

_______________________

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CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Ms. SNEHA SHESHRAO BHONGADE of

TYBMS has successfully completed the project on

“VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION: CHALLENGE AND ROAD AHEAD”

under the guidance of Prof. V. S. GOPAL.

Project Guide Principal

Prof. V. S. GOPAL Dr. (Mrs.) J. K. PHADNIS

Course Coordinator

Mrs. A. MARTINA

External Examiner

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It is a pleasure for me to thank the many people who in different ways have supported

my project related studies and contributed to the process of making this project.

Firstly, I would like to thank my project guide Prof. V. S. GOPAL for his support,

cooperation and fruitful discussions during my research on the topic -“VOCATIONAL

REHABILITATION: THE CHALLENGE AND ROAD AHEAD.”

Secondly, I would like to express my gratitude to all my college and in particular to the

coordinator of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS); Mrs. A. MARTINA, for providing me

such an interesting topic for my university project and their by supporting, and cooperating with

me during my project.

I would especially like to thank Mr. S. Z. H. ZAIDY - Deputy Director

(Rehabilitation) and the Staff of Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (Mumbai) for their special

guidance, discussion and there sincere interest in my project work.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION:

“Disabled persons are handicapped not because of their disability, but

because of lack of access to information about their rights and entitlements

and how to get them.”

Stratification of society based on age, sex, religion, caste, creed, power, and wealth,

physical and mental ability is a reality. Human beings have made constant efforts to fight

against injustice based on stratification and bring about some amount of equality, fairness and

respect for human rights above all. Disability is one such stratification, which leads to a number

of social and physical deprivations and disadvantages. According to a conservative estimate,

there are about 600 million disabled people across the world, of these, 420 million (70%) live

in developing countries. 80% of the disabled population in developing countries live below the

poverty line, that is a staggering 335 million disabled people. One out of five of the poorest of

the poor is a Person with Disability. It means that 20% of the poorest of the poor and most

marginalized are Persons with Disabilities.

These facts are also true of India. According to conservative estimates there are about

60 million Persons with Disability in the country. They constitute 10% of the world’s disabled

population and 15% of the disabled population of the developing countries. Out of this 80% live

in rural areas 49 million disabled people in India live below the poverty line.

We say India is progressing towards success but when I see any blind or any

handicapped person on my way it force me to think about “what have the government done for

the development of this handicapped people?” it was then I started studying on the disables and

their training institutions. During the study I found myself knowing very little about them and

the facilities provided to them. It was then I came to know that the present situation of disables

and the increase in the disabilities in the country is not because of the discrimination made by

the people or by the government; but it is because of the less knowledge of people about

disability. Awareness is the factor which would be very helpful to decrease the amount of

growing disabilities in the country, and reduce their mental and physical problems to some

extent.

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Thus by doing the project and understanding the disables totally I would like to take my

step forward towards the development of the disabled and the handicapped people in the

country.

MAIN STUDY:

The project mainly focuses on the Disables, the Vocational Rehabilitation Centers and

the Government Role in providing various facilities and benefits to the disables or in favor of

disables development of the disables, the challenges face by then and the future of the disabled

person.

SUB STUDY:

In order to study the main points of the project various other accepts related to the

project can in to picture and they were studied like what is rehabilitation, types of disabilities,

need for rehabilitation, technique of evaluation adopted by Vocational Rehabilitation Centers,

process of evaluation etc.

PRACTICAL STUDY / SURVEY:

A practical study / survey were done to understand the actual process or working of the

vocational rehabilitation centers. This study was done at vocational rehabilitation office in Sion,

Mumbai. The practical experience of watching the disables working has helped me to find their

difficulties and understand when and what kind of help they require. It has positively added on

to my project work, and made my motive of spreading awareness about the disability more

powerful.

CONCLUSIONS:

With support, people can overcome even severe disabilities while maximizing their

abilities and lead fulfilling and productive lives. Opening opportunities and removing barriers

to people with disabilities is a work in progress, but as you will see in some of these articles, the

results can be truly inspiring. The motive of doing the project on the rehabilitation of disables is

to make all the able people say "Let us help you throw away your crutches and play on the

beach" to the disables.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INDEX

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY………………………………… 1-7

1.1. INTRODUCTION TO VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION………………... 1

1.2. REHABILITATION……………………………………………………………. 2

1.3. IMPORTANCE OF REHABILITATION……………………………………... 3

1.4. DIFFERENT KINDS OF REHABILITATION……………………………….. 4

1.5. TYPER OF REHABILITATION………………………………………………. 5

2. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR)………………………….. 8-15

2.1. WHAT IS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION? ............................................ 8

2.2. WHAT IS DONE IN VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION? ......…………… 8

2.3. CONCEPT OF DISABILITY………………………………………………….. 9

2.4. TYPES OF DISABILITY AND DESCRIPTION OF DISABILITY………… 10

2.4.1. DISABILITIES BY SEX…………………………………………………….. 11

2.4.2. DISABILITY AND LITERACY…………………………………………….. 11

2.4.3. DISABILITY BY RESIDENCE……………………………………………... 12

2.5. WHO NEEDS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES? ................. 15

3. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTRE (VRC) (MUMBAI)……………………………………………………………. 16-29

3.1. INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………… 16

3.1.1. SERVICES RENDERED ……………………………………………………. 17

3.2. TECHNIQUES OF EVALUTION……………………………………………... 19

3.3. PROCESS OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION…………………………. 22

3.4. CHALLENGE AND PROBLEMS FACED……………………………………. 25

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4. GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT……………………………… 30-46

4.1. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SCHEMES……………………………………… 30

4.2. FACILITIES AND BENEFITS………………………………………………… 32

4.3. NGO’S ROLE…………………………………………………………………… 40

4.3.1. NGO’S SUCCESS STORY…………………………………………………… 43

4.4. FUTURE PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS…………………………… 45

5. CASE STUDY: A SUCCESSFUL HANDICAPED PERSON……… 47-48

6. SUGGESTION AND RECOMMENDATION……………………..... 49

7. CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………. 50

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………. 51

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1. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

1.1 INTRODUCTION TO VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

India has some 40 to 80 million persons with disability. But low literacy, few jobs and

widespread social stigma are making disabled people among the most excluded in India.

Children with disabilities are less likely to be in school, disabled adults are more likely to be

unemployed, and families with a disabled member are often worse off than average. With better

education and more access to jobs, people with disabilities can become an integral part of

society, as well as help generate higher economic growth that will benefit the country as a

whole. In the years to come, the number of disabled people in India is expected to rise sharply

as age related disabilities grow and traffic accidents increase.

India has a growing disability rights movement and one of the more progressive policy

frameworks in the developing world. But, a lot more needs to be done in implementation and

“getting the basics right”. Newer thinking and better coordination of programs is called for.

Preventive health programs need to be deepened and all children screened at a young age.

People with disabilities need to be better integrated into society by overcoming stigma; disabled

adults need to be empowered with employable skills; and the private sector needs to be

encouraged to employ them. The scale of disability in India needs to be better understood, by

improving the measurement of disability. Most importantly, persons with disabilities should

themselves be made active participants in the development process.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) centers help the people with disabilities to overcome

from their mental stress and to make them self physically able to do work and empower them

with employable skills for their living. Vocational Rehabilitation is a program provides services

to help individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment. It is designed to help

individuals of work age with disabling physical and/or mental disabilities compete successfully

with others in earning a livelihood. Vocational Rehabilitation programs take an active

leadership role in advocating for the rights of individuals with disabilities, removing the

physical and attitudinal barriers which often confront them, and publicizing their abilities and

accomplishments to society at large.

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1.2 REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation is defined as a combination of methods that are focused in restoring the

patient's useful life. Whether you have been in an accident or just experienced a medical

problem, rehabilitation could help your body achieve the normal daily functions by different

kinds of recovery techniques.

Rehabilitation is a beautiful word. It is a generic term, with no medical, social or abuse-

related connotation. Rehabilitation means to‘re-habitat’, to go back to the original habitat or

condition. When the habitat changes, man tend to lose his sense of comfort and want to go back

to the original condition. Re + habitat or ‘rehabilitate’ is the process of going back to the

original condition. In a spiritual or philosophical sense, rehabilitation means going back to our

original habitat or primal condition, the source from where the universe originated.

It is a process uses an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals to help a person

to reach their fullest physical, psychological, social, vocational, a vocational, and educational

potential consistent with his or her goals and life plans. Rehabilitation is a program that helps a

person who is recovering from illness or injury to regain as much function as possible. The aim

is to make the person become as teach strategies for ongoing disabilities.

Sometimes rehabilitation is said to embrace a 'medical model.' When people are

physically ill, causes of their illness are diagnosed and then "treated." Each person's medical

problems may be different and treatment will differ accordingly; that is, medical intervention is

individualized. Thus, people with same illness may, depend on the personal conditions (e.g.,

age, prior health), receive different medicines and stay in hospital for different period of time.

Correctional rehabilitation shares same logic- Causes are uncovered and treatments are

individualized. This is why rehabilitation is also referred to as "treatment."

Correctional and medical treatments are alike in one other way: they assume that

experts, scientifically trained in the relevant knowledge on how to treat their "clients," will

guide the individualized treatment that would take place. In medicine, this commitment to

training physicians in scientific expertise has been institutionalized, with doctors required to

attend medical school. In corrections, however, such professionalization generally is absent or

only partially accomplished.

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http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/04/importance-of-rehabilitation.html

http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/04/importance-of-rehabilitation.html


1.3 IMPORTANCE OF REHABILITATION

The term "rehabilitation" refers to a process aimed at enabling persons with disabilities

to reach and maintain their optimal physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric and/or social

functional levels, thus providing them with the tools to change their lives towards a higher level

of independence. Rehabilitation may include measures to provide and/or restore functions, or

compensate for the loss or absence of a function or for a functional limitation. Rehabilitation

process does not involve initial medical care. It includes a wide range of measures and activities

from more basic and general rehabilitation to goal-oriented activities, for instance

vocational.rehabilitation.(returning.to.work).

Rehabilitation is important whether a patient or person has just been out from a hospital

due to cardiac problems, if a patient has just been on a tragic accident, or if a patient or the

person has been abusing drugs and or alcohol or if the person is suffering from any kind of

disability or disorder weather mental or physical it can be from the time of his or her birth of

can accrue because of any kind of accident. Whether physical or psychological, rehabilitation

from diseases, injuries or disorders is important to improve one's medical and mental health

through different techniques, medication and support.

However, rehabilitation methods differ from one patient to other and from person to

person depending upon the disorder suffered by him. This is because patients of drug and

alcohol abuse need to undergo withdrawal, behavior therapies, psychological support and other

treatments to ensure immediate and long-lasting results. On the other hand, rehabilitation from

injuries and diseases need constant care and supervision from health experts in improving

function abilities and maintaining proper medical health.

There are various rehabilitation methods which may vary according to the person’s

personality, his mentality, the disorder, the level of problem etc. But the aim of rehabilitation

remains the same that is to make the person or patient capable enough to do work, to go back to

original habitat or condition, to recovering from illness or injury and to make the person

independent enough to earn his living. A lack of rehabilitation will undoubtedly reduce their

level of independence and, ultimately, quality of life. Early intervention is associated with an

improved outcome, irrespective of whether a full recovery takes place.

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http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/02/stroke-rehabilitation-can-help-restore.html

http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-to-get-and-stay-in-alcohol.html



1.4 DIFFERENT KINDS OF REHABILITATION

Any kind of rehabilitation strives to meet one goal - to improve the lives of those who

have been diagnosed with a disease, who have experienced injuries or who have chronic drug

addiction. For patients who have been diagnosed with diseases, such as lung and heart

problems, spinal disorders, cancer or other disease that may affect physical functions,

rehabilitation can provide the needed help for the patients to return to work or home.

When a person undergoes rehabilitation after a disease, experts examine the patient by

treating symptoms, addressing risk factors, providing counseling or family support and

restoring the physical fitness. If a person has gone through injuries from sports, accidents or

other reasons, rehabilitation can help in improving functionality of movements and

maximizing one's health. Through this kind of rehabilitation, not only is the physical aspects

covered, but also the mental, psychological and sociological aspects in achieving full

recovery.

Rehabilitation from injuries requires constant care by providing exercise therapies to

regain muscles lost and recover from trauma experienced by allowing contact to other patients

who have experienced similar injuries. Patients who need rehabilitation from alcohol or drug

abuse require treatment programs that are as complicated as rehabilitation from injuries and

diseases. This is because each treatment is conducted individually to fit the patient's medical,

physical and psychological needs.

Rehabilitation, regardless of cause and treatments needed, can help people in regaining

their social status by enabling them to live normal and healthy lives.

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http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/07/getting-back-in-game-with-sports.html

http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/02/stroke-rehabilitation-can-help-restore.html


1.5 TYPES OF REHABILITATION

The main purpose or rehabilitation is to make the person mentally and physical capable

and strong. Thus it is not necessary that the person should suffer from and kind of disability or

injury. People suffering from depression, mental stress, drug addicted people etc; are also

treated in the rehabilitation centers by different rehabilitation methods. This can take months or

even years to complete the process and to cure the person fully depending on the injury.

A. PHYSICAL REHABILITATION

Physical therapist is a person who rehabilitates the person suffering from physical

sickness. Physical rehabilitation deal with any type of bone or muscle injury that impairs

movement including shoulder, neck, or back. It may have been caused by an auto accident, an

occupational injury, or a sports injury. Developed conditions or injuries can also be treated with

this type of treatment. Arthritis, stroke, repetitive strain, and many other disorders are included

here.

B. OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION

Anytime someone experiences a loss of the basic skills needed to perform daily

activities, they need to see an occupational therapist. While this often focuses on upper body

issues, it can also include a number of mental skills. These often occur with patients who have

suffered brain injury, or a stroke. Some of the problems they deal with can include the

movement of the neck or jaw. It can also include life skills such as cooking, reading, writing,

and math. The type of treatment methods, the length of treatment, and the recovery time will all

vary on a case by case basis. Depending on the particular injury, this might also include

additional treatment from a psychologist or councilor.

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C. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

For those with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation services help them to work.

Vocational rehabilitation services are typically run by the state or a federal organization. They

help disabled individuals by giving them access to multiple services including vocational

counseling, training and job placement.

D. PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION

Psychiatric rehabilitation, also known as psychosocial rehabilitation, is the process of

restoration of community functioning and wellbeing of an individual who has a psychiatric

disability (diagnosed with a mental disorder). Rehabilitation work undertaken by psychiatrists,

social workers and other mental health professionals seeks to effect changes in a person's

environment and in a person's ability to deal with their environment, so as to facilitate

improvement in symptoms or personal distress. These services often "combine pharmacologic

treatment, independent living and social skills training, psychological support to clients and

their families, housing, vocational rehabilitation, social support and network enhancement, and

access to leisure activities". There is focus on challenging stigma and prejudice to enable social

inclusion, on working collaboratively in order to empower clients, and sometimes on a goal of

full psychosocial recovery.

E. AQUATIC REHABILITATION SERVICES

Because of water's ability to absorb some of the weight and shock of the human body, it

becomes an excellent method for treating those with endurance, strength, flexibility, and joint

problems. Specialists called aquatic therapists create a custom treatment program to match the

individual's injury as well as his or her lifestyle in an effort to return it to normal. This type of

treatment has been so successful, specially trained veterinarians have started using the same

techniques on horses and other animals who have sustained joint or bone damage.

F. LOW VISION AND SPEECH REHABILITATION

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosocial_recovery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inclusion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_inclusion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stigma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_disorder


While this can overlap with occupational rehabilitation service, this area focuses

specifically on vision therapy. Unlike other programs where treatments will often reverse the

damage, low vision therapists focus on helping patients adapt to their condition. Patients learn

how to use the remaining vision they have with along with other techniques involving other

senses such as touch and sound to help them lead a life that is as normal as possible. Speech

therapists work with patients (often the victim of a stroke) to train them to speak clearly. They

will also work with those who have difficulty eating and swallowing. This could include

practicing certain sounds, eating a certain diet, or maintaining a certain level of hydration.

These are few of the methods by which a person can be rehabilitated. There are many

other rehabilitation treatment methods which vary according to the person’s ability to overcome

his disability. Rehabilitation services supplements a variety of other treatment to help patients

return to their normal lives. In fact, they can help in many instances where all other treatments

have failed.

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2. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR)

2.1 WHAT IS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION?

Vocational rehabilitation is gaining more and more attention by mental health

service planners and providers and it is no mystery why. First, when consumers or the person

suffering from the disability and their families are asked what services they want or need, one

of the most frequent responses is vocational services and jobs. Second, when people with

psychiatric disabilities are working, they are less likely to use costly, intensive mental health

services.

2.2 WHAT DO THEY DO?

The Vocational Rehabilitation Center (VRC) is a free-standing rehabilitation center that

provides vocational evaluation, return-to-work planning, and rehabilitation services and

consultation to workers and employers. These services are offered to individuals whose

functional limitations interfere with their vocational opportunities. It is a rehabilitation center

where the people suffering from disabilities are trained and are made capable to work. This is

one of the methods to rehabilitate disabled people to overcome their mental stress, and their

physical incapability. Vocational Rehabilitation Services providers develop individual programs

that focus on your strengths and abilities, and the barriers you face in getting employment, to

help you find and keep a job. They understand and help you manage your injury, disability or

health condition.

The type of help provided by Vocational Rehabilitation Services varies depending on

your individual needs and can include, but are not limited to, assessments, identifying and

delivering vocational rehabilitation interventions and strategies to manage your injury,

disability or health condition, including interventions designed to improve endurance,

vocational counseling, counseling on disability issues, and assistance with job search and

employment placements, including work experience.

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2.3 CONCEPT OF DISABILITY

Vocational rehabilitation centers work for the betterment and to nurture the disable people, but who are the disable people?

It is important to have an understanding of the meaning of the word disability and who

disabled people are. It can be confusing when people use different definitions of disability. Also

the British Council of Disabled People has always followed the Social Model of Disability

because other models of disability, which oppress disabled people, are all individual models.

Disability is a disadvantage or restriction on doing things that is the fault of society and the way it is run. The world takes no account of people who have impairments and leaves them out and stops them from doing things other people do. Disability is discrimination very much like racism and sexism. Disabled people are those people with impairments who are disabled by society. It is very important to know the disability the person is suffering from, so that the person is provided with proper rehabilitation treatment.

In India different definitions of disability are introduced for various purposes and, as

such, they have been based on various criteria. No single standard exists in India in order to

evaluate disability. In common parlance, different terms such as disabled, handicapped,

crippled, physically challenged are used inter-changeably.

Census of India 2001 document mentioned "Defining and measuring disability is a complex issue and it is not easy to communicate these concepts during the census process, in which only a limited amount of questioning time is possible to be spent with a household for obtaining detailed information on every individual."

With regard to definitions adopted by PWD Act Census of India stated "the concepts

and definitions of disabilities coupled with measuring its extent and its types contained in the

PWD Act, 1995 were found to be extremely difficult to canvass even in normal circumstances

assuming people had time, were willing and forthcoming to share this information and there

was an expert investigator to elicit this information."

Census therefore used its own version of definitions of disabilities Census of India

defines five types of disabilities viz. seeing, speech, hearing, movement, and mental. Seeing

disability includes a person who cannot see at all (has no perception of light) or has blurred

vision even with the help of spectacles will be treated as visually disabled.

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A person with proper vision only in one eye will also be treated as visually disabled.

Where a person may have blurred vision and had no occasion to test whether her/his eyesight

would improve by using spectacles. Such persons would be treated as visually disabled. Speech

disabled means a person will be recorded as having speech disability, if she/he is dumb.

Similarly persons whose speech is not understood by a listener of normal

comprehension and hearing, she/he will be considered to having speech disability. Persons who

stammer but whose speech is comprehensible will not be classified as disabled by speech.

Hearing disability includes a person who cannot hear at all (deaf), or can hear only loud

sounds will be considered as having hearing disability. A person who is able to hear, using

hearing aid will not be considered as disabled under this category. If a person cannot hear

through one ear but her/his other ear is functioning normally, should be considered having

hearing disability.

A person, who lacks limbs or is unable to use the limbs normally, will be considered

having movement disability. Absence of a part of a limb like a finger or a toe will not be

considered as disability. However, absence of all the fingers or toes or a thumb will make a

person disabled by movement. If any part of the body is deformed, the person will also be

treated as disabled and covered under this category.

A person, who cannot move herself/himself without the aid of another person or without

the aid of stick, etc., will be treated as disabled. Similarly, a person would be treated as disabled

in movement if she/he is unable to move or lift or pick up any small article placed near her/him.

A person may not be able to move normally because of problems of joints like arthritis

and has to invariable limped while moving, will also be considered to have movement

disability. A person who lacks comprehension appropriate to her/his age will be considered as

mentally disabled.

This would not mean that if a person is not able to comprehend her/his studies

appropriate to her/his age and is failing to qualify her/his examination is mentally disabled.

Mentally retarded and insane persons would be treated as mentally disabled. A mentally

disabled person may generally depend on her/his family members for performing daily routine.

2.4 TYPES OF DISABILITY

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2.4.1 DISABILITIES BY SEX

The classification of disabled in different categories by sex shows higher rate of

prevalence of disabilities among males as compared to females, especially in the case of

movement and mental disabilities the proportion of male is much higher as compared to

females. The reasons for this kind of trend need to be studied.

CLASSIFICATION OF DISABILITIES BY SEX

TYPES OF DISABILITIES

SEX

PERSONS MALE FEMALE

Total 21906769 (100.00) 12605635 (57.54) 9301134 (42.46)

Seeing 10634881 (100.00) 5732338 (53.90) 4902543 (46.10)

Speech 1640868 (100.00) 942095 (57.41) 698773 (42.59)

Hearing 1261722 (100.00) 673797 (53.40) 587925(46.60)

Movement 6105477 (100.00) 3902752 (63.92) 2202725 (36.08)

Mental 2263821 (100.00) 1354653 (59.84) 909168 (40.16)

2.4.2 DISABILITY AND LITERACY

Education is very important for all, especially for disabled. Education

provides opportunities for employment and advancement. Literacy level among

disabled of different categories is depicted in table below.

LITERACY RATE AMONG DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF DISABLED

RESIDENCE PERSONS MALE FEMALE

DISABILITIES TOTAL

Total 49.31 58.15 37.32

Rural 44.40 54.11 31.31

Urban 63.87 70.05 55.36

2.4.3 DISABILITIES BY RESIDENCE

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Classification of disabled by residence shows that majority of disabled are living in the

rural areas. 81.07 percent of people with hearing disabilities, 76.24 percent with movement

disabilities, and 75.80 percent with speech disabilities reside in rural areas. Lack of medical

facilities, large family size, concentration of medical facilities in urban localities, etc. are the

major reasons for this trend. The paradoxical situation here is concentration of organizations

working for disabled in urban centers.

CLASSIFICATION OF DISABILITIES BY RESIDENCE

TYPES OF DISABILITIES

RESIDENCE

PERSONS RURAL URBAN

Total 21906769 (100.00) 16388382 (74.81) 5518387 (25.19%)

Seeing 10634881 (100.00) 7873383 (74.03) 2761498 (25.97)

Speech 1640868 (100.00) 1243854 (75.80) 397014 (24.20)

Hearing 1261722 (100.00) 1022816 (81.07) 238906 (18.93)

Movement 6105477 (100.00) 34654552 (76.24) 1450925 (23.76)

Mental 2263821 (100.00) 1593777 (70.40) 670044 (29.60)

A. VISUAL / EYESIGHT DISABILITY

An eyesight disability if person doesn’t have normal vision even if he wears eyeglasses

or contact lenses. Visual impairment may be caused by several eye diseases like age related

muscular degeneration, cataracts, and more. It is meant, loss or lack of ability to execute tasks

requiring adequate visual acuity. There are vision impairments that can be treated medically,

but there also that can’t be corrected medically after accidents. Nearly 50% of disables are

visually disabled.

B. COGNITIVE DISABILITY

Cognition is another word for thinking. It includes many different functions including

our abilities to pay attention, learn and retain information, solve problems, and use language to

express thoughts. Cognitive disability refers to people with dyslexia, a brain-based type of

learning disability that specifically impairs your ability to read, and other learning difficulties.

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http://www.about-disability.com/what-is-disability/different-types-of-disability-213.html

http://www.about-disability.com/what-is-disability/different-types-of-disability-213.html


Learning problems differs from someone who has a serious mental impairment. This disability

can lower, or worse lose, the persons self confidence as it always does, the person can still gain

control of his or her life through use of equipment. Many people use them and they were able to

move on and face the hardships despite their condition.

C. HEARING DISABILITY

Hearing disability includes people who are completely deaf, have partial hearing in one

or both ears. However, to correct this problem, person is required the use of a hearing aid.

There are people who have hearing disability yet can still communicate through sign language.

Amongst 5.8% of disable people are suffering from hearing disability according to census.

D. SPEECH DISABILITY

Broader definition of speech disability is one who cannot speak, speak limited words or

with loss of voice or with stammering voice are classified as being speech disabled. Speech

disability covers persons who are dumb, or who cannot be understood. One who stammers but

whose speech is comprehensible was not considered as speech disabled. But later on

stammering was also considered as speech disability. Thus speech disable includes persons with

speech disability will include those who cannot speak, speak only with limited words or those

with loss of voice. It also includes those whose speech is not understood due to defects in

speech, such as stammering, nasal voice, hoarse voice and discordant voice and articulation

defects, etc. There are around 7.5% of disables suffering from speech disability.

CAUSES OF HEARING AND SPEECH DISABILITIES – 2002

PERCENT CAUSE - HEARING DISABILITY

CAUSE - SPEECH DISABILITY

PERCENT

21.3 Old age Voice disorder 12.6

18.6 Discharge Paralysis 11.9

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8.7 Other Other 8.3

5.3 Burns and injury Burns and injury 0.9

2.1 Noise Cleft palate 4.5

1.6 Medical/surgical intervention Medical/surgical intervention

3.8

0.7 Rubella Mental illness 2.8

23.01 Other illness and Not Known Hearing Impairment 1.6

Old age 1.1

Other illness and Not Known 46.9

E. LOCOMOTOR / MOBILITY DISABILITY

Mobility refers to different people with varying types of physical disabilities. It is often

related to individual with upper limb mobility, manual dexterity, and co-ordination problem.

Mobility impairment is one of the disability types that affect movement ranging from gross

motor skills like walking, to fine motor movement involving manipulation of objects by hand.

Some use assistive equipment such as wheelchair or electronic strollers to be able to move

around. Persons with dwarfism or deformity are considered disabled even if they are not limited

in movement of body. 27.9% disables suffer from locomotors disability.

CAUSES OF LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY - 2002

Polio 30.9 Arthritis 3.0

Burns and Injury 28.5 Old age 2.8

Illness and disease 12.7 Leprosy 2.2

Stroke 6.3 Medical/surgical intervention 2.2

Not Known and other 9.0 Cerebral Palsy 2.1

F. MENTAL DISABILITY

Persons who have difficulty in understanding routine instructions, who do not carry out

their activities like others of similar age or exhibit behaviours like talking to self,

laughing/crying, staring, violence, fear and suspicion without reason would be considered as

mentally disabled. Mentally retarded and insane persons would be treated as mentally disabled.

A mentally disabled person may generally depend on her/his family members for performing

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daily routine. As per the census there are around 10.33% of disables suffering from mental

disability.

CAUSES OF MENTAL DISABILITY – 2002

Not known and Other 77.96 Serious illness in childhood 11.97 Head injury in childhood

3.83

Heredity 3.17 Pregnancy/birth related 3.01

2.5 WHO NEEDS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR) SERVICES?

VR services are a good idea for anyone who needs assistance when returning to work after a serious injury. A person’s individual strengths and weaknesses are assessed by highly trained professionals to help them get back into the work place and achieve success. Typically, VR services are used by those who have had brain injuries or a stroke. VR services will work with these individuals to give them an individualized plan that will help them to get job. Some of the service that is often used includes speech therapy, augmentative communication devices, re-training, and job coaching and supportive employment.

While the goal with these services is always employment, staff understands that

everyone is different. Therefore, staff always works by local community job and industry

standards to place disabled individuals in all areas of the job field whether it is entry level,

management or a professional career. However, staff doesn’t just work with the disabled. They

also work with employers by giving them technical assistance, accessibility issues and other

needs to help employer work with disabled employees. Since staffs are highly knowledgeable

of the community, they are very adept at matching right individual with proper job opening.

Once a disabled person can work again they are on their way towards gaining independence.

3. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTRE (MUMBAI)

3.1 INTRODUCTION

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http://rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com/2007/02/about-vocational-rehabilitation.html





A sizeable number of persons in India are handicapped. Government of India has been

providing relief and help in rehabilitating them so that they stand on their own feet

economically and also prove useful to the society.

Vocational rehabilitation of the handicapped person is a process which enables him to

secure suitable employment which he could retain and advance a permanent base with an

ultimate aim of integrating or re-integrating him in the society. The Vocational Rehabilitation

Centre (VRC) is a free-standing rehabilitation centre that provides vocational evaluation,

return-to-work planning, and rehabilitation services and consultation to workers and employers.

These services are offered to individuals whose functional limitations interfere with their

vocational opportunities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services are available to provide help and support to find or

keep a job. If any handicapped person is receiving assistance from a Vocational Rehabilitation

Services provider then he can expect and should receive a high level of service. The

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations monitors the way

employment services are delivered and all Vocational Rehabilitation Services must meet the

standards of service and behaviour set out in the Employment and Related Services Code of

Practice and Service Guarantees.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services' professionally qualified staff will help you manage

the effects of your injury, disability or health condition and use your skills to gain safe and

sustainable employment. Vocational Rehabilitation Services that combines vocational

rehabilitation with employment assistance. These services will be sensitive to your

circumstances and background and tailored to both your needs and abilities.

In 1968 an agreement was signed between the Government of India and the Government

of USA for setting up of two Vocational Rehabilitation Centres, one at Mumbai and other at

Hyderabad for assessing vocational and psychological needs of the handicapped persons and to

render rehabilitation assistance to them. At present 20 Vocational Rehabilitation Centers for

Handicapped have been functioning one each at Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bangalore,

Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata,

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Ludhiana, Mumbai, Patna, Pondichery, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Una, and Vadodara.

Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped at Vadodara is exclusively for the disabled

women. In order to facilitate speedy rehabilitation of the handicapped, Skill Training

Workshops (STWs) and Rural Rehabilitation Extension Centres (RRECs) have been set up in

Mumbai.

This study has been done at VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER (VRC),

MUMBAI. Under the guidance of the Deputy Director (Rehabilitation) Mr. S.Z. H. ZAIDY.

3.1.1. SERVICES RENDERED TO THE HANDICAPPED PERSONS BY VRCS

1. Interviewing adult handicapped persons for knowing their personal, social, family,

educational, economic and vocational background causing adjustment problems.

2. Admission of the handicapped persons to examine medically to assess their physical

efficiencies, measure their psychological strengths and weaknesses in respect of their

intelligence, aptitude, areas of interest, psychomotor dexterity, personality traits and areas

of adjustment.

3. Assessing the residual capacities, attributes, and functional skills of different categories of

handicapped.

4. Examination of the handicapped persons by a panel of medical specialists to identify the

degree of disability and functional capacities and suggest remedial measures.

5. Testing of the handicapped persons on the job capabilities in different trades sanctioned

under VRC’s programmes such as Electronics, Electrical, General Mechanic, Radio & TV

repair, Commercial Practice, Air-conditioning & refrigeration, Automobile, Cutting and

Tailoring, Computer Applications, Wood Work & Chair Canning, Arts & Crafts, Screen

Printing, Photography, Metal Trades, Secretarial Practice, Painting, etc.

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6. Imparting workshop training to develop vocational adjustment in respect of their work

habits, on the job sustainability, to ensure their job adjustment best suited to their strengths

and weaknesses.

7. Evaluating the handicapped clients at the Centre to assist them in preparing their vocational

plan for enhancing their levels of knowledge & skills suited to local job market needs and

also assisting, guiding and motivating them for diverting to self-employment.

8. Imparting in-plant training under the scheme of Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment during which clients are given stipend to sustain their interest and motivation

in the training.

9. Sponsoring and assisting the handicapped persons to utilize the facilities of reservations

against the seats in various educational/training institutions.

10. Sponsoring the handicapped persons to the employers against vacancies notified to the

VRCs and taking follow up action.

11. Recommending the handicapped persons for grant of loans by the concerned financial

institutions under differential rate of interest or setting up of different ventures under

various self-employment schemes.

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3.2 TECHNIQUES OF EVALUTION

Provision of Vocational Rehabilitation can require input from professionals from many

different disciplines, including medical professionals, disability advisers and career counselors.

According to the Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA), the techniques used can

include:

1. ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL:

Assessment is the process of documenting, usually in measurable terms, knowledge,

skills, attitudes and beliefs. Assessment can focus on the individual learner, the learning

community (class, workshop, or other organized group of learners), the institution, or the

educational system as a whole. A handicapped person may benefit from different types of

assistance on condition that he or she meets a number of specific criteria, usually assessed by a

medical examination. In addition to these allowances paid by social security, other measures in

favour of handicapped persons have been implemented in other areas, such as: employment,

training, mobility. In this process the abilities of the disabled person is tested on the basses of

various test taken in various fields. This helps the organization to find the subject of liking of

the disabled person.

Appraisal refers to the process of decision making. It is based on the ability of the

person what he or she can do, how well the work is performed by the person. Assessment and

appraisal both help out in deciding the field in which the disabled person should be trained.

2. GOAL SETTING AND INTERVENTION PLANNING:

The candidate is asked about his interesting fields, his likes and dislikes regarding any

subject of training. This helps the trainer to identify that in which field the candidates will do

well. Various trainers of different fields take the candidates interview and test him on the

respective subject.

3. PROVISION OF HEALTH ADVICE AND PROMOTION, IN SUPPORT OF RETURNING TO WORK:

Some of the candidates who come for the evaluation suffer from disabilities which can

be cured. The VRC trainers give advice and tips so that such candidates get back to the work

with better abilities.

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4. SUPPORT FOR SELF-MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH CONDITIONS:

The candidate trained in VRC becomes capable enough to take care of himself on his

own. He is not depended on others. The candidate becomes capable to earn his own living.

5. CAREER (VOCATIONAL) COUNSELING:

In vocational rehabilitation center the disables are guided with the special counseling

given by the trainers of the institution. This counseling helps the person to create his or her own

identity and to understand him / her and the world outside in a better manner.

6. CASE MANAGEMENT, REFERRAL, AND SERVICE CO-ORDINATION:

The candidate is studied by appointing his on various fields or department like

computers, printing, electronics etc; Thus the trained can identify candidate capabilities and

abilities to do the work and the department in which the candidate is good, he is trained on that

particular field.

7. PROGRAMMED EVALUATION AND RESEARCH:

The process of studying the candidate by evaluation method is done by appointing the

candidate on the respective departments chosen by the candidate or by his parents. During the

training period the candidate is trained and is study by the trainer. Research is also done to

develop the candidate.

8. INTERVENTIONS TO REMOVE ENVIRONMENTAL, EMPLOYMENT AND ATTITUDINAL OBSTACLES:

The disables face various discrimination in social and physical world that is geared by,

for and towards non-disabled people. The commonalities in issues of racism, sexism,

homophobia and disables can be explored. There are various steps taken by the vocational

rehabilitation centers to reduce such things from the world.

9. CONSULTATION SERVICES:

Consultation is a process of dialogue that leads to a decision. The provision of

information discussing the issues and making a decision about how to manage oneself when

some problem arise weather person or any official risks. Thus the VRC’s see to it that the

disabled person is not suffering from any kind of mental stress if it is so than they try to reduce

it by consultation services.

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10. REGULATORY SYSTEMS:

Regulations are federal requirements, directives, standards, or procedures, backed by the

use of penalties or other sanctions that are intended specifically to modify the behavior of state

and local governments, private industry, businesses, and individuals. Regulations are almost

always required whenever the federal government acts. Thus the various acts in favour of the

disabled have helped them to develop themselves. The vocational rehabilitation centers has

played very important role in regulating the various acts for the disables by forcing the

government of India’s attention towards them.

11. JOB ANALYSIS, JOB DEVELOPMENT, AND PLACEMENT SERVICES, AND JOB ACCOMMODATIONS:

On behalf of the candidate the vocational rehabilitation centers search for the job for

them. VRC’s analysis the job, study its development and how beneficial it will be to the

candidate. Once they are satisfied with the post the recommend the job to the respective

candidate. They also search for the jobs in various organizations and accommodate their

candidate for the job if suitable.

12. THE PROVISION OF CONSULTATION ABOUT AND ACCESS TO REHABILITATION TECHNOLOGY:

Rehabilitation technology is an integral part of vocational rehabilitation services. In

working with consumers and family members, counselors should explore rehabilitation

technology services. Rehabilitation technology is a powerful tool that may be useful to persons

with disabilities in identifying, developing and achieving their employment goal. The

application of rehabilitation technology services may be of benefit to individuals with any type

of disability. These services can assist individuals in achieving maximum independent

functioning, increasing mobility, and enhancing communication leading to increased access to

employment or maintenance of employment.

Disabled individuals who want to work need to go to the vocational rehabilitation

services that are in their state. The individual must then submit an application and meet with a

vocational rehabilitation counselor to determine if they are eligible for the services and to work.

The counselor’s decision on whether or not the disability interferes with work is considered

along.with.the.individual’s.medical.documentation

.

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3.3 PROCESS OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

The procedures involved when an individual is moving through the rehabilitation

process from referral to closure. Statuses were created to show what stage of the rehabilitation

process an individual is involved.

1. REGISTRATION /APPLICATION:

In the process the disabled person or the candidate has to fill the prescribed form

wherein he has to fill his all personal, educational details. Since it is not possible for all the

candidates to fill the form on their own their family members can fill the form. Some time the

vocational trainer may help out the candidate to fill the form

2. INTAKE:

Once the application form is filled by the candidate with all his details. He then moves

to the next stage i.e. intake where in the rehabilitation process begins when an individual

applies for services from DVR. An application form is completed and an intake interview is

held to explore the individual's medical, social, financial, educational, and vocational

experiences. This is an opportunity to explore the applicant's skills, abilities, and interests, and

to understand his/her specific vocational rehabilitation needs.

3. EVALUTION / ASSESSMENT:

An individual enters the stage when the counselor determines that an extended

evaluation is necessary to determine eligibility. Individuals placed in stage may not remain in

this status for his further course of training. This is a stage where the capabilities of the

candidate are tested.

4. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINED:

Further assessment of the individual's employment barriers is conducted when necessary

to establish eligibility for services. In this stage a particular field or department where the

candidate is excess is allotted to him.

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5. IPE DEVELOPED BY PROVIDING VOCATIONAL TRAINING:

The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is a written plan outlining an individual's

vocational goal, and the services to be provided to reach the goal. The IPE formalizes the

planning process through which the vocational goal, service delivery and time frames for

service delivery are determined. The IPE identifies the individual's employment objective,

consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities and capabilities

and provides a plan for monitoring progress toward achievement of the goal. Through the IPE,

individuals are informed of their rights and responsibilities in the rehabilitation process. The

individual's involvement in developing the plan is reflected throughout the IPE. Consistent with

the principle stated above, the IPE must be jointly developed, agreed upon and signed by the

consumer and the counselor.

6. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROVIDEDPL:

Once eligibility is established, the participant and his/her vocational rehabilitation

counselor work together to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). This plan

describes the services which will be needed so that the individual can reach his/her employment

goal. Each participant's program is individually tailored to assure that the services necessary to

achieve his/her goals are provided.

7. EMPLOYMENT OBTAINED:

The anticipated outcome of the individual's vocational program is suitable employment

in a career of the individual's choice. Depending on the services needed, the program can last

anywhere from a few months to several years.

8. FOLLOW-UP:

Follow-up services are provided by the rehabilitation counselor to assure that the

individual's employment is stable and satisfactory.………………………………………. ...……...

9. SERVICE RECORD CLOSED:

The candidate one whom has been employed in services has been completed insofar as

necessary or feasible in terms of an employment outcome. The purpose of service record close

is to furnish a means for identifying all persons who have received post-employment services

and are being closed.

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THE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROCESS

34

Applicant 60 Day Limit

Accepted90 Day Limit

PlanCompleted

Counseling & Guidance

TrainingPhysical Restoration

Ready for Employment

Post Employment

Closed From Post

Employment


3.4 CHALLENGE AND PROBLEMS FACED BY DISABLED AND ITS SOLUTION

The term disability has always been referred as loss to Gross National Product because

of the non-participation of disabled person in the productive work. It is not because of the

disability conditions of the affected individual, but the disabling attitude of the society that

forces them to be handicapped means ‘cap–in- hands’, the equivalent term for the word beggar.

Due to lack of opportunities from primary educational level to post secondary level, most of the

disabled persons are illiterate and dependent also. In our country the education of disabled

student is a serious challenge because only five percent of students with disabilities have got

access to education. The rate of dropout among disabled students is quite high and therefore

only few of them enter higher education and if possible, to technical education.

The vocational education or the training is not a new word in the list of service for the

disabled students. During 1960’s the employment and vocational training of disabled received

significant attention worldwide and during 1970’s came into real practice. In India, Ministry of

Labour opened Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for the disabled in various parts of the

country. School based education was given much importance and hence most of the large

special schools opened ‘workshops’. To encourage the self-employment and entrepreneurship

among disabled person, the National Finance Development Corporation of disabled person is

also opened.

But in spite of these developments, how is it that students with disabilities could not

enter various fields or in technical industry, is it because of inconvenient and unfriendly

environment. Despite of continuous efforts being made by the NGO’s and the government

agencies, the progress in technical education and vocational training of the disabled has not

been satisfactory. Why is it seen that the institution providing the training to the disabled are

less n number in the country, why there are less number of trainers providing technical and non-

technical training to the disables. More focused is on the technical education because technical

qualification acquired through vocational training will strengthen their attitude to cope with

their disability and is of value in the eyes of potential employer. It also gives the individual self

confidence, the lack of which may often be a greater handicap than disability itself.

There are number of issues responsible for the low entry of disabled people in technical

industry or in other filed they are;

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1. The ability profile of disabled person has always been judged on negatively in a society.

The labour of ‘good for nothing’ takes away the opportunity to enter the world of work but

not the disabled person. Thus it is very important to create a good, capable image of the

disabled people.

2. There are large numbers of non-disabled persons in our country who are unemployed today.

This is because of poor outcome of higher education. Therefore, many disabled students are

not encouraged by their parents to enter institution of higher learning. Awareness should

be created about the importance of education institution for the disables so that the

disabled students and their parent both are encouraged to actively get admission in such

educational institutions.

3. Entry of disabled student into institutions other than special schools is mostly prohibited

because many of them lack adequate educational eligibility and if someone has the

eligibility, then he is prevented because of inconvenient and unfriendly educational

environment. Step should be taken so that there is no discrimination between the disables

and the non-disables.

4. The educational opportunities for disabled students are restricted due to the inefficiency of

the teachers of regular schools to teach the disabled students. Proper training should be

providing to the teachers to train the disabled student, the training should be provided to

both the regular school teaching teachers as well as the special school teachers.

5. The disabled students and their parents are unaware of various facilities and opportunities

available to them because of poor information dissemination strategies. There should be

more awareness spread amongst the people. Better steps should be taken to promote the

training institution of disables.

6. No national level studies have been conducted so far to study the various occupations for

the people with disabilities. Thus their lies a big problem of providing the jobs to the

disables after completion of their training. Jobs should be created keeping in mind the

disabled peoples capabilities so that they are encouraged to get education and training.

7. There are many government organisation for the rehabilitation of the disabled but some of

them are only restricted to the registration of the unemployed disables. But the placement

and training aspects of the disables are not being looked after by some organistion. The

36


government training and placement organization should be situated nearby at less

distance and regular placement programs should be carried out.

8. The physical environments in most of the institutions are without mobile aids, signal system

and special furniture. Most of them are is consist of architectural barriers. Government

should take steps to facilitate infrastructural facilities according to the needs of the

disables.

9. Success stories of disables hardly appear on textbook, newspapers and magazines.

Spreading the success stories of disable will encourage the other disables to develop

themselves and become a successful person in life.

Many regions have to face unemployment, and meet special difficulties when dealing

with unemployment of specific categories of workers, such as disabled people, long term

unemployed people, low qualification level people. Public authorities have very often build

specific mechanisms in order to help firms which employ such people. The limit of such

policies is the project flow, which is in most cases too low to provide the necessary number of

jobs.

Economic and technological revolution will increase the problem; since firms offer less

and less jobs that can be occupied by these categories of people. There are people, able to create

and manage a firm, which are, for personal reasons, strongly motivated by doing something

which can help to solve the problem. They accept to leave their job, to earn less money, if they

can work in a firm with social goals.

They need to be helped in indentifying a project, well suited with their skills and their

goals. If we can create tools and methods that can build a project by identifying separately the

people who creates the activity and the subject (product or service, market, technology), we can

hope to increase significantly the number of creation of such projects, both in existing firms and

in new created firms. International cooperation project goal is to identify and build methods

and tools for creating social added value firms, by comparing in field activities run in different

regions, i.e. in different economic and social contexts.

Considering the problems and the challenges, appropriate strategies have to be evolved

in our country in order to provide convenient and friendly environment for education and

training of the disabled students in technical other institutions. The opportunities to the disabled

37


students can be wider if policy planners, faculty of technical institution and rehabilitation

professionals join their hands together.

The perception of faculty members of technical institution is very crucial if government

plans to improve enrolment of disabled students in technical institution. Therefore, the present

study to evaluate the perception of technical instructors on training of disabled student in

technical institutions.

Within each and every society, there are certain benchmarks that give one reassurance

that they are traveling along life's course adequately. In each life stage, there are accepted roles

that one plays. After one enters the stage of adult, parenthood soon follows. This is a regular

occurrence in almost, if not all societies throughout the world. Of course, not all adults are

parents and not all parents are adults.

However, adulthood brings with it a desire to enter the role of parent. Many times,

disabled people are discouraged from becoming parents; thereby limiting their satisfaction as

adults. As a disabled adult, you are told (overtly and indirectly) that you are able to obtain

employment, have your own home and marry. However, you are discouraged from fulfilling

any fantasies of raising a family.

Many people can't imagine the life of a disabled parent. They have a difficult time

understanding how someone might care for themselves, if they are disabled. The thought of a

disabled person caring for children adequately boggles their mind. Thus, they would rather

shop; think about the latest entertainment trends and exercise. However, there are many

disabled people who become parents. There are also a growing number of parents who become

disabled. Thus, the dual status of parent, and disabled, seems to be more prevalent than most

would like to believe.

There are solutions to these challenges, however. Not surprisingly, most of these

solutions do not involve adaptive equipment. There is adaptive equipment and can be found at

many places.

Provision of incentives to the specialist teachers could be a morale booster. Incentives

could be in form of a transport allowance to help in their mobility, as they make their routine

trip from one resource classroom to the other. Promotions could also act as another incentive to

the teachers. Government should reconsider its position, specifically with regards to promotion

38


period for specialist teachers. Considering the specialist teachers for promotion soon after their

return from College could be a motivating factor.

Training all regular teachers and parents of children with disabilities on how to identify

and assess children with learning difficulties using simple assessment techniques could also go

a long way in relieving the burden off the teachers. In that way the country would eventually

have some statistics of children with learning difficulties in all the schools. If parents are

equipped with assessing skills they could play a key role in providing inclusive but home based

models. Parents of children with learning disabilities could give talks on disability during the

disability awareness days in the villages.

Increasing the intake of specialist teachers could ensure that we have more specialist

teachers in the schools. This would tremendously cut the long distances teachers walk.

Indirectly that would also cut the distances children with disabilities walk to access a specialist

teacher at the nearest resource centre classroom. Increased numbers of specialist teachers in

learning difficulties can only bring positive results in the community if they are given a

conducive environment to work in. This therefore calls for construction of more resource

classroom in all primary schools across the country.

A country-wide disability awareness campaign by the Department of Special Needs in

the Ministry of Education on the right of education for children with difficulties could help

change people’s attitudes towards disabled children. The campaign would certainly among

other things make parents realise the importance of sending their disabled children to school.

The initiative would eventually provoke demand for more resource classrooms across the

country by the parents.

Increased collaboration and networking between Government and Non-Governmental

organisations (NGOs) working in the Special Needs Education should be encouraged. Such

collaboration would compel the NGO to providing solutions to some of the problems facing the

specialist teachers. The NGO’s would for instance build a resource classroom or buy teaching

and learning material for a particular school.

4. GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is the nodal agency of the Central

Government that promotes services for the people with disabilities through its various schemes.

39


The primary object is to promote services for people with disabilities through government and

non government organizations, so that they are encouraged to become functionally independent

and productive members of the nation through opportunities of education, vocational training,

medical rehabilitation, and socio-economic rehabilitation.

4.1 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SCHEMES

Emphasis is placed on coordination of services particularly those related to health,

nutrition, education, science and technology, employment, sports, cultural, art and craft and

welfare programs of various government and non-government organizations.

A. DISTRICT REHABILITATION CENTER (DRC) PROJECT

The District Rehabilitation Center scheme was launched in early 1985 to provide

comprehensive rehabilitation services to the rural disabled. The aims and objectives of the

DRCs include surveys of disabled population, prevention, early detection and medical

intervention and surgical correction, fitting of artificial aids and appliances, therapeutic services

- physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, provision of educational services in

special and integrated schools, provision of vocational training, job placement in local

industries and trades, self-employment opportunities, awareness generation for the involvement

of community and family to create a cadre of multi-disciplinary professionals to take care of

major categories of disabled in the district. At present, 11 DRCs function in 10 States in India.

B. REGIONAL REHABILITATION TRAINING CENTER (RRTC)

Four Regional Rehabilitation Centers have been functioning under the DRCs scheme at

Mumbai, Chennai, Cuttack and Lucknow since 1985 for the training of village level

functionaries, training of DRCs professionals, orientation and training of State Government

officials, research in service delivery and low cost aids, etc. Apart from developing training

material and manuals for actual field use, RRTCs also produce material for creating community

awareness through the medium of folders, posters, audio-visuals, films and traditional forms.

C. NATIONAL INFORMATION CENTER ON DISABILITY & REHABILITATION (NICDR)

A National Information Center on Disability and Rehabilitation was set up in 1987 to

provide a database for comprehensive information on all facilities and welfare services for

disabled within the country. It also acts as a nodal agency for awareness creation,

40


preparation/collection and dissemination of materials/information on disability relief and

rehabilitation. Computerized data so far collected relates to institutions/professionals working

for the disabled, aids and appliances, scholarships, national awards and physical/financial

performance of DRCs/RRTCs. It publishes the Indian Journal of Disability and Rehabilitation.

The Media Cell is responsible for the publication of awareness-generation material/journals,

hold Seminars/Workshops, organisation of Film Festival/Exhibitions, production of films, etc.

D. NATIONAL HANDICAPPED FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The Government has set up the National Handicapped Finance & Development

Corporation with an authorized share capital of Rs 400 crore to make the persons with

disabilities self reliant, economically productive and to bring them into the mainstream of

economic activity. The Corporation provides soft loan to set up cottage industries.

E. UNICEF ASSISTANCE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

The Master Plan Operation (MPO) 1991-95 was launched in 1991, with the help of

UNICEF, to prevent childhood disabilities in India. The Master Plan of Operation short-listed

the following components of programs as major areas of activities:

Strengthening and integrating disability prevention and rehabilitation in existing

government services at the community level.

Support for communications, including audio-visual and print media for advocacy,

information and training.

Support to research and planning, especially to studies which promote interventions that

can be taken up by the community in rural areas and/or urban slums.

Support for innovative projects at the community level, particularly those being run by

NGOs. Monitoring and evaluation of ongoing programs.

4.2 FACILITIES AND BENEFITS

The various privileges provided by the Central government to persons with disabilities

and their families are as follow,

A. INCOME TAX

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EXEMPTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND FAMILIES

There are special tax concessions in the Income Tax Act for disabled persons. “Section

80 U” allows an exception of Rupees 40,000 from the income of assesses with disability. To

avail of this concession a disability certificate issued by a physician working in a government

hospital has to be annexed with the tax assessment form. Section 80 DD allows deductions of

Rupees 50,000 to a parent or relative upon whom the disabled is dependent for maintenance,

which includes medical treatment of the disabled person. For a visually challenged person to

qualify for the above exemptions, he/she has to meet the following criteria:

BLINDNESS: Blindness shall be regarded as a permanent physical disability, if it is incurable

and falls in any of the categories specified below, namely:

BLINDNESS CATEGORIES

Categories Better eye (with correction) Worse eye(with correction)

1 6/60-4/60 or field of vision 110-20 3/60 to nil

2 3/60 to 1/60 or field of vision 100 FC at 1 foot to Nil

3 FC at 1 foot to nil or field of vision 100 FC at foot to nil or field of vision 100

4 Total loss of sight Total loss of sight

EXEMPTIONS ON DONATIONS

Deductions are allowed to persons making donations to registered trusts and societies

doing work for the handicapped. Under Section 80G deduction from Income is allowed at 50

percent of the amount donated to the eligible institution. Amount on which deduction is claimed

under the section, however, cannot exceed 10 percent of the gross total income exemptions.

This is only in respect of certain specific projects for research, development etc. Deductions in

respect of donations may be claimed by all assesses, i.e., individuals, companies etc.

EXEMPTIONS IN CUSTOM DUTY

Specified goods when imported by any institution for the blind or deaf are exempt.

Braille printer or Braille embosser or Braille display designed for computer systems are

exempt from payment of duty. Closed Circuit Television System for use as low-vision

aid for visually disabled persons can be imported at a concessional rate of duty of 15 per

cent. Audio cassettes, if recorded with material from books, newspapers, or magazines

for the Blind are exempt from duty.

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Certain other special goods imported by a disabled or disabled person for his personal

use are exempt from duty.

EXCEPTIONS IN EXCISE DUTY

The Central Government exempts all goods manufactured by an institution which:

Is primarily engaged in the rehabilitation of physically or mentally handicapped persons.

Employs primarily, physically or mentally handicapped persons for its manufacturing

activity,

Is receiving financial assistance from the Govt. of India, Ministry of Social Welfare for

such rehabilitation,

B. TRAVEL CONCESSIONS

BUS

Concessions are provided for persons with physical impairments and visually handicaps.

Student concessions are provided to all children. Mostly each state has its own policy.

RAIL

As per the Order of Ministry of Railway, Government of India, the following

concessions are available for the disabled:

1. Blind Person

PERCENTAGE OF RAIL CONCESSION FOR BLIND PERSON

ClassFirst Class

Second Class Sleeper ClassSeason Ticket

First Class Second Class

% age of Concession 75 75 75 50 50

2. Orthopaedically Handicapped Person

The Orthopaedically Handicapped person traveling with an escort, on production of a

certificate from a Government doctor to the effect that the person concerned is orthopaedically

handicapped and cannot travel without the assistance of an escort, is eligible for getting

concession.

PERCENTAGE OF RAIL CONCESSION FOR ORTHOPAEDICALLY HANDICAPPED

Class First Class Second Class Sleeper Class Season Ticket


43



3. Deaf & Dumb Person

A deaf and dumb person traveling alone (both afflictions together in the same person)

on production of a certificate from a government doctor is eligible for the concession.

PERCENTAGE OF RAIL CONCESSION FOR DEAF & DUMB PERSON

Class First Class Second Class Sleeper ClassSeason Ticket



4. Mentally Retarded Person

A mentally retarded person, accompanied by an escort, on production of a certificate in

the prescribed form, from a government

PERCENTAGE OF RAIL CONCESSION FOR MENTALLY RETARDED PERSON

Class First Class Second Class Sleeper ClassSeason Ticket



AIR

1. Blind Person

The Indian Airlines Corporation allows 50% concessional fare to Blind persons or

single journey or single fare for round trip journey on all domestic flights. To avail this facility

(for blind persons) they have to product a certificate from a medical practitioner. Air

Hostess/Steward will look after the Blind Persons not accompanied by escorts in flight.

The Public Relation Officer or the Traffic Officer Incharge at the airport will render necessary

assistance to such infirm passengers at the airport of the departure and arrival. Escorts are to

pay full fare. This concession cannot be combined with any other concessional fare allowed by

the Indian Airlines.

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Blind Passenger will have to make an application for grant of 50 percent concession and

such application must be accompanied by a certificate from a registered medical practitioner

testifying to the fact that the person is blind and has lost the vision of both eyes. Such certificate

must also carry the registered number of the registered medical practitioner of the state to which

he belongs. The 50 % concession admissible to blind people cannot be combined with any other

concessional fare allowed by IAC i.e. no other concession will be admissible to the blind

passenger.

While the Air Hostess or the Steward will look after the blind passengers not

accompanied by escorts in flights, the Public Relation Officer or the Traffic Officer-in-charge at

the airport will render necessary assistance to such infirm passengers at the airport of departure

and arrival Advance notice of the travel be sent by the station of embarkation.

2. Locomotor Disability

Locomotor Disabled persons (80% and above) are allowed following Concession in

Indian Airlines:

i. 50% of normal Economy Class INR Fare or Point to Point Fare, Full Inland Air Travel Tax

and Passenger Service Fee applicable.

ii. 50% of INR fare applicable to foreigners resident in India for travel on Domestic Sectors.

C. EDUCATION

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

To ensure that the students with disabilities who have fair access to higher and technical

education, 3% seats in educational institutions are reserved for them. Besides, the Ministry of

Social Justice & Empowerment supports 500 Scholarships for students for pursuing their

studies at Post School Level.

The object of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to disabled students for

pursuing higher and technical education. They will also be supported for acquiring special aids

and appliances for studies.

OBJECTIVES

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The objectives of the scheme are as follows:

1. To encourage universities/colleges of education in the country to promote teacher

preparation programmers in the field of special education.

2. To provide equal educational opportunities to disabled persons in higher education

institutions.

3. To create awareness among the functionaries of higher education about the specific

educational needs of persons with disabilities.

4. To equip higher education institutions with the facilities to provide access to disabled

persons.

5. To provide appropriate financial assistance to disabled individuals to increase their

sustainability in higher education.

6. To explore suitable placement opportunities for educated disabled graduates in public as

well as private sector enterprises.

7. To monitor the implementation of all existing and future legislation and policies are

pertaining to higher education of persons with disabilities.

THIS SCHEME IS AIMED PARTICULARLY AT:

1. Providing assistance to universities/colleges of education to start teacher preparation

courses in special education at the B.Ed./M.Ed. level; and

2. Creating appropriate facilities for persons with special needs in higher education.

PROVIDING ACCESS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

It has been felt that persons with disabilities need special arrangements in the

environment for their mobility and independent functioning. It is also a fact that many institutes

have architectural barriers that disabled persons find difficult for their day-to-day functioning.

The universities and colleges under this scheme are expected to address this problem

according to the Persons with Disabilities Act 1995, and ensure that all existing structures as

well as future construction projects in their campuses are made disabled friendly. The institutes

should create special facilities such as ramps, rails and special toilets, and make other necessary

changes to suit the special needs of differently-abled persons. For this purpose, the UGC will

make a one-time grant of up to Rs.5 lakh per university/college.

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D. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

In the Constitution of India, entry 24 in list III of schedule VII deals with the "Welfare

of Labour, including conditions of work, provident funds, liability for workmen's

compensation, invalidity and old age pension and maternity benefits. Further, Article 41 of

Directive Principles of State Policy has particular relevance to Old Age Social Security."

NATIONAL POLICY ON OLDER PERSONS

The Government of India announced a National Policy on Older Persons in January,

1999. This policy provides a broad framework for inter-sectoral collaboration and cooperation

both within the government as well as between government and non-governmental agencies. In

particular, the policy has identified a number of areas of intervention -- financial security,

healthcare and nutrition, shelter, education, welfare, protection of life and property etc. for the

well being of older persons in the country. Amongst others the policy also recognizes the role

of the NGO sector in providing user friendly affordable services to complement the endeavors

of the State in this direction.

While recognizing the need for promoting productive ageing, the policy also emphasizes

the importance of family in providing vital non formal social security for older persons. To

facilitate implementation of the policy, the participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, State

Governments and different Departments of the Government of India is envisaged with

coordinating responsibility resting with the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

FAMILY PENSION

In cases where, no permanent absorption in public sector undertakings/autonomous

bodies, the terms of absorption permit grant of family pension under the CCS (Pension) Rules,

1972 or the corresponding rules applicable to Railway employees/members of All India

Services, the family pension being drawn by family pensioners will be updated in accordance

with these orders.

PENSION

Special benefits in cases of death and disability in service-payment of disability

pension/family pension-recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission. Undersigned is

47


directed to say that the Fifth Central Pay Commission inter alias recommended that for

determining the compensation payable for death or disability under different circumstances.

1. Normal pension and gratuity admissible under the-CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 plus

disability pension equal to 30% of basic pay, for 100% disability.

2. For lower percentage of disability, the monthly disability pension shall be proportionately

lower as at present, provided that where permanent disability is not less than 60% the total

pension (i.e., pension or service gratuity admissible under the ordinary pension rules plus

disability pension shall not be less than 60% of basic pay subject to a minimum of Rs.

2500/-

3. Disability pension, comprising a service element equal to the retiring pension and gratuity

to which the employee would have been entitled to on the basis of his pay on the date of

invaidation but counting service upto the date on which he would have retired in normal

course and disability element equal in amount to the pay last drawn subject to the condition

that the aggregate of the service and disability elements shall not exceed the pay last drawn,

for 100% disability.

4. For lower percentage of disability, the disability element shall be proportionately lower as at

present.

E. ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED PERSONS FOR PURCHASE / FITTING

OF AIDS / APPLIANCES

The main objective of the scheme is to assist needy physically handicapped persons in

procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured aids and appliances that

promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation. The scheme is implemented

through centers run by the companies registered under Companies Act, registered societies,

trusts or any other institutions recognized by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for

the purpose. A large number of governmental and non-governmental agencies are engaged for

the implementation of the scheme. Aids and appliances such as wheelchairs, crutches, calipers,

hearing aid, Braille slates, etc. are given to different categories of disabled persons.

Indian citizens possessing a certificate from a registered medical practitioner can benefit

under the scheme. Disabled persons in need of aids and appliances are given travel allowance

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subject to a limit of Rs. 150/- for visit to implementing agencies' center. The board and lodging

expenses at the rate of Rs. 10 per day subject to Rs. 150/- per beneficiary are also admissible in

cases where the income of such persons is up to Rs. 1200/- per month. According to the

scheme, aids and appliances up to the value of Rs. 3600/- are distributed to the disabled persons

free of cost if the monthly income of the disabled is up to Rs. 1200/- and at 50 per cent of the

cost if it is between R. 1201/- and Rs. 2500/-

F. NATIONAL POLICY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Constitution of India ensures equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all

individuals and implicitly mandates an inclusive society for all including persons with

disabilities. In the recent years, there have been vast and positive changes in the perception of

the society towards persons with disabilities. It has been realized that a majority of persons with

disabilities can lead a better quality of life if they have equal opportunities and effective access

to rehabilitation measures.

India is a signatory to the Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People

with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region. India is also a signatory to the Biwako Millennium

Framework for action towards an inclusive, barrier free and rights based society. India is

currently participating in the negotiations on the UN Convention on Protection and promotion

of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.

4.3 NON GOVERNMET ORGANISATION (NOG’s) ROLE

Non-governmental organization (NGO) is a term that has become widely accepted for

referring to a legally constituted, non-governmental organization created by natural or legal

persons with no participation or representation of any government. In the cases in which NGOs

are funded totally or partially by governments, the NGO maintains its non-governmental status

therefore it excludes government representatives from membership in the organization. Unlike

the term intergovernmental organization, "non-governmental organization" is a term in

generalized use but not a legal definition, in many jurisdictions these type of organizations are

defined as "civil society organizations" or alternative terms.

An Non government organization (NGO) is a non-profit secular organization dedicated

to socio-economic change in India, as in by fighting poverty, ignorance and apathy, offering

free health care and specialized and technical education for those who need it, in the belief that

education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change, regardless of race, class, culture or

religion.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intergovernmental_organization

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governmental


Group dedicated towards educating / informing our Indian society on our differently

abled children (special children / adults with Behaviour Problems and Multiple Disabilities, like

Autism, Slow Learners, Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD, Mental Retardation, Down Syndrome,

Cerebral Palsy, Hearing, Speech and Visual Impairment, etc.)

The different departments at the Central level are in the process of developing their

work plans. Roles and responsibilities for implementing agencies and their partners, the roles of

NGOs, parents groups are also being drafted. Monitoring guidelines, success indicators etc are

also being reviewed.

The role of special schools, special educators and other support professionals are being

assessed within the changing scenario. NGO’s has formed various schemes for the for the

overall development of the disabled or the handicapped person. Some of them are as follows;

Scholarship to Physically handicapped student, fresh and renewal – Scholarship to

physically handicapped student are being awarded to, with encouragement for proceeding to

higher classes and also to reduce the percentage of dropouts among the disabled children,

integration of disabled with normal students is also encouraging by admitting disabled

students to normal schools. There has been a good and satisfactory report on integration

with able children. Severely handicapped student get an opportunity to attend special

schools run by the Non Governmental Organisation

State Award to Meritorious Handicapped Students- State Award to Meritorious

Handicapped Students from Junior College/HSLC passed student up to Post Graduate level

residing permanently in Meghalaya and studying in recognized Institution both general and

technical and securing minimum 40% marks in the last examination.

GIA to voluntary organisations running the Welfare of Handicapped – GIA to Voluntary

Organisation running for the Welfare of handicapped is given to registered NGO’s running

for the Welfare of Disabled, like Special Education and to enhanced educational and

vocational opportunities at all levels for students with Disabilities

Celebration of World Disabled Day- Celebration of World Disabled Day is being observed

every year on 3rd December, in collaboration with the NGO’s working for the Welfare of

Disabled and District Rehabilitation Centre, Shillong. Assistance to Physically handicapped

persons for Vocational Training/Self Employment – Vocational Training aimed at making

the physically handicapped persons to be self employed and self reliance, physically

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handicapped persons are trained in the field of Carpentry Tailoring cum-Embroidery etc, for

a period of one year. During the training period, the trainees are awarded a stipend of

Rs.500/- P.M each The passed out trainees are awarded certificate and Token Relief grant of

Rs.5000/- each is being given in cash, so that the individual can purchase tools and

materials to enable them to be self employed.

Implementation of Disability acts 1995- Financial Assistance for (a) Book Grant (b)

Uniform Grant and (c) Conveyance Allowance are given to student with disabilities whose

parents/family income is BPL. The disable student should secured marks of 40% and above

in the final examination and should maintain good conduct and discipline and attended 75%

of classes in the Academic Year, duly certified by the head of the institution.

Rehabilitation Treatment of the Disabled –Financial Assistance for the Disabled person who

required corrective surgery / medical treatment, who are living below poverty line and

having no means of subsistence and recommendation should be obtained from the specialist

concerned.

A. ASSISTANCE TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS FOR DISABLED

The scheme was started with a view to provide assistance to voluntary organizations

working in the field of handicapped welfare. It is a comprehensive scheme to cover different

areas of rehabilitation - physical, psychological, social and economic. Financial support is given

up to the extent of 90 per cent of the total project cost (up to 95 per cent for the rural areas), for

recurring items like staff salary, maintenance charges, contingencies and non-recurring items

like construction of the building, Rs. 5 lakh. Financial assistance is given for such projects as

vocational training centers, special schools, counseling centers, hostels, training centers for

personnel, placement services, etc.

B. ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS

The scheme envisages assistance to the NGOs up to the extent of 90 per cent for

establishment and upgradation of special schools in the four major disability areas - orthopedic,

hearing and speech, visual and mentally retarded. Priority under the scheme is given for setting

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up of schools in districts where there is no special school at present. Both recurring and non-

recurring expenditure is supported.

C. GETTING ASSISTIVE DEVICES

For persons with disabilities and others who need wheelchairs, crutches or other

assistive devices to lead normal lives, the appropriate Governments have formulated assessment

and evaluation for appropriate assistive devices like manual wheelchair, walking aids (crutches,

walker, and sticks), hearing aids etc. customized to the needs of the PWD.

Several states have also passed notifications/orders providing for free assistive devices.

At the outset it is necessary to obtain information regarding scheme providing for free assistive

device or such devices at nominal cost and how to procure the assistive device.

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4.4 NGO SUCCESS STORY

NATIONAL THERMAL POWER CORPORATION: OPENING ITS

DOORS TO PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITY

National Thermal Power Corporation (N.T.P.C.) has re-aligned its policies to

make its workplace more accessible and disabled-friendly. A massive recruitment drive has

resulted in the employment of more than a hundred persons with disability.

No one needs an introduction to the National Thermal Power Corporation (N.T.P.C.).

Since 1975, we have all been literally seeing by their light! Though N.T.P.C.’s main business is

developing thermal power, it is heartening to note that it has also been deeply committed to

empowering marginalised sections of society. N.T.P.C. has always had a large social heart, but

today we talk about its specific commitment to the cause of disabled persons.

In 2001, N.T.P.C. undertook a comprehensive review of its H.R. requirements to

identify jobs for persons with disabilities. As a result, it identified 10 categories of posts for

employment of persons with disability in Group A and B, 40 categories in Group C and 6

categories in Group D. The review was followed up with a recruitment drive in 2001-02, which

resulted in the employing of 173 persons with disability. The drive began with advertisements

in all major dailies of the country. In addition, individual projects released their advertisements

in local media. Besides the advertisements, detailed notifications of the vacancies were sent to

the Special Employment Exchanges, Vocational Rehabilitation Centres and National Institutes

of Disabilities.

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As a result, N.T.P.C. received about 40,000 applications – a first in Indian corporate

history. N.T.P.C. has been holding interviews in its projects with due care to ensure that all

persons with disability carry back memories of having been treated equitably. So far, 82

persons with disability have been selected for Group C and D posts, while another 30 are

expected to join in the coming months.

N.T.P.C. is also looking at its physical environments to ensure access for its disabled

employees. Special ramps with railings have been constructed for improved access to buildings.

Toilets with proper signages are also being installed.

The C.P.W.D. guidelines for accessible buildings have been circulated to all N.T.P.C.

projects, and some units have already taken a lead in implementing the guidelines. At the

Corporate Centre in New Delhi, exclusive parking has been provided for persons with disability

with direct access from the parking lot to the building.

Recently the Corporate Centre has decided to purchase all its stationery such as files,

folders, envelopes and pads from agencies of disabled persons. Depending on the success of

this scheme, all N.T.P.C. projects are likely to follow suit.

N.T.P.C. has clearly been setting examples worth emulating by other public and private

sector companies. The company not only produces electricity for the nation; it also illuminates

the path for other corporate citizens.

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4.5 FUTURE PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

The government on Thursday approved an ambitious plan to provide 100,000 jobs for

the people with disabilities with a proposed outlay of Rs.18 billion ($450 million). The CCEA

(Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs) took a very important and socially sensitive

decision, which will generate 100,000 jobs per annum for persons with disability. However, the

scheme will be applicable only to people drawing a monthly salary of Rs.25, 000 or less

according to the minister. Listing out the conditions for the implementation of the scheme

covered under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full

Participation) Act, 1955 and the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral

Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999.

The government will provide directly employers' contribution for the schemes covered

under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and the

Employees State Insurance Act, 1948. This will be done for each of the concerned employee up

to a maximum period of three years. The Rs.18 billion proposed amount for the scheme will

come from the resources generated by the social justice and empowerment ministry. The CCEA

also decided to set up a high level committee to monitor the implementation of the scheme and

it will be co-chaired by the ministries of labour and employment and social justice and

empowerment.

The jobs that can be performed by people with disabilities (PWD’s) with equal

efficiency have to be identified. When we talk of human resource development we give

emphasis proper utilization of man power talent in human being. Therefore, when we are

relating it to vocational training of PWDs, it is of utmost importance to identify suitable

vocations.

Disabled people who have training potentialities and who have been oriented and

assessed for a suitable trade are often in a much better position to contribute to the economic

development of their country than the majority of the able bodied for whom no such evalution

service exist.

For the cost effective training, we should evolve a holistic approach towards vocational

training, keeping in mind the lacunae of the present existing system.

55


Identification of suitable vocations envisages the individual vocational assessment in

which professional need to obtain information regarding individual’s potential, aptitude, interest

and keeping in view the limitations of the differently disabled.

The disabled person of right caliber should be associated actively in various frames like

political, scientific, technological, administration, social service at present which are dominated

by the able bodied.

When it is talked about bringing the disabled to the mainstream and also while

formulating any plans for PWDs, Professional Identification of disabled population, is essential.

For this two things are immediately necessary;

a) Assessment of handicapped population of different categories in as many different

areas as possible.

b) Encouragement for registration in Special Employment Exchange.

Difficult of employment is by far the greatest obstacle to habilitation. The employment

is directly related to qualitative training and for effective training we need to identify the

suitable vocations and corresponding developing need based vocational training system.

Placement of the disabled in open employment must be based on the concept that once

the handicapped person is selected and matched the job properly he should not be considered

handicapped.

Intensive survey and jobs analysis should be ubndertaken with a view to develop an

occupation classification indicating the tye of job that could be efficient performed by various

categories of disabled person.

Multi- category training centres should be opened in all the cities. Methods of

occupation analysis should be utilized to determine those occupations suitable for the

handicapped.

In order to develop a need based vocational training system, there should be a forum

comprising of professional from government, NGOs, corporate sector and loan providers. This

forum should decide on job description and joy specifications for the PWDs. They will also be

responsible for making PWDs avail the job opportunities

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5. CASE STUDY: A SUCCESSFUL HANDICAPED PERSON.

Mr. Jay Prakash Tripathi, is an government employee, works as an Vocational

Instruction for radio and TV department in Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Mumbai.

Mr. Tripathi was bone in a small village called Purna Nagar in Amravati district in the

year 1961. His father is a doctor and his mother is a house wife. He is the youngster member of

the family. He is suffering from physical disability i.e. locomotor / mobility disability, his

percentage of disability is 85% and he owns wheel chair.

At the age of two he suffered from polio. Though he was born in an educated family

background, but due to the improper medical facilities and undeveloped medical technology e

go trapped in polio. He was handicapped total. Since proper treatment was taken later on by the

doctors his polio was reducing to a greater extend. Today he is suffering from locomotive

disability.

He completed his school in 1977 from his village- Puran Nagar, and carried on his

educational life further by doing his 12th form Amravati. When he was in Amravati he uses to

stay with his brother and sometimes he uses to do up-down from his hometown. From his

childhood he was not at all interested in do service he always wanted to do something of his

own and did not wanted to depend on others for his own living. He father owned a liquor shop,

he use to sit there and look after the shop in the absence of his father.

In the year 1979 when he was in his 12th he took bank loan and purchased the movable

theater. This theater business was very successful in the begging since it was quite new form of

entertainment for the villages, but due to the growing competition from the TV and VCR the

business neither gained any profit nor suffered from nay loss.

After his 12th his friends were not interested in studies but he further carried on and took

admission in IIT- Amravati in the 1982. Since he was interested in Electronics he opted for

Radio and TV as his subject of study. His intension was to build a huge electronic showroom

near his place.

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During his training period he uses to get some small repair work from friends and

relative. In the year 1984 he opened his own electronic showroom where he uses to repair and

sell all the electronic in items in his showroom. His business was a huge success and which was

added on by his growing popularity in his field.

He was good in his studies and scored well always. Because of the devotion towards his

work and towards his studies he got selected in the “Advance Training Campaign” organized

by IIT- Amravati 1986 for “Electronic Production Advance Training”. This campaign

included all the top rankers form the last 10 years. Trapping the opportunity Mr. Jay Prakash

took admission for the six months course. Side by side he also carried on with his showroom

business.

During his training period his he and his friend applied for the post of Radio

Instructor. The main intention was just to have fun. He was not interested in doing job. For the

post of the Radio Instructor he received a call letter for the interview in 1987. After around

one year he received a selection letter and he was appointed as a Radio Instructor on 6th July

1988. He was appointed at Bhubaneswar office.

He was not willing to go, but to have an experience of the job person’s life he accepted

the job and went to Bhubaneswar in 1988. He stayed alone there for 13 years. He got married

in 1995. Since Bhubaneswar was very far away from his hometown, in the year 2001 he took

transfer form Bhubaneswar to Mumbai for the same post.

Being a handicapped individual he is and was never depended on others for his

necessities. He always got support especially from his family and from the social environment

he has been to. Sin from so many years he is working as a government employee. Though he

was not so interested in the job or the employment life but the corporation received from his

superiors, subordinates and from his peers he is happy with the job. Though he said that, if he

would have carried on with his showroom business he would have earned much better than that

of his present income, but some time money matters are to be kept aside when it come to the

family.

6. SUGGESTION AND RECOMMENDATION

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Despite continuous efforts being made by the vocational rehabilitation centres, NGO’s

and other government agencies, the progress in the technical education and the vocational

training of the disabled has not been satisfactory. One of the main reasons for the same is that it

is a complex process and therefore it needs to be tackled effectively at various levels by various

people involved in the system. The disabled only wants us to say to them “Let us help you

throw away your crutches and play on the beach"

1. Awareness program on mass level should be carried out.

2. Rehabilitation services should provide an opportunity to person with disablitiy to function

independently and optimally utilize his or her residual ability.

3. Rehabilitation process should enable the person with disability to be self confident and live

with respect and dignity.

4. It is necessary for every individual with disability to achieve economic independence which

is possible only if people with disability are given an opportunity to work and have gainful

employment.

5. No government programmed can ever be successful without support from the community.

Rehabilitation programmers have to become people’s programs with the government giving

support wherever necessary.

6. Advancement in science and technology should optically be utilized to improve quality of

life of disabled. Aids and appliances used by disabled must be made user friendly.

7. Innovational methods are required to be developed to take the service to the houses of

people with disability. Electronic media, computers and communications systems should be

gainfully utilized for training and rehabilitation of the disability.

8. There is a need for coordination among the rehabilitation service and facilities offered by

various agencies so as to avoid duplication and make a holistic effort. It is therefore

necessary that linkages be established among health, education, social welfare, labour and

employment and all other departments engaged in socio economic activities.

9. People with disability and their families have been reported to have greater social and

economic burden. Leisure and recreation activities have been found to alleviate the

suffering and zeal in life.

CONCLUSION

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The success of vocational training and the vocational rehabilitation centres is in

employability of the disabled individual and it depends upon certain factors. Important one

among them is the need based training. There is a need to impart training in areas where there is

demand in the market. Otherwise, it is waste of money, the efforts will be futile and it will

further increase the frustration of disabled individuals. This warrants a survey of town and

villages to identify the specific need of the area.

Another important factor is the quality of training. With the globalization of economy

being accepted world over, the quality of the product cannot be sacrificed if the market value

has to be retained. It is well known that quality of the product also depends upon the quality of

the manpower being it. In this competitive world, substandard or low quality product cannot be

sold in the market just because the disabled individual makes it. Hence, training institution

should take utmost care to produce high quality trainees who may demonstrate superior

workmanship, if not equal compared to his normal counterpart. Them only the purpose of

training can be successful.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. INTERNET

rehabilitationprogram.blogspot.com

[email protected]

disabilityindia.org/govtrehab.cfm

law.jrank.org

www.google.com

2. BOOKS

SERVICE FOR HANDICAPED IN INDIA

PERSPECTIVES IN DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION

VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR DISABLED

3. SPECIAL GUIDANCE

MR. S.Z. H. ZAIDY - Deputy Director (Rehabilitation)

STAFF OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION CENTRE- MUMBAI

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10 vocational rehabilitation challenges & road ahead (sneha )

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