Every year, all over the world, December 3 is celebrated as International Day of People with a Disability.

Designated by the United Nations, this year’s theme ‘Decent work for persons with disabilities’ recognises the rights of people with a disability, to work and be employed on an equal basis with others, in an environment that is both accessible and accepting.

The problem of disability is vast and its impact is very severe on the individual, family and the community, according to Prof K Sudha Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Karnataka State Open University. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure no child with disability is deprived of educational opportunities.” 

To make this happen, Karnataka State Open University has recently introduced B.Ed in Special Education — a two year course that is the first of its kind in India.

The course is being conducted in triangular collaboration (with a Memorandum of Understanding) between KSOU, Rehabilitation Council of India (statutory body for quality control), and CBR Network (South Asia). CBR is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), that provides the technical know-how.

It has been a consultant agency to UNDP, SIDA, Action Aid, NORAD, UNICEF, UNESCO and NCERT. It develops study kits, e-learning material in Kannada and English, virtual classroom lectures, conducts online tutorials twice a day from Monday to Friday, and special student discussion blogs to help students.

In addition, it links students with study centres, and takes care of training and capacity building of the said centres. While KSOU takes the responsibility of general education, all disability related responsibility is with the CBR network.

The Rehabilitation Council of India is a body validly created under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act 1992. KSOU has entered into an MoU with the Rehabilitation Council of India for accreditation of the courses.

About the course

While the first year would comprise the regular B.Ed papers, the second year would entail specialisation in any special paper out of five, according to Mrs Indumati Rao, Regional Advisor for CBR Network. There are 500 seats available on an all-India level, she elaborates.

The five special papers for the second year comprise:

*Education of the visually challenged.

*Education of the hearing impaired.

*Education of the mentally challenged.

*Education of the multi-disabled.

*Education of the learning disabled.

Students could even opt for more than one special paper. Students who have already completed B.Ed in the regular stream, have the benefit of lateral entry to the 2nd year programme, adds Ms Rao. They are to take up one special paper along with the disability specific papers of the 2nd year.

There is 50% exemption in fees for the same. Practical work will be organised through a network of study centres established by KSOU and CBR Network. Faculty will be from the Department of Education, KSOU, and the CBR Network Resource team.

The last date for submitting completed applications is November 15, and the course will begin in December 2007.

Eligibility: B.A./B.Sc or M.A/M.Sc degree holders of any recognised or Deemed University.

Those working as full-time teachers at any level in a recognised educational institution at the time of applying for the programme (honourary/part-time teachers are not eligible). This year there will be no entrance exam for the course.

Medium of  instruction: The programme is offered by the University in both Kannada and English. Printed course materials and topics of assignments to be sent to the candidates, will be available in both languages. Audio-video programmes, contact programmes, counselling sessions and practice teaching will be provided through the medium preferred.

For more information contact: CBR Network (South Asia), 134, 1 Block, 6th Main, Banashankari, III Stage, Bangalore -560 085,
Ph: (91-80) 26724273, 26724221
E-mail:cbrnet@vsnl.com
Web: www.cbrnetwork.org.in

The application should be sent to the following address by registered post: 
The Chairperson, Department of Studies in Education, Karnataka State Open University
Manasagangotri, Mysore – 570 006.