Rehabilitation Council of India in light of Inclusive Education

Rehabilitation Council of India.

1. Akanksha Singh, Professor, Department of Education, University of Lucknow.
Anjali Dwevedi, JRF, Department of Education, University of Lucknow.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

2. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) was established to enhance the
rehabilitation of persons with disabilities through trained manpower
and standardized training programs.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

3. •RCI was formed in 1986due to the lack of trained professionals in
rehabilitation.
•The RCI Act was passed in 1992, giving it statutory powers which
came into force from June 22,1993.
•The Council aims to provide equal opportunities and empowerment
for persons with disabilities.
•It recognizes institutions conducting RCI-approved courses for
manpower development.
•The additional amendment in the Act in 2000 gave RCI the additional
responsibility of promoting research to the Council.

Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

4. •The government of India initially set up the Rehabilitation Council of
India in 1986 as a society to regulate and standardize training policies
and programs in the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
•The urgent need for the minimum standard was felt as the majority of
persons engaged in education, vocational training, and counseling of
persons with disabilitieswerenotprofessionallyqualified. Poor
academic and training standards adverselyaffectthechancesofthe
disabledsucceedingintheworldofwork.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

5. Rehabilitation Council of India Act (1992)
Therefore, an actofParliamentin1992enhanced the status of the
council to a statutory body with the following aims:
•Tostandardizetrainingcoursesfor professionals dealing with
persons with disabilities.
•Toprescribeminimumstandardsofeducationand training for
various categories of professionals dealing with disabled people
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

6. •Toregulatethesestandardsinalltraininginstitutionsuniformly
throughout the country
•Topromoteresearchinrehabilitationandspecialeducation; and
•Tomaintaincentralrehabilitationregisterforregistrationof
professionals.
The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) regulates training standards for
16 categories of rehabilitation workers. The Council is proactively
promoting training and research initiatives utilizing the experience of
specialized as well as mainstream academic institutions. (“As per the
Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992”)
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

7. Objectives of the Council
•The Council's primary goals focus on regulating and standardizing
rehabilitation training policies, courses and programs in the field of
rehabilitation of people with disabilities.
•To regulate training policies and programs for rehabilitation
professionals.
•To standardize training courses and prescribe minimum educational
standards of education and training of various categories or
professionals dealing with people with disabilities.
•To recognize institutions, organizations and universities running
bachelor’s degree /master’s degree/diploma and certificate courses in
the field of rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
•To promote research in rehabilitation and special education.
•To maintain a Central Rehabilitation Register for registration of
professionals/ personnel.

Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

8. The RCI operates under the General Council, which oversees its
various committees and expert groups.
•The General Council includes a Chairperson, members from various
ministries, and rehabilitation professionals.
•Expert Committees assess and guide the implementation of training
programs.
•The Council has established several sub-committees focusing on
specific disabilities.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

9. Categories of Professionals Allocated to RCI
The Council has been assigned with the responsibility of developing, standardizing and
regulating training programs for the following 16 categories of professional/personnel in
the field of rehabilitation and special education to ensure quality services to persons with
disabilities:
•Audiologists and Speech Therapists
•Clinical Psychologists
•Hearing and Ear Mould Technicians
•Rehabilitation Engineers and Technicians
•Special Teachers for educating and training the Handicapped
•Vocational Counselors , Employment Officers and Placement Officers
•Multipurpose Rehabilitation Therapists, Technicians
•Speech Pathologists
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

10. •Rehabilitation Psychologists
•Rehabilitation Social Workers
•Rehabilitation Practitioners in Mental Retardation
•Orientation and Mobility Specialists
•Community Based Rehabilitation Professionals
•Rehabilitation counselors, Administrators.
•Prosthetics and Orthotics
•Rehabilitation Workshop Managers etc.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

11. Recognition of Training Institutions
•RCI sets policies for recognizing institutions that offer rehabilitation
training programs.
•Institutions desirous of conducting rehabilitation training programs or
already conducting such courses must apply for recognition and
undergo evaluation by RCI experts.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

12. ➢Training Program Development
•RCI develops training programs through comprehensive studies and expert consultations.
•New programs are created based on literature reviews and expert workshops.
•Continuous monitoring ensures uniformity in training standards across institutions.
•A centralized examination board is being developed for national-level assessments.
➢Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR)
•The CRR maintains records of all registered rehabilitation professionals in India.
•Professionals with recognized qualifications can apply for registration.
•Registration requires submission of relevant documents and a fee of Rs. 250.
•Registration is mandatory for practicing as a rehabilitation professional in India.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

13. National Bridge Course Initiative
•The National Bridge Course was launched to assist unqualified rehabilitation
workers in gaining recognized qualifications.
•Initiated in October 1998, it targeted four major disability areas.
•Over 12,665 rehabilitation workers benefited from the program by March 2002.
•The initiative has been recognized in the Limca Book of Records for its impact.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

14. National Programme for Medical Officers
•This program trains medical officers in disability prevention and rehabilitation.
•Launched in July 1999, it has trained over 11,279 medical officers.
•The program aims to enhance early identification and referral for disabilities.
•Positive feedback indicates improved capabilities among trained medical officers.
•B.Ed. Special Education Through Distance Mode
•RCI launched a distance education program for B.Ed. in Special Education to train
professionals.
•The program started in 2001-2002 with over 1,000 students enrolled in the first
batch.
•It covers major disability areas and is gaining international acceptance.
•Study materials are being translated into Hindi to meet student demand.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

15. Assessment and Accreditation of Institutions
•RCI assesses and accredits institutions to ensure quality in
rehabilitation education.
•The accreditation process began in 1999-2000, with 22 institutions
accredited by 2001-2002.
•Institutions are graded based on performance, with categories like
"Outstanding" and "Excellent."
•Ongoing assessments are being conducted for further accreditation.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

16. ➢Distance Education
•The distance education programs were introduced by RCI in 2001 to
meet in gap of trained human resource in the country.
•Publication
•The Council brings out the following publications in the field of
rehabilitation and special education:
•Journal of Rehabilitation Council of India( JRCI)
•RCI Newsletter, Quarterly
•Manuals on specific disabilities-Reference Book for Training
Insitutions
•Status of Disability in India
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

17. ➢Linkages with Professional Agencies
•RCI maintains connections with national and international agencies for knowledge sharing
and collaboration.
•Intra-country linkages include universities, NGOs, and national institutes.
•Inter-country linkages are being developed through the Ministry of External Affairs.
➢Future Plans for RCI
•RCI plans to expand its activities and enhance its impact on rehabilitation services.
•Future initiatives include fellowship schemes, vocational training, and research
collaborations.
•The Council aims to implement short-term courses on disability management through
distance learning.
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi

18. THANK YOU
Akanksha Singh and Anjali Dwevedi