Job Description

RIGHTS Project: Inclusion, Accessibility & Opportunities for the

Differently Abled in Tamil Nadu

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENGAGEMENT OF

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist - One Stop Social Care Service Centre

1.

BASIC DETAILS

TENKASI -I) KADAYANALLUR II) M.N. NALLUR


Duty Station

CHENNAI- I) SHOLINGANALLUR II) TEYNAMPET


TENKASI -2 (Two)


No of Engagements

CHENNAI- 2 (Two)


Language


English & Tamil


Required/preferred


Duration of Contract 24 months (Renewable subject to performance)


Reporting Officer Centre Manager-OSC

2.

BACKGROUND

i.

As per the Census (2011), Tamil Nadu is the sixth most populous state in India


with a population of 72 million, which includes a proportion (1.63 per cent) of


Differently Abled Persons compared to the national average of 2.21 per cent. A


study that used pooled data from the District Level Household Survey-4 (2012-



13) and Annual Health Survey 2nd updating round (201213) reveals that there are


4550 differently abled persons amongst every 100,000 population in Tamil Nadu,


thereby indicating a much higher prevalence of disability in comparison to the


census data. Therefore, if one goes by the estimates of this recent study, about 3.2


million people in Tamil Nadu would live with some form of disability. Moreover,


even these estimations appear on the lower side, significantly since the definition


and type of disabilities have changed to include a larger population group since


the promulgation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

ii.

Differently Abled Person (DAP) face multiple socio-economic constraints,


including poorer health outcomes, lower education levels, limited economic


participation, and higher poverty rates than persons without disabilities. They


often experience exclusion and barriers in accessing health services, education,


employment, transportation, information, care, and rehabilitation services.


Furthermore, households with disabled members are more likely to experience


material hardships-food insecurity, poor housing, lack of access to safe water and


sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare. Thus, these limitations and


barriers hinder their full and effective participation in society and affect the


country's productive potential, the human capital. To increase human capital and


reduce the achievement gap among people with disabilities, a coordinated and


comprehensive package of interventions appears warranted for addressing the


individual and community contexts at multiple and systemic levels.

iii.

Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer in the implementation of welfare schemes


for all sections of socially disadvantaged groups. Through its various initiatives


and schemes, the Department for the Welfare of the Differently Abled (DWDAP)


has extended full support to the differently abled people in their pursuit of full and


equal involvement in every aspect of society. The DWDAP is mainly responsible


for all administrative, statutory and service delivery functions, which are


implemented through its well-experienced workforce at the state, district and local


levels. The thrust areas of the DWDAP are prevention and early interventions,


special education, employment & vocational training, social security


(maintenance allowance, travel concession, assistance to NGOs), aids &


appliances, and barrier-free structure. Recently, DWDAP conducted a pilot project


in a few blocks of the state and has identified a need for a multi-sectoral, whole-



government, and capacity-building approach to care and rehabilitation of the


differently abled.

iv.

The RIGHTS Project focuses on three pillars: first, promote

inclusion

of all by


ensuring that persons with disabilities participate equally with others in any


activity and service intended for the general public, such as education, health,


employment, and social services; second, improve the

access

of specialised


programs by investing in specific measures for quality care, rehabilitation and


support services; and third, provide

opportunities

for persons with disabilities for


completion of education, skills training and market-linked employment


opportunities. However, to manage the project at the proposed scale, substantial


efforts would be required to build the current institutional capacity of the DWDAP


at all levels in terms of field units for administration, service delivery, supervision


and monitoring, along with the autonomous capacity.

v.

The project would be managed through the Directorate for Welfare of the


Differently Abled (DWDA), led by the Project Director (PD) RIGHTS project


cum Director DWDA, in the future also referred to as PD, and would have a


team of consultants. District Project Implementation Unit in each district will


oversee the activities at the district level headed by District Differently Abled


Welfare Officer (DDAWO). It will have a team of District Project Officers.

vi.

To provide the overall process coordination of successful delivery of the


RIGHTS project, the DWDA for its RIGHTS PROJECT is seeking an interested


and qualified person to be engaged as an

Audiologist cum Speech Language

Pathologist

in the One Stop Social Care Service centre in each subdivision


during the project implementation.

3

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

Under the supervision of the Centre Manager- OSC, the incumbent will be


responsible for the activities related to Speech Therapy and Audiology.


Assess speech, language, cognitive-communication, and


oral/feeding/swallowing skills. This lets them identify a problem and the best


way to treat it.


Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in


individuals of all ages from infants and teens to adults and the elderly.


The is responsible for the following. Audiologist cum Speech Language


Pathologist

i

The roles and responsibilities of Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist


ae as follows,


Identify DAP's developmental speech and communication difficulties/


disorders after getting the case referred by Case Manager


Screening, diagnosing, assessing and treating language, voice, speech fluency,


articulation, hearing and listening, swallowing, language and literacy skills,


alternate and augmentative communication skills.


Devise, implement and revise relevant treatment programs.


Guide/ Advise careers on implementing treatment programs.


Monitor and evaluate DAP's progress and alter the treatment accordingly along


with maintaining their track records.


Work with DAPs on one-to-one basis, and in groups, to deliver therapy.


Ensure confidentiality of DAP's case notes and reports, as well as any other


private information which DAPs doesn't want to divulge.


Manage caseload taking account of priority cases, waiting lists, successful


outcomes, referral and discharge of service users.


Coordinate and liaise with other appropriate external channels for expert


advice/ guidance on any case as and when required.


Planning and delivering training sessions to DAPs as well as internal staff to


help them diagnose/ understand the criticality of such cases and take necessary


steps accordingly.


Train the caregivers in speech and hearing aspects.


Ensure proper record keeping like preparation and maintaining individual


progress reports, activity logs, treatment plans, quarterly reports on the overall


progress etc.


Responsible for the progression of speech and hearing-related issues of DAPs


in the center.


Any other relevant task/ activity as assigned by the Subdivision Officer for


Differently Abled


Need to deliver tele consultation for DAPs as per schedule.


Need to travel in Mobile unit for assessments and treatment.


Need to train the Block level team on Speech and hearing aspects

4

REPORTING AND REVIEW

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist will report to Centre Manager - OSC.

5

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The Speech Language Pathologist requires dynamic, experienced, and analytical


professionals with demonstrated experience in programs related to disability.

i)

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist should possess a Bachelor / Master


in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology.

ii)

Preferably 3 years Post-qualification for master's degree / 5 years Post-qualification


for Bachelor degree in areas relating to service delivery for persons with disabilities,


particularly in care, support, and rehabilitation services is preferred.

iii)

Demonstrated understanding of centre-based rehabilitation activities related to


Speech Therapy & Audiology


Preference will be given to Differently Abled Person

6.

Skills Required

i)

Capability to assess, evaluate and monitor the Speech and hearing aspects of


the differently abled people.


Technically sound enough to design and develop customized need-based tests/


tools/ procedures for the respective DAPs.


Ensure adherence with National Occupational Service Delivery Standards


Candidate must be a good observant, patient, reliable and a good listener along


with a desire to DAPs.


Must possess good documentation and reporting skills.


Excellent verbal and written communication in Tamil and English is required.


Computer proficiency and good knowledge of MS-office, or equivalent


computer applications are required. Typing knowledge in Hindi would be


preferred.


Ability to work in teams and liaise well with others

7.

Remuneration

i)

The remuneration for the Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist would be


Rs 35,000 per month. Only travel expenses will be paid additionally as per actuals.


The Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist will be at Subdivision level


OSC during the contract period. Speech Language Pathologists may require travel


as per Project requirements.

ii)

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist will have to attend OSC on all


working days unless on an official tour as approved by Centre Manager-OSC.


Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist may also be required to attend


office on holidays or need to travel on mobile unit as and when desired by


PD/DPIU/SPIU/other higher officials for disposal of urgent matters.

However, no

extra remuneration will be paid for attending the office on holidays.