Job Description

RIGHTS Project: Inclusion, Accessibility & Opportunities for the

Differently Abled in Tamil Nadu

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENGAGEMENT OF

Special Educator - 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 percent) of


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


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



13) and Annual Health Survey 2nd updating round (2012-13) 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 Persons (DAP) with disabilities 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 specialized


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 a

Special Educator -

in the One Stop


Social Care Service centre in each subdivision during the project


implementation.

3

i

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

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


responsible for the activities related to Special Education for the differently


abled.


Develop Individualised Education Programs (IEPs) to set goals and track


progress of person with special needs. with other rehabilitation team members


and counsellors to prepare lessons and write reports.

ii

The roles of the Special Educator are as follows,


Assess DAP's abilities and craft teaching plans.


Adapt learning materials to DAP's needs.


Keep track of and reflect on DAP's progress.


Monitor DAP's behavioural patterns and arrange appropriate interventions if


needed.


Find engaging activities to teach skills (e.g., drawing and theatre drama)


Preparing the teaching modules for children attending the centre


Prepare DAPs for transition to the next grade/level.


Inform parents about their children's performance and potential problems.


Train the caregivers in special education aspects and activities of daily life for


the DAPs attending the centre.


Collaborate with the other specialists (e.g., counsellors, and speech therapists)


to create holistic intervention plans


Need to train the block team in special education aspects.


Need to deliver tele consultation as when needed.


Need to travel in mobile unit for assessment and treatment related to special


education

4

REPORTING AND REVIEW

The Special Educator will report to Case Manager-OSC.

5

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Special Educator requires dynamic, experienced, and analytical professionals with


demonstrated experience in programs related to disability.

i)

Special Educators should possess a valid full-time Bachelors / master's degree in


special education in Intellectual Disability from a UGC recognised University. The


person should have live RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) registration with a


valid number.

ii)

Preferably 3 years post-qualification experience for Master degree / 5 years post-



qualification experience 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


Special Education


Preference will be given to Differently Abled Person

6.

Skills Required

i)

Capability to assess, evaluate and monitor the Special Education aspects of the


differently abled people.


Ability to counsel the caregiver/family members of DAPS on importance of


Special Education


Able to read and write in Tamil and English


The candidate must be good, observant, patient and reliable with a desire to work


with persons with disabilities.


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


computer applications are required.


Ability to work in teams and liaise well with others.

7.

Remuneration

i)

The remuneration for the Special Educator would be Rs. 35,000 per month. Only


travel expenses will be paid additionally as per actuals. The Special Educator will


be at Subdivision level OSC during the contract period. Special Educators may


require travelling as per Project requirements.

ii)

Special Educators will have to attend OSC on all working days unless on an official


tour as approved by Centre Manager-OSC. Special Educators may also be required


to attend office or need to travel in the mobile unit for assessment on holidays 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.