National Conference on Education of Persons with Disabilities

National Conference on Education of Persons with Disabilities

National Conference on Education of Persons with Disabilities : Reality, Reflection and Reforms And Excellence in Education Awards -2019 was held on 12th and 13th of April,2019, organized by Chandigarh College of Education, Landran, Mohali. The Chief Guest for the event was Dr. Trishanjit Kaur, Dean Colleges Development Council, Punjabi University, Patiala and Prof. B.S. Chavan, Dir. Principal, Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chd. was the key note speaker. S. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor CU, Gharuan and Chairman, CGC, Dr. PN Hrisheekesha, Campus Dir.CGC Er. AC Sharma, Dir. HR & Admin, CGC and Dr. Sneh Bansal, Principal , accompanied by the worthy dignitaries rendered an auspicious begining to the event by lighting the lamp. S, Satnam Singh Sandhu , Chancellor, CU, Gharuan, while speaking in his inaugural address expressed a grim concern over the degradation of moral values in the present generation despite advancement in the field of science and technology. He also shared his views on the theme of the conference expressing his congratulations to the principal and faculty team of CCE for organizing an event of great significance. He said that there is a need for an empathy and compassion in all of us towards persons with disabilities. Subsequently, Prof. Chavan while delivering a key note address shed a light on myths and conceptions related to inclusion and the barriers concerning its implementation. Prof. Chavan shared that with the help of the school readiness programme that is run in Govt. Inst. Of Rehabilitation and Intellectual Disabilities, 52 students have started going to normal school. Further, he shared the working of UMEED, a unique and self sustaining model under which many 60 persons have been vocationally rehabilitated and each one has a saving of 10 to 12 lakhs in his or her account. He also apprised the audience that Chandigarh would be the sixth city after top 5 cities which are considered accessible and disabled friendly in terms of having special furniture. Dr Trishanjit Kaur, chief guest at the function stressed on having the libraries which are well equipped for facilitating the PWD. She further said that the websites of the institutes should be well designed as to have the information about the availability of facilities for PWD. She exhorted that it is very important that the library services should be made a part of disabled persons curriculum. Dr. Trishanjit also informed about Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University a private university in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, India. Post Inaugural session of the conference, panel discussion : inclusive education- from policies to practices was moderated by Dr. Sneh Bansal, Principal, CCE and Mrs. Harpreet Kaur, Principal, SGHM School, Chd. Mrs. Kavita C. Das, Principal, St. Johns High School, Chd. was addressed the first question that how she makes the environment friendly for a PWD in her school. Mrs. Kavita said that inclusion comes from heart . She shared with the audience the steps they follow for the inclusion of students with disabilities who come to her school starting from their identification as a first step for which they have tied up with GMCH and PGI according to which the child is included in the school programmes . Mr. Jayara, Principal, Institute for Blind, Chd. addressed the question on that as PWD act trends towards inclusion, so what role does he see for special schools ? He very beautifully remarked that he believes in inclusion not seclusion, integration not segregation, empathy not sympathy, liberation not protection, opportunity not charity. He said that there is a need for breaking down barriers, and to overcome attitudinal barrier. Mr. Amarjit Singh Anand, State Disability Activist and PWD Coordinator, informed that although there are schemes for certain disabilities but not for all, yet vocational programmes are not with Govt. Many skill development programmes are still to be launched by the Govt. Dr. P. Kamaraj, HOD, Special Edu. , National Inst. for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Chennai talked about RTE bill schemes for multiple disabilities in higher education and various models of training developed to accommodate joint venture. Mrs. Taranjit Kaur Hundal, Lawyer , Punjab and Haryana Court, Chd talked on the resolution of conflicts and the implementation of the laws and she also talked about a need in the change of mindset, pwd are normal people, state is waking up to fact, policies will lead to the vocationalisation of PWD. Dr. Narasimham Rayadurgam, Consultant (Vocational Rehabilitation & Livelihood Programs), Secunderabad shedded light on areas still need work in vocational and rehabilitation after passing of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 The concept of vocational rehabilitation is an important component in disability , initiatives required for education medical intervention and to ensure whether job is disability oriented. Prof. Anita Julka, Dept. of Edu. of Groups with Special Needs, NCERT, New Delhi. dealt with the Philosophy of inclusion, Legislation, Impact on practices including curricular adaptations , integration and inclusive difference. She said that enrollment under SSA and Samagra Shiksha has risen along with inclusion of disability. RTE main bible for teachers. She shed light on 21 categories that have come under RPWD, includes chronic health ailments , acid attack survivors . She explained the difference in the concept of inclusion and integration which means dumping the students where they are just taught not figured whether they have learnt. Prof. also discussed the mention of inclusion in National Curriculum Framework 2005. She also shared the fundamental principles of inclusion in terms of differentiation of curriculum , diversity (differences in classrooms), ability( multiple abilities more than IQ, community, support from special educator, special school, parent , acceptance , accommodation, adaptation and valued . She also shared different acts which are significant milestones in India such as RCI act 1992, RPWD act 2016, RMSA 2009. On the second day i.e. 13th of April of National Conference, Mrs. Usha Chaujer held an interactive session on Empowering the self; looking within to reach out. She emphasized on being more than a facilitator and look within to ponder over if we as teachers value all children equally or do we recognize students weaknesses along with his strengths. She stressed on teachers using their wisdom to reach outstanding, above average , below average, non performers. She said that every teacher must observe to rule out possibilities concerning academic difficulties, physical difficulty, emotional issues, social issues, etc. She also said that there is a need for an early identification always . Ms. Chaujer showed the specimens of LD children suffering from dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dyslexia etc. She also shared the causes and symptoms of LD children and the methods of identifying LD children . She said that the evaluation techniques need to be improved. She asked to look for the strengths of children with Dyslexia. She also shared some of the interventions. She also talked about emotional and spiritual diet that is required to reach these children with love. Mrs. Rita Chopra , Former Professor, Dept. of Edu. Kurukshetra Univ. had an interactive discourse on Pedagogical Practices in Inclusive Education. Dr. J S Saini , Former Prof & Head , Entrepreneurship Development and Industrial Coordination, In charge NSQF & Persons with Disability was the Chief Guest accompanied by Dr. Sneh Bansal and Er. AC Sharma to felicitate the distinguished academicians with ‘Excellence in Education Awards 2019’ for their valuable contribution in the field of education. 14 Academicians were awarded for their outstanding contribution in the different area of education. Subsequently awards ceremony, Dr. Saini addressed the audience on the problem of disabilities citing the fact that 15 percent of world population is disables with 67 lacs in India out of which 25 lacs are deprived of education and this issue is ignored by the political parties. Dr. Sneh Bansal presented memento to the worthy dignitaries and extended a vote of thanks to the delegates and resource persons of the National Conference .