University of Calicut begins home-based education for special students

The University of Calicut in Kerala has started providing home-based education to the special students of the varsity. Children identified as person(s) with disability (PwD) will be aided through this educational programme, which is being headed by the department of psychology.

The varsity will also be managing rehabilitation facilities for students with special needs under the Community Disability Management and Rehabilitation Programme (CDMRP), which includes online and offline training facilities, providing reading materials, horticulture therapy at home, life skills training, and providing phones with learning applications which can also be handled by parents.

This initiative will be conducted via video conference in tele-rehabilitation mode. Departments under the State government of Kerala are also participating in the smooth functioning of this educational approach. Along with the teaching learning materials (TLMs) being provided to the students, they will also be advised to attend the online counselling sessions by working professionals from different sectors.

Around 1876 training kits with 22 teaching-reading modules in each have been provided to the students to enhance their learning, reading, speech, and social skills. A regular supply of medicines to each of these children has also been arranged by the varsity with the help of the Social Justice Department of Kerala and community volunteer groups.

The CDMRP has also been actively conducting awareness programmes to sensitise the stakeholders regarding special needs students. They also published ‘Life in the time of Covid-19 – a guide for parents of children with disabilities’ to ensure the proper addressing of mental and physical well-being of the special children and their caregivers.