Diploma in Special Education – DeafBlind : The Clarke School for the Deaf

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The Clarke School for the Deaf, Chennai was founded in 1970 as a Speech and Hearing Center of the Hearing-Impaired by the Founder Director Dr.Leelavathy Patrick and the founder Secretary Dr.S.K.Nagarajan. The growth of the school has been due to the unrelenting efforts of its Founder Member and brother of the Director, Late Mr. Rajamani, her mother Late Mrs. Rita Patrick and her close relatives, besides the Secretary, Staff, and other well wishers. The school which began with one deaf and two multihandicapped children has grown into an Oral school for the Deaf with classes from Preschool to Higher Secondary in Tamil and English Media, a Section for the Mentally Retarded and to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the school, a Unit for the Deafblind was added. This Unit is the first in South India and second in India. The main objectives of the school are to provide educational and vocational rehabilitation to the “differently abled” and help them to become useful citizens.

This Diploma Course has the approval of The Rehabilitation Council of India (Govt. of India.The teacher-training course will help develop competent teachers who will work with deafblindness and additional disabilities and train them to be contributing members of the society.

Overall Goal and Objectives of the Course:

Goal and Objectives are set with special reference to children with deafblindness and children with vision impairments with additional disabilities.

Goal: To prepare special teachers who can provide services to children who are deafblind and children with vision impairment with additional disabilities and their families from infancy to Vocational levels in the following settings:

• Early intervention Programmes
• Special Schools – Day Care/Residential
• Integrated \ Inclusive Schools
• Home Based Programmes
• Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes
• Vocational Programmes

General Objectives:

To build knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Develop communication and language abilities of the child (e.g., Total Communication, calendars, objects, pictures, augmentative and alternative communication devices, words in print and Braille).
• Understand the areas of child development and how deafblindness and vision with additional disabilities (e.g., Mental Retardation, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism) impact normal development.
• Build partnerships with families of children.
• Knowledge of senses, sensory losses, their impact on learning, and ability to maximize the child’s use of residual senses (e.g, vision, hearing, touch).
• Basic understanding of clinical and medical assessments and conditions to interpret findings (e.g., audiogram, eye report, medical reports).
• Assess the educational needs of children with deafblindness and children with vision impairment with additional disabilities to provide appropriate interventions.
• Develop a team approach with families and related interactors (e.g., therapists, doctors, professionals) to provide the child a meaningful programme.
• Adapting environments to maximize learning.
• Knowledge of best practices in education (e.g., communication, curricula, IEP, team approach).
• Develop indigenous assessment and educational materials.
• Make appropriate transition and vocational plans for the adult lives.
• Advocate for the rights of people who are deafblind and their families.
• Understand Governmental legislations and concessions provided to people with disabilities.
• Need for teachers to develop self evaluation and professional ethics and standards on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility:

Minimum qualification for admission is successful completion of 10+2 or Higher Secondary Examination or equivalent from a recognized Board of Education with minimum 50% marks.

Desirable:

Diploma or Degree in Special Education in Hearing Impairment, Visual Impairment or Mental Retardation or Montessori/ KG Course.

Parents/Siblings or significant relatives of deafblind children if they fulfill the above qualifications.
A sponsorship letter from an NGO or agency willing to absorb the trainee after successful completion of the Diploma.

Number of Seats:

The total of seats for this course will be 25.

Duration of the Course:

Two full academic years –July 2014 –May 2016.

Selection Procedure:

Based on merit, written test and personal interview and other necessary competencies notified from time to time as declared in admission advertisement and course prospectus. 50% weightage to merit, 25% to written examination and 25% to personal interview.

Medium of Instruction:

The medium of instruction will be English; however the candidate will be permitted to write the examinations in the Regional Language (Tamil) after acquiring permission from the concerned authority.

Minimum Attendance Required:

Minimum of 80% attendance is required for theory (for first & second year separately), 100% completion of practical work (for first & second year separately) and 90% attendance. Full time Practice Teaching is compulsory for attending the theory and practical examination.

Fees

• Annual tuition fees Rs.25, 000 / – (Rupees Twenty Five thousand only), payable at the time of admission.
• Hostel fees-Rs.4500 per month. (Hostel accommodation available for both women and men candidates), payable by 10th of every month.
• Hostel Caution Deposit Rs.4500 (returnable at the end of the course).
• Library Caution Deposit Rs 500 (returnable at the end of the course with deductions in loss or damage of Library books and other materials used during training)
• Examination fees and incidental charges will be intimated later.
• Candidates must bear expenses for Educational Tour, stationery and study materials.

cheme of papers (Theory and Practical) for both the years

The Clarke School for the Deaf
Address: Mylapore, Chennai,Tamil Nadu, India, and Recognized by Rehabilitation Council of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India.

Founded in 1970 by Speech and Hearing Center of the Hearing-Impaired
Founders

Director Dr.Leelavathy Patrick,
Dr.S.K.Nagarajan

Overseas Candidates:

Overseas candidates are requested to obtain valid passports, student visas and health insurance. They are requested to get the necessary clearance from their organizations and from the Rehabilitation Council /External Affairs Ministry to undergo the course.

Contact Details