The Centre for Disability Studies and Action (CDSA), School of Social Work of TISS Mumbai, NABET of QCI and Brotherhood, Delhi are organizing jointly a National Conference on Inclusive Schooling from 23rd to 25th January 2017 at TISS, Mumbai.

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INCLUSIVE EDUCATION- LEARNING TOGETHER

Inclusive education is about how we develop and design our schools, classrooms, programs and activities so that all students learn and participate together. For a school to be inclusive, all children, regardless of their ability level have to be included in a mainstream classroom, or least restrictive environment (LRE), so that students of all ability levels are taught as equals, and that teachers adjust their curriculum and teaching methodologies for all students to benefit. Implementation of an inclusive education would require a number of changes in present day teaching practices, curriculum content, evaluation procedures and available resources at the school level.

Several studies have revealed that there is a wide variation in the quality of inclusive education in schools in the country despite Right to Education Act (RTE), Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhayamik Abhiyan (RMSA). The reason is that indicators for quality inclusive schools which could serve as specific guidelines for teachers and school management of schools are not available. As a consequence the teacher and school management are handicapped of self–assessment and improvement for these schools.

PWD Act 1995 and RTE 2009 envisage responsibility of the Departments of Persons with Disabilities in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the MHRD to provide education to all CWSN through convergence of Human and Financial Resources in appropriate settings. Their education in inclusive setting with the support of special educators trained under the aegis of the Rehabilitation Council of India is needed.

Brotherhood, Delhi in collaboration with NABET, constitution board Quality Councils of India (QCI), Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai and under the guidance and leadership of Prof. N K Jangira, and several eminent professionals have developed quality inclusive education documents. The documents developed include:

1. Quality indicators for inclusive education;
2. educational implications for improving curriculum access to meet the diverse learning needs of children with disabilities in inclusive settings and
3. Guidance Document.

This is a step to encourage achieving excellence in inclusive schools. The indicators of quality inclusive schools with a road map to achieve excellence therefore need to be spelt out.

Quality Indicators are developed through action learning and by observing the practices in the classrooms of regular schools, including Government and Private schools that have been educating CWD in their schools. The practices are based on the guidelines issued by the various Government Departments / agencies. Inputs were also obtained from various experts in inclusive/special education, general teachers, special educators, counselors and parents of CWD who made significant contribution to this exercise.

These indicators are designed to be a technical assistance tool and can be used by schools to:

1. Assess the current status of inclusive education practices;
2. Identify areas of strength as well as areas in which further development is needed; and
3. Develop a strategic school improvement plan for inclusive education.

Quality Indicators are most effectively used in conjunction with a self-assessment process that helps to measure the current levels of implementation and guide movement forward toward targeted practices. The process of self-assessment should, as a matter of course, generate management information about the overall quality, which, in turn, can then be used to develop goals, objectives and a set of targeted actions to drive improvement in inclusive practices.

OBJECTIVES OF CONFERENCE

1. To promote innovative practices in schools
2. To build the confidence of the teachers in the area of Inclusive Education
3. To raise awareness of Inclusive Education among stake holders, policy makers and the general public as an inclusive approach to education at national level.
4. To share knowledge and practices of Quality Indicator

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

1. Enhanced competence of special educators to extend support to regular teachers to improve access of children with disabilities to curriculum and participation learning and play activities.
2. Improvement in the competence in teamwork involving special educators and regulator teachers to ensure all stakeholders such as parents and community.
3. To bring about change in attitude of teachers towards education of children with disabilities as corporate members of the learning groups inside and outside the school.
4. Documentation report with focus on quality of education in inclusive education setting.

METHOD/TECHNIQUES

Presentations, discussion, demonstration of innovative practices, case study, group work, cooperative learning approach, Display of Films

CALL FOR PAPERS

There is a CALL FOR PAPERS from experts engaged in education of children with disabilities in an inclusive setting. The papers should be based on actual practices for improving curriculum access to meet the diverse learning needs of Children with disabilities. The soft copies of the abstratcs and papers are to be sent at ncie2017@gmail.com addressed to: Dr. Sandhya Limaye Coordinator Associate Professor, Center for Disability Studies and Action, Tata Institute of Social sciences, Mumbai

THEMES

• Role of School Management Committee
• Leadership
• School Admission Policy
• Inclusive Curriculum
• Class Room Management
• Class Room Practices
• School Environment
• Examination, Assessment and evaluation
• ICT, Assistive Technology and Assistive Devices for facilitating curriculum transactions

Children will also be invited to the conference for sharing their experiences studying in inclusive settings.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

Special Educators, Therapists, Rehabilitation Social Workers, Psychologists, Doctors, Regular Teachers, Parents And Others Interested in Education Of Children With Disabilities In Inclusive Settings etc.

Submission of abstracts with key words (300 words): 28 October 2016
Notification: 18 November 2016

Submission of full paper and Power Point Presentation: 23 December 2016
Paper should be focused and will be distributed. 10 minute will be for PPT presentation

Registration for Conference opens: 1 October 2016

Conference Fee: Early Bird- Rs. 4000/- (including kit and food) till 30th November 2016
After Deadline- 1st December 2016- Rs. 5000/- (including kit and food)

Cheque should be sent in favour of “Tata Institute of Social Sciences” addressed to Dr. Sandhya Limaye Coordinator Associate Professor, Center for Disability Studies and Action, Tata Institute of Social sciences, Mumbai

For any detail contact:

Mr. Satish Kapoor
Programme Coordinator, UN Volunteer, Recipient of Acharya Vinobha Bhave,National Volunteer Award Founder Director, Brotherhood And We Care Film Festival +91 9899472065; Email id:ncie2017@gmail.com

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