Diploma in Learning Disability
Enabling Teachers to work with Children with Learning Disability in their Schools and Classrooms.
Introduction
About 5 to 15 per cent of children in classrooms in India have a learning disability. Policies mandate that all children need to be part of the regular school system, irrespective of their learning needs. But due to lack of awareness and poor implementation, of the policies, children with disabilities are often forced to drop out of school.
Teacher preparedness is critical for ensuring that children with learning disability become a part of an inclusive school system. Teachers need to understand the nature and characteristics of the condition as well as possess the e necessary knowledge to adapt the curriculum and modify teaching strategies to help the children cope with the demands of a regular school curriculum and become lifelong autonomous learners. This requires the creation of a collaborative and inclusive school environment where teachers, parents, school administrators and the community work together in making education meaningful and enriching for every child in the classroom.
What we offer
We offer this diploma in collaboration with SOPAN Suvidya College. The diploma is designed for school teachers and school functionaries to understand learning disability as a condition, and develop skills for identification, assessment and application of evidence-based teaching methods in inclusive classrooms.
Our 12-month programme to be offered in ‘blended’ mode comprises online classes as well as in-person interaction. The programme includes four certificate programmes of 12 weeks duration each.
On successfully completing the programme, you will be awarded a diploma. Each certificate programme can also be taken individually, leading to the award of a certificate.
Our objectives
Our diploma aims to:
- Deepen the understanding of teachers about the nature and needs of students with learning disability and related conditions in classrooms.
- Provide knowledge about the processes of curriculum adaptation, assessment and educational programme planning for students with learning disability.
- Enhance teachers’ ability to apply research-based teaching methods for children with learning disabilities in regular school classrooms.
- Develop competencies needed to function as effective inclusive school teachers.
This programme is offered in collaboration with SOPAN Suvidya College, a registered public trust and Society of Parents. SOPAN was started in 2002 and is a reputed agency for service delivery in the disability sector in the country. Today, SOPAN manages several projects which work towards the collective mission of empowering persons with autism and related developmental disabilities.
SOPAN’s Suvidya College of Special Education began in 2015 with the goal of augmenting teacher competence working with children with autism. They offer a BEd Special Education (ASD) programme recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and affiliated to the University of Mumbai. The college offers a variety of human resource development programmes in the field of disability education. The training programs are customised for a wide range of participants including parents, in-service teachers from mainstream schools, and professionals working in the field of special education. They also conduct seminars and workshops and several Continued Rehabilitation Education (CRE) programmes sponsored by the RCI every year.
This diploma is open to practicing regular school teachers, special educators, counsellors and school heads working in private and public school systems in India.
You can apply if:
- You have an undergraduate degree in any discipline (this is preferred).
- You have working knowledge of English (reading, writing, and speaking).
- You have minimum two years of teaching experience.
Step 1
Submit your online application form with statement of purpose
Step 2
Personal Interview (conducted online)
Fees
Diploma Programme
The total fees are INR 35,400 (including GST)
Before commencement of first certificate programme: INR 17,700
Before commencement of third certificate programme: INR 17,700
Certificate programme
The total fees are INR 10,030 (including GST)
Before the commencement of the programme: INR 10, 030* (including GST)
*No refund
Note: GST rates are in line with Government guidelines and are subject to change.
Programme Calendar
| Certificate Programme | Start date of the programme | Face to face interaction* |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Learning Disability | 4 Oct 2021 — 8 Jan 2022 | 29 Nov 2021 — 4 Dec 2021 |
| Learning Disability: Identification and Assessment | 24 Jan 2022 — 16 Apr 2022 | 28 Feb 2022 — 5 Mar 2022 |
| Learning Disability: Teaching Methods and Strategies | 2 May 2022 — 23 Jul 2022 | 6 Jun 2022 — 11 Jun 2022 |
| Inclusive Education for Children with LD | 8 Aug 2022 — 29 Oct 2022 | 12 Sep 2022 — 17 Sep 2022 |
*Some changes in the face to face interaction mode will be may be inevitable due to the pandemic situation
Course structure
Pedagogy
The programmes is offered in blended mode
Online
This includes synchronous and asynchronous interactions. In the direct interaction in the online mode, there will be lectures, group work, workshops, presentations for assessment and classroom discussions. Asynchronous interactions include the sharing of readings, participation in discussion forums, audio/video materials, and work on individual assignments.
Face to Face interaction
This section will be held in Mumbai. This includes six days of block teaching once during the twelve week period for each certificate programme. This includes direct lectures, workshops and supervision of practicum and field work.
Over 12 weeks, this certificate programme will have 11 week of online learning combined with 1 weeks of in-person class work.
Over 12 weeks, this certificate programme will have 11 week of online learning combined with 1 weeks of in-person class work.
Over 12 weeks, this certificate programme will have 11 week of online learning combined with 1 weeks of in-person class work.
Over 12 weeks, this certificate programme will have 11 week of online learning combined with 1 weeks of in-person class work.
Total 24 credits