SOSW, IGNOU along with CBM India Trust Organized National Consultation on “Inclusive Social Work Education in India – Understanding Disability and Social Work”

School of Social Work, IGNOU in partnership with CBM India Trust has organized two days national consultation on “Inclusive Social Work Education in India – Understanding Disability and Social Work” on 27-28 September, 2018 at Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Block, IGNOU, New Delhi.

The national consultation has invited faculty/ coordinators from state open universities/ institutions offering social work programmes in Open and Distance Learning mode. This will be an opportunity for the School as well as the participating state open universities/ institutions to take lead in incorporating disability in social work curriculum in their respective academic programmes in the light of the provision of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in the absence of a national social work council in place.

Dr. G. Mahesh, School of Social Work, IGNOU in his introductory address set the tone of deliberation by giving the complete run-down on the two day seminar agenda. He said that the social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being, vitalizing theories of human behavior and social systems. Social work intervenes at the point where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are ‘fundamental to social work’ (IASSW 2000).

Ms. Vidya Sonal, Registrar, IGNOU urged the programme on Social Work to be developed in Hindi language as well for the benefit of larger set of learners interested in working in the area.

Dr. Sara Varghese, Managing Trustee, CBM India Trust of CBM in her inaugural address said that PwDs (Persons with Disabilities) need to be included in the society at all level socially, economically and culturally. “There are two kinds of education models; infusion and dedicated. Infusion is inclusion model in which disability is a part and parcel and is not a separate subject and people with disabilities are not categorized. They have the rights to be included in all the aspects; be it health, education, or social, culture issues. The Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights & Full Participation Act gives tooth to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). There are Commissioners for PwDs who could take up on judicial basis any discrimination against PwDs” she explained.

Ms. Gupta, CSR Head, Relaxo in her address highlighted the increasing role of corporate sector in social work including work for Persons with Disabilities.

Dr. Rose Nembiakkim, Director, School of Social Work, IGNOU welcomed and thanked all the delegates who have come from different State Open Universities. She also thanked the Registrar, the Chief Guest and the Special Guest for having spared time and for sharing their invaluable insights on the topic.

The two day consultation included sessions with experts sharing their views on different topics on the theme.