India Moves Towards Structured Special Education
In a transformative step toward inclusive learning, the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID) has signed a landmark MoU with the Jai Vakeel Foundation (JVF) in Mumbai. The goal: to implement a structured and uniform education curriculum for children with intellectual disabilities (CwIDs) across India.
This collaboration, announced on 18 July 2025, comes in the presence of Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
NIEPID DISHA Curriculum Goes National
Through this partnership, the NIEPID DISHA Curriculum will now be adopted as the national standard for special education. It offers a comprehensive, research-backed educational model focused on the holistic development of children with disabilities.
The collaboration combines NIEPID’s national-level research and training expertise with JVF’s proven ground-level implementation experience. This makes the curriculum scalable, adaptable, and rooted in real-world results.
Key Components of the Initiative
The MoU ensures the national rollout of several critical tools and frameworks, including:
- NIEPID DISHA Assessment Checklist – used to design individualized education plans (IEPs).
- Multisensory Curriculum – using visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile (VAKT) methods.
- DISHA Digital Portal – for tracking IEPs, generating report cards, and accessing learning material.
- Teacher Training Modules – to empower educators with practical skills and certifications.
Expanding Access and Language Inclusion
The Ministry will print and distribute educational material under the Development Accessible Learning Materials (DALM) Scheme. Earlier limited to Braille materials, the scheme now extends to include children with intellectual disabilities.
These materials will be provided free of cost to schools and parents. Books will be available in English, Hindi, Marathi, and other regional languages, ensuring linguistic inclusivity and localized impact.
Scaling Teacher Training with CRE Accreditation
To fast-track implementation, teacher training programs will receive CRE (Continuing Rehabilitation Education) accreditation. This will enable more educators to get certified quickly, ensuring uniform quality in curriculum delivery nationwide.
“The government will always stand with parents in this journey,” said Shri Rajesh Aggarwal. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to scaling the project swiftly, providing not just resources but also emotional and professional support.
Caption: A special educator using VAKT methods in a classroom under the Disha Abhiyan model in Maharashtra.
Voices of Leadership and Change
Dr. B.V. Ram Kumar, Director of NIEPID, called the partnership a “testament to quality and transformation.” He reaffirmed NIEPID’s commitment to making structured education accessible for all CwIDs across India.
Ms. Archana Chandra, CEO of Jai Vakeel Foundation, added, “This curriculum is designed to unlock each child’s unique potential. It’s not just an aspiration—it’s a reality now.”
About the DISHA Abhiyan
The DISHA Abhiyan is a flagship initiative by JVF. It includes a standardized checklist, a multisensory curriculum, a digital portal, and a robust teacher training ecosystem.
Certified by NIEPID in 2019, this model has already:
- Reached 18,000+ students across Maharashtra.
- Trained over 2,600 educators.
- Been implemented in 453 schools under state partnerships.
The Assessment Checklist measures progress across developmental areas using VAKT and “Interest–Teach–Apply” pedagogy. The digital platform tracks progress, assessments, and IEPs in real time, making data-driven education possible.
Aligning with Global Commitments
This initiative supports India’s obligations under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly:
- SDG 4 – Quality Education
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
By mainstreaming inclusive education, India moves closer to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat—an empowered and inclusive nation where every child has equal opportunities.
A Future Where No Child Is Left Behind
This collaboration between NIEPID and Jai Vakeel Foundation is more than a policy move—it is a promise. A promise to provide structured, meaningful, and dignified education to every child with intellectual disabilities across India.
With strong government backing, community support, and proven strategies, this initiative will redefine how India educates and empowers its most vulnerable children.
