Exploring the effectiveness of Vocational Rehabilitation in Persons with Intellectually Challenged in Kerala

Abstract

Vocational Rehabilitation includes medical, psychological, social and occupational activities aiming to reestablish or develop a person with any kind of challenges. Special educators play a major role in vocational rehabilitation, and works with intellectual disabilities varies from person to person and school to school. The present study examined a total of 77 special educators of children with intellectual disabilities belongs to different special school across Kerala. Ten open ended questions were used to find out the needs of the special educators working in the field of adults with intellectual disabilities. Special educators have given the present status of vocational rehabilitation. Majority of schools in Kerala run vocational transition program which consist activities that include soap making to IT Assisted jobs. These programs are mainly affected due to financial constraints. The need for having a job for person with intellectual disability is perceived in different angle, varies from reduction in the burden of parents to social justice. A conflict exits in few special educators regarding finding a job for person with intellectual disabilities. This study helps for implementation of Government Policies and services model in the area of vocational rehabilitation of persons with intellectual disabilities.