New
Delhi, April 22, 2021.
Affirming
its commitment to increase participation and provide accessibility for inclusion
of persons with disability (PWDs), National Skill Development Corporation
(NSDC) has collaborated with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
(FCDO), formerly known as Department for International Development - GOV.UK to
develop and launch eight eLearning modules focused on sensitization towards
people with disabilities.
Employing eskill India, NSDC’s digital skilling platform,
this is a step towards creating skilling ecosystem and the society at large,
more inclusive towards people with disability. Developed by UK’s National Star
Foundation, a college having 50 years of experience in the disability space
these modules will empower practitioners in management, teaching, training,
assessing, support roles as well as employers, health care professionals,
co-workers, co-students, and organizational leaders who work with people with
disabilities.
Speaking
at the launch event, Dr. Manish Kumar,
MD & CEO, NSDC said, "The prevalence of disability is estimated to
be 2.2% of the population in India, according to a survey by National
Statistical Office (NSO). It is therefore imperative to design policies and
development programmes that provide specially-abled persons with equal
opportunities, enabling them to earn a livelihood and lead a life of dignity. I
thank FCDO for being a part of NSDC’s vision of providing specially-abled
persons with the right skills, and enabling them to be a part of India’s
economic growth. In my view, our empanelled trainers and partners together with
the youth enrolled on NSDC’s eSkill India portal, and network organisations
will benefit from these e-modules. These modules will further strengthen our
sensitization efforts and help create a learning environment which responds to
the needs of specially-abled persons."
Mr. Gavin McGillivray, Minister Counsellor
Development, FCDO, British High Commission said, “Inclusion is not an add on. It must be a
default and integral part- this philosophy is in FCDO’s DNA. We welcome the
digital initiatives in the time of the pandemic which can be made accessible to
number of stakeholders who work with the differently abled. We should identify
and focus on talents and skill sets of differently abled and assist them to
shape their careers matching with their abilities.”
The course content is based on DRILL (Discover, Reflect,
Investigate, Learn, Learn more) and facilitates the learners to gain knowledge
through interactive and accessible content. The modules are divided in three
levels including three foundation courses, three applied courses and two
specialist courses. Each course is followed by final assessment and
certification. These modules will now be
made available to NSDC’s 11,000 empanelled training partners, in addition to
the million youth who are enrolled on the NSDC’s e-Skill India portal, and to
the network organisations of Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities
(employers and trainers).