The population of disabled people in India is about 2.1 crore, constituting 2.1 percent of the total population.

The Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 ensures that all disabled children should get education in an appropriate environment. To impart education and training to such children, a range of service providers needs to be developed.

Being an apex organisation in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) set up the National Centre for Disability Studies during the 10th plan period, that is operational since November 2006.

The Centre acts as a Nodal Agency for ODL institutions/organisations in the country. The Centre is mandated to design, develop and implement educational, vocational and awareness programmes in disability for the service providers that are working for the rehabilitation of diasbled children.

Vision

To develop human resources in various fields and areas of disability for creating a sustainable, friendly society for disabled population.

Mission

The mission of the Centre is to provide quality education at the doorsteps of the learners, including disabled people. The specific mission of the Centre is to strengthen the potentials of such people and build their capacity which may help them connect to the mainstream in the society.

Objectives

The National Centre for Disability Studies has been set up with the following broad objectives:

• To design, develop and implement the training programmes for all the 16 categories of professionals/personnel recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India.
• To promote and facilitate research on various disability-related issues;
• To undertake assignments for documentation and dissemination of information related to rehabilitation of children/people with disabilities.
• To Identify and develop appropriate information and communication technologies and software for education and training in the area of disability and set up a resource centre at IGNOU.
• To develop a database of learners with disabilities enrolled in various programmes of IGNOU.
• To organise national/international seminar/workshop/symposia/lecture on various issues related to disability.
• To adopt innovative approaches and policies for education, training and rehabilitation of children with disabilities.
• To institute award/merit scholarship for outstanding disabled students.
• To develop a network of training, employment, information and guidance centres and share expertise and extend support to other such programmes throughout the country as an apex national resource centre.