The Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOUs) National Centre for Disability Studies (NCDS) is planning to set up a cell at the university campus to train in-service mainstraeam teachers in disability issues. The cell would procide training under a new programme Foundation Course on Education of Children with Disabilities (FCED). The programme has been offered under distance learning mode. The duration of the programme is three months. Furthermore, the programme will provide hands-on practical training and exposure apart from theorectical input. IGNOU's 100 Special Study Centres (SSCs), which are recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) in each state, will be used. Presently, the programme will be conducted in English and Hindi. However, by June 2011, the programme will be offered in nine regional languges. The university is also mulling over to offer the programme in Online and On Demand mode, in order to allow candidates to pursue the programme from anywhere across the country. IGNOU is already running a full-time B.A in Sign Language Programme at the campus. Students from Nepal, Kenya, Uganda and China are enrolled in this one-of-its-kind programme.
