| Traditionally, special education is much-neglected | | | | format and definition, the special educators have |
| and not much thought of sector in India. In most | | | | several responsibilities. Teaching does form an |
| cases, the responsibility of educating and nurturing | | | | important part of the special educator's job. In |
| the talents of a visually or mentally challenged child | | | | addition to teaching, the educator is involved in |
| rests solely upon the parents. This is unlike the | | | | extra curricular, vocational and sports-related |
| western countries where special education as a | | | | activities. Many a time, children with special needs |
| branch of study and career is given due care and | | | | and parents also look upon special educators as |
| attention. Times are, however, changing in Indian | | | | counselors. A large number of special educators |
| scenario also. A number of special schools and | | | | possess degrees in child psychology, counseling |
| institutes have opened up across the country and | | | | and social work. Often they are involved in training |
| the best possible education is now available to | | | | parents and volunteers. |
| disadvantaged students. Professionally qualified | | | | Development of curriculum is also not |
| special educators undertake this challenging task. | | | | standardized as in regular schools. Hence, special |
| A large number of grants and subsidies are also | | | | educators are actively involved in developing and |
| available to the sector. | | | | revising curriculum. Syllabus may be tailored to suit |
| Areas of work | | | | the needs of individual students in some cases. |
| Special education is a vast, varied and specialized | | | | Educational aids become crucial in special education. |
| field. Educators generally choose to specialize in a | | | | The development, purchase and review of such |
| specific area of work and gain further knowledge | | | | aids also fall within the duties of the educator. In |
| and experience in that field. Options available for | | | | short the role of special educator is much larger |
| specialization include: | | | | and with greater responsibility than that of a |
| • Physically challenged students | | | | standard teacher. |
| • Mentally challenged students | | | | The Workplace |
| • Hearing impaired students | | | | Special educators work largely in educational or |
| • Visually challenged students | | | | medical set-ups. Openings are available in special |
| Role of Special Educators | | | | schools run by various societies such as the |
| One of the foremost requirements of a special | | | | Spastic Society of India or those run by central |
| educator in the field is to have infinite patience | | | | government or various state governments, a |
| and ability to connect with children of special | | | | large number of Non Governmental Organizations |
| needs. Unlike teachers in mainstream education | | | | (NGOs) operating in the area, hospitals & clinics, |
| who are largely involved with teaching and | | | | rehabilitation centers as also as private sector as |
| evaluation alone, that too as per a standard | | | | teachers. |