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Fill in the application form by clicking the link for the course starting from January 2023. . Last date to apply for the course is Jan 18th 2023.

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2021 AT Course certification ceremony
The first batch of the AT course 2019 cycle

All About 

AT Course Programme

An image of a woman showing a tablet that has asks about an assistive technology
The National Institute of Speech & Hearing (NISH) conducts the fourth batch of part-time online Assistive Technology (AT) courses from January 2023 to June 2023. This is a first of its kind in India, combining international expertise and local know-how in a unique online learning model. The course format has been updated and revised to a 6-month duration. The entire course will be conducted online with an optional 3-day face-to-face session at NISH, Thiruvananthapuram, the dates of which will be announced soon. The course would consist of a series of workshops by practitioners in AT. The course participants are expected to be from varied backgrounds interested in deploying AT solutions for persons with disability (PwDs).
The class will get together on an online platform for 4 to 5 hours every week, where they will interact and learn from AT experts as well as AT users, such as Ms. Regina Ramdas(Al Noor School, Dubai), Mr. Nekram Upadhyay (ISIC, New Delhi), Dr. Ajish Abraham (AIISH, Mysore), Dr. Shovan Saha (Manipal University, Manipal), Ms. Kalpana Botta (Vidyasagar,Chennai), Dr. Namitha Jacob (Chetana Trust), Ms. Akila Vaidyanathan (Amaze, Coimbatore), Mr. Sivakumar N (Enable India), Ms. Anjleei Agarwal (Samarthyam), Mr. Joseph Bose H H (NISH), Ms. Shyni M T (NISH), Dr. Vineetha Sara Philp (NISH), Ms. Sangeetha G S(NISH), Ms. Manju S (NISH), Ms.Praveena Davis (NISH), Mr Amith G Nair(NISH), Mr.Premsankar M (NISH).
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Need and relevance of the course

Assistive technology enhances the quality of life of persons with disabilities. The Rights of Persons with Disability (RPwD) Act of 2016 mandates Central and State Governments to facilitate development of technology, assistive devices and equipment, and their usage to ensure full and effective participation and inclusion for persons with disabilities in the society. Technology nowadays makes it possible to achieve inclusion at a very low cost. Awareness and implementation know-how are important. Last mile difficulties can be overcome by evidence-based implementation

Duration

  • Asynchronous and Synchronous sessions (Google classroom) – complete reading assignments, participate in online discussion forums and work on projects. Four to five hours weekly, preferably on weekends during the evening, to accommodate working professionals from January 2023 to June 2023.
  • Three-day face-to-face camp at NISH, Trivandrum (Optional, dates to be announced) 

Program Over view

Course Eligibility

Professionals or graduates with an experience in disability, tech-savvy, self-driven and with an interest to collaborate with different stakeholders in the assistive technology ecosystem. Rehabilitation/Health professionals like Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, physiotherapists, social workers and medical professionals will be most benefited. Engineers and assistive technology developers wishing to understand end users of AT and their needs better will also find the course useful.

Course Requirement

Since the participant would be expected to complete assignments and participate in discussion forums online, he or she MUST have access to a PC or a laptop, with at least 1Mbps internet connection.

Course Cost

Six-month, part-time, online Certificate Course on AT ₹ 15000 INR
Three-day face-to-face camp at NISH Trivandrum (optional) ₹ 6500 INR (includes food and accommodation)

Course Outcomes

For…

A rehabilitation or health professional:

The course will broaden your knowledge regarding the technologies available in the Indian context. You will be exposed to the AT service delivery process, which is essential to maximize AT adoption and minimize Abandonment.

an engineer / technology developer/ Entrepreneur:

The course will provide you an in-depth understanding of assistive technology solutions and support your first step in the design thinking process, which is to empathise with the end users of AT, that is, persons with disability. You will also learn about the gaps in the existing AT solutions in the market.

a Person with Disability (PwD) or a caregiver of a PwD:

The course will increase your awareness of the several AT solutions available in India. You will meet persons with disability who are fore- runners in successfully adopting AT solutions in their everyday lives. The course will provide a platform for all the different stakeholders in the AT ecosystem to learn from ‘AT implementation’ experts, share their perspectives and build partnerships to jointly find solutions.

Course Topics and Resource Persons

Sl No Course Topics Resource Persons Organization
1 Orientation to course R Deepu Raj, Riyas K, Amith G Nair NISH, Trivandrum
2 Sensitization to disabilities Categories of AT Praveena, Manju Subramaniam NISH, Trivandrum
3 AT for computer access Kalpana Botta Vidyasagar, Chennai
4 AT on online learning Amith G Nair NISH, Trivandrum
5 AT for seating, positioning and mobility Nekram Upadhyay ISIC DELHI
6 AT for accessibility Ms Anjlee Agarwal Samarthyam
7 AT for hand rehabilitation Prof. Shovan Saha Manipal University
8 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Dr.Vineetha Sara Philip and Sangeetha G S NISH , Trivandrum
9 AT for vision Namitha Jacob Chetana Trust
10 Transdisciplinary approach in AT assessment and implementation Regina Ramdas Al Noor School, Dubai
11 AT for persons with hearing impairment Prof. Ajish Abraham AIISH-Mysore
12 AT for Autism Akila Vaidyanathan Amaze, Coimbatore
13 Workplace solutions Mr. Shiva Kumar N Amaze, Coimbatore
14 2D/3D modeling Amith G Nair NISH, Trivandrum
15 Digital fabrication Vinod Kumar FAB LAB
15 Wheelchair training Joseph Bose (OT department), Shyni M.T (Physiotherapy Unit) and Premsankar M) NISH, Trivandrum