History

PG and Research Department of Rehabilitation Science is one of the pioneering Institutes in teaching and training Professionals in the field of Rehabilitation of the Persons with Special Needs. Among the various courses offered by HOLY CROSS COLLEGE, the courses on Rehabilitation Science and Special Education offered by The Institute of Rehabilitation Science and Special Education is recognized by The Rehabilitation Council of India in the Multiple Disability Category.

This course is the first of its kind in the whole of Asia, started in 1983 as a fruitful blossoming of the triangular partnership of three noble minded institutions, i.e., Holy Cross Congregation of Chavanod, Bharathidasan University and Christoffel Blinden Mission, West Germany, to alleviate the dearth of trained Rehabilitation Workers. The College has envisaged the noble mission of educating and training students to help, support, train and empower Persons with Special Needs in order to have a more fruitful life in an Inclusive society.

The services and programmes of the institute was spearheaded by the then dynamic Principal Rev.Sr.Elizabeth Rose and the two stalwarts who took the lead namely Dr. Sr. Maria Kamalam and Dr. Prabhakar Immanuel who steered the multifarious services of the department to cater to the special needs of the differently abled with a dedicated band of faculty.

The college has envisaged the noble mission of educating and training students to help, support, train and empower persons with special needs in order to have a more fruitful life in an inclusive society. The Institute of “Education should be for one’s life and for the life of others” Rehabilitation Science offers Diploma, Undergraduate, Post Graduate, Doctoral Degree and Need Based Courses in Rehabilitation Science and B. Ed Special Education (ID) under TNOU and its study centre, Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, and Diploma in Special Education, to build a cadre of professionals who will work with all categories of people with special needs.

Ever since its inception, the Institute has strengthened its knowledge base by networking with many local, national, international agencies and using the expertise and resources in various forms to build a strong professional network. Three eminent academics from USA – Dr. Jeanne Kenmore, Dr. Christine Carlson and Dr. Pameela Amber, with the support of Christoffel Blinden Mission from Germany have contributed by sharing their knowledge and expertise in the initial stages of inception.

This Department is Affiliated to the Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu and Recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). This course has been recognized by Govt. of Tamilnadu (G.O. Ms. No. 901, dated 20.07.1989). Department of Rehabilitation Science initiated the School of Rehabilitation Science in 2020, to enter into new era of education.

Uniqueness

Our Distinctiveness

40 Glorious Years

International networking and partnership with leading institutes across the globe

Viz. USA, UK, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada, U.A.E., Australia, Cayman, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Srilanka

TNPSC Subject Experts

100% Employment & Placement

Trained rehabilitation and inclusive specialists work in different parts of the world

As Directors of Special Schools, Project Coordinators, Therapists, Special Educators, SSA Co-ordinators, Vocational & Remedial Instructors, Low Vision Consultants, Counsellors, Psychological Assessors Etc.

Conducted more than 100 International and National Conferences, Seminars, Workshops

Vision

To start a Comprehensive Vocational & Skill Training Centre for Persons with Special Needs

To offer Post-Doctoral Program in Rehabilitation Science

To lobby with the Government of Tamil Nadu in exploring possible avenues of Career prospects for B.R.Sc., & M.R.Sc.

To establish a Comprehensive Integrated Therapeutic Center for Persons with Special Needs in Trichy – A MODEL for the State

To promote Trans-disciplinary Research focusing on Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Persons with Special Needs