IEDC stands for Integrated Education for Disabled Children, a program in India that aims to educate children with disabilities in the mainstream school system:
Purpose
The program was launched in 1974 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to promote the integration of children with mild to moderate disabilities into regular schools. The program's goals include:
Promoting equality
Reducing social stigma related to disability
Developing self-confidence in children
Ensuring disabled children remain in regular schools
Features
The program provides financial assistance to state governments to implement the program. It also includes:
Appointing special education teachers
Conducting teacher training
Establishing resource rooms
Providing a barrier-free environment
Providing financial support for books and uniforms
Challenges
Some challenges faced by the program include:
Underdeveloped infrastructure
Lack of trained teachers
Lack of specialized educational materials
Societal and community attitudes that foster exclusion and discrimination
Logistical issues such as transport and lack of support services
