The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is launching a series of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certification Programs as part of Special Campaign 5.0 (October 2-31, 2025). This initiative, in collaboration with the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun, and ALIMCO, aims to promote inclusive education and enhance accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by formally recognizing the skills of educators and assistive technology professionals.
The RPL programs include: RPL in ICT Assistive Technologies for instructors of Persons with Visual Impairment; RPL Certification in Teaching Computer Literacy Skills to Children with Hearing Impairment (CWHI) through Indian Sign Language (ISL); RPL Certification in ISL Interpretation for Cricket Commentary (CISLICC); and RPL Certification in Teaching English Literacy Skills for Children with Hearing Impairment (CWHI). These short-term programs will assess, support additional training, and certify participants.
Additionally, the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) will conduct 75 distribution camps nationwide, providing over 40,000 beneficiaries with high-quality aids and assistive devices valued at over Rs. 38 crores. ALIMCO will also launch a specialized training and certification program for local cycle and e-rickshaw mechanics to repair and maintain assistive devices like motorized tricycles, manual tricycles, and wheelchairs. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate recognizing them as "Trained by ALIMCO for repairing mobility assistive devices."
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The central ministry overseeing the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and related initiatives.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): The department within the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment responsible for initiatives related to persons with disabilities.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certification Programs: A series of programs aimed at formally acknowledging and certifying the skills and knowledge of educators and trainers in inclusive education and assistive technologies.
Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC): An organization collaborating with DEPwD to promote inclusive education, particularly through sign language training and research.
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun, Uttarakhand: An institute in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, involved in the empowerment of persons with visual disabilities.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO): A Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry that manufactures and distributes aids and assistive devices.
Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): The target beneficiaries of the various initiatives and programs mentioned in the policy document.
Special Campaign 5.0: A campaign from October 2 to October 31, 2025, under which DEPwD is launching various initiatives.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Empowering Educators through Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL)
Certification in Inclusive Education and Assistive
Technologies
Posted On: 17 SEP 2025 8:21PM by PIB Delhi
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), under the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, is preparing for Special Campaign 5.0, scheduled from October 2 to October 31, 2025. In line
with this initiative, DEPwD, in collaboration with the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre
(ISLRTC), the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in
Dehradun, and ALIMCO, is launching a series of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certification
Programs. These programs aim to promote inclusive education and enhance accessibility for Persons with
Disabilities (PwDs). Additionally, 75 distribution camps will be organized, where 40,000 beneficiaries will
receive high-quality aids and assistive devices valued at over Rs. 38 crores across various locations in the
country.
This groundbreaking initiative formally acknowledges the invaluable knowledge, skills, and competencies of
teachers, instructors, and trainers who have been steadfastly contributing to the education and empowerment
of persons with visual and hearing impairments. The RPL certifications are designed to elevate professional
standards, foster credibility, and promote the seamless integration of assistive technologies in educational
settings.
This initiative seeks to formally recognize the knowledge, skills, and competencies of teachers, instructors,
and trainers who have been contributing to the education and empowerment of Persons with visual and
hearing impairments. The certifications aim to build professional credibility, improve teaching standards, and
promote the integration of assistive technologies in classrooms.
The RPL programs launched under this initiative include:
RPL in ICT & Assistive Technologies for instructors of Persons with Visual Impairment
(cid:108)
(Computer, Music, Physical Education, and Science/STEM teachers).
RPL Certification in Teaching Computer Literacy Skills to Children with Hearing Impairment
(cid:108)
(CWHI) through Indian Sign Language (ISL).
RPL Certification in ISL Interpretation for Cricket Commentary (CISLI-CC): A first-of-its-kind
(cid:108)
training to build professional ISL cricket commentators for IPL and international tournaments,
ensuring sports accessibility for the Deaf community.
RPL Certification in Teaching English Literacy Skills for Children with Hearing Impairment
(cid:108)
(CWHI)
These RPL programs would be short term programs to assess, support additional training and certification of
PwDs. This initiative aims to enhance the number of resources required for providing improved services for
teaching science, music, technology, sports, and language etc. to Persons with Disabilities and to bridge
learning gaps for PwDs. By empowering educators and interpreters, the initiative also promotes
independence, self-reliance, and vocational readiness among learners with hearing and visual impairments.
As a part of this noble endeavor, Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Central
Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry, will be conducting 75 distribution camps at various locationsacross the country.Through these camps, more than 40000 Beneficiaries will directly benefit by receiving
high-quality aids and assistive devices.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) also launch of a specialized training and
certification program for local cycle mechanics and e-rickshaw mechanics by Artificial Limbs Manufacturing
Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a CPSE under the Department.The initiative aims to empower mechanics
across the country with the necessary skills to repair and maintain assistive devices like motorized tricycles,
manual tricycles, and wheelchairs, thereby strengthening the ecosystem of accessibility and mobility support
for Persons with Disabilities. Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be awarded a
certificate recognizing them as “Trained by ALIMCO” for repairing mobility assistive devices.
This program has been designed to:
Enhance local service availability for PwDs by creating a network of trained mechanics across
(cid:108)
urban and rural areas.
Promote skill development and livelihood opportunities for local cycle and e-rickshaw
(cid:108)
mechanics.
Ensure timely and reliable repair services for mobility aids, reducing downtime and
(cid:108)
inconvenience for PwDs.
This program represents a step forward in ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities. By equipping
local mechanics with specialized skills, Department not only enhancing service delivery but also promoting
inclusion and livelihood opportunities.
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KV
(Release ID: 2167797)