DIRECTORATE FOR WELFARE OF THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS

GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

RIGHTS Project: Inclusion, Accessibility & Opportunities for the

Differently Abled in Tamil Nadu

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENGAGEMENT OF

Block Coordinator

1. BASIC DETAILS

Duty Station : Allotted Block

No of Engagements Tenkasi – 12, Chennai - 6

Language : English & Tamil

Required/preferred

Duration of Contract : 12 months (Renewable subject to performance)

Reporting Officer : Sub Division OSC - Centre Manager

2. BACKGROUND

i. As per the Census (2011), Tamil Nadu is the sixth most populous state in India with a

population of 72 million, which includes the proportion (1.63 percent) of persons with

disabilities compared to national average of 2.21 percent. A study that used pooled data

from the District Level Household Survey-4 (2012-13) and Annual Health Survey 2nd

updating round (201213) reveals that there are 4550 persons with disabilities amongst

every 100,000 population in Tamil Nadu thereby indicating a much higher prevalence of

disability in comparison to the census data. Therefore, if one goes by the estimates of this

recent study, there would be about 3.2 million people in Tamil Nadu living with some

form of disabilities. Moreover, even these estimations appear on the lower side especially

since the definition and type of disabilities has undergone a change to include a larger

population group since the promulgation of Rights of Persons with

Disabilities Act, 2016

ii. Persons with disabilities face multiple socio-economic constraints including poorer

health outcomes, lower education levels, limited economic participation, and higher rates

of poverty compared to persons without disabilities. They often experience exclusion and

barriers in accessing health services, education, employment, transportation, information

as well as care and rehabilitation services. Furthermore, households with a disabled

member are more likely to experience material hardships– including food insecurity,

poor housing, lack of access to safe water and sanitation, and inadequate access to

healthcare. Thus, these limitations and barriers not only hinder their full and effective

participation in the society, but also affect the country’s productive potential, the human

capital. In order to increase the human capital and reduce the achievement gap among

people with disabilities, a coordinated and comprehensive package of interventions

appears warranted for addressing the individual and community contexts at both,

multiple and systemic levels.

iii. Tamil Nadu has always been a pioneer in the implementation of welfare schemes for all

sections of socially disadvantaged groups. The Department for the Welfare of the

Differently Abled (DWDAP), through its various initiatives and schemes have extended

full support to the differently abled people in their pursuit of full and equal involvement

in every aspect of society. The DWDAP is largely responsible for all administrative,

statutory and service delivery functions, which is implemented through its well-

experienced workforce at the state, district and local levels. The thrust areas of the

DWDAP are prevention and early interventions, special education, employment &

vocational training, social security (maintenance allowance, travel concession, assistance

to NGOs), aids & appliances, and barrier free structure. Recently, DWDAP conducted a

pilot project in a few blocks of the state and has identified a need for multi-sectoral,

whole-government, and capacity building approach to care and rehabilitation of the

differently abled.

iv. The RIGHTS Project focuses on three pillars: first, promote inclusion of all by ensuring

that persons with disabilities participate equally with others in any activity and service

intended for the general public, such as education, health, employment, and social

services; second, improve the access of specialized programs by investing in specific

measures for quality care, rehabilitation and support services; and third, provide

opportunities for persons with disabilities for completion of education, skills training and

market-linked employment opportunities. However, to manage the project at the

proposed scale, substantial efforts would be required to build the current institutional

capacity of the DWDAP at all levels in terms of field units for administration, service

delivery, supervision and monitoring, along with self-sustaining capacity

v. The Project would be managed through the Directorate for Welfare of the Differently

Abled (DWDA), led by the Project Director (PD) RIGHTS project cum Director

DWDA, hereinafter also referred as PD, and would have a team of consultants. District

Project Implementation Unit in each district will oversee the activities in district level,

headed by District Differently Abled Welfare Officer (DDAWO) and would have a

team of District Project Officers. In Sub Division Level there will be Sub Division One

Stop Social Care Service Centres (OSC) headed by Sub Division Officer for Differently

Abled.

The Family and Community Based Care and Rehabilitation services will be delivered

through the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) to improve access and quality care

and rehabilitation services for DAPs. CBR is a community development strategy that

aims to enhance the quality of life for DAPs/ their families and ensure their inclusion

and participation in the community. This will include individual-centric planning with

the support of family and community, a grass-roots approach providing care and

services, mobilizing local capacity and resources, and building on community strengths

and structures with the primary purpose of making comprehensive care and services

closer to the extent possible to DAPs and their parents/care givers.

To provide the proposed above CBR activities of family and community-based care

and rehabilitation services at, TN RIGHTS intends to engage a qualified and

experienced organization/firm, called a “Community Service Provider (CSP)”

TN RIGHTS, through Community Service Providers will establish block level centre

in each block, Municipality, and corporation zones and Neighbourhood centres within

the block, engage the required staff (Block level and Neighbourhood level) and provide

community level services through frontline workers.

vi. To ensure effective implementation and supervision of the RIGTHS Project at the

Block levels, the DWDA is planning to engage a Block Coordinator for each Block.

3 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

Under the supervision of the Subdivision Officer for Differently Abled the Block

coordinator will be responsible for:

a) Overall coordination and day-to-day management of DWDA and RIGHTS Project

activities at the Blocks levels including, activities of Block OSC, family &

community-based rehabilitation, EICs, and other welfare programs of the DWDA for

the respective Block. Specifically:

b) Preparation of Block Implementation Plans for all activities under DWDA and Rights

Project

i. Implementation of services in the Block OSC including

ii. Community Mobilization

iii. Management of activities in Neighbourhood centre and Block centre.

iv. Support for delivery of rehabilitation services, life skill education, livelihood,

and self-employment services in the block.

v. Implement IEC activities at block, Neighbourhood centre and community

level.

vi. Provide various need-based services and resources for all differently abled

(including all age groups) who need assistance for rehabilitation in the block

vii. Support management of family and community level intervention at block

level

viii. Support in accessing social security schemes and Grievance redressed.

ix. Ensure the proper delivery of rehabilitation services through rehabilitation

professionals like Physiotherapist and special educators of the block.

x. Monitoring the activities in the field including the work of Community

facilitators and Community Rehabilitation workers.

xi. Work closely with Community Service Providers of the block to ensure

smooth delivery of rehabilitation services, training programs and other

services related to differently abled people.

c) Liaison with stakeholders including Community Service Providers of the Block.

d) Liaising with line departments at block level.

e) Prepare periodic progress reports of the block and timely submission of reports to

Subdivision Officer for Differently Abled.

4 REPORTING AND REVIEW

The Block Coordinator will report to Subdivision Centre Manager of the subdivision and work

under his/her direct supervision on a day-to-day basis.

5 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

This Block Coordinator requires dynamic, experienced, and analytical professionals with

demonstrated experience in programs related to disability.

i) Block Coordinator should possess a valid bachelor’s degree in any rehabilitation science/

Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy/ Speech Therapy/ Special education/ psychology.

ii) Preferably 2 years of post-qualification experience in areas relating to service delivery for

person with disabilities particularly in care, support and rehabilitation services

iii) Demonstrated understanding of managing centre-based rehabilitation activities and

community-based rehabilitation

iv) Preference will be given for Differently Abled Person and their family

v) Preference will be given to person belonging to same block

6. Skills Required

Capability to manage a centre and oversee the service delivery with the block.

Project Planning, Monitoring and Data Analysis skills.

Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

Good computer skills in MS Office: Word, Excel and PPT

Able to read and write in Tamil and English.

Ability to work in teams and liaise well with others.

7. Remuneration

i) The remuneration for the Block Coordinator would be Rs 30,000 per month. Only travel

expenses will be paid additionally as per actuals. The Block Coordinator will be located

at Block level centre during the contract period. The Block Coordinator may require travel

as per Project requirements. Travel allowances will be provided separately as per travel

policy.

ii) The Block Coordinator will have to attend Block level centre and/or need to do field visit

within the block on all working days. The Block Coordinator may also be required to

attend office or do field visit on holidays as and when so desired by higher officials for

disposal of urgent matters. However, no extra remuneration will be paid for attending

office on holidays