Recently, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has announced a sweeping set of reforms designed to bring transparency, efficiency and inclusivity to the rehabilitation ecosystem across the country.

About Rehabilitation Council of India
The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is the apex statutory body in India that regulates the training and practice of rehabilitation professionals and personnel working with persons with disabilities.
Here is a detailed overview:
1. Status and Establishment

• Status: A Statutory Body under the Government of India.
• Act: Established under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 (Act No. 34 of 1992), and became a Statutory Body on June 22, 1993. The Act was later amended in 2000 to broaden its mandate.
• Nodal Ministry: It functions under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

2. Mandate and Objectives (The Core Functions)
The primary goal of RCI is to maintain quality and standardization in the field of rehabilitation to ensure ethical and competent service delivery to persons with disabilities.

• Regulation of Training: To regulate and monitor the training of rehabilitation professionals and personnel. This involves standardising syllabi for various degree, diploma, and certificate courses across the country.
• Maintenance of a Register: To maintain the Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) of all qualified rehabilitation professionals and personnel. Registration with the RCI is mandatory for a professional to practice legally in India.
• Punitive Action: The RCI Act prescribes punitive action against unqualified persons delivering services to persons with disabilities.
• Minimum Standards: To prescribe minimum standards of education and training for approximately 16 categories of rehabilitation professionals (e.g., Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Special Educators, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Prosthetists & Orthotists, etc.).
• Continuing Education: To promote and implement Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) programs to ensure registered professionals update their knowledge and skills.

3. Recent Reforms
RCI has recently focused on several key reforms aimed at improving efficiency and transparency in the rehabilitation ecosystem:

• Fee Waiver: Waiving fees for the issuance and renewal of the Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) for students and professionals.
• Centres of Excellence (CoE): Designating top-performing institutions and universities as Centers of Excellence to elevate academic standards.
• Digitalization and Transparency: Introducing reforms like video-based inspections and simplified online application processes for recognition and registration.
• Promoting Local Resources: Encouraging the inclusion of Indian author books, regional language resources, and indigenous diagnostic tools in its syllabi.

In summary, the RCI is a critical regulatory body that governs the educational and professional standards for those who work to empower and rehabilitate persons with disabilities in India.

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