Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist

RIGHTS Project: Inclusion, Accessibility & Opportunities for the

Differently Abled in Tamil Nadu

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENGAGEMENT OF

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist - One Stop Social Care Service Centre

1. BASIC DETAILS

TENKASI –I) KADAYANALLUR II) M.N. NALLUR
Duty Station :

CHENNAI- I) SHOLINGANALLUR II) TEYNAMPET

TENKASI –2 (Two)
No of Engagements :

CHENNAI- 2 (Two)

Language
: English & Tamil

Required/preferred

Duration of Contract : 24 months (Renewable subject to performance)

Reporting Officer : Centre Manager-OSC

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 a proportion (1.63 per cent) of

Differently Abled Persons compared to the national average of 2.21 per cent. 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 differently abled persons 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, about 3.2

million people in Tamil Nadu would live with some form of disability. Moreover,

even these estimations appear on the lower side, significantly since the definition

and type of disabilities have changed to include a larger population group since

the promulgation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

ii. Differently Abled Person (DAP) face multiple socio-economic constraints,

including poorer health outcomes, lower education levels, limited economic

participation, and higher poverty rates than persons without disabilities. They

often experience exclusion and barriers in accessing health services, education,

employment, transportation, information, care, and rehabilitation services.

Furthermore, households with disabled members are more likely to experience

material hardships–food insecurity, poor housing, lack of access to safe water and

sanitation, and inadequate access to healthcare. Thus, these limitations and

barriers hinder their full and effective participation in society and affect the

country's productive potential, the human capital. To increase 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 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. Through its various initiatives

and schemes, the Department for the Welfare of the Differently Abled (DWDAP)

has extended full support to the differently abled people in their pursuit of full and

equal involvement in every aspect of society. The DWDAP is mainly responsible

for all administrative, statutory and service delivery functions, which are

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 a 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 specialised

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 the autonomous 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, in the future also referred to as PD, and would have a

team of consultants. District Project Implementation Unit in each district will

oversee the activities at the district level headed by District Differently Abled

Welfare Officer (DDAWO). It will have a team of District Project Officers.

vi. To provide the overall process coordination of successful delivery of the

RIGHTS project, the DWDA for its RIGHTS PROJECT is seeking an interested

and qualified person to be engaged as an Audiologist cum Speech Language

Pathologist in the One Stop Social Care Service centre in each subdivision

during the project implementation.

3 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE

Under the supervision of the Centre Manager- OSC, the incumbent will be

responsible for the activities related to Speech Therapy and Audiology.

Assess speech, language, cognitive-communication, and

oral/feeding/swallowing skills. This lets them identify a problem and the best

way to treat it.

Evaluate, diagnose, treat, and manage hearing loss and balance disorders in

individuals of all ages from infants and teens to adults and the elderly.

The is responsible for the following. Audiologist cum Speech Language

Pathologist

i The roles and responsibilities of Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist

ae as follows,

Identify DAP’s developmental speech and communication difficulties/

disorders after getting the case referred by Case Manager

Screening, diagnosing, assessing and treating language, voice, speech fluency,

articulation, hearing and listening, swallowing, language and literacy skills,

alternate and augmentative communication skills.

Devise, implement and revise relevant treatment programs.

Guide/ Advise careers on implementing treatment programs.

Monitor and evaluate DAP’s progress and alter the treatment accordingly along

with maintaining their track records.

Work with DAPs on one-to-one basis, and in groups, to deliver therapy.

Ensure confidentiality of DAP’s case notes and reports, as well as any other

private information which DAPs doesn’t want to divulge.

Manage caseload taking account of priority cases, waiting lists, successful

outcomes, referral and discharge of service users.

Coordinate and liaise with other appropriate external channels for expert

advice/ guidance on any case as and when required.

Planning and delivering training sessions to DAPs as well as internal staff to

help them diagnose/ understand the criticality of such cases and take necessary

steps accordingly.

Train the caregivers in speech and hearing aspects.

Ensure proper record keeping like preparation and maintaining individual

progress reports, activity logs, treatment plans, quarterly reports on the overall

progress etc.

Responsible for the progression of speech and hearing-related issues of DAPs

in the center.

Any other relevant task/ activity as assigned by the Subdivision Officer for

Differently Abled

Need to deliver tele consultation for DAPs as per schedule.

Need to travel in Mobile unit for assessments and treatment.

Need to train the Block level team on Speech and hearing aspects

4 REPORTING AND REVIEW

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist will report to Centre Manager – OSC.

5 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The Speech Language Pathologist requires dynamic, experienced, and analytical

professionals with demonstrated experience in programs related to disability.

i) Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist should possess a Bachelor / Master

in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology.

ii) Preferably 3 years Post-qualification for master’s degree / 5 years Post-qualification

for Bachelor degree in areas relating to service delivery for persons with disabilities,

particularly in care, support, and rehabilitation services is preferred.

iii) Demonstrated understanding of centre-based rehabilitation activities related to

Speech Therapy & Audiology

• Preference will be given to Differently Abled Person

6. Skills Required

i) Capability to assess, evaluate and monitor the Speech and hearing aspects of

the differently abled people.

Technically sound enough to design and develop customized need-based tests/

tools/ procedures for the respective DAPs.

Ensure adherence with National Occupational Service Delivery Standards

Candidate must be a good observant, patient, reliable and a good listener along

with a desire to DAPs.

Must possess good documentation and reporting skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication in Tamil and English is required.

Computer proficiency and good knowledge of MS-office, or equivalent

computer applications are required. Typing knowledge in Hindi would be

preferred.

Ability to work in teams and liaise well with others

7. Remuneration

i) The remuneration for the Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist would be

Rs 35,000 per month. Only travel expenses will be paid additionally as per actuals.

The Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist will be at Subdivision level

OSC during the contract period. Speech Language Pathologists may require travel

as per Project requirements.

ii) Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist will have to attend OSC on all

working days unless on an official tour as approved by Centre Manager-OSC.

Audiologist cum Speech Language Pathologist may also be required to attend

office on holidays or need to travel on mobile unit as and when desired by

PD/DPIU/SPIU/other higher officials for disposal of urgent matters. However, no

extra remuneration will be paid for attending the office on holidays.