Competitive exam coaching centre at NIEPMD opens a new innings

The Competitive Exam Coaching Centre run by National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disability (NIEPMD) in Chennai offers free coaching for candidates to get a government job under the new rules. Organisations are required to open up jobs for those with autism spectrum disorder, Down’s syndrome, specific learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities

Twenty-eight-year-old I Haran Nataraj is gearing up for his first day at work, which should be in the third week of August. Diagonised with Specific Learning Disability while he was a toddler, Haran cleared two rounds of written examinations conducted by the Food Corporation of India and has been selected for the post of Assistant grade III (General). “I do not have much information about what my work will be but I am told that I would be reporting to the regional head office in Chetpet,” says Haran, who graduated in BA (English) from Kumararani Meena Muthiah College of Arts and Science.

Haran is the first candidate from the Competitive Exam Coaching Centre run by National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disability (NIEPMD) to get a government job.

Started in 2022, this free coaching centre is aimed at preparing persons with Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Illness, Specific Learning Disability and Multiple Disabilities for a Governmental placement.

The centre is run from 10 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on all weekdays.

K Balabaskar, lecturer, Department of Adult Independent Living, says currently 12 students are enrolled with the centre and this includes three with autism spectrum disorder, two with multiple disability, two with intellectual disability and one with dwarfism and loco motor disability.

“Like any competitive exams, candidates are trained in numerical ability, reasoning, current affairs, English and general knowledge. We hire faculty to train these candidates, some of who require mindful attention,” says Balabaskar. In certain categories of disability, a candidate can enlist the help of a scribe to take the examination.

These youngsters are also trained in interview and soft skills, personal hygiene, independent travelling, life skills, decision making and problem solving. They are provided with access to computer with Internet facility and a library on the campus.