History of Rehabilitation Psychology in India
The establishment of Rehabilitation Psychology in India is rooted in the development of disability rehabilitation. Historically, India being an agrarian country, had large populations living in rural areas. During the pre-independence era, the culture of community living was predominant in the villages. The villages formed an important role in treating persons with disabilities as equals and part of the community. The family was a major strength in providing care for persons with disabilities. For many years, rehabilitation services were done in an unorganized manner through the institution of family by involving them in the agricultural practices with their residual abilities along with social acceptance within the local community.
The changes in cultural and social practices brought with it changes in the treatment of persons with disabilities in society. With the British rule in India, the education system did not cater to children with disabilities. Christian missionaries played a significant role in providing disability rehabilitation. They established special schools and later the NGOs took on the responsibility of providing rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions. During the pre-independence period, lunatic asylums were established by East India Company that separated persons with mental illnesses from the mainstream society.
Post-Independence, the influence of urbanization and industrialization led to the need for restoring the optimal functioning of persons with disabilities. This gave rise to the movement of developing rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities in an organized manner. The drive to develop disability rehabilitation began during the 1980s and 1990s which was a result of various resolutions and recommendations made by the United Nations towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities. India as a member country of the UN, enacted various laws for the benefit and development of persons with disabilities. The fundamental rights in the Constitution of India are equally applicable and accessible for persons with disabilities. Currently, along with the fundamental rights, there are separate laws for persons with disabilities such as the RCI Act, PWD Act, National Trust Act, and the Mental Health Bill.
The formation of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) as a registered society in 1986 and later as a statutory body in 1993 laid the foundation for training professionals in the field of Rehabilitation Psychology. With the advancement of technology and the increasing number of people living with disabilities and chronic health conditions led to the further development of disability rehabilitation. Meanwhile, in 2000, the RCI Act 1992 was amended under the ambit of a larger act, namely, Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of rights and Full Participation) Act. The psychologists working in various special schools, rehabilitation centres, hospitals, and healthcare settings too focused on helping the individuals to adjust to the disability. This called for training professionals in Rehabilitation Psychology to meet the needs of persons with disabilities to help them to maximize independence, health, and over wellbeing. It’s been almost two decades since the recognition of rehabilitation psychology as a clinical speciality in the field of psychology by RCI.
References:
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Golden, C., 1984. Current Topics In Rehabilitation Psychology. Orlando: Grune & Stratton.
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Kundu, L.C.(2000).Status of Disability in India-2000. Rehabilitation Council of India. Retrieved from http://www.rehabcouncil.nic.in/writereaddata/Cover_Page.pdf
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Ponnuchamy, L. (2016). HISTORY OF PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION IN INDIA. International Journal of Research – Granthaalayah, Vol. 4(3), 53-58.