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SIRDS
SAHARA Institute of Rehabilitation & Development STUDIES
Shape bright futures with Specialized Rehabilitation Education
Explore career-focused programs at SIRDS designed for students who want to build meaningful careers in special education, early intervention, rehabilitation psychology, developmental therapy, and disability rehabilitation management.
5 Courses
Career-oriented rehabilitation and special education programs in one page.
2Y / 1Y
B.Ed. Spl. Ed. (ASD) is 2 years, while the diploma programs are 1 year.
Future-Ready
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Why choose SIRDS?
A focused academic platform for rehabilitation education with industry-relevant learning, practical exposure, student-centered support, and social-impact careers.
Designed to inspire students, parents, and future professionals
Specialized Programs
Courses tailored for disability rehabilitation, therapy, counseling, teaching, and inclusive education roles.
Skill + Knowledge
Strong focus on theory, practical work, intervention methods, field training, and professional readiness.
Meaningful Careers
Build a profession that creates social change while offering long-term stability and growth opportunities.
Career Pathways
Prepare for roles in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, NGOs, therapy units, and community programs.
Guided by Vision, Driven by Purpose
Our Vision
To build a transformative and inclusive future where innovation, service, and excellence come together to create meaningful impact. Our vision is to inspire growth, empower communities, and establish a lasting legacy through leadership that values people, progress, and purpose.
Our Mission
Our mission is to deliver quality, integrity, and purposeful action through strategic leadership and collaborative efforts. We are committed to nurturing trust, promoting development, and driving sustainable success by focusing on service, innovation, and human-centered values.
Shankar Matam
Matam Shankar is the founder of Sahara Health and Development Society and a passionate advocate for inclusive social progress. With a career that bridges academia, healthcare, and public service, he has led the creation of transformative programs in healthcare, education, disability care, and rural development. A multi-disciplinary professional, Shankar holds academic degrees in Public Health, Hospital Administration, and Psychology. He is a Research Scholar in Development Studies, with a focus on building sustainable, community-centered models for empowerment and inclusion. He is also a Fellow in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Local Governance, reflecting his commitment to aligning grassroots action with global development frameworks. Through his leadership, Sahara has grown into a platform that combines institutional capability with community participation, working tirelessly to improve the lives of children with disabilities, senior citizens, rural populations, and economically marginalized groups.Matam Shankar continues to inspire and guide a dedicated team that shares his vision of building a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society.
Prathima Sambram
Prathima Sambram serves as the Executive Director of Sahara, a non-profit organization dedicated to delivering inclusive healthcare, rehabilitation, and social welfare services across India. A qualified development professional, she brings a wealth of experience in designing and executing multi-sectoral programs, particularly in the fields of public health, disability care, community outreach, and rural development. Known for her meticulous attention to micro-management and operational detail, Prathima ensures that all programs are implemented with efficiency, transparency, and a deep commitment to beneficiary outcomes. Her leadership has significantly strengthened Sahara’s capacity to reach marginalized and vulnerable populations, making essential services more accessible, affordable, and sustainable. Her strategic vision and results-driven approach have been pivotal in scaling the organization's impact while upholding its mission of equity, dignity, and social empowerment.
Five professional programs for impactful careers
B.Ed. Special Education (ASD)
A professional teacher-education program focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder, inclusive education, intervention strategies, pedagogy, assessment, and school practice.
- Best for students who want to become special educators.
- Includes theory, practicum, disability specialization, and school internship.
- Strong pathway into schools, inclusive settings, and rehabilitation centers.
Eligibility
Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% marks (Relaxation as per norms)
Career
Special Educator, Autism Therapist, NGO / School Specialist
Benefits
High demand career, global opportunities, job satisfaction
Duration
2 Years (4 Semesters)
Medium
English
PGDDT
Post Graduate Diploma in Developmental Therapy with emphasis on multiple disabilities, physical and neurological conditions, functional development, and therapy-based intervention.
- Designed for physical and functional therapeutic intervention.
- Strong foundation in anatomy, development, disability, and assessment.
- Ideal for students looking at rehabilitation and therapy roles.
Eligibility
Graduation with 50%. Relevant degrees or any degree with disability experience / allied rehabilitation course. Master’s in related fields also eligible.
Career
Developmental Therapist, Rehabilitation Professional, Therapy Assistant, Child Development Specialist, NGO Worker
Benefits
High demand field, strong therapy skills, practical learning, social impact, good career growth
Duration
1 Year + Internship
Medium
English
PGDEI
Post Graduate Diploma in Early Intervention for infants and toddlers at risk or with developmental delay, with strong focus on assessment, intervention, family guidance, and multidisciplinary support.
- Excellent for students passionate about child development.
- Focused on early detection and early habilitation services.
- Useful for hospitals, child development centers, and preschool support roles.
Eligibility
Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% marks (Relaxation as per norms)
Career
Early Intervention, Special Education, Therapy, Rehabilitation, Early Childhood, Consultancy
Benefits
High demand field, work with young children, strong child development skills, opportunities in schools & hospitals, early impact on children’s lives, good career growth & stability
Duration
1 Year (Full time)
Medium
English and/or Regional Language (depending on the institute)
PGDRP
Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology that prepares candidates in counseling, disability understanding, psychosocial support, rehabilitation assessment, and case management.
- Built for students interested in counseling and rehabilitation psychology services.
- Includes counseling records, case work, and field-based practical training.
- Strong value for clinical, educational, and community support careers.
Eligibility
Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% marks (Relaxation as per norms)
Career
Rehabilitation Psychologist, Counselor, Mental Health Professional, Special Education Support, Consultant, NGO/Healthcare Roles
Benefits
High demand field, strong psychology & counseling skills, jobs in hospitals & NGOs, supports mental well-being, good growth & stability, meaningful career
Duration
1 Year (Full-Time) – 2 Semesters with Practicum & Project
Medium
English
PGDDRM
Post Graduate Diploma in Disability Rehabilitation Management focused on administration, project management, disability systems, community organization, and rehabilitation service leadership.
- Ideal for students aiming at project, policy, and management roles.
- Emphasizes governance, documentation, networking, and resource mobilization.
- Strong fit for NGOs, institutions, hospitals, and social development sector.
Eligibility
Bachelor’s Degree with minimum 50% marks (Relaxation as per norms)
Career
Rehabilitation Manager, Project Coordinator, Program Officer, Community Worker, Social Welfare Officer, Rehabilitation Consultant
Benefits
High demand field, roles in NGOs & healthcare, leadership skills, social impact, good growth & stability, urban & rural opportunities
Duration
1 Year (Full-Time) – 2 Semesters + Practicum
Medium
English
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Course-wise eligibility, benefits, and career opportunities
B.Ed. Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
This program prepares special educators to work with children and young adults with disabilities, including autism, in inclusive, special, open, and home-based education settings.
- Minimum eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks; relaxation as per applicable norms.
- Specialization includes Autism Spectrum Disorder under B.Ed. Special Education framework.
- Covers assessment, curriculum adaptation, intervention strategies, technology, psycho-social issues, and school engagement.
Benefits & Career Opportunities
- High-demand career in special and inclusive education.
- Opportunity to work as Special Educator, Autism Support Teacher, Inclusive Education Professional, School Intervention Specialist, NGO Education Specialist.
- Strong social impact and long-term professional relevance.
- Useful for school-based intervention, IEP support, inclusive classrooms, and rehabilitation centers.
- Excellent option for students passionate about autism and educational transformation.
PGDDT – Post Graduate Diploma in Developmental Therapy
Focused on developmental therapy for multiple disabilities with physical and neurological conditions, this course prepares learners for physical and functional therapeutic intervention.
- Minimum 50% marks in graduation.
- Eligible backgrounds include Home Science, Human Biology, Anthropology, Zoology, Botany, Medical Sciences, Paramedical Sciences, or other degrees with disability-related hands-on experience / allied rehabilitation course.
- Also accepts relevant master’s qualifications in Child Development, Social Work, and allied areas as defined in the curriculum.
- Builds expertise in development, anatomy, physiology, assessment, intervention, and community/family-based rehabilitation.
Benefits & Career Opportunities
- Strong hands-on therapy-focused career path.
- Can support roles such as Developmental Therapist, Rehabilitation Professional, Early Support Practitioner, Therapy Assistant/Coordinator, Community Rehabilitation Worker.
- Useful for child development centres, special schools, rehabilitation centres, NGOs, and therapy-based programs.
- Excellent for students who want practical skill + social impact career combination.
- Builds holistic and cost-effective rehabilitation understanding.
PGDEI – Post Graduate Diploma in Early Intervention
Designed to train professionals to identify, assess, plan, and support infants and toddlers who are disabled, at risk, or showing developmental delay, with strong focus on family and community involvement.
- Eligibility includes MBBS / BAMS / BUMS / BSMS / BNYS or equivalent; BOT / BPT / BASLP / B.Ed-SE or equivalent; B.Sc. Nursing; or postgraduate study in Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, Child Development or equivalent.
- 50% aggregate for general candidates and 40% for SC/ST candidates as stated in the curriculum.
- Focuses on assessment, intervention, family support, record maintenance, and early childhood habilitation.
- Strong multidisciplinary orientation.
Benefits & Career Opportunities
- High demand in early childhood and developmental support settings.
- Career options include Early Intervention Specialist, Child Development Professional, Early Childhood Support Educator, Family Guidance Professional, Rehabilitation Worker.
- Scope in pediatric units, child guidance clinics, early intervention centres, preschool programs, and district/community health settings.
- Ideal for students passionate about child development and early developmental impact.
- Very meaningful course for preventive and early-stage intervention work.
PGDRP – Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology
This course prepares rehabilitation counselors who can support persons with disability in personal, vocational, educational, and psychosocial adjustment through counseling and rehabilitation services.
- Entry requirement includes Bachelor’s degree with general psychology in all three years, or Master’s degree in any branch of psychology, or Master’s in counseling psychology.
- Minimum 55% aggregate; 50% for SC/ST/OBC as mentioned in the framework.
- Builds competencies in counseling, assessment interpretation, family support, vocational planning, and rehabilitation case management.
- Includes supervised practical work and counseling records submission.
Benefits & Career Opportunities
- Excellent path for counseling-oriented rehabilitation careers.
- Possible roles include Rehabilitation Counselor, Counseling Professional, Rehabilitation Psychology Support Specialist, Case Manager, NGO / School / Center-based counselor.
- Useful across rehabilitation centres, schools, disability-focused organizations, and community settings.
- Strong humanistic and client-centered professional direction.
- Great fit for psychology students wanting disability-sector specialization.
PGDDRM – Post Graduate Diploma in Disability Rehabilitation Management
A management-oriented course designed for disability rehabilitation organizations, projects, institutions, and programs that need qualified administrators and project managers.
- Eligibility includes registered rehabilitation professional/personnel with graduation; or degree in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Disability Studies preferably with 1 year experience in disability; or graduation in medicine.
- Built for project management, documentation, networking, resource mobilization, evaluation, and implementation.
- Supports professionalization of financial, personnel, and HR functions in disability rehabilitation organizations.
- Designed for management and governance roles.
Benefits & Career Opportunities
- Ideal for students aiming at leadership and administrative roles.
- Career paths include Rehabilitation Manager, Project Coordinator, Program Officer, NGO Administrator, Community Program Manager, Social Sector Consultant.
- Useful across NGOs, government organizations, international organizations, disability development institutions, and hospital-linked services.
- Builds leadership, systems thinking, documentation, and sustainability skills.
- Great option for people who want impact + management career growth.
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