It is with pride and honour to introduce our Department of Intellectual Impairment and Development Difficulties (IIDD) in to our esteemed clients, especially the would be prospective future students and individuals who would wish to join the department as staff members (teaching, as well as non-teaching). Intellectual impairment is a condition that creates learning disability for individuals such as those with specific difficulties in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. In the past, categories of people under this condition would be referred to as individuals with mental handicap, or mental retardation. In Britain, for instance, they would be regarded as individuals who were educationally-subnormal (and classified as mild, moderate and severe). Special Residential Schools for such learners would therefore be labelled as Special Schools for Educationally sub-Normal (ESN). Somewhere in the United States of America terminologies like hard to teach mild, moderate, severe, profound, were used. In many other countries learners with intellectual impairment were called imbecile, morons and idiots. Such harsh, negative, derogative and demeaning attitudes were freely upheld by different members of society the world over. With time however, the negativity began to reduce and take a rather more acceptable outlook. In Britain, for example, from 1981, individuals under this condition began to be defined as individuals with learning difficulties. Uganda, too, adopted this form of definition, until about 20 years ago when, throughout the world, the term intellectual (or cognitive) impairment was preferred and adopted.
Empowering Education: Courses for Inclusive and Special Needs Training
Our courses are crafted to advance teacher training and equip professionals with the skills needed to support individuals with intellectual impairments and developmental difficulties, fostering independence and inclusive education.
Contribution to Global, regional and National Policy and Frameworks
The Department of Intellectual Impairment and Development Difficulties (IIDD) operates in accordance with the Global, regional and National Policy Frameworks. At the global stage, IIDD programmes and activities are focused on the contribution to the achievement of not only the undermentioned key international policies and frameworks.
To be a Centre of Excellence in building capacities for Teaching, Learning, Research, and Rehabilitation of Intellectual Impairment and Developmental Difficulties in Uganda and Beyond.
To develop and provide professional training services and scientific knowledge that people with intellectual impairment and developmental difficulties, their caregivers, and other forms of disabilities may be able to use to maximize their functioning, become independent and regain self-confidence for active participation and inclusion in society.
The department strives to achieve the following specific objectives
- To develop graduate, undergraduate degree programmes in the field of intellectual impairment and development difficulties.
- To conduct scientific research in the field of intellectual impairment and behavioral problems, inform and influence practices in the field.
- To develop professional skills enhancement short-courses based on market demands for empowerment of persons with intellectual impairment.
- To provide specialist and technical support services on intellectual impairment and behavior problem management for persons with intellectual impairment, actors for quality services provision to persons with intellectual impairment.
- To collaborate with the government, national and international nongovernmental organizations in planning, implementation of development programmes aimed at improving wellbeing of persons with intellectual impairment in Uganda.
- To create and/or popularize innovations, assessment devices and technologies that appreciate local context and support empowerment of persons with intellectual impairment in Uganda.
Technical Services
The IIDD department has specialist staff who offer various cost-effective technical support services and training to persons with visual impairment and caregivers to enable independent living, inclusion and participation of persons with intellectual impairment.
Academic Programmes
Currently, the department provides technical support to Special Needs Educational study programmes in the faculty that comprise:
- PhD in Special Needs Education (GDSN),
- Master in Special Needs Education (GMSN),
- Postgraduate Diploma in Special Needs Education (GPSN), and
- Bachelor of Special Needs Education (BSNE) of Kyambogo University.
The department also supports services in teaching and research on intellectual impairment studies through Distance Education programmes of Kyambogo University and its affiliated Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs) across the country. IIDD department is in the process of developing various graduate and undergraduate programmes to include areas such as: autism, dyslexia, communication difficulties, behavior management, assessment and early intervention for individuals with intellectual impairment. This will definitely bring about paradigm ship, whereby rather than concentrating on training and upgrading teachers for intellectual impairment, Advanced Level (non-teachers) will be admitted in the department to qualify and be able to provide other essential services than the tradition education services for individuals with intellectual impairment.
Staff
The department has distinguished professionals in intellectual impairment and behavior management techniques and developmental difficulties.
| Title & Name | Position | View Profile |
|---|---|---|
|
Dr. Okech John Baptist, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor |
|
|
Dr. Nakalule Juliet Wamala, Ph.D |
Lecturer |
|
|
Asiku Caesar Odama |
Teacher – Intellectual Impairment-ECLAC |
|
|
Namale Mildred |
Teacher – Intellectual Impairment-ECLAC |
|
|
Kyazze Betty |
Child Attendant-ECLAC |
Discover innovative projects by the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation at Kyambogo University for enhancing education and support.
Explore the diverse academic programs offered by Kyambogo University’s Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation.
Learn about the various departments within the Faculty of Special Needs and Rehabilitation at Kyambogo University.