The Institute has been mandated to carry out the following core functions;

1. Conduct teacher training courses for teachers in various fields of education of children with special needs and disabilities
2. Conduct in-service courses for personnel working in all fields of special needs education
3. Prepare and conduct correspondence courses for personnel in the field of special needs education
4. Run an educational and psychological assessment centre for the training of teachers of children with special needs education
5. Run an orientation and mobility centre for training and demonstration purposes
6. Run a model training unit for the integration and inclusion of children with special needs and disabilities into the regular schools
7. Run a pre-school department where training and the stimulation of young children with special needs and disabilities can be carried out for the purpose of teacher training
8. Function as a resource centre for the production and dissemination of information to the general public on special needs and disabilities
9. Run a documentation and resource centre on special needs and disabilities
10. Conduct research in special needs education
11. Maintain, repair, design, produce and assemble special materials and equipment for persons with special needs and disabilities