BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are individuals who suffer from long-term physical,
mental, intellectual and/or sensory impairments; therefore, limiting their interactions and possible
contribution to the society. disability is a complex phenomenon that happens to a person. They are
exceptional individuals with likes and dislikes, abilities, interests, and skills. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), barriers are more than just the physical obstacles. There are
many factors which affects the living quality of PWDs such as inaccessible environment and public
transportation, lacks assistive devices, negative perception towards their disability, services, and
systems that hinder their participation in all areas of life.

In accordance to WHO, there are over a billion or about 15% of the world’s population
have disability. There is a probability that they’ll grow in numbers due to population increase and
ageing, and chronic health diseases.

People with disabilities are diverse group of people with extensive varieties of needs. The
related conditions to them are activity limitations and participation restrictions. Activity limitation
is a hindrance facing by an individual in performing a task or action; while a participation
restriction is a problem experienced by an individual in doing normal daily activities.
Some disabilities are hidden or hardly able to see therefore their social involvement is
unsatisfactory and low. PWDs are often times neglected in our society and discriminated, and
considered as marginalized. They receive limited healthcare services, education, and livelihood
opportunities.

The history of vocational training/rehabilitation can be traced back in the early 19th century. The
Perkins Institute was the first rehab started in Boston in 1829. In this institute, blind people were trained
so that they could get jobs in the manufacturing industry. However, such types of training programs were
very few. More such programs were started towards the end of the century, when Progressivism started
to gain strength. Rehabilitation (2010). History of Vocational Rehabilitation. Retrieved from
mhtml:file://H:/his2.mht, assessed on Sep. 26th, 2012.
PWDs: A part of the Society

According to the United Nations, there are approximately 650 million people or 10% of the world’s
population has a disability and 80% of these are from developing countries. It is expected to
increase in the coming decades as an effect of population growth and other external factors like
ageing, diseases, and conflicts.

PWDs are often excluded and indeed a marginalized sector in the society. But according to
Australian Aid (AusAID) Minister Counsellor Octavia Borthwick, they are ‘normal part of human
experience’. It is not a problem the public should address but a natural existence every country
should deal with. Disabilities are oftentimes acquired at birth, during accidents or medical
conditions, some circumstances one cannot avoid.

But contrary to what the word ‘disabled’ implies, PWDs as we know are not totally incapacitated.
They may lack some sensory or physical abilities but they know how to live with these difficulties.

“I think it’s just a matter of self-confidence. You shall never pity yourself even though you’re not
physically complete. It’s wrong,” Palmes advised.

Some of the problems faced by PWDs, according to NCDA, are inaccessible public transportation
and healthcare systems, limited livelihood and education opportunities, poverty, and
discrimination – including media discrimination.
SITE ANALYSIS

S.N. Name of Training Types of PWDs involved

1 Chalk making, candle making, sewing, cutting, waiter/waitress, Physical, Deaf, speech,
intellectual

2 Bamboo craft, handicraft, goods packaging, music, white can making, Physical, Deaf, speech,
blind, intellectual, multiple

3 Painting, multiple, deaf, physical

4 House keeping, vegetable farming, livestock , bee keeping, flower farming physical, deaf,
speech,

5 Radio, TV, watch, cycle and motorcycle repair and maintenance

Physical, Deaf, speech, multiple

6 Wood craft physical, deaf, speech, multiple

7 Liquid Soap making Blind Some other possible area of trainings.

S.N. Name of Training Types of PWDs can be involved

1 Computer software operation skill (Basically office package), computer maintenance

(Hardware and Software), physical, blind, deaf, speech

2 Mobile repair and maintenance physical, deaf,

3 Secretarial service and reception handling Blind, physical

4 Graphic designing, cyber operation, computer networking physical, deaf, speech

5 Offset Printing, Thanka Painting Physical, Deaf, Speech