“Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes

doesn’t mean he lacks vision.”

• Mere 1% of disabled people are able to find jobs in public
instituitions despite the fact that there is 3% reservation for
disabled in the government sector and that the government has
set up 28 employment exchanges to source employment avenues
for the disabled.
• The average employment rate for specially abled in public sector
is 0.54%.
• 119 universities which were surveyed all over the country have a
total of only 1635 disabled students.
• Politicians ignore their development as they do not consider
 CHALLENGES
• inadequate job identification process : Not all the jobs are fit for the
disabled but this does not mean that there are no jobs available for
them. The only need is to identify those jobs in which the disability does
not become an obstacle but is a boon.
• Limited Approach: Governments approach is in giving incentives to the
persons with disability like pensions which prevents them from taking
jobs. Many parents prevent their children from moving into city for jobs
as they will lose the pension which is a low Rs.500 -1000 a month.
• Difficulty in accessing schemes: There are government departments which
deal with giving technology aids like laptops, hearing aids to the persons
with disability. Accessing them, however, is difficult. As a result, India which
has the largest number of visually impaired and hearing impaired find it
difficult to enroll into higher education or professional courses.
• Low literacy levels: Literacy levels are low among children of all categories
of disability. According to the World Bank, illiteracy is 52% among
disabled versus 35% in the general population with female illiteracy
being 64% against disabled male illiteracy of 43%.
• Lack of self-esteem and confidence: The social isolation of persons with
disability restricts their access to social networks, especially of friends and family
members that could help in finding them employment. In rural areas, persons
with disability are ridiculed or get bullied. Sometime the parents also don’t take
them along for social gatherings, etc., due to the stigma.
• Overprotective parents: Many parents are very protective about their disabled
children, many persons with disability are dependent either on their parents,
siblings and friends for small tasks, which makes it difficult for them to
independently seek employment. Most of the time they are escorted by their
parents/relatives, whereas companies stress they want persons with disability
who are independent.
• Poor knowledge of English: Rural aspirants with reasonable qualifications have
very poor knowledge in English. Sometimes they cannot even spell/write their
village name in English. This is a big challenge to make them work ready in many
service sector jobs, including data entry operator, where minimum English
knowledge is necessary.
• Representation in Trade Unions: Article 27 of UNCRPD states, "Ensure that
persons with disabilities are able to exercise their labour and trade union rights
on an equal basis with others”. To date, disabled employees are not represented
in trade unions. As a result of which trade unions have not taken up issues of
disabled workers.
 Understanding Disability and the relevant laws pertaining to the same: Awareness of
disability causes and rights is low in India. Most people avoid the disabled because
they experience a degree of awkwardness in dealing with them. The first step in
preparing the organization for the employment of disabled people is to inform all
employees about the different types of disability and the appropriate way to interact
with such employees.
 Identifying positions suitable for handicapped through job analysis: For instance jobs
that require heavy lifting or continuous physical effort might not fit the bill for people
who have impaired limbs. Or jobs that require precise vision cannot be handled by
partially blind people. Specific jobs must be identified and efforts can be made to hire
disabled people these positions.

 Improving infrastructure: HR and the Facilities manager should collaborate to revamp

the building with accommodations required by law in many of the developed
countries. . Some of the changes they need to consider are-
Entry and exit ramps for wheel chairs. Doors that will open with a switch, relocation of
door swiping equipment, smooth passage inside the buildings, handrails on all ramps
Renovating the restroom, cafeteria and lounge facilities to enable easy movement.
Upgrading or providing different equipment to suit changed requirements such as Braille
key boards, ergonomically suitable work stations, acquiring new suitable machinery that
can be handled by people with limb disability and so on.
 Inclusion of Persons with disability in trade unions : Workshops should be organized to
sensitize trade unions on the necessity of including persons with disability as members
to increase awareness of the rights of the Persons with disability, encourage hiring and
their special needs are met at the workplace.
• Develop an Employment Portal for Persons with Disability: An
employment portal can be developed which will become a one-stop shop
for disability and employment. The disabled people can easily log into this
portal and find suitable jobs for themselves.
• Creating awareness within the organization: One of the biggest
challenges in employing people with varied capabilities is the attitude of
co- workers. As part of their diversity program, organizations need to run
educational programs that focus on appropriate behaviour with differently
abled people. Training programs can be conducted which can include
teaching the co-workers basic sign language so as avoid isolation of
disabled people.
• Counselling facilities to disabled persons: Free psychological counselling
facilities need to be opened up at various centers in both urban and rural
setting. This will bring confidence and the will to live to the disabled. More
special schools at both rural and urban need to be constructed so that the
disabled have a fair chance of accessing education.
• Introducing commercial vehicles for Disabled persons: Government
should provide a commercial vehicle to disabled improve themselves
economically e.g. a Truck/lorry, mini bus the duty free facility is not open.
The vehicle should be for their personal usage.