Vocational Training for the Disabled

Self Employment for the Physically Challenged

The Tej Kohli Foundation has chosen to assist in providing vocational training for the disabled, especially from amongst the poorer sections of society.

We are, at present, in the process of drawing up a plan of action in this area and will be ready to announce it in the near future. In this regard, we would be happy to receive any suggestions you might have.

While no firm figures are available, it is unofficially estimated that between 4 and 8 per cent of the population in India (between 40 and 90 million people) have disabilities. Official estimates are lower at about 2 per cent of the population.

The majority of the disabled have mild to moderate disabilities.

More than a decade ago, India passed a landmark legislation to promote the rights of the disabled and to enable them to fully participate in society, and this law has helped achieve progress in some areas.

"Despite legislation, problems remain, as a result of the limitations of institutional capacity and the deep-rooted societal attitudes toward disabled people in India. People with disabilities suffer from neglect, and there is a lack of awareness of their rights, amongst service providers and within the community," Mr Tej Kohli points out. “It is also true that the rate of employment of disabled people is falling, marginalizing them even further.”

“Apart from deprivation of the disabled themselves, there are also effects on society and the economy at large, in terms of under-developed human capital, and has an impact on their families and communities, “he continues.

"There is a clear need for a multi-faceted approach to help disabled people to realize their full individual potential and to maximize their personal and economic contribution to society," Mr Kohli explains.

The Foundation feels this should include strengthening preventive and curative health care services, ensuring inclusion in education, and increasing the participation of disabled in the workplace. There is also need for improvements in available information on disability and reducing stigma about disability.

Additionally the Foundation feels, efforts will be needed to minimize disabilities through programs such as through immunizationd, early detection and rehabilitation.

“Most importantly, we need effective programs to ensure the inclusion of the disabled in basic services such as education, health and social protection”, Mr Kohli says.

The number of people with disabilities caused by communicable diseases is falling, but the number of those caused by accidents and injuries is increasing. Some impairment, such as those connected to speech and hearing, are caused primarily by illness and disease, while others, such as visual disability, are driven by factors such as age.

Children with disabilities (CWD) have very high out-of-school rates compared to other children. There is a higher illiteracy rate among the disabled, especially among children with visual and mental disabilities.

The percentage of disabled children who are out of school is about five and half times the general rate and around four times the rate for Scheduled Tribes. There is evidence to show that CWD rarely progress beyond primary school making it easy to conclude that disabled people also have significantly lower employment rates than average, and the gap is increasing even though the large majority of people with disabilities (PWD) in India are capable of productive work.

"It is clear that improving job prospects for the disabled will be critical for improving their welfare and also ensuring that society as a whole can benefit from its full labor potential. Unfortunately, initiatives in this regard so far have had only marginal impact," Mr Kohli points out.

“First and foremost, there is a need to bring about a change in perceptions about the productive contribution that disabled people can make to society,” he stresses.

“First and foremost, there is a need to bring about a change in perceptions about the productive contribution that disabled people can make to society,” he stresses.

Therefore, it is easy for us to understand that disabled people also have significantly lower employment rates than average, and the gap is increasing. This is so despite the fact that the large majority of people with disabilities (PWD) in India are capable of productive work.

"It is clear that improving job prospects for the disabled will be critical for improving their welfare and also ensuring that society as a whole can benefit from its full labour potential. Unfortunately, initiatives in this regard so far have had only marginal impact," Mr Kohli points out.

First and foremost, there is a need to bring about a change in perceptions about the productive contribution that disabled people can make to society, he stresses.

The Government's Vocational Rehabilitation Centres are playing a role, but have been able to make only a limited impact. Many non-governmental organisations are also active in this area. Most have an urban bias and cater to very few women trainees. There is also a shortage of qualified trainers, Mr Kohli adds.