Persons with challenges should be able to live a complete and meaningful life. They may face certain problems in day-to-day life. Here, you can find information on employment, housing and various support schemes for persons with challenges.
Employment constitutes a critical element of independent living. Employment as a means of earning one’s own livelihood is integral to self esteem and self actualisation. It allows a person to live a life of dignity. At Amrit, we hold the view that Persons with Challenges (PwC) have an equal right to employment as other adult citizens of our country. Faulty and demeaning stereotypes that guide prevalent attitudes in society have been the core of the biased treatment of PwC when it comes to employment opportunities.
Things are changing. India has moved to a more inclusive legislative and policy framework. The passage of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act in 2016 -which seeks to protect PwC from all forms of discrimination- is just one of several steps that the government has taken in this direction. Conscious capitalism is pushing companies to look at PwC as an important stakeholder.
India is discovering good reasons to embrace and employ PwC!
The first step towards employment begins with skilling and professional training. PwC often demonstrate high ability in the creative fields such as painting, photography, culinary arts, dance, music etc. These could be a means of their livelihood and where in sync with the job description could add to the overall capabilities of the organisation.A number of vocational centres are available to provide skills to facilitate the transition from school to work. These centres have studied the skill sets and interests of PwC, and tailor their training for jobs that are best suited to PwC.
Some of these vocational centres are:
Opportunities in Government
The Department of Empowerment of Person with Disabilities, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), Government of India is responsible for providing job opportunities.
Government has opened up job opportunities in the public sector with 1% mandatory reservation of jobs for PwC in central government enterprises/ offices and educational institutions.
Government supports the Special Olympics for the persons with disabilities, and encourages them to take up sports as a career option.
Opportunities in Private sector
Several companies have taken a strong positive position with respect to employing PwC. Stand out companies include:
A list of employers that employ PwCs in India is available on our website. Click
In India, an adult with intellectual or developmental challenge is expected to continue living with her parents. We at Amrit, believe that this must change as the child grows into adulthood. Persons with challenges (PwCs) also desire independence and are entitled to it. They have an equal right to own a house, perhaps marry and raise their own family so that they can live a fulfilling life. For those PwC who require various levels of support, there are several residential options such as in-home support providers, shared living and adult day care.
In-home care providers can help PwCs develop and maintain independent living skills, such as personal hygiene, dressing, feeding, ambulatory needs, cooking and cleaning. Shared living provides 24-hour personal care and is for people who need more than periodic support. Another alternative is adult day care programs, which provide supportive services for the person’s physical and emotional well-being, healthcare, social and recreational activities.
Various government and private initiatives are in place to ensure independent living for people with challenges:
Housing Schemes in Government Sector:
http://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/content/page/nationals-institutes-and-crcs.php
Housing Facilities in Private Sector:
Interaction with people facing similar obstacles can prove to be a source of immense strength and encouragement. Support Groups serve this purpose perfectly, as group members provide mutual support to each other in order to help each other with their problems. These groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information, thoughts and insights. We at Amrit, would like to encourage you to reach out, open up and share your experiences with others who are going through the same turmoil and difficulties as you are. These Support Groups are in existence both for Persons with Challenges (PwC) as well as their parents/ caregivers.
Support Groups for Parents of PwC
Support Groups are helpful for parents who have children with challenges. Not only do they provide valuable information and assistance, they also help you to look after yourself – your own mental health, anxiety, depression, etc. This will help you to give your children the support they deserve. Here are some Parent Support Groups:
Support Groups for PwC
Persons with challenges can have huge benefits by being part of a Support Group. Support Groups allow you to expand your social network and gain confidence, thus overcoming your difficulties in social interaction. Communicating with your peers improves your ability to express yourself and gain insight as to how you can take control of your life and tackle the problems you face. Some PwC Support Groups are:
A list of support groups for PwCs and their parents in Delhi-NCR is available on our website. Click
The Department for Empowerment of People with Disabilities in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal body of the Government of India.
Its statutory body, the National Trust works to provide opportunities for capacity development to persons with disabilities and their families, fulfilling their rights, and promoting an inclusive society. The National Trust has a number of schemes for persons with intellectual challenges, ranging from early intervention for children to housing and care facilities. More information on these government schemes is available on the National Trust website.
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