In India, an estimated 2.68 Crore Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) seek opportunities
and support through collective actions to develop inclusive and empowering ecosystems
with a deep interface with technological solutions. These ecosystems are required to align
aspirational windows and sustainable models of income generation, thus establishing meaningful inclusion on ground.
Entrepreneurship and Employment emerge as viable avenues for individuals with
disabilities to achieve financial independence, involving the creation of opportunities and
the establishment of self-sufficiency. With the aim of advancing this, the aspiration is to
explore the necessary systemic adjustments crucial for a meaningful change. The pivotal
role of technology in driving large-scale transformation becomes evident in this context.
The interventions and subsequent assistance could focus on building a multidimensional
perspective for a more robust and inclusive economy, emphasizing Employment,
Entrepreneurship, and Technology-enabled solutions for PwDs. This approach seeks
to not only build a more empowered, equitable, and diverse society but also to
acknowledge challenges actively and solve them through innovation.
The importance of employment and entrepreneurship for individuals with disabilities
extends beyond economic considerations, embracing broader societal inclusion and
empowerment. To advance this vision, the American India Foundation aims to support the
forward-thinking initiatives of the Government of India towards Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs) by exploring policy-level collaborations through thought provoking events like the
“Future of Livelihoods.”
This platform aims to facilitate multilateral dialogues around the government’s initiative to
reserve jobs for PwDs in the public, private, and multinational sectors, prompting the call
for disability-inclusive culture, guidelines, infrastructure and policies. To support this,
collaboration becomes essential in order to explore innovative opportunities for:
government interventions, CSR initiatives, and investment ventures by CSOs, all aimed at
achieving the overarching objective of doubling the number of PwDs engaged in the
formal sector employment and strengthening the entrepreneurial landscape.
The ultimate goal is to converge, dismantle existing barriers, and strategically
employ technology to construct ecosystems that are truly inclusive, fostering an
environment where the diverse abilities of every individual are valued and integrated.
