''Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Skill Development in Rural Karnataka"

Transforming Lives through Skilling: Empowering Persons with Disabilities in Rural Karnataka In the remote villages of northern Karnataka, I’ve witnessed how skill development can change lives. For persons with disabilities (PWDs), the journey to independence is challenging—barriers like limited education, societal stigma, and a lack of opportunities often stand in the way. Yet, with the right skilling programs, these challenges can be transformed into growth and empowerment.

Breaking Barriers PWDs in rural areas face unique obstacles. Traditional vocational programs often miss their specific needs, leading to a skills gap that hampers their employment prospects. For instance, Rajesh, a young man with a mobility impairment, struggled to find work due to a lack of specialized skills and local opportunities. Tailored Solutions To address these challenges, we developed targeted skilling programs for PWDs.

Collaborating with NGOs, government bodies, and private sector partners, we designed courses in trades like tailoring, mobile repair, and digital literacy, along with soft skills training to boost confidence. These programs are accessible and customized to different disabilities