Microscope | November 2024

In this issue, we showcase our projects, which will continue in further editions, and talk about livelihood amongst people with disabilities through a report. By presenting empirical research and evidence-based insights, we strive to enrich the ongoing discourse on how to address challenges, harness opportunities, and devise strategies for the unorganised sector within the entrepreneurial landscape.

This study aims to provide a baseline assessment of awareness regarding government programs designed for persons with disabilities (PwD). It will focus on two distinct age groups: children aged 0–6 years and adults aged 18 and above. For the younger group, the emphasis will be on awareness of early intervention schemes, while for the 18+ group, the focus will center on awareness of programs related to employability and entrepreneurship.

Current Stage:

The survey has been done, along with the following focus group discussions. Our team is in process of evaluating the data and making a comparable and understandable analysis of the data collected. We will soon publish it on our website.

Policy Brief

for Issues and Challenges within the Bamboo Industry in the State of Maharashtra

by Centre for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Development (CEED)

The primary objective of this study is to document key issues and challenges within the bamboo industry in the state of Maharashtra. The second objective is to identify necessary interventions to strengthen policy initiatives like – Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (Govt. of India MSME Scheme) and Krishonnati Yojana (Govt. of India Ministry of Agriculture Scheme) targeted towards strengthening bamboo industry in Maharashtra and India.

Infographic Corner

Report of the Month

Making Data Work for Persons with Disabilities (Project Localization & Implementation Report for GUIDE)

by National Institute of Urban Affairs

Lead Authors:

Veronica Quikiumaliu Wijunamai, NIUA?

Monica Thakur, NIUA

The GUIDE initiative was developed to identify methods and a roadmap for collecting evidence necessary for efficient service delivery to marginalized groups, especially persons with disabilities, in a participatory manner. This report provides a comprehensive account of the methodology employed and the data analysis conducted in Varanasi.

Based on the report’s findings, priority sectors and common themes requiring immediate interventions were identified. These sectors include education, livelihood, health and hygiene, transportation and mobility, assistive technology, recreation and tourism, financial services, and housing.

In India, the employment rate for persons with disabilities remains relatively low compared to the general population. According to a report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (2021), only over 36 per cent of persons with disabilities are employed, and as per NSSO (2018), eight of every ten persons with disabilities are unemployed.

Women with disabilities also often face a double burden of caregiving responsibilities, as they are more likely to provide care for family members or relatives. This additional demand on their time and energy can limit their availability for employment and career advancement (Mussida & Patido, 2021). As a consequence, this leads to women being undervalued, underpaid, underrepresented. and being stuck to lower employment ranks (Vlachou & Kalaitzi, 2021).

In India, 3 per cent of the jobs in Government offices are reserved for persons with disabilities. This has mostly been attributed to the poor recognition of the different types of disabilities as listed in the RPwD Act 2016 and hence, they barely get to avail the services and provisions that are already mandated for them. For the same reason, while the demand is huge, a lot of seats remain vacant. The evident lack in skills also contribute to this gap but it is further intensified with no stringent monitoring and evaluation system to check if the vacancies are being effectively filled or not. As a result, as seen in the chart below, only a fraction (3 per cent) of persons are employed in Government services.

The status of livelihood for persons with disabilities in India is a complex issue with both progress and ongoing challenges. Despite these efforts to promote inclusion, persons with disabilities face multiple challenges in accessing livelihood opportunities. These include societal stigma, lack of accessibility in physical and digital spaces, limited awareness among employers, and inadequate infrastructure to support their needs in the workplace.

This report can serve as a blueprint for replicating similar data collection pilot projects at the ward level in other cities. It provides guidance on collecting qualitative and quantitative data on disability at both respondent and household levels.

Found our content interesting?

Want to add yourself or someone to our mailing list?

Just Click here to add email to the emailing list and we'll make sure that you receive our newsletter.

LinkedIn | X | Youtube