It is learnt that the office of State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Enable India, a leading NGO from Bengaluru, to collaborate on generating employment opportunities for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and offering them various courses to equip them with industry knowledge in Goa and outside the state. The MoU reportedly aims at a more inclusive and accessible society for PwDs by providing them with the necessary skills, training and placement support in order to secure dignified jobs in various industries. It is pertinent to note that persons with a disability are less likely to have completed a bachelor's degree or higher education than those with no disability. Among both groups, those who have attained higher levels of education were more likely to be employed than those who had attained less education. This discrepancy needs to be done away with. As per statistics at the all India level, 36% of the total disabled persons are workers. The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 came into force on February 7, 1996. It is a significant step which ensures equal opportunities for the people with disabilities. The Act provides for both the preventive and promotional aspects of rehabilitation like education, employment and vocational training, reservation, research and manpower development, creation of barrier-free environment, rehabilitation of persons with disability, unemployment allowance for the disabled, special insurance scheme for the disabled employees and establishment of homes for persons with severe disability etc. Disabled persons are entitled to have their special needs taken into consideration at all stages of economic and social planning. Employment is essential for persons with disabilities. Persons with disabilities may have limited abilities to perform occupational activities. Employers are required to make reasonable adjustments to jobs and workplaces for them.
