Disability is an impairment, that may be cognitive, development, intellectual, activity, limitations, sensory, or some combination of these. It substantially affects a person’s life activities and may be present from birth or occur during a person’s lifetime. Disability is a contested concept. It has different meanings in different communities. It may be used to refer to physical or mental attributes that some institutions, particularly medicine, view as needing to be fixed. It may refer to limitations imposed on people by the constraints of the ablest society. People with disabilities have the same health needs as non-disabled people for immunizations, cancer screening, etc. They may also experience a narrow margin of health both because of poverty and social exclusion and because they may be vulnerable to secondary conditions such as pressure sores, etc.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. However, people with disabilities all over the world experience human rights violations, stigma, and discrimination.
Many social factors can affect whether individuals with disabilities are included or excluded from participation in various activities, which in turn can affect development or esteem. One of these activities is working in a job.
In developing countries, 80% to 90% of persons with disabilities of working age are unemployed, whereas in industrialized countries the figure is between 50% and 70%. In most developed countries, the official unemployment rate for persons with disabilities of working age is at least twice that for those who have no disability.
There are many reasons why disabled people find it difficult to find jobs. One of them is that people with disabilities may lack the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) needed for the available jobs. Also, Public Works Department (PWDs) may be less productive than people without disabilities and entail higher labor costs, including insurance costs.
Some PWDs do not apply for jobs because their needs are not satisfied with the working conditions fit for people without disabilities. Many are not rich enough to get treatment or afford their education.
However, even if the PWDs are properly qualified and are comfortable in the working conditions provided, many employers do not feel comfortable with appointing them.
Many laws in the Indian constitution protect the rights of disabled people. E.g. The Government of India formulated the National Policy for persons with disabilities in Feb 2006 which deals with the physical, educational and economic rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The National Policy recognizes that Persons with Disabilities are valuable human resources for the country and seeks to create an environment that provides them equal opportunities, protection of their rights, and full participation in society.
However, people continue to discriminate against PWDs. Thus, while applying for jobs, many PWDs prefer not to disclose their disabilities. If they do, it becomes incredibly difficult for them to get the job.
Only 34 lakhs of the about 1.34 crore people with disabilities in the employable age have a job in India. This is an unemployment rate of more than 70%.
Even though there are many laws and schemes by the government to help them, there is still much that needs to be done for PWDs.
Everyone will be treated equally only when people change their attitudes and begin to believe that everyone is human and deserves to be treated equally.
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Edited by Jia Arora.
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