In our society, the differently-abled and mentally challenged citizens find it extremely difficult to be able to make a living and live a life of dignity. These individuals do need work and subsequently the advantages of work. However, prejudices towards them have caused them to be treated as surplus citizens incapable of being contributing and productive members of society.

This is where Diya Foundation makes its mark. Started in 1999, Diya Foundation is a vocational training center which provides training and, more importantly, employment to adults who are mentally challenged as well as others who are differently-abled physically.

Sarah Santamaria, founder of Diya Foundation, shares her insights with us:

This Diwali, Diya Foundation urges you to add sparkle to your life by doing more. They have a range of delicious chocolates and colourful diyas on sale for individuals and corporates. Handcrafted using imported cocoa, the Chocolyn chocolates are available in a range of flavours and along with the diyas, make for a delightful gift. A gift that will give you double the joy because of the cause it supports.

Diyas for Diwali

Diya Foundation Chocolates

The products can be custom wrapped to suit varied preferences and budgets. For more information and to place your orders, contact Diya Foundation here:

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It is true that the differently-abled get a raw deal in the economy of the country. However, this is changing as steps are being taken to include them in the India growth story. EnAble India, a Bangalore-based NGO working for the uplift of physically challenged people, together with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organized a job fair with a difference.

Companies like Integra Garments, ITC Hotels, ITC Agarbatis, Coffee Day and IBC Hotels and Resorts participated in the fair, and employed 70 people with low vision or hearing disability or mild mental retardation and other physical disabilities. They are not highly qualified people, and have been given vocational training by EnAble to allow them to be usefully employed and earn a living.

We can see what a difference it has made in their lives form the following article in Thaindian:

“I am happy that I got a job. I am no more dependent on my parents,” said an excited Bina Prasad, 22, who is hearing impaired and was chosen by Bangalore-based Integra Garments as a tailor.

Echoing Bina’s emotion, 23-year-old Sourav Shukla, who has locomotive disorder and was offered a job by ITC Agarbati, said the job would help him lead life with dignity. Sourav is a trained incense maker.

According to the World Bank report, there is a great difference between the opportunities and economic conditions of the disabled people in India from their healthy counterparts:

People with disabilities are among the most excluded in Indian society, according to “People with Disabilities in India: From Commitments to Outcomes”, a report prepared by World Bank in collaboration with the central Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2007.

The report states that disabled adults have far lower employment rates than the general population and this fell from 43 percent in 1991 to 38 percent in 2002, even in the midst of high economic growth.

This is a commendable step forward for inclusive growth, and we hope the beginning of many similar initiatives in the future in order to bridge the gap.

Read the complete article here.

Image Courtesy: www.newhopeaustralia.org

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