The disability prevalence in India as of 2023 was approximately 16%. Given that this statistic continues to grow, it is becoming an increasingly challenging task for the government to fully cater to this special demographic. This is where the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) come in.
These institutions advocate for minority groups like PWDs to ensure they enjoy and have access to equal rights, like employment, as other citizens. They also partner with the government to enhance smooth service delivery and effective program implementation.
Read on to learn more about NGOs performance in India and how their work impacts people with disability.
Understanding the Role of NGOs in India’s Disability Sector
Most NGO operations in India cut across several institutions that are directly involved in PWDs. Some of the common domains featured in this list include:
- Employment and Skill Development
- Social Inclusion and Community Integration
- Inclusive Learning and Education
- Legal support and Rights Advocacy
- Rehabilitation and Health Care
The contribution of NGOs in bettering the lives of PWDs in the country can’t be overstated. Addressing the issue of inclusivity in education and skill training ensures that individuals living with disability can adapt well and thrive in the employment market. Good examples of NGOs actively involved in this setting include the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Sense India, and Sarthak Educational Trust.
Factors Affecting PWD Employment in India
Securing employment as a PWD in India can be challenging and frustrating. Thankfully, NGOs act as catalysts for change by advocating for inclusivity in the workplace and influencing public policy.
Here are some of the barriers to employment that PWDs face in India:
- Educational Gaps: Access to a good schooling environment is a challenge for many PWDs. The teaching practices used are also often one-dimensional, hence fail to offer the necessary support leading to high cases of school dropouts.
- Poor Infrastructure: Most workplaces lack the necessary infrastructure to support PWDs. Offices are often inaccessible to individuals with mobility issues and lack the necessary technology to make work easier for people living with disability.
- Stigmatization: More awareness and sensitization is needed in the workplace. PWDs are often deemed less productive or as a liability, which can be inaccurate. This makes it difficult for them to secure and land roles in an already competitive market.
- Lack of Skill Training: There is a gap in skill training which makes the available programs inadequate for PWDs. Educational institutions and workplaces must design curriculum that align with market needs to avoid this discrepancy.
- Discrimination: This comes in many forms. It can be overt or subtle. But the effect is the same. PWDs miss a shot at equal opportunities during hiring and promotions. This is not only debilitating but exhausting, and proper policy changes are required to turn things around for PWDs seeking employment.
Brief Overview of NGO Operations and Performance in India
Several NGO success stories have been registered over the years. Notable examples include:
- Creation of Disability Inclusive Workplaces – Enable India has over the years collaborated with Infosys and Wipro to push for inclusive employment for PWDs. The individuals were equipped with soft skills and received IT training to make them competitive in the employment market. This not only helped to transform the overall workplace culture but also helped advocate for disability-friendly HR policies.
- Democratic Participation: NGOs like NAB have spearheaded significant milestones such as the inclusion of PWDs with vision impairment in electoral voting using braille.
- Push for Comprehensive Legislation: NGOs like the NCPEDP have been instrumental in advocating for proper legislation. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has been significantly transformative.
- Better Travel Infrastructure: Svayam, in collaboration with the Jindal group, pushed for better public transportation services for PWDs. This ensures that they enjoy better access and systems. Railway and metro stations are now better designed to cater to PWDs and ensure better service delivery.
Measuring the impact of NGOs can be challenging, especially when trying to collect qualitative data. But this doesn’t negate the milestones they’ve helped achieve to better the lives of PWDs and improve their life quality. Hopefully, over time, this inclusion can be translated into empowerment. And disability to ability for this often-marginalized group.
Basic Statistics for NGO Performance and PWD Employment in India
The employment statistics for PWDs in India are alarming. A study by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) revealed that the participation of PWDs in the employment sector is less than 24%. Compared to the nation’s 50% average, these statistics are undeniably worrisome.
Here are some basic stats on the subject:
- Organizations like Enable India have strained and supported over 50,000 PWDs since its inception in 1999. They’ve achieved this through corporate collaborations with over 600 companies to create employment for this special demographic.
- The Youth4Jobs NGO based in Hyderabad has helped over 25,000 youth specifically within the state’s rural areas to secure formal jobs.
- In Delhi, you can find the Sarthak Educational Trust. This NGO primarily focuses on providing all-around holistic support to PWDs through offering skill training. As of now, they have educated over 50,000 individuals. And at least 50% of these have secured formal employment.
Prominent NGOs Advocating for Disability Rights in India
NGOs play an instrumental role in pushing for policy changes and sensitization of pertinent issues affecting PWDs in India. From job reservations to quality service delivery, law legislation to special education, their impact is undeniable.
Here are key organizations that help push for inclusion and empowerment for PWDs in India:
- V-Shesh: This organization focuses primarily on skill training and corporate partnerships that create employment opportunities for PWDs. They advocate for inclusive hiring practices while preparing this marginalized group for the job market.
- Sense India: Individuals with hearing and vision impairment can seek support from this NGO. They provide skill development, communication training, and vocational programs that are designed to help PWDs develop functional independence.
- Shishu Sarothi: Legal support, inclusive education, and early intervention. This is what the Shishu Sarothi NGO stands for. It primarily advocates for minors with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
- Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled: Education, better employment opportunities, and skill development. That is the mission of this NGO. It conducts programs and initiatives that promote inclusivity for PWDs. With almost three decades in operation, this organization has become a source of hope for many in the country.
- National Association for the Blind (NAB): This organization offers skill development, rehab services, braille education, and job opportunities to individuals with vision impairment. It’s quite efficient and has established several branches in the country which helps to scale its reach.
- The Spastics Society of India (Able Disable All People Put Together –ADAPT): Recognized as one of the oldest NGO in India, this organization provides support to children with neuro-muscular and development challenges. They also push for inclusive education and work directly with mainstream schools to achieve this agenda.
- Narayan Seva Sansthan: This NGO is based in Udaipur and mainly focuses on individuals with physical disabilities. It offers rehabilitation programs and medical care to help support them through their challenges. PWDs also receive education and skill development training through this NGO. This helps make the differently-abled demographic gain a competitive edge within the employment market.
- Swarga Foundation: Do you know someone suffering from neuromuscular and other progressive disorders? This NGO may be the best avenue for PWDs dealing with such conditions to get help.
Based in Coimbatore, this NGO runs awareness campaigns, sets up mobility camps, and provides PWDs with assistive devices to help them lead a high-quality life. Even better, they partner with health care providers to support early diagnosis and intervention.
- The Leprosy Mission Trust India: Established in 1874, this NGO is one of the oldest in India. The organization specializes in offering medical care and rehabilitation services to people with leprosy. They organize awareness drives, operate vocational training centers, and run advocacy campaigns to help leprosy patients lead a better quality of life.
Why NGOs Perform Better and Make a Great Choice for PWDs
As explained earlier, the statistics of PWDs in the country keeps rising, and the government is unable to adequately cater to this demographic. NGOs are typically more effective, efficient, and better-placed in advocating for these often-marginalized groups. Here’s why:
- Innovative Solutions: Creativity, customization, and tech-focused. These are some of the reasons why most NGO programs perform better compared to those initiated by the government.
- Solid Partnerships: NGOs often enjoy and land better deals with international donors that help support the continuation of PWD programs. This funding allows them to adequately scale their reach and operations, translating into better advocacy for PWDs. Be aware that they also collaborate with government schemes and participate in different CSR projects to enhance performance.
- Stronger Community Ties: Unlike the government, NGOs tend to enjoy better connections and closer ties with the community. This enables them to reach more PWDs which creates a better impact within the community. Remember, the higher the level of trust, the better the outreach.
- Excellent Leadership and Governance: Unlike many government schemes set up to help PWDs, NGOs in India showcase great leadership structure. They’re able to achieve this by organizing consistent board meetings, fluid decision-making processes, and great financial management practices. Most government organizations find it hard to achieve this thanks to the many bureaucratic processes.
- Transparency: Most NGOs have well laid-out missions and visions to guide their operations. This not only ensures that they’re able to focus and achieve targeted goals but also promotes credibility- something that all PWDs deserve.
How to Find a Reliable Workforce for Your NGO
The success of your NGO heavily depends on the commitment, dedication, and discipline of the team you choose to hire. Unlike the government and private recruitment, resources in NGOs, especially funding, is limited. This means that you must find passionate individuals who are driven and choose passion over profit.
Here’s what you can do to find a reliable workforce for your NGO:
Well-defined Mission and Vision
It’s recommended that you clearly outline your organization’s mission and vision to ensure you get a team that aligns with your goals. Hiring individuals who are genuinely interested in what you want to achieve and with whom you have a shared purpose makes it easy for your NGO to perform excellently.
Explore Online Platforms
Finding a solid workforce for your organization can be challenging. Thankfully, there are multiple online resources you can explore to help find the right people for the job.
You can post vacant positions within your NGO on these platforms so you can easily connect with like-minded individuals. Not only does this help you to create a cohesive team, but it also helps to streamline your recruitment processes and enhance time management, which is crucial for the success of all organizations.
Engage the Local Community
Marginalized communities hold some of the highest numbers of PWDs in the country. Yet sensitization and mass awareness in these areas is often limited. To eradicate this and create a significant impact, it’s best to hire employees from the grass-root level.
Not only do they have more knowledge on the challenges faced by PWDs in the specific areas, but they also help to expand reach and implement practical solutions that work. The perfect success story for your NGO.
Invest in Ongoing Training and Proper Workforce Orientation
Once you’ve created the best team for the job as it appears on paper, you need to ensure that they’re well-equipped and prepared for the job. Every member of your workforce must undergo proper on-boarding so they can clearly understand what’s expected of them.
Ongoing training provides them with an opportunity to grow, which encourages loyalty and competence within the organization. Be aware that a team that thrives is the one that feels supported throughout the journey.
Partner With Higher Learning Institutions
New graduates and continuing students are often in search of internship opportunities to gain experience in their field of study. By collaborating with universities and colleges, you can discover diverse talents that can help grow your NGO.
Implement Robust Vetting and Interview Processes
Passion alone can’t get the job done. You need to ensure that the employees you hire for your NGO are competent, honest, and consistent in their service delivery.
Make sure to conduct comprehensive interviews to ensure their skills match your needs. Enquire about their past work experiences and references to ensure that their technical ability is what you require and an asset to your NGO work.
Encourage Accountability and Respect
For your NGO to register great performance, you need to keep employee turnover low and the teamwork solid. This can only be achieved through mutual respect, great communication, and transparency.
It’s imperative that you provide timely feedback and recognize the team’s effort so they can feel valued. This helps to encourage loyalty and spur productivity.
Building the right team for your NGO is one of the best ways to ensure its long-term success. Make sure to select and hire the right human resource so you can realize meaningful impact and build a great work culture.
Granted, this process takes time, effort, and intentionality. But it’s the only way through which your NGO can achieve meaningful impact.
Challenges and Solutions for Problems Faced by NGOs in India
Even though NGOs have proven to be a lifeline for many PWDs in India, their operations often face setbacks. To help enhance their impact, it’s essential that practical solutions are implemented to expand their scale and reach.
Here are some of the problems and potential solutions to challenges faced by NGOs in India:
- Inadequate Funding: Most NGOs depend on international donors and collaborations to sustain their operations. This means that a lack of support poses a significant setback affecting PWDs. More collaborations with the government through competent schemes can help offset this imbalance and improve NGO stability.
- Poor Quality Control: Regulating NGOs can be challenging. As a result, operations and service delivery is often inconsistent. To avoid this, it’s best to invest in professional training for all NGO employees. It’s also crucial that the performance of these institutions is closely monitored and evaluated to ensure quality service.
- Centralized Services: There is often a clear divide between the urban and rural regions of India. It isn’t any different when it comes to NGO operations. PWDs living in the city tend to enjoy better service delivery and advocacy compared to the villages. Decentralization of services is key to ensure all marginalized groups have access to the same service quality regardless of where they reside.
- Poor Data Collection: A lack of enough qualitative data can affect the performance and effectiveness of NGO programs. It tends to affect planning and implementation. The adoption of proper technology and innovation can go a long way in streamlining operations and improving data collection strategies.
The Future of NGOs in India’s Disability Sector
Granted, NGOs have made a significant contribution towards enhancing disability rights in India. However, more needs to be done.
Expanding NGO Reach to Marginalized Communities
Unfortunately, most NGO bodies are based in urban areas. This means that PWDs residing in rural regions hardly get the support required to access equal opportunities to employment, service delivery, and even education.
NGOs now need to switch their focus to rural communities. They can do this in partnership with local outreach organizations that can help reach the marginalized groups in these regions. Doing this will help enhance their impact and help improve overall life quality for PWDs.
Establish Reliable Economic Empowerment Programs
One of the greatest challenges that PWDs face is attaining financial stability. Yet, one of the barriers they consistently face is the lack of employment. Granted, many NGOs have influenced policy changes that have made these opportunities more accessible.
But more effort needs to be channeled towards increasing these roles and providing skill training programs for PWDs. This will help make them more self-sufficient and empower them to live a higher quality of life.
Embrace Digitalism and Inclusive Technology
The world is rapidly evolving into a digital economy. And India can’t be left behind. To successfully achieve this, it’s imperative that everyone, including PWDs gets equal access to technology.
This is where NGOs come in. These organizations must advocate for solid digital inclusion policies to ensure that all users, regardless of their disabilities, can access and use the resources available.
Apart from improving the quality of life for PWDs, it also helps them become more self-sufficient by accessing gainful employment and better education. NGOs can achieve this by partnering with tech companies to ensure that PWDs receive assistive devices to help them become more functional.
Push for More Public Participation Regarding Disability Rights
It’s essential that everyone recognizes that better rights for PWDs mean a better life for all. It isn’t an issue for the marginalized group to handle alone. NGOs can help to encourage public participation by collaborating with schools, companies, and the media to influence and grow advocacy efforts.
Creating awareness and mass sensitization helps foster a sense of shared responsibility among the public. By doing this, NGOs can bridge the gap between communities and promote inclusivity.
Over time, this ensures that people with disability become fully integrated within the community and aren’t seen as less than. Be aware that it’s only through collective action that the future of PWDs in India can be strongly secured.
People With Disability Deserve Equal Opportunities
At least 16% of the global population has experienced a form of disability. Granted, India has endeavored to pass legislations that promote inclusivity for PWDs. But many especially in the rural areas, are still marginalized and lack proper access to employment, education, and infrastructure.
Cue in the NGOs. These organizations strive to fill in the gaps left by the government by pushing for policy changes, shining a light on the rights of PWDs, and offering education and employment opportunities. Their role is arguably indispensable.
Hopefully, with the right support, monitoring, funding, and implementation, the impact of NGOs in India can be scaled. This can also help to improve the inclusivity of PWDs in the country’s economic and national development. Be aware that this sense of shared responsibility goes a long way in lifting the burden for this often-marginalized demographic.