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.
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:
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.
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:
Several NGO success stories have been registered over the years. Notable examples include:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Granted, NGOs have made a significant contribution towards enhancing disability rights in India. However, more needs to be done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Several govt ministries and departments have roles open for graduates after a BA LLB. These…
Good remuneration gives economic independence; in public service, it also buys benefits that compound over…
An ex-serviceman is someone who has served in the armed forces and has since been…
The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam is not an easy test to pass. With…
In many government jobs in India, it is important to be computer literate. Especially in…
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level, or SSC CGL, exam is one the most…