Coimbatore: Anjum Khan, a 28-year-old assistant professor, who became blind at the age of three, considers herself lucky to be employed today. Only one-third of the disabled population in the city are employed, according to recently released data based on the 2011 census. Although Coimbatore is kinder to the disabled when compared to other Tier II cities in the state, much needs to be done to ensure that the rest of the disabled are also employed.
There are 32,794 disabled people in the city, and 10,895 of them are employed. More disabled people are employed in the city when compared to Chennai, Madurai and Trichy where less than 30 per cent of disabled are employed. The district differently-abled welfare officer, Chandrashekar C, attributes this to the government welfare schemes. "We are helping disabled people in the city get jobs in both government and private sectors. We have tied up with some non-governmental organizations to provide skills training for disabled candidates."
The city's industries have also been very supportive towards disabled candidates. President of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, D Nandakumar, said, "Industries in the city have been awarded for supporting disabled people. Food packaging, lift operating and other non-skilled jobs are given to disabled candidates." Industries also organizing skills training for candidates to make them employable. "Industries are providing training for operating computers, keeping accounts and other clerical jobs," said Nandakumar.
The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled Care Givers (TARATDAC) confirms that more disabled people are finding job opportunities in the city. They however express concern that 67 per cent of the disabled people are still unemployed.
"The Supreme Court in 2013 had ordered that all government organizations should reserve 3% for disabled candidates. This is not followed in most organizations," said the association's president, Jansi Rani B. "We recently conducted a protest demanding that a commission be constituted under the chairmanship of a judge, to take action against those officials who failed to act according to the Apex Court order," she said.
Regarding opportunities in the private sector, Jansi Rani said that most private organizations employ disabled people only to gain publicity. "When the Central and state governments are itself reluctant about implementing the court order, how can we expect the private sector to be serious about providing opportunities for the disabled," she said.
The government has also failed to create awareness regarding the job opportunities available for the disabled.
There are 32,794 disabled people in the city, and 10,895 of them are employed. More disabled people are employed in the city when compared to Chennai, Madurai and Trichy where less than 30 per cent of disabled are employed. The district differently-abled welfare officer, Chandrashekar C, attributes this to the government welfare schemes. "We are helping disabled people in the city get jobs in both government and private sectors. We have tied up with some non-governmental organizations to provide skills training for disabled candidates."
The city's industries have also been very supportive towards disabled candidates. President of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, D Nandakumar, said, "Industries in the city have been awarded for supporting disabled people. Food packaging, lift operating and other non-skilled jobs are given to disabled candidates." Industries also organizing skills training for candidates to make them employable. "Industries are providing training for operating computers, keeping accounts and other clerical jobs," said Nandakumar.
The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled Care Givers (TARATDAC) confirms that more disabled people are finding job opportunities in the city. They however express concern that 67 per cent of the disabled people are still unemployed.
"The Supreme Court in 2013 had ordered that all government organizations should reserve 3% for disabled candidates. This is not followed in most organizations," said the association's president, Jansi Rani B. "We recently conducted a protest demanding that a commission be constituted under the chairmanship of a judge, to take action against those officials who failed to act according to the Apex Court order," she said.
Regarding opportunities in the private sector, Jansi Rani said that most private organizations employ disabled people only to gain publicity. "When the Central and state governments are itself reluctant about implementing the court order, how can we expect the private sector to be serious about providing opportunities for the disabled," she said.
The government has also failed to create awareness regarding the job opportunities available for the disabled.