Delhi-based Sarthak Educational Trust (esb 2008) working in the field of disability inclusivity is conceptualizing a Global University for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) which will provide talent pool of trained and resume ready manpower to serve disability sector, which will be highly socially inclined and sensitized towards PwDs. It is also planning to start two courses with SGT University, Gurugram viz. One year PG Diploma in Disability Studies & Action (PGDDSA) and One year PG Diploma in Early Intervention (PGDEI).
Sarthak is now preparing to send 14 nationally selected PwD candidates to participate in 13 Skills categories for International Abilympics skill competitions in March 2023 to Metz, France. This information was shared by Trust’s founder-CEO Dr. Jitender Aggarwal at the recently held 9th National Conference on Disability at AICTE Campus, New Delhi on 23th & 24th Dec 2022. The 2-day event in association with National Abilympic Association of India brought together various disability evangelists together to bring knowledge and practical wisdom towards the disability inclusivity movement in the country. “There is a need to publicise more about RPwD Act 2016 across India, as despite its implementation public awareness is still lacking. Sarthak is working extensively to reach PwD’s even in the remotest area. In this direction, we have partnered with 500+ NGOs in various parts of India under India Disability Empowerment Alliance (IDEA). There is also a need to explore possibilities of registering on Social Stock Exchange being set-up by SEBI soon,” said Aggarwal.
While speaking at the inaugural panel, Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India shared, “Currently there are 2.68cr PwD’s in the country, but I am sure this number is bigger than this and it’s our responsibility to stand by them and bring them to the mainstream economy. Elections have to be Inclusive and accessible and the Election commission is working towards this cause as such partnership will give a voice to their disability rights. The dream of Sarthak to build GRC and the University, will be supported as EC is eager to support the cause of Disability Inclusion”
The Early Intervention panel threw light on the the fact that disabilities like Sickle Cell Anaemia are still lacking media attention and needs to be highlighted more including other new disabilities included in the RPwD Act 2016.
The Corporate Panel brought together several HR and Diversity Inclusion Experts & Leaders to discuss measures needed to be ensured to involve inclusion of PwD’s, especially Digital Inclusion. “We brought more of a mindset change in operations by looking at PwD’s as resources. We made several structural changes, mapping of job positions across 21 disabilities and we zeroed down on 7 disabilities to make Amazon an inclusive workplace”, added Anuj Kaura, Director, Capability Builder and Leadership Coach, Amazon India. “The target for this year is to hire around 5000 PwD’s across all our platforms. From hiring 125 PwD’s in a month we at Reliance have come a long way in becoming an inclusive workplace”, shared Amit Rawat, Zonal HR head, Reliance Retail.
