Team Herald
PANJIM: A day-long policy consultation on ‘Disability and Employment’ was held both physically and virtually in Goa on Thursday, by the Office of the State Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities, in collaboration with the US Consulate General, Mumbai, Mariwala Health Initiative and Rising Flame.
This consultation was conducted as part of the Disability, Equity, Justice Working Group Civil 20 India, which is a global platform for independent disability interventions under Indian leadership.
The inaugural function was attended by Guruprasad R Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa ; Taha Haaziq, Secretary, Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities; Sita Raiter, Deputy Public Diplomacy Officer, US Consulate Mumbai; Nidhi Ashok Goyal, Founder and Executive Director, Rising Flame and Priti Sridhar, Mariwala Health Initiative where they highlighted key issues affecting persons with disability including employment opportunities, inclusion, entrepreneurship and mental health.
“A total of 1.3 billion persons in the world live with a disability and exclusion of this group can cost a country up to 7% of its GDP – a high price. Therefore, it is in the human, social and economic interests of the global community that the needs of this group and their recommendations are included in the 2023 G20 Leaders’ Declaration,” says Guruprasad R Pawaskar, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa.
As part of discussions on the first topic – employment livelihoods and inclusion, the panelists discussed on accessibility, job reservations in the government and private sectors, business opportunities, and highlighted the importance of supporting people with disabilities in starting their own businesses.
In the second session titled Entrepreneurship and future of work, speakers emphasised the importance of equal opportunities, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency.
The last session on mental health and safety covered topics including access to mental health services for all forms of disabilities, ways to address sexual violence at the workplace, need for mental health awareness, and the availability of reasonable accommodation and accessibility for people with disabilities.
