The 10th edition of the NCEPDP - Shell Helen Keller Award was given away on Tuesday to 12 recipients in categories such as the best employers, role models and their activities which have helped in furthering the employability of the disabled.

“The understanding of accessibility for the disabled is extremely poor in our country,” said a wheelchair-bound Shivani Gupta from Delhi, who received the award for her organisation, AccessAbility. The company provides consultancy services to builders and architects to make buildings accessible to specially-abled people, and has also opened an online national job portal where corporate employers can recruit qualified disabled people.

“We are encouraging people to register themselves for the portal and have 65 employers advertising online at present,” says Gupta. Another initiative she has undertaken is the “inclusive travel guide” that provides information on tourist spots and facilities for the disabled in Delhi.

Amutha Shanthy S from Madurai, the managing trustee of the Thiyagam Women’s Trust, won an award in the disabled category for her work on empowering disabled rural women. The Thiyagam self-help group encourages self-employment, and a tailoring unit has been set up in this regard to provide training and livelihood to rural women.

Among disabled-friendly organisations, an award went to Radhike Khanna of the SPJ Sadhana School, and Shilpi Kapoor, both from Mumbai. Kapoor, the founder of Barrierbreak Technologies, has worked in the IT sector to design technology accessible to the disabled. She said, “We don’t use the term ‘disability’ in our programme, since we help them identify their potential abilities and work with their disabilities.”

Among organisations, awards went to Mphasis Bangalore, Pepsico, Godrej & Boyce, IBM, ITC Welcome Group and the Noida Deaf Society. Each of these organisations employs a sizeable number of physically and mentally disabled people and has started training programmes for them. A representative from MphasiS said, “Success comes through enabling employees to achieve their full potential. We also run an outreach programme to train the disabled in the use of IT equipment to enhance their employability in different companies.”

Life with disability: children, parents speak of challenges
Children with disabilities and parents came together under the aegis of the Anchal Trust and Bal Adhikar Abhiyan, a network of NGOs, at a press meet on Tuesday to discuss various problems they face due to the hazy laws in place for the disabled. The meet was held at the Press Club on Raisina Road on the eve of World Disability Day. Sanjeev Sheel, managing secretary of the Anchal Charitable Trust, said inspite of the People with Disabilities (PWD) Act 1995 and schemes available for the disabled, they are not able to avail any facilities. “Government departments seem to have no knowledge of these schemes,” said Sheel.

“I have a disability certificate but have not been able to gain admission anywhere,” said 13-year-old Yousuf from Raghuvir Nagar slum, who wants admission in a shelter for visually challenged children.

“Most people, including politicians, seem to think that a mentally-challenged child does not need any aid beyond an asylum,” said a parent. Lack of understanding and aid from government organisations and the general apathy of people were highlighted .

Officials from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) were also present at the event