Accessibility & inclusion is a must under RPWD 2016, says United Nations India Disability Specialist

To empower people with disabilities, there is a need for accessibility along with development of skill sets.

These thoughts were shared by Dorodi Sharma, the United Nations Disability Specialist, in India.

Sharma said this while speaking at an ASSOCHAM conference on Empowering Persons with Disabilities through Accessible and Assistive Technology.

She also shared vital data about the state of employment and education of disabled people in India.

There are 73.8 % of people with disabilities in India in the employable age of 15-59 years, who do not have jobs. Only 56% of disabled people are educated.

Sharma said that inclusion in education and employment is the only hope to make the lives of people with disabilities better.

It would make a lot of difference if private sector employers go through the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

This will enable them to understand their roles in the implementation of the law.