Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Employment
  • A Drive to Empower People with Disabilities – My Take by Prajith Jaipal on why he wants to meet PM Modi

A Drive to Empower People with Disabilities – My Take by Prajith Jaipal on why he wants to meet PM Modi

Employment March 27, 2018
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

Driving 8,500 odd kilometres is not easy. It’s even harder when you are a wheelchair user. On 1 April, Prajith Jaipal will embark on such a journey. On My Take this week, Jaipal talks about the message he wants to send out.

Seven years ago, on 1 April 2011, I was in a car accident that left me a quadriplegic. I was paralyzed neck down. I was 33 years old at the time, and since then I have been in a wheelchair.

On the seventh anniversary of that accident, I am starting my drive from Kozhikode all the way to New Delhi and back, a drive of 8,500 plus kilometers. I know climactic conditions are not good, but I am determined as I have a mission on my mind.

Mission: Empowerment

I have three main reasons to do this drive. First, is to bring the wheelchair-bound community outside their four walls. Most of them are adamant about staying inside; either because they fear society will not accept them, or maybe they have an inferiority complex. I want to push them into coming outside into society and to mingle with everyone else.

The second reason is to create public awareness about the need to set up accessible infrastructure for people with disabilities. This includes wheelchair-parking spaces.

The third reason is to create awareness about giving job opportunities to disabled people. On my journey, I will be speaking to some corporates like Accenture, IBM, Vodafone and Airtel, where I used to work.

I have also started a website called www.thewheelersclub.com. Here I will be uploading videos about my journey as well as job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Anyone who is a wheelchair user can register on this site and look for job opportunities that are available and convenient to their needs. The jobs I will be putting out are that people with quadriplegia or paraplegia can do. They can apply according to their academic qualifications.

Few job opportunities for disabled people

I have experienced first-hand how hard it is for someone with a disability to find employment. After my accident, no one was willing to give me a job. This was even after 13 years of experience in the telecom sector. Various companies asked me whether I would be able to do the job given my disability.

Now I have a company of my own and I do ticketing for my friends and relatives. Having faced this bias when it comes to employment, I want to push for a change for other disabled people.

I am very happy with the support that I have received for this mission. Many are concerned about whether I am up to it, physically. My doctor has said that if I look after myself and stay confident, I could go ahead.

I have got my car modified so that I can make the trip. I am driving a Maruti Celerio car, which has been modified for my needs. It has a hand-operated brake, accelerator, and steering knob.

I hope to reach New Delhi in 48 days. I have an appointment with Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi. My aim is to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. About two years ago, I had written to his office asking that the welfare for people in wheelchairs be raised to Rs. 5,000 at the very minimum. I want to meet him and push for this.

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked
    #GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss
  • Accessibility
    Top 10 Accessible Brands & Brand Campaigns Globally
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)
  • Employment,Independent Living
    My journey from a hearing impaired individual to a Social Changemaker

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Jim Atwater and Scott Brouilette, Co-founders of InReturn Strategies.

Employment

InReturn Strategies is redefining the way American companies talk about diversity & inclusion

Logos of the 10 brands featured in the article

Accessibility

Top 10 Accessible Brands & Brand Campaigns Globally

Woman getting her eyes tested

Get-hooked

#GlaucomaAwarenessMonth – Early detection & treatment is critical to prevent permanent vision loss

Accessibility

Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities still a distant hope in India (series 1 of 3)

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Two disabled people from different worlds share their quirky brand of humour on YouTube channel The Blind Walkthrough

Get-hooked

#WonderWoman - Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal shows incredible will in the face of repeated odds

Accessibility

Multiple audio tracks now available on YouTube, including AD for blind viewers

Get-hooked

Check out 20-year-old Vinamra Arolkkar's skills on his YouTube channel 'The Special Cook'

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.