Career Development Forum at AADI

Action for Ability Development & Inclusion (AADI) and FICCI-SDF jointly organised the Career Development Forum on 2nd & 3rd December 2005 at AADI premises. The forum was an effort to promote inclusive opportunities for the differently abled people.53 organizations working for the cause of the differently abled participated in the forum. These included NGOs, corporates, HR consultancies and government agencies. The forum covered talk shows on interface with the industry, MHRD schemes for the differently abled and Enhancing sustainable livelihoods through supported employment.

The objectives of the forum included:

1. Instrumental in developing meaningful occupation and livelihood options for people with different abilities.
2. Join hands in bridging the gap between education, training and skill requirement of the labour market. Thereby working towards the employability of the differently abled and thus facilitating the implementation of the inclusive approach.
3. Envisaged as an interface between representatives from the education sector, corporate, industry, career counselors, both private and government to highlight their schemes and opportunities to the target group - young adults (with and without disability), families, trainers and professionals for recruitment and enrolment.
4. The forum would serve as a platform to increase visibility and promote the success stories from different stakeholders. The participant would also be able to promote their policy of equal opportunity organization.

The salient points covered under MHRD schemes and training avenues for the differently abled included the following:

1. In an effort to integrate the PWDs in technical and vocational education, the government of India has identified about 50 polytechnics in Northern India itself. A definite number of seats are assigned for the PWDs in both the formal and non-formal courses.
2. These polytechnics cater to PWDs (blind, low vision, leprosy cured, and hearing impaired & locomotor disability); the mentally retarded would be included at a later stage. The following points are taken into consideration:
   • Efforts are made to provide a barrier free environment in these institutions.
   • Training of the teachers who would further train the PWDs.
   • Counselors to prepare the students to face the employment sector.
3. The diploma courses provided in these polytechnics include Architecture, Civil Engineering, Automobile, Electronics & Telecom, leather & Wood works, Textile Designing, Interior Designing, Library Sciences, Modern Office Management etc.
4. Aryabhatta Polytechnic in Delhi has adopted this scheme of the government. Two non-formal courses being run here for past two years include 'Repair & Maintenance of Electrical gadgets' and 'Cutting, Tailoring & Embroidery'.
5. The Vocational Rehabilitation Centres (VRC) works jointly with these polytechnics in the placement of the passing out differently abled students.
6. Hero Mind Mind Training Consultancy provides training in Basic English speaking skills to the PWDs, also prepares them to face interviews. Thereafter the consultancy helps them in placement with different call centres and other organizations.

 

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