Call to action in India to improve prospects for disabled workers

Policymakers in India are being asked to increase efforts to help the nation’s disabled workers find employment.

Census figures show that around 2% of India’s population is registered as being disabled.

However, it is estimated that disabled people currently make up just 0.4% of the workforce in India’s top 100 companies.

Furthermore, new government figures estimate that only 39% of disabled people in India have access to a disability certificate. These documents allow differently-abled individuals access to government services and rights to complain against discrimination.

Shampa Sengupta of the Sruti Rights Centre points out that: "The reservations for disabled in jobs and education […] have no meaning unless we are able to provide the certificates which serve as an identity proof."

These issues are being highlighted today as the world observes the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This UN-driven awareness day aims to promote safe and accommodating work environments for the differently-abled, as well as the need for inclusive hiring and training programs.

One way to increase the opportunities available to differently-abled workers would be to ensure that more companies can provide the means to support them. In the meantime, certain structures in recruitment may help to overcome social bias.

Ulf Rinne discusses how anonymous job applications can boost job offer rates for minority candidates as they allow employers to focus solely on skills and qualifications.

Meanwhile, Dan-Olof Rooth discusses how correspondence testing studies may offer us greater insight into hiring discrimination, with may usefully inform combative policies.

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Related articles:
Anonymous job applications and hiring discrimination, by Ulf Rinne
Correspondence testing studies, by Dan-Olof Rooth