Employment opportunity for PWDs suggested for Youth Policy

BHUBANESWAR: “Employment opportunity should be created for the persons with disabilities (PWDs),” said the experts in a consultation workshop on State policy for youth with disabilities was jointly organised by the Office of State Commission for Persons with Disability, the Department of Sports and Youth Services and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) here on Saturday. This is a part of the series of State and district consultations across various themes with different focus groups towards the formulation of Odisha State Youth Policy, 2013.

The experts said the differently abled people face multiple challenges in every sphere of their lives and remain detached from participation in mainstream development process despite constitutional and legislative measures.

State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities Kasturi Mohapatra opined that educational institutes should be made disable friendly. The Director, Welfare, Person with Disabilities B B Patnaik suggested that the youth with disabilities should be given enough opportunities and scope for being active in the affairs of State and community services.

Equitable budget allocation amongst abled and disabled persons, accessibility and disabled friendly infrastructure, safeguard of their right to expression, gainful employment of disabled youth as per their choice and, representation in decision making positions for persons with disability were some of the key suggestions that came up in this consultation. ITIs and Polytechnic institutes of the State should have special skill development course designed for the youth with disabilities also came up as a suggestion.