Public policy firm, The Quantum Hub (TQH), and disability rights NGO Youth4Jobs (Y4J) released two new respective reports concerning workplace accessibility for persons with disabilities in India at the India International Centre.
Supported by Zoom, an AI-first work platform for human connection, the two reports delved into how the provision of reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities at the workplace, such as assistive technologies and flexible work, has proven effective in removing infrastructural barriers and enhancing workforce participation.
While TQH’s report highlighted best practices emerging from a review of Indian and global laws covering workplace accommodation provisions for persons with disabilities, Y4J’s provided quantitative insights into the state of employment for this demographic in India, through a detailed survey of over 200 employees with disabilities.
The launch event saw academics, civil society, bureaucrats, and the private sector come together to discuss workplace accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, and Manmeet K. Nanda, Joint Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, were present as Guests, with Aggarwal additionally delivering the keynote address.
A panel discussion, moderated by disability rights activist and Director, of Policy and Programs at TQH Nipun Malhotra, was also held, providing cross-sectoral perspectives on workplace inclusion.
Panelists included Manmeet Kaur Nanda (Joint Secretary – Department for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), Rahul Gambhir (Chief Manager and Digital Accessibility Specialist – Union Bank of India), Amar Jain (Co-Founder, Mission Accessibility), P.V. Madhusudhan Rao (Professor, Departments of Design and Mechanical Engineering – IIT Delhi), Jaishankar Natarajan (CEO – India Autism Center), and Madhubala Sharma (Senior Program Manager, Inclusive Experiences and Technologies – Amazon).
Zoom’s India Head of Government Relations Rohit Kumar also facilitated the day’s discussions.
Workspaces, in India and internationally, have not traditionally been inclusive for persons with disabilities, often hindering their ability to access meaningful and dignified employment.
For example, 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 people, experience disability, making persons with disabilities the world’s largest minority group. However, 80% of them are of working age, yet only one-third are engaged in the workforce.
In India, the National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated in 2018 that 2.2% of the population experienced disability, a figure below the global average. Other surveys, such as the National Family Health Survey 2019, place the proportion even lower at just 1%. The employment scenario in India is also concerning, with only 22.8% of persons with disabilities employed.
However, the provision of reasonable accommodations, such as assistive technologies and flexible work arrangements, has proven effective in removing barriers and enhancing workforce participation. The two reports deploy distinct methodologies and frameworks, to help understand the relationship between reasonable accommodations, workplace inclusion, and dignified employment for persons with disabilities, as detailed in the annexed reports and report overview.
Top leadership from Y4J, TQH, and Zoom also shared their thoughts on the launch of the reports.
Meera Shenoy, Co-Founder, Youth4Jobs, said, “These crucial reports, which shed light on workplace accessibility and the role of assistive technologies and flexible work in doing so, can pave the way for stronger, long-term inclusion. Their findings underscore the need for stronger implementation of inclusive policies both at the government and private sector’s level. We look forward to the government and private sector embracing these findings to create equitable opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
Rohit Kumar, Co-Founder of The Quantum Hub, said, “We are proud to launch these reports, which highlight the importance of reasonable accommodations, assistive technologies, and flexible work in fostering workplace inclusion for persons with disabilities. By studying global best practices, we provide actionable recommendations for policymakers and businesses. We look forward to engaging with the government and private sector to implement these findings.”
Rohit Kumar, Head of Government Relations Zoom India, said, “Zoom is proud to support these important research projects highlighting the role of assistive technologies and flexible work in fostering workplace inclusion for persons with disabilities. We believe technology can bridge accessibility gaps, and we encourage the government and private sector to consider these key findings.”
