Chapter-4

Explain the orientation to disability profession and their economic security training and
education opportunity
More than 1 billion people—approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population—live with a significant physical
or mental disability. An increasing number of persons with disabilities are facing various physical, economic and
social barriers to finding decent work, and are more likely to live in poverty than their non-disabled counterparts.

On 17 July, the Sixth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities was convened at the United Nations in New York. Parties to the treaty gathered to discuss
developments in the area of disabilities in preparation for the UN General Assembly’s High-level meeting on
disability and development, which will take place 23 September 2013.
Disability orientation is a missing concept in occupational therapy. Disability orientation describes a person's
interpretation of his or her disability experience and his or her perceptions of the meaning of being disable.
Bangladesh to the United Nations, chaired the afternoon roundtable on empowering persons with disabilities
through inclusive social protection and poverty reduction strategies, a key issue in September.
economic security
“Economic empowerment is a key factor for enhancing the status of persons with disabilities, for their self-
esteem and for their full participation in society,” said Rahman. “It is widely agreed that income security and
social protection are important forms of implementing the Convention.”
Barbara Murray, Senior Disability Specialist at the ILO, talked about the variety of policy measures, regulations,
programmes, and services designed to assist persons with disabilities to avoid or escape from poverty. Through a
combination of social security schemes and skills training, Murray said that governments can promote equality
of opportunity and treatment of persons with disabilities

Education security
“Education is power as we all know, and people who lack it have very few choices in life,” said Mukobe.
“Through education and skills development, persons with disabilities can gain skills and perform the functions
necessary to carry out economic activities.”

Disability and social protection employment initiatives in Bangladesh

Disability and employment: Challenges

Poverty and disability are cyclical. Malnourishment can lead to minor or severe disability or exacerbate disability
over time. Lack of necessary medicinal aid, inadequate nourishment, and poor access to physical therapy can be
debilitating to the health of PwDs. To reduce the occurrence of disability and to mitigate its effects, adequate
employment opportunities with sufficient pay are critical. Where suitable opportunities are lacking, social
protection policies and measures need to step in to prevent individuals from falling under the poverty line.
Social protection and disability
Social protection and employment policies can play a key role in supporting the disabled. The following measures
are identified by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) of Bangladesh as outlined in a guide for Technical
and Vocational Education and Training (TVET): Good Practises for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities
(International Labour Organisation, 2017):
1. Effective policy making
2. Strengthening and empowering institutions
3. Making training programmes inclusive
4. Evaluation of programmes and transmission of information
Inclusive work practises in Bangladesh govt & NGO
In Bangladesh, 16 million people experience various disabilities (Farhin, 2018). Despite being signatory to the
UNCRPD, and having disability laws that protect persons with disability, mainstream social protection is still
absent. The large number of PwDs has pushed the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs),
disability organisations, and training institutes to restructure and provide for the needs of this large segment of
the population.Bangladesh’s Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has incorporated the four ILO steps in its
approach to achieving an inclusive workforce:
1. Effective policymaking: A 5% quota was set the in 2011 National Skills Development Policy for PwDs
to be incorporated into TVET programmes. The Disability Inclusion Advisory Group (DIAG) was also
created in which 35 members deliberate on policies, finances, and the execution of disability-inclusive
initiatives (International Labour Organisation, 2017).
2. Strengthening and empowering institutions: DTE, through its TVET programmes, offers trainings to
participants, including institutional administrators and PwDs. It has created an obligation for all TVET
centres to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs)
(International Labour Organisation, 2017).
3. Making training programmes inclusive: DTE and the ILO undertook a revamp of 118 TVET centres to
ensure inclusivity in all areas, from policies and finances to the execution of programmes (International
Labour Organisation, 2017).
4. Evaluation of programmes and transmission of information: DTE has created an information system that
allows it to track 400 differently abled students to record the number of students recruited after training
and to make relevant policy changes accordingly (International Labour Organisation, 2017).

Programme initiatives:
Various programmes are being undertaken at the local and national level in Bangladesh. Presently, the
government is providing 815,000 PwDs with financial assistance (Farhin, 2018).

1. Faith Bangladesh
Faith Bangladesh is a programme involving “A comprehensive approach to identify children with disabilities
through capacity building of government and NGO health workers and disability service mapping in Bangladesh”.
It uses innovative practises to recognise signs of disability at early stages of childhood (Farhin, 2018). It also
seeks to develop and increase the potential of relevant institutions and persons involved in catering to the needs
of PwDs. The project will also focus on mapping disability to make data easily accessible to policy makers and
implementers (Farhin, 2018). Another core area is providing appropriate training to eliminate the skill gap
between PwDs and the job market.

2. Young Power in Social Action

Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) is a non-profit organisation operating in Bangladesh since 1985 to provide
opportunities for social upliftment to marginalised segments of society in Sitakund, Chittagong. The organisation
extends micro-finance and training to PwDs, ensuring that their skills meet job requirements. In 2015, the project
titled “Initiating microfinancing and micro-enterprises for a whole city sub-district”, 250 PwDs were given access
to microfinance (Bhattacharjee, n.d.). They were provided with an opportunity to create a group financial fund
used on a needs basis. These participants were trained and 100 of them became small-scale entrepreneurs who
were allowed to set up enterprises without any rent obligations (Bhattacharjee, n.d.).

3. Bangladesh Skills for Employment and Productivity

Bangladesh Skills for Employment and Productivity (B-SEP) is a project geared towards dealing with issues
revolving around TVET setup and making reforms accordingly (International Labour Organisation, 2017). The
project is undertaken in Bangladesh by the ILO. It aims to build partnerships to connect various economic sectors
and organisations, while elevating potential employees to an adequate job skill level.
4. Bangladesh Business and Disability Network
Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) was introduced in 2016. With a network of 38
organisations. BBDN facilitates enterprises that aim to make their organisations accessible to PwDs as its
beneficiaries and employees. In 2017, BBDN held a career expo through which 150 PwDs were successfully
matched with various jobs (International Labour Organisation, 2017)

5. Swapno
With greater debate circling around disability and inclusivity, a greater number of businesses are willing to change
their work practises. One such company is Swapno, its 56 stores and 2,500 employees, is working to meet its
target of employing 10 percent PwDs as part of their staff.

Economic development Employment opportunity for the disabled must be increased

provided argument to support
Persons with disabilities are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes such as less education,
poorer health outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates.
Here are some reasons why we need to employment opportunity persons with disabilities

1. To curve a path to a better society

When we help others, we help them pursue and achieve their goals, we play a big part in social change and growth.
By providing social services like proper health care for persons with disabilities, we can ensure that more people
enter the workforce. This collective effort to assist persons with disabilities ultimately contributes to the
economy’s growth and improves the overall social setting.

2. Economic development persons with disabilities impacts the economy positively

By supporting the programs that provide persons with disabilities with skills and work opportunities, tax rates
may ultimately become lower while persons with disabilities will also feel more empowered. This not only
improves the economy; it also upgrades the living standards.

3. To help people with hidden disabilities to come out and get proper assistance
Some people are living with disabilities that they either hide or don’t even know they have. This is quite
unfortunate. That’s why we need to raise awareness of such disabilities and create platforms to address these
issues and empower these people.
Since people with such abilities may need more care, proper awareness should be raised to promote relevant
assistance.

4. To bridge the gap between the minorities for total equality

To empower persons with disabilities, we need to teach each other the importance of unity as human beings
regardless of whatever limitations. Advocating for the rights and equal treatment of people with disabilities aims
at creating a peaceful world with tolerance and acceptance.

5. Employment opportunities
Employment of people with disabilities in a just and fair environment of equal opportunities and scopes
will ensure economic boost and contribute in the reduction of poverty. If poverty addressed, positive influence
will occur improving the situation of people with disabilities in the country.

6. To help nurture responsible individuals that contribute to society

Disabilities do not make a person a less functional member of the community. By giving equal opportunities and
the corresponding respect, we grow a sense of confidence in the persons with disabilities and cultivate a sense of
belonging. This makes for positive growth attitudes, and despite any disability, a person will pursue and work on
their goals, thus contributing positively to society.

7. To help people with hidden disabilities to come out and get proper assistance
Some people are living with disabilities that they either hide or don’t even know they have. This is quite
unfortunate. That’s why we need to raise awareness of such disabilities and create platforms to address these
issues and empower these people.

Since people with such abilities may need more care, proper awareness should be raised to promote relevant
assistance