Telangana Govt Vows All Support to Disabled Community
HYDERABAD: The World Disability Day was celebrated on Tuesday — December 3 — to raise awareness about the challenges of the community as well as promote inclusivity among society. Several events were hosted by various organisations, highlighting the need for greater understanding from society.
The department for empowerment of persons with disabilities, senior citizens and transgender persons organised a cultural programme at Ravindra Bharathi. D. Anasuya Seethakka, the minister for panchayat raj and rural development, women, children, disabled, and senior citizens welfare, presided as the chief guest.
In her speech, Seethakka assured that the government will provide all possible support to enable persons with disabilities to succeed in all fields. She promised various forms of assistance on behalf of the government.
As part of the event, several disabled individuals were provided with assistive devices (laptops, prosthetics, hearing aids). State-level awards were presented to disabled individuals who excelled in various fields and to voluntary organisations working for their welfare.
Celebrations were also held at Raj Bhavan, where Governor Jishnu Dev Varma participated as the chief guest. Children from schools for the hearing-impaired, visually impaired, and others presented captivating cultural performances. The Governor distributed wheelchairs, walkers, tricycles, hearing aids, and other assistive devices to individuals with disabilities.
The National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) celebrated 25 years of Helen Keller Awards, honouring 17 exceptional individuals and organisations from across India who have championed the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce. The 2024 award for Role Model Supporters of Increased Employment for Persons with Disabilities went to Ashish Verma from Hyderabad.
As a senior HR business partner at Amazon, he developed a virtual working model for frontline roles in the Network Operations Centre (NOC), creating more opportunities for PwDs, particularly those with locomotor disabilities.
He also conducted a performance and attrition analysis comparing employees with and without disabilities. The findings demonstrated that PwD employees performed on par with their peers and exhibited better retention rates. This data-driven evidence substantiated his stance and convinced business teams to set an ambitious goal for hiring PwDs across all frontline roles.
Other events included a rally at Vikrampuri organised by the Autism Vocational Centre (AVC) that saw participation of children and staff from AVC to spread awareness about disabilities and foster understanding and inclusivity, reminding citizens that a little understanding goes a long way in building a supportive society.
Plants were distributed to nearby shops, hospitals, and showrooms, with the message: "These plants symbolise our shared commitment to growth and inclusivity, while nurturing a society where everyone belongs." A cultural programme was also organised where children with special needs showcased their unique talents and creativity.
An awareness walk from KBR Park to MAA Hospitals, Jubilee Hills Check Post and an inter-college Science and Technology Exhibition, emphasising the theme, "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future" were organised by MAA Research Foundation.