Since 2002, HCI has been sponsoring the higher education of disabled youth and the number has grown to 25 per year since 2004. Today, 61 of them have successfully completed studies and are gainfully employed. Yet, between graduation and job placement, there is a very challenging, arduous process… preparing the physically challenged for the rough world outside. Adapting to / finding suitable accommodation & transportation are the 2 major challenges, yet next to food & sanitation. Amar Seva Sangam is tackling this issue by implementing a one year program of Livelihood Training for the physically challenged by providing secure accommodation, meals & transportation, in an office in Chennai, while giving them “on the job” training on various projects. Women are primary candidates for this initiative. The young ladies and men are adequately trained to take up a job by the end of the year. Since HCI has vested interest in successfully placing our sponsored youth, we would like to support this initiative.

 Cost : $1500 per year per youth. This includes hostel accommodation in a wheelchair friendly facility, meals and transportation.

 Scope:

     The advancement in computer study has opened up unlimited scope to develop economically for anyone who has the intellect and instinct. As such IT segment has created new avenues for the disabled youth to have ample opportunities and scope to shine. The enormous potentials of the electronic media will make it possible for anyone, particularly the physically challenged to work with applications like Auto CAD, creative works like animation, data conversions; back office work like BPOs and various ITES.

     Seldom we find any corporate or business house willing to hire the physically challenged, and rarely we find proper infrastructure for access to work place. The social investment by the government in disabled friendly public transport systems, universal access to  the mobility requirement of the disabled and training adequate manpower for the escorting and care giving requirement is also very low to say the least.

      It is in this context that Amar Seva Sangam has decided to make an initiative for the livelihood needs of the physically challenged. It will be a Pilot project for those trained at ASSA and those who are promising and willing to take up the challenges of a competitive corporate employment are taken for this program.

     The assumption is that if they are provided with mobility, accommodation and attendant solutions, they will be in a position to compete with others in corporate employment opportunities.

1.      The methodology of Initiative is to

• Train Physically challenged youngsters in real time business environment and help them develop adaptive skills to meet the competitive demands of employment 

• Provide essential supportive systems like transportation, escort s& Care-giving services, and accommodation which are the major barriers for their employment.

• Provide them with a stipend money to provide them monitory incentive for their minimum day to day expenses

• Negotiate with the company to convince them to provide proper mobility tools for the candidate who has impressed them by working with them.

• Absorb them/Find Placement in corporate if they are found capable.

 2.      The scheme involves

v  The trainees will be offered employment opportunity from six months to one year under a tie-up with a prospective employer.  

v  ASSA will provide

             Stipend

             Accommodation, food and transportation

             Attendant services and care giving

    v Expenditure per candidate per month works out to Rs.7000/- per month

3.      Deliverables

Date of Commencement April 01, 2008

 4.      Current Results

•  In the Year 2008

§    Two candidate got absorbed in software development

§    Two candidates got exposure but couldn’t measure up and returned back home.

§    Two candidates at present are undergoing training

§    Two candidates got outside employment. 

• ¨The Total Expenditure for the year is Rs.2,12,100/-

 5.      Budget & Sponsorship

  8   Accommodation costs Rs. 1000 per candidate pm.

  8   Food Costs Rs. 1500 per candidate pm.

  8   Transportation Costs Rs. 3000 per candidate pm.

  8   Stipend Rs.1500 per candidate pm.

  8   Total Rs. 7000 per candidate pm.

 At present 2 candidates are under this program. Their profiles are attached.