Why this is an opportune time to reflect on corporate disability inclusion

By providing economic opportunities to PWDs when they need them the most, companies can make a huge contribution towards integrating this historically underrepresented community in the workforce

A study published by Business Standard last year highlighted that persons with disabilities (PWDs) constitute less than 0.5 per cent of employees in India’s top companies. This provides a sobering, yet unsurprising, reminder of the abysmally low employment rates of PWDs in the corporate sector. 

The Covid-19 crisis has further exacerbated the plight of PWDs. Social isolation coupled with a lack of employment opportunities and financial insecurity have made a majority of them increasingly vulnerable during the pandemic. 

Amongst NGOs that deal with the welfare of PWDs, there is growing trepidation that corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds from companies will dwindle in