‘Devpt not sustainable if PwD not part of policies’

Panaji: It is time that persons with disabilities are seen not as individuals needing charity, but as individuals who contribute to the society and to the economy, said Nidhi Ashok Goyal, member of the steering committee, Civil 20 India, during the policy consultation on ‘disability and employment’ held in Panaji on Wednesday.
The consultation was conducted as part of the Disability, Equity, Justice Working Group Civil 20 India, which is a global platform for independent disability interventions under Indian leadership.
“Disability-related barriers are not just a concern of a few people— they impact all of us,” she said.
“Aging, wars, conflicts, and the pandemic all lead to people acquiring disabilities. If policymakers don’t think of us, growth and development will neither be inclusive, nor will it be sustainable,” she added.
Goyal further said that discussions such as these ensure that we are making recommendations to the G20 leaders “to not only have persons with disabilities be a part of the labour force today, be business leaders tomorrow, but be a part of the vision of the jobs and work of day after as well.”
The event was organised by the office of the state commissioner of persons with disabilities, with collaboration from the US Consulate General, Mumbai, Mariwala Health Initiative, and Rising Flame.
“1.3 billion persons in the world live with a disability and exclusion of this group can cost a country up to 7% of its GDP – a high price,” Guruprasad Pawaskar, the state commissioner for persons with disabilities, said.
“Therefore, it is in the human, social and economic interests of the global community that the needs of this group and their recommendations are included in the 2023 G20 Leaders’ Declaration,” he added.
The daylong policy consultation was held with panels unpacking topics such as ‘Employment livelihoods and inclusion’, discussing accessibility, job reservations, and business opportunities.