Issues and challenges to self employment among persons with disabilities: micro level study of Ahmedabad

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that 386 million of the world's working-age people have some kind of disability. Unemployment among the persons with disabilities is as high as 80 per cent in some countries¹. Even though persons with disabilities constitute a significant 5 to 6 per cent of India's population, their employment needs remain unmet². In absence to employment opportunities in the labour market, persons with disabilities are left with option of self employment. The micro level analysis of sample of self-employed PWDs from Ahmedabad shows that selfemployment is selected by compulsion and not by choice. Most of self-employed PWDs are engaged in traditional occupation earning very low income. Lacks of training and financial assistance are the major factor affecting the success of PWDs in self-employment. The benefits of government schemes and programs have not reached them because of lack of awareness.