Social inclusion

We believe in promoting inclusion and ensuring equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including those with visual impairments or blindness, to reach their full potential.

A visually impaired man sits in his shop.

The employment rates for people with disabilities are significantly low.

There are several government-initiated schemes for the benefit of people with disability, but lack of awareness and inaccessibility often results in under-utilisation of the benefits of these schemes.

A lady sits outside her house with her grown up children.

What we’re doing

To enable social inclusion of people with disabilities, Sightsavers India has concentrated its focus around three core areas: economic empowerment, strengthening Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and creating an enabling environment. Sightsavers India thus supports people with disability through livelihood interventions and facilitates the formation and capacity building of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). It is crucial to enable them to effectively represent themselves and their community at all levels and on various platforms.

We work to bring positive change among communities and schools by ensuring they adopt socially inclusive policies towards people with disabilities. This enables a healthy attitude that aids the inclusion of people with disabilities with respect to healthcare, education and income.

Social inclusion for people with disabilities like blindness or visual impairment means ensuring they get equal rights and face no discrimination, especially concerning education, healthcare and income.

We work in collaboration with the government to implement its obligations under international conventions towards people who are visually impaired or blind. Aside from healthcare support, we promote social inclusion through:

Rehabilitation

  • We work to equip people with disabilities with the skills (daily living, vocational training, etc.), tools and assistance they need to earn a living and lead an independent life.
Neeta’s Story

Neeta’s story

After losing her sight, Neeta dropped out of school. But through Sightsavers rehabilitation project, she received training to manage her family's grocery store.

Read her story

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