Society’s attitude towards disabled persons is changing gradually. People are less likely to see someone with a disability as someone to be pitied; there is increased recognition that disabled persons have talents that can be useful to both the employer and the employee.

Madhubala is one such example. At 23, she is like any other working girl: enthusiastic and hard working. She clearly doesn’t let her blindness come in the way of her efficiency.

Perhaps it is because of her disability that her sense of hearing has become so sharp that she effortlessly picks up the slightest pronunciation mistakes. Such a skill is priceless in her work as senior accent voice trainer with IBM-Daksh.

Madhubala says “People should welcome persons with disability with open arms in the job market as they are extremely talented.” Sharing this sentiment is Sanjay Kapoor who has employed about 15 disabled people in his firm, AOK Inhouse GPO Services Limited, as in his experience, they are more committed. “I feel moved by their sincerity and focus,” he says, adding that all his disabled employees were recruited only after they passed screening tests to ensure they met with the job requirements.

Now a days even corporate houses have started training disabled people to fit into specific job requirements. And, it makes good business sense for the employers, according to Harry Sethi, a director at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (F.I.C.C.I.). He added that there are 7 million disabled people in our country and that this large scattered workforce could be gainfully employed to contribute to society.

F.I.C.C.I. through its socio-economic development foundation, promotes corporate social responsibility through voluntary and government organisations