Projects : JEEVIKA - A FICCI-SEDF and AADI partnership project for enhancing livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities

FICCI-Socio Economic Development Foundation (FICCI-SEDF) was formed in 1995 to provide an institutional base to the social sector activities of the corporate sector and to promote Corporate Social Responsibility especially amongst the members of FICCI. One of the focus areas for FICCI-SEDF's work is enhancing the employability of persons with disabilities. FICCI-SEDF's activities on disability are based on its AHEAD (Action for Harnessing, Employment Avenues for Disabled) Strategy, which is based on collective opinion of all the possible stakeholders who have important roles in economic rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
To operationalise the AHEAD initiative, FICCI-SEDF has partnered with AADI. The partnership has launched a project called JEEVIKA.

Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI) has been working in the field of disability and development since 1978. AADI's work includes direct services to the Persons with Disabilities, their families, training of professionals through postgraduate courses affiliated to the University of Delhi and macro-level work on advocacy and policy development.

AADI's vision is `of a world in which persons with disability are an integral part of society with equitable access to services and opportunities enabling them to live life to the fullest.'

The Adult Training Programme of AADI caters to the needs of adults across all disabilities promoting and protecting their rights and dignity to promote social development, economic independence and empowerment through a comprehensive, collaborative and holistic process.

JEEVIKA

FICCI-SEDF in partnership with AADI has initiated JEEVIKA, a project, for enhancing employment and livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities in the National Capital Region.

JEEVIKA would address the following objectives:

1. Promote equal opportunity and facilitate inclusive work culture.
2. Skill enhancement and placement services for Persons with Disabilities.
3. Establishing linkages for entrepreneurship development.

Jeevika's services are open for all persons with disability in the age group of 18 yrs and above, family members, training institutes, trainers, employers, NGOs and any other organization, which is promoting and working towards creating an Inclusive Society.
The focus is to facilitate quality of life through Inclusion in Employment, sustainable Livelihoods and Purposeful Activity:

• Capacity Building of adults with disability through a Performance Enhancement Program on the issues of communication, relationships, integrity, motivation, regarding career and managing difficult situations in the work place to arrive at work place solutions.
  
• Capacity Building of the partner corporate on rights based approaches to recruitment, induction, mentoring and accommodations through a culture that values diversity.
  
• Placing adults with disability and their care givers in appropriate sensitive environments for purposeful activity, sustainable livelihoods and employment.
  
• Strengthening Support systems for sustaining people in work and livelihood.

Garment industry experience

Microsoft -FICCI-SEDF tie up for the MAR programme (.pdf)