Mr. Ramprasad V will present his APS as per the details below:

Date: 19 Feb 2024 Time: 1400 - 1530 hrs. Venue: CTARA Conference Room No.1 Topic: Determinants of success in the engagement of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in livelihood ecosystems in India Guide: Prof Anand B Rao and Dr M R Seetharam RPC members: Prof Satish B Agnihotri, Prof Pankaj Sekhsaria and Prof B Ravi Abstract: The study hypothesises that a suitable livelihood opportunity can play a key role in improving the quality of life (QoL) for a person with disability (PwD). Being one of the prevalent disability types of disability both nationally as well as in the study area of Mysuru and Kodagu districts of Karnataka, locomotor disability has been shortlisted for the study. Hence, the research aims to understand the various factors – internal and external (including Assistive Technologies (ATs)), contributing to success in the livelihood of persons with locomotor disabilities. The study, thus, aims to understand any correlation between livelihood engagement of a person with locomotor disability (PwLD) and his/her quality of life (QoL) (which has been considered a measure of success in the study). Any role played by assistive technology (AT) in facilitating the livelihood engagement or quality of life is also planned to be examined. The nature of this study is in the form of a mixed methods research. The initial quantitative part involves interviewing PwLDs with a semi-structured questionnaire. As part of these surveys, 100 PwLDs engaged in different forms of livelihood will be interviewed. Further, as a comparison group, additional 100 PwLDs from a similar socio-economic background, but not yet engaged in any form of livelihood will also be interviewed. The semi-structured questionnaire involves section on livelihood capitals (human, social, financial, natural and physical), quality of life (WHOQOL BREF), disability assessment (WHODAS 2.0) and Assistive Technology assessment. These interviews will be followed by detailed qualitative interactions with about 20 PwLDs selected through a purposive sampling for evolving a grounded theory. Pilot surveys undertaken in the previous year based on the first version of the semi-structured questionnaire has resulted in modifications of the sections on quality of life and Assistive Technology. Additional survey on the effectiveness of a programme like MGNREGA for PwDs has brought out some systemic gaps like under-utilisation of Government schemes, probably due to lack of awareness and agency among PwDs and lack of convergence among Government departments. The case study approach of analysing ecosystem barriers has also brought out the multi-faceted challenges which hinder a person from actively getting involved in a livelihood activity. With regulatory approvals and other support mechanisms in place, the focus is now on the upcoming field interviews and grounded interactions with PwLDs which may bring out lesser-known understandings to the common fore.