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

Date: 13 February 2025, Thursday

Time: 1600 - 1700 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

Abstract:

As disability becomes more mainstream in our society, the onus is on understanding how to make a living amidst it. One line of thought that is being explored in this study is whether working through disability offers a better quality of life to the individual with disability. We hypothesise that the success of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in livelihoods is influenced by a combination of various factors both internal and external to the individual. We further argue that these factors can be gauged and altered to enhance livelihood engagement and eventually improve the quality of life (QoL) of the individual with disability. We also hypothesise that assistive technologies (ATs) can play a role in modifying the personal abilities of the individual as well as making the ecosystem more conducive for functioning. These propositions are being investigated by adopting a mixed-method research approach wherein semi-structured interviews are being undertaken with 100 persons with locomotor disabilities who are engaged in work and a similar set of people who are not working. This study is being undertaken with persons with locomotor disabilities (who form the major segment among PwDs) primarily in rural parts of Mysuru, Kodagu and the surrounding districts of Karnataka. The research adopts the sustainable livelihoods framework suitable for rural areas and the capabilities approach to well-being. The study is coming up with a multi-dimensional spheres of influence model concerning the livelihood success and QoL of the individual with disability. Semi-structured interviews guided by questionnaires on various livelihood capitals, quality of life, disability and assistive technology assessments were undertaken with a small set of 19 participants spread over various Taluks. The results from these interviews have been classified into personal, social, systemic, knowledge and skills, professional, disability, financial, natural and physical, QoL and assistive technology (AT) categories. The correlations among these results are however yet to be explored. The study is eventually expected to bring out a template of factors that might affect the livelihood engagement of a person with a locomotor disability and thereby likely influence the quality of life. With this as an assessment tool and a decision support mechanism, PwDs can possibly understand their current livelihood profile and work towards addressing the parameters identified for improvement.