Persons with disabilities often have less opportunity to access formal employment or self-employment than others.
USAID Okard works with non-profit associations, government and businesses partners to provide different approaches of economic empowerment to persons with disabilities.
The civil society organizations implementing the CBID model use an adapted the BRAC graduation model to support the most vulnerable persons with disabilities and their family to initiate and sustain market-based income generating activities. For people that already have an income generating activity, USAID Okard uses coaching to switch to a business mindset aiming at increasing the existing income. For people with disabilities that express the desire to gain vocational skills, the CBID facilitators refer them to technical vocational training centers.
USAID Okard supports the startup called “Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS)”, to engage with vocational schools, public and private enterprises, business and chambers of commerce to develop and implement inclusive technical and vocational training courses and integrate persons with disabilities in existing employment channels The a social enterprise launched by the project, provides consulting services on disability inclusion to vocational training institutions and employers.
By the end of the project, 650 persons with disabilities and their households will complete job readiness training or begin an income generation activity like raising livestock.
Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) facilitators support persons with disabilities to develop a personalized livelihood plan that maps out their preferred market-based livelihood and identifies the income generating resources and further training they will need to achieve their goal.
Partners
Disability Mainstreaming Advisory Service (DMAS)