Entrepreneurial trainings for people with disabilities

Within the UN Joint Programme on Social Protection in Uzbekistan, the UNDP has held a micro-grant competition for small social initiatives which seek to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Uzbekistan. The Public Association of Disabled People named “Inclusive Society” in the city of Tashkent is one of the 11 winners. The chairperson of Association, Ms. Nodira Tillaeva, shares her experience, project ideas and implementation path.

“In fact, many organizations do not hire people in the 1st and 2nd categories of disability” says Nodira Tillayeva. The reason is behind this is the belief that people with disabilities in these categories may easily become tired and might not be able to fully (or dully) deliver their duties. Yet, potential employers incorrectly understand their responsibilities. Every organization is obliged to create jobs for people with disabilities, and to provide requisite working conditions. In practice, an employer should give a chance to a person with a disability, and actually check their skills during a probation period before saying “we cannot hire you.”

Thus, the Association got awarded a small grant for a project which aims to provide equal rights and opportunities to people with disabilities, on par with other people in society, through training young people with disabilities in computer literacy and accounting. The project team has developed a special training course in this direction. The future objectives are to improve the computer literacy of young people with disabilities, to teach them how to use the Internet, and to teach them the basics of accounting, thereby increasing their chances of getting a job. We will make every effort to develop this social programme. We hope that we will be able to create a better future for young women and men with disabilities, as well as provide them with opportunities to find happiness, including building their own families.

Nodira says “When people have no jobs, they can easily get depressed and lose their self-confidence.” That is why, shebelieves the implementation of this project is vital. Nodira understands perfectly well the feelings and situations of persons with disabilities. Chairperson, herself is an accountant. And she sees the promise and advantages that this career holds for persons with disabilities. One benefit is that you can work from home, online, without a need to go outside. Computer abilities and accounting skills are interrelated. It can be difficult to do accounting work without having good computer skills.

After running these two courses on accounting, Nodira wishes to teach the participants the entrepreneurial skills, which would allow them to open their own businesses. Entrepreneurs can do business only if they know how to manage their income and expenses well. If one wants to be a successful entrepreneur, it is important to have a better understanding of cost and benefit analysis. So, knowing the basics of accounting will definitely help. And what is more, these entrepreneurs could themselves create new jobs for other people with disabilities.