Youth4Jobs Foundation

We have been honored with the TALHero India Award 2024 in the Non-Profit category in India. Thank you to the Touch-A-Life Foundation for this award. It recognizes our unwavering commitment to empowering and uplifting the lives of Persons with Disabilities across India. This award highlights our dedication to driving inclusion, accessibility, and meaningful change within the community.

The Telangana Government Joins Hands with Youth4Jobs The Government of Telangana launched a dedicated job portal, https://lnkd.in/gF_A4ZbF, designed exclusively for the Telangana Government. Technical collaboration is with Youth4Jobs' SwarajAbility. This portal aims to create seamless employability/employment opportunities for PwDs, promoting inclusion and accessibility in the workforce. The platform was inaugurated by Smt. Anasuya Seethakka Dansari, Minister of Panchayat Raj & Rural Development, and Women & Child Welfare dedicated the portal to the community, reaffirming the government's commitment to empowering PwDs in Telangana. Secretary Vakati, Karuna IAS, was present along with Sri Muttineni Veeraiah, Chairman of the Telangana Vikalangula Co-operative Corporation, and Commissioner of Disability, Smt. B.Sailaja. #Telanganagovernment #Youth4Jobs #swarajability #inclusionforalll #EmpoweringPWDs #accessibleworkforce #disabilityinclusion #EmploymentForAll #inclusiveemployment

"Is Artificial Intelligence an opportunity or a doomsday" The Zero Project India Conference 2024, an engaging session on "AI for Inclusive Education and Employability," moderated by Nipun Malhotra from the Nipman Foundation. Esteemed panelists included local and international experts such as aparajita singh from ChangeInkk Foundation, B Shadrach from Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), Jian Xi T. from UNESCO New Delhi, Paras Sharma from Kidaura, Daniel Harringer from Independo GmbH and Tomer Aharoni from Nagish The session highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in education and employment for individuals with disabilities. While AI may seem daunting, it presents numerous opportunities, especially in assistive technology, such as voice recognition and screen readers. The discussion addressed the need to consider the jobs that AI may replace for persons with disabilities while exploring how AI can enhance their employability. It also emphasized the importance of integrating AI in early education, empowering children with learning disabilities through tools like pictograms for better navigation. AI has the potential to revolutionize how language is processed and extensive texts are read, significantly reducing the stigma surrounding inclusive learning. The need for institutional frameworks to support the integration of AI in education was underscored during the session. As Paras Sharma aptly stated, “Inclusive education will have 100x impact through AI.” Let’s embrace AI and work together to harness its potential for a more inclusive future! #ZeroProjectIndia #InclusiveEducation #ArtificialIntelligence #Accessibility #Empowerment

“If you get it right for women with disabilities, you get it right for all women.” The recently concluded Zero Project India Conference 2024 featured an insightful panel discussion on WEDO – Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, moderated by Shriya Sethi from McKinsey & Company. The panel included speakers such as Aakanksha Gulati from ACT, Anubha Singhal from Enable Me Access Association, Anushka Thachil from Youth4Jobs Foundation, Uzoamaka Asiegbu from International Labour Organization, and Kanta Singh from UN Women, who shared valuable perspectives on empowering women with disabilities in entrepreneurship. The session brought to light several critical issues affecting women with disabilities. Key challenges include inadequate accessibility, which hinders their full participation in society, and an increased risk of gender-based violence, including both cyber and domestic abuse. Additionally, many women with disabilities struggle to access quality education, severely limiting their growth opportunities. The session also highlighted a notable lack of digital and financial literacy, creating a significant skills gap. Double discrimination compounds these challenges, leading to barriers in employment and social acceptance, while many women with disabilities are often subjected to home roles. Alarmingly, awareness of existing laws and support schemes remains low. To combat these issues, the discussion emphasized several solutions. Promoting startups can create inclusive solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities. It is vital to encourage women to believe in their capabilities and advocate for themselves. Mentorship programs can further empower women in entrepreneurship, highlighting that this pathway can lead to empowerment and independence. Aakanksha Gulati from ACT emphasized, "If we want to see innovation for women's issues, women and women with disabilities must lead that innovation and drive organizations from the front." The session concluded with the launch of the second edition of the WEDO booklet, titled Women Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Invisible to Visible Stories from South Asia, showcasing inspiring stories from Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. Overall, this session spotlighted a crucial yet often overlooked topic, advocating for greater visibility and support for women with disabilities. #InclusionMatters #WomenEntrepreneurs #WEDO #ZeroProjectIndia #DisabilityRights #EmpowerWomen #GenderEquality #WomenWithDisabilities #Innovation #Mentorship #SocialImpact #Accessibility #WomenInLeadership #Youth4Jobs #SouthAsia

60 million youth, including women with disabilities in India, face significant barriers to education, skills development, and employment, trapped in a cycle of poverty. But together, we can change this reality! Youth4Jobs is tirelessly working to empower these individuals by providing skill training and job placements, enabling them to achieve financial independence. This Daan Utsav (Oct 2-8), your support can uplift not just an individual, but entire families and communities. Click the link below to contribute. https://lnkd.in/gknzQMXv Let’s create a lasting impact together! #DaanUtsav #JoyOfGiving #Youth4Jobs #Empowerment #Inclusion #changemakers

Exploring the Global Potential of Indian Grassroots Solutions at #ZeroProjectIndia2024! On 19th September, during the Zero Project India Conference 2024, a session on The Global Potential of Indian Grassroots Solutions moderated by R Sameer Nair from Youth4Jobs Foundation brought together local and international voices committed to making accessibility a reality through technology. The discussion focused on how data-driven solutions and cost-effective assistive technology can revolutionize accessibility at the grassroots level. Arman Ali from National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, Aman Preet Kaur from Bajaj Finserv, and Prahalad Baniwal from Youth4Jobs Foundation (Grassroots Fellow) shared local insights, while international experts Leon Lawrence from Dutch Lanka Friendship Foundation and Iain McKinnon from Global Disability Innovation Hub highlighted global parallels. When we combine local innovation with global collaboration, we unlock immense potential for inclusive growth! #Accessibility #AssistiveTech #GrassrootsInnovation #ZeroProject #Inclusion #TechForGood

Everyone Can Give! This Daan Utsav, make a difference with your donation! Our alumni with disabilities are paying it forward this Daan Utsav, and they need your help to encourage 10 of their friends and family members to access employability skilling. Your contribution will empower youth with disabilities and their families to break the cycle of poverty. Discover the joy of giving today! Everyone Can Give: 2-8 October click here to Donate: https://lnkd.in/gknzQMXv #EveryoneCanGive #DaanUtsav #JoyOfGiving #SupportInclusion #DisabilityAwareness #InclusiveWorkforce #EmpowerYouth #Youth4Jobs #BreakTheCycle #GiveBack #EmploymentForAll #DonateNow #EmpowerCommunities #SkillForSuccess Meera Shenoy Jyothi Bezawada Nisha Felicita Rajesh Khanna Himanshu Mittal Anushka Thachil

"We must collaborate and avoid working in isolation to effectively share best practices". - Meera Shenoy, Youth4Jobs Foundation. On the 2nd day of the Zero Project India Conference 2024, the Building Bridges to Africa session, moderated by Riti Mohapatra from The Bridgespan Group, brought together diverse voices, including Dr. Tigmanshu Bhatnagar from Global Disability Innovation Hub, Tejwinder S Anand from Population Foundation of India, Irene Mbari-Kirika, CPACC, O.G.W, GMAP from inABLE, Dan Firoun Mounkaila from International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC and Meera Shenoy from Youth4Jobs Foundation. Key discussions revolved around: Assistive Technology Production and Scaling: The session highlighted the urgent need to scale the production of assistive devices for persons with disabilities, ensuring affordability and accessibility in local markets. Speakers emphasized that innovation must be driven by local needs, and solutions should be adaptable to different cultural contexts. Local Market Collaboration for Shared Innovation: The collaboration between local markets and organizations emerged as a focal point. Rather than working in silos, stakeholders need to build stronger bridges across borders to drive inclusive growth and create sustainable assistive solutions. This cooperation ensures that innovations are designed with real-world challenges in mind. Ownership and Encouragement of Assistive Technologies: Encouraging ownership within the disability community and enabling local enterprises to take leadership in developing assistive technologies was another key takeaway. Grassroots innovation and the empowerment of local creators are crucial to long-term success. Cost Reduction Strategies: Speakers discussed strategies for reducing the cost of disability solutions, especially in low-resource settings. The need for affordable assistive devices is essential for achieving widespread impact. Solutions like leveraging local materials, scaling production, and utilizing open-source designs were explored. As Irene Mbara of Inable Kenya asked: "What does disability mean in your context, and how can we support each other?" The session was a testament to the power of cross-border knowledge sharing and collaboration to shape the future of disability inclusion. #ZeroProject #DisabilityInclusion #AssistiveTechnology #Innovation #Collaboration #Africa #India

We're #hiring a new Project Lead- SHG Empowerment & Disability Inclusion in Bangalore Urban, Karnataka. Apply today or share this post with your network.

"Dancing is my medicine," said Ashwathi Subramanian, a Bharatanatyam dancer living with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). At 26, her life took a drastic turn with the diagnosis of ALS 12, a rare form of the disease. For seven long years, she put her passion for dancing on hold as her body slowly deteriorated with the progression of the illness. She was ready to give up on life. When asked about her last wish, she didn’t hesitate. “I want to dance,” she said. Despite being in hospice care with no cure in sight, Ashwathi found new meaning in her life through the art of dance. When she returned to the stage, she was surprised—her body remembered every move, every beat, every expression. After years of darkness, she found light again in her movement. Dance gave her a reason to keep going. Today, Ashwathi dances for a living, cherishing every single moment on stage. She says, "If I stopped physiotherapy, I would be okay. But if I stopped dancing, I would collapse." Dance is not just an activity for her—it’s a lifeline, a therapy, and a way to reclaim the control ALS had taken away. She made a spontaneous decision at the Global Zero Project India Conference '24. Rolling up in her wheelchair, she borrowed a traditional Bharatanatyam costume and asked if she could perform. To the song "Zero Barriers," she danced with grace and strength, leaving the entire audience teary-eyed and inspired. Her story reminds us all that art isn’t just a form of expression—it’s a source of healing, especially for those living with disabilities. Ashwathi’s journey is proof that even when life places unimaginable barriers before us, passion and art have the power to break through. #DancingThroughLife #ALSWarrior #Bharatnatyam #ArtHeals #ZeroBarriers #Inspiration #DisabilityAndArts #Resilience #ZeroProjectIndia #NeverGiveUp #LivingWithPurpose #Youth4jobs Zero Project Axis Bank Foundation The Hans Foundation Michael Fembek Martin Essl Anja Günther Sangita Thakur Meera Shenoy Anna Königseder Shriya Sethi