Inclusive voices, inclusive lives: Lived experiences, stigma and discrimination faced by persons with disabilities in corporate India
Dr. Nandini Murali, Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Ms Tanuja Prasad, Ms Athira Premarajan, Ms Lakshmi Jeyaraman
Vice President – Learning & Research, Avtar, India
Management, Avtar, India
Training and Workshops, Avtar, India
Training and Workshops, Avtar, India
Consulting & Solutions, Avtar, India
Abstract
Lived experience is a key construct in qualitative phenomenological research. It refers to the direct or firsthand experience of a situation by the person concerned, vis a vis the knowledge gained through second hand, mediated or cognitive sources. According to an estimate by the WHO, globally, 15 percent of the population live with some form of disability, and over 80 percent them in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. India has a population of over 1.3 billion, of which 2.2 percent live with some form of severe mental or physical disability. Persons with disability experience significant marginalization because of negative stereotypes associated with disability and persons impacted by it. In the last two decades, the lived experience movement, championed by persons with disability who highlight their needs, concerns, and rights is also tangible in the Indian subcontinent. This has resulted in significant impacts in the lives of persons with disability. The role of lived experience is a powerful antidote to the culture of stigma, shame, secrecy, and silence around disability. The study is a qualitative phenomenological approach that consists of focus groups and in-depth interviews with persons with disability to explore their lived experiences and perspectives of disability. This has the potential to widen the conversation on corporate perspectives on inclusion of persons with disability in the corporate workspace. Person with lived experience of disability are “experts by experience.” The authenticity of their lived experience endows them with the potential to emerge as robust change agents who can humanize society. The study is a compelling proof of concept for the need to integrate persons with disability as pivotal stakeholders in effecting disability inclusive policies and practices in corporate workspaces in the country. Keywords: Disability, Inclusion, Lived experience, Employment, Marginalization
Highlights
Introduction: Our stories make us who we are. Our biographies influence and impact our destinies. Lived experience refers to the direct or first-hand experience of ...
Rationale: Lived experience is a key construct in qualitative phenomenological research. The direct, personal experience of a person in dealing with the barriers...
Study Methodology: The study methodology consists of focus groups with persons with disability to explore their lived experiences and perspectives of disability and in-d...
Study Limitations: The study limitation was mainly on the small number of working members among the persons with disability; even lesser, their availability in the organ...
Key Research Assumptions: The study pivoted on the following research assumptions based on prevailing critical issues and trends in inclusion of persons with disability in corp...
Study Objectives: The overall objective of the study is to understand the factors that influence, impact and limit employment of persons with disability in the corporat...
Research Approach and Methodology: The research team envisaged the following three-part approach to address the proposed research objectives.Part 1: A review of literature to meet the s...
Review of Literature : People with disabilities navigate multiple challenges and barriers to fully participate in society including finding sustainable emp...
Key Highlights of the Study : Several important themes emerged from the virtual FGD conducted with eleven persons with disability. They highlight the multiple, multidimensional cha...
In-depth Interviews with Key Informants : The study team spoke to disability activists P. Rajasekharan, Co-Founder, V-Shesh[1],Chennai, an impact enterprise that works towards creating inclusi...
Thematic Findings from the Interviews : The pivotal role of lived experience in providing a counter narrative: The lived experience lens enables diverse stakeholders to have an accurate, rea...
Recommendations: Promoting Awareness and Sensitivity Training: Organizations should prioritize awareness and sensitivity training programs to educate em...
Conclusion: The study explores the lived experiences of persons with disabilities in challenging and addressing the stigma and discrimination in corporate workspa...
Appendix: Interview Excerpts: Interview with P. Rajasekharan, Co-Founder, V-Shesh, ChennaiBiggest challenge that we all face is with the recruitment and inclusion of people with di...