Developing a Training Package for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities involving Natural Properties Dr. Chandra Saumya* Asst. Professor, Department of Mental Retardation, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Faculty of Disability Management and Special Education, IHRDC, SRKV Post, Periyanaickenpalaym, Coimbatore-641020 *Corresponding Author Email: chandra.saumya@yahoo.com
Online published on 25 July, 2019. Abstract Unemployed youth has been one of the burning issues for research and policy. Recent estimates from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) (2013a) suggest that high and rising unemployment rates among youth remain a key challenge to global development, especially in the developing world. This is particularly important in South Asian countries where about 85 per cent of youth (defined by the ILO as all those between the ages of 15 and 24 years) are poor, 70 percent live in rural areas and 11 million youth are expected to enter the labour market every year for the next decade (World Bank 2014). In spite of the emphasis on the right-based approach to disability, about 82% PwDs worldwide live below the poverty line (Cramm and Finkenflugel, 2008: 16). An estimated 65–80% of 60 million PwDs in rural areas of India do not have access to basic minimum facilities (Ghai, 2001: 29). This paper throws lights on an experiment done with Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (hereafter PwID) using natural properties (soil, seeds, seedling/saplings, plant, vegetables etc.) and significant differences observed during the experimentation. The researcher emphasizes that life skillsfor independent and dignified living can be taught easily to PwID with proper planning, networking and step by step implementation. Top Keywords Youth unemployment, Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, Agriculture training. Top |