Officials of Prodigals’ Home led by its director, K Ela, NGO
partner, gearing up for DREAM project in Dimapur.
DIMAPUR — Directorate
of Employment, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched the
Disability Research, Empowerment and Accessibility Mission (DREAM), a
pioneering initiative, to address the systemic barriers faced by Persons with
Disabilities (PwDs) and to lay the groundwork for inclusive, data-driven skill
development and employment programmes across the state.
The initiative aims to understand the gap between existing
training programmes and the real needs of PwDs by ensuring that skill-building
efforts aligned with job market demands and self-employment opportunities.
An update from NagaEd stated that it is supporting the
department as a research and implementation partner by bringing its expertise
in education and inclusive training solutions.
It mentioned that DREAM Nagaland is a platform for listening
to the voices of PwDs across 16 districts. Through surveys and interviews, the
project would capture valuable insights on the barriers
PwDs face in employment, education and entrepreneurship.
It stated that the findings would guide the development of
inclusive skill training programmes and policy recommendations to foster
economic inclusion.
"Skills are the foundation of opportunity. When we
invest in the right training, we don’t just change lives—we strengthen entire
communities," said Savio Visa, director of Employment,
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, while emphasising on
government’s commitment to inclusive skilling initiatives.
It pointed out that despite various national and state-level
schemes, access to education, employment, and support services for PwDs in
Nagaland remains limited, especially in rural and remote communities. It stated
that DREAM Nagaland seeks to bridge those gaps by gathering firsthand insights
directly from PwDs through structured surveys and interviews across 16
districts of the state.
It added that by identifying gaps in access to existing
government programmes, the initiative would provide recommendations to improve
policy implementation and outreach.
“We need people from all walks of life to participate in
this survey to ensure that research leads to real impact. This is about
creating opportunities for every individual to thrive. If you have a
disability, care for someone who does or have a friend who is disabled, please
take part in this groundbreaking survey,” said Kevisato Sanyü, Founder of
NagaEd.
Report also stated that DREAM Nagaland is built on a
collaborative model by bringing together government departments, local NGOs,
community leaders and people with lived experience of disability.
It stated that the project would culminate in a
comprehensive report, stakeholder consultations and policy dialogues to ensure
findings are validated and translated into actionable reforms.
“Inclusion is not about pulling others in, it's about
removing what keeps them out. DREAM is for safety, accessibility, belonging,
impact, visibility, innovation, growth, community,” said Vikengunu Fatima Kera,
president of Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF).
It further stated that the initiative aligned with the government’s
broader goal of fostering equity, dignity and economic participation for all
citizens including those historically excluded from mainstream skill
development efforts.
