Nagaland launches DREAM initiative to empower Persons with Disabilities

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.
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• 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.
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• 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.

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• 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
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• PwDs face in employment, education and entrepreneurship.
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• It stated that the findings would guide the development of inclusive skill training programmes and policy recommendations to foster economic inclusion.
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• "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,
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• Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, while emphasising on government’s commitment to inclusive skilling initiatives.
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• 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.
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• It added that by identifying gaps in access to existing government programmes, the initiative would provide recommendations to improve policy implementation and outreach.
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• “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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• “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).
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• 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.