Survey reveals widespread socio-economic challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — A baseline survey under the LIC HFL Sarthak has brought into focus the significant socio-economic challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Dimapur district.

Implemented by Prodigals’ Home between December 2024 and March 2025, the study assessed the livelihood status and skilling needs of 135 PwDs. While the majority of respondents were from Dimapur, a limited number were included from Chümoukedima and Niuland, aligning with the project’s emphasis on Dimapur as the primary intervention area.

Prior to the survey, over 400 PwD profiles were collected and screened across various sources, including local organisations and community networks. From this pool, 135 individuals were chosen—28 earning PwDs and 107 non-earning PwDs—to participate in the baseline study.

Also read: Persons with Disabilities get insights on livelihood opportunities

The survey is part of a pilot project aimed at fostering livelihood and building capacity among PwDs in Nagaland. As per the project design, the primary objective was to identify and support at least 100 non-earning PwDs through skilling interventions, with the goal of enabling at least 40 of them to begin income-generating activities. A smaller number of earning PwDs was also included to assess existing livelihood trends and barriers.

Few earning, many underemployed

Out of the 135 PwDs surveyed, only 28 reported earning a livelihood. Among them, 61% were aged between 26 and 35, and 25% between 18 and 25, indicating a young and potentially employable demographic. Males made up 64% of this group, while females accounted for 36%. The most prevalent disability was locomotor, affecting 64% of earning respondents.

Despite 29% of earners being graduates and another 29% having completed Class 10, income levels remained modest. Only 25% earned above INR 10,000 per month, while 43% earned between INR 5,000 and INR 10,000. The remaining 32% earned less than INR 5,000. Employment in the government sector was rare, with only three respondents holding such roles.

While 96% of earners possessed disability certificates, just 46% had obtained a Unique Disability Identity (UDID) card—now increasingly required to access schemes. All had bank accounts, and 86% were enrolled in at least one social protection programme. Only 18% operated a dedicated shop or outlet, with most working without a fixed commercial space or under employers.

“Those working independently need help in terms of having an outlet, branding their products and marketing assistance,” the report stated.

Non-earning PwDs

The remaining 107 PwDs were not engaged in any income-generating activity at the time of the survey. This group formed the project’s main focus, with an aim to build a skilling base and enable at least 40 individuals to transition into income-generating roles.

Like the earners, this group was predominantly young: 42% were aged 18 to 25 and 29% between 26 and 35. Males comprised 58%, while females made up 42%.

Educational gaps were more pronounced among non-earners—31% were illiterate and only 10% had completed graduation. Most had incomplete school education.

In terms of documentation, 85% held disability certificates, but only 54% had UDID cards. Additionally, 29% did not have bank accounts. While none were currently earning, 52% came from households with monthly incomes above INR 10,000, indicating some family-level financial stability.

Encouragingly, the survey found that 74% of non-earning PwDs were willing to undergo vocational training. Of the remainder, 24% were medically unfit for training due to severe or chronic disabilities, and 2% expressed no interest in training. It was also found that 37% had already received some form of training. Areas of interest included tailoring, computer literacy, grocery business, carpentry, and handicrafts.

Read more: Empowering PwDs: Career counselling held in Dimapur

Access to welfare schemes

Across both groups, participation in collective platforms remained low. Among non-earners, only 10% were members of Self Help Groups (SHGs), and 23% were affiliated to Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs). Among earners, SHG membership dropped further to 7%, with 36% involved in any DPO.

“They need to come together on a common platform to help each other for cross-learning, mutual support, advocacy and economic enhancement,” the report stated.

Access to government schemes also showed disparities. While 86% of earners were enrolled in at least one social protection programme, 40% of non-earners had not enrolled in any. The report flagged this as a critical gap, given the vulnerability of non-earning PwDs, and recommended expanding access to schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, and disability pensions.

Recommendations for inclusive livelihoods

Based on these findings, the report proposed a multi-pronged strategy to improve economic inclusion for PwDs in Nagaland. These include the expansion of barrier-free vocational training centres equipped with sign language and Braille support, as well as simplifying the UDID registration process. Subsidised, disability-sensitive skill development programmes were also recommended.

The report emphasised the need for targeted entrepreneurship support through government-backed business incubators, incentives for companies hiring PwDs, and state-supported market linkages for product commercialisation.

To strengthen financial inclusion, the formation of SHGs involving PwDs and their caregivers was recommended, alongside tailored microfinance and credit schemes for PwD-led startups. Financial literacy workshops and simplified banking procedures were also suggested.

For social protection, the report called for enhanced pensions for severely disabled or bedridden individuals and expanded insurance coverage to meet recurring medical needs. All scheme access points, it noted, must be designed to be barrier-free and user-friendly.

Further, the report stressed the importance of outreach and policy enforcement. It advocated for awareness campaigns to educate PwDs and their families about rights and entitlements, and for stronger collaboration between NGOs and government departments to ensure effective, community-level delivery of support services.

Follow-up action

As part of the ongoing project activities, two career counselling and entrepreneurship seminars have been organised to translate survey insights into action on the ground.

The seminars, held on April 26 and June 6, were organised by Prodigals’ Home in collaboration with the office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) and the National Career Service Centre for the Differently Abled (NCSC-DA). The event aimed to strengthen awareness and introduce livelihood pathways for PwDs. A total of 50 PwDs, identified through the baseline survey, participated in the sessions, which focused on linking individuals to existing services, schemes, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

This report is facilitated by the LIC HFL Sarthak