Despite Bills and Acts, the fact remains that the 40 - 80 million persons with disability in India are among the most excluded, plagued by low literacy, few job opportunities, poor accessibility to health and widespread social stigma.

Though India has one of the most progressive policy frameworks in the developing world, a lot more needs to be done in implementing and getting the basics right.  Preventive health programs need to be deepened and all children screened at a young age. People with disabilities need to be better integrated into society by overcoming stigma; disabled adults need to be empowered with employable skills; and the private sector needs to be encouraged to employ them. Most importantly, persons with disabilities should themselves be made active participants in the development process.

Despite a 3% reservation, only 10% of posts have been identified as suitable and include only 3 types of disability – loco-motor, hearing and visual. This being the scene in public sector, it is much worse in the private sector.  However, of late, a large number of multinationals and IT companies are open to explore options to integrate more PWDs through employment, into the mainstream. Mahindra Satyam Foundation has joined the fray by bringing together employers and employees on to one platform, assessing gaps and conducting training programs striving to   transform the quality of life of People With Disability with permanent empowerment and Livelihood Interventions.


Key Achievements

• Organized Abilities Mela for four years - 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 (A common platform for Corporates/NGOs/ networks working on disability issues, to jointly lobby for an inclusive society)
• Acted as a nodal agency for recruitment of Persons With Disability in ITSAP ( The IT & ITES Industry Association of Andhra Pradesh) formerly HYSEA
• Provided livelihood support for 149 persons with disability (PWDs)
• Initiated comprehensive technology platform for PWDs to avail full life cycle solutions at a single point of contact
• Sensitized disability in among the corporate world and communities

Major Event


The Abilities Mela:

For the last three years Mahindra Satyam Foundation has been instrumental in facilitating conducting the Abilities Mela in Hyderabad. The Mela provides a platform to discuss disability issues, showcase the talents of Persons With Disability, assist them in finding opportunities, avenues for employment and self employment and sensitize the common population. The Mela brings together Govt. Organizations, NGOs & Corporates working in disability sector and corporates to deliberate on disability issues and facilitate various interventions, methods to mainstream increased number of PWDs towards inclusivity.



Important events such as Helen Keler’s Birthday, International Day of Persons with Disability are observed. During the International Day of Persons with Disability celebrations, Mahindra Satyam released a HR policy for Persons With Disabilities for both within Mahindra Satyam and its subsidiaries.

To date, livelihoods were created to 146 PWDs in service sector, Call Centers as employment and set up sweet corn outlets and food Kiosks under self employment.

In Bengaluru two computer labs were set up in two institutes for PWDs. Mahindra Satyam volunteers teach, provide reader service, and edit notes for the children. In Chennai, 12 children with disabilities have been trained in embroidery. A Voice Assisted Business Process Management Software and Content Management Systems were developed by our volunteers for two Institutes for PWDs.


Check out how we made a positive difference to the lives of mentally challenged children on the eve of Diwali