Despite the Karnataka government’s efforts to fill posts reserved for persons with disabilities, significant challenges remain in the workplace. Shobha V., a senior assistant at Hescom, highlights the lack of accessible washrooms, forcing her to reduce water intake to avoid using inadequate facilities. The government has employed thousands of disabled individuals across various job groups, achieving notable reservation targets.
However, activists argue that simply filling these posts is insufficient without improving job quality and accessibility. Issues such as irregular grievance meetings and inadequate skill development initiatives exacerbate the situation. The State Disability Commission’s pension scheme for caregivers, though progressive, falls short of covering the actual expenses involved, leaving many to struggle with insufficient support.