NAB Department of Employment
History
Economic independence is a fundamental requirement of any individual which when fulfilled leads to higher levels of self-esteem and self-worth. Applicable to one and all - including the blind - NAB (I) realized this fact and went on to start the first of its kind in the country Employment Bureau for the blind, almost immediately after its establishment in 1952. It was only after NAB initiated this vital service did the Government of India set up special employment exchanges in various states.
Initially we were successful in employing several blind persons in skilled and unskilled blue-collared jobs in the industry - mainly in factories and textile and sugar mills. This continued for a fairly long time. The educated were employed as telephone operators and other such jobs. To further their employment prospects we also started the Vending Stand Program and the Bureau of Self-employment.
Activities
The Dept. plays a major role in helping the visually impaired find suitable employment, by working closely with visually impaired persons and liaising with companies in both public and private sector, to give the blind opportunity to get into the work force.
Employment options are categorized in terms of Open Employment, Self-Employment and Sheltered Employment.
Open Employment
Through Open Employment blind persons are placed in the Government, public and private sector. Determined efforts are made to utilize to optimal level the 3% reservation for the disabled provided under the PWD Act 1995, secure jobs for the blind in the Government and Public sector and convince prospective employers in the private sector, to employ the blind. The Dept. has immensely contributed to the process of identifying jobs in the open market, which could be handled by the blind.
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Self-Employment
For those who find it difficult to find a job, the Dept. helps them to start out on their own by setting up PCOs (Public Call Offices) or small Vending Stalls. Finance is extended to blind individuals who wish to start small entrepreneurial activities.
We have also started Project SHADE (Sustainable Help and Development with Empowerment) for blind persons who are jobless because of their being insufficiently educated. We give them assistance in kind to start hawking business.We also provide them mini grain mills, leather cutting, sewing and popcorn-making machines, etc. which help them start their own little business with the help of family members and earn a reasonable living.
The Dept. also acts as an advisor and facilitator for acquiring self-employment loans offered by the National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation and Maharashtra Handicapped Finance Development Corporation. |
A beneficiary of our SHADE project. |
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Sheltered Employment
We have recently set up a Job Development Centre where 10 blind persons are have been employed and trained to make paper bags, candles, etc. These items produced under close supervision are sold to corporate offices. |
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Fancy paper bags made by the trainees of our Job Development Centre. |
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Training and Counselling
With conventional sources of employment drying out we have initiated many new training programs. Some of these are: training in making innovative items, marketing consumer products, Call Centre Operation, Medical Transcription, etc.
Many of our trained candidates work in TATA INDICOM, Vodafone and BPL Call Centres. Some of them have also been employed as Medical Transcriptionists by Cbay Remote Services Ltd., Mumbai.
We have partnered with agencies that help prepare them to face interviews and entrance tests required for various jobs, thereby helping them compete for jobs on an equal basis with the normal sighted. Of late we have initiated a project called INDEPENDENCE, where job aspirants are trained to hone their Braille reading and writing, conversational English, Communication and Computer skills with a view to enhance their employability.
We also offer prospective blind employees pre and post-employment counseling. |
"Drisht" Call Centre - a collaborative effort of NAB, India and Tata Indicom was inaugurated in 2007 by HE Mrs. Pratibha Patil, the President of India (then the Governor of Rajasthan). |
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| "Drishti" is fully operated by visually impaired persons. |
Awards
Mrs. Piloo Dorab Khambatta Memorial Award instituted in the memory of Mrs. Piloo D. Khambatta, former Hon. Secretary of the Dept. are presented to:Best Blind Employee/s, Best Self-Employed Blind Person/s and Best Employer/s of the Blind (organization recruiting highest number of blind persons in a year).
Dr. B. D. Pallonji Award is given to Employment Officer/s who place maximum number of blind persons. The Award was instituted in the memory of Late Dr. B. D. Pallonji, the first employment officer of NAB. |
What can you do
Sponsor construction of a PCO booth, which costs between Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000
Sponsor items like mini grain mill, which costs some where around Rs.9,000
Sponsor items in the range of Rs.5000 to Rs.10,000, which go a long way in promoting employment of the blind
Assist us in organizing Training Programs to Enhance Employability of the blind
Employ suitable blind persons in your organization |
Awards Nomination Forms 2011
P. D. Khambatta Memorial Awards
1. Award for Best Employer
Download Form For Best Employers Award
Download Attachment Form For Best Employers Award
2. Award for Best Blind Employee
Download Form For Best Blind Employee Award
3. Award for Best Self Employed Person
Download Form For Best Self Employed Blind Person Award
D. B. Pallonji Memorial Award
4. Award for Best Employment Officer
Download Form For Best Employment Officer Award
Download Attachment Form For Best Employment Officer Award
Govt. of Maharashtra GR on Assistive Technology
