Self-Employment for Persons with Disabilities

Dear Supporters,

For persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Pakistan, poverty is often compounded by barriers to education, employment, mobility, and access to basic services. The data reflects this disparity: nationally, 74.9% of adults with significant functional disabilities experience multidimensional poverty, compared to 44.1% of adults without functional difficulties. In Sindh, the gap remains substantial, with multidimensional poverty affecting 73.8% of adults with significant functional disabilities, compared to 52.1% of those without functional difficulties (Disability Data Initiative - World Bank, based on PDHS 2017-2018).

These barriers are particularly difficult to overcome in rural areas, where formal employment opportunities are limited and access to accessible transport and workplaces can be even more challenging. Through NOWPDP’s Khudmukhtari initiative, we are working to address this gap by creating opportunities for persons with disabilities to earn independently through self-employment.

Recently, we provided three hand-controlled, retrofitted rickshaws and one retrofitted loader to four persons with disabilities from rural Sindh. These vehicles are enabling their owners to pursue transport and delivery-based businesses, creating a source of income that can help them support themselves and their families.

For many persons with disabilities, access to an opportunity begins with access to the right tools. By making mobility more accessible and providing the means to earn, these businesses are opening pathways to greater financial independence and participation in their communities. This support also demonstrates how greater access and opportunity can help persons with disabilities overcome barriers and contribute to their families and local communities.

There are many more persons with disabilities across Pakistan who have the skills and determination to build livelihoods of their own but lack the resources to get started. Your support can help provide these resources, helping create more pathways to self-employment and ensuring that disability is not a barrier to earning a dignified livelihood.

With love,
Team NOWPDP