One of NOWPDP’s explicit objectives is to work toward encouraging the business community to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities and implement the employment quota reserved for persons with disabilities in their organizations. We also aim to promote socioeconomic inclusion by promoting economic self-reliance and personal independence. In keeping with these aims, the Employment Generation Project is one of our key running programs. The Project aims to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities by disproving the myths surrounding their potential and highlighting their capabilities. NOWPDP acts as a bridge between the employer and the potential candidate, working to ensure satisfaction on both ends. In line with this, we have held regular Employment Camps, where potential candidates are individually evaluated before their details are passed on to interested employers. For employers, we attempt to demystify people with disabilities and present a realistic picture of their skills and talents.

To this end, NOWPDP held an Employability Focus Group in November 2008, where several corporate organizations were invited to participate. The purpose of this exercise was to provide a neutral platform for employers to air their concerns and perceptions, and to address these concerns. The November 2008 Focus Group was the first of a series of such sessions planned by NOWPDP, and encouraged by the positive response we received to the first Focus Group, we have planned the second Focus Group.

It is to be held on April 28^th 2009 in Karachi, and several large corporate organizations have been invited to send the representatives of their Human Resource, and Corporate Social Responsibility departments. We aim to create an open and interactive environment where employers are able to freely discuss their concerns with each other and at the end of the session, form a well-informed and holistic perspective of persons with disabilities.

The third and final Employability Focus Group is also scheduled for May-June 2009, to be held along the same lines as the preceding sessions. If there are any corporate organizations interested in participating in the NOWPDP Employability Focus Group, we would request them to contact us at info@nowpdp.org, with ‘Employability Focus Group’ in the subject field. Given the specific purpose of  the Focus Group, it is only open to members of the business/service sector.