The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : IT companies beckon the differently abled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

IT companies beckon the differently abled

By Akhila Seetharaman

Physically challenged persons take a test at the EmployABILITY 2004 at Vidyodaya School in T.Nagar on Sunday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI, DEC. 19 . With soaring attrition rates and growing demand for manpower in IT enabled services, things appear to be looking up for the differently abled."The IT and ITES industry is a big equaliser," said S. Krishnaswamy, placements in-charge at Ability Foundation. Speaking to The Hindu at a job fair for the disabled -- EmployABILITY -- he said: "There is every reason for companies to hire disabled people today; not for charity, but because it makes business sense."

High attrition rates in the industry put a premium on people who stay. If selected, qualified candidates with disabilities would stay loyal to the company that gives them the opportunity, he said. From 1,200 applicants, the organisers, Ability Foundation and Lions Club of Padi Shenoy Nagar, picked 700, selecting graduates with computer exposure.

Thirtytwo companies were on hand, many making their first move towards becoming equal opportunity employers. This was a refreshing change for disabled job-seekers. "It has always been difficult for me to even approach top companies," said D. Sivakumar. "But here, they are asking me to come and meet them," he said.

"We are here because this is another option for us as far as recruitment is concerned," said Rituparna G. Vats, HR Manager of Allsec. "We are looking for people with good communication skills."

But she admitted that Allsec was not equipped to absorb visually impaired people. S. Sikander Sultana, a visually impaired English literature graduate, said this was a common problem. "All jobs these days require computer skills, but companies are not ready to provide voice recognition software, which is very expensive" she said.

Sutherland Global Services (SGS) screened 500 job-seekers. "We are looking at data entry, typing, chat processing and email processing work, " said Padmapriya, its HR executive.

Lason India, the fair sponsor, was optimistic. "We have 60 satellite centres in the city. They can work at the centre nearest to them," said Raju S., senior operations manager.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section

He attracts crowd in Chennai too

`Rationalise taxes on entertainment industry'

IT companies beckon the differently abled

`Awareness, key to AIDS prevention'

Villages around Chennai in need of infrastructure

`Advertisements should follow local culture'

Labourer dies in wall collapse

Snakes rescued from milk processing plant

Around the City

In Chennai Today

Readers' Mail