Dr. Mahantesh GK from Samarthanam addresses the 52nd Session of the United Nations at Geneva

Dr. Mahantesh, Founder Managing Trustee of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled addressed the the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and spoke on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically on individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired. The pandemic has caused significant social and economic disruption, including limited access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Samarthanam Trust anticipated the impact of COVID-19 and had plans in place to respond to the situation. During and after the pandemic, the trust provided various interventions and digital support systems to assist individuals with disabilities. These included remote healthcare and mental health support, accessible online content and virtual assistive technology, contactless delivery and pickup services, and community support for essential goods.

Samarthanam Trust’s interventions and support systems have been crucial in minimizing the impact of the pandemic on individuals with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired. It has also enabled them to stay competitive in the job market despite high attrition rates.

The trust is grateful for the support of various corporates who have helped to reinforce their commitment to the disabled society. Samarthanam conducted 94 mega job fairs, where more than 500 employers recruited over 10,000 people with disabilities.

He also applauded the measures taken by the Government of India to support general public and specifically the disabled community to access the support system like vaccines etc to fight the pandemic.