A US-based disability advocacy non-profit organization has praised India’s Union Budget 2026 for its focus on skills, jobs, and assistive support aimed at empowering individuals with disabilities. The Voice of Specially Abled People (VOSAP) welcomed the budget, stating that the new schemes represent a significant step towards integrating persons with disabilities into the economic mainstream through targeted programs and policy backing. VOSAP’s founder, Pranav Desai, highlighted that the budget launch of two new initiatives, the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and the Divyang Sahara Yojana, is aligned with their long-term roadmap, ‘Vision 2047 for Divyangjan,’ emphasizing economic participation by persons with disabilities.
The Vision 2047 initiative by VOSAP seeks to ensure the full integration of persons with disabilities into India’s long-term growth narrative, emphasizing dignity, opportunity, and participation. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget announcement of the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana and the Divyang Sahara Yojana, focusing on skills, employment pathways, and assistive technology, was lauded by the group. VOSAP expressed appreciation to the Finance Minister for introducing timely measures that enhance skills, employment opportunities, and access to enabling technologies, fostering an inclusive ecosystem for Vision 2047 and Viksit Bharat.
Desai mentioned that the Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana is expected to concentrate on skill development and vocational training tailored to the specific needs of persons with disabilities to enhance employability and workforce engagement. On the other hand, the Divyang Sahara Yojana aims to offer structured support systems, including access to assistive devices and technology, enabling individuals with disabilities to live and work more independently. VOSAP emphasized that these initiatives are in line with the broader objective of Sugamya Bharat, focusing on overcoming barriers related to skills, jobs, and technology that often hinder opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The organization stressed the importance of effective implementation to ensure that the programs yield tangible benefits on the ground. VOSAP, a US-based global advocacy platform, collaborates with policymakers, institutions, and civil society to promote disability rights, accessibility, and inclusion. The group has actively engaged in policy dialogues concerning inclusive infrastructure, equal access, and economic participation for persons with disabilities. India, home to millions of individuals with disabilities, faces challenges in education, employment, and access to public spaces.
