Across the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Persons with Disabilities (PwD) pursue a wide range of livelihoods as weavers, artisans, shop owners, digital service providers, farmers and entrepreneurs. Yet, like many others living and working in rural areas, they often face barriers that make it difficult to sustain and grow their livelihoods. For PwDs, and their caregivers, these challenges are further compounded by limited access to infrastructure, productive assets, finance and support systems.

Over the years, our work in the region has shown that livelihood interventions for Persons with Disabilities cannot be approached through a one-size-fits-all lens. The realities of a weaver in Kokrajhar, a tailor in a market town or a digital service provider in a remote village are very different. At the same time, a common pattern emerges: when key constraints are addressed, individuals are better able to strengthen existing livelihoods, improve productivity and pursue new opportunities. Climate stresses are only increasing the vulnerability of these individuals, both in terms of lives and livelihoods. Floods and heat stress affect PwDs, particularly those with locomotor and visual impairments, by restricting mobility, exacerbating health vulnerabilities, and limiting safe access to essential services and daily livelihood activities.

Our experience has shown that livelihood outcomes, particularly for these individuals, require additional innovations in technology, to improve ergonomics and usability; low-cost financing and gap funding support, to overcome the high barriers for access to credit; institutional partnerships, to leverage the ongoing initiatives of the Government and local partners supporting rehabilitation or psycho-social support; and business development, to build input and market linkages. All of these affect livelihood outcomes and the viability and growth of their businesses over time.