IRADAH’s Vocational Skills and Economic Empowerment program is designed to ensure that persons with disabilities are not only rehabilitated physically but are also equipped to lead independent, productive lives. Recognizing that education alone is not enough to guarantee self-reliance, this program focuses on building practical skills, fostering confidence, and creating opportunities for income generation.

The program operates on two levels. The first is integrated into the academic journey of IRADAH School students at the matric level. In addition to their formal studies, these students receive hands-on training in marketable skills such as tailoring and stitching. This training not only fulfills the requirements of their course or degree but also prepares them for real-world employment or self-employment once they graduate. By the time they leave school, students possess both academic qualifications and practical skills that can help them earn a living.

The second level of the program focuses on persons with disabilities from the wider community. This approach is highly individualized—training is tailored to the person’s abilities, interests, and local market opportunities. Participants are provided with vocational training in relevant trades, along with start-up support in the form of small grants or seed money to help them establish small businesses. Whether it is tailoring, embroidery, repair services, or other viable livelihoods, the program works to match skills with sustainable income-generating opportunities.

Beyond technical training, IRADAH also emphasizes the importance of social skills and self-confidence. Through mentoring and counselling, participants learn how to interact effectively with customers, manage their work, and present themselves in professional settings. These “soft skills” are crucial for long-term success and help individuals integrate more fully into their communities as active and respected contributors.

For many beneficiaries, the impact of this program is life-changing. It breaks the cycle of dependency, replaces charity with opportunity, and shifts perceptions—both for persons with disabilities themselves and for the communities in which they live. Families gain not only financial relief but also a renewed sense of pride as their loved ones contribute meaningfully to household income.

Through the Vocational Skills and Economic Empowerment program, IRADAH ensures that rehabilitation extends beyond medical and educational support. It is about unlocking potential, opening doors to economic independence, and building a society where persons with disabilities can thrive as equal participants.