Meera Shenoy founded Youth4Jobs 14 years ago with the vision of ensuring that every youth with a disability is free from poverty and mainstreamed in society. With extensive experience in rural livelihoods, she previously led India’s first skilling mission (EGMM), worked on World Bank poverty alleviation projects across Southeast Asia, and supported the Prime Minister’s Advisor on Skilling and Enterprise through UNDP. Her work has been featured as a Harvard Business School Case Study and has received numerous national and international awards. She enjoys music and writing books.
Youth4Jobs Foundation is South Asias’ largest organization focussing on education and employment for persons with disabilities (PwD’s). This work is globally important as 80% of worlds’ disabled population lives in developing countries like India. Youth4Jobs has evolved to be a system changer and has partnered with governments, 1300+ companies, educational institutions, NGOs, youth with disabilities and their parents. It focuses on training the youth and placing them in jobs. Simultaneously, it supports companies with a range of services to ensure business benefits. Youth4Jobs launched a fully accessible job platform for youth with disabilities called SwarajAbility, in partnership with Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA), the Government of India, IIT Hyderabad, CII-IBDN, NIMHANS and Kotak Mahindra Bank. 21 disabilities recognised by the RPwD Act will be represented.