Time-series analysis of the trend of employment accessibility for persons with disabilities in Assam from 2010 to 2024

This study conducts a comprehensive time-series analysis of employment accessibility trends for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Assam from 2010 to 2024. Using longitudinal data from the Employment Exchange for the Physically Handicapped, Assam, the research examines PwD registrations, employment placements, vocational training completions, and employer participation under disability quotas. The analysis reveals a steady increase in PwD registrations (61.6 %) and vocational training completions (161 %), indicating growing demand for employment and enhanced skilling efforts. However, employment placements grew only by 56 %, and employer registrations, despite doubling, remained insufficient, highlighting persistent gap between job seekers and employment opportunities. The implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 has led to some improvements, but structural barriers such as limited private sector engagement and inadequate enforcement of employment quotas continue to hinder inclusive employment. The study underscores the need for targeted policy reforms, private sector sensitization, and demand-driven vocational training to ensure effective labor market inclusion for PwDs. The research also calls for future qualitative studies to understand the nuanced experiences of PwDs and highlights the importance of replicating similar time-series analyses in other underrepresented regions to inform national disability employment policies, ultimately promoting inclusive and equitable employment opportunities.