Employment of Specially-Abled People in the Hotel Industry—An Indian perspective

Abstract A person with a disability implies a personage with a defined impairment of not less than 40% as per the Gazzette of India. Disability is a collective term that covers (1) impairments (a body function or structure problem), (2) limitations on the operation (related to difficulties in performing a task or action), and (3) constraints on participation (an issue found in life circumstances involvement); The International Classification for Functioning (ICF) definition of disability that states “disability is caused by a complex relationship between body structures, functions and impairments, reflecting the circumstances in which a person lives” will be used. Research conducted by the American India Foundation (AIF) identified different career opportunities for specially-abled persons in India, including examples from the hotel and catering industries. The present scenario of specially-abled people in the Indian hotel industry was explored to understand the opportunities and hindrances in the process and how they can be resolved to increase their employment for a dignified life and an inclusive Indian society as a presumed national goal by the NITI Aayog. This study connects the demand for a competent workforce in the Indian hotel sector with the employment needs of specially-abled people.