Sheranti inspires pro-disabled hiring policy

CHENNAI: A recently launched helpline in the city, Routes, has taken a particularly specific hiring policy. Its decision to take on a higher percentage of differently-abled persons has been influenced by a young physically challenged woman who came all the way from a village near Nagercoil to take up employment here.A deformity in her legs did nothing to deter Sheranti Thomas, who hails from the fishing community in South Tamil Nadu, from convincing her family to support her decision to move to Chennai and live on her own as she joined the helpline, which would offer travel information within Chennai city.Not only did she get her family on board with this, but her determination charmed her colleagues into adopting a disabled-friendly hiring policy. “I heard about the job opening at Routes through SMS. Usually, a person of my disposition would ignore it. But I took initiative, called, inquired and found support from the people here,” says the BCom graduate. Her colleagues say Sheranti’s presence in their team has been an eye opener. “I come to understand that it is difficult for physically challenged persons to come across sufficient work opportunities. When they do get a job, they are determined to prove themselves and their commitment is amazing. We are only looking to take on more physically challenged people now,” says Ashwin Kumar, who started the helpline.The office of the Routes helpline is situated on the ground floor of a building, and this only made it easier for Sheranti to take it up. “There are a thousand things that deter physically challenged persons from taking up a job. It may be as simple as an office not being at the ground level. And even when all that works out, apprehensions of family members usually prevent them from actually taking up a job,” she says.And she adds, “My family too had their doubts initially. But once I joined work and moved into a hostel, they have seen that it works out fine and that I am happy. And they too are happy now.” Sheranti says her experience has given her the strength to convince others like her to boldly grab the opportunities that come their way. “I now use myself as an example. I have been talking to other physically challenged persons from my district and encouraging them to come out to look for similar opportunities,” she says.