Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment of Disabled Persons (VREDP) was established in 1992 as the Project to produce a cost-effective program which could make rehabilitation and employment services available to people with disabilities living in far-flung and slum areas by utilizing the resources available in the community. It is a Non-Institutionalized Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) project which is responsible not only for rehabilitation but also to ensure equalization of opportunities and social integration of all the people with disabilities by providing appropriate Health, Education, Vocational and Social Services through Mobilizing local Community. This project was initially established in collaboration with:

• Ministry of Social Welfare & Special Education, Government of Pakistan
• United Nation Development Program (UNDP)
• International Labor Organization (ILO)

Objectives

1. Develop a National Program of Rehabilitation Assistance to enhance economic and social functioning of special persons through mobilizing community resources.
2. Establish a Non-institutional Community Based Rehabilitation Program to reach a larger number of persons with disabilities in a cost-effective manner.
3. Increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities through vocational guidance, training, and active participation of the business community.
4. Create awareness and motivate local communities to participate in the rehabilitation process through seminars and workshops.
5. Provide assessment, skill development, placement, income generation opportunities, coordination, counseling, guidance, assistive devices, health services, and referral services for persons with disabilities.

Benefits of Vocational Training

1. The training enables persons with disabilities to carry out economic activities matching their qualifications and aptitudes.
2. Persons with disabilities can start self-employment with the assistance of VREDP.
3. Reasonable accommodation is promoted in occupations to minimize the impact of disabilities.
4. Acquisition of skills necessary for working on an equal basis with workers without disabilities.
5. Encouragement of employers to provide training and assistance for persons with disabilities.