Four people living with hearing and speech impairments have been hired by Dharan Sub-metropolis for parking attendant’s job.  

The sub-metropolis has entrusted Sujan Shrestha, Mina Shrestha, Bandana Shrestha and Krishna Dhami with the job of collecting parking fees for the fiscal year 2016/17. 

Sujan, who has completed high school, was living a jobless life in Kathmandu before arriving to Dharan.

“I am encouraged by this job and hope to become an independent person,” he communicated in sign language. 

Sujan and his three colleagues have to work from 1 pm till 4 pm daily, for which the sub-metropolis is paying them Rs 5, 000 per month. Besides, they will also get a daily allowance of Rs 50. 

Earlier, the sub-metropolis had appointed seven people without any disabilities for the job. “We had to let them go after a month because they didn’t perform well,” said Khagendra Khatiwada, senior tax officer of the sub-metropolis. “There were several disputes with drivers and transport entrepreneurs while collecting parking fees in the past”.  Khatiwada said the new batch of staff working as parking attendants have been working effectively despite their disabilities. 

“This proves that if we give opportunity to physically challenged people, they too can excel at their jobs and perform as good as their abled counterparts,” said Renu Budathoki, headmistress of School for the Deaf in the Eastern Region.