A report (CDPP, 2024)1, evaluating the role of ICTs in socioeconomic development of PwDs in India, based on an empirical study carried out by BIF (Broadband India Forum) and Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) found that more than 47% of PwDs have no access to digital devices and 37% have no access to the Internet out of the total PwDs surveyed across 17 states in the country (243 PwDs in Phase-1 across seventeen states and 112 PwDs in Phase 2, across seven states). The study further shows that adopting ICT usage and digital skilling contribute to several improved indicators among the PwD population.

Given this background, focusing on the state-level statistics within Telangana’s demographics becomes essential. According to the 2011 Census, more than 12% of the total population in Telangana state has been identified as PwDs, which is much higher than the national average. Existing scholarship in the fields of social micro-entrepreneurship, marketing, and value delivery has proven the efficacy of the SoochnaPreneur Model, (with a focus on rural women micro entrepreneurs) in more significant value creation for their customers (Chatterjee et al.(2024)2. Their empirical study has shown a 40.8% increase in customer engagement and a 64.1% rise in economic value delivered compared to male micro entrepreneurs, given the affirmative model of enabling female micro entrepreneurs to provide government schemes and services3, that maximise the benefits of women consumers in rural areas.

The intended program of ‘Samarth SoochnaPreneur’ plans to establish 250 Micro Enterprises and 5000 Nano Entrepreneurs across 5000 villages in Telangana to digitally empower 100,000 unconnected villagers annually, over 5 years. The program will be a partnership model between the Government of Telangana, the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), and Equally Able Foundation, based on a rural digital entrepreneurship model, specially tailored for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).