July 03, 2009
Kuniko wants to help out-Fiji
One of the participants of Decent Work Course is Deputy head teacher of Suva Spcial School and we found the following information about JICA volunteer who was dispatched to the school from the mailing list of "Disability and Development."
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Fiji Times
SHE is here to impart a very rare knowledge - to help disabled children with their speech.
And so far, Japanese speech therapist volunteer Kuniko Kobayashi is enjoying her stay.
"I have been a speech therapist at Tsu City Hospital and have worked with children and adults -- this has been part of my life," she said. Ms Kobayashi is here on a two-year stint under a Japan International Cooperation Agency program. She had never heard of Fiji until an internet search of its culture and people. She was very happy with what she learned.
"The culture is in a way similar to ours and that is something really good and I'm so excited about learning it and the language," she said.
Ms Kobayashi and another Japanese volunteer will be based at the Suva Special School. Head teacher Bishwa Sidal said speech therapists were rare in Fiji, with qualified ones having migrated overseas.
"This will really help the children and she will be able to bring to us a lot of new ideas and skills," Mr Sidal said.
He said speech therapists were also needed for stroke patients and accident victims, adding the school was lucky to be have them.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=124645
photo caption: JICA volunteer Kuniko Kobayashi
Posted by jicafriends at 08:33 PM | Comments (0)
Japanese persons with visual impairments enjoy Sound Table Tennis
Once two month, persons with visual impairments get together to practice Sound Table Tennis (STT) at Ogikubo gymnasium in Suginami Ward, Tokyo.
Suginami Ward provides the facility and they cover the expense for the trainers and referees. So members can enjoy playing STT for free!
Every time 10 to 20 people come not only from Suginami Ward, but also the other part of Tokyo and other prefectures.
The eldest member is 73 years old. They teach and learn with each other regardless of age, gende, or differences. And anyone can join them anytime! We can easily become friends throuth STT games.
Posted by jicafriends at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2009
Training Report : June 23: PM The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities
In developing countries, 80% to 90% of persons with disabilities of working age are umemployed. They are frequently not considered potential members of the workforce. Most of those who have jobs receive little or no monetary remuneration. Perception, fear, myth and prejudice continue to limit understanding and acceptance of disability in workplaces everywhere. Many countries do not have legislation to promote and protect the rights of workers with disabilities.
The primary goal of the International Labour Organization (ILO) today is to promote opportunities for man and women to obtain decent work and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.
http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Mainpillars/WhatisDecentWork/lang--en/index.htm
The lecturer, Professor of Hosei University, a former Vocational Rehabilitation advisor for Asia and Pacific region of ILO lectured on the rights to decent work of persons with disabilities. He explained major international conventions, recommendation, declaration etc. related to the employment of persons with disabilities including Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/conventionfull.shtml
All the participants knew some of the conventions or recommendations, however it was their first time to know about international efforts to eliminate the discrimination against persons with disabilities in employment field. Today they understood that everyone, with or without disabilities, without any exception, has the right to work. Not just to work but decent work!
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0623pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)
July 01, 2009
Training Report : June 23, 2009 AM : Welfare Services for persons with disabilities -from perspective of persons with disabilities
Yesterday five participants received the lecture on the Japanese welfare services from a special advisor for the disability issues at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Today participants learned the welfare services from the users' viewpoint.
Lecturer is a special advisor for the INAX Corporation, who is a disability certificate holder and uses the welfare services regularly. She came to JICA Tokyo with her personal assistant by a taxi equipped with a lift.
She was born in Hokkaido. She contracted diseases when she was a senior high school student. Her life was completely changed but she never gave up her life.
“I had to live, in order to live, I needed to work,” she said.
So she tried to look for the place where she could learn design, and she found the interior design course at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities and moved to Tokyo. She experienced uncountable difficulties, prejudices and discriminations, however she overcame one by one and as the result of her hard work, she could find an appropriate job at the private company through employment support services.
Her lecture helped five participants understand how Japanese persons with disabilities use their welfare services and live independently in the community. Although she succeeded in living independently. It is still not easy for persons with disabilities to access necessary information, unless they go out and look for it by themselves.
For the participants, the morning session was not only to know the Japanese welfare services, but also to aware of the meaning of “Decent Work” for persons with disabilities.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0623am.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)
June 25, 2009
Training report : June 22, 2009 Afternoon : Lecture “Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan”
Five participants took a bus to the Ministry of Labour, Health and Welfare.
Before arriving they had a tour around the National Diet Building to get an idea of the government office quarter.
The first lecture was given by the special advisor of disability issues at the Ministry on the Welfare Services for Persons with Disabilities in Japan.
He gave a comprehensive lecture on the topic, including administrative system of Japan, historical development of welfare services for persons with disabilities, definition and certificate of disabilities, number of persons with disabilities, income security, reform of health and welfare policies and measures for persons with disabilities, measures related education and so on.
He also explained them about the current topic, the law to support independence of persons with disabilities.
Although the time was limited five participants could gain an overall understanding of the welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan.
When we arrived at the Ministry it was drizzling, but when we left, clear skies received them.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0622pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)
Training report : June 22, 2009 : Program Orientation
Welcome to Japan!
Five participants from the following four countries - China, Fiji, Malaysia, and Nepal - arrived at JICA Tokyo on June 16.
Today is the first day of the training program.
And five participants are ready for six-week training in Japan.
Course leader who was a facilitator of the program orientation this morning was very happy to welcome new jica friends.
However we had a big problem!
Our course leader lost his voice because of inflammation of the tonsils. No voice coming out from him!
He can use sign language, but participants don't understand the Japanese sign language!
He can whisper, but his voice cannot carry a long way.
So JSRPD staff repeated what he said, and other committee members, JICA officer, and JICE coordinator added necessary information to support him.
As a result we including participants united all our efforts and could have a wonderful program orientation.
We could get off to a good start!
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0622.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
June 23, 2009
2009 Hunan Job Fair for the Disabled Held-China
JICA Group Training Course in "Employment Promotion and Realization of Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities 2009" started from June 22. One of the participants this year is from China Disabled Persons’ Federation and we found the following information.
It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Editor:Sharon Lee
Source:www.enghunan.gov.c
Updated: 2009-6-19 15:47:31
On the morning of June 16, 2009 Hunan Employment Assistance Activity for the Disabled &Job Fair for the Disabled College Graduates were held in Changsha Human Resource Market. The deputy chairman of China Disabled Persons’ Federation(CDPF) Cheng Kai and vice governor of Hunan province Xu Minghua were present at the fair to extend warm congratulations and talkwith the disabled college graduates there.
Faced with the current tough job market, Hunan Labor and Social Security Department, Hunan Education Department, Hunan Disabled Persons "Federation together with many other provincial and city government organs and media companies organized this job fair to help the disabled
find jobs, with “One More Job Opportunity, One Less Poor Family” as the theme. 438 of the job-seekers reached employment intention with units and enterprises at the fair.
http://english.rednet.cn/c/2009/06/19/1778691.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 06:55 PM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2009
Myanmar Disabled People Network
Dear Everybody,
I am very happy to inform you that we have established the first "Myanmar Disabled People Network, M-D-P-N" according to the need.
Active leaders from 7-disabled related organizations in Yangon including SHGs from our CBR target area were met together at DPDO office and discussed together to establish this Network.
Now 10-disabled related organizations in Yangon were joined in this Network as member organizations. Other some organizations are also very interesting to join with us for working together. I hope the members of disabled related organizations will be increased near further soon. We have monthly mobile meeting and elected the following 3-facilitators for the Network.
1. Nay Lin Soe (Chairman of Network) from AAR-Japan CBR Project
2. Mr. Ko Lwin (Vice-chairman) from Myanmar Millennium Development Goal
3. Mr. Ngwe Ya (Secretary) from Shwe-min-thar Foundation
This Network is not type of organization, just Network for more effective working and sharing information together for disabled people organizations.
The following is detail profile of this MDPN Network.
Best regards,
Nay Lin Soe
I. Name: Myanmar Disabled People Network (M.D.P.N)
II. Goal: To strengthen the disabled related organizations, groups and individual for the development of disabled people in Myanmar
III. Rationale: According to the sample disability survey conducted after Cyclone NARGIS, the population of disabled people in the country is 2.3 % of total population. If this percentage is calculated for the whole country, the number of disabled people in Myanmar could be 1.3 million, out of the country population of 57 million. However disability issue is not aware yet in the country as development issue. During this decade, there have been established some disabled people organizations and related programs but the development of disabled people and those organizations is still limited due to low capacity, poor network, lack of collaboration and information sharing among each other. Therefore active representatives from 7-disabled related organizations were met together for the first time according to the need and established “Myanmar Disabled People Network” on June 2nd .2009 in Yangon.
IV. Main objectives
To share information
To build capacity and
To establish effective network among disable related organizations, groups and individuals
V. Planned Activities
Information sharing
Sharing activities of internal and external organizations/agencies
Delivering available useful information of local and international
Offering lessons learned from project activities
Capacity building
Organizing capacity building trainings such as;
Team building training
Disability awareness training with new understanding of disability
Proposal writing training
Participatory project planning training
Project cycle management training
Participatory monitoring and evaluation training
Leadership training
Life-skill training
Livelihood training
Record keeping training
Book keeping training
Social mobilization training
Human capital management training
Knowledge management training
Languages training
Computer training
Training of self-help groups of disabled people
Community-based rehabilitation training
Disability and development training
Creative thinking training, etc.
Referring to outside available trainings for capacity building
Networking
Establishing effective network with local level organizations/agencies such as;
Disabled people group/organizations, disabled related organizations, Individuals, Government organizations, GO-NGOs, UN organizations, Embassies, Faith-based organizations, etc.
Establishing effective network with international level organizations/agencies such as;
Disabled people internationals
Disability related organizations
Faith-based organizations
Individual donors, etc.
VI. Process
For information sharing, Channels, Email and Website, Regular newsletter, Meetings, Seminar & Workshops, Forums, “New Light” Magazine regular published by Eden Centre, Media, For capacity building, Formal trainings, Mobile trainings, Tours, Refer to available international trainings and workshops, For establishing effective network, Personal contacts, Email, Website, Brochures, Forums, Who’s who in disabled related organizations
Posted by jicafriends at 05:13 PM | Comments (0)
June 19, 2009
Welcome to Japan-five participants of "Decent work of Persons with Disabilities" Course 2009
We are very pleased to inform you that five participants of "Employment Promotion and Realization of Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities" arrived at JICA Tokyo without any problem on Tuesday, June 16.
This year we received one each from China, Fiji and Malaysia and two from Nepal.
The participants from Nepal have disabilities, so they are now using the barrier-free rooms.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/jicainfo/tic/access/01.html
The training program is goting to start from next Monday, June 22.
Please cheer for them.
The secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 01:46 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2009
UN Special Rapporteur on Disability heads for Gaza Strip
We received email from Palestine. Mr. Emad Khaled, a former participant of Leaders' Course 2003 is suffering from the difficult situation in Gaza strip. He couldn't receive his salary from the provious workplace and he is now looking for a job. Today we found the following information on Gaza strip. It was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Hope the situation of Gaza strip will be better and Mr. Khaled will find a job.
Jun 8, 2009 - 04:48 -
WAM ABU DHABI, June 8th, 2009: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability, Hissa Al -Thani, is heading for Gaza strip on Tuesday, July 9th, on a four-day visit, accompanied by a delegation of international, disability and development experts and volunteers, according to a press releaser by the Rapporteur's office.
While there, the Un official will hold meetings with government officials in Gaza Strip, including Ministers of Social Affairs, Health, and Education, as well as with the representatives of disability organizations and representatives of UN agencies in Gaza such as OHCHR, OCHA, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO.
She will also make field visits to rehabilitation centers and hospitals particularly those damaged by the Israeli offensive on Gaza in January of this year.
Additionally, the Special Rapporteur and the accompanying team will meet with UNRWA officials who will join the team on their meetings and filed visits.
Disability experts accompanying the Special Rapporteur on this visit will be given a chance to assess and discuss with government officials and disability organizations the rehabilitation, accessibility, medical, social and educational needs of persons with disabilities in post-conflict Gaza.
In July 2008, the Special Rapporteur on Disability launched an International Campaign on War '&' Disability in Beirut, Lebanon. This campaign reached across the world to encompass the Arab region, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
WAM/MMYS
Posted by jicafriends at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2009
Report from Pakistan
Dear friends,
I would like to share you a horrible situation faced by the disabled persons in Pakistan. It is worse than the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005. More then 3 million people from the war areas transfered to other cities of Pakistan. Most of them were hosted by the public or there relatives. And a huge number of people are living in the camps.
In the camps we found 256 physically impaired, 13 visually impaired, 11 hearing impaired and 3 intellectual disabled persons. 3 disabled persons who had spinal cord injury died due to the infections. No toilet is accessible, no priority camps set up for disabled persons.
Why?
Because of discriminations
Because no many assistive devices disabled persons have.
Because transportation is not accessible
Because disable persons are poorest of the poor
Because disabled persons are not empowered enough to love their lives and they believe that they are burden on their families.
These are the reasons we found after the survey of 283 disabled persons. We asked national and international agencies to consider disabled persons as human.
Today is the second day of our biggest achievement of Milestone history. We got opportunity to get a school building for disabled persons, which was not in use. We cleaned it and make it for the camp residence of Dip’s (Internally displace persons) PWDs.
Now we have 197 disabled persons and their families. Their food is arranged by Pakistan Bait ul mall, Ministry of welfare and special education.
We are going to start the counseling sessions with disabled persons and their families so when they will be back to their homes they will be strong agent change of society. This is one of the unique projects in my life as well.
What we need?
We need the support from you in the shape of advices. Also we need your support to full fill this project as we no money for these activities. We are using resources from our families and friends. Also if you can put some influence to the international support agencies please ask them to consider disabled persons as well in rescue or recover process.
Thanks a lot .
For any inquiry contact me
Shafiq Ur Rehman
Posted by jicafriends at 03:40 PM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2009
Invitation to join theatre performance and Braille book publication ceremony program in Dhaka.
Dear All,
Greetings from UTSA; Ctg.
I will be in Dhaka Next week for Organizing a publication ceremony program of UNCRPD Bangla Braille version in Dhaka press club on 18/06/2009 (3PM-5PM) with the support of ActionAid Bangladesh(AAB). AAB buy 60 copies of UNCRPD Bangla Braille version from UTSA to distribute visually impaired people.
We hope communication and information minister will participate in this program as chief guest. For your kind information with the assistance of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation and Sightsavers international we publishes this types of academic and non academic near about 40 Braille publications was printed from our organization. As well as we run a 500 books collections braille library in Chittagong.
On the other hand coming 13th and 14th June 2009 everyday 6PM there is a two different theatre shows will be performed in National Theatre Auditorium, ShagunBagicha, Dhaka organized by theatre group NATYEADHAR This two Drama directed by myself. One is “Smrity ’71” written by lat Professor Zia Haidar on our independent war and another one is “SHIKHONDY KOTHA” written by Professor Anon Zaman on life straggle of HIZRA peoples.
On 14th June’09 before theatre show in same hall we give reception to RAMANDU MOJUMDAR for his achievement in International Theatre Institute (ITI) as elected world wide chairman.
I fill honor if you and your friends and family member enjoy those theatre performance and attend Braille book publication ceremony program on 18th June 2009.
Hope to see you in all programs.
Warm wishes,
Mostafa Kamal Jatra,
Executive Director,
UTSA; Ctg.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:47 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2009
Congratulations! Mr Sumasafu Vilsoni, appointed to the post of Vice Chairperson of APDF
We would like to share the following information from Ms. Etsuko Ueno, the secretariat of APDF (Asia & Pacific Disability Forum). Mr. Sumasafu Vilsoni, Co-chair, PDF(Pacific Disability Forum), a former participant of Leadership Course 1990 was appointed to the post of Vice Chair of APDF.
*****************************************************************************
Dear APDF members
After the long absence, we would be pleased to inform you of the current situation of APDF. Here are some updates on APDF.
1. Executive Committee meeting
APDF Executive Committee was organized on June 1 and 2, 2009 by e-mail.
All members attended and exchanged opinions. Main topics were the activities towards the end of the Second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons and beyond 2012. The result of the meeting will be discussed at the informal brain storming which will be organized by UNESCAP during the ESCAP Expert Group meeting from June 8-10, 2009.
Please see the minutes of the e-mail meeting and if you have any idea or proposal on the activity until 2012 and beyond, please inform the secretariat.
URL: http://www.normanet.ne.jp/~apdf/index.html
The colleagues of Vietnam started to prepare for the 4th APDF General Meeting and Conference to be held in 2010. We will wait for a formal announcement.
Korea will host the end-year APDF Conference in 2012.
2. Call for a Co-chair of APDF Working Committee of Children and Youth with Disability
If you are interested in nominating an appropriate person to the Co-chair of this committee, please send application with your resume to the secretariat by no later than June 30, 2009.
You will also see the reports on the following relevant events from the same website.
1. The First Asia Pacific CBR Congress, Feb.18-20, 2009, Bangkok
2. Report on International Accessible Tourism 2009, April 23-25, 2009, Singapore
3. Report on IDA (International Disability Alliance) and GPDD(Global Partnership for Development and Disability)
4. Preparatory meeting on APDF 2010 in Vietnam
5. Preparation of APDF 2012 in Korea
For your information the Accessible Tourism Conference will be held from November 24-26, 2009 in Takayama city, Japan by UNESCAP and Takayama city.
For more information, please contact Ms. Oniyama. takayamatyo@m6.dion.ne.jp
Your questions comments on the above and relevant information are most welcome.
With best regards.
Ryosuke Matsui, Secretary General of APDF
Secretariat :
Etsuko Ueno, eueno@dinf.ne.jp
Kahori Yokota, yokota.kahori@dinf.ne.jp
Posted by jicafriends at 06:11 PM | Comments (0)
Mr. Kamal Lamichhane featured in Japan Times
Mr. Kamal Lamichhane, a postgraduate research student, works at Tokyo
University research center.
He was featured in Japan Times on June 6th 2009.
Please visit the following website for more details.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20090606a1.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:32 AM | Comments (0)
Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Competition of Persons with Disabilities
This competition marks its 10 th year, various type of athletics are held such as Track and Field, Swimming, Table Tennis, Sound Table Tennis, Wheelchair basketball and so on.
Track and Field was held on June 6, 2009 at Metropolitan Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground.
Even though it was unfortunately raining, a lot of participants played exciting games.
Whatever the results, we could see radiant smile on all players’ face after the game.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2009
Expert Group Meeting-UNESCAP
The Social Development Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Regional Office for South East Asia of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are organizing the "Expert Group Meeting on the Harmonization of National Legislations with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific" in Bangkok, Thailand, from 8 to 10 June 2009. The Meeting aims to facilitate the harmonization of domestic legislative frameworks in countries of Asia and the Pacific with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by providing the conceptual underpinning and a set of policy options and recommendations.
http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/meetings/EGM_CRP_2009/index.asp
Posted by jicafriends at 09:20 PM | Comments (0)
