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February 28, 2007
Visit to JICA Laos Office
It was a great opportunity to visit JICA Laos office on 14th February, in the morning.
Mr. Fumihiro Taniai, Secretary General of The Duskin AINOWA Foundation, Ms. Masako Okuhira and Ms. Kana Kumai, the secretariat of jicafriends had a meeting with Mr. Senya Mori, Resident Representative and Ms. Ritsuko Horibe, Project
Formulation Advisor.
Mr. Mori and Ms. Horibe explained to us about the situations in the area of industries, politics, NGO activities, disabilities, and future prospects of Laos.
We actively exchanged some perceptions and promised to continue communicating for information sharing.
Kana Kumai
Posted by jicafriends at 02:09 PM | Comments (0)
The First Committee Meeting of Vocational Rehab. Course 2007
Hello. Everybody!
Today, the first Planning Committee Meeting of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Pomotion Course will be held at the JICA Tokyo, where many programs of this course will be lectured.
The contents of the course will be discussed by the planning committee members, JICA staffs and the secretariats from 6:00 pm.
We believe it will be a good course.
We are waiting for many people appying for the course.
Secretariat of Jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 11:01 AM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2007
Get a chance!-Massage Course in Okinawa
General Information of "Therapeutic Massage Instructors for Visually Impaired Persons (Asia Pacific)" is now distributed to the related Ministries of the target countries, China, Malaysia, Samoa and Sri Lanka.
Its application deadline is May 2, 2007. This is a five month training course and conducted by JICA Okinawa. Those who are adequate and interested in participate in this course, please apply. Please do not miss a chance!
http://www.jicafriends.jp/jicainfo/others/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:46 PM | Comments (0)
A Happy Meeting - Shalika
We've received the following message and photos from Ms. Rannulu Shalika Niroshani KARUNARATNE, a former
participant of Leadership Development Course 2006.
I am very pleased to tell you that I had an opportunity to meet Mr. Akira Terashima. a committee member of Vocational Rehabilitation Course, Ms. Akiko Takizawa, staff of JSRPD, Mr. Nambuwasam Epitakaduwa Gamage Sisira N, a former participant of Vocational Rehabilitation Course 2006 and Ms. Rasanjali Priyadarshani Wadduwa PATHIRAGE, a former trainee of Duskin Leadership Program at a Japanese restaurant in Colombo. I was able to discuss many matters related to our trainings in Japan and the future of persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka. And we have decided to do something together, though we are not the decision makers of our organizations.
Shalika (Leadership Development Course 2006)
Posted by jicafriends at 01:43 PM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2007
The news of Mario san and Donna san in Philippines
I had an opportunity to visit the Philippines last week and met Mr. Mariano
hermosisima Abaygar, ex-participant of Leader Course, 1992, and Ms.
Donnabelle V. Baldonado, ex-participant of Leader Course, 2005. Maliano is
a fonder of Association of Disabled Persons, Iloilo and is very active in
nation-wide now. As you may sometimes see on our website, she sends us her
report regularly.
The association has a good relationship with the local government in Iloilo.
I think it is one of their achievements. Mr. Mark Espesor, a young former trainee of
Duskin leadership Training in Japan works together with them. I was very happy to see them working together in their community.
I wish them good luck!
Akiko Takizawa
Posted by jicafriends at 01:09 PM | Comments (2)
Asia Pacific Disability Forum-3rd General Assembly and Conference
The 2nd APDF General Assembly and Conference was held on October 16-17, 2006 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 3rd General Assembly and Conference will be held on February 5-7, 2008 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on the theme of “Disability & Development – Practical Strategies For The Future”
Deadlines:
Early Bird Registration Before 31 August 2007
Registration Closes 30 November 2007
Abstract Submission 31 July 2007
Full paper Submission 15 November 2007
Organized by
Asia Pacific Disability Forum (APDF)
&
National Forum of Organizations Working with the
Disabled (NFOWD)
For more information go to: http://www.nfowd.com/
Posted by jicafriends at 10:44 AM | Comments (1)
February 22, 2007
Wanted: Business outlets for the blind-Malaysia
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
We think that not only Malaysia but also most of the countries have the same problem as Dr Ismail Md Salleh mentioned in the following article. Being employed after the vocational training and getting a living is a big issue for persons with all kinds of disabilities.
The following article by SALINA KHALID
Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) president Prof Datuk Dr Ismail
Md Salleh said most of the blind who had undergone skills training faced
the problem of finding business premises.
“We are encouraging them to go into business because it is usually
difficult for them to find jobs.
“But the problem is that there is no place for them to conduct their
business.
“This has forced some to conduct their business at odd places which
could be degrading for them,” he said.
Ismail added that this had also led some people to mistake them for
beggars, although they were offering services and products in return.
Ismail said among the vocational training offered to the visually
impaired were arts and crafts and massaging.
He said the association had opened two stalls, operated by the blind, in
Mid Valley Megamall and Berajaya Times Square.
The association is looking at opening such stalls at other venues
including at The Curve, 1 Utama and KL Sentral.
When asked to comment, Abdul Hakim said the City Hall would study the
matter and find out if there were any suitable locations for visually
impaired businessmen.
About 1,500 people attended the sixth open house held at the MAB Complex
in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
The open house was aimed at bringing the visually impaired community,
MAB staff and volunteers and the public closer together. The event was
also aimed at exposing MAB’s programmes to the visually impaired
community and the public.
The MAB complex, which was built in 1997, houses a pre-school programme,
low-vision services, activities for the elderly blind community, family
clinic and a gymnasium.
It is also a venue for various activities for the visually impaired
community including educational support, employment, welfare services,
sales, promotions and fundraising activities.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/1/29/central/16573276&sec=central
Posted by jicafriends at 01:44 PM | Comments (0)
Giving the differently-abled a fair deal - Sri Lanka
Ms. Shalika, a former Sri Lankan participant of Leaders' Course 2006 let us know that the editorial in the Daily News (Editorial 20.02.2007) discussed the issue of disability.
Following is extract from the editorial of the Daily News, Sri Lanka National Newspaper
VERY rightly, those who were at one time labelled as 'disabled' are today described as the differently-abled. This is mainly on account of the vast capabilities and talents of this section of our population.
In fact the magnitude of their capabilities are such that they put those who are considered able and "normal" to shame through the display of their numerous skills.
For some time now, some sections among the differently-abled have been unobtrusively but effectively championing their cause for recognition by the wider public and for their full integration into the latter.
We have been wholeheartedly backing their cause in these pages out of the realisation that humanity must prevail and that these persons must be given every opportunity to realise their potential as persons and as citizens.
However, if the differently-abled are to be given the opportunity to contribute towards the common good, they must be provided the facilities and empowering measures to realise the potential within them.
For example, if the differently-abled cannot enter public buildings easily, they cannot prove their capabilities.
For instance, if the wheelchair-bound are provided ramps and other facilities in public buildings they could offer up their labours for a reasonable wage or salary and contribute towards the advancement of the relevant institutions.
It is widely known that there is an institution for the blind in this country which is run entirely by the blind themselves.
Accordingly, the administrative skills of the differently-abled are as sound as those of "normal" and able persons.
Therefore, there is no getting away from the need to provide the differently-abled all the opportunities and facilities to rise and shine. Their cry for full integration into society cannot be ignored.
May the State and the private sector take cognizance of this call and respond to it generously, now at a time when man-made causes are adding to the number of differently-abled persons among us.
We observe that some private sector banks have launched enabling facilities, such as ramps, in their buildings to facilitate the movements of the wheel-chair bound.
Such efforts at relieving the lot of our differently-abled should be intensified and increased if these citizens are to be given a better deal.
A prime challenge is to fight the perception that the differently-abled should be relegated to the margins of society and not be integrated into mainstream life.
The perception should also be fought that these persons are a hindrance to what is considered normal life. Such attitudes would prevent the State and the public from meting out justice to the differently-abled.
We urge that facilities of numerous kinds be established in all public places to make life easy for the differently-abled. Besides, prejudices and misconceptions about the differently-abled should be fought by the State on a sustained basis.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/02/20/main_Editorial.asp
Posted by jicafriends at 10:17 AM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2007
One-minute film competition on disability
Chennai Online 20 Feb
ABILITYFEST – a bi-annual International Film Festival organised by Ability Foundation in Chennai on the lines of those held around the world – in London, Melbourne, Paris, Munich, Calgary, Toronto and Beirut. A unique and inspiring showcase of extraordinary internationally acclaimed films by, with and about people with disabilities. The first one was held in 2005 and the second one is scheduled for July 2007.
The organisers
Ability Foundation is a national NGO involved in the integration, empowerment and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities. An organisation that works with the firm conviction that disabled people
are an integral part of society and as such, everyone in society has a very significant part to play in making true inclusion possible. Towards this mission, the foundation works with single minded
dedication to bridge the divide between disabled and non-disabled persons and is involved in a wide range of activities, almost all of which are pioneering in nature, that spotlight on dispelling
stereotypes and focus on the potential of disabled persons and pave the way for an equitable society where individual diversities are respected and with equal opportunities for all are the norm.
http://www.chennaionline.com/columns/variety/2007/02article12.asp
Disability News India (DNI)-Aqeel Qureshi
Posted by jicafriends at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2007
The news of Singxay san in Laos
Hello.
I went to Laos last week and met Singxay san who is an ex-participant of Vocational Rehabilitation Course in 2006. He now works at Laos Disabled People’s Association (LDPA) and is responsible for its website. He also teaches computer skills to people with visual impairments in the evening. It seems that the individual training of JICA course has taken effect on his work well.
I was so happy to see him.
Masako Okuhira
Posted by jicafriends at 05:19 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2007
Barreier-free Tourism in Takayama
Led by the guiding principle that a “town easy to live in is one easy to visit,” the City of Takayama is working on a barrier-free, town-making program to turn itself into a tourist community where both the physical disabled people and the elderly people can live a safe, comfortable life. The city is also probing the possibilities of making “information barrier-free” to expedite the flow of communication to promote deeper mutual understanding between visitors and local community residents in the current context of growing worldwide tourism.
http://www.hida.jp/english/barrierfree/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2007
Social Firms
Have you ever heard of "Social Firms"?
Social firms are very different from sheltered workshops.
They see themselves as a part of the open labour market and they operate like any regular business. The only difference to a normal business is that their core mission is to employ people with disabilities.
It is a business, which uses its own market oriented production of goods and services to pursue its social mission.
A significant number of its employees will be people with disability or other disadvantage in the labour market.
Every worker will be paid a market wage or salary appropriate to the work- whatever their productive capacity.
Work opportunities should be between disadvantaged and non-disadvantage employees. All should have the same employment rights and obligations.
There are 3 core values that Social Firms will subscribe to within their businesses, orientated around Enterprise, Employment and Empowerment:
More detailed information can be obtained from the following webpages;
http://www.socialfirms.co.uk/index.php/Section2.html
CEFEC (Confederation of European Social Firms, Employment Initiatives and Social Co-operatives) http://www.cefec.de/activities.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 01:25 PM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2007
If Others Can, Why Can't Persons With Disabilities
Persons with disabilities are persons with abilities, packed with potentials just waiting to be discovered and developed. The challenge is making the most of one's ability rather than focusing on his disability and limitation.
Equipping persons with disabilities the necessary skills is one way of empowering them to become productive individuals. Seeing one's skills contributing not just to one's own personal development but to the growth of the organization can boost one's self-esteem. It makes a great difference knowing you have discovered one of your talents and potentials and turning it into something useful and profitable.
This was proven true when eighteen persons with disabilities were trained on baking and food processing during a four-day skills training sponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment, with the Association of Differently-Abled Persons - Iloilo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADP-I MPC) as recipient-organization. Indeed, differently-abled persons could differently develop skills and abilities in the midst of their physical limitations given the opportunity.
It is another dream coming true on the part of the Association of Differently-Abled Persons Iloilo Multi-Purpose Cooperative to produce and sell its own products. This time, the organization is not just producing mobility devices, school chairs and lettuce but also bread, cakes, pastries, cookies and processed meat products. All produced by persons with disabilities who have chosen to overcome and let go of their handicap to gain skills and develop talents beyond one's expectations.
The skills training is one component of the program of the Department of Labor and Employment for persons with disabilities.
Donnabelle V. Baldonado
Leaders Course 2005 - Philippines
Posted by jicafriends at 02:08 PM | Comments (1)
February 02, 2007
DPI World Assembly will be held in South Korea on 5-8 September, 2007
*extract form DPI website
7th World Assembly is expected to draw over 3,000 people from all over the world. As such it will be the largest global meeting if disability activists since UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in December of 2006. This gathering of people with disabilities and our allies, therefore, offers a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate the adoption of this historic new Treaty and commence serious deliberation on mechanisms and approaches for the implementation of the treaty at the national and international level.
more information;http://v1.dpi.org/lang-en/resources/details.php?page=810
Posted by jicafriends at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)