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March 30, 2007
Monthly Newsletter STEP-Pakistan
Dear All
Greetings from STEP
Kindly find the monthly news letter of STEP March 2007, which is attach to this e-mail.
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This message is being forwarded from IRCD ( Information and Resource Center on Disability) a Project of STEP and World Bank Pakistan.
***********************************************
Abia Akram,
Project Manager, STEP.
Sadia Zaman,
Project Assistant, STEP
Posted by jicafriends at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)
Ratification of UN Convention-India
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability News India" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Aqeel Qureshi
BREAKING NEWS
Disability News India (DNI)
SIGNING AND RATIFICATION OF THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES BY INDIA
Thursday, March 29, 2007: The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities excluding the optional protocol.........
Govt. approves signing of UN convention on rights for disabled people
New Delhi, Mar 29: The Union Cabinet today gave its go ahead for signing and ratifying the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", excluding the optional protocol………
Posted by jicafriends at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2007
Good news from Sri Lanka
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Columbo Daily News
Friday, 23 March 2007
Enabling the disabled to be effective
We rejoice with the disabled of Sri Lanka over the initiatives launched by the State to make public buildings and kindred infrastructure facilities accessible to the disabled who are well over one million in number.
In terms of recently gazetted regulations, duly passed by Parliament, in three years from now, all public buildings and common amenities should contain facilities which would make them easily accessible to the disabled and facilitate easy movement by the latter.
This development is really a triumph for humanity, because most civic-conscious persons and groups, including us, have joined the disabled, over the years, to champion this progressive measure. At the heart of the measure are the concepts of equity and fairness which constitute the essence of democracy.
Therefore, justice and fairplay for our disabled are also a triumph of the democratic spirit. In other words, Sri Lanka is a fuller and richer democracy as a result of the fairplay thus extended to the disabled.
Now that the relevant rules and regulations have been gazetted we call for their speedy implementation. For, we hope these rules would not end up being a dead letter in the legislative history of this country.
We need hardly say that many a well-meaning measure has remained ossified among the reams and reams of beaucratic rules and regulations which have come off the pen of local officialdom. Please ensure that the same does not happen to these well-meaning measures aimed at the
disabled, is our request.
It is not often realised that the disabled among us may be more numerous than we imagine. In this category are not only those citizens who suffer from visible disabilities, such as deafness, blindness and paralysis of limbs. Today the disabled also include the elderly, the sick and pregnant mothers. In short, all those who are compelled to be dependent on others for their existence.
Accordingly, the disabled among us could be considerable and also on the increase. This is the reason why the necessary legislation must not only be passed but implemented swiftly. By doing so, we would be bringing to fulfilment a Mahinda Chinthana pledge.
In the process of implementing these measures, we should guard against adopting a condescending attitude towards the disabled. For, they are in need of no one’s charity. The disabled are brimming with latent capabilities and should be only given an opportunity to be of service to humanity.
In fact, in the performance of some tasks they may be as capable or even better than those considered “normal” and not in need of assistance. For example, some scholars, artistes and technicians of repute have been disabled persons. Besides some institutions for the disabled are run by the disabled themselves.
Therefore, the disabled are a rich resource which could be used for the country’s development. We should quickly put in place the enabling environment which could make them doubly effective.
We hope that with the necessary facilities being added to our public places, the disabled among us would go about their chores independently and prove their value as Sri Lankans.
We also need to realise with these changes that they are not among the marginalised who should be shunned by society. May they enter the public mainstream by acquiring the longed for access facilities.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2007/03/23/main_Editorial.asp
Posted by jicafriends at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2007
Meeting on "Evaluation, Future planning and Implementation"in Pakistan
Dear Ex-participant of APCD and JICA,
I am pleased to invite you to attend a significant meeting of ex-participants of APCD & JICA from STEP. In the proposed meeting agenda will be focused on "Evaluation, Future planning and implementation".
Disability movement in Pakistan is accelerating and rights of Persons with Disabilities are getting recognition. A good number of Persons with Disabilities having attended international training, got employment, receiving higher education and playing active role in the society. Establishment of IRCD (information and resource center on the disability) is a landmark of STEP, which is collecting and disseminating information relating to disability life style. At the same time 1 st ever accessible website for visually impaired persons in Pakistan is an other remarkable achievement of STEP.
All of these achievement and accomplishment are results of our coordinated efforts in preceding years. We are thankful to you for your cooperation and contributions towards development of human resources with disabilities in Pakistan and we expect same worm response from your side in year 2007 and ahead.
The meeting date, time & place is mentioned below.
Saturday, 31st March 2007, 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM, Serena International Hotel, Islamabad
For confirmation please contact on following #s.
Tell: 051-2602051
Cell: 0345-5911723
(No pick & drop will be given.)
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This message is being forwarded from IRCD ( Information and Resource Center on Disability) a Project of STEP and World Bank Pakistan.
***********************************************
Abia Akram,
Project Manager, STEP.
0345-5911723
Sadia Zaman,
Project Assistant, STEP
0300-9769397
Posted by jicafriends at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2007
Company's effort: L’OCCITANE
Do you know the company called L’OCCITANE? L’OCCITANE was founded in the Provence region of France and is known worldwide for its natural body care and fragrance products.
For provide accessibility to broad spectrum of the population including people whom access to consumer goods is often very difficult, L’OCCITANE has incorporated Braille labeling on its boxes and containers.
Inspired by this, L’OCCITANE employees created an association, 'Provence dans tous les Sens' ('All the senses of Provence'). This school is designed to introduce children and adolescents with visual impairment to the world of perfume. By sharing the fascinating world of perfumes, the institution aims to help the development of these young people's olfactory senses, and possibly inspire future careers.
L’OCCITANE is the 2000 AFB (American Foundation for the Blind) Access Award winner and sponsors a contest to send students with visual impairment to their Perfume school in Provence, France.
For the detail, please refer to the following website:
http://www.loccitane.com/
Posted by jicafriends at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2007
Do not charge money from the disabled: High Court
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability News India" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Aqeel Qureshi
Staff Reporter, Hindu, 17th March 2007
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Airports Authority of India and public and private airlines not to charge money from physically challenged passengers for helping them board or disembark from aircraft through the specially designed lift.
A Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice Hima Kohli directed AAI and airline companies to refund the money charged by them for providing the service. The airlines and AAI charge Rs. 800 each from such passengers for the service.
The Bench directed all authorities, including AAI, MCD , NDMC and Indian Railways to inform what measures they had taken in the past two years to make their facilities friendly to the physically challenged.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/17/stories/2007031723390500.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 12:07 PM | Comments (0)
Dear jicafriends-Philippines-
The following message is from Mr. Mark Espesor, one of the 7th trainees of Duskin Leadership Training Program. After 10-months training in Japan he went back to his home country. And he is now working with Mr. Abaygar (Leaders' Course 1992) and Ms. Donnabelle (Leaders' Course 2005) in Iloilo city, the Philippines.
Dear jicafriends
Working with ex-JICA Participants was a great honor for me that was my main purpose before coming back home after training there in Japan and we will be more productive if we work together and combine our ideas and abilities to help our PWDs here in our country. I was very thankful for choosing me as a trainee. I will do what I have learned in Japan in Filipino way and style with MILE : )
Mark Espesor
(7th Duskin Trainee)
Posted by jicafriends at 10:24 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
Visit to Vietnam
Mr. Yamaguchi, a committee member of Leadership development course and I visited Hanoi, Vietnam, from March 1 to 5. We had a chance to visit several organizations for persons with visual impairments. I would like to introduce "Training and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind."
This center is a subordinate organization of Vietnam Blind Association (VBA). It was built by the cooperation programme between VBA and Norwegian Association of the Blind ten years ago. The center provides training courses such as massage, IT and mobility for the persons with visual impairments.
Around 250 trainees participate this training courses per year, and totally over 2000 trainees have graduated since it started. The center was big and clean.
They have good facilities for the users. Mr. Yamaguchi and I were quite impressed by the hardworking staff.
I hope they will make their greatest effort to improve the services at organization and to empower the users there.
Kana Kumai
Posted by jicafriends at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2007
Greetings from Virginia-Philippines-
Jicafriends,
I am Virginia E. Montilla, the Head of the Social Service Dept. and Administrative Officer of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc. in the Philippines. I am applying for the training course in Intellectual Disability in Community Activities. Since this is a new knowledge to me I am really willing to acquire new ideas about Intellectual Disability which we might as well be included in our CBR project.I had submitted my application letter to the National Economic Development Authority and I hope I will be qualified for such training.
I was also an ex-traineed on Leadership Training year 2000 and this indeed helped me so much with my present job in our center specially in our Community Based Rehabilitation Program. With this second training, if I will be accepted will again give me a new opportunity. Thank you very much.
Regards,
Virgie E. Montilla
Admin Officer / Social Service Head
Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc.
175 Aida St., Marick Subd.
Cainta 1900, Rizal, Philippines
Telefax: (+63-2) 248-2699
Posted by jicafriends at 02:00 PM | Comments (0)
Progress report from Cecilia-Malaysia
Last year is the first practice for the transition ( Pre-vocational ) section and it very useful for the trainees and our centre meaning transition is bridging class before they could go for sheltered workshop ( Bakery, Recycle paper & Souvernir ) and to OETU ( Open Employement Training Unit ) in pre-voc they have gone through 3 times assessment P.E.S( Precise Estimation Sheet ) this covering social, behavioural, living skill, reading,writing, counting etc.. and the passing mark are 127 or 147 ( I froget will reconfirm to you.. later )meaning trainee can proceed to OETU for 2 years before taking work to open market.
Personally...I found having an Pre-voc unit is very much important and useful for our refference as we know their level and where to put them not like before we just pick randomly based on our judgement. From that assessment I know where their level and continue facilitate them.
I will give the full report to you soon....I promise.
Cecilis Singoon
Posted by jicafriends at 11:55 AM | Comments (0)
March 09, 2007
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Hesperian proudly announces the release of our newest title!
Women with disabilities often discover that the social stigma of disability and inadequate care are greater barriers to health than the disabilities themselves. A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities will help women with disabilities overcome these barriers and improve their general health, self-esteem, and abilities to care for themselves and participate in their communities.
“A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities is an outstanding accomplishment! It combines the experiences and advice from women with disabilities throughout the world with up-to-date, professional health information. The book captures the real life situations of women with disabilities and their issues, their experiences and their desires. This book is a ‘must-have’ for health professionals, international development organizations, international women's organizations and anyone who believes in equality for women with disabilities.”
-- Susan Sygall, Co-founder and CEO of Mobility International USA, and a MacArthur Fellow
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities can be purchased for $20 plus shipping at our online store, by email, or by calling 1-888-729-1796 (within the USA).
Click here to read more about the book.
Posted by jicafriends at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2007
RCWDP-7 Cebu Access Report 2006
Dear Friends,
Submitting to you our 2006 Accessibility Progress Report. To those who furthered our cause this past year, our heartfelt thanks for your support. We hope that with your help we can do greater progress this year. God's best to you all!
Adela Kono
Vice-Chairperson
RCWDP-7
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/project/asiaandpacific/philippines/philippines05.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:00 PM | Comments (0)
Hello again from Mr. Smile in Cambodia
Please enjoy reading the annual report for my project to handicap children in Cambodia, please let me know if you have any feedbacks to us.
House of Smiles Programme Annual Report 2006 070227.pdf
Posted by jicafriends at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2007
From Jocelyn, Leaders' Course 1990
It's so nice to hear news from ex-jica participants. I am an ex-jica participant, year 1990 for leadership training. Since then, many pwd's from our organization availed of the different trainings from JICA. I would like to hear some news from my co-participants, year 1990 especially the participants from Thailand.
Thank you and more power to JICA!
You have been one of the instruments in the success of many persons with disabilities
Jocelyn Cevallos Garcia
"Joy"
joycevgar@yahoo.com
tahanangwalanghagdanan@yahoo.com
Posted by jicafriends at 06:33 PM | Comments (0)
Opening for Signature of the Convention on the Rights
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
NGO attendance at the Opening for signature of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
30 March 2007
United Nations Headquarters, New York
The United Nations welcomes all interested representatives of civil society to attend the Opening for Signature of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol on March 30 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Individuals wishing to attend should register by completing the electronic form below. The registration deadline is 17 March 2007.
Please note that all persons attending as assistants to persons with disabilities should also register. No accreditation is needed for NGOs at this event.
Please kindly note that no financial assistance is available from the United Nations to support NGO attendance, and that the United Nations is not able to assist with visa applications.
We look forward to seeing you on 30 March!
Registration for NGO Representatives
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/csig30marngo.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)
House of Smile-Cambodia
Greeting from disabled children in Cambodia, My name is Mr. Smiles!!!!!
House of Smiles operates a home for developmentally disabled young adults. This home is located in a residential neighborhood in Phnom Penh and will be in some of the Provinces of Cambodia next years as requested from people in the provinces to expand there, now we are moving to another areas for home care in other to promote social welfare in Cambodia in term of children with disability needs,the rights of the child should be the point of departure for the project. The main emphasis will be on integrating the children, to enabling them to attend an ordinary school with other children.
The projects focus on supporting children in their own neighborhoods and surroundings and it will be rooted in the local community that where possible there are some participation by children and parents around the community with exchange knowing collaboration with local experts and with the authorities are essential and by the way the projects, especially innovative ones and inclusive education for children with disabilities
My Purpose of this writing is; I would like to let you all know how we are going to do after my returned back from Japan
Now we are working with many types’ disability children who abandoned in the community and society by supporting such as some food, physical therapy, foster care, home base care, respite care, general education and others in term of emotional and physical development
We are working with children with disability with following type of disabilities
1. Mental Retardation
2. Autistics
3. Cerebral Palsy
4. Down syndrome
5. Muscular Dystrophy
6. Polio
7. Paralysis and amputees
8. Hearing Impairment
Thanks you
Chan Sarin
Just a few minutes to visit us by website: http://www.hagarinternational.org/
Posted by jicafriends at 10:35 AM | Comments (4)