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November 30, 2007

Good news from Shalika-Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka Council for the Blind - the Premier and Principal Service Provider for the Vision Impaired Community of Sri Lanka proposed to the Ministry of Social Service and Social Welfare to issue some sort of recognised and valid identification to all PWDs. This action was initiated by me after I witnessed the facilities afforded to PWDs in Japan during my training last year. This has been placed before the Plenary of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities for ratification. In the meanwhile, we are in the process of designing a special ID card. I am grateful to the secretariat of jicafriedns for helping me in collecting data on the Japanese Certificate of Disability. Hopefully by next year, we too will have an ID card. We are keeping our fingers crossed.

Shalika Karunaratne
Member - Executive Committee, SLCB
Former participant - Leaders Course

Posted by jicafriends at 06:45 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi School for Special Needs Education

October 25, 2007 AM :
Visit : Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi School for Special Needs Education

This morning we visited Hiroshima Prefectural Hatsukaichi School for Special Needs Education. After a introductory speech by Mr. Kanda, school principal, Mr. Takeshima, vice principal, explained about the school.

This school consists of elementary school, junior high school, and high school departments. The participants learned about school management, educational objectives of each department, curriculum and daily schedule.

Then, the participants went around and observed the school. They were surprised to see attention and consideration given to each student according to his or her disability.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102501.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:59 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities

October 24, 2007 PM :
Visit : Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities

In the afternoon, the participants visited Hiroshima Prefectural Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Physical Disabilities. This center provides a range of support for persons with disabilities covering consultations regarding disabilities, diagnosis, evaluation, medical treatment, training, sports and social activities.

After receiving a lecture on the outline of the center from Mr. Kawasaki, Secretary General of the Rehabilitation Center, the participants visited each section of the center and its affiliated institutions and asked many questions.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102402.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Prefectural Braille Library

October 24, 2007 AM :
Visit : Hiroshima Prefectural Braille Library

This morning the participants visited the Hiroshima Prefectural Braille Library to learn about its services for persons with visual impairment.

The participants learned about production and lending of Braille and recorded books, reading services, reference service through NAIVE network (National Association of Institutions of Information Service for Visually Impaired Persons) etc. They were surprised to know that the postage of materials for persons with visual impairments are free of charge in Japan, and also that the services are largely supported by a number of non-paid volunteers.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l102401.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

October 23, 2007 :
Message from a survivor of Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Blast
Visit: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

This morning, the participants met a survivor of the atomic bomb blast (or Hibakusha in Japanese) and listened to a message directly from her.
Yesterday Mr. Akiba mentioned about three important steps taken; 1) Hibakusha chose to live, 2) Hibakusha decided to talk about their experience and send a message, and 3) the message of Hibakusha is “no one else, including enemies, should not suffer from what we did.” The participants were surprised to realize that the atomic bomb blast is not the past history but its effect is still present, affecting many people. They were also shocked to hear that she does not hate the enemies.

To close this morning's session, the participant from Honduras said a thank you words on behalf of 10 participants.

After the lunch, the participants walked around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and then visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum provides Peace Volunteers who give explanation to the visitors not only in Japanese but also in English. The participants were divided into small groups and went around the museum with Peace Volunteers.

It was a long day but became a unforgettable learning experience.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1023.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:00 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Human Rights and Advocacy

October 29, 2007 :
Workshop : Human Rights and Advocacy

We often use the words, “Human Rights” and “Advocacy.” However we sometimes do not notice when we are abused, neglected or discriminated.

Ms. keiko Higuchi, Ms. Kinue Suzuki and Mr. Hajime Iwamoto explained about human rights and advocacy by using role plays.
They started the workshop with a song “Kono machi ga sukisa (I like this > town).”

The participant from Cameroon played the part of father very well and a JSRPD staff had to play a role of bullying a wheelchair user.

Ten participants had experienced the same problems which a couple faced in the role plays. And they learned how to solve the problems.

Before closing the session Kinue san strongly appealed the following message.

“Don't think you are different from a beggar with disability. They are your peers. In order to get the same human rights as others, you have to stand up and change the society in your country.”

At the end of the workshop we all sang “I like this town” again and again.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1029.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:42 AM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : “Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace”

October 22, 2007 :
Lecture: “Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace”

by Mr. Nobuyuki TESHIMA,
Director of International Peace Promotion Department, the City of Hiroshima.
Courtesy Call : Mr. Tadatoshi AKIBA, Mayor of the City of Hiroshima

The participants left from JICA Tokyo early in the morning and flew from Haneda Airport to Hiroshima Airport. This is the beginning of one week regional training in the world famous city, Hiroshima. Peace education is the main theme of the training in Hiroshima.

Firstly the participants visited the International Conference Hall to receive a lecture on Hiroshima's Devotion to World Peace. Mr. Nobuyuki TESHIMA, Director of International Peace Promotion Department, explained about the atomic bomb and the peace activities promoted by the city of Hiroshima.

After the lecture, the participants moved to the Hiroshima City Hall and at 15:30 they made a courtesy call to Mr. Tadatoshi AKIBA, the Mayor of the City of Hiroshima.

Every year on August 6 a Peace Memorial Ceremony is held and the mayor issues a Peace Declaration towards the world, praying for the peaceful repose of the victims, for the abolition of nuclear weapons, and for lasting world peace.

Peace Declaration (in English, French, Russian, German, Korean, Chinese, Arabic)

http://www.city.hiroshima.jp/shimin/heiwa/declaration.html

Mr. Akiba also talked about ‘Mayors for Peace’. With the belief that cities are responsible for their citizens' life, ‘Mayors for Peace’ was founded in 1982 calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Currently there are 1828 member cities in 122 countries and regions. Please check if your city is a member of ‘Mayors for Peace’.

( http://www.mayorsforpeace.org/english/membercity/map.html )

Today the participants were impressed by Hiroshima's devotion for world peace and Mr. Akiba's strong leadership. Before closing the visit, the participant from Honduras made a thank you speech on behalf of the group.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1022.html

Posted by jicafriends at 11:14 AM | Comments (0)

Good news from Swee Lan-Malaysia

Dear jicafriends,

There are many good news to share with you:

1. My dissertation/research on self-advocacy movement in malaysia is now available for reading in http://www.unitedvoice.com.my/ysl_dissertation.pdf

2. The Embassy of Japan has decided to give United Voice a grant of US$6000+ to buy a ommercial colour printer, name card cutter and a refrigerator for the expansion of our Employment Project Business. We will be getting the cheque next week.

3. I was sent by JICA Malaysia to support 2 self-advocates of UV to attend :
Event: Regional Workshop on the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families in Asia and the Pacific

Organiser: UN ESCAP & CDPF (China Disabled People Federation)
Date: 11-13 Oct 2007
Venue: Shanghai
Website: http://www.worldenable.net/shanghai2007/
Outcome of the workshop: Shanghai Recommendation
Will post our latest newsletter with report on this event in our website soon.

Regards,
Swee Lan

Posted by jicafriends at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)

November 28, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Workshop : Peer counseling

October 19, 2007 :
Workshop : Peer counseling

Peer counseling was developed in the independent living movement in the U.S. in the 1970s.

More than 20 years has passed since it was first introduced to Japan. A hundred or more peer counseling courses are organized annually at 121 independent living centers nationwide in Japan.

Ms. Masae Kashiwagi, one of the planning committee members organized a workshop on peer counseling with support of Ms. Makiko Horiuchi who is also a planning committee member.
During today's peer counseling session only persons with disabilities were allowed to attend the workshop.
The following is the program.

After the session all participants could feel very relax and happy. They all understood they are not alone.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1019.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:52 PM | Comments (0)

November 27, 2007

Visually impaired individuals to undergo massage training-Philippines

The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.

Updated November 8, 2007, Iloilo City, Philippines

Fifteen visually impaired individuals from the province of Iloilo will undergo a massage training on Friday in coordination with various related government agencies and the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO).

Janine Soliva, president of the regional federation of women with disability in Western Visayas said the Technical Educations Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Iloilo provincial government have been very supportive of the endeavor which aims to provide self employment and livelihood opportunities to persons with disabilities.

The training, which will be held in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo is only an initial training, according to Soliva as they envision more trainings for individually impaired individuals in the coming days.

The participants were chosen in coordination with the Municipal Social Welfare Office of the host municipality. (PNA)

Posted by jicafriends at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Visit and lecture at Kodaira Genkimura

October 12, 2007 :
Visit and lecture at Kodaira Genkimura

Ten participants visited Genkimura (‘Genki’ means vigor and ‘mura’ means village) to learn about the current situation of persons with mental (psychiatric) disabilities in Japan. The following schedule was planned through discussion. among members of Club House Habataki, users of Community Living Support Center ‘Asayake’ and Mr. Hiroshi Ueno, course leader of this training program.

In some coutries mental disabilities are not clearly defined and classified as intellectual disabilities. And besides that, persons with mental disabilities are believed that they cannot work properly. However they can be employed and work efficiently when appropriate vocational environment is arranged.

The participants explained the situation of persons with mental disabilities in each country and actively exchanged their opinions with the Habataki members and the Asayake users. It was a long day, but meaningful and precious time for all.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1012.html

Posted by jicafriends at 12:41 AM | Comments (0)

November 22, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Lecture on the Role of Independent Living Center in the Community

October 18, 2007 PM:
Lecture on the Role of Independent Living Center in the Community
by Mr. Teruhisa YOKOYAMA,
Chairperson of the Board, Center for Independent Living ‘HANDS-Setagaya’

In the afternoon, the participant could meet another leading figure in disability movement in Japan, Mr. Akihisa Yokoyama. Mr. Yokoyama’s activities are community based and his lecture based on his actual experience conveyed strong and powerful messages. The participants could learn about building a relationship with peers, independent living in a community and the importance of personal assistants etc. Mr. Yokoyama brought his wife with him and some participants asked for his advice on marriage of persons with disabilities.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l101802.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:31 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Lecture on Philosophy of Independent Living Movement and Independent Living Center

October 18, 2007 AM:
Lecture on Philosophy of Independent Living Movement and Independent Living Center
by Mr. Shoji NAKANISHI,
Chairperson, Human Care Association

Many of the readers may already know of Mr. Shoji Nakanishi, who has been taking an active role in disability movement not only in Japan but also in Asia-Pacific region. Mr. Nakanishi talked about the history of disability movement and his involvement, and why and how he established the first independent living center in Japan etc.

After Mr. Nakanishi's lecture, two staff of Human Care Association explained about the services provided for persons with visual impairment and persons with hearing impairment. Those two staff themselves have hearing impairment and visual impairment respectively and the participants were amazed to see how they communicate each other and work with each other while supporting mutually.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l101801.html

Posted by jicafriends at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : How to Write Action Plan Ⅰ

November 2, 2007 :
Workshop : How to Write Action Plan Ⅰ

Today was the first day of three days session, This session aims to learn how to write action plan. At the end of the training in Japan, all the participants are required to write and submit action plan which explains what they have learned from this training and also what they are planning to do upon their return to home country.
The participants were expected to gain concrete ideas of how to write each section of action plan.

Ms. Rossitto explained about each section in depth with specific examples which helped them to understand more easily and more clearly. The participants already had ideas for the topic of their action plan and during the lecture, the participants worked out on writing their plans. They also worked in pairs to exchange their ideas and opinions actively.

The participants will put great effort to prepare the first draft by next session, and then final versions will be presented on the last week of this course.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1102.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:03 PM | Comments (7)

TRAINING REPORT : Current Situation of Persons with Hearing Impairment in Japan

October 11, 2007 :
Current Situation of Persons with Hearing Impairment in Japan

AM : Visit to WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd

In the morning the participants visited WORLD PIONEER Co., Ltd. As its name shows, it is a pioneering company in employment of persons with hearing impairment and also in development of unique products for persons with hearing impairment.

PM : Lecture on Deaf Studies Now: Social Model beyond Medical Model
by Mr. Yutaka OSUGI,
Associate Professor of Tsukuba University of Technology

In the afternoon the participants returned to JICA Tokyo. Mr. Osugi, the afternoon's lecturer himself has a hearing impairment. In prior to the current position as an associate professor of Tsukuba University of Technology, Mr. Osugi had worked in a Japanese Federation of the Deaf for 6 years including as a Secretary General. During the lecture Mr. Osugi frequently asked the participants to share the situation in their countries.

From his comprehensive lecture, the participants could understnad various topics such as medical model and social model, information access and communication access etc.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1011.html

Posted by jicafriends at 04:01 PM | Comments (0)

November 16, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Individual Training

October 30 - November 1, 2007 :
Individual Training

Three days individual training was programmed according to each participant's profession and fields of interest. It aims to widen and deepen the specific knowledge and skills which help them to write their Action Plans. The following table shows the schedule and the purpose of each program.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1030.html

Posted by jicafriends at 03:16 AM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2007

Website for LDPA (Lao Disabled People's Association)

Mr. Singxay LOR, Vocational Course 2006 is now running IT workshop in Lao PDR. He was requested to establish a website for LDPA.. Please visit the following site.
http://www.ldpalaos.org/

The secretariat of jicafriends

Posted by jicafriends at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Leadership Skills

October 16 - 17, 2007 :
Leadership Skills

by Mr. Yoshinori Ikezumi,
Regional Coordinator of International People's Health Council South East / Pacific and North East Asia

The participants had the second two days' session on Leadership Skills facilitated by Mr. Ikezumi. The theme of the last session was ‘self-development’ and this time it was ‘teamwork / network building’.

Participants from Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Honduras shared their experience. They presented how they approached to their community, how they organize the people with disabilities, how they network with other organizations, what kind of roles they take etc.

From their experiences the participants could draw many important characteristics of effective leaders.

Mr. Ikezumi's four days session was very insightful. The participants had an opportunity to reflect on themselves. They learned about leadership from Mr. Ikezumi's way of being and acting and also from each other.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1016.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:05 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Visit: ‘Skip’ Setagaya Ward Employment Support Center for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

October 10, 2007 :
Visit: ‘Skip’ Setagaya Ward Employment Support Center for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

Morning : Outline of Skip
by Mr. Hikosaburo Kamidaki, Deputy Director
Afternoon: Opinion Exchange with three members of Skip
Lecture: “Current Situation of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Japan”
By Ms Chihiro Kawamura, Prof. of Seiryo Univ.

Ten participants visited Skip to learn about employment support for persons with intellectual disabilities.
In the morning Mr. Hidenobu Miyatake, Director of Skip, gave a few words to the participants and then Mr. Kamidaki, Deputy Director, explained them about the outline of the Employment Support Center “Skip.”

Skip kindly arranged special lunch menu for the participants. They enjoyed seafood spaghetti, salad, soup and apple juice, however the participant from Yemen could not eat because he was fasting.

After lunch they had a wrap-up session at a patio. Mr. Yemen was in charge of facilitation today. They actively discussed about the topic they'd learned yesterday.

Then they invited three users and exchanged opinion with them. In the participants' countries, persons with intellectual disabilities are not expected as a active member of the society, so all the participants were so impressed to know they could work and enjoy their lives.

Lastly Prof. Kawamura briefly explained about the current situation of persons with intellectual disabilities for participants to get a clear idea.

From the today's comprehensive program, the participants could understand that with a proper support persons with intellectual disabilities could work and become an active member of society.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1010.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:03 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : “Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan”

October 9, 2007 Afternoon :
Lecture
“Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan”

In the afternoon the participants came back to JICA Tokyo and had a lecture on “Current Situation of Persons with Visual Impairments in Japan.” Mr. Toshio Kusunoki is the Director of the Board, Nonprofit Organization, Osaka Association of Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities. He started his lecture by telling us about his personal history and then described us about four types of barriers for persons with visual impairments as follows;

1. Problems in the legal system
2. Various kinds of physical barriers
3. Information barriers
4. Mental barriers (lack of understanding by other people, psychologicalissues)

The participants understood the issues in daily living and social participation of persons with visual impairments in Japan.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l100902.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:02 PM | Comments (0)

TRAINING REPORT : Visit Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired

October 9, 2007 Morning :
Visit Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired

In the morning ten participants visited Tokyo Independent Living Support Center for the Visually Impaired.　Mr. Yuichi Nagaoka from guidance and training section explained us briefly about outline of the center.

This rehabilitation institution is mainly for those who acquired impairments in their sight midway in their lives. So the center provides ADL (Activities for Daily Living) skills and Braille training for reintegration to the society. The average training period is about nine months and the average age of the users is 50 years old. The participants were very much impressed to observe their service which meets the needs of each user.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l100901.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)

November 08, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan

Oct 15, 2007 :
Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan
by Mr. Hiroshi UENO,
Chairperson of Planning Committee

Today's topic was the employment of persons with disabilities. The lecture was given by Mr. Ueno, Chairperson of Planning Committee and it covered such topics as the difference between employment in open labor market and sheltered employment, the employment quota system, and the levy and grant system of Japan etc. Some participants commented that their counties also had the employment quota system but it was not respected and most of persons with disabilities were unemployed. Although situations are different, the employment of persons with disabilities is a common issue in many countries.
So in the afternoon, each participant shared the employment situation of persons with disabilities in their respective countries.

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1015.html

Posted by jicafriends at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)

November 07, 2007

TRAINING REPORT : Home Visit

Oct 13, 2007 : Home Visit

10 participants were divided into four groups and each group visited different homes of Japanese people with disabilities this afternoon.

It was a great opportunity to get to know Japanese people with disabilities more personally and see how they live at home. The participants were warmly welcomed and they spent a meaningful time by conversing and exchanging opinions with their host families. They could also see various of ideas and devices applied in their house to make their living more comfortable.

We thank to the four host families for their hospitality !

http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/gi2007/training/l1013.html

Posted by jicafriends at 02:23 PM | Comments (0)

November 06, 2007

International Abilympic 2007

The first International Abilympics (IA) was held in Tokyo in 1981, commemorating the “International Year of Disabled Persons”, with wide support from both non-governmental and governmental organizations, helping to reshape the view of society in regard to the abilities, potentials and skills of disabled people, thus resulting in greater employment opportunities and vocational stability.

And 7th International Abilympic is going to be held from 13 to 18 in Shizuoka Pref., Japan. For more information can be obtained from the following site:
http://www.bizlink.org.sg/Abilympics/about.html

Posted by jicafriends at 08:42 PM | Comments (0)

November 05, 2007

Persons with disabilities bat for community-based rehabilitation-Philippines

We found the name of former participant in the following news. Mr. Mario Abaygar, president of the Association of Disabled Persons in Iloilo (ADPI). He participated Leaders' Course 1992.

Updated October 24, 2007, Iloilo City, Philippines

Persons with disabilities in the province of Iloilo are batting for community-based rehabilitation (CBR) wherein they could actively participate in.

This was evident during the Consultative Conference with PWD Leaders and Focal Person on CBR Program held last Oct. 18, 2007 at the Centennial Resort Hotel and Convention Center, Alta Tierra, Jaro. The conference was organized by the Provincial Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Iloilo Provincial Federation of Differently Abled Persons (IPFDAP). It was attended
by representatives from the local government units and organization for disabled persons in different municipalities.

Mario Abaygar, president of the Association of Disabled Persons in Iloilo (ADPI) said that the effort aims to assess how organizations for disabled persons in municipalities can be helped. "We discovered that they initially had projects and they have a budget. We should present a program that will help implement these projects and one of these is the CBR."

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), CBR is a strategy within community development for the rehabilitation, equalization of communities and social integration of all persons with disabilities (PWDs). It is implemented through the combined efforts of the PWDs themselves, their families and the community.

The prevention of impairments and medical and health services fall under rehabilitation. To foster equalization, there should be full participation of the PWDs, improvement of their quality of life and poverty reduction. Under the social aspect, the CBR should harness the potential of the PWD
and move them from marginalization towards citizenship.

Abaygar said the movement from marginalization and citizenship is crucial in this program. "There was a time when PWDs are part of the marginalized sector and were treated as persons under welfare. Why do they still complain? Then, the government provided them with prosthetics. How come they still complain? The government created the accessibility law, but how come they are still not pleased? The key is in citizenship. PWDs should have the same rights as anyone else and that includes the right to participate and be responsible for ourselves," he said.

He issued this challenge to the PWDs. "Sometimes, the problem lies on the PWD himself after the government has done its part," he said.

The government has formulated Republic Act 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons. This is an act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons and their integration into the mainstream of society and for other purposes.

In Aug. 21, 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared the period 2002 to 2012 as the Philippine decade of persons with disabilities. She directed the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons to nationalize all disability-related efforts by formulating and issuing a Comprehensive National Plan of Action for the Decade which translates the objectives of RA
7277. She also instructed all departments of the government to implement such.

The funds for the implementation of these projects will be taken from the concerned agencies, not less than one percent of its annual appropriation.

Posted by jicafriends at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)