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February 28, 2008
News about Khempone-Lao PDR
Ms. Khemphone, former participant of Leadership Development course 2006, is working on CBR project of Handicap International Belgium. We found her name in the following article presented on the website of Lao Disabled People's Association (LDPA).
The Community Based Rehabilitation Project of the Belgian organisation Handicap International is continuing to help more disabled people find permanent work through a vocational training programme this month.
The project received 150 million Kip ( US$15.000 ) this year from the Georg-Kraus Stiftung Foundation in Germany through Handicap International to train disabled people to produce handicrafts. Three courses will train a total of 18 people over four month periods at the Lao Coco project in Vientiane un the scheme. The first course was held from June to September this year, the second began earlier this month and will run from February 2008.
Lao Coco workers for fashion handicrafts out of the coconut, shells, such as waches, boxes, necklaces and puppets. Of the five peoples who completed the first course, four are now working with Lao Coco and one has returned to her home in Salavan province to produce items there, according to project assistants Mrs Khemphone Thongsythavong. The current course has six
participants, all of whom live in Vientiane. The project is currently seeking applicants from around the country for the next course, although Mrs. Khemphone pointed out that people from other provinces without relatives in Vientiane may have difficulties, as Lao Coco does not provide
accommodation. The project provides a wage of 400,000 Kip per month for participants and spends 40,000 Kip per day on meals for the group. After completing the course, trainees to receive tools they can use continue the work at home. The staff also help trainees to find work after the course by contracting organasations factories and offices to search for vacancies.
“ We provide both disabled and able-bodied people with a skill. These coconut products are in high demand, and Lao needs more workers to kick-start commercial exports ” said the director of Lao Coco, Mr. Michel Saada. He added that the main domestic markets for the handicrafts in Vientiane and Louangprabang provinces, will overseas markets includes France, Italy, Germany and the USA.
http://ldpalaos.org/Links/coco_eng.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2008
ENABLE NEWSLETTER
You can access to ENABLE NEWSLETTER by clicking the following URL. It is a service of the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to keep you informed about the work of the UN system on disability issues.
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=313
Posted by jicafriends at 04:24 PM | Comments (0)
LCCI facilitating disabled persons-Pakistan
We found the name of organization "Labard" in the following article, which Uzma, a participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2006 belonged to. The information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development."
Uzuma is now studying psychology and disability in UK in order to improve her skills for her job at Labard.
The Post February 26, 2008
Commerce Reporter
LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Mohammad Ali Mian, while appreciating the services of Surayya Azeem Hospital for the ailing humanity, has said that the LCCI would extend full cooperation to all such institutions that are working for this noble cause.
Mohammad Ali Mian expressed these views while speaking at a function held in connection with inauguration of a Surayya Azeem Hospital Ward. The LCCI Executive Committee Members Shafique Riaz and Ibrar Ahmad were also present on the occasion. Mian said that the LCCI is also quite active in social sector, it is facilitating the disabled persons through a cell that has established in 1996 by the name of Lahore Businessmen Association for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled(Labard).
The Labard was not only providing medical facilities to the disabled persons but was also arranging jobs for them after their rehabilitation and imparting them with necessary training.
http://thepost.com.pk/CorpNews.aspx?dtlid=146566&catid=8
Posted by jicafriends at 11:46 AM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2008
Scheme to guide handicapped university students-Sri Lanka
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Ceylon Daily News - February 24, 2008
Dharma Sri Abeyratne
The Alumni Association of the University of Colombo launched its 'Friend and Guide' scheme recently to help physically handicapped students in the University.
Accordingly, 27 visually impaired students of the Arts Faculty were handed over educational aids such as voice recorders and stationery by the Friend and Guide Scheme.
Under this scheme, host families in Colombo were linked with deserving undergraduates who are not only economically disadvantaged but also challenged by life in Colombo.
Addressing the event, Vice Chancellor, Professor Hirimaburegama stressed the value of this project which is of enormous benefit to students.
She said, the scheme would focus on those who come from remote areas to Colombo for higher studies.
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, professor Amal Jayawardena said this was a significant event. He has been working closely with these blind students and has identified their talents, capabilities, needs and frustrations, he said.
The President of the Alumni Association, Ramanee Amarasuriya said this is one of the key projects which the Association has planned to enhance the morale of disabled students while assisting them in their academic careers.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/02/25/news40.asp
University of Colombo: http://www.cmb.ac.lk/
Posted by jicafriends at 03:21 PM | Comments (0)
3-day International Disability Conference begins Feb 27-Bangladesh
MONDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2008
Agency
Independent-Bangladesh - Dhaka,Bangladesh
The third international conference of the Asia Pacific Disability Forum begins in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the 3-day conference at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre at 10:00am on the day.
This was made public at a news conference jointly organised by National Disability Forum and Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city. National Disability Forum president Khandaker Zahurul Alam read out a
speech at the conference.
DRU general secretary Ilias Khan, conference organising committee chairperson Mansur Chowdhury and National Disability Forum Director Nafisur Rahman were present.
Zahurul Alam said more than 450 delegates from 27 countries, including host Bangladesh, will take part in the conference. The number of foreign delegates will be 189.
Besides, 40 senior government officials of Bangladesh will participate in the conference.
Asia Pacific Disability Forum:http://www.normanet.ne.jp/~apdf/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:19 PM | Comments (0)
February 25, 2008
Bid to ratify UN document on disabled’s rights starts-Philippines
We found the name of Venus Ilagan, immediate past chair of the Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), a participant of Leaders Course 1994 in the following article.
By Vincent Cabreza
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 18:24:00 02/02/2008
BAGUIO CITY -- A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN was launched here on Monday for a Philippine atification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The new covenant, which was adopted by the UN in 2006, upgrades the civil rights accorded to the world’s disabled people into a universal human right.
Venus Ilagan, immediate past chair of the Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), a UN lobby group, opened the campaign, citing how the government failed to enforce laws that protect Filipinos with disabilities.
The country had pledged to fill up 5 percent of its labor pool with skilled workers (about 1.7 million of 35.5 million based on a 2005 census) belonging to the people with disabilities sector.
Higher quota
Ilagan said the country’s quota is higher than the quotas of other countries. But the government could not even hire 1 percent of this potential work force, she said. Pepito Marao, president of the Katipunan ng Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas Inc. (Kampi), said the government has not been able to fill up its quota. Ilagan said they have been told that government has hired 5,000 employees from their sector, but this number does not represent the 5 percent hiring quota imposed by local laws involving people with disability.
Ilagan said the government has no updated information on the number of Filipinos with disability, but the sector believes they represent 8.5 million people. She said about 30 percent of this sector is composed of skilled workers.
Marao said the sector could not demand full compliance because the law merely encourages the hiring of the disabled.
No big deal
“We are also not seeking sanctions [against government or sectors that deal with the disabled]… We don’t want to make this a big deal [on our behalf],” Ilagan said. She said advocates sometimes mistake the crusade as a fight to help the disabled, when in reality “we want to be independent [and] we want to do things for ourselves.” Ilagan said the Philippine delegation was vice chair of the country panel that negotiated for the UN covenant. She said the campaign would be devolved into regional crusades.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:22 AM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2008
The Asian Festival of inclusive arts attended by disabled and able-bodied artists-Cambodia
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
The festival event in Siem Reap province is to be held from Feb.21 to 24 and the event in Phnom Penh will be held from Feb. 23 to March 1, said Chum Noy, an official for Bophanana Audiovisual Center, which is a supporter of the event.
"We encourage the artists to expand their skills and help society," he said.
For the first time, disabled and able-bodied artists from across Asia come together in Cambodia to present an exciting festival of performance, film, workshops, music and visual arts with a spotlight on the abilities of all people, said a press release of the event.
This arts extravaganza will celebrate the talent and diversity of not only Asian culture, but also the human spirit, it said.
"This isn't about putting disabled people up on the stage. This is about changing the way people perceive disability," Hannah Stevens said on behalf of Epic Arts in the press release.
Funded by The Nippon Foundation and produced by Epic Arts, spotlight is a world standard, multi-arts program which will provide powerful role models for people with disabilities, it said.
By involving the international community, the aim is to build opportunities and networks for artists with disabilities within the region, through workshops, collaborations and shared experiences, it
added.
Editor: Yao Siyan
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/21/content_7644224.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 01:34 PM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2008
Article on accessibility to the Martyr Memorial Monument in Chittagong-Bangladesh
We are very delighted that after struggling for long time to establish the barrier free society for persons with disabilities, a ramp has already been set to Chittagong central Shahid Menar as small initiative of disabilities friendly Chittagong city.
Now People with physically challenged can access easily to the Shahid Menar in Chittagong like other people that was impossible before.
It is a great success of the persons with disabilities, N.G.O.’s [Non-government Organizations], community leaders and other social institutions which are working hardly to ensure human rights of persons with disabilities.
We are immense gratitude to you and hope that you will remain with disability movement near future.
Mr. Vashkar Vattacharya,
programme officer.
focal person DAISY for all in Bangladesh.
Young Power in Social Action (YPSA)
Posted by jicafriends at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2008
Report from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Shalika from Leadership Development Course 2006 informed us about a new network in Sri Lanka.
I am terribly sorry for the long silence. However, I have been writing to Sriyani Rekha and we keep in touch. Hopefully, we will be working together soon. I also met a very old old old Leader. He's mr.M.C.Mendis. Said that he underwent training in 1987. Turns out to be that we are related. What a co-incidence. He too wants me to get involved in his work. He is attached to DPI. I also met Kamala Xavier who has undergone training. She is now one of the Vice Presidents of our organisation. She has many good ideas and I am looking forward to working with her.
Shalika
Posted by jicafriends at 11:30 AM | Comments (0)
Report form Rekha-Sri Lanka
Dear jicafriends,
My project is going on. First of next month I’m going to offer there tools and materials. These day’s they have to chose there main vocational Employment. I did training of excise book with them. Fredsro ( It’s a N.G.O) helped to me to do it. And they agreed me to give some donation for my project. Si I’m so happy. My department also will give money . It’s not big amount . So Fredsro agree to help.
I will send few photograph soon. You can see how did they companion to make excise books.
Rekha.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2008
Report form Andrea-Costa Rica
Dear jicafriend,
I am currently involved in a community project called EL PORTAVOZ a monthly free newspaper for People with Disabilites, senior citizens, family and friends in Costa Rica, Central America. We are currently on our 10th edition, with a 7000 copy run and our team consists of 11 people, 8 of which have a disability.
The reason for this email is due to the focus of our next edition, International Women's Day. We are planning on printing a special report on women with disabilities, detailing their various experiences and perspectives of their specific country. If you would like to contribute to this edition, we ask that testimonies are a max of 400 words and our closing date is the 22nd February.
We are currently updating the EL PORTAVOZ website; we do have past editions online, in Spanish only. We hope to get our articles into English sometime soon and it would be great to be able to trade links with your page.
Many Thanks
Andrea
Posted by jicafriends at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)