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August 28, 2008
Good news from Lilian-Chile
Friends, I want with you good news of which I witnessed, I mean signature ratifying the International Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities'.
The news is that public television and newspapers of the country.
Lily Sam
Lilian Garrido Vasquez
Santiago de Chile
President Bachelet: Chile formally enshrined TODAY A new perspective on disability
The President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet, signed this morning promulgatorio decree ratifying the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, stressed that the opportunity through this commitment “Chile formally establishes a new look on disability, which should help to update our laws and our public policies.”
The convention, adopted in July by the Upper House, has become the first treaty of the twenty-first century on Human Rights and seeks to leave behind discriminatory practices against those with disabilities. In this regard, the Head of State stated that “the ratification without reservations of this convention and its protocol, adopted unanimously in the Senate, means that we are equal with other countries that today are at the forefront in terms of non-discrimination.”
Similarly, he noted that this commitment “also means a challenge, because when enacting this convention, we folded voluntarily to the assessment and monitoring of the global community on progress in this area.”
During the ceremony, held at the Hall Montt Varas de La Moneda, the trustee argued that disability is not related only with a disability which limits people's lives, “but also with the barriers that prevent their full integration”. In this regard, adding that “when the structures of society excluded or marginalized, is increasing disability and block the ability of people to live better.”
During his speech the Head of State reaffirmed the commitment of his government with public policies aimed at generating greater integration and highlighted the progress achieved in this area. As an example, indicated that “a few days ago I gave to hear a series of measures on improving the situation of those who suffer mental disabilities and living in a situation of street.”
Also stressed that pension reform provides a basic pension Solidarity Invalidity for people with disabilities who are not working and living in poverty. He also stressed that this legislative change provides the “old desire and request of persons with disability pension,” which implies that this same benefit “will be delivered to those who, although employed, receive less than a minimum monthly income.”
In the educational field relevó that “we increase the subsidy for all special schools” and added that to achieve further progress in this area, “from March 2009, deliver a further increase in regular schools, they receive children with disabilities.”
In addition, appreciated “the opening of treatments and tools associated with physical and mental disability” in the Plan Rise and stressed the efforts made so that “people affected by disability are active in the design and proposed plans and policies related to this area and that is something that we have been doing well through joint work with Fonadis.”
Finally, he expressed the need for further progress in measures to “guarantee the right of every disabled person to privacy, to enjoy cultural goods, to participate fully in democratic processes, to live in a country without discrimination or exclusion . And that is the Chile we want and that is that Chile looks to the Bicentennial.”
Posted by jicafriends at 01:47 PM | Comments (1)
Dhaka University in Bangladesh Creating Disability-Friendly Environment
The following article was found at We Can Do website (wecando.wordpress.com) and we thank to Md. Aktar Uddin, Communication and Fundraising Officer at ADD, for kindly permitting us to circulete this notice.
Dear Friends
Action on Disability and Development (ADD) and Disabled Students Rights
Forum in cooperation with Dhaka University organized a roundtable discussion
titled ‘Right to education for students with disabilities: Barriers and
moving forward to inclusion into mainstream’ held at Senate Bhaban,
University of Dhaka on Aug, 2008. Professor S.M.A. Faiz, Vice-Chancellor,
University of Dhaka attended the roundtable as Chief Guest while Mr.
Mosharraf Hossain, Country Director, ADD moderated the event.
Disabled friendly environment should be ensured in university for disabled
students in acquiring higher education. This is why; the authority of the
university should be sensitized in building a sustainable infrastructure
paving the advancement to the disabled students in getting higher education
smoothly. The speakers demanded at the roundtable discussion.
Key findings of the roundtable
・ 5% quota should be reserved for the students with disabilities in the
university admission process.
・ Formulation a policy to ensure higher education uninterruptedly for the
students with disabilities
・ Set up ramps and disabled friendly spacious and talking lifts in all
buildings of the university and introducing Braille readers and writers at
the halls of residence.
・ Allocation of seats of residential halls should be reserved for student
with disabilities
・ Seats should be reserved for disabled students at university bus which
should also be disabled friendly
・ The process of getting scribes (interpreter) for visually impaired persons
in delivering examination should be easy and allowed necessary extra time
for examination
・ Scholarship should be reserved for the students with disabilities
・ Every department of university should appoint a disability sensitive
teacher to minimize the barriers of the disabled students
・ Attitudes of teachers, administrative officers, students should be
sensitive to the disabled students, so, the authority should organize
training on disability for those groups in a view to deal the disability
issue from rights based approach
・ UGC should constitute a specific guideline on disability for the
universities to deal the students with disabilities and take actions for
implementation properly
・ Inclusive education should be materialized managing all facilities for the
students with disabilities
・ Disability issue should be included at policy making body of university as
a serious agenda to ensure congenial atmosphere for students with
disabilities to obtaining higher education
・ Authorities should appoint officials at the university dormitories who
would read newspapers for the visually impaired students.
To read more...
http://wecando.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/dhaka-university-in-bangladesh-creating-disability-friendly-environment/
Posted by jicafriends at 01:46 PM | Comments (0)
August 26, 2008
Report from Indra-Nepal
Dear JICA friends,
First of all I thank you that got a chance to take part in training in Japan. I am feeling now days that training grew up my moral power. I could not sent report you on time cause of situation of my country. So, I am very sorry. You have already known that I am not going forward according to action plan. I changed bit on plan because of environment of Nepal oriented me to the politics. I felt that we should join on politics to get rights of disables after getting the training of Japan. I realized that if we want to get new life on disables we should changed constitution completely and should write the constitution on favor of disables who are completely out of own rights. You know that I am selected as member of constitutional assembly by Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). I am thinking to commence some points in constitution assembly which are given below:-
As fundamental rights of disables
1) Free education, health treatment, provide of assistance instrument, management of helper, reestablishment, physical environment without barrier, confirmation of compulsory job or pension (to sustain smoothly) for unemployed pension for aged disables.
2) Confirmation of human rights, rights of equality and rights of information (interpreter, brail teacher, road lamp with sound, news on brail, information park etc.) for disables person.
3) Brail letter and signal language should take as national language.
Points written below should implement immediately
1) "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Optional Protocol(CRPD-2006)" should approved which government of Nepal has already signed.
2) National and international laws and rules concerned disables should be compulsory implemented.
3) "Disables preserved and prosperity law – 2039" should implement after re writing.
4) Every political party should safe fixed quotas for disables persons in every committee of every party.
5) 50% discount for disable person and their helper should be implementation on social objects of transportation likes planes and buses. And should be reservation of seats.
6) Reestablish center should be established to long life for disables women and child who are very poor, homeless and parent less.
7) At least 25% quotas should be reserved for disables person in the private and government jobs in office on the base of qualification and capacity of disables women.
Indra Kumari Gurung
Nepal (Leadership Development Course 2007)
DISABLED CENTER NEPAL
Posted by jicafriends at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2008
Reunion with former participants-Mr. Hiroshi Ueno
Mr. Hiroshi Ueno, Course Leader of the Leadership Development Course visited
Costa Rica this month as an expert for the JICA Support Project of Persons with
Disabilities in Costa Rica. Mr. Ueno made time in his busy schedule to see
former Costarican participants, Andrea (2006) and Pablo (2007) of the said
course. Andrea is now working as a writer under contract with a newspaper
company which specializes in disability issues. Pablo is running a company for home delivery service.
Mr. Ueno reported us that both of them are fine and miss Japan and all jica
friends.
The Secretariat of jicafriends
Posted by jicafriends at 01:38 PM | Comments (0)
August 21, 2008
Training Report : June 27, 2008 AM: Rehabilitation Process
This morning Mr. Akira TERASHIMA, one of Planning Committee Members, gave a lecture on Rehabilitation Process. This is a new topic covered in to this course.
Mr. Terashima explained the overall process of rehabilitation, and the participants could understand what steps persons with disabilities take after acquiring disabilities from acute medical rehabilitation till job placement. Then, Mr. Terashima explained about the Japanese laws and regulations concerning persons with disabilities, degrees of disabilities and eligible services. The participants’ discussion developed into why a service dog is necessary for persons with hearing impairment. After that, he introduced the change from ICIDH* to ICF** and explained about the movement from medical model to social model of rehabilitation.
* ICIDH stands for International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps
** ICF stands for International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0627am.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:12 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2008
Training Report : July 30, 2008: Presentation of Project Plan
Today six participants made a presentation of their Project Plan at JICA Tokyo. It showed what they plan to do by applying their learning from Japan after returning to their home countries. Each participant gave 40 min presentation as follows.Please click the project title to read the whole text.
Morning
1. Participant from Vietnam
Project Title: ENTRANCE TO INDEPENDENT LIFE (PDF)
Summary: Overall goal of this project is that students with disabilities from Ho Chi Minh Vocational College of Technology will get job and live independently. This project consists of three aspects (1) improving vocational skills and social skills of students with disabilities, (2) improving teaching skills of teachers and (3) approaching to companies to employ school graduates with disabilities. The project starts in February 2009 till December 2010 and the total budget is estimated at US$ 150,000.
2. Participant from Nepal
Project Title: HAMRO HANDICRAFTS (PDF)
Summary: Overall goal of this project is that persons with disabilities get employed, become confident and live independently. In order to achieve this goal, this project provides 6 months training in knitting, cross-stick and production of cookies to 13 persons with disabilities as well as women in need and people in poverty. The total budget is estimated at Rs. 354,000 (equivalent to US$ 5240.6).
3. Participant from Laos
Project Title: SHINING STAR - Job creation through wheelchair development project
Summary: This project aims to provide training to 5 persons with physical disorders in wheelchair production at a wheelchair production workshop of the National Rehabilitation Center. After the training, the trainees will be employed at the workshop. Through this project, it is expected to increase the production capacity of the workshop and also to create jobs for persons with disabilities. The duration of the project is 10 month starting from August 2008 and the total budget is estimated at US$ 5,050.
Afternoon
4. Participant from Fiji
Project Title: HAPPY FUTURE - Finding employment for persons with disabilities
Summary: This project aims at job placement of persons with disabilities in service industry especially in a supermarket. The beneficiaries are six students of the Fiji Vocational and Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disabilities, both male and female, of any disabilities. To achieve this aim, this plan requires to approach companies and to make a curriculum which meets companies' needs. In this project, he would like to introduce trial employment. The project is from October 2008 to December 2009 and its total budget is estimated at US$ 11,000.
5. Participant from China
Project Title: WIN-WIN EMPLOYMENT - To develop cooperation with companies for opening up to PWDs and provides supporting and service for stable work
Summary: This project aims to promote employment of persons with disabilities through the following three objectives: (1) 80 persons with physical disorders will be employed at an insurance company A in two years, (2) 15 persons with physical disorders and hearing impairment will be employed at a private company P, (3) Two training courses will be provided in two years for persons with intellectual disabilities in service industry in cooperation with two companies M and N. The duration of project is from October 2008 to September 2010 and the total budget is estimated at US$ 4,049,460.
6. Participant from Bangladesh
Project Title: PEACE TO LIVE - Income Generation Program for Persons with Intellectual & Physical Disabilities
Summary: This project will provide social rehabilitation training and vocational training to 20 persons with disabilities respectively, from 18 to 35 years of age, from 4 different self help groups. Social rehabilitation training aims to improve life skills and social skills of persons with disabilities. Vocational trainings are provided in three subjects: Block printing on cloths, Batic printing on cloths, and Jurdousi (embroidery) on cloths. The project period is from August 2008 to December 2009 and its total budget is estimated at US$ 43,843.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0730.html
Posted by jicafriends at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 29, 2008 PM: Future Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities
Time flies and this afternoon was the last lecture in Japan !
The lecture was about the “Future Perspectives on Employment of Persons with Disabilities” given by Mr. Katsunori Fujii, Executive Director of Kyosaren (Japan Association of Community Workshop for Disabled Persons).
Those participants who went to see the film “A Piece of Your Home” on June 26 recognized his face.
Mr. Fujii gave explanation of the importance of to work and the relationship between work and disability. He talked about reasonable accommodation mentioned in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Then he told the participants that it already moved from the medical model to the social model, of which standpoint was also being applied to employment issues.
Mr. Fujii then gave his opinion on the future perspective in the field of employment of persons with disabilities. He explained the desirable direction by introducing the European case where the labor law and minimum wage were applied to sheltered workshops and community workshops, and the government or companies compensate some part of salary and provide human support for employees with disabilities.
At the end of his lecture, Mr. Fujii talked to the six participants about Mr. Ichiro Maruyama, founder of this training course and former course leader. He explained that in August 2007, Mr. Maruyama appealed to the International Labor Organization (ILO) that Japanese government was breaching the ILO Convention No. 159. It was the first case for the Japanese government to be sued internationally and it was also the first case for ILO to be appealed in regard to Convention No. 159 as an employment issue of persons with disabilities. The core of his appeal was that the labor law should be applied to the persons with severe disabilities who are working at sheltered workshops or small scale community workshops. Its judgment will be given soon.
Mr. Maruyama fought for persons with disabilities especially in the employment field until his last moments. Keep Mr. Mayuyama's ambition and his spirits in our heart, and let us strive for employment promotion of persons with disabilities in each respective country.
Mr. Maruyama's Acceptance Speech
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0729pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 10:25 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 29, 2008 AM: The Right to Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities
What is Decent Work?
The lecturer Mr. Ryosuke Matsui, Professor of Hosei University asked the participants.
This morning, Mr. Matsui gave a comprehensive lecture 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.
For many participants it was 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://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0729am.html
Posted by jicafriends at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 28, 2008: Final Check of Project Plan
This morning, the six participants had the last half a day session with Ms. Sarajean Rossitto.
Each participant practiced making a presentation for 15 minutes in front of other participants. While listening to the presentation, they were asked to check if all the topics were covered or not, using the check sheet prepared by Ms. Rossitto. On this sheet, they also wrote down two positive points, two suggestions to improve, one question and other comments. Ms. Rossitto checked the full text of their project plan and wrote comments for each participant. All the feedbacks were very valuable to them as they could use these ideas to improve their project presentation.
During this course, the participants had two and half days with Ms. Rossitto. Starting from no experience of writing project plan or project proposals, the participants now acquired basic knowledge of project plan writing and presentation skill.
There was no lecture or visit programmed for this afternoon so that they could use this time for more writing. After the lunch, all the participants came back to the classroom and worked on their project plans.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0728.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:28 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 1, 2008 PM: Visit: Japan Organization for Employment of the Eldery and Persons with Disabilities (JEED)
After Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities, they visited the headquarters of JEED, where they can enjoyed the view of the Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge.
Mr. Eisuke Saotome, Executive Vice President of JEED gave a welcome speech and a brief explanation of their services to all the participants. JEED was originally established in 1971 as the Association for Employment of the Disabled. Its name and role had changed according to changes in the social aspects or needs, and the Japan Organization for Employment of the Eldery and Persons with Disabilities was established in 2003.
URL for JEED: http://www.jeed.or.jp/english/index.html
Mr. Yoshihiko Nonaka, one of the committee members and Development Section Chief, Vocational Rehabilitation Center, National Institute of Vocational Rehabilitation, JEED gave them a lecture on Vocational Rehabilitation. He not only lectured but also showed them a video about the history of employment for persons with disabilities in Japan to deepen their knowledge.
On the way back to JICA Tokyo, they could see the Tokyo Tower from the bus.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0701pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 1, 2008 AM: Visit Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities
Six participants took a bus from JICA Tokyo to Ueno to visit Tokyo Vocational Center for Persons with Disabilities.
Mr. Shigeru Okano, Director, Ms. Chie Arisawa, Assistant Director, and Mr. Yuki Kato, Head Supervisor welcomed them at the entrance of the center.
After the welcome speech by Mr. Okano, Ms. Arisawa explained the role of this center.
Local Vocational Centers for Persons with Disabilities are located throughout Japan. The Center provides the vocational rehabilitation services such as vocational evaluation, vocational guidance, work preparation support, OA training courses and evaluation of individuals with intellectual and severe intellectual disabilities. Services provided both for persons with disabilities themselves and employers are support through job coaches and comprehensive employment support for persons with disabilities. And the center also provides services specific to employers such as consultation, assistance and employment management support.
Mr. Kato showed the participants around the center. And six participants became interested in vocational evaluation methods. They could try and experience different tools and learn how to use them.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0701am.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2008
Training Report : July 25, 2008 PM : Learning from former participants through JICA-Net (TV conference)
Today's program is to learn from the activities of former participants through JICA-Net. JICA-Net facility enables to organize TV conferences regardless of distance constraints. This year, it was connected with two former participants of this course, Ms. Rekha Sriyani from Sri Lanka and Mr. Try Suphearac from Cambodia. Both are the participants of the course in 2007.
Ms. Rekha is a social service officer of the Department of Social Services, Central Province of Sri Lanka. Using the ideas and knowledge gained in Japan, she planned an “Income Generation Program for People with Spinal Cord Injuries.” In Sri Lanka, people with spinal cord injuries were depressed and dependent on family and government, and they cannot have future plans or look for new jobs. In order to solve this situation, she put the above program into practice.
After returning to her country, she started a variety of vocational training programs such as making brooms, candles and greeting cards, growing mushrooms, packing spices, etc. She has carefully chosen the training subjects considering market needs. She also considered that most of persons with spinal cord injuries use wheelchairs and chose suitable activities which wheelchair users can do. She also organized peer counseling among people with spinal cord injuries and also social rehabilitation such as training in wearing cloths and toileting etc. The pictures showed that these activities empowered the people with spinal cord injuries and they could regain confidence.
Mr. Try is a representative of Watthan Artisans Cambodia (WAC): A cooperative of Cambodian handicraft producers with disabilities. His project title is “SMILE HANDICRAFTS - To provide handicraft skill training and continue employment for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.”
After the training in Japan, he started new training courses in wood carving and tailoring and 23 trainees are taking these courses and produce marketable products. Initially he tried to get grants but he failed. But he started again from the beginning and carried out these programs with smaller but several donations from other organizations. Now the products of WAC are sold even to European customers through internet. You can visit their website at http://www.wac.khmerproducts.com/
Mr. Akira Terashima, Planning Committee Member, participated in this program and he gave overall comments to both of the speakers. All the participants also contributed to the session by asking questions or giving comments.
Through JICA-Net, the participants could have real-time communication and opinion exchanges with these two former participants. They could see that neither Ms. Rekha nor Mr. Try gave up when they faced difficulties. Through these good examples of former participants, they could have clearer image of how they apply their learning in Japan to their activities upon returning to home countries.
We are deeply grateful to Ms. Rekha and Mr. Try for preparing the presentation materials and taking part in today's session.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0725pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)
Good news from Pakistan
Dear Leaders of disabillity movement
Milestone national network of DPOs has achieved a big target.
1- Disabled persons of Pakistan can get 1000Rs every month directlly from the provicial government.
2- Severe disabled persons can get 2000Rs as BENAZIR SOCIAL SECUTRITY FUND FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, So its mean that now the severe disabled persons could use Personal attendent services.
3- Disabled persons of Pakistan can get their own wheelchair due to their requirement of disabillity from government ( first 120 wheelchairs allready distributed on 14th Augest by the Zumard Khan sahab and Dr.Israr shah sahab with collaboration of Milestone. Hearing Aid also available free of coast by the federal Government. 500 white can also distributed on 14th Augest. All assesstive devices are by the Pakistan Bait ul Mall and the federal government. For devices you can send the application in milestone office or in Pakistan Bait ul Mall. An apllication with the copy of Nation ID card.
4- If a familly have 2 or more the 2 disabled persons in a same familly that familly will declared a special respected familly and will supported by the government.
Dear friend we did this and implementation is also started and if you will not take responsiabillity to make it social movement it will be fail. Share this information with your collegue organizations and members with disabillities.
Lot of Love
Shafiq Ur Rehman
President
MILESTONE
Posted by jicafriends at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2008
Training Report : July 24, 2008 : How to Write Project Plan Ⅱ and Presentation Skill
This morning, the participants looked a little bit tired because they had worked hard on writing drafts of their Project Plans by this morning.
This was the second day with Ms. Sarajean Rossitto. In the morning she checked their drafts and gave advices on where they were not sure about and where they could improve.
Afternoon was about presentation skill. Ms. Sarajean asked the participants to work in pair and brainstorm dos and don'ts when making a presentation. They came out with many ideas such as speaking clearly, making eye contact, not reading out of paper etc.
Ms. Sarajeam explained how to make an effective presentation covering various topics such as preparation, purpose, contents, format, delivery, visual aids etc. During the class, each participant started to write presentation outline using their drafts as a base.
Now that they know the key elements for making an effective presentation, the only thing they need to do is to practice.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0724.html
Posted by jicafriends at 02:17 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 26, 2008 : Special Preview of a film “A Piece of Your Home” (Furusato wo Kudasai)
After today's lecture, 4 participants from China, Bangladesh, Laos and Vietnam went to see the special preview of a film “A Piece of Your Home” (Furusato wo Kudasai) with English Subtitle. It took place in the Nippon Foundation at Akasaka, central Tokyo.
The film is produced by Kyousaren (Japan Association of community Workshop for Disabled Persons). The story is about how people with mental disabilities have fought for and established their living in community of a country side village of Japan. It is based on the real story and filmed in a real place. The participants enjoyed watching this film.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0626.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:52 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2008
jicafriend became new RI Secretary General
Dear jicafriends,
Ms. Venus Ilagan, former participant of Leader Course 1994 was appointed as new RI Secretary General.
Please see this press releas.
RI Secretariat
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Distinguished Disability Advocate Venus Ilagan Appointed as New RI Secretary General
(New York, New York, US, July 14, 2008) Rehabilitation International (RI) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Secretary General, Venus Ilagan of the Philippines. As a woman with a disability from the South, Venus has worked tirelessly to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, particularly during the negotiations for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Venus is expected to commence this important new role in September 2008, subject to resolution of visa and contractual arrangements, and Venus will be based at the RI headquarters in New York City, New York.
Venus is a well-known advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities for years. As a leader in the National Organization of Disabled Peoples’ of the Philippines (KAMPI) and the Differently-Abled Women’s Network (DAWN) of the Philippines, as well as holding various positions, including Chairperson, of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), Venus has promoted disability rights at the national, regional and international levels. Her vast experience with UN agencies and other international organizations includes her consultancy work with the Asian Development Bank and the World Health Organization.
As a representative of DPI, Venus has strong links within the International Disability Alliance (IDA), a coalition of 10 international and regional organizations of persons with disabilities, and served as IDA Chair from May 2004 -May 2005. She is well regarded within IDA and the newly created IDA CRPD Forum, of which RI serves as the Secretariat.
RI President Michael Fox remarked, “We are extremely pleased that Venus will be joining the RI team. She will be leading the RI Secretariat at a critical time in our growth, with the focus on implementation of the UN Convention and growth of the RI Foundation. We very much look forward to working with her and sharing her insights and experience.”
RI will formally welcome Venus as our new Secretary General during the RI World Congress, to be held in August 2008 in Quebec City, Canada. For more information about this event, please visit www.riquebec2008.org
Posted by jicafriends at 05:01 PM | Comments (2)
Report on Disability among Refugees
We found the following informaion from Disabled Peoples' International's (DPI) E-news.
Published in June 2008 by the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and
Children, the report titled “Disability among Refugees and
Conflict-Affected Populations” profiles Nepal, Thailand, Yemen, Jordan and
Ecuador. It discusses risk indicators for disability, types of disability,
and access to services for refugees with disabilities.
Report available at http://www.womenscommission.org/pdf/disab_fulll_report.pdf
Posted by jicafriends at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)
Regarding Disability inclusive ICT policy
Dear Colleagues friend and well-wishers,
Greetings!
We are very glad to know that Bangladesh Government going to review National ICT Policy.
I have attached some information on ICT accessibility issues, and legal obligation of Bangladesh Government regarding Disability inclusive ICT policy. The current policy has reviewed by ICT Thematic Group of (NFOWD). And came with some specific suggestion for a persons with Disability friendly ICT policy.
Your cooperation will help us to have Disability Inclusive ICT policies.
Best regards,
Vashkar vattacharya,
Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) Convener ICT Thematic Group of National Forum of Organization Working with Disability (NFOWD)
www.ypsa.org
PDF files
World Program of Actions on ICT and prospect of Bangladesh
National ICT Policy_proposed
Posted by jicafriends at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)
Accessible Handbook on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
We found the following informaion from Disabled Peoples' International's (DPI) E-news.
The Harvard Project on Disability has published a Handbook with an easy to
read explanation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities. This publication targets persons with intellectual
disabilities, their organizations, and their advocates.
It is available at: http://www.hpod.org/pdf/we-have-humna-rights.pdf
Posted by jicafriends at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)
August 07, 2008
Training Report : July 22 - 23, 2008 : Individual Training Program
This course is group training but two days individual training is programmed for each participant.
Since the arrival to Japan, the participants were asked by JSRPD staff about what they were interested in to learn more deeply and what they would like to do upon their return to home country to improve employment situation of persons with disabilities. Thus individual program was created suitable for each one of participants.
Through the individual training, the participants could deepen the understanding of their field of interests and of specific topics which were especially related to their Project Plan which is to be submitted at the end of the training in Japan.
The following table shows the training program of each participant.
DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information System. The participant from Bangladesh is partially involved in the production of recorded books using DAISY, so today she learned about DAISY at the Information Center of JSRPD to deepened her understanding of DAISY in general. She was impressed to know that DAISY books are not only for persons with visual impairment but also useful for other people such as people with intellectual disabilities, elderly people etc. Learn more about DAISY at http://www.daisy.org/
SAORI can be woven by anyone and its weaving machine is easily adapted for any types of disabilities. In the organization of the participant from Nepal, its members make knitting products using loops or crochet hooks, but not weaving equipment like the one for SAORI. So after experiencing how to weave SAORI, she wishes to have something like this in her organization.
Also SAORI seems to have a healing power. When weaving, the Nepali participants concentrated so much and afterwards she seemed to be uplifted.
Learn more about SAORI at http://www.saori.co.jp/13english.html.
At Koyukai, the participants from Fiji and Laos experienced playing the Sound Table Tennis (STT) which can be played by people with or without visual impairment. The Fijian participant was excited to know about STT for the first time and he is now planning to introduce it in Fiji enthusiastically. In Laos, STT was already introduced in last January by a volunteer group of Japanese people including Ms. Igarashi, Executive Director of Koyukai and their STT players. The Lao participant wants to teach STT when he goes back to his country. We wish the STT will empower a lot of people with visual impairment in Laos, Fiji and other Asian-Pacific countries.
At Pallet, the participant from Nepal learned how to bake cookies for the first time in her life. As one of production activities in her organization, she had a desire to produce something like sweets which is daily consumption but she didn’t know how to. She was so much impressed how tasty and how high quality Pallet cookies are. In Nepal, there is something like cookies but not as tasty as the ones she tasted at Pallet, the participant commented. Now that the participant learned how to bake cookies, she is planning to introduce production of cookies in her organization.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0722.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:49 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 18, 2008 : Employment of Persons with Mental Disabilities
Today the participants visited Social Welfare Corporation JHC Itabashi. It aims to promote independence and social participation of persons with mental disabilities. JHC stands for Joint (cooperation, sharing, interaction), House (base), and Cosmos (harmony). They run 9 facilities and today the participants visited three of them: San Marina, Akatsuka and Cosmos.
First visit was San Marina. San Marina is a clubhouse established in 1992 and it aims to promote self-help activities of persons with mental disabilities. Mr. Toshiyuki Munakata, one of the committee members is its director, and so he accompanied the participants all day through.
San Marina is located right in the middle of a busy local shopping street. So, some participants got attempted to shop for bargains on its way.
As soon as the participants arrived at San Marina, they observed the morning assembly. In this meeting, the members who are persons with mental disabilities, check their health and emotional conditions and confirm what they plan to do on that day. Staff members, who are qualified social workers, nurses etc. are there to support the members when necessary. Then the participants received the explanation about the development of JHC Itabashi from two members.
You can learn more about clubhouse at website of International Center for Clubhouse Development (http://www.iccd.org/article.asp?articleID=3)
The participants had lunch at San Marina. It was prepared by members of San Marina. The menu is decided by the members in charge and shopping and cooking is all done by them too. All the participants enjoyed the delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, the participants moved from San Marina to Akatsuka using public transportation. Unfortunately it started raining heavily and by the time they got to Akatsuka, they were all soaked wet. But they are warmly welcomed by all the staff of Akatsuka.
Akatsuka is located in a center of a quiet residential area. It aims to promote employment of persons with mental disabilities through production and sales of confectionary such as cakes and cookies and also operation of cafe. Through these activities, the persons with mental disabilities can interact with people in a community. The second visit in the afternoon was Cosmos. It is also a facility which aims employment promotion of persons with mental disabilities. Cosmos operates a restaurant and also food delivery services. They prepare about 70 lunch boxes a day. As both Akatsuka and Cosmos provides social skill training an important part of their activities, such as communication skills, health control, daily living skills etc.
By the end of the visit, it stopped raining. The participants learned about how people with mental disabilities could live and work in a community with a support in a community.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0718.html
Posted by jicafriends at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 30, 2008 PM : Visit : Shinagawa Public Employment Security Office
Six participants took the subways and went to Roppongi where Sinagawa Public Employment Security Office was located.
Mr. Sato, Director of Employment Divistion first explained about PESO.
The role of PESO is not only to support persons with disabilities in looking for thier jobs but also to create new job opportuniries in open labor market.
Participants also learned about the relation between PESO and other related organizations and they could understand the importance of networking.
And then, each participant tried the search for job on computers. They were very surprised to know that they could find a job of any place in Japan at Shinagawa Public Employment Security Office.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0630pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:44 AM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 30, 2008 AM : Lecture: Current Situation of Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan
Mr. Masaya Asahi, lecturer for this morning, became sick and could not give a lecture. Six participants were so disappointed to know that.
They had no alternative, so Ms. Keiko Nakatani from JSRPD explained about the following topics by using a boolet “Supporting the Employment of Persons with Disabilities” published by JEED.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2008/training/v0630am.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2008
Infromation from Philippines
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
New law entitles differently-abled persons with more privileges by Rachelle M. Nessia
Dumaguete City (24 July) -- A new law amending RA 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons has been passed reinforcing the rights and privileges of the persons with disability in the country.
RA 9442 or the Magna Carta for the Person with Disability (PWD) amends the earlier RA 7277 and mandated more privileges for the differently-abled, said Tony Fabruada, president of the Provincial Federation of Persons with Disabilities in the province.
Under the new law, differently-abled persons are entitled to a minimum of 20% discount on various services from business establishments such as hotel and lodging, restaurants, recreation centers, theaters, cinemas, carnivals, concerts, etc.
PWDs are also entitled to the same discount on medicine purchases and medicine and dental services.
The same discount also applies for domestic air, sea and land travel and public railways for PWDs, said Fabruada.
Fabruada, speaking during a Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here, explained that the said incentives under the new law are available for PWDs upon submission of any of the following: identification card or ID, passport and discount card for transportation.
Furthermore, RA 9442 now prohibits the ridicule and vilification of the differently-abled. "Ginidili na ang pagyaga-yaga ug pagbinuang sa mga PWDs,"said Fabruada.
Violators of the new Magna Carta for People with Disability face penalties ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 and imprisonment from 60 months to six years at the discretion of the court.
The law also mandates that any person who abuses the priviliges granted by the law shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than 6months or a fine of not less than 5,000 but not more than 50,000 or both at the discretion of the court.
If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity their officials shall be liable. If the violator is a foreigner, he shall be deported immediately after serving his sentence without further deportation proceedings.
He also noted that the term used in the new law referring to the differently-abled is now "Person with Disability" instead of "disabled person" which was used in the old law.
The Magna Carta for the PWD aims to fully integrate differently-abled persons into the mainstream of Philippine society. (PIA/RMN)
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080724.htm&no=42
Posted by jicafriends at 04:14 PM | Comments (0)