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April 30, 2010
Progress Report from Rama - Nepal
Nepal Disabled Women Association (NDWA) is a non-government organization (NGO) established in 1998 adopting the values of the fundamental rights and responsibilities provided by the constitution of Nepal. It supports Women With Disabilities (WWDs) to pursue their human rights through advocacy and a right based approach (RBA).
Nepal Disabled Women Association - NGO
･Aims to build women with disabilities' capacity, especially from remote areas and disadvantaged communities, to empower them, to build their self-esteem and confidence and to enable them to live a dignified life.
･ Advocates for women with disabilities' access to their basic rights such as education, health, employment / livelihoods, rehabilitation, social security and protection.
･ Raises the awareness of the rights and issues of the women with disabilities across all areas of society: WWDs themselves, their families and communities and government. It includes awareness of national and international policies and acts such as "Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" (CEDAW), "United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" (UN-CRPD).
･ Works WWDs with all type of disabilities: physical disability, visual disability, hearing disability, speech disability, deaf-blind disability, intellectual disability and multiple disabilities
NDWA manages a hostel for women with disabilities since 2005 (2062 B.S.), giving priority to women from remote areas seeking higher education , women without family and Women with Disabilities victims of violence. The hostel has provided services to over 100 women with disabilities since its inauguration.
The hostel, located in Chabhil, Sarsawatinagar, Kathmandu, currently hosts 45 women from all over Nepal, with all kinds of disabilities. It does so without any kind of discrimination. From last year JICA NEPAL proposed to have volunteer for the skill of handicraft. So she taught many handricrafts things . About 7 Women with Disabilites got that training . Now they are making handicrafts and doing marketing . JICA Volunteer went back and again she joined on April now she is doing for marketing. All the women with disabilities are very happy . Developing their confidence and capabilities
Posted by jicafriends at 05:07 PM | Comments (1)
Job fair draws crowd-Guam
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
By Dionesis Tamondong
Pacific Daily News
April 27, 2010
More than 500 jobseekers -- a majority having some type of disability -- registered and were interviewed for jobs at the Special Challenges Job Fair yesterday. http://www.jicafriends.net/archives/2010/04/improve_those_w.html
The event, held at the Agana Shopping Center, brought together more than two dozen employers, jobseekers and organizations that provide programs and services for people with disabilities.
Frances Bell, of the Department of Labor's One Stop Center, said her office will remain in contact with potential employers over the next several weeks to determine how many were hired at the fair.
A variety of companies participated yesterday, including food services, insurance and financial services and construction companies looking to ramp up their personnel for projects anticipated with the military buildup.
In addition to helping people with disabilities find jobs, another objective of the fair was to help raise awareness of services for those facing barriers to employment -- transportation, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, housing, reasonable accommodation, and legal rights.
"We wanted to get them out of the house and let them know what's out there for them," she said. "A lot of them sit at home and become dependent on family."
The government of Guam has a poor record of helping people with disabilities find jobs and careers. In recent years, the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities has had to return millions of federal dollars that should've been used to help clients learn job skills and gain employment.
Bell said her agency, which partnered with DISID to organize yesterday's fair, will follow through with participating employers to see how many registered jobseekers were hired.
The event was held in conjunction with President Obama's Federal Job Fair for people with disabilities scheduled for the same day in Washington, D.C.
"These people have skills. We just need to train them and get them out of the house," Bell said. "We need to be aggressive as a community to get them employed."
photo caption: Summer job sought: Department of Education Division of Special Education teacher Nichol Napoleon, third from right, assists John F. Kennedy student Roman Elgarico, 16, as he checks out job openings at the Guam Community College booth at the Special Challenges Job Fair on April 26. Elgarico was looking for a summer job. The fair was held at the Agana Shopping Center. (Masako Watanabe/Pacific Daily News)
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20100427/NEWS01/4270316
Posted by jicafriends at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
final document inclusive rebuilding plan - Chile
Dear friends:
this very document has been requested by PHAO- OMS. I think could be great if we can have a video conference about this subject.
a lots of love
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 10:23 AM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2010
12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons
The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation (HKSR) is proud to announce that the 12th International Conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled Persons (TRANSED 2010) will take place at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on 2-4 June, 2010.
More information: http://www.transed2010.hk/front/
Posted by jicafriends at 04:51 PM | Comments (0)
Thinking Ahead for an ‘Extended’ Decade! for People with Disabilities in the Asia-Pacific
Dear Colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region,
Greetings to you all from Korea.
As some of you might be aware that the final review of the 2nd Decade of Asia-Pacific Persons with Disabilities will be held in Korea in 2012 (it is expected to be officially announced at the 66th Commission in May). With regard to conclusion of the Decade, there have been some thoughts and suggestions beyond the 2nd Decade amongst people working in the disability field. To co-ordinate flows of thinking in exploring the issue around the region, a Steering Group was formed at the beginning of this year by people representing disability fields including academics and DPOs .
We are writing to you to share some views about how we might pool ideas together with the approaching end of the Second Decade of Asia-Pacific Persons with Disabilities (2003-2012). The subject we wish to explore with you is the rationale for moving towards extending the current Second Decade further. No doubt, this will invite observations and comments from you all in thinking about the achievements and shortcomings of the Second Decade.
With the above in mind, we thought it might be useful to share some ideas as we all represent views from different regions and DPOs. We would like to express our thinking at this stage in the first place and would invite your views re. the above matter.
Views of Korean Steering Committee on the Post-2nd Decade
We are still in the process of forming our position. However, we are of the view that nations within the region should act collectively to encourage ratification of the CRPD and actively participate in monitoring the subsequent implementation of the CRPD. In this context, we might recall that the UN’s Secretary-General in his Day of Persons with Disabilities speech had called for the implementation and universality of the landmark United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He noted that persons with disabilities encounter many disadvantages, and are often among society’s poorest and most excluded”.
1. The DPOs in the Region have every reason to be proud of themselves in making a concrete contribution in the UN’s adoption of the CRPD with sustained efforts through BMF+five and other activities to support it. However, UNESCAP that has been the backbone of the 1st and 2nd Decades have concerns about the fact that the Region is still lagging behind in achieving specific objectives which are critical in achieving inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society. To cite but one specific example with specific reference to the overall objectives of MDGs’ with its 18 general objectives and 48 monitoring indices, it is clear that persons with disabilities have not been a part of mainstream development efforts and the majority of them are still trapped in poverty and remain powerless.
2. We are of the view that if we would ever to launch the Third Decade, the overall goal and objectives should be directed to ensuring capacity building of individuals, communities and DPOs.
3. It is our strong view that the Region exploits the International Co-operation (as noted in CRPD Article 32 International Cooperation), as one of the main strategies in achieving goals of the Third Decade.
4. Having experienced the last 2 Decades, we envisage weather another ‘Decade’ continues to be adopted or a new time-scale might need to be introduced.
5. We have also thought about the strategic goals to be pursued as a Pan Asia Pacific Vision or Sub-regional Visions.
In connection with the above, we shall be most grateful if you could provide your comments by returning your by 30th April, 2010. Please click the link, following our names!!
With best regards,
Dr. Il-Yung Lee, M.D. President of RI Korea
Kim, Dae-Sung, General Secretary DPI Korea
Post-2nd Decade Steering Committee
Prof. Hyung Shik Kim, Convenor, Prof. Korea University of International Studies
Hanjin Jo, Prof. Social Work, Daegu Univ
Jaeyoung Yoon, Team leader, Planning and Development, Sahmyook Welfare Foundation
Jogbae Kim, Team leader, National Rehabilitation Center, Ex-prof. University of Pittsburgh
Dongchul Yoo, Prof. Social Work, Dongeui Univ.
Woonwhan Nah, Prof. Vocational rehabilitation, Daegu Univ, AP regional chair, Division of Policy & Services, RI
Yeja Lee, Chair, National Coalition of Disabled People
Mijoo Kim, Chair, Cultural Community of Women with Disabilities Consultant, World Bank
Heungshik Jo, Prof. Social work, Seoul Univ
Wongyu Choi, Prof. Social Work, Jeonbuk Univ, Chair, Commission of ‘R&D’ of APDF
Myonghwa Yoo, General Secretary, KSRPD
Inwhan Seo, General Secretary, KOFOD
Please, click the URL below.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEdTT1dpTHlxS0I2RUhESC1pVkdKOFE6MA
Posted by jicafriends at 04:32 PM | Comments (0)
Zero Interest Loan Available For Visually Impaired-Malaysia
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The visually impaired now have an opportunity to expand their business through the Entrepreneur Development Fund created by the Society for the Blind, Malaysia (SBM).
SBM president Mah Hassan Omar said the loan was interest free and created to help the blind generate income for a more comfortable life.
He said the society's fund was obtained through donations from the public as well as charitable activities.
"So far, we have collected RM100,000 for the fund, along with RM23,000 from a charity concert held last year," he told reporters after presenting cheques to the fund's first two recipients at the Grand Pacific Hotel here on Sunday.
The fund, established last year, is the first of such created by a volunteer organisation in Malaysia.
Mah Hassan, who is a visually-impaired lawyer, said he hoped more philantropists and the private and government sectors would come forward to contribute to the fund.
Information on how to contribute to the fund can be obtained by calling Siti Nuraizah Ruslan at 03-40212942.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=493344
Posted by jicafriends at 09:46 AM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2010
Improve: Those with disabilities need better help with job placement, training-Guam
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
April 24, 2010
On Monday, more than a dozen employers will interview people with mental and physical disabilities as prospective job candidates at the Special Challenges Job Fair.
The event is being held by the local Department of Labor in partnership with the Guam Developmental Disabilities Council, the Guam System for Assistive Technology and the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. It coincides with a federal job fair for people with disabilities being held Monday in Washington, D.C.
The government of Guam must get beyond these token events and work to fix a core problem -- its poor performance in training people with disabilities for the workforce and finding them jobs that will help them become self-sustaining.
On an annual basis in recent years, the local disabilities agency has had to return hundreds of thousands of dollars to the federal government because it failed to use the money to help DISID clients find or train for jobs. It often takes the agency years to find employment for clients, and often those jobs are low-paying, menial labor, such as janitor or kitchen helper, according to Pacific Daily News files.
Now that the federal court has appointed a management team to oversee the Department of Integrated Services for Individuals with Disabilities, as well as the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, perhaps there will finally be some long-overdue progress in helping those with disabilities find gainful employment.
The team has the power and authority it needs to either ensure the government of Guam implements long-overdue changes to vocational rehabilitation programs, or to outsource those duties to a competent contractor.
Our local government's shameful and substandard services to help those with disabilities find meaningful jobs needs to be rectified immediately.
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20100424/OPINION01/4240315
Posted by jicafriends at 09:56 AM | Comments (0)
More disabled-friendly footpaths coming up -India
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Chennai
“We will soon refurbish footpaths on busy roads in T.Nagar”
When the footpath near the Ripon Building was refurbished, yellow tiles with grooves to aid visually challenged were affixed. As part of the Chennai Corporation initiative to make pavements disabled friendly, similar tiles are being fixed on footpaths outside the new Secretariat complex.
The pavement on Swami Sivananda Salai is now ready with the grooved tiles. The bright coloured tiles will also be used in many more pavements in the city, Corporation officials said.
The Corporation has affixed the ceramic grids on pavements of Wallajah Road and on the footpaths at the Tower Park in Anna Nagar and Natesan Park in T.Nagar. “We would soon refurbish footpaths on the busy roads in T.Nagar,” an official added.
According to Corporation officials, the work of the footpaths will start immediately on completion of the Rs.1,400-crore storm-water drainage project across the city.
K.Rengapathy, a regular user of the footpath near Ripon Building, says the facility should be extended to all pavements for the visually challenged.
"This short stretch has been of great help for many people like me. But we continue to face problems while crossing roads and walking on other roads,” he says.
Nethrodaya founder Gopi says the basic issues relating to the problems for people with visual disability need to be addressed first. “ Encroachments on pavements, junction boxes and hawkers obstruct the path and making it very difficult for all persons with disabilities to commute. It is necessary that they widen the pavements and make them disabled-friendly,” he says.
Ramps and hand-grills must be provided and audio signals should be installed in all areas, he added.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article408140.ece
Caption:The pavement with yellow tiles and grooves on Swami Sivananda Salai, near the new Secretariat complex in Chennai. Photo: S. Thanthoni
Posted by jicafriends at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2010
APCD Training of Trainers for CBR
Dear jicafriends,
Warm greetings from the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) in Bangkok, Thailand.
On behalf of APCD, I am pleased to inform you about Training of Trainers for Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) through an Inclusive Development Approach, to be conducted in Bangkok from 7-18 June 2010. For the details of this training, please see the enclosed General Information (GI) as advanced information.
We would be grateful if you could facilitate the most qualified individuals from relevant organizations to apply to the above mentioned Training by sending the registration form to APCD at the earliest possibility preferably by 30 April, 2010.
For any other inquiry and information you may require, please feel free to contact Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Networking & Collaboration Manager, E-mail: somchai@apcdfoundation.org or training@ apcdfoundation.org , Tel: 662 354 7505 Fax: 662 354 7507.
We would appreciate your kind cooperation on this matter.
PDF file (108KB)
Sincerely yours,
Nalinee Ruangrittisak
HRD Officer
For Mr. Somchai Rungsilp
Networking and Collaboration Manager
Posted by jicafriends at 02:11 PM | Comments (0)
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
The International Institute of Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) a programme being implemented by Braille Without Borders in Trivandrum, Kerala, India successfully trained the first batch of students from 12 countries in 2009 and the second batch including 29 participants from 18 different countries, started their course in January 2010. IISE is now seeking applications from highly motivated and committed candidates who have overcome obstacles in their life, have an interest in learning and working with different cultures, and who have a dream to realize for the 2011 course. If you are twenty-two years or older and can speak, read and write English, you are invited to apply for this one-year scholarship-based programme. For additional information visit http://www.bwb-iise.org/and/or email your inquiries to mailto:BrailleWB@gmx.net
You may also fax your questions at 0031848307904 or write via regular post at:
Braille Without Borders
International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs
c/o P. Kronenberg, Vivekanenda Nagar, Vellayani, Ookode, Nemom PO,
Trivandrum 695020, KERALA, INDIA
Deadline for applications for the 2011 course is the 30th of May, 2010.
Posted by jicafriends at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 23, 2010
Report from Carlos - Chile
Dear jicafriends,
This is an updated and upgraded version of the "Inclusive Rebuilding" original document. I am sorry
it is in spanish, I will translate it as soon as possible.
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 22, 2010
Call for Applications: Scholarship Opportunity for Master’s Degree in Public Policy
Dear jicafriends,
Call for Applications: The Nippon Foundation will provide full scholarship including tuitions, living allowance, required assistive technology and other support services, to a small group of individuals with disabilities to pursue graduate studies (Master’s level) in Public Policy offered by Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY-SPP), National University of Singapore, beginning in September 2010 as part of the establishment of the Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) in the ASEAN region. The applications deadline for this scholarship program is April 30, 2010.
The aim of the IDPP is to serve as a regional resource to both public and private sectors in fostering public policies to the overall vision of an ASEAN Region that is inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based, where people who are disabled are leaders in the determination of their own destinies.
The IDPP steering committee is currently recruiting a small number of candidates, within a three year period, with 1) Deafness, 2) Blindness, or 3) Mobility impairments, to serve as a human resource cadre to the establishment of IDPP and conduct research on disability and public policy in the ASEAN region. The committee seeks for persons with disabilities meeting the five criteria below:
(1) A talented and motivated individual with demonstrated leadership experience within an organization of/for disabled persons or other marginalized individuals in their own country.
(2) A commitment to achieving positive change for disabled persons through the development of proactive public policies within the ASEAN region.
(3) ICT skills to communicate for distant education and schooling.
(4) Commitment to cooperate with the IDPP Steering Committee after completing a Master’s degree in Public Policy.
(5) A person with the academic requirements and experiential background to meet the entrance requirement of a Master’s degree program in Public Policy such as that offered by Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY-SPP), National University of Singapore. More information about the LKY-SPP can be found at: http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/Master_Public_Policy.aspx
In the meantime, we are already in contact with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY-SPP) of National University of Singapore and we will soon be exploring programs at other universities in the region for the establishment of the IDPP
IDPP will be developed over five years and the program will be offered in a virtual manner in the future, so that talented leaders with disability are able to obtain an advanced degree in Public Policy in home countries. Also, we anticipate the feasibility of developing an Institute on Disability and Public Policy (IDPP) that will serve the ASEAN region but whose scope of work might well reach beyond ASEAN in the future. We would like the selected candidates to cooperate with the realization of t he Institute.
The application deadline is April 30, 2010. For further information and inquiries about the scholarship program and application process, please contact IDPP Secretariat/Project Office at IDPP@apcdfoundation.org.
Any application-related inquiries and materials should be submitted to the IDPP Secretariat/Project Office located at the APCD headquarters in Thailand:
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability
IDPP Secretariat/Project Office
Application for IDPP Program
APCD Building
255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi
Bangkok, 10400 Thailand
Posted by jicafriends at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
April 21, 2010
Newsletter from YPSA, Bangladesh.
YPSA, the organization which Ms. Sadia Tajin, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2008 belongs to sent us their newletter for April.
Posted by jicafriends at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
April 20, 2010
Message from CDPF
Dear JICA Staff:
Your newsletter was well received and I would like to take this occasion to express my sincere appreciation for your extending your sympathy to the victims in the earchquake hitted Yushu prefectrue of Qinghai province.Let us give our prayers to them all! May God bless them, May victims stay in peace!
With best regards
Sincerely yours,
You Liang
International Affairs Department of China Disabled Persons' Federation
Posted by jicafriends at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)
INDEPENDENT LIVING CHILE
Santiago, Tuesday 13th . Representatives of different organizations of People with disabilities gathered in order to create Independent Living Chile. Independent Living Chile, advocate for the right of People with disabilities to have a voice of their own. Independent Living Chile strongly believes that being part of the general community is more than a right, it is a duty.
The Organization will develop different projects to empower people with disabilities to participate actively in national life and public policy making.
Our first task is to advocate and cooperate with the inclusive rebuilding efforts after the 8.8º righter earthquake in Chile
In the picture, first Independent Living Chile Executive Board
Posted by jicafriends at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2010
INCLUSIVE REBUILDING MEETING WITH THE PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
Meeting held on Thursday April 15, 2010, at 11:00 Hrs AM, at the offices of PAHO in Chile
Attended the meeting: Dr. Armando Vasquez, Regional Advisor Disability and Rehabilitation PAHO / WHO, and Carlos Kaiser Mansilla on behalf of the Committee of Social Inclusion and Disability Universidad Austral de Chile.
Main topics:
1. An analysis of the status of disabled people in disaster areas.
2. Discussed the need for a system of Emergency Response and Disaster relief with a focus on inclusion of PwD.
3. Discussed the need for Inclusive rebuilding as a key concept to be operational.
It was agreed:
1. The development of materials for the preparation of action plans on a) disaster and emergency relief with a focus on inclusion and b) Inclusive Rebuilding. Materials will be developed to be easy to use, with actions that can be developed at local, national and international levels from public, private, community based, national and international organizations.
2. The publication of studies, reports and manuals in printed and digital format, being able to disseminate the content in different formats and media. The publication languages are: Spanish, Portuguese and English.
3. Make national and international seminars to facilitate the work of a Technical Commission for Inclusive Rebuilding.
4. The first national seminar will be in June.
5. To make a project proposal in a logic framework to apply for WHO funding.
6. The parties agree to invite institutions and experts to participate in this initiative.
In the Picture: Dr. Armando Vásquez Regional Advisor Disability and Rehabilitation PAHO / WHO, and Carlos Kaiser Mansilla on behalf of the Committee of Social Incl
Posted by jicafriends at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2010
Disabled Pinoys aspire for rights, privilege-Philippines
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Two years after the Philippine Ratification on the United Nations (UN) Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was signed, Filipinos with disabilities still aspire for equality, with hopes that public edifices, transports and facilities become more accessible to them.
At the commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the UNCRPD ratification, persons with disabilities (PWDs) were clamoring anew over their rights and privileges not being provided given the UNCRPD and other laws that came into force even decades back.
“The ratification of the UNCRPD is marked as the most significant milestone in the historic struggle of Filipinos with Disabilities for emancipation from their second class citizenship status in the Philippines,’’ Lauro Purcil Jr., board of governor of Katipunan ng Maykapansanan sa Pilipinas Inc. (KAMPI) said.
“Within the two-year period, instead of ‘progressive realization,’ Filipinos with Disabilities witnessed a deliberate ‘reprogression’ against their right for full, meaningful and equal participation in political and electoral exercise as provided in Article 29 of the International Treaty and Republic Act (RA) 7941, The Partylist Law of 1997,’’ he said in a statement.
Purcil was specifically referring to the recent move by the Commission on Election (Comelec) to disqualify with finality the Disabled Pinoy Party (DPP), which was supposed to legally represent the sector.
Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larazabal earlier said that he was simply following orders from the Second Division of Comelec to reduce the number of participating groups from 154 to 120, thus the disqualification of the DPP.
The Comelec has increased the party-list participation from 120 to 187.
Purcil said the decision by the electoral body to disqualify DPP with finality was in violation of the Convention. In the election years of 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007, he said that the Comelec has accredited several Party-lists.
In addition to Article 29 of the UNCRPD and RA 7941, Purcil said there were also laws that entered into enforcement within the two-year ratification period of UNCRPD that received similar negative discriminating treatment.
He cited RA 9442, which provided 20 percent discounts to PWDs in purchasing medicines, but which is allegedly being openly violated by one of the largest drug chains and its collaborators.
"The sector had fought for more than a decade for this law to be enacted in 2006. RA 9442 is simply intended to “equalize” benefits of Filipinos with Disabilities provided decades ago to the senior citizens, '' he said.
A former member and adviser to the Philippine Delegation to the UN International Conferences that formulated UNCRPD, Purcil lamented government’s failure to ensure respect of the Convention that took years to be deliberated.
He called for national and international support for the sure respect and implementation of UNCRPD, stressing it should not suffer the same fate as that of the 27-year-old Batas Pambansa 344, the Accessibility Law and other laws for the sector in the Philippines.
The KAMPI official also bewailed the continuing defiant to the requirements of the Accessibility Law, which seeks to provide the greater majority of Filipinos with disabilities access to basic
education, employment, health and rehabilitation services and many more right-based opportunities.
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/252914/disabled-pinoys-aspire-rights-privileges
Posted by jicafriends at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2010
USICD News & Annual Meeting Reminder
http://www.usicd.org/template/index.cfm
Posted by jicafriends at 03:58 PM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2010
Training Report : July 22 - 23, 2009: Facilitation skills
Today participants had the second half of four-day session of Facilitation skills.
Participants chose topics related to the issues of their organization or disability in their own countries. All five participants were given 20 minutes for facilitation, their topics are as follows.
Participant from Malaysia “How to communicate / support persons with learning disability”
Participant from Fiji “How is the direction of intellectual disability in my country and want to share each countries' situation”
Participant from China “What is the most important Quality of persons”
Participant from Nepal “What is the difficulties of persons with disabilities and how to eliminate them”
Participant from Nepal “Collect the existing source perception towards PWDs”
All participants were well-prepared and tried to use various methods of facilitation, such as showing pictures or doing a role-play which called the other participants' attention.
After each session, the participants gave a lot of feedbacks to each other. It was also good opportunities for all participants to learn how to give constructive feedback.
They had many things to learn from each other.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2009/training/v0722.html
Posted by jicafriends at 08:28 PM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2010
Call for equal opportunities for people with disabilities-Bangladesh
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Hundreds of children, including those with disabilities and autism, took part in a cultural programme at Rabindra Sarobar at Dhanmondi in the city yesterday to mark the 12th National Disability Day.
The event was jointly organised by Disability Rights Watch Group and the Jatiya Protibondhi Forum.
The people with disabilities still face discrimination in their everyday lives, speakers at the event said and called on the government to take steps so that they receive equal opportunities in education, workplaces and everywhere else in life.
They also stressed the need for initiatives to make it easier for children with disabilities and autism to receive higher education like everyone else.
Speaking as a special guest, Secretary of the social welfare ministry Quomaran Nessa Khanam said the government would take initiatives to make the disability welfare act progressive and forward-looking, prioritising the needs of the people with disabilities.
She also gave assurance that steps would be taken to effectively implement various developments activities and projects initiated for the welfare of people with disability.
Noted jurist Barrister Amirul Islam and Barrister Tania Amir were also present at the event.
The Institute of Education and Research of Dhaka University also marked the day with two-day elaborate programmes.
On the first day yesterday, a discussion was held at Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Auditorium of Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). DU Vice Chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, Jatiya Protibondhi Forum President Khandokar Jahurul Islam, Sight Savers International Country Director Dr Wahidul Islam and Vice President of Inclusion Initiatives for Special Needs-Bangladesh Abuzzoha Noor spoke at the discussion.
Rallies, bulletin board launching and a film festival will be held on the DU campus today.
The first Wednesday of April is observed as the National Disability Day in the country.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=133509
Posted by jicafriends at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)
April 07, 2010
Challenged people's job must be ensured-Bangladesh
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
PM asks for strict enforcement of rules to fulfil their quota in govt services
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly directed the ministry and other departments concerned, including Public Service Commission, to implement quota facilities for the physically and mentally challenged persons in government services as per rules.
The PM also reiterated her previous announcement that any private offices and institution giving jobs to physically and mentally challenged people will receive tax exemption facility.
The PM was addressing the inaugural function of the 12th National Day for the Disabled and the 3rd World Autism Awareness Day at the National Foundation for the Development of Disabled People in city's Mirpur yesterday morning.
This year, the day is being observed with the slogan--“We always stand by people with disability and autism.”
Speaking as chief guest, the PM said the government will amend the existing law for the disabled, including provisions on autistic children, to formulate an up-to-date national policy for the best welfare of the physically and mentally challenged people and children.
There is a 10 per cent quota for physically challenged people in jobs for class III and IV employees of the government while the quota for the disable people in first class government jobs is one percent.
“But the quota facilities for them (physically and mentally challenged people) are not always implemented. I'm giving order to the authorities concerned to provide jobs to physically and mentally challenged people as per the quota,” she said.
Hasina also asked the government authorities to take best care of these people so that none is deprived of government jobs on the pretext of their so-called disability despite having necessary academic qualifications.
She said: “I can give an example of the Special Olympics, USA, which was held during our last tenure. Physically challenged sports men and women of our country secured 21 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze medals. So, if we can give them ideal environment and all necessary facilities, such people also can earn name and fame for the nation.”
The premier said that the people with physical and mental challenges would have to be provided not only with jobs, but proper environment.
She noted that in many cases, buildings and offices are not constructed taking into account the problems of the physically challenged people and that's why such people find it very difficult to enter offices and other infrastructures.
She also expressed her deep empathy to physically and mentally challenged children who face serious obstacles to get admitted to educational institutions of the country for unfriendly attitude towards them even by the teachers.
“All physically and mentally challenged children must be admitted to his or her neighbouring primary schools and other higher educational institutions,” she also said.
The government has already given order for ensuring admission of these children into schools and necessary infrastructure and academic facilities for them in the educational institutions, she said.
“Special measures will also be taken so that physically and mentally challenged people will have due chances of higher education and degrees.”
The PM informed the function that the government has started construction of six vocational training centres for the physically and mentally challenged orphans at six divisions of the country while another such centre will be set up in the newly declared division Rangpur in due course of time.
“And to facilitate the physically and mentally challenged orphan and people with free medical services including therapies, service and help centres for the them are being constructed by the government. In this regard, the government has already allocated Tk 5.40 crore on a pilot project basis,” she said.
The work is going on in five districts while this programme will be expanded to all other districts and upazilas in phases, she added.
Hasina further announced that the government would construct a full-fledged complex exclusively for the physically and mentally challenged people in Dhaka.
On autism, she said autism is not a disease; children with autism need special care and love by parents and others.
The PM at the function distributed wheelchairs, educational instruments, modern Braille grammar books, sewing machines and artificial lenses among the disabled people and children for their outstanding performances in respective areas.
The physically challenged children also presented songs, dances and fashion show in front of the PM.
Chaired by Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostafa Shahid, the function was also addressed by PM's Health Adviser Dr Syed Mudasser Ali and Social Welfare Secretary Kamrunnesa Khanam.
Earlier, the PM inaugurated hostels for the working female and male disabled people, Service and Help Centre and Mobile Service and Information Centre for the disabled, and Autism Resource Centre.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=132758
Posted by jicafriends at 01:43 PM | Comments (0)
April 06, 2010
Disabled protest lack of seats at FIFA World Cup-South Africa
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
South African Disability Alliance members burnt tyres at the South African Football Association house on Thursday in protest against the lack of accessibility of 2010 World Cup stadia to people with disabilities.
Disabled demonstrators protest outside the Soccer City Stadium, background, in Johannesburg, Thursday, March 25, 2010, to protest the amenities provided for them at host city stadiums during the FIFA World Cup Soccer Tournament that gets under way in June.
More than 50 deaf, blind and wheelchair-bound protestors descended on the South African Football Association on Thursday to complain at the lack of disabled seats and access at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Chanting slogans and carrying banners that read "the deaf want to be heard" and "no seats for us", SADA voiced their discontent at the way they believe they are being ignored by the organisers of the World Cup.
Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan came out of SAFA House to try way-lay their concerns. However, the protestors feel that the main problem has been the lack of consultation with them by the local organisers. They set light to four wheelchair tyres. SADA executive Ari Seirlis said the the alliance was burning tyres to indicated the pain of the disabled at not being able to attend any of the 2010 World Cup matches.
Ari Seirlis, the executive of South African Disability Alliance, says, "I don't believe they have taken the disability seriously and I really believe that the LOC owe all South Africans, people with disability and people to become people with disability, the opportunity to look at our stadiums and say: 'We can go there. We were there. We can participate. We can hold our own Paralympics in these stadia.' Right now we can't. They're just big monstrosities. We're sitting on the edge. We can't get in."
Danny Jordaan, CEO of local organising committee, says, "So, we have to work with you, not only to make sure the seats are there, but that these seats are full and people buy the tickets. And maybe you have the same problem as everyone else has, that the tickets are not accessible. Perhaps that is an issue that we must discuss."
Jordaan accepted a memorandum of their grievances from the protesters and said he would meet with the leadership of SADA on 31 March to discuss the issues raised.
http://english.cctv.com/program/sportsscene/20100326/101745.shtml
Posted by jicafriends at 01:57 PM | Comments (0)
Old Havana Reaches Out to Hearing Impaired-Cuba
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
By Patricia Grogg
Sign on a wall in Old Havana.
HAVANA, Apr 4, 2010 (IPS) - An innovative programme in Old Havana has given the hearing impaired greater access to the historical and cultural wealth of the restored historic city centre.
"Havana Radio is a public interest station with a focus on historical and cultural themes, and the hearing impaired are a segment of the population who would visit us and walk along these streets, but remained excluded from our work of restoring our cultural heritage. That was why the Cultura entre las Manos (roughly Culture in Our Hands) project was born," Yalena Gispert, who heads the programme, told IPS.
The idea emerged in early 2008, as part of Rutas y Andares (Routes and Pathways), a programme that offers Cuban families thematic walking tours through Old Havana in the summer months of July and August, with specialist guides providing information on the many sites of historical and cultural interest in the old city.
Old Havana, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 1982, has been the focus of an extensive restoration project led by the City of Havana Historian's Office.
A Cuban sign language interpreter would accompany tours that included hearing impaired visitors. "But we realised that something special had to be done for them," said Gispert. "From the start, they showed a great deal of interest, asked a lot of questions, but the interpreting slowed down the tours."
That need gave rise to Cultura entre las Manos, which offers monthly historical tours for the deaf. The project also holds debates on cultural, historical and social issues with the participation of experts and sign language interpreters.
"I am delighted with the idea; I don't miss any of the meetings," Roberto Mesa told IPS, with the help of interpreter Carmen Salgado, head of the sign language interpreting degree programme at the University of Havana. "The tours and the issues discussed include us in the life of this country," he added.
"My mother is a literature teacher, and I read a lot. But Cultura entre las Manos is just for us, something prepared specifically for the deaf. There is always someone interpreting. And issues of interest to us are discussed," said Mesa, a 45-year-old graphic designer and father of two adolescents who are not hearing impaired.
The history of hurricanes in Cuba, archaeology, the global economic crisis and its impact, historical clothing and styles, national monuments, the economy, society and politics in China, history and current events in telecommunications, and stamp collecting are some of the subjects of the talks.
Gispert said the issues were suggested by the hearing impaired community, organised in the Cuban National Association of the Deaf, which sponsored Cultura entre las Manos, along with the University of Havana.
The programme also offers beginner's courses in Cuban sign language. In addition, it provides closed captioning - an optional display of dialogue, actions, sounds or other elements as text on the screen - for the radio and TV programmes produced by the Havana Radio station, in order to give access to the hearing impaired, on TV and the internet.
Havana Radio is the office of the city historian's radio station.
Another aim of Cultura entre las Manos is to produce visual communication materials in sign language for schools and the sign language interpreting degree programme.
In Cuba, where the literacy rate stands at 99.8 percent, according to UNESCO, most hearing impaired people can read and write, although they communicate by sign language.
The Havana Radio project is also contributing to the continued development of Cuban sign language. During the class-like tours, agreement is sometimes reached about how to name something, for example historical or cultural concepts, for which no specific sign exists.
One of the objectives of the Cuban National Association of the Deaf, which groups more than 20,000 hearing impaired people, is integration in society "with equal rights and duties, conditions and opportunities." It also works to eliminate communicational barriers that stand in the way of a normal life for people with hearing problems. (END)
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50911
Posted by jicafriends at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2010
Disabled Chinese to get driver's licenses-China
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
YINCHUAN - More disabled people will be able to drive in China, including those paralyzed from the waist down, thanks to revisions to driving license regulations that will take effect starting from April 1.
The newly revised "Regulations on Application and Use of Driver's Licenses" allows, for the first time, Chinese who are able to sit by themselves despite their paralyzed limbs to acquire a license for adapted vehicles.
"The new regulations means a lot to me since a car will be my new 'legs'," said Shen Ping, from Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, who had driven for almost 30 years before both his legs were paralyzed in 1999 making him unqualified to drive under the old regulations.
Shen and over 60 others with limb problems started their 3-month training Tuesday, the first training course of its kind in Ningxia. They can get their license for an adapted vehicle after passing a test.
There are 28 million people with paralyzed limbs in China, and many are longing to drive but have been deprived of the right. Some have driven anyway, hoping to avoid being caught by the police.
Chairman of China's Association for People with Paralyzed Limbs Xu Fengjian estimates that China has at least hundreds of such "unauthorized drivers."
"If someone can sit by oneself, he or she can be a qualified driver, no matter whether they have legs or not," said Li Ning, chairman of a Ningxia association for people with paralyzed limbs.
The new regulation also permits hearing-impaired people to drive if they can hear adequately while with a hearing aid.
To get the license, applicants will undergo a health check at a designated medical institute to prove they are capable of driving. Successful applicants will undergo another check up if they want to renew their licenses three years later, according to the regulation.
"While allowing people with disabilities to drive, we also need to ensure the safety of both these new drivers and others on the road," said an officer with the Ministry of Public Security.
Traffic regulators will treat the disabled drivers the same as other drivers, said Zhang Xuezhong, who is in charge of vehicle management in Yinchuan City, the provincial capital.
The disabled drivers will have to drive vehicles that have been modified to enable them to drive safely. The vehicles will also be labeled to inform other drivers.
The revised regulation was passed by the Ministry of Public Security on November 21, 2009 and issued on December 7, 2009.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-04/01/content_9672440.htm
Posted by jicafriends at 01:08 PM | Comments (0)
Progress report of “Lochana” (recycled paper product project) from Shalika-Sri Lanka
“Lochana” Recycled Paper Product Project
Miss Susila was born with low vision and became totally blind later in life. She was one of the beneficiaries of the Recycled Paper Product Project launched by the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind. After the completion of her training, she has been endeavouring to perfect her skills. Today, she makes recycled paper products for sale as well as for self satisfaction. She is happy that she learnt the craft as it not only augments her income, but also because it brings her the pleasure of creating something worthwhile.
Shalika Karunaratne
Member - Executive Committee
Sri Lanka Council for the Blind
Posted by jicafriends at 10:39 AM | Comments (0)
April 02, 2010
CBR AP Network’s Logo Designing Contest
Dear jicafriends,
The Community-based Rehabilitation Asia-Pacific Network (CBR AP Network) was formed during the 1st CBR Asia-Pacific Congress which was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18-20 Feb 2009. As a springboard to create awareness of the CBR AP Network, the Network conducts a Logo Contest among the 24 existing members, as well as potential member countries. Its closing date will be on 15 May 2010.
For the further information, please refer to the following documents.
Logo Contest: PDF file (54KB)
CBR AP Network: PDF file (12KB)
We look forward to your participation in the CBR AP Network's Logo Designing Contest.
Sincerely,
JANNET Secretariat
c/o Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD)
1-22-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0052 JAPAN
TEL: +81-3-5273-0601 FAX: +81-3-52731523
URL:http://www.normanet.ne.jp/~jannet/e/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
April 01, 2010
Report from Shalika-Sri Lanka
Dear jica friends,
There are three competitive examinations in Sri Lanka for the recruitment of persons to the public service. The gazette notification which calls for applications for these exams contained a clause preventing persons with visual disabilities from applying. For years, the Sri Lanka Council for the Blind has been demanding the State to change the detrimental clause.
The request by Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), which is a member of the steering committee on the recruitment of PWDs at the Ministry of Labour and Man Power Resource, was finally honoured this year. Though the gazette notification was not changed, applications from persons with visual disabilities were entertained and for the very first time, in February 2010, nine blind persons sat the competitive exam for recruitment to the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. I am proud to have been involved in opening doorways for the blind. I was one of the two persons who applied to sit the exam in 2006. My application was rejected by the Commissioner of Exams stating that I was not eligible since I was visually impaired. My sacrifice has been fruitful and I hope that the State will take more measures to provide equal opportunities for PWDs in the near future.
Shalika
Posted by jicafriends at 09:54 AM | Comments (0)