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August 31, 2011
DU to introduce Braille EVMs, ramps-India
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Neha Pushkarna | Aug 31, 2011, 01.05AM IST
NEW DELHI: The visually-impaired can exercise their right to a secret ballot from now on. In order to make DUSU elections disabled-friendly, the university has decided to provide information on the electronic voting machines in Braille. Until last year, visually handicapped students voted with assistance from others. but that practice is going to be discontinued in the elections to be held on September 9.
The university also plans to make the polling booths more accessible with the installation of ramps.
"We want to make the entire election process more inclusive this time. The candidates' list is going to be provided in Braille. Besides, we will also put up ramps. We will be meeting all college principals in a day or two to apprise them of the development," said chief election officer, I Usha Rao. She said that her team will ensure that disabled students get an equal chance to cast their vote. The decision has been taken following the Supreme Court's 2005 order, which called for general elections to be made disabled-friendly.
Bipin Tiwari, deputy dean for differently-abled students, said, "The whole purpose of the secret ballot was defeated when the visually-impaired cast their votes with the aid of helpers. But now we are getting stickers made in Braille format." He added, "The Supreme Court order clearly mentions that there should be ramps at the polling stations, there should be no queues and the polling personnel should be sensitized. We are now trying to implement all this in DUSU elections."
According to Tiwari, at least 400 students will benefit from Braille EVMs this year.
The process for filing of nominations is on till August 29. The nominated candidates are allowed to withdraw their names by September 1. The list of final nominations will be put up later that day. Voting will take place from 8.30am to 12.30pm in morning colleges and from 4pm to 8pm in the evening colleges. The code of conduct for the elections is being prepared but like last year, candidates will not be allowed to use printed posters for campaigning.
Posted by jicafriends at 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2011
RDRC, JICA Launch Access Campaign for the Disabled-Rwanda
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Aug 23, 2011 (The New Times/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Friday launched a campaign to enable people with disabilities have a barrier-free environment.
Together with other partners in the fight against the violation of the rights of people with disabilities, the two parties met to devise lasting solutions to factors limiting disabled people from participating in social and economic activities.
"It is not only about the ex-combatants, but every disabled person deserves the right to enjoy his freedom and rights just like any other human being," said Brig. Gen. Peter Bagabo, a Commissioner in RDRC.
He added that people with any form of disability, should willingly be integrated in society as well as getting services they are entitled to.
Speaking to Sunday Times, one of the participants Zacharie Nkundiye, said they fail to access certain services in their day-to-day life due to unfriendly infrastructure.
"Some services are provided in buildings that were constructed without putting in place provisions for people with disabilities," Nkundiye said.
He explained that although the law is clear about the style of construction in regard to accessibility by people living with disabilities, the problem still exists.
Responding to Nkundiye's concern, Vedaste Hakizimana, a Community Development and Project Analyst at the Ministry of Local Government, said that according to construction guidelines, buildings, especially those meant to offer public services, must be designed with easy access for people with disabilities.
Hakizimana added that, the government is committed to making sure that people living with disabilities have their rights respected.
Copyright The New Times. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com).
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid={e69f1b9c-78ea-42b5-85da-b642c1ea32cb
Posted by jicafriends at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2011
Progress report from Jake san-Zimbabwe
Dear jicafriends,
Very very good to get to inform you that I am well and the project is progressing.
I am often out of town and whn am in town the electricity is often erratic.
However, I am progressing steadly with Go Green Honey.
I met a Chief Seke for the land and he is consulting his council
but he promised me he will give us a place.
We like his place because it is just about 45km from Harare(capital city).
My organisation has been so excited with my knowledge development since I came back.
This has resulted in our president Mrs Farai Cherera sending me to outposts assignments since
December.
Thank you for your information. Zimbabwean PWD movement is benefiting and I am unable to stop imparting the knowledge at every opportunity.
Go Green Honey http://www.jicafriends.jp/leaders/pdf/l2010projectzimbabwe0101.pdf has been improved a lot to include more of the Empowerment(GO) themes as it was deemed by the Board that subjects as Peer Counselling and Disabled Rights do play a very very important role in the self- establishment of our members, just equally as financial resources.
So in this respect please, it is necessary that you share more information on these issues with us. Thanks to that magazine on PWD employment, we are modeling our concept very much along it.
Please inform all my lecturers and everybody who does remember me that i have them at heart, my regards especially to Choral people.
I shall email all my friends there when i get the chance to be settled back in town again.
Please accept my belated condolences over the earthquake victims over almost 5 months ago.
My heart bled, because i like Japan people. You treated and taught me so well. God Bless you all.
Jake san
Leadership Development Course 2010
Posted by jicafriends at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)
United Voice Newsletter- August 2011-Malaysia
Dear friends,
For United Voice latest updates, please read our latest newsletter at http://www.unitedvoice.com.my/newsletter/2011AugNewsletter.pdf
Stories in this issue include:
+ Persidangan Advokasi Diri PDK - By Nazmi Kamarulzaman
+ 4th National Self-Advocacy Conference - By Lo Lit Whei
+ United Voice Art Exhibition @MATIC - By Dennis Liew
+ Conference at Geelong, Australia - By Felicia Fang
Thank you for your support.
Best Regards,
Committee and Staff of United Voice
http://www.unitedvoice.com.my/
Posted by jicafriends at 01:32 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2011
New Vision, Uganda:"The hidden disabled talents"
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Salaseini Vosamana
Publication date: Thursday, 18th August, 2011
Alex Ndeezi
A recent World Health Organization (WHO) estimate put the number of persons with disabilities )PWD) in Uganda at 16% of the country's 33 million people, meaning that over five million people have disabilities. The report, launched in May, is designed to help countries tap the potentials of PWDs and promote disability rights. However, the real figures are likely to be higher because many disabled people are hidden from society in inaccessible rural areas.
Getting an education is nearly impossible for all, but those who come from the wealthier sectors of society. Schools are simply unable to cater for them. And even if the school is prepared to accept the child, the logistics of a child who can't walk to school each day are generally insurmountable. About 70% of children with disabilities are not getting an education because of their disabilities. However, education and training for PWDs is sometimes made possible through a variety of associations, organizations and some of the skills education training authorities. For PWDs, if getting education is difficult, getting a job is almost 10 times more difficult.
Even though the Income Tax Act makes provision for a tax incentive for employers of 5% or more PWDs, persons with disabilities make up to just 0.2% of the work force in the NGO, private sector and public sector. This is partly due to the massive shortages of low skilled jobs for which PWDs traditionally qualified. The latest statistics from UBOS/URA show that employment is increasing but in more of non-formal sector. There are many reasons for the high rates of employment of PWDs, however, one of them is because of stereotyped negative attitudes and lack understanding of what disabilities entails. Getting persons with disabilities into the workplace has many and varied benefits from decreasing the burden on social welfare to raising the morale at the workplace and increases tax revenue on employment income. However, there are companies that would like to fix persons with disabilities into the workplace but they just do not know what to do. They also do not know how disabled persons would fit into their work environment or how they could be accommodated in a building designed for the able bodied.
Part of the problem is that people have a stereotyped view of what being a person with disabilities means. The assumption is that they will be employing a person in a wheelchair. But there are a great many conditions that qualify as disabled, from deafness to autism and Down syndrome to paraplegia. Diabetes and epilepsy also qualify as disabilities, and there is talk of obesity getting included in the category as it is becoming a serious problem especially in developing and middle income countries.
Disabled people have very different needs. There is need for flexibility from the employer and the employee. A person who needs to spend a day in a week on a dialysis machine, for example, might need to accept reduced pay if the company agrees to hire them on a four-days-a-week basis. To help companies who want to tap into these potentials, persons with disabilities should be given tasks they can perform to their best capabilities and cope with modifications that can be made.
The labour department in the ministry of Gender can play an important role in ensuring that both employers and employees understand each other and are accommodative of each other's needs. In terms of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2006, employers must reasonably accommodate the needs of disabled people to enable them advance in their employment. This could, for example, involve modifying existing equipment or buying new equipment like specialised computer hardware, re-organising work stations or changing assessment materials. One of the greatest challenges physically disabled persons have is not being able to move around. Modified cars are expensive and public transport is not geared towards people with disabilities. So even when he does secure a job, a disabled person is often unable to get there. This calls for accessible and affordable public transport facilities for these categories of people. The writer is MP respresenting PWDs
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/459/762972
Posted by jicafriends at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
Wheel Chair Tennis Tournament on Cards-Zimbabwe
We found the following information from the mailing list of "Disability and Development,"which is published by Mr. Soya Mori. It reminded us of Mr. Fabio Padilla, a former participant of Leadership Development Course 2006 who organized the International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament in Colombia.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/latinamerica/colombia/001fabio/003.html
Ellina Mhlanga
11 August 2011
MORE than 30 wheelchair tennis players are expected to converge at Bulawayo Club for the Disabled for the first Bulawayo Open wheelchair tennis tournament scheduled for next week.
The competition will run from August 15 to 19 and will be recognised as part of this year's NEC Tour. However, the classification is for one year and the event will be re-evaluated next year.
The development comes after the Wheelchair Tennis Association of Zimbabwe were given the greenlight to host the event by the International Tennis Federation after successfully hosting two editions of the Harare Open last year in April and this year in May.
The national association have been commended by ITF for their developmental programmes that saw the body introducing the sport to Manicaland and Masvingo, beyond Harare and Bulawayo, who have been dominating the sport.
The tournament is expected to feature players from South Africa.
WTAZ vice president, Alexander Mkandla, said the event provided an opportunity for local players, who are not able to go for international competitions in other countries due to financial constraints, to showcase their talent.
"We have been preparing for the event and we are ready to go. The tournament will feature mainly local players and South Africans.
"So far we have 33 players who have confirmed their participation.
"We had closed the entries a week ago but we have players from Masvingo who have shown interest and I think we going to accommodate them.
"Most of the players are coming from Harare and this is an advantage for those who cannot afford to go outside the country because they can now get international exposure and experience when they take part in the competition.
"It is an opportunity for them to earn points for international rankings. It is also good for the development of the sport locally," said Mkandla.
The WTAZ vice president said they were hoping to spread the competition to other provinces.
"We now have four active provinces that are registered, that is Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Manicaland while in Gweru we have some players but they are yet to be registered.
’We are looking at spreading the competitions to other provinces. Our players are excited, we have good players practising and preparing for the game and we are expecting a competitive event," said Mkandla.
Some of the players expected to compete include Zimbabwe's top player, Nyasha Mharakurwa, Samson Muroyiwa, Brian Mafuvise and Daniel Buleya.
Mharakurwa will be hoping to redeem his pride after losing the Harare Open to Robinson Mandez of Chile in May.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201108110972.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 25, 2011 : Job Coach Services and Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia
This afternoon, the nine participants communicated with three lectures through JICA-net, a satellite network. The first lecturer was a JICA specialist in the field of disability.
He first reviewed the concept of “disability” and gave an overview on “job coach” services in Malaysia, where he had worked for a number of years. He introduced a case study of Aslam and Giant Hypermarket, which employs the largest number of persons with disabilities in the country.
His talk was followed by speeches made by two former participants in the JICA decent work course. They illustrated their first-hand experiences of job coach training and services.
The participants were divided into two groups and participated in discussions with their lecturers. Interactions with former participants in the course have encouraged them to initiate actions and also to believe that they could do something equally meaningful when they go back to their countries.
Thanks must go to the three lectures for their time and sharing their experiences.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0725.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2011
Training Report : July 22, 2011 : Participatory Workshop : How to Write a Project Plan Ⅲ
Today the third and last part of the workshop “How to write a project plan” took place in Seminar Room 18, JICA Tokyo.
The nine participants have been putting many efforts into their respective Project Plans, which they will present to an audience on July 27, 2011.
The lecturer first taught them how not to do a presentation by showing a bad example. The participants then discussed how to deliver a good presentation, clarifying important factors for it.
Next it was time for them to practice their own presentation - everyone was given 10 minutes and presented a short summary of their Project Plan. They exchanged feedback with one anther to improve their skills. The lecturer also gave them some tips for a successful presentation.
The participants are now to add final touches to their Project Plans and presentation slides. Many thanks to the lecturer for the three excellent workshops…!
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0722.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 21, 2011 : Visit and Lectures : Coordinating Work Environment for Employees with Disabilities
Today's training took place at FUJITSU, an electronic design company in Tokyo. The participants were to learn about the company's practice on employment of persons with disabilities.
First they learned the company's policy on hiring disabled people. They were also introduced to the mobile-phone software that was invented by the company to help color-blind people identify colors in their everyday lives.
Next, some specific case studies were presented. The first was about a staff member who acquired a severe disability derived from illness and how work environment was re-organized to accommodate him back in the company.
This was followed by two case studies of an employee with visual impairment and one with hearing impairment. The participants listened to the case studies with great interest and asked a number of questions.
They were grateful to the lectures for their time and presentations…!
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0721.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 20, 2011 : Participatory Workshop : Facilitator Skills Ⅱ
Today's training followed up on the “Facilitator Skills” workshop that took place on June 29, and the participants further developed their skills for facilitation with guidance from Mr. Kiss me, the lecturer. At the beginning of the training, each participant presented his/her project plan.
Then the lecturer showed everyone a picture - and asked each pair made up of the participants to perform a short play based on the picture. Next, the trainer presented a manga showing an interaction between two living beings. This implicitly introduced a case study of an Indonesian community. Here, the participants were made think about how best persons with disabilities could be supported.
In the rest of the training, they learned a distinction between “planning” and “management” as well as four approaches to “community”, which are (1) institute-based; (2) community-oriented; (3) community-based and (4) completely coming from community.
Participants comment that they have been inspired by today's training and would like to implement similar workshops back in their countries, in order to produce facilitators.
They are all very thankful to the lecturer and the opportunity to learn practical facilitation skills.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0720.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:51 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 19, 2011 : Lectures and Visit : Employment of Persons with Disabilities by Private Firms - Learning from First Retailing. Co., Ltd.
http://www.fastretailing.com/eng/
In the morning, they sat a lecture on an overview of the company and how it approaches employment of persons with disabilities.
The lecturer kindly flied from Yamaguchi Pref, where the headquaters of First Retailing. Co., Ltd. is located to JICA Tokyo to give a lecture to the nene JICA participants.
They learned that the company has a policy that every store must have a minimum of one staff member with disability and at present more than 7 percent of its staff population has disability of different kinds. They also listened to how the company itself has been benefiting from hiring a number of people with disabilities.
After lunch, they group went to one of the UNIQLO stores near Tokyo Dome, the first stadium with a domed roof built in Japan and observed its disabled staff member's work. The worker had also represented Japan in the 2011 Abilympic games, which are the international vocational ability competition for persons with disabilities.
The participants were very much impressed with the firm's policy and practice on employment of persons with disabilities, without establishing a subsidiary company for this specific purpose. Its employees with and without disabilities share workplace and learn from one another everyday.
Thanks must go to the lecturers and other staff members of the firm, who provided the participants with this intriguing training today. Today the participants visited a well-known retail clothing company.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0719.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 15, 2011 : Workshop : How to Write a Project Plan Ⅱ
Today the nine participants attended the second part of the training, “How to write a project plan”. The workshop was delivered by the same NGO/NPO consultant, who had requested them to brig their drafted project proposals today.
With guidance from the lecturer, the participants first performed a “stakeholders” role play. They were divided into two groups of the Iranian and Bangladeshi project teams (both of which were hypothetical), and within each team, the members played the roles of (1) Person with disability, (2) GO, (3) NGO and (4) Religious leader, contemplating what were expected of each stakeholder.
This was followed by a group discussion on relationships and cooperation between GOs and NGOs. The participants were again divided into three groups and debated how best organizations could work together. This was interesting and fruitful, particularly as some of them tried acting as one opposite to their real jobs.
The all-day worked shop then gave them an opportunity to present their draft project plans. Lastly, the class went through the twelve points that needed to be covered in proposals.
Today's workshop greatly helped the participants to critically review their own project plans. Many thanks to the lecturer for her input.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0715.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:43 PM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2011
Training Report : July 12, 2011 Lecture: Management concerning employment of persons with disabilities
The nine participants learned the special subsidiary system, a scheme for promoting employment of persons with disabilities on June 21 and today they visited Isetan Mitsukoshi Soleil, Co., Ltd., a special subsidiary of the Mitsukoshi-Isetan entity, which runs Mitsukoshi and Isetan department stores in Japan.
In the morning the participants first visited the Isetan department store in Shinjuku to observe how the parent company runs a business and to study where and how the Soleil products were utilized there.
URL for Isetan department store: http://www.isetan.co.jp/icm2/jsp/store/shinjuku/info/iclub/index.jsp
When they arrived at Soleil the president showed them a video “Disability is Power,” which was about efforts made by Soleil and it was broadcasted by one of major TV channels.
Then the president lectured on management skills concerning employment of persons with intellectual disabilities. He strongly mentioned in his lecture that achievements concerning the legally required employment rate (stipulated quota:1.8%), corporate social responsibility (CSR) or social contribution are merely “results” or external evaluation, and cannot be the purpose. The purpose of employing persons with disabilities should be “Make use of the capacity of persons with disabilities, and improve Isetan Mitsukoshi's performance”
After the lecture the nine participants observed the actual work site and they had opportunities to try their jobs by using various devices created by the president.
For example, a paper mould which has a cut in a shape of a gift sticker indicates where the sticker should be pasted and thus anyone can paste a sticker on an appropriate place of the gift bag easily and accurately. The participants tried some tasks which looked easy, but they understand that doing the job accurately and repeatedly was not as easy as it looked.
The participants could learn if the environment is arranged and the appropriate jobs are provided, persons with intellectual or mental disabilities can also work without any problem.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0712.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:37 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 11, 2011 : Lecture: Business Management
We see many treaties that Japan does not ratify the “realization of decent work” of the ILO due to the current Japanese law, Labor Standards Act etc..
However, supposing that Japanese companies aim to promote “Employment Promotion and Realization of Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities,” we consider there is no option but to make approaches through business activities, which are their original purpose.
Then, how can vocational facilities and related organizations realize “Employment Promotion and Realization of Decent Work of Persons with Disabilities”?
It seems there is more than one answer, which could be the same number as that of vocational facilities etc. as well as people engaged in promotion of employment of persons with disabilities.
Today, the lecturer, a small and medium enterprise management consultant, and certified social insurance labor consultant explained common marketing activities, management techniques, and many otherbusiness skills, based on the method to create company business plans.
It seemed like one day lecture was too short to cover all the business management techniques, since interpretation was needed, however her lecture was very informative and her power points can be a Business Management Textbook for the nine participants.
Special thanks to the lecturer for spending many days to prepare the lecture material!
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0711.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 1, 2011: Lectures and Visit : Employment Support Systems for Persons with Disabilities and Community Networks in Ota Ward Ⅱ
It was the second day to learn about employment support for persons with disabilities in Ota Ward, Tokyo. Today's training had a particular focus on networks and cooperation among relevant organizations.
The participants first spent time at Ota-Ward Employment Support Center for Persons with Disabilities, where they listened to the lecture given by its director on its functions and services. They learned about how it closely works with other institutions such as Hello-Work, special-needs schools, private companies, welfare institutions, and municipal government in the ward. Afterwards, they were guided to “Tamariba,” the lounge where members can relax in their spare time. They also had an opportunity to observe various types of pre-vocational trainings provided by the center.
After the lunch time, the participants sat a lecture on Job Coach - its process and function as well as how it is provided in Ota Ward. A number of questions were raised from the participants, showing their enthusiasm to learn about Job Coach.
This was followed by visits to Shiinoki Ken, a welfare institution for persons with intellectual disabilities. They provide vocational trainings and ADL trainings to the members for their social independence. The nine participants observed various types of works, such as baking and artistic recycle paper craft work. They also found national flags of their respective countries at the entrance and the dining hall…!
Then they also observed the Ota Welfare Factory, an offset printing factory run by Tokyo Colony. It was established in 1975 in order to provide the work opportunities to persons with physical disabilities who have difficulties to get jobs because of inaccessible working environment. The participants were impressed to learn that employees with disabilities there are secured the minimum wage and social security to sustain their daily living and also impressed to see their effective work.
Today's fruitful training was accomplished all thanks to the people at the organizations we visited. Special thanks go to the director of the employment support center, who accompanied us to the other organizations.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0701.html
Posted by jicafriends at 05:33 PM | Comments (0)
Information for spanish speaking jicafriends- Invitation to the International Congress for Persons with Disabilities in Chaco, Argentine
CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE DISCAPACIDAD EN LA PCIA DE CHACO. ARGENTINA
MIÉRCOLES 24 DE AGOSTO
LA PERSONA CON DISCAPACIDAD: ENTORNO FAMILIAR Y ÁMBITO SOCIAL
• Lic. Ana Dorfman - Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina - AMIA - Bs. As. - Argentina "Discapacidad, estado y sociedad civil"
• Sra. María Viterba Scheffer - CAIDIN - Centro de ayuda integral al discapacitado del norte - ONG Representante de la Provincia del Chaco- Agentina
• Escrit. Silvia Mirta Válori - Bs. As. - Argentina "Respeto del hogar y la familia: sexualidad, género y discapacidad"
• Mgter. Flavia Steiner - Centro Educativo Terapéutico MI LUGAR - Sta. Fe - Argentina - "Discapacidad y familia"
JUEVES 25 DE AGOSTO - De 10:45 a 13:00 HS.
4 EDUCACION: GARANTIA DE LAS PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDAD COMO CIUDADANOS DE PLENO DERECHO PARA MEJORAR SU CALIDAD DE VIDA
• Lic. Ana Moyano - Ministerio de Educación de la Nación - Bs. As. - Argentina -
“Políticas de la Educación Especial en el País en el marco de la convención”
• Prof. Marta Insaurralde - Dirección de Educación Especial - MECCyT -
“Calidad de vida de la persona con discapacidad”
• Prof. Gonzalo Schugurensky - Corrientes - Argentina - “Educación y discapacidad: el derecho a la formación académica.”
• Esc.Amalia Dolinsky - Argentina -
“Familia y discapacidad: el respeto del hogar y la familia.”
• Escritora Silvia Mirta Valori - Argentina -
“Moda, diseño y discapacidad: el derecho a vestirse”
PDF (238KB)
PDF (172KB)
PDF (62KB)
Posted by jicafriends at 01:29 PM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2011
Information from Carlos - Call for entries for Annual publication of the Faculty of Health and Physical Activity Sciences - Chile
Dear Jica friends,
it is a great pleasure for me to invited all of you o publish in the public healt magazine Vitae et Scientia (Life and Science) this magazine is an Annual publication of the Faculty of Health and Physical Activity Sciences of International University SEK. I had the great honor to be its Director
(PDF 73KB)
--
Carlos Kaiser Mansilla
Posted by jicafriends at 08:03 PM | Comments (0)
Going Public on the issue of aerobridge !-from Malaysia
Dear Friends,
Please read press release below.
Do come and give your support!
Please circulate. Thanks!
Regards,
Swee Lan
(Vocational Rehab. 2006)
***********************************************************
Dear Editor,
We, a group of disabled persons ,comprising of wheelchair users, people with walking difficulties, people with learning disabilities, people with low vision together with children in prams, senior citizens, pregnant women, frequent air travellers and concerned citizens, will be gathered this Saturday at the following venue, date and time :-
Venue : KL Sentral (Departure Hall)
Date : 20th August, 2011 (Sat)
Time : 11 am.
The purpose of the gathering is to express our strong objection to the decision made by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) not to build aerobridges at the newly constructed airport, KLIA2.
We wish to draw your attention to the news article in the business section of the STAR newspaper dated 15th July,2011 (Friday), titled “New LCT designed to enable installation of aerobridges” which reported that aerobridges will not be installed at KLIA2.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/7/15/business/9107067&sec=business
We are deeply disappointed that the decision made by MAHB was not done in consultation with the user groups and has not taken into consideration public opinion! As this is an important decision which will affect many user and consumer groups, MAHB should have consulted them and listened to their views before arriving at such a decision.
This decision by MAHB not to include aerobridges in the construction of the new airport is a backward step taken in the wrong direction!
Aerobridges allow easier, safe and secure access to boarding and disembarkation of all passengers especially passengers in wheelchairs, people with walking difficulties, senior citizens, children and pregnant women - more so during inclement weather. Airports without aerobridges pose great dangers and inconveniences especially to these group of users !
With the world statistics pointing to aging populations, we strongly think that aerobridge is a“must have” feature in all newly constructed airports including low cost carrier terminals. Aerobridge should and must be made a “universal feature” in all airport designs.
Our letter dated 18th July,2011, seeking for an appointment to meet Tan Sri Bashir, Managing Director of MAHB has received no response so far.
We, therefore, urge you to send a reporter and camera crew to this event to help carry our messages so as to draw the urgent attention of the top management of MAHB, cabinet Ministers and the public at large, hopefully to be able to influence the decision makers to restore their decision to re install the aerobridges at KLIA2 for the safety, security and convenience of all passengers ! Help us make KLIA2 fully accessible for all !
Thank you for your support !
Posted by jicafriends at 08:01 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 13-14,16, 2011 : Individual Training
Two days individual training was programmed according to each participant's interests and what they are planning to carry out upon their returning to home countries.
Please refer to the following table to see their training schedule.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0713.html
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0714.html
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0716.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:57 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 30, 2011: Visits : Employment Support Systems for Persons with Disabilities and Community Networks in Ota Ward Ⅰ
Today's training took place in Ota Ward, Tokyo.
Firstly the participants went to Den'en Chofu Special Needs High School. It is funded by the metropolitan government and accommodates male and female students aged 15-18 with intellectual disabilities. They received a warm welcome from the school, which had displayed national flags of the participants' countries on campus…!
After learning about the school principles and education services, the participants saw the school facilities, including Sakura Cafe, where they stopped for a cup of tea. They observed how students serving tea and coffee there and selling home-grown vegetables at the school gate and communicating with local residents.
Secondly, the participants traveled to Hello-Work Omori, an employment support center. They were explained about its services and how persons with disabilities would find work. They also lectured on the network of the Persons in Charge of Promoting Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Otaku” and how they work together for promoting employment of persons with disabilities.
Later they also tried searching jobs using the computer facilities there. It was a valuable experience for them as they could see how job hunt is done and what actual jobs are available for those with different disabilities.
Thanks must go to teachers and students at the Den'en Chofu School and the staff members of the Hello-Work Omori for their time!
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0630.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 28 2011 : Visits and Lecture : Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Yokohama City, Kanagawa
Another day in Kanagawa! Today the participants learned about comprehensive rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities in Yokohama City.
They first went to Yokohama Rehabilitation Center, where they attended a lecture on the definition of “rehabilitation” and how services are provided in the center. The lecturer took an example of a man who acquired a spinal cord injury from a motorcycle accident and explained how he would go back to work through rehabilitation.
Following the lecture, the participants were guided around the center and saw its facilities.
In the afternoon, the group visited another place called Yokohama Rapport. It comprises a swimming pool, a table tennis room, a cooking room, a football pitch, a library and so on. It hosts a number of sport and cultural activities for persons with disabilities.
Rehabilitation is an important part of everyday life of many people with disabilities. The participants had a great opportunity to closely look at actual facilities where rehabilitations take place.
They were grateful to everyone who guided us at the rehabilitation centers in Yokohama City.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0628.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 27 2011 : Visits : Lives of Persons with Severe Disabilities in Atsugi City, Kanagawa
Today the participants received training in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is south-east to Tokyo. They were to learn about everyday lives of persons with severe disabilities.
The group first visited Ms. A, who lives with her husband and daughter in a social housing estate in the city. She showed the visitors around her flat and talked about her life, which very much interested them. One young member of the group, who has a disability himself, was impressed and encouraged for future married life.
At lunch time, the participants went to Cafe Donguri (Acorn), which is housed in the Atsugi Welfare Center and employs people with intellectual disabilities. While having lunch, the participants observed the environment in which disabled and non-disabled people work together.
In the afternoon, they traveled to Mr. B's apartment, where they heard about his work and life. Mr. B, who acquired disability following a traffic accident in the past, is employed by a company in Tokyo but works from home most of the time. His boss who was also there presented the employer's point of view and explained why the company had hired him and made a special arrangement for him.
Mr. B also loves scuba diving and maintains a good work-life balance. The participants, who raised a number of questions, seemed to enjoy learning about his everyday life.
The last visit was to Mr. and Mrs. C, also living in Atsugi City. They kindly welcomed the participants at their house, which they had designed in consultation with an architect. The visitors got very interested in how they run daily lives, and also had an opportunity to try the lift equipped in the house.
Today's training let the participants see different ways of life that persons with disabilities have in Atsugi City. It adequately supplemented the lecture on the topic they had sat last week.
Many thanks go to the people who spent time for the group, and also to Prof. Ogawa for his coordination.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0627.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:51 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 21, 2011 : Lecture: Current Employment Situation of Persons with Disabilities
Today, the nine participants visited Saitama Prefectural University to have a lecture on Current Employment Situation of Persons with Disabilities in Japan.
Today's lecturer is a professor of Saitama Prefectural University, and the course leader of this training program.
The lecturer first showed them the pictures of his activities for introducing himself, since he was not able to attend “Brearking ice session.”
He started his lecture on the current employment situation in both of regular market and workshops in welfare systems.
After the morning lecture JICA participants and university students studying Social Work got together at the open space in front of the class room and had lunch together.
Then the students took them around the university facilities. They all enjoyed the campus tour!
In the afternoon the Professor lectured on the Quota Scheme for promotion of persons with disabilities, work support systems for persons with disabilities, and future tasks.
All participants satisfied very informative and comprehensive lecture.
They all thanked the Professor and his students.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0621.html
Posted by jicafriends at 07:48 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 20, 2011 : Ice breaking session
“Ice breaking session” was organized by five committee members of Decent Work Course to get to know everyone related to this course including participants, JICA officers, and coordinators.
At first the nine participants introduced themselves and then three committee members who attended the session today explained their personal backgrounds and professions.
Two absent members said hello to the participants through their Power Points as well.
Before ending the session they had a big event.
Today was the birthday of a participant from Timor Leste, and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate her precious day.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0620.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:16 PM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2011
Training Report : June 24, 2011 Afternoon: How to write Project Plan Ⅰ
The nine participants are requested to write and submit Project Plan at the end of the training in Japan.
Two and half days workshops are programmed for them to acquire skills of how to write a project plan and how to make an effective presentation. The workshops are given by a nonprofit NGO consultant, who facilitates workshops, seminars and projects aimed at developing skills, organizational capacity understanding of global issues and effective partnerships.
At the beginning of the workshop she confirmed the purpose of writing Project Plan and asked the participants to discuss what employment opportunities for decent work they would like to develop in respective country.
Then She explained about the following 12 items to be covered in their Project Plan one by one.
1. Name, organization and country
2. Title of your plan / proposal
3. Background information
4. Overall Goals
5. Concrete Objectives
6. Beneficiaries
7. Impact on beneficiaries
8. Project implementation plan: step by step outline & description, including schedule and timeline
9. Monitoring and evaluation
10. Possible obstacles to project plan implementation
11. Budget needed, how to raise funds
12. Impact of this training: how this training contributes to your project Plan
Former participants' examples were also shown so that the participants could understand how to write each item easily.
Draft of the Project Plan should be prepared by the next workshop, July 15, 2011. Good luck everyone!
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0624pm.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 27, 2011 : Project Plan Presentations
Today the nine participants presented their Project Plans.
Over the past two months of training, they have been nurturing ideas for a small-scale project that they will implement on their return home, with an aim to enhance employment of persons with disabilities. They have also learned practical skills for project planning and management through workshops.
Each participant was given 20 minutes to deliver a presentation, which was followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Below is a list of the presentations with a short summary of each project.
1. Participant from Ghana
Title: Creative Hands: Workshop Space for Idle PWDs in the Kumasi Metropolis
(PDF 336KB)
Summary:
PWDs are highly disadvantaged in Ghana, where they have little access to education and training. By converting an unused dormitory block to a moderately equipped workshop, the project aims to enable 30 people with various disabilities currently forced into street begging to produce shoes and other leather/sewing products for sale, and thereby to generate income by themselves and retain a sense of dignity. It also aims to challenge negative perceptions that families and society tend to have on disabled people, by demonstrating their abilities for craft work and trading.
2. Participant from Timor Leste
Title: Small Workshop for Small Handicraft: Moris Rasik Babadok Handicraft
(PDF 243KB)
Summary:
PWDs have difficulty in getting a job, due to lack of employment opportunities and ubiquitous discriminations in society. This project aims to support a small-craft workshop where 15 young men with physical disabilities produce miniature Babadok (a drum) souvenirs to sell to tourists from abroad. It will raise funding from various organizations to buy necessary equipment and seek cooperation from a hotel in Dili, where a small shop will be resided. It hopes to develop confidence among the crafters and also impact society that obstinately denies abilities of PWDs and their chances for independent living.
3. Participant from Jordan 1
Title: Job Information and Training Center (PDF 258KB)
Summary:
While the Jordanian government shows its commitment to increasing job opportunities for PWDs, there lacks a communication between job seekers and potential employers. This projects aims to bridge the two sides by establishing a job-information and training center in Anman. It will collect and supply information to PWDs and transmit practical skills to them. Simultaneously, it will inform and encourage prospective employers to hire PWDs, by involving the Higher Council and NGOs. It hopes to contribute to increasing work opportunities and economic independence of persons with disabilities.
4. Participant from Fiji
Title: Bread Lovers Bakery (PDF 343KB)
Summary:
Young people with disabilities who successfully completed a vocational training still struggle in finding a work in the mainstream job market. In order to tackle this situation, the project will open a bakery in Brown Street Toobak Suva, where 10 people aged 16-27 with physical/intellectual disabilities will be trained and employed. Identifying a potential bread market in the country, it estimates to make enough profits to enable young trainees to earn an independent living, while producing professional Fijian bread bakers.
5. Participant from Jordan 2
Title: Let's Go Back to the Fields (PDF 313KB)
Summary: There is a serious lack of work opportunity for persons with disabilities in Jordan. By making use of a piece of land available for free, this project aims to provide young people with physical disabilities an opportunity to experience decent work in the field of agriculture. 15 men aged 20-25 living in Irbid City will accomplish the whole process of cultivating the land, growing vegetables from seeds and selling products in the market, with advice and support from experts, philanthropists and local communities. The goal of the project is make society as well as people with disabilities themselves realize how capable they are of both economic activity and social participation.
6. Participant from Jamaica
Title: Discovering Possibilities (PDF 332KB)
Summary:
Jamaica is a signatory to the UN convention and is currently drafting National Disability Act, with a motivation to respect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. However, in reality those with disabilities are prevented from getting a job in society and a number of factors are considered to be involved here. This research project aims to interrogate the problem and identify individual factors contributing the situation. It will employ a qualitative method combining in-depth interviewing and 2 focus group discussions. The goal is to draw up policy recommendations, helping the government develop a strategy to increase work opportunities for PWDs in Jamaica.
7. Participant from Malaysia
Title: Rainbow Project (First National Network for Inclusive Employment)
(PDF 337KB)
Summary:
In Malaysia, various organizations including NGOs, private firms and government work to promote employment of PWDs, but there is a lack of communication and cooperation among them. Identifying a need to interlink such organizations, the project will establish a committee to build a strong inter-organizational network that can provide useful information and training to PWDs looking for opportunities in the mainstream job market. It will benefit not only job seekers but also organizations themselves, who can share information and learn from one another in hiring persons with disabilities. The ultimate goal of the project is to create a society that is more accommodative of individuals with different abilities.
8. Participant from Myanmar
Title: Future Light Ringing (PDF 100KB)
Summary:
Persons with disabilities in Myanmar can hardly have a job. The project aims to create decent work opportunities for people with visual impairment. Given that most people rely on public phones in Myanmar, it will establish a telephone operating business and train 10 graduates of the School for the Blind in Sagain, who will work as telephone operators and earn income. It will seek to involve the Dept. of Social Welfare, the school and a telephone company. Its goal is to enable young blind people to enjoy work experience and increase their self-esteem.
9. Participant from Mongolia
Title: Let's Work with Wheelchair (PDF 233KB)
Summary:
A wheelchair is an important assistive device for a person with a physical disability and can increase her mobility as well as work opportunity, if it is the right size and shape to match her body. If not, however, a wheelchair can harm its user and deteriorate her physical condition. The National Rehabilitation Center fortunately receives free wheelchairs from an international charity, but its lack of professional staff that can assess disability conditions of people and select a right wheelchair for them spoils such donations. The project thus aims to train the center's social workers so that it can offer a right wheelchair for everyone needing one. It also plans to achieve 10 job placements of wheelchair users, as a small step towards a society offering decent work opportunities for persons with disabilities in Mongolia.
All the presenters received a number of questions and comments on their respective projects. Thanks must go to the members of the planning committee, the chair persons and everyone who contributed to the inspiring discussions in Seminar Room 18.
Updates on the projects will be reported on this JICA Friends website later this year - so don't miss them!
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0727.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:30 PM | Comments (0)
Training Report : June 24, 2011: Lecture : Employment of Persons with Disabilities in Japan and Prospects for Japana's Ratification of the UN Convention
Today, the nine participants learned issues surrounding employment of persons with disabilities in Japan. The lecture was delivered by the Managing Director for Kyosaren. He also occupies important positions as Board Chairman for Japan Disability Forum Executive Director for Japan Council on Disability, and Acting Chairman for Committee for Disability Policy Reform.
The lecturer first asked the nine participants to read aloud a report “Social Standards Requiring Reconstruction” which is about the situation and hardships of persons with disabilities following the Great East Earthquake that had struck the Tohoku region on March 11. He visited the affiliated districts several times and he had opportunities to get the real voices of persons with disabilities.
http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/press_release/fujii110512.html
He updated the works that have been done for persons with disabilities in Tohoku and also discussed what still need to be done, based on his own involvement here, which was intriguing.
Other topics covered by the lecture include recent changes in Japan's policy for employment of persons with disabilities and prospects for its ratification of the UN convention.
The participants enjoyed listening to the lecture and were all very thankful for the opportunity.
http://jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0624.html
Posted by jicafriends at 06:27 PM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2011
Finance training at disabled centre-Fiji
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Salaseini Vosamana
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Fiji Times
BASIC financial literacy training has been introduced at the Fiji National Council for Disabled Centre to educate 15 physically-challenged youths on income, expense and budget saving.
The first ever training was part of the National Youth Day celebrations.
Centre women and youth officer Elenoa Lavetiviti said the youths were representatives of various communities.
"The training will enable these youths to be self-sufficient and independent as they will understand the nature of saving," she said.
"They will be able to start their own small businesses through the knowledge they gain from the training.
"They can also share it with their peers in the community so everyone has a better idea of financial literacy."
Facilitator Tom Victor said the objective of the training was to impart to young people the basic steps of utilising funds.
"Our main aim is to educate these youths and make them understand the importance of money and how they can save it," he said.
"There is a high demand for this training because it transforms youths to become reliable and consistent people even though some of them are not well-educated.
"With the current economic crisis, it is important that people are able to manage money wisely."
The training was funded by the Department of Youth and Sports.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=177663
Posted by jicafriends at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 8, 2011 : Visits : Work employment for persons with disabilities in Date City
Today was the very last day of the Hokkaido training. Before catching their flight back to Tokyo, the participants visited one employment support facility and three private companies hiring persons with disabilities.
The first visit was to Date Cosmos 21 Daini Fumidasu, where as many as 117 people receive training to be able to work for 8 hours consecutively. The coordinator explained to the participants its system, work content and how the trainees may get an opportunity to get a job in another place.
Then they went to a laundry company, which employs 24 people with disabilities. It has a long history of hiring disabled people including a man who has been working for the company for 38 years and has excellent skills second to none.
Next, the group travelled to a local supermarket where its employees with disabilities are engaged in various tasks such as chopping fish, packing vegetables and washing containers. The participants learned that the company trains its staff by themselves, without using job coach services.
The last visit was to Oya Meat Shop, which prepares meat for retail sales. The president of the company explained its history and said, “As a member of society, it is my duty to employ people with disabilities.”
Today's outstanding training was achieved thanks to the coordinator of Date City. Participants reflected the Hokkaido training as extremely useful and educational for their own works and societies.
We are very much grateful to all the people who helped us accomplish this wonderfully fruitful training in Hokkaido.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0708.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 7, 2011 : Visit, Lecture and Summary : Employment of persons with disabilities in Date City, Hokkaido
Today the nine participants made a move from Urakawa Town to Date City, which is well known for its high employment rate of persons with intellectual disabilities.
The training started with a visit to Matsushita Shoten, a company running a business of classifying recycled items. Of the nine employees, three had a disability, including a man who had been working for the company for 25 years.
After observing the case study, the participants listened to a lecture on the history of employment of disabled people in Date City, which could be traced back to 1968. They also learned about job coach services, funding opportunities and inter-linked work and life support services offered by the municipal government.
Today's training focused on employment of persons with disabilities in the general job market, which can interestingly be compared to the Urakawa example. In fact, the participants asked a number of questions about Date's policy and support system.
It seems that they greatly expanded their knowledge and also gained practical tips for increasing job opportunities for those with disabilities back in their home countries.
Thanks must go to everyone who kindly showed their workplace to us.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0707.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:03 AM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 6, 2001 : Visit, Summary and Lecture : Social skills training and creating a community accommodating persons with mental disabilities
On the third and last day in Urakawa, the nine participants first visited two group homes, which were inhabited by people with mental disease. One of the homes also housed a noodle factory and a restaurant, where its residents worked and socialised with locals.
Next the participants visited the Urakawa townhouse to make a courtesy visit to Mr. Hiraku Ikeda, the mayor of Urakawa town.
Then they moved to Cafe Bura Bura and one of committee members gave an overview of a community into which people with mental disabilities can successfully be integrated. The concept of “group home” is particularly useful here, he said.
Lastly, an opportunity to learn social skills training (SST) was given to the participants. Not only that they learnt how SST is utilized at the Bethel, but also they actually performed a role-play demonstration, through which they understood the difficulties once faced by the Bethel people and how such troubles were overcome.
This three-day stay in Urakawa appears to have been an eye-opening experience for many participants. They were surprised, inspired and encouraged. It would be wonderful to see a community like Urakawa developed in many parts of the world in future.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0706.html
Posted by jicafriends at 09:02 AM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 5, 2011: Visit, Work Experience and Lecture : Coordinating work environment for persons with mental disabilities
It was the second day of the Hokkaido training. The nine participants first paid a visit to the Red Cross hospital in Urakawa and observed day care services. The staff members there talked about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that is used to treat their clients coming to the hospital.
Afterwards, the participants gave a try to the seaweed packing work, the most successful businesses run by the Bethel community, at the place called New Bethel. They generate over 100 million yen in annual sales.
This was followed by a lecture on “tojisha kenkyu” that regularly takes place in the House. It is an assessment and rehabilitation session in which people with mental disabilities get together and discuss one member's mental situation in order to collectively consider how to improve it.
To give more details, this method of study on mental illness was invented here in Urakawa and is innovative in that (1) the participants focus on one member's situation at a time, and (2) all in the discussion share having a mental illness of some kind. Evidently, this session series has greatly helped the Bethel people with managing issues derived from their own illness.
The nine participants had stimulating talks with some “tojisha kenkyu” experts and showed great interest in its concept.
The long day was completed with a big welcoming party organized by people at the Bethel House, and the participants enjoyed the very nice evening with them, tasting delicious Hokkaido seafood…!
Many thanks go to everyone at the Bethel, who gave us a heartfelt welcome and an amazing training there.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0705.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:54 AM | Comments (0)
Training Report : July 4, 2011: Discussion and Lecture : Persons with mental disabilities in Urakawa and the establishment of Bethel House
Hello from Hokkaido, the northern most prefecture!
Today the five-day Hokkaido training started in Urakawa Town, a south-east part of the island. Here the participants were to learn the experience of the Bethel House, which comprises a residence, workplace and a social community of people with mental disabilities.
The nine participants first visited a small church, where the history of the Bethel House began. Everyone was introduced to the founder of the House and listened to his life story. When it was revealed that the founder started the whole business from scratch, the participants guessed and imagined very hard how he and his peers would have established the Bethel House.
Next, they visited the House and sat a lecture by a professor of Health Science University of Hokkaido, and learnt how it was started and then developed. The professor also illustrated the principles and the main functions of the Bethel as well as the local community of Urakawa. Many participants admired the effort that was put into the establishment of the Bethel House.
They reviewed today's training as inspiring, and said that the Bethel's experience would be applicable to their own societies. Hopefully we will see it reflected in their respective future work.
We are very much thankful to the Bethel founder and the professor for their talks!
http://www.jicafriends.jp/vocational/gi2011/training/v0704.html
Posted by jicafriends at 03:50 AM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2011
Qtel Shops staff learn sign language to help disabled-Qtal
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Qtel’s special needs training group This summer, 17 employees who work in Qtel Shops throughout Doha are learning sign language, to be better equipped to assist hearing-impaired customers.
The training programme is an extension of the company’s community outreach initiative known as “Access for All,” launched in December 2010. “Access for All” is dedicated to addressing the needs of the disabled.
In June, 17 customer service representatives who are team leaders and heads of sections at Qtel Shops received week-long training.
The daily training was conducted by Mohammed Ali Bin Ali and Samir Samareen, both certified sign language trainers.
In early September, the Qtel customer service training unit will conduct two more week-long sessions on sign language to complete the course for the designated staff.
Qtel will have customer service representatives who are proficient in sign language at its Villaggio, Al Rayyan, Salwa and Hyatt Plaza shops by early October. They will be easily identifiable by their badges,
which will say “I speak sign language.” In the coming months, Qtel will train customer service representatives in sign language to staff its Al Wakhra, City Center and Al Khor shops as well.
Qtel has partnered with Mada (Qatar Assistive Technology Centre) and Vodafone under the umbrella “Access for All” initiative, which aims to give disabled people in Qatar the tools they need to successfully communicate and participate in society.
Under the “Access for All” initiative, the disabled now have access to special handsets and accessories as well as new Qtel call centre and customer billing services.
In addition, the Qtel website has been updated with a dedicated section for the disabled, with helpful information and assistive tools such as magnification.
To qualify for a special 50% discount on Qtel assistive technology and services offered through “Access for All,” all a customer has to do is show a disability ID card produced by the Society of Special Needs & Rehabilitation in Qatar. Anyone who is over 65 also qualifies. As individual customers, the disabled receive this discount on all mobile,
Internet and landline services except for international calls. The disabled are also eligible to receive a specialised handset at a 50% discount every two years.
Posted by jicafriends at 04:40 PM | Comments (0)
August 11, 2011
"Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Peer Support" -5-
March 6, 2011
Workshop Day Three
The last day of the workshop at the Alatau Sanatorium, Almaty continued to receive ardent reactions from the young leaders. In group discussions they contemplated the idea of independent living, and then enjoyed following a day of Mr. Hata’s life on screen.
《Morning Session》
1. Today’s New and Goods (talking about what have happened since yesterday evening)
2. Learning the situation in Japan I (watching a documentary film, “A Day of Mr. Hata”) featuring an everyday life of a young man with disability living in Hyogo, Japan)
Lunch Break
《Afternoon Session》
3. Learning the situation in Japan II (historical and current welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan)
4. Group discussion II (the participants divided into three groups talked about what should be done in order to improve circumstances for persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan).
5. Q&A session
6. Appreciation session (the participants thanked one another to mark a positive ending of the event – applying the peer counseling technique).
During the lunch break, Ms. Kassiyet Omarova, the workshop organizer, was interviewed by the media together with Ms. Masako Okuhira and Mr. Dai Okita.
In the afternoon, the participants learned about the development of welfare services for persons with disabilities in Japan, realizing that their own country potentially has a bright future as a disability-friendly society, and that this would to a large extent depend on themselves.
The participants impressed the facilitators with their enthusiasm, but were reminded that they were only at the start of the long journey. The young people were encouraged to involve their fellow friends living in the remote areas and build strong networks in order to change the society in Kazakhstan.
The three-day workshop ended with a great success. Fourteen young leaders with disabilities received the workshop completion certificates from Mr. Tetsuji Nishikawa of the JICA Astana Office.
Before ending the closing ceremony the fourteen participants including two Japanese facilitators expressed their heartfelt appreciation to their Japanese-Russian interpreters, Mr. Besengali Kenesari and Ms.Aliya Chingishpayeva for their close cooperation.
Ms. Kassiyet Omarova, the former participant of JICA leadership development course 2009 and the organizer of the whole event, demonstrated not only her excellent management skills but also how committed she was to changing the Kazakh society towards disability-friendly one. Hopefully she will continue to develop networks across the country and receive a lot of support in achieving her goals.
Posted by jicafriends at 06:13 AM | Comments (0)
"Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Peer Support" -4-
March 5, 2011
Workshop Day Two
The second day of the workshop started with 13 participants and generated
vigorous discussions with guidance from the facilitators. There was laughter
too, which showed the friendliness among the young people, and indeed
conversations continued well into the breaks. The schedule of the day is
shown below:
《Morning Session》
1. Reporting New and Goods (reviewing things that happened from last night to this morning)
2. Studying the relationship between the client and the counselor and things to note.
3. All-room discussion II (“what do you think about disability?”)
Lunch break
《Afternoon Session》
4. All-room discussion III (“how can we create a society wherein we can live without being conscious of disability?”)
5. Q&A session
6. Group discussion I (participants discussed in two group what should be done in order to improve circumstances for persons with disabilities in Kazakhstan)
Both facilitators have positively evaluated the attitudes of the participants, who keenly referred to their own opinions and were open to new ideas. Also, today’s discussion topics included romance and relationships, wherein the participants had opportunity to share issues as young people and gain peer support.
Posted by jicafriends at 06:06 AM | Comments (0)
"Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through Peer Support" -3-
Before you read the report -3-, please reread the following reports.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/kazakhstan/l2009kassiyet/006.html
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/kazakhstan/l2009kassiyet/007.html
March 4, 2011
Workshop Day One：
Following yesterday’s symposium, the three-day workshop to empower young
people with disabilities began today at the Alatau Sanatorium, Almaty. It
was attended by 15 people from various organizations such as the Braille
Library, a youth organization, and a women’s association. They also had a
disability of different types. Ms. Masako Okuhira of the JSRPD and Mr. Dai
Okita of the Mainstream Association jointly acted as the facilitators.
Below is the schedule of the day:
《Morning Session》
1. Self-introduction by all participants
2. Making a name card with a preferred name on
3. One-to-one greeting among the participants
4. Introduction to the concepts of peer counseling and peer support
5. Practice session (participants conversed in pairs and later introduced their own companion to the others)
Lunch break
《Afternoon Session》
6. Clarifying purposes of peer counseling and learning things to note
7. New and Goods (talking about one’s best and most recent experiences)
8. All-room discussion I (“what do you think about being a human?”)
9. Summary of the day
The participants sat closely to one another from the right start, which created a cozy, friendly atmosphere in the room. They actively participated in discussions and practices.
Posted by jicafriends at 05:41 AM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2011
Kokorozashi IL Undou-Phnom Penh CIL, Cambodia
From 28th to 29th July, 2 days Attendant Training was held at Phnom Penh CIL office.
The training aims that severe disabled persons and non-disabled persons deeply understand and satisfy with each other in sequence to eliminate discrimination in order to make one society for all.
Phnom Penh CIL have conducted this attendant training and the criteria target is university students and persons who are interested in disability issues and social welfare.
Please visit the following website for more information;
http://phnompenhcil.blogspot.com/
Phnom Penh CIL; http://www.ppcil.org/
Posted by jicafriends at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2011
Trailblazers empower women, disabled-Philippines
Today we found the name, Ms. Adela Avila Kono, former perticipant of Leaders' Course 1989 in the following article. More information about her can be obtained from the following page.
http://www.jicafriends.jp/projects/asiaandpacific/philippines/002adela/index.html
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development"with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
By Carmel Loise Matus
Cebu Daily News
7:47 am | Monday, August 8th, 2011
“EMPOWERMENT is power in me.”
This, said former Talisay City councilor Shirley Cabanero-Belleza was the motto of her advocacy for Gender and Development (GAD).
Belleza is among the 100 Women Trailblazers cited by the Cebu province who excelled in their fields of endeavor. Their photos are on exhibit in the Capitol building. Belleza said the recognition is “a great honor.” The three-term councilor is known for pushing the GAD Code in Talisay City despite opposition from council colleagues. Belleza’s term as councilor ended in June 2010.
After that, Belleza took and finished her masters degree in speech pathology at a university in Cebu City.
Her advocacies for women and children did not stop when she left politics. “We don’t need a position in government to serve the people, right?” Belleza once said. Belleza now works for the Cebu province as consultant for women development programs. For her, happiness means inspiring these women. “Its nice to inspire them,” she said. Before entering politics, she launched the “mass wedding” program for indigent couples.
In 1998, she used her own money to fund the weddings of five couples. “I did this because there are children who have no birth certificates because their parents weren’t officially united under the sacrament of matrimony,” Belleza said. She said she continued this program when she was elected councilor. Belleza said it was good for the children, who would benefit from the Philhealth cards, distributed by City Hal if their parents were married.
Another trailblazer is Adela Avila-Kono.
Kono is a recipient of the 2008 Apolinario Mabini Outstanding Woman with Disability Award.
Recently, she was invited by the Provincial Board to speak about “barrier-free tourism” in line with a proposed ordinance sponsored by PB Member Arleigh Sitoy to make tourist facilities accessible to the physically challenged.
Adela was two and a half years old when she contracted polio, that left her legs almost totally useless. The disease forced her into a life of leg braces, crutches and wheelchairs. Nonetheless, Adela said she pursued her studies. But school life brought her many frustrations. Without the aid of her yaya or classmates, Adela found it difficult to go up from one floor to another in a building with no ramps. It was tough using restrooms because the floors were often wet and dangerous for one using crutches.
These experiences, she said, would later give purpose to her life. In 1987, Adela went to the United States with her mother and saw the amenities available to people with disabilities (PWDs) like ramps and handle bars in toilets.She said it was her first encounter with “accessibility”, barrier-free or “non-handicapping environments” in its real sense.
Adela later urged groups like the Organization of Rehabilitation Agencies (ORA) and the Regional Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons in Central Visayas (RCWDP-7) to pursue accessibility monitoring and implement their major programs in Cebu.
In 1989, she was chosen to participate in JICA’s (Japan International Cooperation Agency) “Leadership Training Course for Disabled Persons” in Japan by the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons, now the National Council for Disability Affairs.
Today, she is the adviser of the Accessibility Monitoring Committee under the RCWDP-7. She said the committee examines buildings to determine if they are disabled-friendly. Adela gives advice on the “International Standards of Accessibility” to architects and civil engineers. For her efforts, Adela was given the award by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang Palace last Aug. 6, 2009.
http://www.jicafriends.net/archives/2008/09/breaking_barrie.html
While there are no monetary rewards for her work, Adela said the “little joys” are enough return, like making “normal” people more sensitive to issues of accessibility. Edison A. Delos Angeles and Doris C. Bongcac
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/38097/trailblazers-empower-women-disabled
Posted by jicafriends at 09:26 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2011
Good practice in Tajikkistan
Hello dear friends!
From July, 11 till July, 14th our organization has spent automobile race under the motto «Life it there is a movement». Active workers of our organization in number of 25 persons by 5 hand-operated cars have passed a way to 1000 kilometers. We stopped in each administrative center and met a management of areas. We propagandized the Convention of the United Nations on the rights of invalids, also were engaged in propagation of a healthy way of life and tried to make active PWDs on places. It would be desirable to notice that our action also has been dated to 20 years independence of Tajikistan. Automobile race has been spent with support of Fund Soros Tajikistan within the limits of the program «Initiatives the CRPD ratification republic of Tajikistan», Open Company Gazpromneft Tajikistan and the Device of president republic of Tajikistan.
Automobile race has passed at active participation of mass-media and at the moment the video film of this automobile race prepares.
After automobile race UNDP and the Tajik center on a mine action has entrusted us to realize the project Summer camp for victim. Summer camp passed from July, 14 till July, 25th in mountain gorge Romit. Except rest suffered from mines and received physical inability participated in trainings and seminars where we tried to explain to them that physical inability it not tragedy and with physical inability it is possible to live and be useful to a society.
It is short about sewing activity.
dest regards,
Asadullo
Posted by jicafriends at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)
Launching on Establishing the first IL Organization in Myanmar/ Nay Lin Soe
Dear JICA Friends,
Good Evening.
Today, we are very happy to announce and share you good news from Myanmar.
We, three Myanmar with disabilities
Vision
To build an inclusive and right-based barrier-free society where persons with disabilities can live independently with their fullest potential as others
Mission
- To empower and support persons with disabilities for their independent living
- To advocate and promote the inclusion and rights of persons with disabilities
To reach the vision and mission; MyanmarDuskin ILI is going to implement the following activities;
1) Advocacy: Disability Equality Training, Disability Rights Training to GO, NGOs, Religious sectors, Business sectors, Professionals and Media groups
2) Capacity development: Training, Seminar, Workshop, Conference, Study program and Visits for Disabled people’s organizations, Parent groups and Individual disabled persons
3) IL Centers - National, Regional, State and Township levels
4) Programs, Projects and Actions for independent living and equal rights of persons with disabilities in the community
We attached our profile for your information.
As IL is the first and very new for Myanmar people, we MyanmarDuskin ILI are going to introduce IL concept to Myanmar society and initiate and promote the IL movement of disabled people in Myanmar.
In conclusion, we would like to request you all to share us necessary information, experience and supports for independent living of persons with disabilities in Myanmar. Also, we welcome your advice and suggestion to all of us.
Please keep in touch with us.
Best regards,
Nay Lin Soe (Mr.)
Program Director
MyanmarDuskin Independent Living Initiative (MyanmarDuskin-ILI)
Chairman
Network for Myanmar Disabled People (N.M.D.P)
Email: nay.lin.star@gmail.com
http://jicafriends.jp/world/trends/living/myanmar/index.html
Posted by jicafriends at 11:38 PM | Comments (0)
Disabled Passengers Fight for Discrimination-Free Travel-Indonesia
We found the name, Rina Prasarani, the former participant of Leaders' Course 2002 in the following article. She had a bad experience last December, but she didn't kept silence, rather stood up for the discrimination against persons with disabilities.
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Fidelis E. Satriastanti | August 07, 2011
Eight months have passed, but the words remain as clear as ever in Rina Prasarani’s head.
“If something happens to you, we will not be responsible,” a Lion Air flight attendant told Rina on a flight from Jakarta to Denpasar in December, as the crew forced her to sign a statement relieving them of any liability because she is blind.
“For me, those words were a threat. It seemed as though they were willing something bad to happen,” said Rina, who lost her sight as a child because of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative retinal disease.
“It is inappropriate for an airline to say something like that. They are in the service business after all.”
The event prompted what has now become a battle to end discrimination against people with disabilities in the transportation industry. Rina soon made contact with other disabled people, and found that her experience was hardly an isolated case.
Despite regulations and government pledges, she said, people with disabilities are treated like second-class citizens — and not just by airlines.
“There should be officers standing by to guide disabled people, even to the check-in counter,” Rina said. “I once tried to board a plane without any assistance. I ended up stumbling into other people, and when I reached the check-in counter, I could sense that people were staring at me. I felt embarrassed.”
Saharudin Daming, from the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), said the entire aviation industry was guilty of ignoring the basic rights of people living with disabilities.
“Even though there are signs of improvement, efforts have been minimal,” he said. “At airports, for example, accessibility [for disabled people] is judged only on the number of wheelchairs provided, which is not supposed to be the only measurement. There are already toilets specifically for disabled people, but the main problem at airports is service from the entrance to the exit.”
While wheelchairs are at times provided, he said, many people still end up having to be carried because of a lack of ramps in airports.
“Airlines, meanwhile, mainly discriminate in the service provided by their staff,” he said. “They don’t have any knowledge about how to treat people with special needs. There is a culture of treating them like a nuisance, which has resulted in unethical behavior, such as lying to get them to sign an illness statement.”
Last week, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, said the 2009 Transportation Law mandated special treatment for people with special needs. He called on all transportation operators, specially airlines, to implement the law.
“Disabled people are not ill. They are just the same as us,” he said.
“However, they have some limited abilities and need special attention.
They don’t need to be pitied, but have equal rights and obligations. To fulfill those, we need to provide a service that accommodates their needs.”
Freddy suggested airlines allocate special seats for disabled people. “
There should be special seating for disabled people so they don’t have to sit far from the exits. Whether there are disabled passengers or not, those seats should be available only for them,” he said.
Rina said that people with disabilities were also being discriminated against in terms of access to information. She said there was little quality audio instruction at the airport or on planes.
“Instructions should be more descriptive,” Rina said. “For instance, if they’re talking about life jackets, then they should guide our hands to feel it. Or when pointing out the toilet, don’t say ‘the toilet is over there,’ but rather ‘the toilet is three seats behind you.’ ”
“[Airport officials] are supposed to provide warnings on the floor like the ones in malls or hospitals,” she said. “We can feel different textures with our feet signaling that we are approaching stairs, poles or intersections.”
Rina’s struggle has paved the way for some reform in the industry. Lion Air said that it no longer forced people with disabilities to sign statements, and Sriwijaya Air recently pioneered the use of Braille in its in flight safety information.
Toto Nursatyo, commercial director of Sriwijaya Air, said facilities for disabled people were not new. “We have established procedures to assist [disabled people],” he said. “We have already allocated seats two rows after the doors. However, if there are no disabled people aboard the plane then we sell the seats to others.”
For Rina, however, a change in attitude is more important than just making facilities available. “Whether we mention that we are disabled or not, those chairs need to be available,” she said.
“I still feel very optimistic that things will change, as long as decision makers and trainers are willing to change their perspectives, too,” she said.
“These days, a civilized company with a high profile knows that how it treats its customers will have an effect on profits.”
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/disabled-passengers-fight-for-discrimination-free-travel/457781
Posted by jicafriends at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
August 05, 2011
Barrier-free campuses for handicapped-Pakistan
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
Published: July 29, 2011
LAHORE - Pakistan’s first Independent Living Centre (making disabled persons’ access to campuses unhindered) is to be set up at the Lahore College for Women University. Japan’s Milestone and Mainstream Association International will provide assistance and guidance for the centre, University VC Prof. Dr. Sabiha Mansoor told a seminar held at the campus on Thursday.
“The centre will be the first in the country’s public sector universities. The LCWU will sign an MoU with the Japanese association and the institutions will work together for designing the LCWU’s campus on the principle of the Universal Design for Barrier-Free Architecture. (All academic and administrative buildings of the University will be set up on that design.)
“The centre will also provide technical assistance to other universities and educational institutions across Pakistan regarding designing their barrier-free campus,” she said while appreciating the role of the Environmental Science Department of the University for initiating environmental awareness activities and research projects.
The seminar on “Accessible Living Environment for All” was hosted by Environmental Science Department. A delegation of Mainstream Association International including Mr. Matsushima, Mr. Kirian, Mr. Sato and Mr. Shunji Kadaota addressed the seminar. The Japanese partner institutions include Tokyo Institute of Technology, Aichi Gakuin University, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and International Center for Literacy and Culture in Tokyo.
Dr. Kausar Jamal Cheema, Dean Faculty of Natural Sciences, Prof. of Environmental Science Department delivered keynote address. In her address, she described the international protocol and agreements about the rights of persons with disability.
She mentioned different environmental hazards and factors that pose risks and cause disability. She highlighted the needs of designing the campus LCWU which would be barrier free for all in respect of mobility and access.
She stressed that the Millennium Development Goal for ensuring environmental sustainability cannot be achieved unless effective change takes place in national policies and programs. She explained that Disability results from an interaction between a non-inclusive society and individuals.
For example; person using a wheelchair might have difficulties gaining employment not because of the wheelchair, but because there are environmental barriers such as signs, inaccessible buses or staircases and ramps which impede access.
Students and staff of educational institutions with mobility related problems and vision impairment become more physically at risk in case of inaccessible buildings, emergency and in situations of disasters.
Mobility and access to class rooms, laboratories, library, computer facilities, cafeteria, grounds and students activity centres are the issues that need special care and priority to address to make institutions more friendly and conducive for the participation of these people more effectively. In case of emergency or accident, evacuating in time and sheltering are the issues of consideration, she added.
Mr. Farrukh Mehmood Malik, President of MILESTONE and Ms. Maria Qureshi described the story of movement of the Milestone Society for the betterment of persons with disability and their independent living environment. Mr. Shafiq ur Rahman, founder of the Milestone Society delivered a detailed lecture focusing on the need of establishing Independent Living Center at educational institutions, such as LCWU.
Japanese leaders from Mainstream Association International, Osaka, Japan described the history of Independent Living movement in Japan and gave their recommendations to establish barrier free living environment for persons with disability in an educational set up in Pakistan. Mr. Shunji Kadaota highlighted the need of self determination as first step towards independent living.
Posted by jicafriends at 09:45 AM | Comments (0)