October 10, 2007

Barrier Free Campaign

Konnichiwa!

I would like to send you the photoes of the barrier free campaings. Please find the attached documents herewith.
Thank you
Sincerely Your's
Krishna Gautam

Barrier Free Campaign
CIL-Kathmandu organized the Barrier Free Campaigns on 2nd October 2007: More than 150 Persons with Disabilities gathered and Appealed to the government to make the infrastructure barrier free and to implement the programs decided by the government. Campaign visited the ministry of home, ministry of finance, ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Physical Planning and Work, Ministry of Information and Communication. Persons with Disabilities demanded the government to implement the national laws and legislations, to provide employment and social security, to make barrier free infrastructure, information and communication, to provide the fund to launch the activities of IL.
Ministers from the ministry of home and ministry of finance came down and addressed the campaign group. They welcome and informed that they have made slopes, ramps and lifts in their building and will circular in every offices of their ministries. They also promised to make infrastructure barrier free and to implement the works demanded by the PWDs. Similarly, Secretaries from the ministries of Women, Children, and Social Welfare, ministry of Physical Planning and Work and Ministry of Information and Communication welcome and informed the activities done by their ministries. PWDs raised several question to them to listen the voices of PWDs. Official's advice group not to give up the campaign to get the rights. They also promised to do something good to the PWDs.

Posted by jicafriends at 01:37 PM | Comments (0)

February 02, 2007

DPI World Assembly will be held in South Korea on 5-8 September, 2007

*extract form DPI website

7th World Assembly is expected to draw over 3,000 people from all over the world. As such it will be the largest global meeting if disability activists since UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was adopted in December of 2006. This gathering of people with disabilities and our allies, therefore, offers a wonderful opportunity to both celebrate the adoption of this historic new Treaty and commence serious deliberation on mechanisms and approaches for the implementation of the treaty at the national and international level.

more information;http://v1.dpi.org/lang-en/resources/details.php?page=810

Posted by jicafriends at 05:22 PM | Comments (0)

October 06, 2006

APDF General Assembly and Conference

Asia Pacific Disability Forum (APDF), in cooperation with UNESCAP, will organize its General Assembly and Conference on October 16 and 17, 2006 at UNCC, Bangkok.
It is a significant occasion to meet, exchange our development and discuss the common issue for our better future.Please prepare for attending the meetings.

General Assembly
Day and Time : 10:00-12:00 October 16, 2006
Venue : UNCC, Bangkok

APDF Conference
Day : October 16 and 17
Venue: UNCC, Bangkok

"Formation of APDF"

At the Osaka Forum, the idea of forming a new regional NGO network on disability was welcomed by various sectors to strengthen regional initiatives and momentum to meet the rising expectations and demands of the New Millennium. The name of the new network was decided as "Asia and Pacific Disability Forum" (in short, APDF).

Posted by jicafriends at 02:28 PM | Comments (0)

February 08, 2006

Dear Friends-Mario F. Abaygar(Leaders' course 1992)

Dear Friends,

I just would like to inform you that we will be having a Convention of the Children with Disabilities Rights on March 13-16, 2006. Organized by the Liliane Foundation - Philippines, in cooperation with the National Council for the Welfare of the Disabled Persons.

Being one of the resource persons to share on the rights of the child to participate. Im asking some comments on what to share. Of cource I have my own experience to share to them but just would like to have other ideas to share to the children with disabilities.

Much as we would like to bring more children with disabilities to attend to this Convention who would become a potential leaders someday, we have limited resources to cover their expenses. I am therefore soliciting for more sponsors for a child with disabilities to join this Convention.

Posted by jicafriends at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)

January 16, 2006

Download

Torino Winter Palalympic Games

What is worth more than the thrill of a competition?

Of a breathtaking descent, of a fight man to man with an adversary, of a sprint across the finish line, of a perfect trajectory towards the target, of your national anthem heard from the podium?

In 10 days of Challenges, marked by tenacity and techniques, by will and by courage, the champions will be decided and will become part of the history of the Paralympic Games, but all athletes will be confirmed because they have already won their personal race in everyday life: the total reinsertion into society.
Indelible pages of sports are being written.

The most exalting and exciting that any competitor can live.

To the starting line!

The Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, which will be held from March 10-19 were presented today at the Carignano Theatre of Torino, at the presence of Piemonte Institutions represented by the Mayor of Torino Sergio Chiamparino, Luca Pancalli, President of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, Tiziana Nasi, President of the Organising Committee for the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games.

You can obtain further information at
http://www.paralympicgames.torino2006.org/eng/

Posted by jicafriends at 10:15 AM | Comments (1)

November 28, 2005

International Day of Disabled Persons -Keiko Nakatani (JSRPD)

December 3rd is the International Day of Disabled Persons.

*The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons
was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability
issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons
with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived
from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political,
social, economic and cultural life.

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/iddp2005.htm

In Japan Disabled Persons' Week stated in Article 7 of Fundamental Law
for Disabled Persons.

Article 7 - Disabled Persons’ Week

A “Disabled Persons' Week” shall be held for the purpose of raising public
awareness of the welfare of disabled persons and encouraging disabled
persons to actively participate in social, economic, cultural, and other
activities.

(Section 2)
Disabled Persons’ Week shall take place one week from
December 3 to December 9 annually.

(Section 3)
The State and local public bodies shall be responsible
for implementing relevant programs to fulfill the aims
of Disabled Persons’ Week.

We are planning various events and activities for the week
all overJapan.
I would like to introduce you the following event being held in Tokyo.

International Seminar

The International Seminar will be organized for introducing various
international cooperation activities in the disability field in Asia
and the Pacific as follows. This will be organized as part of the
series of relevant events on Disabled Persons’ Week in Japan
which is planned and organized by Cabinet Office.

Organized by Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons
with Disabilities (JSRPD)

Cooperated by Japan Disability Forum (JDF)

Supported by Cabinet Office, Ministry of Labor, Health and Welfare,
the Social Welfare and Medical Service Cooperation of Japan (to be confirmed)

Date : December 3, 2005, Saturday
Time : 13:00-17:30
Venue: Somido Hall, 8th floor, Ginza Sony Building
Expected Participants: 150

Program :

13:00-13:30 Opening Ceremony to be organized by Cabinet Office

13:30-13:35 Welcome speech by Mr. Ichiro Kaneda, President, JSRPD

13:35-14:05 Keynote Speech by Ms. Kozue Nagata, Social Affairs Officer, UN ESCAP

14:05-14:45 Presentation 1
Speaker from Asia and Pacific Development Center on Disability
Activities of APCD and issues to be solved
Phrase to phrase interpretation will be prepared.

14:45-15:05 Presentation 2
Ms. Keiko Matsuyama, Deputy Secretary General, Association for Aid and Relief

15:05-15:25 Presentation 3
Mr. Takeo Ogura, Secretary General, Asia Pacific Secretary,
World Federation of the Deaf

15:25-15:40 Break

15:40-17:00 Panel Discussion

Facilitation : Mr. Yutaka Takamine, Professor, Ryukyu University
Panelist: Speaker from APCD
Ms. Keiko Matsuyama
Mr. Takeo Ogura
Commentator : Ms. Kozue Nagata
Closing remarks : Mr. Katsunori, Executive Director, JDF Executive Committee

Please let us know about an event specially planned for the
International Day of Disabled Persons in your country.

Posted by jicafriends at 04:30 PM | Comments (0)

October 11, 2005

DAISY workshop in bangladesh -Vashkar Vattacharya

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from YPSA!

It’s our pleasure to inform you that, YPSA is going to hold first Focal
Point Training [FPT] for DAISY Digital Talking Books [DTB] Production in
Bangladesh.

Focal Point Training [FPT] for DAISY DTB Production Organized by Young
Power in Social Action (YPSA) Under the DAISY For All [DFA] Project on 10th
to 15th October 2005 at the YPSA -HRDC Chittagong, Bangladesh.

The Major Objectives of Focal Point Training are:

・To develop ability of participants to use DAISY Production tools to
create DAISY 2.02 Digital Talking Books.

・To develop ability of participants to create DAISY 2.02 files.

The Training will be conducted in English and International experts on ICT
from Japan, Malaysia and India will be Facilitated the Training Workshop.

10 participants have selected from Focal Point Organization [YPSA],
Schools　with visual impairment in Chittagong and Organizations from other
part of　Bangladesh.
Persons with visual impaired and computer trainers got the priority.

DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information System which can ensure
information in accessible format for the person with disabilities
especially for Print disabled.

“Our vision is that all published information is available to people with
print disabilities, at the same time and at no greater cost, in an
accessible, feature-rich, navigable format.”

To know more about DAISY please visit "DAISY Consortium"

http://www.daisy.org and "DAISY for All Project"
http://www.daisy-for-all.org

Sincerely yours,

Md. Arifur Rahman
Chief Executive

Contact Person for the Focal Point Training for DAISY DTB Production
in Bangladesh:
Mr. Vashkar Vattacharya

Program officer and
DAISY Focal point for Bangladesh
Young power in Social Action [YPSA]

House # F (10) P, Road # 13, Block-B, Chandgaon R/A, Chittagong-4212,
BANGLADESH

E-mail: info@vashkar.tk and info@ypsa.org

Tel: +88-031-672857

Mobile- +88-0178-345035

Web site- www.ypsa.org

Posted by jicafriends at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)

August 10, 2005

2005 AWID Forum on Women's Right and Development-Mary Anthony Subia

Change is not only possible, it is inevitable

At a time of unprecedented global conflict and corporate power, devastations
wrought by ecological disasters and pandemics, and conservatisms and
extremisms on the rise, women's movements around the world find themselves
facing some of the most daunting challenges in recent memory.
Powerful political and economic forces are mobilizing not only to block further gains
for women, but to erode the rights already secured.
We are at a crossroads, embattled on all sides.

And yet, even in these difficult times, the world continues to witness
remarkable acts of defiance.
From Nigerian women occupying an airstrip to hold a powerful,
multinational oil company accountable to their villages,
to Asian Comfort Women waging a decades-long battle to force governments to
atone for their war crimes, women around the world are seizing opportunities
for change in moments of crisis.
And they are doing so with the clarity that
the world belongs not to the wealthy and the powerful, but to them -
the millions struggling for a different kind of world,
one built on economic justice, clean environments,
and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

How do we harness these moments of defiance into a strong and coordinated
transnational women's movement?
What are the success stories we need to hear, and what can we learn from them?
Where have we failed, both individually and collectively,
and what can we learn from these failures?
What other urgent work remains to be done, and who is going to do that work?
How can we strengthen our fledgling alliances, and where do we go from here?

Join us for the 10th AWID International Forum on Women's Rights and
Development: How does change happen?
Learn about how others are making real change in their regions,
and share with others the changes you have made in yours.
Analyze your successes and failures, and participate in what many are
calling the most important global agenda-setting meeting for the women's
movement this year.
Be stimulated, be provoked, be inspired.
Become involved and be transformed.
Because the AWID Forum is not just another conference ...

Be stimulated, be provoked, be inspired

From October 27-30, up to two thousand activists, academics, policy makers,
funders, students, researchers and practitioners working for women's rights
and gender-sensitive development will converge upon Bangkok in an
unprecedented global meeting to discuss the urgent question,
How does change happen?

What is AWID?
The Association for Women's Rights in Development is an
international membership organization that connects, informs, and mobilizes
people and institutions committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable
development, and women's human rights.

What is the AWID Forum?
The AWID International Forum on Women's Rights and Development
is both a conference and a call to action.
The largest recurring
event of its kind, the AWID Forum brings together women's rights leaders and
activists from around the world every three years to strategize, network,
celebrate, and learn in a highly charged atmosphere that fosters deep
discussions, sustained personal and professional growth, and unprecedented
opportunities for alliance-building and global networking.

Delegates to the Forum participate in four days of plenaries, interactive
sessions, workshops, debates, and creative sessions geared to powerful
thinking on gender equality and women's human rights.
These sessions delve deeply into the issues affecting women today
- from HIV/AIDS and trafficking to reproductive rights and poverty
- in order to deepen analysis and develop
solutions that not only work, but are realistic and sustainable.

Who can participate?
Participation in the AWID Forum is open to anyone who has an interest
in women's rights, international development, and social justice.
AWID particularly welcomes women and men from the global south,
young and emerging women leaders, and marginalized groups and organizations
that have had difficulty getting their agenda heard on an international
stage.

What can I expect from the Forum?
As a delegate to the AWID Forum, you can expect to be enlightened,
provoked and inspired by an exceptional group of
thoughtful, forward-looking and fiercely committed women and men. You can
expect to move beyond simply talking, to getting involved in global action
plans and campaigns that will emerge out of the Forum, but will last well
beyond it. You can expect to gain an abundance of new skills, information,
tools, experiences and ideas. And finally, you can expect to be welcomed,
nurtured, fortified and challenged by a group of like-minded activists,
academics, practitioners and allies.

Not just big names, but big ideas

The AWID Forum is anchored by daily plenary sessions with big ideas to
provoke, stimulate, challenge, enlighten and inspire. Each plenary offers
new visions and strategies from some of the most dynamic and innovative
leaders in the global women's movement today, in dialogue with each other
and with a vibrant group of emerging leaders, supporters and their allies.

Plenary Sessions

Day 1: What have we changed and how? The Forum will open with a plenary that
takes stock of what we, as women's movements and feminist activists, have
achieved so far through our work and our activism. Speakers will reflect not
only on the successes we've had, but they will also probe our key failures
and some of the unintended consequences of our work. The best strategies
will be highlighted and explored, and mistakes and challenges will be
examined with an eye to avoiding the same mistakes and pitfalls in the
future.

Day 2: What is the change around us? Most of us are so occupied with
day-to-day challenges that we are ill-prepared to face the future. The
second plenary will begin with a screening of AWID's "future trends"
documentary, which will open participants' minds to some of the biggest and
most daunting challenges we will face together in the future. The screening
will be followed by a wide-ranging discussion that spans everything from the
emergence of new global governance regimes to the problems of climate change
and its fallout.

Day 3: How should we change? While celebrating our achievements is
important, analyzing our challenges and shortcomings is even more critical.
This plenary will focus specifically on the sustainability of our movements,
with an emphasis on financial sustainability and leadership. During this
plenary, AWID will launch its new "Where's the Money?" campaign, followed up
with a frank and thoughtful critique of our current leadership capacities,
intergenerational challenges, and organizational development needs.

Day 4: How does change happen: wrap-up. What have we learned at the Forum?
What were the big ideas that emerged, and what was everyone talking about in
the hallways? AWID will have "trackers" working throughout the Forum, noting
and analyzing the big conversations, ideas, meetings, and events. These
trackers will close the Forum with their insights and findings, so that
everyone leaves with not only their own experiences, but the fullness of
having been a participant in a collective learning and growing process.

Breakout Sessions + Workshops

In addition to the plenary sessions, the AWID Forum also hosts over a
hundred different breakout sessions and workshops on provocative and urgent
issues for women's rights and development. Some examples of sessions
include:

General Sessions on Change: Examples *

a.. Theories of change: what theories of change are most useful for our
practice, and how does feminism fit in?
b.. Histories of change: how have different regions and organizations
created change, and what can we learn from their successes and their
failures?
c.. Strategies for change: how can we translate the gains we've made on
paper into tangible gains in women's everyday lives?
d.. Alliances for change: how do we use our alliances with men and other
social movement to further our work?
e.. Building a movement for change: what critical elements do women's
movements need to succeed in the future?
f.. Examining the changing future: what new forces, structures, and
technologies will have an impact on women's rights work in the future?
Issue-based Sessions: Examples *

a.. Law and policy reform: using the courts and other international
institutions, instruments and conventions to further women's rights.
b.. Religion, extremisms and secularisms: engaging religion to further our
work, resisting extremisms and conservatisms, (re)secularizing the state.
c.. Labour rights: home based workers, migrant workers, garment workers
working for change.
d.. Trafficking: evaluating strategies, debating theories, speaking about
successes and failures, moving forward.
e.. HIV/AIDS: strategies for change, using microbicides, AIDS and
economics, young women and HIV/AIDS around the globe.
f.. Gender mainstreaming: moving beyond the pitfalls of mainstreaming to
new, cutting-edge tools for institutional change.
g.. Fundraising: changing attitudes, gaining skills, and mobilizing new
resources.
h.. Sexuality: debating lesbian/gay/bi/trans/intersex rights within the
women's movement, examining sexuality- based violence.
i.. Poverty: strategies for alleviating poverty, from microcredit and
social entrepreneurship to grassroots capacity-building programs.
j.. Sexual and reproductive rights: women's health, sex selection, the
right to decide, abortion.
k.. Economics and trade: the gendered impact of trade policies,
understanding economic theory, the impact of international financial
institutions.
l.. Media and public outreach: using the media, doing public relations,
successful outreach strategies.
m.. Rural women: new strategies for empowerment, successful pilot
programs, case studies from around the globe.
Regional Session: Examples *

a.. New revolutions, old sexisms: Learning from the experiences of Central
and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States.
b.. Changes in Afghan women's rights: Before, after, and during the
Taliban.
c.. The politics of abortion and the right to decide in Latin America.
d.. Feminist leadership in Africa: established and emerging leaders share
stories and strategies.
e.. Transforming religion, tradition and culture in Muslim societies.
f.. Understanding femicide across the Americas.
g.. The politics of tsunami disaster relief in Southeast Asia.
h.. The women's movement in the North: where has it gone?
* Sessions are subject to change without notice.

Food for thought, sustenance for the spirit

The AWID Forum also features a wide range of activities and sessions
designed not just to feed the mind, but to inspire the spirit and
re-energize the whole person. Whether you're looking for an early morning
yoga session or an opportunity to network with others in your region, the
AWID Forum has dozens of events to you leave you energized, connected, and
inspired.

Artistic and Cultural Events: Inspire others with your creativity! A range
of artistic and cultural events held throughout the Forum will give
delegates opportunities to let their politics and passions mix in inspiring
and imaginative ways.

Book Launches and Receptions: Meet some of the most innovative authors and
publishers in the world of women's rights and development at several major
book launches and receptions that will take place during the Forum.

Dance and Lounge: Sit back with a drink with other Forum delegates, or let
loose on the Shangri-La dance floor! The Forum will host spirited evening
events that will allow delegates to relax and reenergize in an atmosphere
that is geared as much towards fun and celebration as it is towards
networking and alliance-building.

Exhibit Hall and Marketplace: From publications and products to handicrafts
and textiles, the Marketplace has something for everyone. Shop around and
peruse the latest publications, tools and resources from publishers and
funders, or stock up on one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted treasures from
women-owned businesses and collectives in the region.

Feminist Yoga: Early-morning yoga sessions will offer opportunities for
delegates to get some physical exercise and mental calm for the long, full
day ahead.

Film Festival: Take in some of the best new videos and films on women's
rights from around the world at AWID's mini-film festival, featuring
everything from high-energy dramas with legendary heroines to documentaries
that highlight the challenges and successes of social movements around the
world.

Gala Dinner: Be wined and dined at the AWID gala dinner, where Forum
participants will gather to eat, drink, network, and celebrate in a relaxed
atmosphere geared to networking and alliancebuilding.

Installations, Posters and Visual Essays: Hallways and other public spaces
will be adorned with posters, visual essays, artwork and installations on
everything from female condoms and globalization to ecology and the politics
of abortion.

Internet Corner: Stay connected with those you left behind! The Forum
"Internet Corner" will be open all day and evening to provide free internet
and email access to Forum delegates who need to keep in touch with work, or
who just want to say hello to loved ones back home.

Members' Meeting: An opportunity for AWID members to meet each other and
AWID staff, to contribute to discussions on AWID's work, and to participate
in discussions that will determine AWID's organizational direction in the
years ahead.

Orientation: A pre-Forum orientation session will help veterans and new
delegates alike find their way around the Forum and get the most out of it.
The Forum orientation will be scheduled for the afternoon or evening of
Wednesday, October 26th.

Roadside Consulting: This is an opportunity not to be missed. Expert
consultants in everything from fundraising to organizational development
will be on hand for one-on-one, private consultations with AWID Forum
participants.

Playcare: Forum participants traveling with children will be able to leave
them at the AWID Forum Playcare, where they will be cared for by qualified
staff and volunteers.

Wellness Centre: Bring us your tired, your huddled masses! An onsite
"Wellness Centre" will be available for participants to visit throughout the
day for a quick neck, foot, or hand massage to reinvigorate the body and
calm the mind.

Funding your participation

AWID recognizes that the cost of attending international events like the
AWID Forum poses a considerable financial challenge for many participants To
help, AWID will be posting funding information and contacts to our website
leading up to the Forum, with information on creative ways to fundraise to
attend the Forum.

Cost to Attend the Forum: Flights to Thailand are frequent from anywhere in
the world, but ticket fares vary widely, from $500-$1,000 USD in Asia,
$1,000- $2,500 USD in North America and Europe, and $1,500- $3,000 USD in
Latin America and Africa. Other Forum costs include: Tourist Visa $25;
Airport Transfers $20; Meals (on average) $2-$5; Hotel (per night, based on
the hotels AWID has blocked for the Forum) $13-$91.

Fundraising Ideas: Contact your organization's donors and ask if they have
funds for conferences or professional development. Make sure you inquire
about your participation as soon as you can, as funds are often allocated
well in advance. If you work for an international NGO or donor agency, ask
for money to be set aside for your participation in the AWID Forum as an
important component of your professional development. If you work for a
local or regional NGO, ask your donors' regional offices for discretionary
travel funding to attend the Forum. Ask your friends and colleagues about
ways they have found funding for international conferences. Follow their
suggestions. Finally, consider raising money for your participation through
a personal fundraising effort using your personal and professional networks.

Tools on the AWID Website: Basic information on how to put a funding
proposal together; A comprehensive list of funders and their contact
information; Sample budgets to help you more accurately estimate attendance
expenses; Volunteer registration application form, for those willing to
volunteer during the Forum in exchange for a reduced registration rate;
Internet roommate message board to help you find someone to share your
accommodations.

Funding from AWID: Given the number of requests, AWID is unable to provide
funding for all Forum participants. Partial assistance from AWID will be
available to a limited number of presenters whose proposals have been
selected for the Forum.

Thai Participation: A limited number of free registrations (100) will be
available to participants from Thailand. If you are living in Thailand and
are interested in attending the Forum, contact awidforum@awid.org for more
information and to obtain an application form.

Registering for the Forum

BEFORE AUG. 15/05 AFTER AUG. 15/05
Member Rate
$330 USD $390 USD
Institutional Member Rate
*
$280 USD $360 USD
Non-member Rate
$400 USD $450 USD
Student Rate
$160 USD $180 USD
Volunteer Rate
$100 USD $100 USD
Companion Rate
$125 USD $125 USD

* Institutional members may send up to four members at the discounted rate.

We encourage all participants to register online using our easy, online
registration system at www.awid.org/forum . Participants have the option of
registering and paying by credit card online, or registering online and
paying later by wire transfer.

If you are interested in registering as a volunteer, please note that you
must submit an application and be approved before you register. An online
application form is available at
: http://www.awid.org/forum/about_the_forum.htm

You may also request a registration form at
awidforum@awid.org .

For more information

AWID Forum website: http://www.awid.org/forum/about_the_forum.htm
Email inquiries: awidforum@awid.org
Telephone inquiries: +1.416.594.3773
Fax inquiries: +1.416.594.0330
Inquiries by Post: AWID, 215 Spadina Ave., Suite 150
Toronto, Ontario M5T 2C7 CANADA

The Association for Women's Rights in development is an international
membership organization committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable
development and women's human rights.

Posted by jicafriends at 08:06 PM | Comments (5)

August 05, 2005

another message to JICA friends-Ueno Etsuko(JSRPD)

It is nice to receive a response through this page.

I am giving you some information on the disability-related events recently
held by UN ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific)
in Bangkok,Thailand.

1.The seminar for South-to-south cooperation for Decades of people with
disabilities : held jointly by UNESCAP and APCD (Asia-Pacific Development Center on
Disability) on July 28 and 29, 2005.

The program was to exchange views and experiences on the Decades of Persons with Disabilities.
Participants were from different regions such as Asia, Arab, Africa and Latin America.
You may like to ask APCD about who participated from Latin American region so that
you could share the outcome of the seminar.
http://www.apcdproject.org/trainings/sts05/

2. You will also see the workshop on the Convention of Persons with
Disabilities held by ESCAP immediately before the above seminar.
http://www.worldenable.net/convention2005/

3.Another interesting workshop was CBR and Poverty Alleviation held by
UNESCAP on July 5, where economic empowerment was discussed.
(I attended this very interesting workshop.)
http://www.worldenable.net/cbr2005/programme.htm

UNESCAP is well accepted because they are taking an excellent initiative in
promoting the Decade and the Convention.

That is all today.
Etsuko Ueno

Posted by jicafriends at 09:53 PM | Comments (2)

July 19, 2005

Invitation from Philippines-Enriqueta Rala

Hello JICA friends, how are you now a days? It's been a long time since we have a nice time together. Hope you're all doing good!

For me well, it's been a very busy days since I finished the training from JICA. Me and Mary(the organization's President) are working very hard together in the organization especially to our livelihood projects. First, I thought it was only a DREAM, but that DREAM comes true. At long last we had opened our PWD Bakery. We are now baking breads, cookies, native cakes and now accepting birthday cakes orders. We still have looking forward on making our products good to meet the likes of the people. We hope that someday our sweet cookies could reach you wherever place and country you are. Maybe were too far to see each other again but our cookies would come to reach you and say HOW I REALLY MISS YOU ALL!!!

Anyway, I'm Inviting you "Friends" on July 19, 2005 at Capitol Compound, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines..We are now going to Launch our PWD Bakery. Hope you come and buy our breads and cookies! SEE YOU THERE!!!!

Missing you all...KETY THE CUTE...

Posted by jicafriends at 02:41 PM | Comments (3)

July 11, 2005

More than 11,000 people were there on July 5th-Masako.Okuhira(JSRPD)

I reported approximately 5000 people with disabilities got together at
Hibiya Park on July 5th to protest against with a bill for supporting
independence of persons with disabilities.

Let me correct the number of people with disabilities who were there.
The report of the organizor said that more than 11,000 people gathered and marched.
It is the biggest number of all history in disability fields.
Carlos, I personally do not agree with this bill.

Because it seems that the services people with disabilities have obtained
by spending decades will be fell off.
But I should study it carefully to say more opinion.

Posted by jicafriends at 06:37 PM | Comments (1)

July 07, 2005

Demonstration for new bill--Masako.Okuhira(JSRPD)

More than 5,000 disabled people gathered at Hibiya Park in Tokyo, Japan on July 5th to protest against with a new bill for supporting independence of persons with disabilities.
The protesters marched from Hibiya Park to the Diet Building calling for revision of its bill.

In Japan, there have beenseveral big demonstrations last a couple of years to appeal the needs of persons with disabilities. Now it is a peak. We really hope the bill will be good for persons with disabilities.

Posted by jicafriends at 05:29 PM | Comments (1)

June 27, 2005

Inception Report Presentation

On Saturday, 26 June, Inception Report Presentation on"Vocational Rehabilitation Course" was held and the reports on the current situation of persons with disabilities at respective working sites and countries were presented by all participants of the training course.

Mr. Asahi was in the chair and Mr. Ogawa and Mr. Terashima attended as the representatives of the planning committee members. Three from JICA, six from JSRPD and Mr. Hiroshi Ueno, a course leader of "Leaders of Persons with Disabilities" attended the presentation. Many questions were raised and it became a good opportunity for all participants to exchange the opinions and information in the field of employmet of disabilities.

Posted by jicafriends at 04:33 PM | Comments (0)

June 15, 2005

30th Anniversary YMCA International Deaf Youth Camp - Special Events

30TH ANNIVERSARY YMCA INTERNATIONAL DEAF YOUTH CAMP

View image

View image

YMCA International Deaf Youth Camp (HH Camp) is a biennial camp for Deaf young people between the age of 16-35 years. This year we are honoured to be given to host the HH Camp. We hosted this camp in year 1983, 1990 and 2000.
This uniques camp is organised and managed by our Malaysian Deaf Leaders with support fron the YMCA of Kuala Lumpur and Penang. HH Camp to be held at Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands and Penang from 29 July to 5 August 2005.
Theme of this camp is "BE ONE". More than 160 young people will come from India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia.

We are pleased to inform you that we will hosting two special events in conjuction with this camp.

1) HH Camp Sports Carnival: "Sports for All"
Date: 31 July 2005 (Sunday)
Time: 8.00am~1.00pm
Venue: Kuala Lumpur YMCA
Fee: RM 5 per entrance (include
Games: Competitive (Fustal*, 3 on 3 Basketball, Telematch & Tug-of-War)
Non-competitive (Board games, Malaysian Traditional Games, Volleyball, Aerobic, etc)
Open to All

2) HH Camp Opening Dinner
Date: 31 July 2005 (Sunday)
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Holiday Villa, Subang
Ticket: RM1,000 / RM 800* per table
Attire: International Costume

Come and participate to meet with International Deaf participant from various countries. If you have any enquiries, don't hestitate contact me as the below. You may visit www.ymcakl.com/hhcamp for more details.

HURRY!! DON'T MISS THIS GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY!

*Please foward this to your friends. Thank you.

Posted by jicafriends at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)

June 01, 2005

Volunteer Training

i'm glad that we can have a nice web-site to communitcate with each other.

in this few month i'm busy in giving the voulnteer training which open to the public.i giving talk & teach the skill for the volunteer how to comminicate & help the disabled.those volunteer are coming around the kuala lumpur area, we hope that though this training can make some awereness to the public & the volunteer can know well about the disabled.

here i attach some training photo 4 u, this year we have about 40 volunteer to join in this training.we are glad that this year have such great number of volunteer to join this training.

from grace

Posted by jicafriends at 04:16 PM | Comments (2)

May 24, 2005

Taipei Plan of Action for Accessible Tourism

Taipei Plan of Action for Accessible Tourism was adopted at the
International Accessible Tourism Conference in May 6,2005.

We, the participants of the International Accessible Tourism Conference,
held at Taipei from 5 to 6 May 2005:
Recognizing that tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in Asia
and the Pacific, and that people with disabilities and older persons are
beginning to enjoy newly found opportunities for travel, sports, cultural,
educational and entertainment activities;

Recalling that, to implement the extended Asian and Pacific Decade of
Disabled Person, 2003-2012, the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to
Conclude the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, held
at Otsu, Shiga, Japan, in October 2002, adopted the Biwako Millennium
Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based
Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asian and the Pacific;
Recalling also the recommendations and Bali Declaration on Barrier-free
Tourism for People with Disabilities emerged from the Asia-Pacific
Conference on Tourism for People with Disabilities, Bali, Indonesia, in
September 2000, and endorsed by the Committee on Transport, Communications,
Tourism and Infrastructure Development, held in Bangkok in November 2000;
Recognizing that people with disabilities have equal right of access to all
tourist infrastructure, products and services, including employment
opportunities and benefits that the tourism industries can provide, and that
people with disabilities should be provided with the same choices for all
consumers, to ensure their full participation and protection of the
individual’s right to travel with dignity;

Appreciating that the Eden Social Welfare Foundation and the Asian and
Pacific Disability Forum have taken the initiative to organize the above
Conference to discuss the major issues relating to accessible tourism for
people with disabilities, with a view to formulating action plan to promote
barrier-free tourism in the Asian and Pacific region;
Noting that, while the inclusion of universal design in tourism development
can create environments, products and services that are useable by a wide
spectrum of consumers, irrespective of their experience, knowledge, skills,
age, gender, as well as their physical, sensory, communication and cognitive
abilities, most tourism service providers do not yet recognize the
importance of this issue, in the absence of explicit government policies and
strategies, as well as a lack of training for tourism personnel on the
rights and needs of tourists with disabilities and a shortage of tourism
programs that are accessible by people with disabilities;

Observing that, Inclusive Destination Development facilitates the social
participation of people with disabilities and enables barrier-free economic
development by systematically applying the principles of universal design to
the creation of tourist destinations;

1. Affirm our commitment to promoting accessible tourism for people with
disabilities in countries in the Asian and Pacific region;

2. Develop and implement our empowerment programs, focusing on advocacy,
facilitation and negotiation to work more effectively with the tourism
industry, government agencies and regional and international organizations
to improve existing practices relating to accessibility and to support the
tourism industry in introducing universal design principle to tourism for
all;

3. Assist in: (a) development of training materials on disability awareness
in tourism education and training for use by the tourism industries and
related fields, and (b) education and dispatch of experienced trainers with
disabilities to training sessions on accessible tourism organized by the
tourism industries and government agencies;

4. Ensure that information on accessible tourism be obtainable in accessible
formats, including print materials such as brochures and pamphlets, as well
as audio and digital medium such as Internet websites, by information and
communication disadvantaged groups including older people, and people with
hearing and visual impairments.

5. Cooperate internationally in the area of accessible tourism, building
upon existing cooperation among countries in the Asian and Pacific region,
especially through information and technology sharing to enhance
barrier-free environments and transportation, as well as access to
information;

6. Initiate collaborative efforts with governments, non-governmental
organizations, as well as regional and international organizations
concerning traveling and tourism, including International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO), the World Tourism Organization (WTO), UNESCO,
International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Pacific-Asia Travel
Association (PATA) and other institutions relevant to tourism, to include
disability concerns into mainstream tourism activities;

7. Advocate that upcoming regional and international cultural, sports,
entertainment and educational events, programs and sites be fully accessible
by people with disabilities, including Hong Kong Disneyland to be open in
2005, and the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympics Games;

8. Form a regional network of concerned individuals, associations,
organizations and agencies concerning accessible tourism to exchange ideas
and personnel, share information among all the stakeholders and promote
study on barrier-free tourism to improve the quality of life through
accessible tourism, with a view to achieving world peace;

9. Organize regularly a regional conference on accessible tourism for people
with disabilities and older persons every two years, beginning with a
Tsunami affected country, to ensure continuity of our efforts to promote
accessible and universal tourism.

Ditailed information on the conference is provided at the following site:http://www.apatl.com/

Posted by jicafriends at 07:15 PM | Comments (0)

House of Smiles Project for Children with Disabilities - Chan Sarin

Mina san

Konichiwa!! Mina san Ogenkidesuka?

I am happy to let you know that on 26th of April, my project House of Smiles did great job for children with disability and disabled persons regarding awareness of education and discrimination between disabled and non-disabled persons,

This event was presided over by His Excellency Map Sarin (Not Chan Sarin),
The vice Governor of Phnom Penh and many authorities around the community, police officers and community people is about 500 persons

During this event I had speech for 20 minutes about social welfare for children with disabilities and disabled persons in front of VIP from high official Royal Government and the disabled kids shown cut-outs to the VIP about many of disabled friends have not access in to the education and
discriminations in the society, and I also had speech about social welfare in Japan as well in order to compare how to achieve this obstacles

The Vice Governor of PP was so impressed with this event regarding education and visited all cut outs, which made by children that their friends in the communities that have not accessed into education and some of them
abandoned the school for many reasons, such as poverty, and discriminations in the public school ect.

The Governor included with supported this event and asserted that he will try as hard to push with the education ministry in order to access the quality of education regarding the children in the cut-outs,

The message of cut outs were requested to the government ministry to provide
with quality of education to all level of all children and accessibility to children with disability, disabled persons and others regarding advocacy awareness of education overall for who are living around the community

Thanks and it will be my report to JSRPD in April for my actions

Sarin

Chan Sarin

( House of Smiles Manager)

(Project for Children with Disabilities)

HAGAR

Posted by jicafriends at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)

May 23, 2005

The Rolling Rains Newsletter May 20, 2005

The Taiwan International conference on Accessible Tourism allowed me the
leisure of a global perspective on inclusive travel.
One word comes to mind to describe the current state of the movement -"maturing".

An upcoming event in Australia highlights that observation. The event
precedes the two international events announced in the previous newsletter
and repeated below. While the focus is on Australian tourism the event will be
of interest to participants from other countries as an example of methodology
for developing a comprehensive national plan for inclusive tourism.

It is encouraging to see this example of academic interest and solid policy planning.
It raises the expectations of quality for the September DPI Conference in Kenya and
the October IIPT Conference in Thailand.

Event Announcement ::::

Setting an Agenda for Disability and Tourism Research Workshop

DATE

Tuesday 12 July 2005, 10.00am 5.00pm

OVERVIEW

The workshop will involve key researchers, industry partners, community
organisations and the government authorities interested in disability
and tourism. While broadly looking at dimensions, approaches and issues
surrounding disability and tourism, the workshop recognises the broad
context of accessible tourism initiatives, incorporation of universal
design principles and the development of easy access markets (Referred
to herein as accessible tourism). The workshop will examine the state of
the field from the viewpoints of supply, demand and regulation/coordination
research, and accessible tourism industry practice.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

The workshop format will involve interactive sessions with the
objectives being to:

・ Assess the state of accessible tourism in Australia
・ Identify research needs and opportunities
・ Establish a prioritised research agenda for accessible tourism in
Australia for the STCRC.

A report will be produced that outlines the identified research needs
and a prioritised research strategy.

Contact:
Bruce M Cameron
Principal, Easy Access Australia
www.easyaccessaustralia.com.au

Previously Announced ::::

Disabled People International (DPI) will host its International
Conference on Accessible Tourism in Nairobi, Kenya from September 28-30, 2005.
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000486.html

The International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) will
feature a panel on Inclusive Tourism at its Global Conference in Pattaya
City,
Thailand on October 2-5 , 2005
http://www.rollingrains.com/archives/000489.html

The Rolling Rains Report
http://www.RollingRains.com

Scott Rains

Posted by jicafriends at 03:12 PM | Comments (0)

May 20, 2005

Taiwan Visit - Aqeel Qureshi

Dear All,

Hello and how are you?

I learned so much from many people in the conference.
Accessibility is key issue in developing countries. We all have to work
hard to make our society barrier free. 70 million persons with disabilities are
living in India. We don’t have Accessible Transportation and
infrastructure. Persons with disabilities are very much isolated and
segregated in India. And mostly persons with disabilities are poor.

According to sample survey conducted by NGO’s in India 95% of persons
with disabilities are poor. I believe strongly Accessible Public Transportation
& Infrastructure can help us to get good education, access to public places,
employment, tourism and other activities. Let’s work for a better future.
I am sharing my experiences during my stay in Taiwan. we went for Nantou
Study tour. Following are the places in my study tour:

The Shi-Gong Reservoir- Millions are people are living in this area rely on
the water supplied by the Shi- Gong Reservoir. I saw the reconstruction work
after 921 Earthquake in 1999 in Nantou area.

We also visited The 921 Earthquake Museum of Taiwan. At 1:47 am on September
21, 1999, Taiwan experienced the worst earthquake, claimed more than 2000
lives, & 8000 injured. In the Museum I learned how earthquake strikes and
what are the reasons for natural disasters. It is a new learning’s for me.

We also visited 921 Shelter Workshop, wheelchair. They are making good
wheelchairs. We also visited Sun Moon lake Scenic but due to heavy rain we
watched inside from Bus.

It is good learning tour for me. I met many new people and learned &
enjoyed. I added some new people in my network. I am enclosing Taipei Plan
of Action for Accessible Tourism & some pictures.

Best wishes,

Aqeel Qureshi
mailto:aqeelsco@hotmail.com

Posted by jicafriends at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)

May 19, 2005

The Tokyo Ubiquitous Network Conference

The "Tokyo Ubiquitous Network Conference"as the WSIS Thematic Meeting
on a　Ubiquitous Network Society was held in Tokyo, from 16 to 17 May 2005.

It was organized by the japanese government,the International Telecommunication
Union and the United Nations University.
Approximately 600 people fromgovernments, international organizations, the
private sector and civil society participated in this conference.

All the participants reaffirmed the WSIS Geneva Declaration of Principled and
Plan of Action and shared common vision for a ubiquitous network society at
this conference.

Posted by jicafriends at 06:33 PM | Comments (0)

May 06, 2005

YPSA - DAISY Focal point for Bangladesh.

Dear Sir / Madam,

Greetings from YPSA.

YPSA have successfully completed two days DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) For ALL(DFA) workshop on 30th April ・1st May 2005 in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

DFA workshop facilitated by Mr. Hiroshi Kawamura , Manager , DAISY For All (DFA) Project, Japan and Mr. Dipendra Manocha , Assit. Manager DFA Project ,
India and 90 participants from 50 GOB departments / organisations / institutions from all over the country have activly participated in the first DAISY workshop .

It is our great pleasure to inform you that YPSA has been selected as DAISY Focal Point and Mr.Vashkar Vattacharya , Programme Officer of YPSA selected as the Focal Person to implement DAISY For All (DFA) project in Bangladesh.

DAISY stands for Digital Accessible Information System which can ensure
information in accessible formet for the person with disabilities specially
for print disabled .
To know more about DAISY please visit "DAISY Consortium"http://www.daisy.org/
and "DAISY for All Project"http://www.daisy-for-all.org/

or Contact Person for the DFA Bangladesh :
Mr.Vashkar Vattacharya , Program Officer , YPSA
Tel: 031-672857 , 0178-345035 Email :
vashkar79@hotmail.com

Sincerely yours

Md.Arifur Rahman
Chief Executive of YPSA

Posted by jicafriends at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)

April 18, 2005

WORKSHOP on DAISY FOR ALL(DFA)

Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings from YPSA.

It’s our pleasure to inform you that, YPSA is going to hold a Workshop for
introduction of *DAISY FOR ALL (DFA) concepts to various organizations in
Bangladesh. Please find the following first circulation about the workshop
with attachment.

Refer to "Domestic Information" at JICA friends web site.

Best regard,

Md.Arifur Rahman and Mr.Vashkar,

Web site - http://www.ypsa.org

*DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) is an open international
standard for accessible multimedia. The DAISY Consortium is set up in
Switzerland by leading not-for-profit organizations from around the world
serving blind and dyslexic people in order to develop and maintain the
standard.

”DAISY Consortium”
http://www.daisy.org/

"DAISY for All Project"
http://www.daisy-for-all.org/

Posted by jicafriends at 03:33 PM | Comments (1)

Meeting about African Decade

I am now having the information by webesite, that is very good for us.

We will have a meeting about African Decade with the representative of South Africa. The Idea is to create the steering committee that will be resposible for implementing the recomendation of African Decade within the country.

Sr. Justino Joao Januario
Presidente da Associacao
Mozambique
(Leaders' course 2004)

Posted by jicafriends at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)