APCD "Empowerment" Volume 56
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Asia and the PacificDisability-Inclusive Business Award Winners, Bangkok, Thailand, 3 December 2013 The winners of the first ever ESCAP-Sasakawa Award for Disability-Inclusive Business in Asia and the Pacific were announced on 3 December 2013 at the InterContinental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
Presented by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in cooperation with the Nippon Foundation (TNF) and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the Award was given to three enterprises that excelled in delivering disability-inclusive business practices in the Asia-Pacific region. The winner of the "Disability-Inclusive Multinational Enterprise" is WIPRO Ltd., a leading Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing company. The "Disability-Inclusive National Enterprise" was awarded to Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, while the "Disability-Inclusive Entrepreneurial Business" was given to Trash to Cash Pvt Ltd. All awardees were cited for excellence in delivering disability-inclusive business practices. The Ceremony was graced by special guests including H.E. Mr. Anand Panyarachun, former Prime Minister of Thailand; Mr. Mechai Viravaidya, Chair of the Award Jury; Mr. Shun-ichi Murata, Deputy Executive Secretary of ESCAP; Mr. Tej Bunnag, Chairman of APCD Executive Board; Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director or APCD; Mr. Shuichi Ohno, Executive Director of TNF, among others. Disability-inclusive business is a pioneering concept that seeks to tap the business potential of 650 million persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. ReferenceSoutheast AsiaLeadership and Empowerment Program Culmination Activities, Bangkok, Thailand, 11-13 December 2013
Five young Thai persons with severe disabilities successfully completed their eight-month Leadership and Empowerment Program (LEP) workshop series held in Bangkok, Thailand on 11-13 December 2013.
The LEP training for Thai resource persons, conducted by APCD, is aimed at developing the participants' leadership and facilitation capabilities, as well as their English language skills. This year's batch of participants include Ms. Isaree Panyaarthisin, Mr. Chanon Kisorawong, Ms. Pakkard Posee, Mr. Chonchom Angwanidsakul, and Ms. Paweena Khuntong. "Thanks to the opportunity APCD has given us through this LEP training, I am optimistic that even though it's not easy, we can do something to let people know more about disability, especially among our families and communities," says LEP participant Ms. Pakkard, an avid advocate of accessibility and usability. Through the participants' "My Life Story" presentations, they were able to share not only about their difficulties as persons with disabilities but also their motivations and dedication in making the rest of the world understand the importance of awareness and attitude change about disability. Reference http://www.apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/leadership-empowerment-program-wrap-training-11-13-december-2013 Southeast Asia"Community for All" Project in Phayao province
"Community for All," a joint project by the Centro Italiano Aiuti All'Infanzia (CIAI) and the APCD and funded by the European Commission, prepares for its numerous activities for 2014 that will further promote an inclusive community for persons with disabilities in Thailand.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between Phayao stakeholders and the Project on 17 December 2013 at Muang District in Phayao. The Training on Self-needs Assessment was held on 18 December 2013 in the same district. The establishment of Self-Help Group (SHG) and Development of Action Plan on Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities are the key outcomes of the training. Scheduled activities for next year include a series of workshops on Community-Based Inclusive Development that targets local officials and persons with disabilities, as well as the creation of a mapping service directory, which identifies services available but not necessarily limited to persons with disabilities in areas like health, education, and livelihood. Reference http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/community-all-project-ciai-and-apcd-phayao-province-16-20-december-2013 |
