The Wheelchair & Friendship Center of Asia (Thailand), or WAFCAT, in coordination with the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), held the Community-Development Skills Training for Wheelchair Children in Trang province in Thailand from 27 to 28 August 2014.
WAFCAT is a non-profit organization established in 1999 that supports the Thai Wheel wheelchair manufacturing factory. The organization has donated more than 2,500 wheelchairs for the last 15 years to children with disabilities in rural Thailand.
With the support of the local government, special education teachers and other local stakeholders, the Project aimed to provide accessibility and a barrier-free environment to children with disabilities not only in Trang but in other provinces in Thailand. The Project also conducted visits and access audits to homes of children with disabilities.
Southeast Asia
Meiji University-Srinakharinwirot University Short-term Exchange Program Study Tour, Bangkok, Thailand, 27 August 2014
Welcome speech for Study Tour participants
Students participating in the Meiji University-Srinakharinwirot University Short-term Exchange Program visited APCD for a one-day Study Tour on 27 August 2014.
APCD mission and visions, as well as its variety of projects and activities in the Asia-Pacific region were introduced to the students. Study Tour participants were also taken on a tour of the APCD Training Building and its accessible features for persons with disabilities.
In collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency Thailand office, the Study Tour was aimed at promoting "Global Human Resources Development" and exposing potential future leaders who will be working in the Southeast Asian region on important issues, including disability. It also highlighted closer relationships among Japanese and Thai communities.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/meiji-university-srinakharinwirot-university-short-term-exchange-program-study-tour-bangkok-
Southeast Asia
APCD/JAIF Project for Creating Non-Handicapping Environments for Rural Communities in ASEAN, Vietnam, 18-21 August 2014
Market modification selection Steering Committee meeting
In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam (MoLISA) and the Ba Vi District in Hanoi, APCD conducted the Training on Project Proposal Writing in Hanoi, Vietnam from 18-21 August 2014.
Along with the Training, the Project also selected two markets for modification, namely, Nhong Market and Dream Market, in Ba Vi District. Local leaders of the Ba Vi District People's Committee expressed their full support to the market modification agreement, which was signed by the Vice Chairman of the District, the chairmen of the markets' respective communes, and APCD.
Apart from actual field visits and accessibility audits held in the two markets, the Project also visited the newly launched modified market in Tay Dang, where accessible ramps and toilets have been built.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/apcdjaif-project-creating-non-handicapping-environments-rural-communities-asean-vietnam-18-2
Southeast Asia
Third APCD/JAIF Project Steering Committee Meeting and NHE Workshop, Myanmar, 10-15 August 2014
Market modification of Myo Ma Zay Gyi Market
The APCD/JAIF Project held a successful Third Steering Committee Meeting and Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) Workshop in Pyapon Township in Myanmar from 10-15 August 2014. Project activities were conducted with the full support of the General Administration Department of Pyapon Township, which also signed accessibility modification agreements for Myo Ma Zay Gyi and Myauk Pine Zay markets.
The Project also confirmed representatives of local Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs), business sector and other key community partners as Steering Committee members. Myo Ma Zay Gyi and Myauk Pine Zay markets were audited for accessibility modifications.
Other Project activities include accessibility audits of a jetty and meetings with local partners, including the Future Star Group, Myanmar's first Self-Advocate Group of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/third-apcdjaif-project-steering-committee-meeting-and-nhe-workshop-myanmar-10-15-august-2014
Southeast Asia
CIAI-APCD Project's MOA Signing and Capacity-Building Training, Sisaket, Thailand, 29 July to 1 August 2014
Meeting with local partners in Kantaralak Municipality
The Centro Italiano Aiuti all'Infanzia (Italian Association for Aid to Children)/APCD Project recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the 4 Sub-District Administrative Organizations (SAOs) in Sisaket, Thailand for future activities and collaboration.
The MOA ceremony was attended by SAOs representatives and partners from the Social Development and Human Security Office in Sisaket, Provincial Office of Public Health, Provincial Disabilities Council, Center for Special Education and Provincial Office of Employment.
The Capacity-Building Training, meanwhile, was conducted at Sisaket's Kantaralak Municipality and Namkling SAO where Persons with Disabilities Clubs shared their concerns, particularly those of persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/ciai-apcd-project-moa-signing-and-capacity-building-training-sisaket-thailand-29-july-1-augu
New Publications
APCD Launches Two New Reports
Covers of Report on Support for Typhoon Victims in the Philippines and Report on Second ASEAN Autism Network Congress
APCD announces the release of several reports, now available online and as accessible text.
The Report on Support for Typhoon Victims in the Philippines is a showcase of the joint initiative on emergency support for typhoon victims by the Autism Society Philippines and APCD, in collaboration with the ASEAN Autism Network (AAN). The initiative's four components were outlined in the report, namely, technical support to help the families with their basic needs; referral and networking; capacity building; and the collection of data on the families' needs.
The Report on Second ASEAN Autism Network Congress documents the proceedings of the Second ASEAN Autism Network Congress held in Brunei Darussalam on 27-29 April 2013. It was organized by Brunei Darussalam's Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, and the Society for the Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER), in collaboration with APCD and AAN.
Reference
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/report-support-typhoon-victims-philippines
http://apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/report-second-asean-autism-network-congress
