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Table of Contents

1. United Nations ESCAP Regional Preparatory Meeting
2. Disability Movement in Central Asia
3. Further Movement on ‘Disability-Inclusive Business’
4. APCD Training on CBID
5. CBR Asia-Pacific Network News
6.  News from AAN
7. SHGs of Persons with ID in Cambodia and Thailand
8. First Ever Regional Network on HoH and Deafened in AP
9. Upcoming APCD Activities 2012 / New Publications
10. Incheon Strategy

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1. United Nations ESCAP Regional Preparatory Meeting
the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012
From 14 to 16 March 2012, the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Final Review of the Implementation of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, was organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). 

The meeting was attended by more than 80 experts from the ESCAP members/associate members. More than 40 experts from 15 civil society organizations (CSOs) participated as well. While the ESCAP secretariat incorporated all suggestions, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) provided captioning support according to the ESCAP Resolution 67/6 “Enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities at ESCAP”. 

After ESCAP presented a roadmap to the regional preparatory process leading up to the High-level Inter-governmental Meeting in Inchon, South Korea, a summary of the results of its questionnaire survey concerning the implementation of the BMF and the Biwako Plus Five as a review of second Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012 was introduced. Moreover, experts from governments and CSOs shared various inputs in the draft “Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real” in an intensive manner. The final report of the Meeting is available from the URL: http://unescapsdd.org/disability/event/regional-preparatory-meeting-high-level-intergovernmental-meeting-final-review

By the end of June 2012, the reviewed Incheon Strategy is going to be available for a reference at the intergovernmental high level meeting in Inchon, South Korea.

image caption: Participants of the Meeting
image caption: Thai Government Representatives Sharing Their View
image caption: Real Time Captioning by Blind Captioners
image caption: Finalizing the Meeting Report


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2. Disability Movement in Central Asia

2.1. Formation of Central Asian Disability Forum as a DPO Platform in Central Asia
The “Sub-regional Workshop for the Establishment of the Central Asian Disability Forum” was organized by the Association of Women with Disabilities “Shyrak” and the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the KYNNYS Association at Alatau Spa Resort, Almaty, Kazakhstan from 27 to 28 March, 2012.

The participants included the representatives of Disabled People’s Organizations and other partners from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. After discussing and confirming the Constitution of the Central Asian Disability Forum 
(CADF), the Chairperson and other Executive Committee members were elected to lead the initiative. The Government of Kazakhstan expressed their support to the Central Asian Disability Forum which could be one engine to improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities.

According to the “Almaty Recommendations to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Central Asia and the CIS Countries”, the Central Asian Disability Forum was welcomed and recognized by the participants to strengthen the movement of 
disabled people’s organizations in Central Asia.

image caption: Executive Committee Members of the Central Asian Disability Forum

2.2. Make the Right Real Conference in Central Asia and the CIS countries
The “Make the Right Real Conference in Central Asia and the CIS countries” was organized by the Government of Kazakhstan through the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan and the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Kazakhstan, in collaboration with the Disabled Women Association (SHYRAK) of Kazakhstan, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), the KYNNYS Association, the Soros Foundation of Kazakhstan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), from 29 to 30 March 2012, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Conference focused on “International Experiences in Realization of Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Promotion of Gender Equality”.

More than 100 leaders with disabilities and key stakeholders in Central Asia and the CIS countries participated in the Conference. 
Ms. Lyazzat Kaltayeva, the newly elected Chairperson of the Central Asian Disability Forum (CADF) delivered a welcome speech. Ms. Shirin Akhter, the Chairperson of the South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) shared experiences from the sub-regional point of view in Asia and the Pacific. 

The representatives of the Government of Kazakhstan addressed the importance of the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and expressed its willingness to accelerate the actions towards the ratification.

Based on inputs during the Conference, the “Almaty Recommendations to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Central Asia and the CIS Countries” was agreed and unanimously adopted by the participants and organizers.

image caption: “Make the Right Real” in Local Sign Language
image caption: Signing the Pledge Board to Support “Make the Right Real”

The following is the summary of the recommendations made by the participants and organizers.
Almaty Recommendations to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Central Asia and the CIS Countries

1. Disability perspectives is mainstreamed in all development agenda through the ratification and implementation of the CRPD, and the harmonization of domestic legislation with the principles of the CRPD by the Government of Kazakhstan and other Central Asia/CIS countries;

2. The Government of Kazakhstan and other Central Asia/CIS countries implement disability-sensitive legislation, policies, measures and actions at the national and local levels, including the adoption of a law to prohibit disability-based discrimination, to ensure access to justice;

3. Special attention is paid to gender perspectives in any legislation, policies, measures and actions to change the negative perception and stereotype of disability, in particular to address the specific concerns of girls and women with disabilities such as reproductive health and protection to fight various forms of exploitation;

4. The Government of Kazakhstan and other Central Asia/CIS countries encourage persons with disabilities to participate in the political processes by providing affirmative actions and establishing an institution of Advisor for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which would level opportunities and ensure the representation of persons with disabilities at all the decision-making levels;

5. A sufficient system for data collection is developed and well managed at the country level in Central Asia and the CIS countries, addressing the situation of persons with diverse disabilities, to ensure access to education, employment, public accommodations and services, other social support for persons with disabilities;

6. The newly established CADF is the key platform to promote the DPO movement in Central Asia, in cooperation with the Government of Kazakhstan and other Central Asia/CIS countries, regional partners such as ESCAP, APCD and the International Expert Network of Organizations of Women with Disabilities, other development partners such as JICA, Ablis Foundation, Soros Foundation and Kynnys Association, other international and domestic organizations, media and academic institutes; and

7. The Government of Kazakhstan and other Central Asia/CIS countries support a proposed new Asian and Pacific “Make the Right Real” Decade of Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022), in which CADF is expected to further promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Central Asia in partnership with ESCAP and APCD.

(Full texts are available at: http://www.apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/almaty-recommendations-make-right-real-persons-disabilities-central-asia-and-cis-countries-2)


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3. Further Movement on ‘Disability-Inclusive Business’ in Asia and the Pacific

Following up the findings of the previous roundtable talks, the “Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk” on Rating System was jointly organized by APCD and The Nippon Foundation at APCD Training Building in Bangkok, Thailand, on 31 January and 1 February 2012. With unique inputs from the participants including the United Nations ESCAP, Charoen Pokphand Group of Thailand and other business entities, several outcomes have been identified as below.

>Defining “Disability-Inclusive Business”
One of the outcomes is to define “disability-inclusive business” officially. Participants came to conclude that it is an emerging business trend that strives to utilize tacit knowledge that persons with disabilities uniquely acquire / develop due to their disability from the perspective of entrepreneur, employee and customer.

>Consensus of “Disability-Inclusive Business” Development at the United Nations level
In line with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), participants emphasized how to promote disability-inclusive business since it can refer to reasonable access to goods and services, to ensure, wherever possible, persons with disabilities are represented in their companies as customers, employees, employers and entrepreneurs. It is expected that “disability-inclusive business” is going to be implemented as a tangible topic in the proposed 
new Asian and Pacific “Make the Right Real” Decade for Persons with Disabilities (2013-2022). 

image caption: Outlining the Future Direction of “Disability-Inclusive Business”

3.1 Disability Equality Training (DET) and Disability Related Service Training (DRST) for Air Asia

In total 20 Air Asia staff from many provinces in Thailand were recruited by Thai Air Asia office to received knowledge and developed work skills on serving their passengers with disabilities by APCD trainers whom are persons with disabilities themselves. 
After several practices at APCD, all 9 APCD trainers conducted their first six hours program of Disability Equality Training (DET) and Disability Related Service Training (DRST) for Air Asia staff including cabin crews, ground crews, staff from guest service department and people department on 21 February 2012 at Thai Air Asia office building, Bangkok, Thailand. 

With support from the representatives from BEAT Malaysia and Air Asia Malaysia, training went smoothly and actively, especially during skill practicing sessions which allowed Thai Air Asia staff to experience how to lead blind passengers, manipulate passengers’ wheelchairs, and communicate with passengers in American sign language and plain language.  

Furthermore, monthly training schedule is being developed to extend DET&DRST to other Thai Air Asia staff for an inclusive barrier free society through its airline services.

image caption: Contents Provided by Thai Resource Persons
image caption: Air Asia Staff Using the Wheelchair
image caption: Group Photo by All Training Participants


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4. APCD Training on Community-based Inclusive Development (CBID)

4.1. Inclusive for All: Training of Trainers for the Community-based Inclusive Development 
In collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, APCD organized the 11-day international intensive training course, “Inclusive for All: Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Community-based Inclusive Development (CBID)” at APCD Training Building from 6 to 17 February 2012.

This training entailed the integration approach of incorporating important training skills (facilitation, participatory training, etc.), through the well-crafted curriculum design, such as the CBR Guidelines, international instruments (United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities), Disability Equality Training (DET), social, environmental and empowerment components of the CBR matrix, as well as other related components.

After the field visits at Nonthaburi Independent Living Center and Bankrang Self-help group, Nonthaburi province, participants had a chance to apply their knowledge and skills into action-plans and individualized projects during the project-based learning and simulation session

image caption: Group Work During Training
image caption: Field Visit in Nonthaburi Province 

4.2. World Vision International Community-based Inclusive Development Workshop 

With 19 international participants from World Vision offices located all over the world, a customized intensive training “Community Based Inclusive Development Workshop” was jointly organized by the World Vision International (WVI) in collaboration with the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) at APCD Training Building from 6 to 9 March 2012. 

The key objective of the training was to facilitate WV’s Disability Community of Practice members to learn Community-based Inclusive Development (CBID), Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) and the role of Disabled People’s Organizations in CBID and CBR. 

The training concluded with fruitful and active group presentations, reflected from the discussion session on “Development of Inclusive Strategies” to be applicable in participant’s area of expertise for mainstreaming disability.

image caption: Group Work among World Vision Staff
image catpion: World Vision Staff Visiting Field Practices


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5. CBR Asia-Pacific Network News

Evaluation of the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress 
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the National Organizing Committee (NOC) did an evaluation of the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress on 20 February 2012 at the Kamayan Dads Saisaki Restaurant in Greenhills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. Under the facilitation of Undersecretary Alicia Bala of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the evaluation meeting focused on the assessment of the last CBR Congress, draw recommendations and next steps, and recognize the efforts of the organizers and major contributors that helped in making the congress a success. 

Among the positive points noted were the presence of the president of the Philippines during the opening ceremonies, more participation from grassroots level including 223 persons with disabilities out of 628 delegates from 65 countries, experienced and knowledgeable presenters, participative concurrent sessions, and strong local representation whereby persons with disabilities and/or families would speak for themselves during presentations. 

The negative points noted include poor media coverage in general, quality and time management of some presentations, poor attendance in some concurrent sessions such as justice and conflict, there was very little in the field of research, and the generalized Manila recommendations which did not reflect key points and recommendations from concurrent sessions.  

Suggested as next steps were for the World CBR Congress and the 3rd Asia Pacific CBR Congress to build on the outputs of the 2nd CBR Congress, promoting continuity and tracking evolution and developments from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and the following CBR congresses, developing ways to make the recommendations a reality in the communities and for persons with disabilities, and defining who monitors/follows-up on each congress. 

Participants of the meeting were members of the national organizing committee which include representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Tourism, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, SM Foundation, CBM, Handicap International, JICA, Liliane Foundation, WHO, Leonard Chesire Disability, KAMPI, Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (Home without Stairs), Informatics International College, and UP-College of Allied Medical Professions. Members of the TDC/Program Committee and representatives of APCD and the CBR Asia-Pacific Network were also present during the meeting. 

The meeting concluded with awarding of certificates of appreciation to the members of the NOC and other major contributors. CBRAP network was also recognized and was given a certificate of appreciation as shown below. 

image caption: 2nd asia pacific cbr congress
theme: cbr: building communities for everyone
sub-theme: mainstreaming disability in the development agenda
november 29 - december 1, 2011
manila philippines


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6.  News from AAN
World Autism Awareness Day

The World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), 2 April, is one of the most breathtaking autism cerebrated events every year. On 2 April 2012, streets, parks, national monuments and shopping centers in several major cities in the member countries of AAN were venues to organize the important activity. Persons with Autism and their family members, Government representatives, NGOs workers, business partners, volunteers, students and community members actively participated in this powerful activity. National TV and newspaper of each AAN members’ countries reported on this event. Each mile has embraced an inspiration on action on autism awareness. This milestone has provided continued support and courage towards a friendly autism awareness society in the ASEAN region.  

image caption: Group Photo of Organizing Team and Family Members in Brunei
image caption: Children Participating in the Event in Cambodia
image caption: Music Performance in Lao PDR
image caption: Panel Discussion on Lesson Learned in the Philippines
image caption: Walk Campaign in Thailand
image caption: Conference in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam for Raising Awareness on Autism


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7. Self-help Groups (SHGs) of Persons with ID in Cambodia and Thailand
7.1. Movement by the Rose Group
The first self-help group of persons with intellectual disabilities in Cambodia called Kolap, which means “Rose” in Khmer, was established on 16 November 2011 (c.f. P9, APCD Newsletter Vol.38).

With support from the Komar Pikar Foundation (KPF), the first meeting of Rose group was organized on 31 January 2012 at NBIC. The activities and experiences of Rose group were shared with parents of persons with intellectual disabilities.

Ms. Kay Sok Sombo (leader, Rose Group) presented the activities of self-help group network on Intellectual Disability in Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand, according to the outcome of the regional workshop in November 2012. The group agreed to have regular meeting once a month which will be coordinate by KPF staff.

image caption: First Meeting by Rose Group

7.2.Volunteer to Clean the Temple
One of highlight of DaoRuang Group’s activities at this moment is to clean the temples affected by the flood in Bangkok in 2011. More than 10 members of Dao Ruang and their supporters volunteered to do the job in February 2012. 

image caption: Dao Ruang Group Members Working in the Community


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8. First Ever Regional Network on Hard of Hearing (HOH) and Deafened in Asia and the Pacific (AP)
For the first time in the history, the “Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on Hard of Hearing and Deafened” was organized jointly by Danishkadah (Pakistan), Center for Research and Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CED) (Vietnam), Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), at APCD Training Building from 29 February to 2 March 2012.

During the three-day workshop, participants who are hard of hearing and deafened from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam successfully founded the first ever regional network in Asia-Pacific named “Asia-Pacific Federation of Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD)”.

image caption: Participants Sharing the Perspectives of Hard of Hearing and Deafened

The following is the summary of the recommendations made by the participants and organizers.
Bangkok Recommendations on Hard of Hearing and Deafened in Asia and the Pacific
1. An emphasis should be given to persons who are hard of hearing and deafened to enhance their recognition, taking into account different views on hearing impairment;

2. The newly established “Asia-Pacific Federation of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD)” should be the key platform to promote the hard of hearing and deafened movement regionally in collaboration with APCD;

3. Hearing aids and other assistive devices should be provided in an affordable manner according to the basic needs of persons who are hard of hearing and deafened, regardless of the development stage of each country;

4. Further consideration should be given to information and communication accessibility including speech to text, Communication Access Real Time Translation (CART);

5. A sufficient system for data collection on hard of hearing and deafened should be developed and well managed at the country level in Asia and the Pacific; and

6. Attention should be paid to persons who are hard of hearing and deafened in the proposed new Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, to address the specific perspective on hard of hearing and deafened. 

7. Importance should be given to the formation and development of groups and organization of persons who are hard of hearing and deafened in countries where there is no such groups and organizations.

(Full texts are available at: http://www.apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/bangkok-recommendations-hard-hearing-and-deafened-asia-and-pacific)


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9. Upcoming APCD Activities 2012 / New Publications
April
2	World Autism Awareness Day – Campaign in countries of AAN members
24	Disability-Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk on Rural Business (Thailand)
28-29	Collaboration on Autism with AAN (Network of Autism related organizations in the ASEAN region), planning to organize 2nd AAN Congress in Brunei (2013) / Preparation meeting (Philippines)
May
2-3	APCD Staff Retreat (Thailand)
14-16	Documentation on Disability-Inclusive Agribusiness in Thailand in collaboration with FAO and ASEAN TV (Thailand)
June
6-8	Beijing Forum on Disability by China Disabled People’s Federation (CDPF) (China)
19	Disability-Inclusive Business Roundtable Talk on Inclusive Finance (Thailand)
27	Ceremony for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the Government of Myanmar: “Make the Right Real” Campaign with UNESCAP (Myanmar)
July
1-8	CBR Training for Myanmar Government officers collaboration with National Office for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (NEP), Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) (Thailand)

New Publications
1. Report on Workshop on Intellectual Disability in Cambodia
2. APCD Trainee’s Resource Book.
3. Report on World Vision International Community Based Inclusive Development Workshop
4. Disability-Inclusive Business Booklet
5. Report on International Day of Persons with Disabilities: Make the Right Real in the Philippines.
6. Autism Poster in Thai and in English
7. Make the Right Real Roll-up in Russian Language

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10. Incheon Strategy

Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific is expected to serve as the regional action framework to guide the implementation of a new decade (2013-2022) to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. The development of the draft Incheon Strategy is derived from the experiences of persons with disabilities 
and other partners in the implementation of two consecutive Asian and Pacific Decades of Disabled Persons (1993-2002, 2003-2012) as well as the historic adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the United Nations in 2006.

image caption: incheon strategy document page

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