search ## for next topic Table of Contents 1. “Make the Right Real“ in Pakistan/PNG 2. ASEAN Autism Network News 3. Training of Trainers for CBID 4. CBR Asia-Pacific Network 5. Inclusive Business 6. It is about Ability! 7. APCD Acitivities 8. What is it! ## 1. Make the Right Real“ in Pakistan/PNG On 6 June 2011, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Islamabad. He commented that “It is a great pleasure and privilege to sign on this historic day with the present democratic government.” President Mr. Zardari called on the federal and provincial governments to carefully review the CRPD and take the necessary steps for the protection and care of persons with disabilities. He expressed best wishes for all persons concerned and involved in caring for persons with special needs. One turning point of this positive movement came with the “Make the Right Real” Campaign launched in Islamabad on 29-30 January 2011, as a result of the Stakeholders’ Meeting on Reviewing the Implementation of the Second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons organized in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), APCD, Sightsavers, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) and the Pakistan Disabled People’s Organization (PDPO/DPI Pakistan). The Government of Pakistan shared their commitment to ratify the CRPD through its agreed document called “Islamabad Recommendations to Make the Right Real”. We congratulate all the stakeholders including organizations of persons with disabilities for the big step to “Make the Right Real in Pakistan.” [image caption: Commitment to the Ratification of CRPD by the President] Ghulam Nabi Nizamani (Mr.) Chief Barista, APCD Empowerment One Step Forward: PNG Signing the Convention In early June 2011, Mr. Robert Aisi, the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Ambassador to the United Nations, signed the CRPD on behalf of the government. It was a great step for PNG since it clearly recognizes persons with disabilities. This outcome was shared at the United Nations meeting (World Report on Disability by World Health Organization and the World Bank) as well. As the chairperson of the Papua New Guinea Assembly of Disabled Persons (PNGADP), I would like to express my appreciation to the Government of PNG through the Department for Community Development Minister Madam Carol Kidu, Secretary Mr. Joseph Klapat and other officials in the Government, our colleagues from the National Board for Disabled Persons (NBDP) of PNG and the National Advisory Committee on Disability (NACD) of PNG. It was timely for us to launch the “Make the Right Real” Campaign together in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), APCD and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Port Moresby, on 28-29 March 2011. We are on the way towards the ratification of the CRPD. [image caption: Sharing our Progress with Colleagues in the Pacific] United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities. In Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP 53 Member States), the following number of countries has signed and/or ratified the Convention and its Optional Protocol as of 23 June 2011. Source: United nations Enable http://www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navi-12&pid=166 36 signatories to the Convention 11 signatories to the Optional Protocol 21 ratifications of the Convention 8 ratifiations of the Protocol ESCAP 53 Member States ## 2. ASEAN Autism Network News Understanding Autism Following the grand success of the World Autism Awareness Day celebrated by AEAN Autism network (AAN) members on 2 April 2011, the AAN community has been marching along with planned activities for awareness-raising in the ASEAN countries in order to achieve a much more inclusive circle. The Autism Society Philippines and the Association of Parents for Thai Persons with Autism contributed a poster in English, “Understanding Autism” to AAN for the production. The poster will be distributed to Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam as one of the tools to publicly raise awareness about Autism. The production and distribution is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2011. The winning AAN logo, which is in the newsletter and on the website, was designed by Mr. Sam P. Monareh, an Indonesian architect. The curved letters are without sharp edges to show “differences” that persons with Autism always convey. The two figures in front look similar, but are not identical as autistic individuals in the network. The logo has three colors: white in the middle expressing the purity of Autism; green indicating the idea of a growing network, and blue representing water and the community. For more information and updates, please continue to check our page at http://www.apcdfoundation.org/aanetwork ## 3. APCD Empowerment Cafe Inclusive for All Training of Trainers for Community-based Inclusive Development (CBID) The Training of Trainers (ToT) for Community-based Inclusive Development (CBID) was held at APCD, Bangkok, Thailand from 23 May to 3 June 2011 for 13 participants. They came from 8 countries; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, and Thailand. The training was specially designed to strengthen and promote an on-going application of new CBR guidelines in disability and development. The overall training objective was to strengthen an existing/planned CBR program in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific. It particularly focused on practitioners to 1) become effective trainers and facilitators in CBR activities and projects; 2) promote an inclusive development approach to CBR and 3) develop CBR and inclusive development strategies according to the situation and specific needs that each participant faced. The international resource persons: Dr. Maya Thomas, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani, Ms. Akio Akiyama, Ms. Wanda Munoz, Ms. Natagamon Roongtim as well as APCD staff shared their expertise gained from personal experience. The training components highlighted the new CBR guidelines launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) in October 2010, as well as the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In addition, two principles: self-advocacy (empowerment) of persons with disabilities and sustainability (management) were underlined. Various sessions in the Experiential Learning Cycle process were conducted to gain further knowledge and skills regarding CBID. APCD will continue to strive to be the most instrumental for training on CBID believing that experience is the most powerful catalyst for participants to become “Agents of Change”. [image caption: Participants reflected on their field trip experience at Bangkrang Self-Help Group] [image caption:Debriefing facilitation skill practice at the community health center] [image caption:Group Hug after a three hour facilitation practice with the villagers at Bangkrang District] ## 4. CBR Asia-Pacific Network The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) of the Philippines and CBR Asia-Pacific Network are making preparations for the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress from 29 November to 1 December, 2011 in Manila, the Philippines. With the main theme, “Building Communities for Everyone”, the Congress will be an excellent opportunity for all in the Asia-Pacific region to learn and share good practices and lessons learned regarding CBR. Potential collaboration at the grass-root, national, regional and global levels will be discussed as well. Please visit the Congress website: www.cbrcongress.com for more details. See you at the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress in Manila! Accelerating Preparations for the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress Executive Committee Meeting of CBR AP Network 30-31 May 2011, APCD, Bangkok, Thailand The meeting focused on key topics related to CBR in Asia and the Pacific, including preparation for the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress in Manila. Key roles of the Executive Committee members and the Secretariat of CBR AP Network were clarified based on intensive discussion. The topic of the CBR Global Network will also be discussed in conjunction with the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress in Manila. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for 27 November and the Regional Council meeting for 28 November. [image caption: Strengthening the Partnership between CBR AP Network and APCD] ## 5. Inclusive Business New Approach to Achieve an Inclusive Society for All Why Inclusive Business? Approximately 600 million persons with disabilities live in Asia and the Pacific. Inclusion of potential customers with disabilities, talented employees and entrepreneurs with disabilities are related to social and economic participation of persons with disabilities as well as the expansion of business opportunities. The business sector often considers disability as a target of charity, or a focus of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to raise the image of the business entity in society. “Inclusive Business” is to make a paradigm shift from charity to business opportunities and utilize tacit knowledge that persons with disabilities uniquely accumulate to raise the business value and implement as the key strategy to maximize business opportunities and resources. [image diagram: Perception of CSR. Business relationship with PWDs is charity based and PWDs are the receivers] Kick-off Meeting at the United Nations The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) and some key partners have been brainstorming a new concept, “Inclusive Business” to maximize the potential of persons with disabilities as business opportunities and assets. The first step was the Roundtable Talk at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in conjunction with the Senior Officials’ Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability, in August 2010. During the session, the concept “Inclusive Business” was intensively discussed in collaboration with different business stakeholders. As a result, the Inclusive Business Brochure was produced to capture the initial perception of Inclusive Business. Conjunction with Different Business Perspectives In this context, the “Brainstorming Meeting on Inclusive Business” was organized by APCD from 28 to 29 June 2011. Through the meeting, the “Inclusive Business” concept was thoroughly discussed, particularly from the rural point of view such as agriculture. The participants included customers with disabilities, employees with disabilities, and entrepreneurs with disabilities. Key points of successful inclusive business, challenges and progresses were highlighted. Basis of Inclusive Business [image diagram: Basis of Inclusive business. business and PWDs have equal relationship. PWDs= business resource, such as, customers, employees, entrepreneurs] Doing & Learning Together Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), Thailand To promote self-employment of persons with disabilities, the “Agriculture for Lunch” project was initiated by Mr. Supree Baosingsauy (Assistant Vice-President, Rural Lives’ Development Foundation, Charoen Pokphand Group, Thailand) and his colleagues. After participating in the business roundtable discussion at the ESCAP-APCD Meeting in August 2010, he gained further insight on how to include persons with disabilities in the business sector. During the Brainstorming Meeting on Inclusive Business at APCD on 28-29 June 2011, the progress of some rural initiatives was shared with other business stakeholders in a very dynamic way. The “Agriculture for Lunch” project provides lunch with eggs since they have protein. Students with disabilities learn how to raise chickens and sell eggs in the school cooperative shop. As of June 2011, some practices are demonstrated in Saijaithai Veteran Village for veterans with disabilities to learn about agriculture e.g. raising chickens and fish, and growing vegetables and rice. Agriculture for Lunch Roadmap Lunch for Schools Initiated by HRH. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Luch for Patrol Police Schools in Rural Areas to Supported by CP Group to Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities [image caption: Saijai Thai Veteran Village] [image caption: Homeless and Street Children Center in Saraburi Province] [image caption: A Deaf School in Nakhonpathom Province] [image caption: Punyanukul School for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Nakhon Sawan Province] [image caption: A Blind School in Chiang Mai Province] Inclusive Business in Rural Development Some unique businesses were presented at the Brainstorming Meeting on Inclusive Business, particularly from the rural point of view such as agriculture. The following practices have the original perspectives of persons with disabilities which included customers, employees, and entrepreneurs. 1. Rayong Disabled’s Agricultural Product Trade Association, Thailand Established in 2003, 50 families of persons with disabilities in Rayong province began clearing land and constructing animal shelters. Through farming, the families of persons with disabilities have expanded their animal husbandry to raise cows, turkeys, chickens, boars and fish. 2. Model Farm by Centre for Disability in Development, Myanmar Two years ago, the Model Farm was implemented by persons with disabilities who had practical knowledge concerning agriculture and animal husbandry. By providing opportunities to develop livelihood systems, the Model Farm has been practicing awareness-raising as well. 3. Rashid Farm, Malaysia The farm was started by a blind farmer with RM5000 as its business capital. By utilizing the business loan scheme from the government agency, the business now includes goats, cows, chickens as well as the sale of fresh milk and chicken eggs. At the same time, the farm provides consultant services for new entrepreneurs. 4. Kularb Farm, Thailand One female entrepreneur learned about agriculture with her family since she grew up on the farm. Her own business of a shrimp farm in Thailand has been successful. Nowadays, a pig farm and paddy field are also available in Supanburi Province. ## 6. It is about Ability! Dao Ruang Revolution It has been more than 2 years since “Dao Ruang (Marigold in Thai)”, the first ever self-advocacy group of persons with intellectual disabilities in Thailand was formed. “Dao Ruang” has gradually but firmly taken bold steps as a role model for other self-advocates with intellectual disabilities. APCD has been working closely with “Dao Ruang” along with the Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability of Thailand to define a clear and carefully constructed path towards an inclusive society for all. In collaboration with APCD and other supporters from the private sector such as the Greyhound Café in Bangkok, “Dao Ruang” has poured their energy into producing an organic dishwashing liquid, “Sai-Ning (Wash-up in Thai)”. In fact, it isn’t just a dishwashing liquid but an wareness-raising campaign! Unlike selling dishwashing liquid simply, “Sai-Ning” represents a very poetic metaphor of inclusiveness regarding persons with intellectual disabilities. Once “Sai-Ning” is purchased, households will experience true cleanliness! Don’t just wait for the world to go by; be a part of this small revolution. It is all about different abilities that deserve to be celebrated, recognized and revitalized. Enjoy and be friends with “Dao Ruang”! Please check their facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/DaoRuangIDselfadvocateGroup [image caption: Dao Ruang Group members, Khun Po, Khun Som (group leader) and Khun Diew were busy preparing the dish washing liquid for customers.] ## 7. APCD Acitivities Tentative APCD Activities 2011 July: 4-9 WHO-APCD Training for Strengthening CBR in Countries of the South-East Asia Region 11-15 CBR Research (Bangladesh, Indonesia) 19-20 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress Abstract Selection Meeting 17-29 IDPP 2 Week Residency Program 21-23 i-CREATe August 15-17 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress International/National Organizing Committee September 19-20 South Asian Disability Forum (SADF) Workshop 21-22 Regional Leadership Conference of Persons with Disabilities in south Asia New Organizations Associated with APCD We would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new partners as APCD family members! Nowzuwan www.nowzuwan.org Society for the Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education and Resources www.smarterbrunei.org United Voice www.unitedvoice.com.my National Rehabilitation Center Family Support Network for Children with Disabilities Shwe Minn Tha Foundation (Myanmar) SAAYA Association www.saayaassociation.com National Board for the Disabled Persons National Disability Resource & Advocacy Centre PARI Disabled Self Help (of PWDs) Port Moresby Sheltered Workshop Inc. Association of the Deaf of Chonburi Deaf Culture Club www.deafcchcmc.org Please do not hesitate to contact APCD if you plan to partner with us as an Associate Organization. ## 8. What is it! Web Accessibility Web accessibility means that users with disabilities can take advantage of the websites. It means that users with disabilities can perceive, understand, operate, and interact with the web contents. Web accessibility also benefits others, including the older generation with changing abilities due to aging, users without disabilities, and users with “temporary disabilities”. Websites are increasingly important resources in many aspects of life including education, employment, government, commerce, health care, recreation, and more. It is essential that websites be accessible in order to provide equal access and equal opportunity to persons with disabilities. An accessible website can also help persons with disabilities more actively participate in society. Silatul Rahim Bin Dahman (Mr.) Barista (Southeast Asia), APCD Empowerment Café