[page 1] Training to Strengthen Community-based Rehabilitation through a Participatory Comprehensive Approach Experience Sharing During the Field Visit APCD conducted the "Training to Strengthen Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) through a Participatory Comprehensive Approach" from 20 October - 9 November 2004 in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand. Three primary agreed upon concepts and principles, participatory approach, experience sharing and, practicability became the foundation for this training. This training course follows APCD's first workshop, "Workshop for Strengthening Community-based Rehabilitation Movement" held in Chiang Mai, from 3-12 June 2003. Sixteen participants came from 3 cities in 3 countries: Vientiane in Laos, Danang in Viet Nam and Khon Kaen in Thailand. Five observers came from Myanmar and Japan. The five resource persons who facilitated the learning process were Ms. Yukiko Nakanishi from Japan, Dr. Padmani Mendis from Sri Lanka, Mr. Aluganti Prasad from India, Mr. Noman Khan from Bangladesh and Mr. Verachai Verachantachart from Thailand. Activities during the Training In a friendly supportive atmosphere, groups of participants took turns giving 30 minute overviews of the previous day's learning each morning; at the end of each day's program, each country team met to review and share what they had learned that day. The participants' evaluation forms indicated that the workshop was helpful and they expressed confidence in applying their learning to develop and strengthen their CBR through a participatory comprehensive approach. The evaluation of the APCD HRD team and resource persons also showed satisfaction based on observation and the participants' interaction, evaluation forms as well as the individual and country plans of action. The APCD HRD team also plans to visit the participants in Vientiane, Danang and Khon Kaen this year to follow up, monitor and support them. One key point everyone came to believe was, CBR can be strengthened and succeed with good collaboration and networking by approaching and working through partnerships with different sectors at all levels. Diagram of networks, collaboration and working through partnerships approach The 4 main modules of the training included the following contents: Basic concepts and information about disability and development understanding of disability evolution of PWDs movement Biwako Millennium Framework participatory community development disability and development CBR (community-based rehabilitation) SHG (self help groups) IL (independent living) Experience/case studies; sharing of CBR implementation and related activities country reports CBR experiences in Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand inclusive education disability awareness raising working through networking and civil society In this module, we also conducted a field visit to learn about the CBR project and SHG activities in Mahasarakham and Roi-et Province (neighboring province of Khon Kaen). Skills needed to develop and strengthen CBR projects participatory project management participatory training process facilitating and presentation skills fund raising income generation The field visit was organized so the participants could see and learn from some organizations in Khon Kaen and Nakorn Ratchasima province. Action Plan The participants presented their individual and country-action plans by incorporating all they learned from this workshop to formulate an effective action plan. Highlighting Comments from Resource Persons Dr. Padmani Mendis Dr. Padmani Mendis One of the weaknesses of CBR programmes generally is the inadequate participation of people who have a disability in its management. By taking an active decision-making role in the planning and monitoring of CBR, people with disabilities can direct programme development most relevant to them and their needs. One of the major reasons for the lack of participation of people who have disability is, I believe, the fact they do not know CBR offers them the opportunity for empowerment. They do not know as yet how CBR offers them a vehicle for accessing their rights including alleviation from poverty and inclusion in mainstream development. The participation of more people with disabilities in this year's course was cause for some satisfaction. Ms. Yukiko Nakanishi Ms. Yukiko Nakanishi CBR has been viewed as an effective strategy for rehabilitation, equalization of opportunities, social integration, and ultimately empowerment of persons with disabilities. APCD, therefore, emphasized the participatory comprehensive approach. During the course, the trainees were divided into groups and given different duties every day. These methods worked effectively, and encouraged them to speak out freely. It seemed that trainees with disabilities were fully integrated in the course in an accessible environment. It was appreciated that APCD became more conscious of the inclusion of persons with disabilities representing self-help groups of disabled persons at the grass-roots level in the course than last year. The number of trainees with disabilities increased. Their difficulty to communicate in English was covered by the inclusion of an interpreter among the trainees from each country. Although they were not professional, their knowledge and experience in the disability field made themaccomplish the task to a satisfactory degree. Mr. Verachai Verachantachart Mr. Verachai Verachantachart After reviewing the evaluation of the CBR training in Khon Kaen last November, I concluded: Participants need more time for the practical skills such as writing their project proposals as well as fund-raising, analysis, etc. The resource persons did well in transferring their knowledge and skills regarding the process, techniques, and tools. Field visits were scheduled appropriately. The friendly accepting atmosphere was conductive to learning and sharing, helping to overcome the interpreting of different languages. Participants have other factors affecting the implementation of their CBR activities in their respective countries that will impact the level of success. APCD needs to design tools to also conscientiously follow-up the implementation of CBR at the grass-roots level in the target areas. Mr. Noman Khan Mr. Noman Khan In recent years, the philosophy of CBR practices in some countries have made remarkable changes and become customized based on the situation and practicability of the concerned countries, reflecting more effective and contributive services, addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in the region. APCD has undertaken a noble initiative to support this transition process to make CBR initiatives in the region more effective and efficient with the ultimate benefits reaching PWDs, especially in the developing countries. The training courses offered by APCD for disability program managers and practitioners from the countries of the region at Government and Non-government sectors has created a scope of wider sharing of CBR conceptual aspects along with good practice. The contents of the course covered chronological areas of learning relevant to the current requirements to popularize CBR and ensure its effective implementation. The involvement of resource persons with different expertise and contextual scenarios has allowed the participants to be exposed to a wider range of knowledge and experience. It has also benefited the resource persons as much as the participants of the course. The participatory approaches of learning in the course along with a variety of methodologies with strong discipline and ongoing follow-up were some of the significant strengths of the course. As the demand for the course is increasing in the region and as it has proven to boost CBR initiatives, it is now time for APCD to consider opening the course to a larger number of participants. A decentralized approach to the training could be considered. Partnerships with other training organizations in the regions could be an option. The same training course could be offered by these training organizations in partnership with APCD. This would enable more participants to participate, reduce the cost and a larger number of resource persons could be developed in the region. [page 2] Report on Information and Communication Technology for Visually Impaired Persons 23 November - 17 December 2004, Thailand Training of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 23 November - 17 December 2004 at the Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD). Nine participants came from 6 countries, namely Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand and Viet Nam, including 3 blind and 1 partially sighted persons. The main objective was to train computer training teachers for visually impaired persons (VIP) in order to plan and organize appropriate computer training for VIP, and to understand the concept of information accessibility for PWDs based on universal design principles. Mr. Wiraman, a Course Leader, with Participants APCD recognizes ICT has been a driving force for economic and social development globally. However, the benefits of ICT have been unequal between disabled and non-disabled persons in developing countries in the Asia- Pacific region, who face inaccessibility to information. APCD believes that ICT can be one solution to access information, if VIPs can utilize the technologies. VIPs lack opportunities to learn about the development of ICT. Society needs to ensure that all persons including VIPs can fully and equally access information. For this reason, APCD planned the ICT training for VIP. In the training, participants learned about a variety of assistive PC technologies such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, web accessibility, Braille production, the OCR program, DAISY, etc. Also, participants learned about the concepts, policies and legislation concerning information accessibility for PWDs, as well as good case studies, VIPs, and the designing and management of PC training for VIPs. All resource persons were either visually impaired or blind. Mr. Wiraman Niyomphol, lecturer at Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University, Thailand, who is blind, was the course leader. Mr. Jun Ishikawa, JICA Expert, (a professor at the University of Shizuoka, Japan), has developed assistive software for blind persons. He introduced "ALTAIR for Windows", free software for blind users using a text editor, Internet browser and mailer functions with a self-voicing system, which was developed by Mr. Ishikawa in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Participants presented their 2005 action plans for computer training for VIPs. Many participants plan to conduct a computer training course for VIPs in 2005 and onwards. Being familiar with the situation of blind persons in their respective countries, they were able to make realistic plans. APCD needs to follow up with the outcomes of the 2005 computer training courses. APCD needs to carefully assess the strengths and weaknesses in conducting computer training for VIPs in each country, and utilize this evaluation for future training courses. APCD plans countries in 2005. Participants' Corner Mr. A.H.M. Lutful Kabir, participant from Bangladesh, shared the main points learnt from the training as follows, "I have now realized that visually impaired persons can really operate computers and access information and communication technology by using assistive software. I have also learnt shortcut keys to use JAWS and other programs and how to teach visually impaired persons. Most importantly, this training has helped me gain trainer skills as my organization is expecting me to be a trainer in the future and change my attitude towards visually impaired persons as well." Mr. Hung Duong, participant from Viet Nam, mentioned that what he learnt from the training course was "The way to set up the environment and the method of teaching visually impaired persons including special software provided for them; the approach to training blind persons how to manipulate the computer at the site of sighted people since their methods are different." [page 3] The Regional Training Seminar on Capacity-building of Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities The Regional Training Seminar on Capacity-building of Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (CBSHOD) was held in Hanoi, Viet Nam from 13 to 17 December 2004. Approximately 60 participants from 21 countries and resource persons from 7 countries participated. The purpose of the Seminar was to provide participants with disabilities from Asia-Pacific developing countries an opportunity to build up self-help organization capacitybuilding for advocacy and management in order to promote equality and full participation of persons with disabilities. This Regional Seminar was an epoch-making project since the majority of participants were persons with disabilities from developing countries; in other words, the Seminar was clearly identified as South-to-South collaboration with empowered persons with disabilities empowering young leaders with disabilities from developing countries. Mr. Nghiem Xuan Tue, Mr. Topong Kulkanchit and Ms. Guljahon Mahmadkulova from Uzbekistan Secondly, the Seminar was organized by 5 sectors such as APCD (Royal Thai Government), MOLISA (Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs), Government of Viet Nam, DPI (Disabled Peoples' International, an NGO) and the JICA Viet Nam and Thailand Offices. DPI World President, Madame Venus Ilagan enriched the Seminar through her workshop on Collaboration with Diverse Organizations and Resource Mobilization, and Networking and Collaboration with Civil Society; Mr. Monthian Buntan, President of the Thailand Association of the Blind also enriched the Seminar with his lecture on the Convention of Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Mr. Setareki Macanawai, Director-General of Disability Action Council of the Fiji Government shared his experience on Information Management in a Cross-Disability Self-help Organization; Mr. Sattar Dulal, Executive Director of Bangladesh Prohtbandhi Kallayn Somity (BPKS), shared about SHO's Membership and Internal Fund- raising, Development of SHO and; Networking and Collaboration of SHO in Bangladesh. Mr. Shoji Nakanishi talked about the International Independent Living Movement; Mr. Muhammad Atif Sheikh, Director of the Students Talent Exchange Program (STEP) and Mr. Khalid Naeem, Directorate General of Special Education, Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare & Special Education, Government of Pakistan, jointly presented Advocacy for PWD's Rights. Pakistani participants learned that experience Vietnamese participants who actively participated in the Seminar were encouraged to promote and establish a National Cross-Disability Organization in near the future. H.E. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, Mr. Nghiem Xuan Tue, Director of the National Coordinating Council on Disability of Viet Nam, MOLISA coordinated the Organizing Committee along with representatives of persons with disabilities. The next CBSHOD is scheduled for Pakistan in 2005. [page 4] APCD Mission Report Mission to Samoa 15-19 November 2004 Community-based Rehabilitation: Lo to Taumafai Education Center for the Disabled The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) dispatched a mission to Samoa and identified the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (MESC) as the Government Focal Point for APCD. H.E. Minister expressed MESC's coordination role on disability issues in Samoa and willingness to collaborate with APCD in cooperation with other disability-concerned organizations. APCD made a courtesy call to the Prime Minister of Samoa, H.E. Tuila'epa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, to introduce APCD. Disability-related organizations visited were the Minister of Health, Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development, "Blind Youth Leaders" project of the Samoa Blind Society, "Community-based Rehabilitation" project of the Loto Taumafai Education Center for the Disabled (which is a Center mainly for persons with intellectual, physical and hearing disabilities), Samoa Intellectually Handicapped Society, Disability Action Taskforce, and "Cross-Disability National Self-help Organizations for Policy Advocacy" of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities. APCD also visited the project on "Empowering Rural Disabled People" organized by the United Nations Development Program. Mission to Indonesia 8-10 December 2004 A short mission was dispatched to Indonesia to develop networking and collaboration with more organizations of deaf persons by introducing APCD to the 16th World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Regional Secretariat Asia/Pacific (A/P) Representatives Meeting held in Jakarta from 9 - 11 December 2004. The Meeting was successfully organized by the Indonesian Association for the Welfare of the Deaf, representatives of national deaf associations and relevant groups from 16 countries including 12 developing countries. Participants recommended that APCD involve more deaf people in its activities; APCD also encouraged the WFD AP's to further cooperate and commit to developing APCD from deaf persons' points of view. Mr. Takeo Ogura, the WFD A/P Director deeply appreciated APCD representatives' presentation and participation. Through this opportunity, a collaborative tie between APCD and WFD A/P has been further strengthened. APCD with Representatives in the Meeting The Mission also conducted post-training interviews with former high profile Indonesian trainees in APCD's Non-handicapping Environment (NHE). According to their interviews, they have been actively promoting NHE in public places in Indonesia. Thanks to their advocacy and technical advice, the Kuta Town Development Project in Bali supported by the World Bank worked towards accessibility; one road and the airport have become accessible. The Mission felt that former participants should organize a domestic seminar on NHE so that their post-training actions and lessons learned could be shared in order to further promote NHE in Indonesia. The Mission also met with the Department of Social Affairs and Indonesia Disabled Peoples' Association (IDPA) in order to prepare for the Networking and Collaboration Mission to Indonesia planned for March 2005, which is to identify APCD's government focal points and study possible associate organizations. [page 5] APCD Project Activities (January - June 2005) APCD Activities in Brief (October-December 2004) APCD activities implemented from October-December 2004 started with the "Workshop for Strengthening the Community-based Rehabilitation Movement" from 20 October - 9 November 2004 with 16 participants from 3 countries, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, and Thailand. This was followed by "Training for Information and Communication for Visually Impaired Persons" from 23 November - 17 December 2004 with 9 participants from 6 countries, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The quarter ended with the "Regional Training Seminar on Capacity Building of Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities", which is the first regional training course APCD co-organized in Hanoi, Viet Nam. For Networking and Collaboration, APCD sent missions to Samoa to identify focal points and associate organizations at the Governmental and Non-governmental levels related to disability issues. In accordance to this, APCD representatives joined the 16th World Federation of the Deaf Regional Secretariat Asia/Pacific Representatives Meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 9-11 December 2004. The APCD Information Support team is continuing to update the country disability profile especially on nonhandicapping environment, community-based rehabilitation, independent living, and information and communication technology in each country. Along with this, the Information Support team developed a webpage on the to provide information on disability issues from the tsunami tidal wave disaster to related-organizations through the APCD website. APCD activities in the next 6 months include: January 24-18: Mission to Pakistan 10th Newsletter February 1-18: ICT for All: Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) for Persons with Print Disability March 1-4 & 14-18: Refresher Training Course in Peer-Counseling for People with Disabilities 1-18: Training of Managerial Personnel of Independent Living Centers for PWDs 12 - 20: Workshop on "Policy Making on Disability" Vanuatu April HRD Mission to Viet Nam 11th Newsletter May 24 May - 17 June: Educational Materials Production Training HRD Mission to Cambodia HRD Mission to Myanmar Mission to Kyrgystan June HRD Mission to Lao PDR HRD Mission to Bangladesh [page 6] International Day of Disabled Persons 2004 Afghanistan Nearly 500 persons with disabilities, who are rights advocates in Kabul joined a procession demanding more inclusion in Afghan society. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported a number of problems that Afghans face are to strive to reconstruct their buildings and rebuild their infrastructure. From this, a report called for a public information campaign to highlight the contributions persons with disabilities can make to their country, the needs to improve accessibility, social and health services, education, and incentive programs to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities. (The Star Online: http://thestar.com.my) Bangladesh A total of 88 organizations participated in a fair and at the Dhanmondi Ground to observe the day organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare in collaboration with the National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD). The Prime Minister opened the fair by releasing pigeons and balloons. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia stated that persons with disabilities can be transformed into human resources through proper training. She assured people that a taskforce would be formed in coordination with 14 Ministries and led by the Prime Minister to soon undertake a national plan for the welfare of disabled persons. The Prime Minister stated that proper guidance, education, training and management by the government have helped persons with disabilities win awards at various international events. China In China, where one-third of the 30 million people, who live below the poverty line have disabilities, the government used the occasion to announce changes to its 1990 disability law. The changes, which were not detailed in the news, reportedly would strengthen rights of persons with disabilities to education, employment, information access, and recreation. (source: www.inclusiondaily.com) Fiji The observance of the day was held at the Fiji Vocational Training Center. The event started with a welcome speech by Ms. Angeline Chand, President, Fiji Disabled Peoples Association followed by presentations on "Fiji Human Rights Commission, What is happening with the Disability Action Act?", "Fiji Disabled Peoples' Association Advocacy Team-Progress towards Implementing the Disability Action Plan", and by the "Fiji Association of the Deaf", "Spinal Injury Association of Fiji", "Psychiatric Survivor Association of Fiji", "United Blind Persons of Fiji", and the "Fiji National Council on Disabled Persons. The UBP Vision Band closed the event. India As part of the IDD, 90 physically challenged children performed in the "Ramayana on Wheels" role play from 1-7 December 2004. The play was organized by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and sponsored by the Indian Oil Corporation, Tata Steel, and SAIL. Along with this event, a photo and art exhibition by physically challenged people was held at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Also, there was a play on the goddess Durga at the Shri Ram Centre for Art and Culture. India's President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam announced that the government is working on a "Speech Applet" to provide a website interface for blind Internet users, which can be downloaded from the president's website. A major event was organized for the India Gate, with 10,000 people participating. NCPEDP negotiated with music bands and artists with disabilities to make this a truly memorable event. W.D.D's theme of inclusion expressed through the medium of Arts and Culture highlighted the creative, artistic and intellectual potential of disabled people. NCPEDP in association with Indian Oil Limited will present the first of its kind, National Arts Ability Festival organized by the Asia Pacific Therapeutic Theatre featuring students with disabilities beginning with a week long photo and art exhibition from December 1 at Ajanta Arts Gallery showing artworks by disabled children from around the country. Previous A.P.T.T. productions featuring disabled actors and dancers from India and abroad will also be featured in the photo exhibition. The main attraction of the festival, included two special performances by Indian epics, Ramayana-on-wheels and Devi-The Ultimate Power. The performances choreographed by renowned classical dancer and theatre veteran, Sayed Salahuddin Pasha, will feature disabled children from various special schools in Delhi. The President gave patronage to disability groups. Malaysia Malaysia had a unique celebration at the Kuala Lumpur's Berjaya Times Square where hundreds of supporters of Malaysian persons with disabilities and government representatives including Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development, came for a half day of events that concluded with lunch. Wheelchair and hearing impaired dancers enthralled the audience. Special awards were given out to outstanding persons with disabilities to recognize their personal achievements. For this occasion, members of the corporate section made an effort and took initiatives to make the buildings barrier-free for persons with disabilities. (The Star Online: http://thestar.com.my) Pakistan In Islamabad, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz renewed his government's "commitment and resolve" to "build the country as one of the most favorable and truly accessible, caring and integrated communities for the disabled". The Society for Disabled Women (SDW) is working to uplift women with disabilities in the rural and urban areas of Faisalabad and Toba districts. SDW organized IDD celebrations for the members and children. More than 60 members, women with disabilities gathered for a program at St. Joseph Hall Malkhan Wala Faisalabad. It was decorated with banners regarding persons with disabilities' human rights issues. The local non-governmental organizations and the community were invited to participate in the celebrations. The program started with prayers for the development of women with disabilities. School girls performed a cultural dance. Nepal Although Nepal has observed IDD for 13 years, the formalities of the Government and NGO sector were limited to Kathmandu until 3 years ago when most of the 75 district headquarters had a formal program and rally. Disability is still not a priority for most partners in development who do not participate in the celebration. The Minister of Women, Child, and Social Welfare was the chairperson of the celebration committee in Kathmandu and the District Administration officers were chair persons at the district level. DPI-Nepal was in the vice-chair position of the celebration committee, but did not participate in the program. Handicap International and Action Aid Nepal supported the program. There was no new announcement by the government much awaited by persons with disabilities. Participants in the rally in Kathmandu were: the Band of Nepal Police, school children, foreign volunteers, and most of the disability organizations from Kathmandu. This year there were three different rallies in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts. Previously, there was one single rally in Kathmandu valley including Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The formal program after the rally, organized by Disabled Relief Fund was addressed by the Minister of Women, Child, and Social Welfare-Mrs. Astha Laxmi Shakya. The Minister distributed free assistive devices and wheelchairs to persons with disabilities, which were provided by the Disabled Relief Fund, a government wing serving persons with disabilities. Prizes for the best student graduating from school and college, and the best disabled teachers of the year were also awarded. Thailand The government has pledged to promote the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities; Social Development and Human Security Minister, Sora-at Klinpratoom declared that equal access to public facilities, and participation in societal activities of persons with disabilities will be supported. Mr. Sora-at made the remarks in his speech marking the 2004 International Day of Disabled Persons that "the Thai Government has observed and paid attention to this over the past 10 years, showing that that Thai authorities continued to care persons with disabilities in the country." The Minister pledged that the government would also promote public awareness and recognition of equal opportunities in all areas and the human dignity of persons with disabilities. "The government will accelerate the registration of the remaining 600,000 persons with disabilities in the near future", Mr. Sora-at said. (Source: Thailand News Agency) Persons with disabilities in Thailand and the general public were all welcomed at the Disabled Persons' Day Fair held on 13 November 2004. The National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King organized the 40th Disabled Persons' Day Fair at Suan Amporn, Bangkok to mark the auspicious occasion of the 72nd Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen and to provide a good opportunity for persons with disabilities from across the country and the general public to meet one another. The Cook Islands The Cook Islands Program started with a week of TV interviews on the Cook Islands TV from 29 November - 3 December 2004. The subjects talked were about building accessibility, Council achievements, progress achieved in schools, the Segregation Act, educational policy achievements, transportation, development programs and acknowledging donors for funding, other kinds of assistance and the National Achievement for National Policy, special assistance and the government program on policy. Vanuatu The head of the Pacific Operations Centre for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Nikenike Vurobaravu, joined the President of Vanuatu and other dignitaries at the Disability Centre in Port Villa, in congratulating people with disability, their families, and supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for raising awareness and promoting the rights of people with disabilities. Mr. Vurobaravu presented congratulations to the government for its disability policy, particularly education. He clearly stated that "The new national policy together with other initiatives to mainstream disability issues in areas like education will ensure that people with disabilities are considered equally and given equal opportunity." In Santo, the day started at 5.00 pm. at Unity Park. Nelly Caleb, Head of the Women with Disabilities Committee led the candle-lit celebration at the Park. (Reference: Port Villa Press; www.news.vu) Viet Nam Beauty in Diversity 2004 : This was a joint celebration in honor of World AIDS Day (1 December), International Day of Disability (3 December), and the International Volunteer Day (5 December). The day is dedicated to recognizing the diverse range of individuals living with or affected by disability, HIV/AIDS, together with the wide-range of individuals that volunteer their time and energy to contribute to their community's needs. The celebration took place at the Reunification Park. The event began with opening remarks from Jordan Ryan, the UNDP Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, followed by fun, educational and entertaining activities as well as information booths, additional games and delicious refreshments. It was an opportunity for the public to approach various groups, and for nongovernmental organizations to network and collaborate with like-minded community members. Child Vision Child Vision, Association for Parents with Disabled Children (APDC) and Disability Club Members celebrated the International Day of Disabled Persons on 30 November 2004. They acknowledged the rights of children and that all children deserve to be treated equally regardless of sex, race, and ability. Disabled Peoples' International Ms. Venus M. Illagan, Chairperson of the Disabled Peoples' International stated that "December 3 must serve as a reminder that we are all humans with equal rights that must be recognized and respected regardless of our disabilities. Let us engage our governments and encourage them to support the ongoing work for an international disability convention at the United Nations, which we hope will serve as an instrument to make a dent in the lives of 600 million people with disabilities around the world." UNESCAP The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific celebrated the day with speeches, an exhibition, a forum by members of the community and documentary screenings at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the day, "Nothing About Us Without Us: Ensuring Access to Information and Communication Technologies" was anchored in the principle of participation by and for persons with disabilities. The program began with the delivery of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's message by the Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Ms. Keiko Okaido followed by an exhibition and panel discussion involving regional representatives, including Thailand's blind and hearing impaired communities, and the screening of four UN documentaries. The Exhibition represented members of the Thailand Association of the Blind, Disabled People's International Asia-Pacific, the National Association of Deaf-Thailand, the SAORI Creative Center, International Labor Organization (ILO), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, and the UNESCAP. United Nations The 2004 IDD focused on the active involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning of strategies and policies that affect their lives. The motto "Nothing About Us Without Us" relies on this principle of participation, and has been used by Disabled Peoples' Organizations as part of the global movement to achieve full participation and equalization of opportunities for, by and with persons with disabilities. The active involvement of persons with disabilities in the ongoing elaboration of a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities has proved to be an excellent example of how the principle of full participation can be put into practice and how it can contribute to the development of truly inclusive societies, in which all voices are heard and persons with disabilities can help shape a better world for all. Observance of the Day offered an opportunity to foster changes in attitudes towards persons with disabilities and eliminate barriers to their full participation in all aspects of life. [page 7] Regional News (October- December 2004) Ramps in Mumbai High Court Mumbai, India Disabled Rights Group (DRG), Mumbai has been instrumental in the inauguration of a newly installed ramp at the Bombay High Court, a consequence of the Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed to enforce implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995. Thanks to the Able Disabled All People Together (ADAPT), an organization working for persons with disabilities that filed a petition at the High Court, the newly installed ramp makes the High Court accessible. A few months ago the Court ordered the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) to make 3% of its new buses disabled-friendly and to operate them on major routes. Global Hopes for Stephen Hawking Software Delhi, India Dr. Mehta, a leading Indian software engineer says he hopes the global scientific community can benefit from the work he is doing for the paralyzed physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking, who became an international celebrity with his book, "A Brief History of Time". The software he is developing to help Professor Hawking who is suffering from a degenerative motor neuron disease; he uses a wheelchair and special kind of custom-made software developed in order to help him communicate. This specially designed software tries to anticipate what the user wishes to type or do next. Communication through the use of this software is made possible by pressing a single computer button attached to Professor Hawking's wheelchair, allowing him to interact, move around, write, and speak. This project will become the basis of a platform to develop software for people with all kinds of disabilities in the new future. (BBC News) Recommendations on Accessibility and Non-handicapping Environment, Mass Transportation, Public Transportation, and Public Services for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, Proposed to the 6th Asia-Pacific City Summit Bangkok, Thailand, 30 November-2 December 2004 The main points of the recommendations handed to the 6th Asia-Pacific Summit, provided an important opportunity for the Governors and Mayors to meet, discuss, share experiences, and strengthen networks in city problem solving, by the Mass Transit for the Disabled (a network of persons with cross disabilities advocating for accessibility and a non-handicapping environment for persons with disabilities and the elderly). They included: all cities in the region should make, implement and monitor a policy on Accessibility and a Barrier-free Environment, Mass Transportation and all means of public services full participation of persons with disabilities in the specific committees implement the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action Toward an Inclusive, Barrier-free, and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in the region include the mentioned issues in the next Asia-Pacific City Summit in China, 2006 Xi'an Builds Disability Friendly Facilities Beijing, China, 19 October 2004 A major overhaul of facilities for persons with disabilities in Xi'an, home to the famed Ter will include signs in Braille at major tourist sites since approximately 350,000 persons with disabilities planned to invest a large budget to improve its facilities. On October 11, 2004 the Xi'an Municipal Disabled Association invited 30 people to reassess the accessible facilities in public buildings and the streets and also see what provision is being done in the reconstruction. Xi'an has approximately 348,000 persons with disabilities (4.7% of the city's total population) with 80,000 persons with visual impairments. In 2002, the State Council appointed Xi'an one of 12 cities nationwide to provide more friendly facilities. In August 2002, the local government issued a regulation concerning the construction management of this type of facility with a budget of 6 million yuan (US$720,000) given to the project. The regulation requires every newly built, rebuilt or expanded public and residential street, park, railway station, long-distance bus station and major tourist area must be accessible. (Reference: www.chinaview.cn) National Association of the Blind The Nepali Government has adopted the 5% job reservation for people with disabilities in the civil service. This is indeed a great achievement by people with disabilities as well as the international partners. The National Association of the Blind (NAB) has made a great effort to incorporate the issue in a drafted policy. In this regard, representatives from NAB met with the Prime Minister with a memorandum. Prior to this, NAB organized an interaction program among major political leaders with 5 political leaders present, who expressed their commitment to support the issue. Ha Noi Deaf Club Hanoi, Viet Nam, 29 October 2004 The Hanoi Deaf Club celebrated their 4th Anniversary on the 29th October 2004. They organized activities and programs teaching policies and sign language as well as independent living. (Source: Disability Forum) Creating Inclusive Opportunities for Children with Disabilities Viet Nam, 18 October 2004 A conference on implementing school tasks for year 2004-2005 was organized. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education and Training said "children with disability need to be taught equally as other children with classes designed to suit their disability. These classes can be fully integrated, semi-integrated, or special classes". However, schools should provide good conditions for those children to mainly study formal inclusive education. Each class should have fewer than 2 disabled students with the total number of students less than 30. Schools need to carry out classifying tasks, capacity assessment of children with disability after being received by the school. They also need to arrange teaching plans, distribute learning programs, and identify an effective teaching method suitable to each category of students. (Source: Disability Forum) World Bank Knowledge Center Gives Access to People with Disabilities Manila, the Philippines, 25 November 2004 A new and unique knowledge center that gives access to development information is now open to people with disabilities. Recently retrofitted and equipped with modern adaptive equipment and facilities, the Knowledge for Development Center (KDC), which has been operating since 2002, is now more accessible for visually impaired and other persons with disabilities. All accessibility equipment and facilities were chosen with the help of ATRIEV (Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired). 14th International Annual Nature Study cum Adventure Camp for the Physically and Mentally Challenged Children and Youth 2004 West Bengal, India, 18-23 December 2004 The Himalayan Nature & Adventure Foundation engaged in promoting adventure, nature conservation, and awareness related activities in this part of India for more than 20 years, hosted a camp for physically and mentally challenged children and youth from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The main objective was to bring these challenged children and youth close to nature and thereby help them to rediscover their hidden talents and capabilities and promote self-confidence at the end of the course. Much effort was devoted to help them overcome their disabilities and enjoy the beauty and resources of nature. The camp was held in the Darjeeling hill areas in North Bengal with more than 80 challenged youth and children. Dictionary for Deaf People Gets Fund Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam The electronic company Samsung Vina announced that a project to build a symbol dictionary for the hearing impaired will receive financial support under the DigitAll Hope 2004 program. The Project will develop video courses for sign language, with a complementing dictionary on the CD-ROM and the Internet for acquiring definitions. It should benefit around 200,000 young people, 60% of Viet Nam's total deaf population. Brainchild of Ho Chi Minh City Teachers' Training University, the project will receive US$40,000 of the $650,000 that DigitAll will distribute among 13 projects. The other 12 receiving funding are from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. DigitAll Hope is Korea's Samsung Electronics' largest social program in the Asia-Pacific region, with the goal is to narrow the digital technological gap among young people, especially persons with disabilities. Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman, and Representatives from Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled Around the World Initiate Planning to Establish Universal Information Accessibility through a Global Digital Library 10 November 2004 A summit of international leaders from agencies serving the reading needs of people with print disabilities was convened at the Microsoft's corporate headquarters, in Redmond, Washington, USA, from 8-10 November 2004. The summit called, "Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled: Moving Towards a Digital Future," included representatives from more than 20 nations, agencies working in developing countries, the international publishing community, the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative and international bodies including the United Nations and the World Health Organizations. Bill Gates shared his vision of empowerment of individuals with disabilities that limit or preclude their access to the printed page. He reaffirmed Microsoft's commitment to do whatever it can to help libraries leverage new technology to convert their collections from analog to digital formats, to improve and accelerate distribution and to provide better service to people with visual impairments or have print disabilities. Forum participants made a joint commitment to work together to develop and implement a global accessible library. The library is intended to provide timely access to information, and will result in a worldwide collection of accessible reading materials. (source: www.daisy.org) What's Next: Street Smarts: A Device to Help the Blind Find Crosswalks By Ian Austen Researchers in Japan have developed a software system for detecting crosswalks that may help the blind when crossing streets. The system, developed by Tadayoshi Shioyama and Mohammad Shorif Uddin at the Kyoto Institute of Technology, takes images of the street with a camera and develops software that determines if there is a painted crosswalk in the image. DAISY International Train the Trainers Course 13-19 November 2004, Bangkok, Thailand This course was organized by DAISY for All project (DFA) with the support from the Thai Blind Peoples' Foundation. Ten trainees from 2 disability-related organizations participated in this in depth training, which is to prepare participants to train others within the DFA Project scope to produce DAISY 2.02 digital talking books and DAISY 3.0 source files. In addition, individuals completing the course will provide support for other DAISY production organizations within their region. The focus of the course is to teach the participants how to teach others to use the tools rather than simply learn how to use the tools themselves. World Bank's Disability & Inclusive Development Conference Sharing, Learning, and Building Alliances 30 November - 1 December 2004 This conference was organized by the Bank's Disability Adviser, Judy Heumann to follow-up on the Bank's first international disability conference held in December 2002. It will take note the work done in the disability and development community over the past two years. The first objective was to demonstrate progress made by the World Bank, UN agencies, international financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, and other partners in responding effectively to disability and development issues, as well as identify the next steps in this process. The next objective was to present the results of past activities, and assess the potential of current disability work undertaken by the Bank at the sectoral, and regional levels, as well as by the hubs. The last objective was to publicize the Global Partnership for Disability & Development Initiative and the Multi-donor Trust Fund. Approximately 700 participants attended the two-day conference. Disability to Take Centre-stage 2 December 2004, New Delhi, India Concerned Action Now (CAN) and Times Foundation organized the annual Yellow and Blue Ribbon Campaign with Director Shalini Dewan, United Nations(UN) Information Center Director, chief guest and Ms. Uma Tuli founder and managing secretary of the Amar Jyoti Charitable Foundation, the chairperson of the Campaign. Ms. Tuli spoke about the concerns and achievements of the government and civil society in the field of disability in India. She underscored the progress made in accessibility, inclusive education, and the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in India. Director Dewan spoke about the role of the UN in creating an enabling environment and in working towards the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. In his vote of thanks, Bacquer said that though some positive changes have been made, much more needed to be done for persons with disabilities to realize their full potential in society. World Blind Union: 6th General Assembly 6-10 December 2004, Cape Town, South Africa The General Assembly started with the World Blind Union (WBU) Women's Forum from 29-30 November 2004, to give guidance to blind women at the international level and to find ways to make progress as a movement. The Forum discussed topics such as violence against blind and partially sighted women, leadership and self-advocacy. Reports were received from women from the regions with 12 new resolutions passed. The General Assembly was opened by President Thabo Mbeki with more than 800 delegates and observers from over 160 member countries present. The Assembly discussed the WBU's progress over the past four years and adopted a new constitution with Dr. William Rowland elected as the new WBU president. An exhibition was held to present the latest assistive technology, which included adaptive equipment, assistive solutions, and learning aids. South Africa National Council for the Blind's exhibition, entitled "Blind and Beethoven" combined Beethoven's most beautiful music with Hannan Paton's photographs visually expressing personal emotions that the music evokes in people with visual impairments. Braille accompany each piece. (For more detail please visit: www.wbucapetown2004.org.za) DPA Establishes the Caregivers Support Group Vanuatu The Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association established a Caregivers Support Group which is based in Luganville, the second largest town in Vanuatu. The purpose of the Caregivers Support Group is to provide support to caregivers and children especially in the rural areas. Recognizing that there are many children who are deaf and cannot communicate with their parents, DPA will embark on developing a Sign Language Training Project to be undertaken by the Group. Delhi to Become Barrier-free by 2008 New Delhi, India Delhi will be a disabled-friendly and barrier-free city by the year 2008, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Chairperson Sonia Gandhi announced while releasing a document 'Accessible Delhi - a road map 2003-2008' on the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on August 20, 2003. The document, conceptualized in collaboration with the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People and the Council of Architecture, contains the blueprint for enabling access to all public places and facilities in the city to disabled people. The blueprint clearly defines accessible entries and exits and reserved parking lots at railway stations. As per the plan, facilities like appointed place for disabled-friendly coaches, public telephones, availability of elevators and horizontal transport to cross over from one platform to another, and audio-visual signages will be created. Speaking on the occasion, Sheila Dikshit said: "Delhi being the capital of India should be a role model for other cities to create a barrier-free universal design. It gives us very special honour and the responsibility to make Delhi disabled-friendly. DNIS News Network: http://www.dnis.org United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)/Asia-Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) Workshop on Regional Follow-up to the Third and Fourth Sessions of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities Bangkok, Thailand, 11-12 October 2004 The Workshop developed the Joint Statement on Proposed Structure, Elements, and Principles of a Comprehensive and Integral Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Joint Statement clearly stated that all participants will reaffirm the critical roles of partnership in realization of the goal of full participation and equality in a society that is inclusive of people with disabilities, review the process of elaborating and negotiating the draft convention by the Ad-hoc Committee, and encourage the continued active participation and inclusion of persons with disabilities and their representatives in the on-going work leading to the adoption of the Convention. And in anticipation of the early adoption and ratification of the Convention, further encourage each government to direct a national action for timely and efficient implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The group considered themes on "Ratification/State Obligations/Application of the Convention", "Monitoring mechanism at international, regional, and national levels", "Capacity building of self-help groups and international cooperation", "Development of national legislatives and a comprehensive policy". (For more details please visit: http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/decadenew/newdecade.asp) Regional Workshop on Monitoring the Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific Bangkok, Thailand, 13-15 October 2004 The workshop developed a set of "Proposed Core Indicators for Monitoring the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF)". The main point in the joint statement is to review the progress in implementing the BMF at the inception of the renewed Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012). Also realizing that the review of the progress in implementing the BMF will take place at the mid-point of the Decade in 2007. (For more details please visit http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/decadenew/newdecade.asp) UN ESCAP/China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) Field Study cum Regional Workshop on Poverty Alleviation among Persons with Disabilities Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, 25-29 October 2004 Mr. Luo Xiaohu, Vice-Governor of the Gansu Province, delivered a welcome message on behalf of the Gansu Provincial Government. He added that the commencement of this workshop in Lanzhou represented the concern and support by UNESCAP for the work on disability in Gansu and China. He concluded his speech by promising that he will take this opportunity to listen to the comments from UNESCAP officials and other regional experts, learn experiences from other countries, sum up the poverty alleviation work for the PWDs, and study a possible new modality in the period ahead. The development of the "Joint Statement" as a set of regional strategies to promote the twin-track approach and integrate disability concerns into pro-poor development initiatives at the national and regional levels was the final outcome of the workshop. (For more details please visit http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/decadenew/newdecade.asp) Regional News: Upcoming Events October - December 2004 International Conference United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) Ahmedabad, India, 18-20 January 2005 The Conference will help focus much needed attention on the integral role of Education and Communication in the success of any strategy towards attaining a sustainable future. (Source http://www.ceeindia.org/esf) 1st Regional West Asia International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) Conference Delhi, India, 23-25 January 2005 The theme "Inclusion Right Approach" will cover the topics, Advancement in the Field of Education of the Visually Impaired, Technology-Liberation of Persons with Visual Impairments, Sustainable Services, Developments in Community-Based Rehabilitation, and Changing Trends in Education and Rehabilitation. Mitra Netra Foundation Training of Trainers Ragunan, Gakarta, Indonesia, 14-20 February 2005 The objective is to empower trainers in teaching Microsoft Excel and the Mitra Netra Electronic dictionary (MELDICT) to visually impaired persons. http://www.mitranetra.or.id ICEVI East Asia Regional Conference: The East Asia Regional Conference: "Education for All: So New Yet So Far" Pattaya, Thailand, 20-23 February 2005 The objective is to deliberate on how to make Education for All Children with Visual Impairments a reality in the Asia region by 2015. Pacific Rim 2005 Waikiki, Hawaii, USA, 28 February - 1 March 2005 Pac Rim 2005 conference has a special focus on topics of importance and current trends that reflect changing perspectives on disabilities from building communities to valuing diversity and support for all persons. (Source: www.pacrim.hawaii.edu) National Capacity Building Institute (CBI) Enhancing Transition to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Youth with Disabilities through Culturally Relevant Supports, Services, and Education Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 2-3 March 2005 The CBI will critically explore the successful preparation for and transition to postsecondary education and employment for youth with disabilities in the context of cultural and linguistic diversity. International Conference on Accessible Tourism Nairobi, Kenya, 29-31 March 2005 Topics will be: Accessible Tourism, Accessible Environment, Accessible Accommodation, Universal Design, and Accessibility as a human right. (For more information contact: bodo@avu.org or the Disability Forum) Melbourne 2005 20th Deaflympic Games Melbourne, Australia, 5-16 January 2005 (Source: http://2005deaflympics.com) [page 8] Editorial Message Happy New Year 2005! APCD would like to express their condolences to all Asian countries affected by the Tsunami Tidal Wave Disaster as well as persons with disabilities affected. APCD Information Support would like to offer to serve as an information resource to all persons with disabilities affected by the Tsunami Tidal Wave Disaster especially through our homepage www.apcdproject.org. APCD will always act as a mirror for disability-related information regardless of the situation to empower persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. APCD Empowerment Newsletter Editorial Team