[page 1]

Grand Opening Ceremony for APCD Buildings

On 25 July 2005, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Buildings of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD). The ceremony was attended by more than 300 honored guests from Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations from Thailand and countries in the region along with regional and international disability-related organizations. In addition, a group of persons with disabilities from the African region also joined the ceremony.

This honored ceremony started with a speech by Mr. Wanlop Phloytabtim, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security expressing sincere appreciation for the presence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and a brief report on the background of the APCD project and buildings. He stated that, "to meet the Center's objectives, the Government of Japan studied and conducted research in different countries of the region to determine an appropriate location for the construction of the Center. Thailand was considered to be a suitable location." The Royal Thai Government would like to express gratitude to the Government of Japan for providing grant aid for both accessible APCD buildings and equipment along with technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The speech by H. E. Mr. Atsushi Tokinoya, Ambassador of Japan emphasized that "The Government of Japan along with the world community continues to promote full participation and equality of persons with disabilities in society. The Center is an agent of change to promote a barrier-free society, accessible information, non-discriminatory laws and regulations, and most of all, a positive attitude towards disability." In his speech, His Excellency stated, "I think this Center is truly a symbol of persons with disabilities to promote a human rights-based approach by persons with disabilities, with persons with disabilities, and for persons with disabilities. It is highly beneficial, not only for the Kingdom of Thailand but also for Asia and the Pacific region." Regarding the APCD buildings, His Excellency clearly stated that the APCD buildings were fully designed after consultation with persons with disabilities to be fully accessible and a model of a built environment for all citizens in the community, not only for persons with disabilities. 

On this auspicious occasion, H. E. Mr. Tanin Kraivixien, Chairperson of the Foundation of Asia- Pacific Development Center on Disability (FAPCD), reported progress made and expressed appreciation to donors of FAPCD. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn then presented a certificate of honour to all donors of the FAPCD.

HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn toured the buildings beginning with the Resource Room on the 1st Floor of the APCD Administration Building. HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn showed keen interest in the APCD Assistive Devices Technology Exhibition in the Computer Training Room on the 1st Floor of the APCD Training Building and APCD's progress of activities and buildings. At the end of the ceremony, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn greeted persons with disabilities.

APCD would like to express sincere gratitude to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for presiding over the Grand Opening Ceremony of APCD's Buildings and demonstrating commitment to the importance of activities for persons with disabilities.
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UNESCAP/APCD Seminar for South-to-South Cooperation for Decades of People with Disabilities: An Orientation to APCD

The UNESCAP/APCD Seminar for South-to-South Cooperation for Decades of People with Disabilities was an epoch-making seminar held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, from 28-29 July 2005.

It was the first inter-regional Seminar to have all South regions, Africa, Arab, Asia and the Pacific, South America and the Caribbean Countries participate to exchange information and empower each other.

The objectives of the Seminar were to:

establish and strengthen a collaborative relationship with APCD by enhancing understanding of APCD and the new Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012); and
gain insights to develop the new Decade by sharing experiences/achievements through the past Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002) among invited representatives from the Asia-Pacific region and from other regions.
The Seminar was opened by H.E. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. In his Opening Statement, he expressed pleasure in extending a warm welcome to the distinguished delegates attending the Seminar. He commended the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, UNESCAP, and the network of disabled persons for organizing the seminar.

He commented that the Seminar played a vital role in fulfilling the goals of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, which has been extended from 2003 to 2012, and that the Seminar was privileged to be joined by participants from the Asia-Pacific Region, as well as the Arab, Africa, and the Latin America and Caribbean Regions.

Mr. Shigeru Mochida, Deputy Executive Secretary and Officer-in-Charge, a.i., of the UNESCAP, delivered a statement by Dr. Kim Hak-Su, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary, UNESCAP. He was pleased to note that special attention had been paid in recent years to the issue of strengthening interregional cooperation by the APCD, the Royal Thai Government, the Government of Japan, self-help groups and civil society organizations.

Mr. Mikiharu Sato, Resident Representative, JICA Thailand Office, noted that representatives from the Asia- Pacific, South Africa, Arab, and the Latin American and Caribbean regions were invited to this Seminar to consolidate their understanding and support of APCD, to share their experiences in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (1993-2002), to enhance their understanding of the new Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012), and also to follow-up various activities in each country. He believed that the Seminar would be highly significant in making a great contribution to achieve the aforesaid goal and assist in making a better understanding and promotion of a barrier-free and right-based society for people in general.

Fifteen government delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Viet Nam, representatives of 11 South African countries, 22 Latin American and Caribbean countries, non-governmental organizations and other organizations involved with disability issues and resource persons from Jordan, Lebanon and Thailand attended the Seminar.

Mr. Kaname Okada, Chief of the Japan Programme of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) introduced the IDB Program to empower youth with disabilities from the Latin American and Caribbean Countries. He encouraged them to be more interested in disability issues and disability-related activities.

Mr. Monthian Buntan, APCD Resource Person/ President, Thailand Association of the Blind, shared his observations on the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities", including his observations on human rights for persons with disabilities, which has for the past two decades received more attention than ever, shifting the perception of "disability" from a charity-based to a social model.

Ms. Mona Abdeljawad, MENA Regional Coordinator, Landmine Survivors Network, Jordan, shared her views on "The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Experience from the Arab World" and commented that the human rights standard setting was not a complete process. The rights of persons with disabilities was an area in need of standard setting as it represented a large gap in the existing human rights framework. Mr. Nawaf Kabbara, President, Arab Organization of Disabled People shared his observations and experiences on the "Arab Decade for Persons with Disability, 2004-2013", recalling the belief, commitment and force behind the Arab countries in declaring the Decade.

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IDB Training to Empower Youths with Disabilities from Latin American and Caribbean Countries

APCD collaborated with the Japan Program of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which organized Training to Empower Youths with Disabilities from Latin American and Caribbean Countries from 27 July to 8 August 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand. The main objective was to establish a network among persons with disabilities in Latin American and Caribbean countries; to collaborate in working together to empower persons with disabilities in their region and also create an opportunity to share their experiences with persons with disabilities in Asia-Pacific, Arab and South African countries.

The training consisted of twenty-two participants from Brazil, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Peru, the Republic of Argentina and Venezuela.

The training curriculum was divided into four parts. The first part focused on Global Networking and the Asia-Pacific Region. Participants joined "The Seminar on South-to-South Cooperation for Decades of People with Disabilities" providing an opportunity to share information with other persons with disabilities from Asia-Pacific, Arab and South African countries.

Secondly, participants were taught the concepts of

Non-handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities
Community-based Rehabilitation
Advocacy Strategies and Skills
ICT for Persons with Disabilities and
Self-help Groups for Persons with Disabilities.
Thirdly, participants visited six organizations concerning empowerment of persons with disabilities to learn how persons with disabilities are involved in society.

Lastly, the participants took the knowledge, information and experiences gained from the training to make and present their country plan of action.

Participants' Interviews
Mr. Otto Pereda, Guatemala
"This training is very important for PWDs. It helps us seek new ways to struggle for our rights and improve situations to make a better world for all PWDs around the world. This training also has a balance of different disabilities. In my particular opinion, we do not have much opportunity to share with others and learn about cross-disabilities to break the barriers.

It is also important to keep networking with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to learn how these countries deal with disability-related issues. The best channels could be email and websites."

Mr. Jose Louis, Peru
"Thailand is a very beautiful country. I am very impressed to have had an opportunity to join this training with other disabled people from different countries. Before coming, I was expected to take the knowledge I will have gained here to implement in my country. I will do so. If possible, I would like to see collaboration between Latin America and the Asia-Pacific regions in order to enable PWDs to have more power to advocate and assert our rights. I also would like to keep in touch with everyone here by email."

Mr. Pablo Ceballos, Argentina
"I am very impressed with how staff take care of disabled people here. I have learnt a lot, such as accessibility, independent living and how we can help PWDs. I will take my knowledge and action plan to implement in my country. I am very glad to participate in this training to learn more. It is very useful. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.

On behalf of the Argentinean representatives, I would like to keep in contact and meet with the participants as much as I can so that we can share our experiences and information and also keep in touch by email."

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Regional Workshop on Accessible Web-based Information Networking

Internet is a powerful tool for communication, information sharing and networking. Through the support of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand, and JICA, APCD implemented the 3rd Regional Workshop on Accessible Web-based Information Networking from 5-19 July 2005 in Bangkok, Thailand. Twelve trainees from 8 countries, namely Fiji, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vanuatu representing governmental and non-governmental organizations actively participated in this course. Among them were 2 blind, 1 hearing impaired and 3 physically challenged persons.

The first objective of the course was for participants to be able to create, maintain and develop accessible and informative websites of their organizations and contribute to APCD's regional web-based information networking. The second was to train them to understand the concept of information accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs) based on universal design principles. 

In the first part, participants gave a presentation on their organizations and countries' situation regarding disability-related information support. Three Thai resource persons provided instruction in information management and networking. Ms. Kamolpun Punpuing, a researcher, introduced the concept of information management and presented her involvement in the Community-based Forest Networking Development. Mr. Sombat Boongamanong, the founder of the Mirror Art Group (http://www.mirrorartgroup.org) shared his experience on utilizing internet for information networking in his volunteer projects to help hill tribes in northern Thailand have a better life. One successful example of internet utilization was his networking of volunteers to support the tsunami victims. Mr. Monthian Buntan, President of the Thailand Association of the Blind (TAB) and blind himself, took the leading role for policy and legislation related to information accessibility for PWDs. Group discussion followed on the significance of face-to-face communication and web-based communication toward sustainable networking.

Ms. Wantanee Panthachat, Director of the Assistive Technology Center, National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, provided a lecture on assistive devices technologies for persons with disabilities. The APCD Information Support Team exposed the participants to accessible and inaccessible web designs. The participants found a simulation exercise of diverse types of disabilities when approaching the internet very inspiring. 

The latter part of the course emphasized on making an accessible website as one of a primary means of exchanging and disseminating information. Mr. Raksak Chairanchuensakul, APCD resource person, took the lead role to teach the concept of web accessibility with support from Mr. Masafumi Nakane, JICA expert and Assistant Professor at the Keio University. Participants learned some guidelines and requirements for creating an accessible website based on the W3C web standard. The awareness of web compatibility with accessibility devices such as the screen reader or screen magnifier was also introduced. The dramatic improvement of the participants in developing their accessible website was evident in their final presentation when they also demonstrated their action plan on establishing information networking and promoting web accessibility in their respective countries and organizations.

APCD believes that these participants will become agents of change to promote an information society for all. Although APCD is only one catalyst trying to bring together concerned persons to enhance their knowledge in this area, it requires everyone's commitment to make it a reality. APCD plans to follow up and monitor activities and provide necessary technical support in promoting accessible web-based information as well as maintain long-term networking with them. With an accessible World Wide Web and networking, the world will become one.

Interview Column
"I enjoyed my training a lot and I have learned so much in such a short time. The teaching methods were really impressive. The material provided can be really good for us to mark our future goals in a better manner. I also believe that there is always a chance to improve in everything except the Almighty Creator who created us.

I would like to say that the power of people can change the world and we belong to the world's biggest minority! For this purpose we have gotten together under one single platform because the formation has importance; in a suitable manner we can change the environment. An atom can be a part of the soil in the ground because of its different formation but at the same time it can also be a weapon of mass destruction in a different form. We must concentrate on information networking which is not possible without purifying the web medium for people with disabilities. Without web accessibility this era of information is useless for PWDs."

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Thai NGO Forum

APCD organized a seminar on Development of a Disability Network: the Status and Implementation of APCD from 4 - 6 September 2005 at Tawarawadi Hotel, Prachinburi, Thailand. Forty-two participants of disabled leaders from various organizations, government representatives and APCD staff met to review the work, objectives and implementation of APCD including an orientation and discussions to different types of public organizations suitable for the future of APCD. After discussion, it was suggested:

From 2005 - 2007, APCD should continue to promote its activities through the media and prepare to have more disabled people to take part in all its activities in the future. APCD should study and survey the needs of persons with disabilities and have its training courses match the needs.
After 2007, APCD should become a public organization for persons with disabilities in the Asia- Pacific region with greater involvement of disability-related member organizations in the region and the international community.

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Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) by Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities in Kandy, Sri Lanka

Dr. Padmani Mendis initiated the Community-based Rehabilitation (CRB) by Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Kandy District, Sri Lanka, where 1.3 million people reside with 27,000 persons with disabilities. The village temple collaborated with this CBR project in providing a meeting place and a pre-school with inclusive education initiated by Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities in the village. Twenty Self-help Groups initiated the CBR project in 20 villages in the District. Each SHG group with about 20 members with disabilities is supported by the local government and a Non-governmental Organization (NGO), named FRIDSRO, which is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Once a month the 20 Self-help Groups meet regularly along with representatives of the Local Government, NGO and the monks at the Buddhist Temple. They have been advocating for human rights.

Secondly, they initiated and supported inclusive education for 21 village children, including 7 disabled children. This CBR project is promoting accessible housing and village roads, as well as micro finances to promote income generation for members. They are also promoting cultural events as well as sports activities in the village by persons with disabilities.

A NGO collaborates with the Self-help Groups initiated by the CBR Project by providing training for trainers for PWDs. This CBR Project is a model for community development by APCD Director lectures on APCD the Self-help Groups at the village level.

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Training of Initiators for Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities towards Rights-based and Sustainable Community Development

APCD conducted Training of Initiators for Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities (SHG of PWD) towards Rights-based and Sustainable Community Development from 9-31 August 2005 for 22 trainees from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Viet Nam and Thailand and one observer from Bangladesh.

Mr.Balakrishana Venkatesh (Venky) was the key resource person among 6 resource persons who came from India, Japan and Thailand; Mr.Cheng Chandy, a participant of last year's training course was an assistant resource person.

The main objectives were to enhance the trainees' attitudes and be committed to SHG of PWD; to learn the concepts, roles, and functions of SHG of PWD as well as relevant issues, and to equip the trainees with essential skills to initiate and strengthen SHG of PWD.

Participants could learn many things in 3 weeks through a participatory approach. The curriculum module of the training was divided into the following:

Main concepts addressed included SHG of PWD, Independent Living, the Evolution of the Disability Movement in Asia and globally, Disability and Development, Poverty and Disability, doing a Community Study, Case Study, and Group Building. Field Work was also included in order to enhance the skills of working on a Case Study. This involved visiting a PWD and his/her family 2 times for the purpose of learning how to work with persons with a disability at the grass root level.
Skills to initiate and strengthen SHG included sessions on Participatory Project Management, Writing a Project Proposal, Income Generation, the Training Process, Facilitation and Presentation Skills with a practice period and Fund Raising. The first field visit was related to Participatory Project Management.
Action Plan Formulation and Presentation. Trainees made and presented their individual action plans as well as group action plans. Participants from the same organization in the same country made one group action plan.
The trainees' evaluation and discussion among Resource Persons and APCD staff show the following positive aspects:

The contents of the training focused on intensive knowledge, skills and attitudes for initiating and strengthening self-help groups of PWDs at the grass root level, and included the concept of an integrated disability movement in development work and ideas to empower SHG with cross disabilities rather than a single disability group.
Provision of training sessions for the trainees to develop essential skills and confidence to work with SHG in their communities.
Trainees could share their learning outcomes throughout the training. This was one way to help trainees follow the lessons and contents through discussion in their groups.
Limitations for running this course were language and communication. The training was conducted in English but half of the trainees needed interpreters to help them communicate in their native language.

We believe that all of the trainees will apply what they have learned here to their existing activities to be effective trainers of SHG.

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Regional Training Seminar on Capacity Building for Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (CBSHOD)

APCD in collaboration with the Ministry for Social Welfare and Special Education, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, JICA, the World Bank, Disabled Peoples' International (DPI), and Pakistani disability-related organizations Organizing Committee held the Regional Training Seminar on Capacity Building for Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (CBSHOD) at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan from 22-26 September 2005. It was attended by more than 70 participants and observers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. Resource persons included the following professionals:

Ms. Aiko Akiyama from the UNESCAP on the topic "BMF and its 7 Priority Areas".
Ms. Anuradha Mohit, Special Rapporteur, National Human Rights Commission of India, who shared her knowledge and experiences on Human Rights issues concerning persons with disabilities at the national and international levels. She also shared about 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. In addition, Ms. Anuradha organized a panel with women with disabilities as resource persons as a case study on the situation of women with disabilities.
Mr. Birendra Raj Sharma Pokharel, President, National Federation of the Disabled Nepal presented "Expected Functions/Roles of National Cross-Disability Self- Help Organizations" focusing on (1) barriers faced by PWDs, (2) the rights of PWDs (introducing "Social Models"), (3) how to provide priorities to PWDs by providing 3 main key strategies; awareness, advocacy, and capacitybuilding/ networking.
Ms. Cathy Ketepa, Coordinator, National Assembly of Disabled Persons from Papua New Guinea, lectured on "Learning Situation of Self-help Organizations in the Pacific Islands (Papua New Guinea)" sharing the disability movement and the situation of women with disabilities in Papua New Guinea.
Ms. Judith Heumann, Advisor, Disability and Development, the World Bank, who has had a long experience actively participating in disability development with the international community. She shared her experience with the disability and development project by the World Bank and on "Community-based Empowerment Initiatives: Relevance of IL and CBR".
Mr. Md. Abdus Sattar Dulal, Executive Director, Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity, shared knowledge on National Cross-Disability SHO Development and facilitated a group on the same issue. He also exchanged points of view on Good Practice on Advocacy with the participants.
Mr. Ronald Chandran-Dudley, Chairperson, Disabled People's Association from Singapore, shared his profession in the "History of Global Disability Movement and DPI" and "Accessible Information Management in Cross-Disability SHO".
Mr. Topong Kulkhanchit, Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific Regional Development Officer and APCD Resource Person, facilitated throughout the CBSHOD seminar to build awareness on CBSHOD related issues.
Mr. Muhammad Fazil Cheema, Director, Directorate General of Special Education, and Mr. Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President, Special Talent Exchange Program (STEPPakistan) and Convener of the CBSHOD Organizing Committee, both from Pakistan, presented the Pakistani disability situation by the public and private sectors focusing on "SHO Working in Collaboration with Federal and Local Governments, and NGOs".
H.E. Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Government, Ms. Zobaida Jalal, Minister of Social Welfare and Special Education, Pakistan, and Mrs. Ormporn Nithayasuthi, Director, Bureau of Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Thailand presided over the opening ceremony. H.E. Mr. Shaukat Aziz expressed gratitude to APCD for selecting Islamabad as the venue for the Seminar. He also conveyed congratulations to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, and the CBSHOD Secretariat for organizing the Seminar. He stated, "for the first time in the Pakistan's history, the Government has approved a comprehensive National Policy for Persons with Disabilities in the year 2002. This step was taken under the guidance and leadership of President General Pervaiz Musharra. The National Policy aims to provide services to persons with disabilities who constitute 2.49% of Pakistan's population according to the 1998 Census. The Policy stipulates provision of access to persons with disabilities to all such facilities, which may lead to their integration in society and ensure that they have equal access to education, employment, vocational training, medical treatment, and rehabilitation without any discrimination. Guided by the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973 and the precepts of Islam namely, "Adl and Ihsan" (Justice and Kindness), the Government of Pakistan has taken a number of steps for improving the lot of persons with disabilities."

A field visit was organized to the Al Makhtoom Center of Visual Handicapped Children, Islamabad. Participants were able to view and observe the facilities in the Center; Braille Room, Computer Lab, CCTV Room, and Classrooms.

The CBSHOD was a five-day knowledgeable and successful regional training seminar showing the impact made by this workshop. The draft of the Islamabad Declaration approved by all the participants was handed to Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro, Chairman, Senate of Pakistan at the closing ceremony.

APCD would like to express gratitude to all partnerships in organizing CBSHOD in Pakistan. This shows the unity working towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. APCD anticipates effective outcomes and future collaboration among all stakeholders on disability.

ISLAMABAD DECLARATION
We, the participants with Disabilities from 21 countries of Asia and the Pacific region including 40 participants from all over Pakistan, of the Regional Training Seminar on Capacity Building for Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (CBSHOD) convened from 22 to 26 September 2005 in Islamabad, Pakistan, hereby appreciate the initiative taken by the Ministry of Social Welfare & Special Education of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Asia- Pacific Development Center on Disabilities (APCD) with the cooperation of JICA, the Thai government and World Bank, strongly urge and encourage all governments of the Asia and Pacific region to;

Support the UN Convention on Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
Empower and develop National Cross-Disabilities Self-help Organizations to collaborate with their respective government for ensuring the implementation of a national & international policy frame work on disability;
Develop a mechanism with representatives from Self-help Organizations to advocate the government for inclusion of Persons with Disabilities at all levels of decision-making;
Ensure equal opportunities for Women with Disabilities through their participation in decision-making processes and the repeal of existing legislation that discriminates against them;
Ensure that accessibility, inclusive education, sign language, information technology and employment opportunities are promoted through the implementation of the existing legal framework or by the enactment of legislation in countries where this does not exist;
Enable the Self-help Organizations working in rural areas to promote improvement in the quality of life and ensuring equal opportunities for Persons with Disabilities;
We, the participants of CBSHOD encourage APCD to strengthen the regional collaboration of APCD activities endorsed by UN-ESCAP.
We finally appeal to all the governments of the Asia and Pacific region, Self-help Organizations and development partners including the World Bank and JICA to implement this Declaration by formulating an adequate Plan of Action.

Islamabad, Pakistan
September 26, 2005

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APCD Project Activities

APCD Activities in Brief (July-October 2005)
Moving towards the last quarter of 2005, APCD has implemented several activities in close collaboration with disability-related organizations in the Asia-Pacific region.

APCD was honored to have HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn preside over the Grand Opening Ceremony of the APCD Buildings on 25 July 2005.

APCD Networking and Collaboration program has been developing further collaboration with focal and associate organizations by sending missions to Mongolia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia. APCD co-organized two regional training courses regarding Networking and Collaboration; 1) UNESCAP/APCD Seminar on South-to- South Dialogue; Regional Decade Activities and 2) Regional Training Seminar on Capacity-Building of Self-Help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities. In this quarter, APCD attended several regional "Pacific Regional Workshop on Disability" held in Nadi, Fiji.

APCD Human Resources Development (HRD) Program conducted two major regional trainings and one sub-regional training. The two major regional trainings were: 1) Regional Workshop on Accessible Web-based Information Networking and 2) Training of Initiatives of Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities towards Rights-based and Sustainable Community Development. The HRD Program also followed-up with ex-trainees in Sri Lanka. APCD HRD in collaboration with the Japan Program, Inter-American Development Bank organized the Training to Empower Youth with Disabilities from Latin America and Caribbean Countries; this is a good starting point for disability resources in the Asia-Pacific region supporting other regions.

APCD is further developing and interacting with information networks in the region along with other activities.

APCD would like to thank all visitors to the Center showing interest in the activities supporting persons with disabilities in the region.

APCD activities in the next 6 months include:

October
Newsletter Volume 13
3-5: Follow-up Mission to Bangladesh
11 October - 3: NovemberRegional Workshop on Community-based Rehabilitation
November
19 November - 24 December: Information and Communication Technology for Visually Impaired Persons (ICT for VIP)
December
10-29: Mission to India
January
Newsletter Volume 14
4-7: Follow-up Mission to the Philippines
31 January - 17 February: Regional Training on ICT for All
February
20-24: Mission to Papua New Guinea
March
1-10: Workshop on Peer-Counseling
1-19: Regional Workshop on Independent Living

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APCD Missions

Mission to Mongolia
APCD identified the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour as the focal point organization in Mongolia during the mission from 12-15 July 2005. The team met 16 organizations of persons with disabilities in the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. There are 31 disabled people's organizations including 21 provincial organizations of persons with disabilities as well as 9 organizations in Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolian National Federation of Disabled People's Organization was established in 1997 by the initiative of 12 NGOs. The Government of Mongolia and the National Federation of Disabled People's Organizations translated the BMF and published it along with a Disabled Persons NGO Directory 2005. The mission team met Mr. Tserendash Ouynbaatar, General Director of the Lobby Center which is the focal point for the Disability Act. Thirty political party members are collaborating and reviewing the current Act on Disability. The Center is preparing to change the Disability Act into a Rights-Based Act.

Mongolia has a National Coordination Council on Disability consisting of the Ministry of Health, Education, Construction, Foreign Affairs, and Social Welfare and Labour along with 3 PWDs from the National Federation of Disabled People's Organizations.

The mission visited the Takhilt Rehabilitation Center, a hostel with a rehabilitation program run by a medical doctor who is also a PWD. This hostel provides 2-weeks training with approximately 500 PWDs trained annually. APCD also visited the National Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center for the Disabled active in the area of community-based rehabilitation.

Mission to Sri Lanka/the Maldives
APCD undertook a mission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives from 17 to 24 August 2005 in order to collaborate with the Government Focal Points, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social Welfare in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Higher Education, Empowerment and Social Security in the Maldives. 

The Ministry of Women Empowerment and Social Welfare, organized a one day meeting for the APCD team to meet with more than 20 disabled persons organizations. The Minister of Women Employment and Social Welfare, Hon. Madam Sumedha G. Jayasena who opened the meeting stated the policy of the Sri Lankan Government on protection and empowerment of persons with disabilities has resulted in many services including the CBR movement. Dr. Padmani Mendis, APCD Resource Person in CBR noted, the mainstreaming of PWD in society and the significance of the CBR program.

The mission visited non-governmental and disabled peoples organizations; Rehab Lanka Institute, Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped, Joint Front Association, FRIDSRO and the Sri Lanka Confederation of Organization of the Handicapped People.

At the Rehab Lanka Institute run by disabled persons they shared their knowledge on management of vocational training for the disabled, the production of different types of wheelchairs and their cooperation with companies to market their products. Mr. Cyril Siriwardance explained his movement, as a member of the Sri Lanka National Council on Disability, to help the tsunami affected disabled persons and his involvement in the planning stages of an "accessible new city" in those areas.

The team met with the DAISY Lanka Foundation of the Blind and other visually impaired organizations, which provides many activities on ICT visually impaired persons.

The Joint Front Association and FRIDSRO actively support organizations for PWD. Activities by these organizations include promotion of the CBR program, capacity and leadership development, information and data development, inclusion of PWDs in all development, public awareness raising, particularly in the media sector, accessibility, and legislation issues. The mission visited Kandy and the CBR movement in one community where the Buddhist monk played an active role.

The mission participated in meetings organized by the Sri Lanka Confederation of Organization of the Handicapped People. Some former participants of APCD's Non-Handicapping Environment shared how they utilized their knowledge gained.

In the Maldives, the mission made a courtesy call to the Minister of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security, H.E. Mr. Sharif Ahamed. The cooperative relationship with the governmental focal point organization was exchanged. The mission visited the Division on Social Security, an implementing unit on disability issues and was welcomed by Mrs. Dheena , Deputy Director and her staff who received CBR training in India. In the Maldives, this government organization solely plays its mandate on disability work.

The mission visited the Center for Persons with Special Needs, which is under the Ministry of Higher Education, Empowerment and Social Affairs. The major outcome of mission to Sri Lanka and the Maldives were: confirmation with focal point organizations of APCD in these two countries for future collaboration, learning about the activities of the different disability-related organizations, and updating of information and digital image of disability-related organizations.

Pacific Forum: Fiji
The APCD mission team undertook a mission to Fiji from 30 July to 5 August 2005 and participated in the "Pacific Regional Workshop on Disability", 1-4 August 2005 in Nadi, Fiji. It was organized by the Pacific Island Forum , in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCAP-Pacific Operations Centre, Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) and the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF).

Participants for the workshop included representatives from the Governments of Australia, the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Resource Persons were from Vision Pacific Charitable Trust: New Zealand, PDF, DPI Asia Pacific Region, and the Oceania Sub-regional Office, Fiji Disabled People's Association, Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons, ILO, Social Policy and Organization Development Consulting, Consultant- Rehabilitation International, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Senese Junior Preparatory School and the Fiji Ministry of Education.

It was officially recorded in the Report of the Workshop, under: 7u. "The importance of APCD in implementing the BMF was recognized. APCD indicated that it is considering establishing a regional mechanism in the Pacific to meet the growing demand for empowerment for people with disabilities and this was warmly welcomed", and under 8.iv, the Workshop recommended that "APCD is urged to increase the involvement of Pacific people in its empowering of people with disabilities". APCD identified five new focal points in the Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Nauru, Palau and Kiribati as well.

The mission team exchanged views with donor organizations during the Workshop such as the European Commission, UNESCAP-Pacific Operation Centre, ILO, as well as the international organizations such as RI, DPI and PDF, Vision Pacific Charitable Trust: New Zealand, and Inclusion International.

Mission to Indonesia
An APCD Mission was dispatched to Indonesia from 7-11 September 2005 to confirm the Department of Social Rehabilitation and Services, Ministry of Social Affairs as APCD's Government Focal Point Organization.

The "Accessibility Seminar" on 8 September was the first cooperative activity with the Department with former APCD training participants, Department officials and representatives of relevant organizations attending. This seminar served as a follow-up for 12 former Indonesian participants. They could share their outcomes with each other concerned and facilitated their networking and collaboration. Outstanding post-training activities were presented by representatives of 11 former participants; 7 participants from the Nonhandicapping Environment Training, 3 participants from the Web-based Networking Training, and 1 participant from Information and Communication Technology for Visually Impaired Persons. Recognizing that former participants have been active in facilitating "access" in both the built-environment and ICT, APCD appreciated a proposal for a national training workshop to be organized by the former participants.

In Jakarta, the Mission visited 16 NGOs which belong to the Indonesia Disabled People's Association and exchanged views on possible future cooperation. It was quite impressive to see that DPI-Indonesia has been promoting not only the national policy/legislation on disability but also community-based income generation for PWD.

The Mission visited several Indonesian NGOs and identified excellent activities to support PWD with a view to PWD's effective participation and empowerment, community involvement, and collaboration with civil society. One of these NGO is Mitra Netra Foundation in Jakarta, which has supported the education and employment of VIP since 1991 through effective resource mobilization and collaboration with the private sector. They have contributed greatly to the Foundation's activities. Another remarkable NGO is the Community-based Rehabilitation Development Training Center (CBR-DTC) in Solo City. CBR-DTC has been famous for their training of "facilitators" for CBR and other community development projects, and professionally caters to the needs of local and international NGO and provides tailor-made training courses.

APCD anticipates these Indonesian organizations will become Associate members of APCD.

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Regional News

July-September 2005
1) UNESCAP Workshop on Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) and Poverty Alleviation of Persons with Disabilities
Bangkok, Thailand
5 July 2005
This workshop is the second phase and follow-up to the Joint Statement on Poverty Alleviation among Persons with Disabilities adopted on 29 October 2004, at Langzhou, China. Participants of the Workshop represented governments, non-governmental organizations and organizations of people with disabilities. Many countries shared their experiences and situations on the efforts of each participating country to improve the levels of living and well-being of persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, and recognized that persistent poverty impacts on the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
(Source: www.worldenable.net/cbr2005)

2) 4th National Training Course on Community-Based Rehabilitation for Programme Coordinators
Bhopal, India
12-20 July 2005
Thirty-four participants from 10 states of India participated in this training program which emphasized attitudes, knowledge, and skills required for disability and development. The training program consisted of classroom sessions and field work to practice their skills and knowledge. Introduction to Participatory Approaches helped them to use different participatory approaches in the planning process of the CBR program. A new session, 'Access in Reality' was well taken.
(Source: Action Aid - India)

3) UNESCAP Workshop on Regional Follow-up to the Fifth Session and Preparation for the Sixth Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on an International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities
Bangkok, Thailand
26-27 July 2005
This two-day workshop was designed to provide advocacy skills targeting mainly civil society and government leaders and informing them of the latest in the global process of elaboration of the Convention and possible regional follow-up to the fifth session of the Ad Hoc Committee. Also the workshop provided a set of effective preparatory strategies for global discussion and negotiation at the sixth session of the Ad Hoc Committee.
(Source: www.worldenable.net/convention2005)

4) 6th Session 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
United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
1-12 August 2005
The 6th Session of the Committee was opened by its Chairman, H.E. Mr. Don MacKay, Ambassador of New Zealand. This session is the continuation of consideration of the proposed revisions and amendments to the draft text of the Working Group. The Committee conducted informal discussions on articles 15, 24bis, 15bis, and 16 through 25 of the draft convention, in accordance with this, side events from disability-related organizations in the international community were held. Regarding the Asia-Pacific region, the UNESCAP and Handicap International held a side event on the theme "International Cooperation" inviting disabilityrelated resource persons in the Asia-Pacific region to share their points of view in each country with the international community.

5) ILO and UNESCAP Sponsor Unlocking Potential: A Multinational Corporation Roundtable on Disability and Employment
Bangkok, Thailand
6 August 2005
The Roundtable is designed for regional human resource managers from 12 multinational corporations interested in the issues of disability and employment. It is also designed for government, NGO or other personnel and disability experts involved in the training and employment of people with disabilities. The Roundtable addressed hiring and retaining workers with disabilities in business and discussed what needs to be done in the region to facilitate the training, hiring, rehiring or retention of disabled and injured workers.
(Source: ILO Ability Asia)

6) Party Officials Hail Nation's Young IT Professionals
Hanoi, Viet Nam
14 August 2005
The future of the country's information technology sector is safe in the hands of the bright young generation who are committed to the community and society in general, said Politburo member and Party Central Committee Secretary Nguyen Khoa Diem at a ceremony honoring 15 "IT Knights", celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Ministry of Post and Telematics. He emphasized that "IT is a big tool for the young generation to help the Vietnamese people and the country develop rapidly" and encouraged the 15 IT Knights to help popularize IT in all society. Many had overcome difficulties such as disabilities to contribute to society. Nguyen Cong Hung, a disabled IT professional, was among those who received an IT knight award.
(Source: Disability Forum, Viet Nam)

7) Group Management Skills Training Course Thai Binh
Province, Viet Nam
16-18 August 2005
The Thai Binh Club of Disabled Youth held a three-day training course for 24 young persons with physical disabilities and visual impairments. This course funded by VVAF and HVO, is part of VVAF's project to provide the trainees with basic skills on establishing and developing selfhelp groups as well as strengthening friendship among existing groups.
(Source: Disability Forum, Viet Nam)

8) UNESCAP/CDPF Field Study cum Regional Workshop on Capacity Building of Grassroots Self-help Groups of Persons with Disabilities in Local Communities-Second Phase of and Follow-up to the Regional Workshop on Poverty Alleviation of Persons with Disabilities
Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
16-18 August 2005
This year's regional workshop aimed to build capacities and increase participation of disabled persons and grassroots self-help groups of persons with disabilities in decisionmaking and development at the community level. Participants consisted of policy-makers and planners of self-help groups, NGOs, local governments and other relevant organizations concerned with the empowerment of disability groups in local communities in Asian countries; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam.

9) 10th Mini Olympics
Karachi, Pakistan
27 August 2005
This was a recreational and awareness program for persons with cross-disabilities organized by the Physical Handicap Adults (APHA) at the National Coaching and Training Center, Syed Sibghatullah Shaheed Road Karachi. Various organizations and institutes joined the event. This program created not only awareness but provided recreation for people with disabilities, where they enjoyed and developed friendship with each other. Athletes with cross-disabilities interacted and understood each other and their limitations because of non-accessibility. In the future, more teams from the rural areas will be invited.
(Source: APHA, Karachi, Pakistan)

10) Pak navy to Establish a Special Children's School
Karachi, Pakistan
27 August 2005
The Pakistan Navy has taken a lead to establish a Special Children's School equipped with the latest education and technical facilities to the special student to assimilate in mainstream society, First Lady Begum Sehba Pervez Musharraf gave an address at the inauguration ceremony of the School saying, "the government's" vision is to spread education to all the children of our motherland, This not only encompasses the normal student but also the children with nature's lesser gifts imbibed with the spirit to educate every child of the nation. The Federal Government has substantially increased the education for this sector, and the provincial governments on their part, have oriented their focus in establishing schools for special children in their respective provinces. "The school cares for children with varying limitations such as mental retardation, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, hearing impairments or visual disabilities. The school is equipped with a computer laboratory, science laboratory, occupational therapy/ physiotherapy hall, sensory room, auditory room, activity rooms, speech therapy room, Braille room, attention room, hydrotherapy pool, auditorium and vocational room.
(Source: Disabled Peoples' International)

11) Thailand Lunched the Ministerial Regulations on Accessibility
Bangkok, Thailand
1 September 2005
The Ministry of Interior, Royal Thai Government announced the new Ministerial Regulations on Accessibility B.E. 2548 (2005) to be enforced on all public buildings and facilities related to an accessible enforced on all public building and facilities related to an accessible environment. Prior to this, the Royal Thai Government had announced the Ministerial Regulations on Accessibility but did not fully enforce it.

12) Supporting Children with Disability In and Out of School, Nepal
Pokhara, Nepal
2-4 September 2005
The National Disability Upliftment Program (NDUP)- Nepal organized a training program on "disabled persons and school peers" fro eighteen participants from 8 schools. The training was aimed at students in school who can help children with disabilities in and out of school, by giving them equal opportunities and respect for their ideas/potential. Students can help children with disabilities by being friendly, playing with them, and giving equal opportunities in all activities that the disabled children are capable of doing.
(Source: NDUP-Nepal Central Office)

13) 2nd National Arts and Crafts Exhibition of Children and Youth with Disabilities
Russian Cultural Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh
25-28 September 2005
The National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD) and Handicap International have jointly organized the Second National Ares and Crafts Exhibition with around 200 children and youth with disabilities participating in the exhibition from across the country, Many side events organized during the exhibition included "Accessibility" and the "Prevalence of Disability in Bangladesh"
(Source: NFOWD, Bangladesh)

14) Pakistan Government May Issue Driving Licenses to the Deaf
Islamabad, Pakistan
27 September 2005
Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Zobaida Jala said at the closing session of the CBSHOD regional training seminar that the government is seriously considering issuing driving licenses to special persons, mainly the deaf. She added that "There was no ban on issuing driving licenses to the deaf in other countries of the world, while such people have deprived of their right to drive here in Pakistan". She emphasized "she was making an all-out effort to provide this right to the special people in Pakistan"

Regional News: Upcoming Events
October - December 2005
1) 8th Duskin Leadership Training in Japan: A Program for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (2006)
September 2006
(For more information please visit www.dinf.ne.jp or contact Secretariat for Duskin Leadership Training, JSRPD at inquiry@dinf.ne.jp)
2) International Conference of the World Federation of the Deaf
Helsinki, Finland
30 September – 1 October 2005
(For more information please visit www.wfdhelsinki2005.org)
3) 2nd National Leadership Training Course for Disability Activists on Disability and Development
New Delhi/Bangalore, India
4-22 October 2005
(For more information please visit www.actionaidindia.org)
4) UNESCAP/Leonard Cheshire International Conference on Disability: A Global Perspective on Rights to Education and Livelihood
Bangkok, Thailand
17-18 October 2005
(For more information please visit www.unescap.org/esid/psis/meetings)
5) Regional Workshop on Comprehensive National Plan of Action on Disability–Towards the Mid-Point Review of the BMF
Bangkok, Thailand
19-21 October 2005
(For more information please visit www.worldenable.net/bmf2005)
6) WASLI: International Conference for Sign Language Interpreters
Worcester, South Africa
31 October–2 November 2005
(For more information please visit: http://v1.dpi.org/lang-en/events/details?page=210)
7) Disability Equality Training
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
19-25 November 2005
8) International Day of Disabled Persons
3 December 2005
(For more information please visit http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/disiddp.htm)

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Editorial Message

Dear Readers,
Greetings to all APCD Empowerment readers! Much has happened during the past three months concerning PWDs in the Asia-Pacific region in and outside of APCD. APCD would like to send sympathy to victims of the nature disaster that struck the United States of America and South Asia. During this quarter, APCD has been moving rapidly, working closely with disability-related organizations in the Asia-Pacific region as can be seen from collaboration with APCD activities, for example, the CBSHOD regional seminar held in Pakistan with various partnerships. APCD promises commitment and friendship with all our stakeholders towards the empowerment of PWDs in the region. Last but not least, after the Grand Opening of the APCD buildings, we would like to welcome you all to visit our Center!

APCD Empowerment Newsletter

Editorial Team