[page 1] APCD Mission Report Mission to Pakistan Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) sent a mission to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, Pakistan from 17-23 April 2004. In Karachi, the mission had a network meeting with 8 organizations for persons with disabilities to exchange disability-related information and each organizations' activities with APCD. H.E. Mrs.Nilofer Bakhtiar, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education In Islamabad, it was an honour for the mission to meet with H.E. Mrs. Nilofer Bakhtiar, adviser to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare, and Special Education as the focal point organization. The mission also visited the National Institute of Special Education, National Special Education Center for Visually Handicapped Children, National Institute of Hearing Handicapped, Pakistan Foundation for Fighting Blindness, Al-Maktoom Special Education Center for Visually Impaired Children, Darkshan School for the Blind Girls (Rawalpindi), Hostel for Hearing Impaired Children, and the Sir Syed Deaf Association.In addition, the mission joined the National Seminar on Disability in Islamabad organized by Disabled Peoples' International (DPI) - Pakistan from 21 to 22 April 2004 to present the activities of APCD. During the Seminar, the APCD Information Support team exchanged information with "Special", a Disability Magazine in Pakistan, and were very impressed with their information networking. APCD Team with representatives of organizations for PWDs in Karachi The mission visited the Pakistan Independent Living (IL) Center named "Milestone" in Lahore, which is an independent living center established less than one year ago with training courses in Peer Counseling, Personal Attendants, IL Managing as well as Information Services. Mission to Malaysia Wai Kuen Dance Studio APCD had a mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 8-12 June 2004 to build a network and collaborate with disability-related governmental and non-governmental organizations. This mission included the Human Resources Development (Training Implementation) follow-up mission with former APCD trainees. Minister and Officers of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development The APCD team was most honored to meet with the Honorable Dato' Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jali, Minister of the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development and high-level officials on disability-concerned issues, of whom all showed interest towards APCD's activities promoting a barrier-free society and empowerment for persons with disabilities.The team visited various organizations, such as the Rehabilitation Services Division under the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development, which acts as the National Coordinating Council on Disability in Malaysia;they also visited the Bangi Industrial Training and Rehabilitation Center which provides comprehensive facilities and services for physically disabled persons to enable them to receive medical rehabilitation and vocational training to increase their ability to work.This Center also includes training for medical professions in the field. Other meetings were with related organizations and the City Hall of Kuala Lumpur promoting a non-handicapping environment for persons with disabilities by the Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, where one faculty member is promoting a barrier-free environment. APCD team with members of the Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled. APCD visited various organizations of/for Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia such as the Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled, National Council for the Blind in Malaysia, Malaysian Christian Association for Relief, Society of the Blind of Malaysia, Society of the Chinese Disabled Persons of Malaysia, Beautiful Gate Disabled People Caring Independent Living Center, and the Wai Kuen Dance Studio. The APCD HRD team conducted a Monitoring Workshop to develop networking among ex-trainees and conduct individual interviews to follow-up their performance after their training. [page 2] VSO Sri-Lanka APCD Sharing and Learning about the CBR Movement VSO Sri Lanka and APCD organized a Workshop for Sharing Experiences on CBR in Sri Lanka and Thailand on 14 May 2004 at the APCD meeting room. Eighteen participants from local NGOs, GOs and VSO volunteers actively working in CBR in Sri Lanka attended this workshop. This visit to Thailand from 9 to 14 May 2004 was one activity which VSO Sri Lanka conducted to learn more about the CBR situation in Thailand. The APCD Director opened the workshop and gave an overview of APCD's mission. The coordinator of the LINKS program, a network program between Governmental and Non- Governmental Organizations that is working on CBR in Sri Lanka, shared the objectives and activities of their program and the situation of CBR in Sri Lanka. Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, APCD explaining CBR in Thailand. Mr. Somchai, APCD HRD Program Advisor also shared about the CBR movement in Thailand, followed by the group sharing lessons learned on the field visit, facilitated by Ms. Catherine Mole, Project Officer of VSO Sri Lanka. Participants from VSO: Sri Lanka Discussion in the last session focused on: Work and collaboration with APCD. Awareness raising of Government officers in Sri Lanka. Midwife training Development of the LINKS Program Conducting a regional CBR seminar in September 2005. A new plan focusing on CBR by local NGOs. A 5-year CBR strategy plan in Sathon Province, Sri Lanka. In conclusion, Ms. Catherine Mole, the Facilitator stated that she hopes the relationship between VSO Sri Lanka and APCD will contribute to the development of services for persons with disabilities in the region. [page 3] International & Regional Conferences 60th Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) 22-28 April 2004 Shanghai, China Dr. Kim Hak-Su and the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe The 60 th Session devoted significant attention to population and related social issues addressing poverty reduction, managing globalization and social issues including disability issues. Dr. Kim Hak-Su, UN ESCAP's Executive Secretary stated at the opening session that"In the Asia- Pacific region, the economic integration process has been mainly driven by market forces. This has accelerated the integration of the region into the global economy but many countries are unable to reach their potential. The Asia- Pacific now stands as a global economic powerhouse but as a newly emerging brain centre of the world economy." The Shanghai Declaration adopted at the last session emphasizes UN ESCAP's unique role as the most representative body for the Asian and Pacific region and its mandate as the main general economic and social development centre within the United Nations System. The China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe presented a very special art performance during the 60 th UN ESCAP Commission Session in Shanghai, China as a side event in Emerging Social Issues. Roundtable conference of the 60th UN ESCAP Session The China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe was established in 1987 to explore the development of special art by persons with disabilities. The talented artists who have visual or hearing impairments, mental or physical disabilities, pursue the perfection of art, turning &disability and need" into"possibility and outstanding talent". They danced beautifully with rhythm, performing charming melodies, conducting orchestras gracefully, singing in their hearts, and presented the world an unusual performance with perfection. The Troupe has toured more than 30 countries and given performances at many prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York. The marvelous show was composed of traditional and modern performances by deaf dancers, a piano solo by a blind pianist and selected Chinese and Western folk music orchestra pieces by deaf, blind and physically disabled artists. It was a very special performance by a unique group of highly talented Chinese artists. Their achievements inspired the audience in their shared aspiration for creating an inclusive society for all people with different abilities. The sixty-first session of the Commission is tentatively scheduled to be held at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand from 21 to 27 April 2005. (Refer to http://www.unescap.org) First Workshop for Improving Disability Statistics and Measurement 24-28 May 2004 UNCC, Bangkok, Thailand The Workshop aimed at familiarizing participants with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)and other international standards and principles as well as initiating a design of National collection tools, implementation policies, and training materials. The workshop consisted of 42 participants from 18 countries including the World Health Organization (WHO). It emphasized improving disability statistics in many countries of the Asia-Pacific region by providing training in disability standards and measurement. The contents follow the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action recommendation that governments in the region should develop their system of disability-related data collection and adopt international standards for disability measurement. From this, two sources were introduced: the United Nations Guidelines and Principles for the Development of Disability Statistics and the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)to collect disability data. The Workshop announced the"Recommendations of the Workshop on Improving Disability Data for Policy Use". (Visit http://www.unescap.org/stat for more details.) Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities 24 May - 4 June 2004 UN Headquarters, New York City 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 held its third session at the United Nations Headquarters from 24 May to 4 June 2004. This session was opened by the Chairman of the Committee, Luis Gallegos Chiriboga, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the United Nations on 24 Monday 2004 with over 40 government representatives, including United Nations System Organizations, 1 non-member state, National Human Rights Institutions, Intergovernmental Organizations, and other related organizations. This Committee worked on the draft elaborated by its Ad Hoc Working Group from 5-16 January 2004. The proposed draft convention addresses the concerns of disabled persons on issues such as non-discrimination and equal recognition before the law, personal mobility and accessibility, the right to work, and the promotion of positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. A unique feature of the Convention is that the process is open, consultative and accessible to persons with disabilities and their organizations, as they work together as partners with government experts at the United Nations. Current instruments that address the rights of disabled persons are legally non-binding. This treaty would create a legally binding framework for protecting and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and move beyond the traditional concept of access to the physical environment to include broader issues, including equal access to education, employment, health, and political participation. Governments that ratify the treaty would be legally bound to treat disabled persons as subjects of law with enforceable rights. The drafting of such a treaty was proposed by Mexico to the General Assembly in 2001, in the face of growing international recognition of disability rights as human rights. The next session of the Committee will be held in New York from 23 August to 3 September 2004. (Refer to http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/) First Session of the APDF Executive Committee: Implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free, and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities 14 June 2004 United Nations Conference Center (UNCC), Bangkok, Thailand The Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF)was launched at the time of the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF)in October 2002 to promote and evaluate the progress of the attainment of the BMF goals. APDF announced the Singapore Declaration at its General Assembly in November, 2003, while an Executive Committee was elected for a two-year term. The first session of the APDF Executive Committee was held on 14 June 2004 in Bangkok with 32 participants consisting of the working committee members and representatives of various related organizations. Self-help organizations and non-governmental organizations including other disability-related organizations in the Asia-Pacific region were encouraged to enroll with APDF. APCD was pleased to join and exchange information with APDF on disability-related implementations towards the BMF. United Nations Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Disability-Related Concerns (TWGDC) Eighth Session 15-16 June 2004 UNCC, Bangkok, Thailand The 8 th TWGDC Session consisted of 7 Working Committees:Information and Communication Technology, Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, Women with Disabilities, Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, East Timor and Afghanistan, and the Proposed International Convention on Persons with Disabilities. Participants came from 8 countries, representing United Nations Agencies, Specialized Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and other related entities. Each working group reported on their working progress since the 7 th TWGDC Session and presented their future working plans. All Working Committees made significant progress in implementing the 7 priorities of the BMF. (Refer to http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/thematic/) Donation to APCD Foundation Donation to APCD Foundation On 24 May 2004, a representative of the Thai Student Association (TSA) University of Michigan (UM)visited APCD to donate US$250 to the APCD Foundation. The TSA-UM and Eastern Michigan University (EMU)organized Thai Night 2004:Discover Siam on 27 March 2004 to promote the culture of Thailand. APCD Foundation graciously accepts their donation and expresses sincere appreciation to the TSA of both UM and EMU. [page 4] Regional News The First Women with Disabilities Pasifika Forum 7-9 December 2003 Suva, Fiji The Forum focused on building the capacity of women with disabilities in the Pacific, and promoting their equal rights and full participation in the development and implementation of national, regional, and international initiatives pertaining to women and disability. It was funded by the Global Funds for Women attended by 15 women from Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. Participants were encouraged to share their personal experiences and focus on their strengths and capacity to change the situation of Pacific women with disabilities at the local, national and regional levels. The Forum preceded a planning meeting of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF), the advocacy organization for persons with disabilities, and their partners in the Pacific region. Participants of the First Women with Disabilities Pasifika Forum were able to also attend the PDF meeting, held from 10-12 December 2003, in Suva, Fiji. This provided an opportunity for the women with disabilities Pasifika Forum to present a declaration to PDF, strongly affirming the need to have a distinctive voice of women with disabilities within the Pacific Disability Forum. Since the Forum was held, a Network of women with disabilities Pasifika has been launched, and is actively functioning with information exchange, facilitating planning and organizing significant upcoming events for women and women with disabilities in the region. "Let us rise with the sun each morning to work constructively in setting our place in society where we rightfully belong".By Sainimili Tawake Veresoni Expansion of Schools for the Deaf and Blind in China 14 April 2004 China Disabled children, including deaf and blind children, will attend school free of charge in the capital of South China's Guangdong Province from September 2005. Currently, two special schools, one for the deaf and one for the blind, have expanded from 26, 000 to 40, 000 square metres respectively. The second plenary session of the 12th Guangzhou People's Congress held late last month highlighted the need to focus more on education of the disabled. The city needs to establish a"life-long education system" for persons with disabilities. (From the International Deaf Children's Society, 14 April 2004) Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Fair 17-18 April 2004 Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam An ICT Fair on"Web Design for Visually Impaired Persons" and"Forum on Integration of Persons with Disabilities in Society" was held in Ho Chi Minh City. The Sao Mai Center for Blind Persons introduced a web browser for blind persons to read the news, literature, etc. on Vietnamese websites. National Seminar on Disability 21-22 April 2004 Islamabad, Pakistan National Seminar on Disability at the National Library This seminar,"Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free, and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities" was organized by Disabled Peoples' International Pakistan in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Pakistan. It provided participants with an opportunity to build up individual and organizational capacities in order to promote and achieve equality and full participation for persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on their integration as implementers and community development workers in relevant national development efforts. Participants included government officers from the Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare, and Special Education, representatives from disability-related non-governmental organizations, and representatives from APCD. The Honorable Ms. Nilofer Baktier, advisor to the Prime Minister for Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare, and Special Education presided at the closing ceremony at the Al-Farabi Special Education Center for Physically Disabled Children and assured participants of the Government's support for a better life for Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan. The Islamabad Declaration was adopted. Conference on the Universal Transportation and Road Design: Strategies for Success 23-26 May 2004 Hamamatsu, Japan The 10th International Conference in Mobility and Transport for Elderly and Disabled People (TRANSED)was designed to help promote national and local transportation and development policies related to the needs of people with reduced mobility. TRANSED 2004 served the purpose of enabling international delegates to exchange their experiences of strategies and successful implementations. As the first TRANSED conference in Asia, this milestone event will act as a catalyst to accelerate development of universal transportation and road design in Asian countries. (Reference: http://transed.jp/en/theme.html) Regional Meeting on Rights-Based Approach to Disability Understandings & Practices 25-28 June 2004 ADD Training Centre, Rajshahi, Bangladesh The regional meeting organized by Action on Disability and Development (ADD), Bangladesh, aims to promote a Regional Network to strengthen the emerging peoples' centered empowerment models of persons with disabilities from the bottom up and for the proclamation of their human rights. Disabled people from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, and Pakistan joined the regional meeting. India gave a presentation on the status of persons with disabilities (PWDs)and actions that have been implemented for them. Nepal's presentations focused on the Disabled Human Rights Center (DHRC)in Nepal, which is a National Disability Human Rights Advocacy Organization, a self-help organization working for the rights of PWDs and is a registered non-governmental organization. Mr. Gulam Nabi Nizamani, DPI-Pakistan coordinator and representative of Pakistan presented their National Policy and programs on disability. The Cambodian team made a presentation on"the Disability Movement in Cambodia" followed by Bangladesh giving a presentation on the status of PWDs in Bangladesh, including the implementations of the Action on Disability and Development, Bangladesh by the Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity (Bangladesh Organization for the Welfare of the Disabled), and the National Grassroots' Disability Federation. A field visit was organized for participants to visit the ADD projects in Rajshahi and Natore. The outcome of the regional meeting was mainly on self-help groups (SHGs), the role of leaders in the field, linking with local government and mobilized resources, and having DPOs track a rights-based approach. [page 5] Regional News:Upcoming Events July-September 2004 International Federation of the Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH)7th World Congress 4-9 July 2004 Helsinki, Finland The theme of the conference is accessible communication, from the perspective of hardware and software for accessible communication, treatment, rehabilitation, life occupations, education, self-help, and lobbying. There will be an exhibition on accessible communication presenting the latest 17 achievements and personal aids. The 12th World Conference of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairments (ICEVI) 16-21 July 2004 Putra World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia This conference focuses on three main topics: 1)Multiple Disabled Visually Impaired Persons 2)Low Vision, and 3)Early Childhood Intervention. National Seminar on Community-based Rehabilitation 17 July 2004 Dhaka, Bangladesh (Visit http://www.csidnetwork.org for more details) Third National Training Course in Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR)for Programme Coordinators 20-30 July 2004 Lucknow, India This course is organized by"Sabala" ((meaning celebrating abilities), a disability initiative of Action Aid India envisioning an inclusive society with no discrimination where every person with a disability has the right to a life with dignity. Sabala works towards empowering people with disabilities and ending discrimination by ensuring that they are visible, their voices heard, and their rights and entitlements honored through a community-based approach. This 10-day training is for Program Coordinators of organizations involved in development and disability initiatives through community- based approaches. The Course will equip participants with an appropriate attitude, knowledge, and skills necessary to plan, co-ordinate, and monitor a community-based initiative for persons with disabilities focusing on a rights-based approach. (For more information, e-mail:disabblr@actionaidindia.org) Second Women with Disabilities Pasifika Forum 26-27 July 2004 Nadi, Fiji This forum follows the First Women with Disabilities Pasifika Forum, which was held in Suva, Fiji last year. Participants of this upcoming forum will be members of the Network of Women with Disabilities especially from the Pacific-Oceania area. (For more information, please contact e-mail: dpioceania@connect.com.fj) Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Southern Africa 28 July - 21 August 2004 Tokyo, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand Countries in the Southern African region have been strengthening activities for empowering persons with disabilities in the"African Decade of Disabled Persons, 2000-2009". However, prejudice and discrimination against persons with disabilities still remain deeply rooted in society with very limited opportunities for education and employment, and serious marginalization. It is very important to enhance the linkages and cooperation among countries in the Southern African region, as set out in the New African Initiative to promote development of their human resources and support for persons with disabilities. This training course was launched in the fiscal year of 2002 and will continue through the fiscal year 2006, targeting 10 countries in the Southern African Federation of the Disabled, a network institution of disability-related organizations. It strives to build the capacity of Disabled Peoples' Organizations to effectively promote the mainstreaming and empowerment of persons with disabilities, in support of the goals of the"African Decade of Disabled Persons, 2000-2009." Participants of this course will also join the seminar for South-to-South Cooperation for the Decade of Peoples with Disabilities: An Orientation to APCD on 17 August 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand. Art for All 29 July 2004 UNCC, Bangkok The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)will host the annual"Art for All" event at the UN Conference Center in Bangkok on the 29 July 2004 in collaboration with the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, the Thai Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, and the Government Lottery Office. It brings together children with and without disabilities through integrated programs of visual, performing arts, and literary arts. Pacific Disability Forum 28-30 July 2004 Nadi, Fiji Fourth National Asian Deaf Conference 4-8 August 2004 Honolulu, Hawaii The Deaf of the Pacific Rim and the National Asian Deaf Congress will host this event at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, Honolulu HI. (Visit http://www.nadc-usa.org for more details.) Fourth Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities 23 August to 3 September 2004 United Nations Headquarters, New York City It has been decided that the Ad Hoc Committee would hold a fourth session prior to the 59th Session of the General Assembly from 23 August-3 September 2004. At its third session, the Ad Hoc Committee decided to forward to its fourth session for its consideration, a compilation of proposed revisions and amendments made by the members of the Ad Hoc Committee to the draft text presented by the Working Group as a basis for negotiations by Member States and Observers in the Ad Hoc Committee of the draft Convention. (Visit http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/ for more details.) Disabled Peoples' International (DPI)World Summit 8-10 September 2004 Winnipeg, Canada The DPI World Summit is focusing on three principal themes: Women, Youth, and Indigenous and Arab disabled groups. They are expecting approximately 1, 000 participants from over 100 countries to attend. Keynote world-class speakers committed to the advancement of human rights for persons with disabilities who are well-known international human rights activists, prominent government officials and community leaders will be featured. A global village will share experiences and resources, and expression of unique disabilities through dance, theatre, and art. (Visit http://summit.dpi.org for more details.) UN ESCAP Subcommittee on Socially Vulnerable Groups 9-11 September 2004 UNCC, Bangkok The Committee on Emerging Social Issues shall be responsible to the Commission for assisting members and associate members in meeting the theme objective of designing and implementing effective policies and strategies to promote equal opportunities for the productive participation of all social groups and the overall improvement of the quality of life. 3rd Joint International Congress on Disability and Biophilia Rehabilitation Conference 16-18 September 2004 Manila, Philippines The objective of the Conference is to provide a forum for research presentations and updates relating to rehabilitation of people with disabilities of all ages. Target groups of the Conference are Individuals with Disabilities, Parents and Families of Individuals with Disabilities, Special Education Teachers/Specialists, Regular Classroom Teachers, School Administrators, College/University Administrators/Professors, Speech Therapists, audiologists, and Employers. (Visit http://www.biophilia.info/manila for more information.) UN ESCAP Workshop on Disability Statistics and Measurement 27-29 September, 2004 UNCC, Bangkok UN ESCAP will organize the Second Workshop on Disability Statistics and Measurement following the First Workshop, which was held in May, 2004. The workshop will cover the following activities and tasks: Report from countries about progress on action plans, e. g. user discussions and needs, changes, improvements, etc. Report on country decision about collection vehicle, e. g. whether census, full survey or module will be used for next data collection Discussion of standard questions and modules for testing by countries Further training in question formulation, testing and interview techniques Training in how to bring existing registers in line with ICF (Visit http://www.unescap.org/stat/meet/widsm1/widsm1_plan2ws.asp for more information.) [page 6] Camellia: A Disabled Flower Why a"disabled flower"? There's a story about a six year old deaf girl who enjoyed the colorful varieties of flowers in her backyard. Her favourite one was the white camellia. She asked her mother why the camellia flower has no scent. Since her mother's explanation didn't make sense to her, she innocently signed, asking,"Is it broken? Broken just like my ears?" Her mother reassured her that camellia flowers just are that way. Puzzled, the little girl asked "This flower's not broken" It's O. K. ?My ears aren't broken?They're O. K. too." Suddenly, she realized that deafness itself can be as lovely a camellia flower with a special characteristic. Her self-esteem soared to new heights and she blossomed into a beautiful person, accepting herself as she was. Progress of the APCD Building Construction The construction of APCD's buildings which began in September, 2003 is in the final stage with 87%of the construction work completed. It is scheduled to be fully completed and functioning by December, 2004. [page 7] Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Training Course on Disability Policy 21 March - 10 April 2004 Ms.Chirapa Niwatapant, APCD's former trainee of the Accessible Web-based Information Networking Training attended the Information and Communication Technology Training Course on Disability Policy organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)in Japan from 21 March to 10 April 2004.The objective of the training was to understand the potential and use of ICT for empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs)in the Asia and Pacific region.Ms.Chirapa visited various organizations related to PWDs and ICT.Starting with the Astem Company and the Japanese Organization of CS Broadcasting for People with Disabilities, Osaka, which produces television programs for persons with a hearing impairment.She then visited the Kyoto-Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD)to learn about publishing a newsletter especially for persons with a hearing impairment.Her next destination was the Community Sagano-Training Center for Sign Language Interpreters in Kyoto. During the training course, Ms.Jirapa visited the Home for Independence AJU, Nagoya, where there are 3 Centers in the same area:a House-Day Center, Independent Information Center, and WADACHI Computer House which provides computer services for people with severe disabilities. She also visited Prop Station which provide computer training for persons with disabilities. In the second half of the training course, Ms.Chirapa visited the Kagayaki Pasocon School in Tokyo, which teaches computer skills for people with hearing impairments.The special characteristic of this school is the barrier-free environment people with hearing impairments gathering together for information.She then visited the Information Support Division of the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD), Tokyo which sharing and disseminates disability-related information through Internet.In addition to this, JSRPD develops research on assistive devices technology for PWDs. The Kyoto Center for People with Hearing and Language Difficulty in Kyoto, is a Center that provides services and promotes the usage of sign language for people with hearing impairments. This Center is also a vocational center for people with hearing impairments.Before the end of the training course, Ms.Chirapa visited the Tsukuba College of Technology, Ibaragi.This College includes mechanical engineering courses for people with hearing impairments into the curriculum plus researches and develops technology for people with hearing impairments.Her last destination was the Japanese Federation of the Deaf in Tokyo. Ms.Chirapa shared with APCD that she appreciated the opportunity to join this training course.She will apply what she learned from the training and utilize it for persons with hearing impairments in Thailand and share with other countries in the Asia and Pacific region. Thank you readers, for forwarding your regional news, a good sign of our collaboration and partnership. The Editorial Team welcomes this open communication, which makes us feel connected as a region.Your contributions empower the APCD Empowerment Newsletter!Keep the news coming! APCD Empowerment Newsletter Editorial Team. [page 8] Editiorial message Thank you readers, for forwarding your regional news, a good sign of our collaboration and partnership. The Editorial Team welcomes this open communication, which makes us feel connected as a region.Your contributions empower the APCD Empowerment Newsletter!Keep the news coming! APCD Empowerment Newsletter Editorial Team