April 2008
INDIA
Ensuring Persons with Disabilities exercise their franchise freely and independently in the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Karnataka
10th Apr 2008
"As a result of collective action of Karnataka Angavikalara Okkuta-KARO [Karnataka Viklang Manch or Karnataka Federation of Persons with Disabilities] and Narendra Foundation, Chief Election Commissioner has issued strict directions to the State Chief Electoral Officer to make all the poling booths accessible to people with disabilities including Braille numbers on 50000 Electronic voting machines
In addition an ultimatum to address the issues faced by persons with disabilities has been presented to all the political parties.” - Victor.JC@actionaid.org
Additional Information from Election Commission of India
April 2, 2008
“For the facility of disabled persons, instructions have been issued to ensure that all polling stations are located at ground floor and ramps are provided”
http://www.eci.gov.in/press/current/PNKarnataka.pdf
UN CONVENTION - Welcome ratification, disability rights see a new dawn
Source: Deccan Herald
By L Subramani
April 3 happened to be one of the most important days for persons with disability, because the UN convention that enforces their rights was being ratified by Ecuador.
Autism Unraveling The Mystery
Source: CNN
The United Nations adopted a resolution that designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/news/autism/
Now more relief for them in bus
Source: Deccan Herald
Bangalore, DHNS:
From now, people with disability have to pay only 15 per cent of the total fare for annual bus pass.
Reserve post for disabled: Govt
Source: Deccan Herald
Bangalore, DHNS:
The Karnataka Government has asked all departments to reserve three per cent of posts in groups A and B, and 5 per cent of groups C and D for persons with disability (PWD). There are about 17,000 vacancies reserved for PWDs in various departments. The government has asked all departments to take measures to fill up the vacancies.
Medical insurance for disabled
Source: Deccan Herald
New Delhi, dhns:
The Centre launched its first medical insurance scheme exclusively for the disabled on Wednesday offering cashless medical facilities including hospitalisation for those below poverty line families.
Design for All Newsletter of March 2008 from "Design for All Institute of India".
Design For All Institute of India has invited ten eminent persons to contribute for March 2008 Vol-3, No-3 issue of newsletter that is available at
http://www.designforall.in/newsletter_mar_2008.pdf
For the past issues kindly visit www.designforall.in
Fake Disability Certificates for Employment being procured with impunity
http://www.svayam.com/?q=node/634
Special Provisions for Accessibility at Delhi's New Airport
http://www.svayam.com/?q=node/630
INTERNATIONAL
DPI Celebrates the 20th Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
UN Headquarters, New York USA – At 11:30 AM today the Republic of Ecuador deposited its instrument of ratification for the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This in turn triggered the entry into force of the Convention which will occur in 30 days on May 3, 2008.
For additional information contact: Mary Ennis, Executive Director, DPI Headquarters, email mary@dpi.org
To see the html version and past DPI e-news archives, please go to http://v1.dpi.org/lang-en/resources/newsletters
Airline wants to stop disabled flying alone
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
THE regional airline Rex is seeking to ban intellectually disabled passengers from flying unaccompanied unless they can demonstrate an ability to understand safety procedures.
Wheelchair users who need help to get to the toilet would also need to buy a second ticket for a carer, Rex's application shows.
Singapore Hindu temple made friendly for elderly and disabled
Singapore - A 14-year-old Hindu temple will hold a consecration ceremony on January 27 after undergoing major renovations making it more elderly and disabled-friendly, the management committee said on Friday.
Karate champ proves blindness no disability
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
Belinda Cranston
April 6, 2008
HE'S the first blind person in Australia to obtain his black belt in karate, has his own fashion website and is part-way through a bachelor of business degree.
Newsletter from the Sierra Madre, April 2008, Number 61, is now online!
Please visit http://healthwrights.org/newsletters.htm for a listing of all of our online newsletters, or get Newsletter 61 directly at http://healthwrights.org/Newsletters/NL61.pdf
Air France Grounds Wheelchair User
Jo Couzens
Sky News Online Updated:14:00, Friday March 28, 2008
A wheelchair user has accused Air France of "blatant discrimination" after they refused to allow her to board her flight, reportedly telling her she posed a health and safety risk.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30400-1310802,00.html
ANNOUNCEMENTS
International Coalition Launches Groundbreaking Disability Rights Fund
BOSTON, MA – Launched on the first anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPRD), the Disability Rights Fund[1] will provide financial support for human rights advocacy in the developing world and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union.
Contact: Diana Samarasan, Director
Telephone: 617-261-4593
Email: dsamarasan@disabilityrightsfund.org
Training of Trainers in Community Based Rehabilitation in The Netherlands
25th Aug 2008 – 5th Sep 2008
For details contact:
Huib Cornielje
Enablement, Langenhorst 36
2402PX Alphen aan den Rijn
The Netherlands
Tel: +31-172-436953
Fax: +31-172-244976
h.cornielje@enablement.nl
www.enablement.nl
Requires - Disability Information & Helpline Counselors (2)
AARTH-ASTHA DISABILITY INFORMATION RESOURCE & HELPLINE Requires Disability Information & Helpline Counselors (2). Please Contact: Mrs. Radhika M Alkazi, aarthindia@gmail.com
RESOURCES
DISABILITY CONVENTION: Tips and strategies for implementation
Source: CRIN – Child Rights Information Network
Gerison Lansdown, international child rights advocate, gives tips and strategies for implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Below you can find a list of these strategies and a question and answer session which was held on the final day of the Middle East and North Africa regional consultation on children and the new Convention, held in Sana’a, Yemen in October 2007.
http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=15312&flag=news
Pedder Johnson – Quality and Independence Range of Products
Products that will help to improve the quality of life of Senior Citizens and those who are physically challenged.
The products are all about helping our clients to achieve a degree of independence in their daily activities, within the home and other daily environments that will assist in the adaptation of the basic tasks of daily living and mobility in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom etc..
http://www.pedderjohnson.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22&osCsid=a93996e0cc2474f6440fa5c01fecb389
AIDSPortal
AIDSPortal is an internet platform which provides tools to support global collaboration and knowledge sharing among new and existing networks of people responding to the AIDS epidemic.
'Keeping children safe': an NGO child protection toolkit
Source: Plan International and www.asksource.info
http://www.plan-international.org/resources/protection/
Giving voice to the Voiceless: A Communicating for Advocacy Publication, September 2007
Source: Healthlink and www.asksource.info
Country focus: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines,UK.
Using a rights-based approach, this project sought to develop the capacity of poor and marginalized groups in South and South-East Asia.
http://www.healthlink.org.uk/PDFs/cfalearningpublication.pdf