JUL 2008
INDIA
Disabled student all set to graduate from IIT-Madras
CHENNAI: "I have always been lucky," beams 21-year-old Naga Naresh Karuturi who will get his B Tech degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras on July 25.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3267028,prtpage-1.cms
A software to aid visually impaired access the web
NEW DELHI: In a country with the largest blind population in the world — it was nearly 15 million plus on last count — a new software could go a long way for people who are partially blind. LowBrowse, as the software has been named, is an innovative web browser software for visually impaired people.
Glaucoma makes 1.2 L Indians blind
NEW DELHI: Glaucoma, known commonly as the "silent thief of sight", is making 1.2 lakh Indians blind annually.
Highlight from Karnataka Budget 2008-09
Pension of Rs. 1000/- P.M. to physcially challanged persons with 75% disability.
Disabled crosses English Channel
Physically challenged swimmer Rajesh Shinde of Belgaum has successfully swum across the English Channel.
New Delhi, July 2: A central panel set up to examine the sensitivity of India's education system towards children with special needs has accused state governments across the country of not even maintaining a count of such children.
Disability policy to be announced soon
Shimla, July 01, The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to come out with a state disability policy within two months.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Disability-policy-to-be-announced-soon/330003/
Physically challenged activist sues airline, airport
Shivani Gupta was charged for use of special lift meant for boarding aircraft.
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=25_07_2008_003_013&typ=0&pub=264
A deaf and dumb man was ordered by a lower court to pay for the maintenance of his wife after a matrimonial dispute.
Navin Gulia- A brave Heart
Navin Gulia is an invaluable and most precious gift from God for many children of ADAA – Apni Duniya Apna Ashiana (Our World Our Home), which is an effort aimed at helping, assisting and guiding the lives of street children, orphans, physically handicapped children and destitute children.
http://www.orkutheroes.com/navingulia/
Disability fair to encourage youth
Ranchi, July 18: In a bid to provide a platform to special kids with multiple disabilities, a city-based institute Deepshikha organised a Disability Fair at Ranchi Club today.
The tremendous potential of the scheme is in danger of being wasted in some States.
INTERNATIONAL
First US coin with readable Braille unveiled
DALLAS - Officials unveiled the prototype of the first U.S. coin with readable Braille characters otoday — a silver dollar commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Louis Braille, the creator of the alphabet for the blind.
Obama Campaign Hires New Disability Vote Director
Chicago, IL, July 21, 2008 – Kareem Dale, founder and chief executive officer of The Dale Law Group (DLG) in Chicago, has been appointed as the Obama campaign's Disability Vote Director, effective July 14, 2008. Dale, partially blind, will help broaden the campaign's reach and involve even more voices in this coalition for change.
http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/48749014_obama-campaign-hires-new-disability-vote-director
Delegation to Beijing Paralympic Games largest in Chinese history
BEIJING, July 17) -- The Chinese delegation to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games hosted a press conference on Thursday, revealing that a total of 547 representatives will be part of the group, which includes 332 athletes who will be competing in all 20 events
Dont ask them to grin and bear!
Recently some activists in the US proclaimed to the world that “One must stop looking for a cure for Autism and accept autistic people as they are.” The idea sounds controversial.
Can a disabled model make it in fashion?
Tall, slim and with flowing locks, Lara Masters modelled in her teens. But the work dried up as she developed a degenerative nerve condition. So is the fashion world ready for its first big disabled model?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7481784.stm
Britain's Missing Top Model? Hardly
I decided to watch it because I grew up with a parent with a disability, and I still can't make up my mind about it.
‘I don’t see myself as having a disability. This is just my life’
Helene Raynsford lost all movement in her legs seven years ago but has used that setback as a spur in her dream to win Paralympic gold and hear the national anthem in Beijing.
Disability rights and mental health in the UK: recent developments of the Disability Discrimination Act
http://apt.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/abstract/14/4/265
My Brother Is Not His Disability
Kevin has Down syndrome. But to me and my family he's entirely normal.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/52570
My Brain Made Me Do It
Multiplying The Categories Of Mental Illness Isn't Just A Game; It Has Effects In The Real World.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/90952
Facing A Problem Status Couldn't Solve
When My Child Was Diagnosed With Severe Learning Disabilities, We Had The Fight Of A Lifetime On Our Hands
http://www.newsweek.com/id/98497
Carer brings hope to millions with landmark win on employment rights
A mother allegedly forced out of her job because of time spent looking after her disabled son has won a landmark legal case which promises to give new rights to Britain's millions of unpaid carers.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jul/18/socialcare.law
UN special rapporteur highlights tragedy of disability in war
BEIRUT: Hammoudi, a soft-spoken 13-year-old from South Lebanon, had both his legs blown off by an Israeli cluster bomb while playing in a field in August 2006.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=93847
Hearing disability actually aids former Bulldog Colwill
Standing on the 3-meter spring board, former Georgia diver Chris Colwill has always been able to hear the random noise of applause.
Library analyst wins Muscular Dystrophy Association achievement award
Jerry Roy hopes he doesn't sound like an egghead here, but literature really did help him become who he is today.
Disability couldn't stop Mich. woman's quest for romance
Some of us worry we won't find true love because our noses are too big, our breasts too small, our hair too thin.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080713/COL02/807130634
'Parents use forced marriage as care option for learning disabled'
Some parents are using forced marriage as a long-term care option for people with learning disabilities, a parliamentary meeting heard this week.
Disabled youngsters forced into marriage to provide passports
Urgent talks are held to discuss young women and men with learning disabilities, offloaded by their families
NHS castigated for fatal neglect of patients with learning disabilities
The shocking deaths of six patients with learning disabilities who suffered appalling neglect at the hands of the NHS were "not isolated incidents", an inquiry has concluded.
Torchbearer with disability vows to pass Olympic spirit
YANJI, Northeast China, July 16 (Xinhua) -- A paralyzed torchbearer hopes the Olympic spirit will influence physically disabled people's mindset.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/16/content_8556116.htm
A Breakthrough in Rapid Emergency Alerts for the Hearing Impaired
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Disability Awareness in Action
Our Rights - issue 1, July 2008 available in electronic format. For details contact http://www.daa.org.uk/contact.htm
The 2nd National Mental Health Care Givers' Training Workshop on August 29 and 30, 2008 at BAIF Campus, Pune
Center for Advocacy in Mental Health (CAMH), Bapu Trust is organizing this workshop on August 29 and 30, 2008 at BAIF Campus, Pune. For details esongate@gmail.com or visit www.camhindia.org
International Institute to train leaders among visually impaired persons – Applications invited
An International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) in Trivandrum, created by the Founders of the Braille Without Borders Sabriye Tenberken, who herself is blind and Paul Kronenberg, is all set to train about 40 young visually impaired persons from different parts of the world with skills to set up their own social or environmental projects in their countries.
Send applications BrailleWB@gmx.net or www.Braillewithoutborders.org
Sign the Pledge to End Duchenne. Add your name today
Together we can end Duchenne—together we must end Duchenne.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/End_Duchenne/?e
Announcing the Launch of Free2Wheel – Indian Tourist Guide Exclusively for Travelers with Disabilities
Free Your Wheels & Enjoy Delhi !! Log onto www.Free2Wheel.co.in
South African judge Navanethem Pillay has been nominated as the new UN high commissioner for human rights.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7524151.stm
RESOURCES
Accessible Handbook on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Harvard Project on Disability has published a Handbook with an easy to read explanation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
http://www.hpod.org/pdf/we-have-humna-rights.pdf
Source: DPI e-update - 25 July 2008
Asia-Pacific EFA e-Newsletter July 2008
The Asia-Pacific EFA e-Newsletter re-launches on 11 July 2008 after a one year hiatus. Click here for Asia-Pacific EFA e-Newsletter July 2008.
http://www.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=efanews
Keys for K-12
Serotek Corporation is introducing a program today that will put blind children on the same page with their sighted peers -- giving them the ability to use a computer anytime, anywhere, with help from Keys for K-12 (kk12.)
http://www.serotek.com/kk12.html
Tongue Drive System Lets Persons With Disabilities Operate Powered Wheelchairs, Computers
ScienceDaily (June 30, 2008) — A new assistive technology developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology could help individuals with severe disabilities lead more independent lives.
IDA CRPD Steering Group invite you to join this new Elist (link below).
The IDA CRPD Forum has been set-up by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to continue the work of the International Disability Caucus.
To subscribe click on this link and send email;
IDA_CRPD_Forum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Making the links: disabled women and domestic violence
Women's Aid has published a report which looks into the support available to disabled women experiencing violence in their own homes.