Sep 2008
INDIA
Raw deal to the disabled in state
PATNA: Almost 75% of the physically-challenged population of India does not have access to disability certificates, the piece of paper without which they are denied benefits in job, journey and poverty alleviation schemes.
Eight-year-old battles disability with poetry
Her growth may have been stunted by a genetic bone disorder, but when eight-year-old Debarnita Bose takes the stage, she stands tall. Debarnita excels in poetry recitation and has won awards and accolades at numerous recitation competitions.
The unpaved path always seems longer and harder. So appear the roads of India for the differently-abled traveller, or simply tourists with 'special needs'.
RESOURCES – Toolkits, Guidelines and Manuals
CD on "Disability Rights and Policies"
Handicap International is proud to present the "Disability Rights and Policies" CD. This CD contains key reference documents and resources around the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Free download in French or English at
http://handicap-international.fr/bibliographie-handicap/
Or email info@handicap-international.us
Bladder Management for Adults with Spinal Cord Injury:
A Clinical Practice Guideline for Health-Care Providers
CBM inclusive project cycle management manual
CBM announces the publication of a new manual on including persons with disabilities in development projects. The manual is part of the "Mainstreaming Disability in Development Cooperation" project funded by the European Commission.
To download the manual go to
Free Toolkit for Persons with a History of Mental Health Issues and Child Custody
This tool kit can be downloaded at http://www.upennrrtc.org/resources/view.php?tool_id=185
IASC Guidelines on Mental health and Psychosocial support in emergency settings
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) issues these Guidelines to enable humanitarian actors to plan, establish and coordinate a set of minimum multi-sectoral responses to protect and improve people's mental health and psychosocial well-being in the midst of an emergency.
New guidelines released on wheelchairs to support users in developing countries
On the occasion of the 21st World Congress of Rehabilitation International, WHO, the US Agency for International Development, the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics and Disabled Peoples' International have launched an important new document.
DISABILITIES AMONG REFUGEES AND CONFLICT-AFFECTED POPULATIONS
Women's Commission for RefugeeWomen and Children
June 2008
http://www.womenscommission.org/pdf/disab_res_kit.pdf
INTERNATIONAL
Disability 'behind girl's death'
A mother drowned her four-year-old daughter in the bath because she could not cope with the girl's mild cerebral palsy, Chester Crown Court has heard.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7606111.stm
RUSSIA: DISABLED STILL LARGELY 'INVISIBLE' IN SOCIETY
Life isn't easy for Zifa Sadriyeva. For the past 15 years, since a disease of the central nervous system left her paralyzed and barely able to move, the 52-year-old has used a wheelchair.
http://archive.rferl.org/reports/FullReport.aspx?report=577#736738
Cure me of deafness? No thanks
New scientific techniques may restore the hearing of millions of deaf people, but Jessica Fellowes doesn't want it
With Groovability, wheelchair dancers dismiss all notions of a disability
For JoAnne Fluke, it is all about the freedom … the movement … the feeling.
Oh, the feeling of ballroom dancing in a wheelchair.
http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/785383.html
Disability and HIV in Jamaica
Supported by UNAIDS Jamaica, the Education and Economic Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities: Responding to HIV” program addresses the inclusion of persons with HIV in HIV-related public education.
More information available at http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/
PARALYMPICS
Chinese president holds grand luncheon to welcome distinguished guests for Beijing Paralympics
BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese president Hu Jintao held a grand luncheon at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing on Saturday to welcome international dignitaries who have come to attend the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/06/content_9808268.htm
The challenges facing China's disabled
With the Paralympic Games about to get under way, the BBC's Michael Bristow looks at how life has changed in recent years for Chinese people with disabilities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7600285.stm
Disability biggest challenge for HK Paralympics qualifier
HONG KONG (AFP) — "Without my disability I wouldn't be riding, but my disability is the biggest challenge I have to overcome," says Nelson Yip, Hong Kong's only rider to qualify for the Paralympics.
BBC Sport - UK
After a good game while the testers were watching, it was deemed that Derek's disability now didn't have a "substantial impact" on his football. ...
Paralympics: My disability inspired me - Sophie
Sophie Pascoe does not remember the accident that took her leg, but she considers it the best thing that ever happened to her.
Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10532507
US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND DISABILITIES
Rightful place for Disability
Until Sarah Palin's acceptance speech Thursday night, America's largest minority has been almost completely ignored across the election cycle.
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/09/rightful-place-disability
Was Palin patronizing parents?
During her acceptance speech before the Republican National Convention, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stated that if she and Sen. John McCain are elected, parents of special-needs children would "have a friend in the White House."