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CBR Forum E-News Bulletin
A Compilation of News, Information and Updates in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities
April 2010
A: INDIA
The delegation also met the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik, who said the government was finalising a new law for the disabled that would replace the existing one.
Disabled people to march to parliament Tuesday
Led by communist leader Brinda Karat, disabled people from across the country would march to Parliament House…
http://www.littleabout.com/news/93295,disabled-people-march-parliament-tuesday.html
Mamata blamed for disabled persons missing appointment with PM
Kolkata: A delegation of disabled persons from West Bengal missed an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi because the special train sought from Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee reached 10 hours late.
http://www.zeenews.com/news621035.html
People with disabilities demand separate ministry in India
New Delhi, April 20: Braving the scorching heat Tuesday, thousands of disabled people protested the government’s failure to provide them with social security and free healthcare and demanded a separate ministry to look after their needs.
Schemes for Persons with Disabilities under 11th Five Year Plan
The details of important Schemes for the persons with disabilities (PWDs) announced in the Eleventh Five Year Plan are given below:
(i) A Scheme of INCENTIVE TO EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT TO THE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
(ii) A new Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) has been introduced from the year 2009-10, in place of the IEDC Scheme, which will cover disabled children from 14-18 years of age group.
(iii) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) has been launched under National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) from February 2009 during 11th Plan.
(iv) Setting up of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre, two new Composite Regional Centres (CRCs), and fifty new District Disability Rehabilitation Centres in 2010-11 has also been announced
For details click on - http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=60734
Misuse of scholarship for disabled people: study
The majority of disabled persons who receive scholarships do not get to enjoy the same, a study has found.
http://banagloredeaf.blogspot.com/2010/04/misuse-of-scholarship-for-disabled.html
SC says Disability Act not binding on private firms
The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that a law enacted in 1995, to prevent exploitation of the disabled by their employers, could not be enforced on the private sector.
'Make monuments disabled-friendly'
NEW DELHI: In an effort to tap the estimated 46.58 million people with reduced mobility who are economically well-placed to travel, the tourism ministry plans to push the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) to ensure that all monuments are disabled friendly.
An exclusive wing, finally
March 21: Setting a precedent for the rest of the country, chief minister M. Karunanidhi has taken a proactive step to bring into the mainstream the 22 lakh differently-abled in the state by setting up a separate department for their welfare.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/exclusive-wing-finally-007
More disabled-friendly footpaths coming up
Chennai: When the footpath near the Ripon Building was refurbished, yellow tiles with grooves to aid visually challenged were affixed. As part of the Chennai Corporation initiative to make pavements disabled friendly, similar tiles are being fixed on footpaths outside the new Secretariat complex.
Mukul Wasnik to Inaugurate ‘Sambhav’ The National Resource Center on Disability
The Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Mukul Wasnik will inaugurate ‘Sambhav’ the National Resource Centre on Disability here tomorrow. This Center will demonstrate assistive devices and technology for the persons with disabilities (PWDs). The Center is being set up by the National Trust (a statutory body of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment) in partnership with its State Nodal Agency - Action for Ability Development and Inclusion (AADI) and Sarthak.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=60700
Enabling the disabled
With sensitised education for the disabled high on Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s agenda, all eyes are on the 2011 Census which will provide crucial statistics on the number of disabled Indians and what disability they suffer from. But a raging dispute has broken out within the disability sector about the exact question in the Census questionnaire and Census Commissioner Dr C Chandramouli is being lobbied by different groups.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/enabling-the-disabled/612279/1
The Indian census and disability
The upcoming Census of India 2011, the largest administrative exercise in the whole world, will be the fifteenth since 1872 and the seventh after Independence.
http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMjM5ODU%3D-YWllwhXC00M%3D
Disability rights activists oppose copyright regime
The proposed amendments to the Copyright Act (1957), slated to be tabled in the second phase of the budget session of Parliament that begins on Thursday, has disability rights activists up in arms.
The copyright exception, which aims at allowing persons with disability easy access to copyrighted material, is “restrictive and discriminatory,” disability rights organisations believe.
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article397573.ece
Amendment of Copyright Act may affect print-disabled
Times of India - Shalini Umachandran - 7 hours ago
The term print-disabled covers the blind, people with low vision, autism, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, who cannot read with ease
The Supreme Court refuses to intervene and allow a dyslexic boy to use a calculator in his Class XII CBSE examination.
The Bench, which was disposing of a special leave petition (SLP) on March 21, referred to a Constitution Bench the question of determining guidelines for admitting SLPs.
http://www.flonnet.com/stories/20100423270809400.htm
Dyslexic student gets extra hour but under a camera’s stern gaze
On Saturday, the High Court had directed the CBSE to give the boy an extra hour to write AIEEE. Defeating the purpose of de-stressing a disabled child in the examination hall, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) ended up making the situation more stressful for a dyslexic student on Sunday.
The Indian government will soon unveil a policy that would make electronic products available for the differently abled.
http://www.efytimes.com/e1/43162/fullnews.htm
Disabled persons to be at par in education with ables - Ex Chief Justice
Inhuman act
Dad, stepmom confine girl to shack for 5 yrs, Sriranagpatna, April 2, DH News Service:
In a heart rending incident of utter cruelty by her father and step-mother, a young woman has been condemned to live like an animal in a shack for the last five years in Alagud village.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/61791/dad-stepmom-confine-girl-shack.html
NGO to rehabilitate Bhagya
Srirangapatna,Apr 3,dhns:
Following a report that appeared in Deccan Herald about the plight of Bhagya, a mentally challenged girl who was confined to an had been living like animal for the past few years, a Bangalore-based NGO has come forward to provide her with shelter as well as give her free treatment.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/61964/ngo-rehabilitate-bhagya.html
Old, disabled to get pension from April 1
The Punjab government has decided, in principle, to disburse pension to the old, widow, destitute women and disabled persons regularly from April 1.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Old--disabled-to-get-pension-from-April-1/597358
Silent graduation from a 'special' to 'normal' life
Mumbai: As Yoshita Umrigar walked to the stage dressed in a purple convocation robe and cap, her mother silently rejoiced. So did the parents of six other children who participated in a unique graduation ceremony at the Centre for Child Development, Haji Ali, on Friday evening.
Seven children, all below the age of six, suffering from hearing disability graduated on Friday from I Hear Foundation’s Naad project. As part of the project, the children were taught listening and learning skills and they will finally join regular schools.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_silent-graduation-from-a-special-to-normal-life_1374953
Self-help group for people with mental disabilities to be set up
Chennai, Lauding the works of SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation), Mr. Subramanian suggested that a camp be conducted for people with mental disabilities who were not included in the State government's disability list. Responding to an appeal from the SCARF director R. Thara, he assured that a self-help group for people with mental disabilities will be set up in the city.
Giving direction to the future of deafblind
“Identifying people who are deafblind and those with multi-sensory impairment is a big challenge in India. They are a minority within a minority and parents practically do not know how to identify, while most NGOs work with one disability,” says Brahada Shanker, Regional Coordinator (South), who was in the city to participate in a workshop organised by the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities.
An able worker on a quest
Despite a disability, he opted for a profession that requires intricate working with hands
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article414255.ece
Children With Hemophilia Need Special Care and Support
Hemophilia is an inherited, incurable bleeding disorder that can deal a crippling blow to the person with hemophilia (PWH) if repeated spontaneous bleeds are not treated promptly. The condition caused by the absence or deficiency of clotting factors in the blood can be temporarily treated by infusing Anti Hemophilic Factor (AHF) injections.
Politicians come under fire
MANGALORE APRIL 27: A.C. Rai, president of the All India Banks' Physically Handicapped Employees' Welfare Federation, took exception to what he termed failure of Ministers to attend the inauguration of the south India conference of the people with disabilities here on Sunday.
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=178134
Film fest on disability showcased in Delhi
NEW DELHI - A range of inspiring films on various forms of disability and how people battled them to lead a fulfilling life were showcased at a two-day festival that ended in the capital Friday.
http://blog.taragana.com/law/2010/03/26/film-fest-on-disability-showcased-in-delhi-21034/
Veer DVD to have audio description in Hindi for the blind
MUMBAI: The DVD of Eros International’s Veer will have audio description in Hindi for the blind, making it the first movie in India to have an audio-description (AD) track in Hindi on its DVD.
http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=16013
Australian Audiology Company Launches Operations in India
NHC is launching their operations in India through their subsidiary NHC Hearing Care (India). NHC will be opening its first three clinics in Delhi/NCR this month with a target of opening eight clinics in New Delhi by June 2010.
http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201004/market16.shtml
B: INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Third Conference of States Parties to the Convention
The third Conference of States Parties to the Convention (CoSP) will be held 1-3 September 2010 at the United Nations, New York, USA. This session under the theme “Implementing the Convention through Advancing Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities” will focus on the election of members of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and include substantive roundtable discussions and an interactive informal session with civil society. More updates will be available soon at http://www.un.org/disabilities/
Education initiative failing blind students
THE federal government's so-called education revolution has failed to cater for the special needs of children with disabilities, a NSW legal centre claims.
Transit makes world larger for people with disabilities
When I was 16 years old and all my friends were learning how to drive, I learned that driving was not an option for me due to a visual impairment. I lived in a small town with no public transportation. So, as my friends got their keys and gained their freedom, I watched my small world get smaller.
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=5344
Gaming with the blink of an eye
University students have developed a computer game that is operated by eye movements, which could allow people with severe physical disabilities to become gamers for the first time...
iPad Apps for Disabled: Development Platform
There is no denying how hard it can be to see any sort of development when it comes to disabled people, but would you believe that the Apple iPad and its range of certain apps is considered a great development platform? This is the conclusion from university professor, Gregg Vanderheiden.
http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/04/19/ipad-apps-for-disabled-development-platform/
Getting a laugh out of disability
Reading the account of a tussle between Sharon Smith, whose five-year-old daughter who has Down's syndrome, and comedian Frankie Boyle, I felt a familiar sadness. I've had my own battle over harmful and offensive language recently.
An Elkhart woman uses tae kwon do to fight a painful disability
ELKHART -- Linda Koeppel might not kick as high as others in her tae kwon do class. She might not move as quickly.
http://www.etruth.com/Know/News/Story.aspx?ID=509421
Disabled man gets 90 days for inviting sexual touching
Judge believes more time would be too hard on 28-year-old’s health
22-year-old with growth disability and hypertension can’t get aid
SEREMBAN: Twenty-two-year-old S. Avinesh Singh’s looks belie his age.
Suffering from growth disorder, the youth with Russell-Silver Syndrome barely weighs 25kg and is less than a metre tall.
In addition to being both speech and hearing impaired, Avinesh, who is born with only one kidney, has hypertension and had undergone several surgeries since birth.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/12/nation/6033738&sec=nation
Disabled people deserve the same quality of life as everyone else
The tendency in Malta is to regard people who work with disabled people as somehow saintly, or that they do this work out of some form of pity, but this is far from the truth, KNPD Executive Director Anne Marie Callus tells Chiara Bonello in this interview.The truth, she says, is that persons with a disability have the same rights and deserve the same quality of life as everyone else.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=104456
Understanding autism: Fast-growing disability remains a challenge for parents, researchers
Autism is a disorder characterized by extensive delays in the development of social interaction and communication. It is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States: More than 1.5 million people been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in one in 110 births, according to the Autism Society of America.
http://www.elpasotimes.com/health/ci_14910733
C: RESOURCES – Newsletter, Publication,Journal, Guideline,Website
Empowering Spinal Cord Injured Persons
Jonathan Sigworth - the youngest of three brothers - received a spinal cord injury at age 19 while studying in northern India in February 2006. Though the injury left him paralyzed in his hands and below his arms, Jonathan and his family continue to coordinate with staff at India’s Spinal Injuries Center in Delhi - where Jonathan received treatment - in order to initiate efforts that support SCI persons who are in the process of rehabilitation and seeking independence. ESCIP is the unofficial name for these efforts.
http://www.escip.org/escip.org/Home.html
Tulir
Tulir - Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse (CPHCSA) is a registered, nongovernmental, non-profit organization committed to working against child sexual abuse in India.
Disability News and Information Service
D: ANNOUNCEMENTS
CBR India Network Zonal Consultations
Objective: To agree upon the charter of CBR India Network and to come up with a common understanding and strategy for developing and strengthening the CBR India Network.
North and Central Zone Consultation on 4th May 2010 at Bhopal at Hotel Palash Residency, New Market– for details and to confirm your participation contact Mr. Somesh Dwivedi - sdwivedi@sightsavers.org or Call +91 9302090190
South Zone Consultation 1 - covering the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on 14th May 2010 at Bangalore at Mobility India, JP Nagar 2nd Phase – for details and to confirm your participation contact Mr. Nagaraj - e-mail@mobility-india.org or Call: +91-080-26492222
South Zone Consultation 2 - covering the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry on 21st May 2010 at Chennai - The Clarke School for the Deaf, Dr. Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore – for details and to confirm your participation contact Mr. Nagaraj – e-mail@mobility-india.org or Call: +91-080-26492222
For more details on CBR India Network click on the following link
http://sites.google.com/site/cbrindianetwork/
Training of Trainers for Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR) through an Inclusive Development Approach
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) is organizing this training in Bangkok from 7-18 June 2010. For more details contact Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Networking & Collaboration Manager, E-mail: somchai@apcdfoundation.org or training@apcdfoundation.org
Bill on Sexual Offenses against Children coming soon
In a meeting held on Jan. 19, 2010 in New Delhi by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights to discuss the Prevention of Offenses against Children Bill- 2009, it was decided that sexual offenses against children needs to be addressed separately and urgently rather than clubbed together with other offenses against children. Subsequently a Committee was constituted by NCPCR to draft a Bill on Sexual Offenses against Children, with Tulir as Member Convenor.
For more details contact: Ms. Vidya/ Ms. Nancy at tulircphcsa@yahoo.co.in
Policy on Electronic Accessibility
NCPEDP in association with BarrierBreak Technologies had come out with a draft National Policy on Electronic Accessibility a few months back. The Ministry of Information Technology had formed a Drafting Committee to finalise the draft. This task was completed a month or so back and the draft has now been put in the public domain for comments.
Right to Education – Draft rules
Government of Andhra Pradesh is very dedicated to implementing ‘The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009’ in its true spirit. As a first step Government of Andhra Pradesh constituted a committee with Commissioner and Director of School Education as chair person, State Project Director, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Director, SCERT as members to prepare draft rules for effective implementation.
In this regard the committee invites suggestions on implementation of various sections of the Act. Give suggestions through SCERT email ID apscert@yahoo.com or by post to the Director, SCERT, Opp. LB Stadium, E-gate, Aliya Compound, Hyderabad by 30.04.2010.
For details visit http://www.apscert.org/eti.html#
WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Institute
National Conference on “Cost Effective Sustainable Sanitation – An Indian Experience”, on 28th – 30th June 2010, at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, India.
In case, you need any further details about the conference kindly contact WASH INSTITUTE or R. K. Srinivasan, WES Advisor, Plan India through his mail id (rk.srinivasan@plan-international.org)/ Phone # 011-46558484
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