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CBR Forum E-News Bulletin
A Compilation of News, Information and Updates in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities
May 2010
Disclaimer This e-news is a collation of articles/ news from national and international sources. The contents of the same do not necessarily represent the views of CBR Forum.
A: INDIA
Constitution of a Committee to draft a new legislation to replace the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. ("PwD Act").
For details click on http://socialjustice.nic.in/ccdraftpwd.php
Panel set up to draft new disability law
CHENNAI: Paying heed to the demands of disability rights’ groups, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Wednesday decided to scrap the idea of amending the Persons With Disabilities Act of 1995 and create a new law altogether. The first draft of the new law is expected to be out by August 31.
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/panel-set-up-to-draft-new-disability-law/171089.html
A new law that hears only select voices
The mentally ill are one of the country’s most disadvantaged groups. There’s little support for them, institutional or otherwise, and things look like going further downhill if the process of amending the Mental Health Act of 1987 is any indication.
http://expressbuzz.com/magazine/a-new-law-that-hears-only-select-voices/171356.html
Consider him disabled: HC to Centre
In a crucial judgment that may have a serious impact on the society, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Human Resources and Development to consider a dyslexic student, Pranay Jain, in the category of physically disabled during the counselling of AIEEE and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), 2010, examination.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Consider-him-disabled--HC-to-Centre/623799
Near-blind girl scores 91.5 pc in Class XII exam
Mumbai, May 27, Agencies
With a mere two per cent vision in both her eyes, Aditi Shah did not let her impairment come in her way. She has come out with flying colours in Maharashtra’s Class XII (Commerce) exams by scoring 91.5 per cent.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71972/near-blind-girl-scores-915.html
State must be sensitive to rights of disabled
Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday asked the state government to be sensitive to the rights of the disabled. Hearing a public interest litigation on the issue of reservation for disabled persons for government jobs,a division bench of Justices J N Patel and S C Dharmadhikari said they were not satisfied with an affidavit filed by the state.
C.B.S.E. to offer mathematics and science exams in Braille
D.N.I.S. News Network, India: This time around blind and visually impaired students of the tenth standard need not worry about a scribe to write their board examinations, at least for mathematics and science! They can now take these two examinations independently in Braille format.
http://www.dnis.org/news.php?issue_id=6&volume_id=7&news_id=1067&i=8
Visually impaired students can aspire to become doctors – Supreme Court
D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Nitin Mantri, a visually impaired student from Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh is now in a position to fulfill his parents’ dream of becoming a doctor. But up until a while ago, the dream had hit a roadblock. An order issued by the Madhya Pradesh High Court had debarred him from studying medicine on account of his disability. However, a two judge bench of the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court order.
http://www.dnis.org/news.php?issue_id=6&volume_id=7&news_id=1069&i=4
Specially-abled protest Railways' decision, observe hunger strike in Chennai
Chennai, May 5 (ANI): Specially-abled persons in Tamil Nadu staged a demonstration on Wednesday to protest the decision of Indian Railways making the disabled-friendly coaches open for general public.
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/05/05/speciallyabled-protest-railways-decision-observehu.html
Jobs for Persons with Disabilities in rural areas under NREGA
As per Govt. order in Andhra Pradesh – In 22 districts persons with disabilities have been organized into Fixed Labour Groups – through which persons with disabilities will get Job cards under NREGA, 150 days of employment that would amount to not less then 15000/- per annum; 30% less work with Equal pay, with barrier free work; the work will be selected by the disabled people’s groups within the village. For details email Mr. Srinivasulu, President, NPdO, npdoap@gmail.com
Enabling the disabled
All eyes are on the 2011 Census which will provide crutical statistics on the number of disabled in India.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/enabling-the-disabled/612279/0
Disabled sportspersons protest outside Sports Ministry
New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) Disabled sportspersons today staged a protest outside the Sports Ministry here alleging corruption in the management of disability sport.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/650135_Disabled-sportspersons-protest-outside-Sports-Ministry
Hard times for disabled Indian athletes
It's not just the national sports federations who've had the same bosses for decades. The Paralympics Committee of India, which is the federation for differently-abled athletes is no different. And the allegation against the federation is mismanagement of funds, ahead of preparations for the Commonwealth Games.
http://www.ndtv.com/news/sports/hard-times-for-disabled-indian-athletes-25285.php
‘Disabled athletes won’t participate in some CWG events’
New Delhi, May 11 (IANS) Owing to lack of facilities, disabled Indian sportspersons will not be able to take part in a few of the 15 disability sporting events in the Commonwealth Games, an NGO said Tuesday.
Among the 15 disability sporting events are athletics, swimming and table tennis.
Govt buildings set to go green and disabled-friendly
The public works department (PWD) has prescribed a new set of building construction norms for its engineers to follow in the entire state. The directions, which were issued a few days back have made it mandatory for the buildings to be environment and disabled friendly.
http://www.todaynews.in/city/jaipur/govt-buildings-set-to-go-green-and-disabled-friendly-72551.html
New teaching methods for special students
HYDERABAD: The school education department has finally woken up to the learning disability woes of students. With the Right to Education (RTE) Act opening up gates of private schools to students from poor economic and social backgrounds, the department has decided to offer 'special education' to children with learning disabilities.
Visually challenged perform better
The pass percentage among the visually impaired and candidates with learning disability in the SSLC examinations of April 2010 turned out to be higher than the overall pass percentage.
While 75.31 percent of the total visually impaired candidates passed, 67.33 percent of candidates with learning disability passed.
Out of a total of 243 visually impaired candidates, 183 passed and out of 251 candidates with learning disabilities, a 169 passed. The pass percentages in categories such as the deaf and dumb, hearing impaired and physically challenged were 40.70 percent, 38.40 percent and 51.01 percent respectively.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/67778/visually-challenged-perform-better.html
Belgaum school for blind scores 100 per cent for the 23rd year running
It’s performance personified for students of the Maheshwari School for the Blind School of the City. The school has been registering cent percent result in SSLC examinations for the past 23 years, consecutively.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/67988/this-school-leads-kindly-light.html
Parents to insure themselves to ensure lifelong care for their children
lenge of examinations this summer, Basayya Math had to face a second challenge to surmount - poverty. He managed with distinction.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/68182/he-overcame-twin-challenges.html
Parents to insure themselves to ensure lifelong care for their children
D.N.I.S. News Network, India: Parents of children with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or multiple disabilities can now get themselves insured under a special insurance scheme. The scheme will ensure that when they are no longer there, the state will use the insurance money to give lifelong care to their child.
http://www.dnis.org/news.php?issue_id=6&volume_id=7&news_id=1065&i=6
What Women Want: The ability debates
Change in attitude
National Trust's programmes work on building capacity, changing patronising attitudes, building trust in the abilities of people with developmental disability and creating an equal playing field. Unfortunately, deeply entrenched attitudes continue to exclude people with disabilities. Even if an opportunity is given, it is given only once; if a person with disability fails, incapacity is assumed.
http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article420517.ece
People with disabilities need different kinds of books such as audio books, reading material with large font sizes, or electronic text. Even among the blind, not everyone can read Braille. In any case, only around 0.5 per cent of all published books in India get converted into Braille.
Aspiring model gets over Rs 23 lakh for disability
New Delhi: A Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of over Rs 23 lakh to an aspiring model who became permanently disabled after sustaining injuries in a road accident five years ago.
http://www.zeenews.com/news624762.html
Ragging caused loss of vision, alleges student
A student studying in second year of Electronics and Communication in a Tamil Nadu-based Engineering College has alleged he was ragged and assaulted by senior students, resulting in injury to his right eye and loss of vision.
http://www.ndtv.com/news/cities/ragging-caused-loss-of-vision-alleges-student-23731.php
National Chess Championship organized for visually impaired in Gujarat
Surat (Gujarat), May 11 (ANI): The Forum for Development of Visually Impaired and Rotary Club organised a national chess championship for the visually challenged in Gujarat's Surat city.
http://news.oneindia.in/2010/05/11/nationalchess-championship-organized-for-visuallyimpaired.html
'Swayambar' for hearing impaired
New Delhi, May 3 (IBNS) Leading matrimonial service Shaadi.com has partnered with the Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women (DFDW) to extend support for the ‘XVIII Pranay Milan Sammelan 2010’, a matrimonial alliance common ground for hearing impaired women.
You are being SERVED
A deaf waiter,a blind PR exec... from eateries to offices,the private sector is employing the differently abled
B: INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Songwriter wins fight to regain control of life
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Nashville songwriter won a 2 1/2 year legal battle Monday to regain control of his life and make all medical, legal and financial decisions for himself, in a case that drew wide attention to problems that can arise when a disabled person is put in the care of a guardian.
Disabled child can't stay in Canada: court
A French family denied permanent residence in Canada because their child is disabled could apply to stay in the country on humanitarian grounds, but that's still no guarantee they'll be accepted, says a spokesman for Immigration Minister Jason Kenney.
iPhone lets disabled girl 'talk' at last
A dad was overjoyed when his iPhone helped him talk with his severely disabled daughter for the first time.
No jail for woman who abandoned disabled girl
A woman who admitted leaving a disabled six-year-old girl outside overnight in freezing temperatures has been told she will not face a prison sentence.
Freedom Pass taken off woman with learning disabilities
A woman with learning disabilities has been stripped of her free travel pass after a west London council said that her IQ was too high for her to qualify.
Patients in '15-year move' wait
Some learning disability patients in long-stay disability hospitals have been waiting up to 15 years to be resettled, a new report has said.
Census worker charged with rape of disabled woman
Daniel Miller started working for the U.S. Census two weeks ago. The 39-year-old married man with two daughters has been charged with the rape of a 21-year-old physically handicapped woman.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/291904
Disabled Peoples' International-Asia Pacific, under the sponsorship of the Institute of Health for People with Disability, will stage a photo exhibition by activist Aphiluck Puangkaew who has captured the lives of 25 women with physical and mental disabilities.
Amputee beats disability to fight
A DETERMINED amputee is celebrating after kicking ass in a martial arts competition — despite having only ONE LEG.
Inspite of Disability, Teen Becomes Professional Photographer
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla -- A 17-year-old is proving you don't need great eyesight to have vision. Joshua Phillips has always been captivated by cameras and the moments they capture.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=156590&catid=3
Girl with No Hands gets Pilot License
http://photopeach.com/album/97yxk2?ref=more
Poet with disability finds voice through prose
When the words came, they revealed the voice of a poet.
It's been that way for 20-year-old Terrence Ealoms since he was 15, looking for a way to slip free from years of adversity.
C: RESOURCES – Newsletter, Publication,Journal, Guideline,Website
Ability Matrimony
Ability Matrimony is an exclusive matrimony site for singles with special needs or those wanting to marry someone with special needs
http://www.abilitymatrimony.com/
Copyright Act, 1957, Amendments for the Print Disabled - Concerns and Solutions
For any further information please feel free to write into - Nationalaccessalliance@gmail.com
Status of access to knowledge and cultural materials in accessible formats for persons with disabilities in India
http://www.cis-india.org/advocacy/accessibility/right-to-read-europe-parliament
Accessibility Blog
http://www.cis-india.org/advocacy/accessibility/blog
Banking Sector and Disability
Disability Rights Alliance Tamil Nadu is pleased to present to India's PwD it's second focus blog...after railways,,,it's now banking resources. It has user experiences, RBI circulars, CCOD notification, Court orders, Pincha's citizen journalist video on his experience, guidelines etc.
It can be accessed at http://draindiamoney.blogspot.com/
Blog dedicated to discuss and give a new meaning and directions to the new law
A very warm welcome to this blog which is solely dedicated to discuss and give a new meaning and directions to the new law which shall replace the Act which is called the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.
http://www.sahaayit.com/blog/blog.htm
Facts Sheets on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Source: DPI e-update - 5 May 2010
The European Network on Independent Living, with whom DPI Europe has a very close relationship, has released a number of fact-sheets on different Articles within the CRPD.
Report on Torture of Children with Disabilities
Source: DPI e-update - 13 May 2010
Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) released this past week a report on the torture of children with disabilities at the Judge Rotenberg Center in the United States. To read Report in PDF only, go to http://www.mdri.org/PDFs/USReportandUrgentAppeal.pdf
Emancipatory research
Greetings from AIFO/Bologna. a report on a research project dealing with impact of community-based rehabilitation in a district in India. More information is available at the following link:
http://www.aifo.it/english/proj/research/sparkcbr/index.htm
Update on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Source: DPI e-update - 21 May 2010
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has recently published on its website on disability a document titled "Monitoring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Guidance for Human Rights Monitors”.
Manifesto on Inclusive Education
Source: DPI e-update - 21 May 2010
Allfie (Alliance for Inclusive Education), based in the UK, has developed a Manifesto on Inclusive Education which is available to stimulate discussion and debate. To read in full in English, go to http://www.allfie.org.uk/docs/ALLFIE%20Manifesto.pdf
AIFO Bangalore
Click here for Amici news April 2010
http://www.aifoindia.org/news/2010/april.pdf
D: ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Australian Government’s 2010-11 Human Rights Grants Scheme (HRGS) is now open to receive Expressions of Interest for funding to conduct human rights activities in developing countries.
The HRGS targets non-government organizations and human rights institutions in Asia, the Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Grassroots Advocacy Leadership Training for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Venue and Dates: Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002, USA, June 27 – July 3, 2010
Participation Cost: $890.00 for program fee, room and board
For registration, please visit www.regonline.com/grassroots_advocacy
For inquiries, please contact Leah Maxson at leah.maxson@gallaudet.edu
Adaptive Driving Training for SCIs
Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi has started adaptive driving training for SCIs. We have a fully automatic vehicle especially designed for training purpose only. Anyone who is interested to be a part of this training program please enrolled yourself at Assistive Technology Department, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi.
Phone: 91-11-4225 5377 (Direct), Ext. 377 or 8278 (mobile code) or email to Mr. Nekram Upadhyay: assistivetech@isiconline.org
Upcoming Activities in the Asia Pacific Region
To celebrate the new decade of persons with disabilities, Disabled Peoples' International Asia-Pacific (DPI/AP) is organizing regional events 18-22 June 2010. Participants welcome. For information, go to http://www.dpiap.org/
1st Regional Senior Disability Equality Training (DET) Trainers’ Training - 25 October - 6 November 2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Organized by: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women Family and Community Development, Malaysia
Deadline for application: 15 August 2010
Course Fee: Free of Charge
For details contacr: Ms. Terumi Shikata (shikata.terumi@gmail.com)
Tel: +60-3-2616 6025 Fax: +60-3-2691 7473
Mainstreaming Disability Equality: An ITC-ILO On-line Course
We are very pleased to inform you that the International Training Centre of the ILO is launching for the second year an on-line learning course on "Mainstreaming Disability Equality".
The course is hosted by the virtual "Gender and non-Discrimination Campus" at: http://gender.itcilo.org
Training course to Voluntary Organizations on “Development documentation” at Bala Vikasa People Development Training Centre, Warangal, A.P from 10th - 12th June, 2010.
For details contact balavikasapdtc@gmail.com
Management Courses for Persons with Developmental Disabilities
The list of courses available are as below -
Entrepreneurship Development Training Programme (EDTP),
Hospitality Management Training Programme (HMTP),
Art and Craft Skills Development Training Programme (ACTP) and
Office Attendant Training Programme (OATP)
For details contact - alok_bhuwan@hotmail.com
Manovikas, A-267, Surajmal Vihar, Delhi- 110092, Tel: 22377771, 22376486, 65422367, Fax: 22376486
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Disclaimer: This e-news is a collation of articles/ news from national and international sources. The contents of the same do not necessarily represent the views of CBR Forum.