Clean Up India: 108 toilets built in Badaun but villagers unwilling to use them - BADAUN

As the government begins its Swacch Bharat campaign, NGOs Sulabh International is leaving no stone unturned to provide the locals with adequate toilets in the Katra Sadatganj village in Badaun in Uttar Pradesh. Brick by brick, NGO Sulabh International has built 108 toilets in the Badaun village. The NGO has plans to provide 295 more so that each house has a toilet. But interestingly, a small section of the residents, prefer not to use them.

"People complain that they feel claustrophobic using a toilet and prefer to go out in the open. Some also say that these toilets are so good that they hesitate from using it," Village Pradhan Kamal Kant Tiwari said.

Infact, a lady in the village went on the extent to say that the toilets are so well made that she would rather store twigs and cow dung in the only pucca and water proof part of the house. "I like toilet as it is made better than house. So I will use it as store room to keep utensils and fuel," she said.

Like a bitter reality in many villages in India, toilets are low priority in this village as well.

An extremely backward village, Katra Sadatganj mostly has mud huts with thatch roofs. The colourful pink and blue toilets almost adorn the village.

To help people overcome their hesitation, Sulabh infact had to employ two volunteers to go around the village and convince the residents to start using them.

Incidently, this is the same village where two sisters were found hanging from a tree after they went out in the dead of the night to releive themselves. In these circumstances, toilets at homes are a boon for women residents who had to wait all day long for nightfall to go out and defecate in the open.

"My daughter-in-law would not return from their natal homes because of lack of toilets," a village resident Munni said.

For the old and infirm and handicapped too, toilets are a big relief. "I'm very relieved to have a toilet. I just need to get up from my bed and go to the adjoining toilet. Earlier my wife would have to carry everything outside. People would stare at her," a physically challenged resident Vijender said.


Source : IBN7 Live , 2nd Oct 2014 

Jaipur Foot patron D R Mehta to get Clairmont Lincoln Ahimsa award in US

                                 (In 1975, Mehta set up Bhagwan…)



D R Mehta, founder and chief patron of the organization that popularized the Jaipur Foot, will be conferred the Clairmont Lincoln Ahimsa Award for this year in California in United States on October 2.

The coveted award has been instituted by the American University Claremont Lincoln.

The award ceremony will be held at the Garrison Theatre in Claremont on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1975, Mehta set up the Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS), a charitable organization based in Jaipur that provides artificial legs to the poor.

"Mehta has been chosen for the award for his contribution to humanity through the noble mission of helping the disabled by providing them the free prosthetic limbs.

The 'Jaipur Foot' has so far benefited 1.40 disabled in India and 27 other countries of the world," a BMVSS release said here today.

The award has been instituted by the university for propagating the non-violence, Gandhian philosophy, ethical leadership, interfaith understanding and for the sustainable social impact on the world, the release said quoting Laura Burgis, executive vice president for Institutional Advancement of the varsity.

Mehata, a former chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan and also the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Purskar and American Tech award.

Mehta would also deliver the keynote address at the three-day 3rd international Jain conference on 'Ethics in Business' to be held at the Claremont.

The Jaipur Foot is a household name among people who live in the world's many war zones. From Afghanistan to Angola, the below-the-knee limb is famous for transforming the lives of thousands of land mine amputees.

The beauty of the Jaipur Foot is its lightness and mobility - those who wear it can run, climb trees and pedal bicycles - and its low price, which is a fraction of the cost for similar prosthesis available internationally .

Source : The Economic Times , 29th Sep 2014

Govt pulled up for failing to give details on special needs children : Delhi

Expressing its dissatisfaction over the information provided by the Delhi government on the facilities available for children with special needs (CWSNs), the Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the Directorate of Education (DoE) to revise its format for information sought from private unaided schools.

“The list does not specify number of seats available for admission,” noted the court.

The DoE had last week submitted a list of schools which were providing facilities catering to different kinds of disabilities. The court, however, noted that details of the facilities at the schools was not available in the affidavit. The court has now asked the government to get information on the number of seats available in each school, the facilities available for each kind of disability, the number of special educators and the fee to be charged from the CWSNs.

Observing that it was “practically impossible” for CWSNs to travel across the city to get education, the court of Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Vipin Sanghi has also directed the DoE to “ensure even distribution of seats for children with different disabilities – as far as it is practical in schools zone wise/ district wise to ensure there is no hardship for children who have to travel long distances”.

“In our opinion, it does not give sufficient details with respect to extent of facilities in concerned schools and seats available,” the Bench said and directed the government to file an affidavit indicating all necessary information to enable the parents of CWSN to opt for schools appropriately.

“The information will be placed on the website of DoE with links to those schools, if necessary. An affidavit of compliance of the above directions shall be filed immediately after three weeks,” the court has said.


Source : India News Break Via The  Indian Express , 30th Sep 2014

All children deserve quality education - Vancouver

Eric Drysdale, 11, with sister Sophia and mom Lori at their Vancouver home. Eric has a learning disability and his parents sold their home to send him to private school.

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Opinion: Special needs kids in B.C. aren’t always getting the chances to succeed

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Thankfully, B.C. schools are open again after a difficult period for parents and caregivers. Despite this, big questions still loom — What will be done to ensure that supports for children with special needs foster real inclusion in classrooms, and that these children reach their full potential academically, socially and with the support of their peers? What will be done so that families do not have to search for support for their children outside the system?


While some details have been released about the labour settlement, students with special needs and their parents have yet to see how — or even if — learning conditions will improve. And without some fundamental and evidence-based changes, the likelihood of improvement for these students is small. Unless there are clear assurances that all students are valued, we risk the continuing decline of our entire education system.


We have seen many instances in recent years where students with learning disabilities, such as significant reading delays, have not had their needs met, and parents have scrambled to find private tutors and supports to ensure that their child learns and achieves. Of deeper concern are those students who have behavioural issues requiring more intensive support so that they can be included in the classroom instead of being streamed out of class or into “soft rooms” or other exclusionary measures. Driving these children out of the classroom, and even sometimes out of the school, ignores their needs, and creates a cascading range of social problems that will follow these children into adulthood, at a far greater economic cost than appropriate school and community-based support.


Education policy and practice must acknowledge the fundamental right of every child to receive a quality, inclusive education. It is the responsibility of government, educators and each one of us to ensure that all students’ needs are met. An estimated 60,000 students with special needs attend public schools in B.C., representing 10 per cent of the total student population. These students range from those with sensory disabilities to severe behavioural problems, developmental disabilities, the autism spectrum, learning disabilities, and the gifted.


As prescribed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, each of these students has the right to a quality education and to attain the highest level possible. Further, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states children students should “receive the support required, within the general education system, to facilitate their effective education.”


Despite Canada being a signatory to both conventions, we know that many children with special needs in B.C. do not fully realize these rights. It is time for the provincial government to make good on the commitments made on an international stage, to the citizens of B.C., especially our children and youth.


Inclusion doesn’t mean parking children in a class without needed supports and expecting the teacher to meet their needs. It means providing nurturing classrooms that support every learner and offering specialist behavioural supports to assist teachers in making this work. Inclusion is not only a legal and moral obligation — it is best practice. Extensive research, including a recent study done at Simon Fraser University, demonstrates that all students benefit from inclusive classrooms.


Source : The Vancouver Sun , 1st Oct 2014

Hellertown's Adam Benza competing in World Disabled Golf Championships in Japan

Adam Benza has won two consecutive Silver Creek Country Club men's club championships.

Hellertown's Adam Benza, left, is competing in World Disabled Golf Championships in Japan through Friday.

That alone is a nice accomplishment for the 28-year-old Hellertown resident. However, what makes Benza's golf game so special is that he's an amputee playing with a prosthesis below his right knee.

Now Benza, a winner of four prestigious regional amputee golf tournaments, is testing his game against the best players in the world in the 2014 World Disabled Golf Championships, which run from today to Friday.

Benza will compete in the three-round, 54-hole team (15 countries) and individual stroke play tournament at the One Way Golf Club in Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan; located approximately 75 kilometers northeast of Tokyo.

Benza took up golf at a young age.

"I started playing golf at the age of 3, my father got me into it," Benza said. "I was always athletic, even after I lost my leg due to cancer (Ewing's sarcoma), playing many different sports as I was growing up, until I got to high school and realized I was a lot better at golf and focused on that. My right leg is amputated below the knee. I played all four years on my high school golf team, and was the captain along with being named the MVP my senior year at Saucon Valley in 2004-05 season."

Benza, who currently has a 1.6 USGA handicap index, is proud to be a member of the four-player American team, and to get a chance to test his game against premier competition.

"My expectations for this tournament are to win," said Benza, the 2010 and 2012 champion of the Eastern Regional Amputee Golf Championship. "If you're going to go into something thinking you aren't going to do well, then you won't. The individual title will be hard because there are some amazing players going over there. For the team they take the top 3 of 4 scores for the day, and on paper our team has one of the best teams, so I would like to think we would be a favorite there."

Benza's teammates are Kenny Bontz, Steve Terpak, and Ryan Brenden. He noted he made the team due to his past tournament performances.

"Basically they look at your performance in tournaments along with your current handicap and select the best players in the country," Benza said. "The whole concept of the World Disabled Golf Championship is to get disabled golf into the Paralympics, so they really want the best disabled players in the world to be there to show what they can do. Fortunately, I get to go represent the United States of America."

To raise money for the trip to Japan, Benza's fellow club members at Silver Creek got behind him and his teammates.

"I would not have been able to do this without the support from every single person at Silver Creek Country Club, staff and members, donating money through the Miracle on Linden event to help sponsor our team to go over and compete there," Benza said. "It's unbelievable to be at a facility like Silver Creek where everyone feels like family. Everyone there really got behind me and I would like to thank them for it."

Benza said the strength of his game is consistency and accuracy.

"I would say the strengths of my game are that I am pretty well-rounded," Benza said. "I don't kill it off the tee, hit my irons a long way, and make every putt. I'm pretty consistent and try not to put myself in a lot of trouble. I would like to think I am a very accurate player. My whole key is fairways, greens, and two putt. If there is one thing I am best at it would probably be getting off the tee. If I could hit my driver on all 18 holes of a golf course, I would."



Source : lehighvalleylive, 1st Oct 2014

Job opportunities for physically challenged - Guwahati

Making a difference in the lives of the physically challenged members of the society, a job fair organised by the Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Handicapped, Guwahati, in association with NRL and Byatikram Masdo, provided job opportunities to at least 16 physically challenged young men and women of the State.

Leading companies like NJB Infosys, Emami, Hinduja Global Solutions, Dominos, Café Coffee Day, IDBI Federal Bank, among others, would recruit the selected physically challenged candidates on merit basis. Nearly 200 candidates from different parts of the State including Jorhat, Silchar, Kokrajhar, Nalbari and Kamrup, among others, took part in the fair held recently at the Assam Textile Institute here.


Other 49 candidates were also shortlisted for various jobs during the day-long job fair cum counselling session that was held with an objective to bring the employer and the candidates under one roof. During the job fair, National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC) loans were sanctioned to four beneficiaries, including two women, to start self-employment ventures.


Companies like Hinduja Global Solutions, Dominos, IDBI Federal Bank, NHFDC, Emami, Café Coffee Day, Arena Animation among other participated in the job fair.


“This job fair and counselling session provided opportunity to both the employer and the candidates to interact and know about the requirements of each other. In the next stage, the other shortlisted candidates would be contacted by the companies for recruitment.


“The jobs would be offered by the companies as per the qualification of the candidates, keeping in mind the ability and limitations of the physically challenged candidates,” said Debashree Bhattacharya of VRC, Guwahati.


The candidates, who could not come to the job fair due to floods, would also be registered by the VRC. “It is a continuous process and we would register the details of those unable to make it to the job fair this time,” she added.


An evaluation unit of the VRC would monitor the working condition of the selected candidates. The VRC also runs skill development programmes for youth with special needs.


Source : Assam Tribune , 29th Sep 2014

The physically challenged want their rights respected - Chittagong , Dhaka

Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled (RCD), Unite Theater for Social Action (UTSA), B-SCAN and Chittagong Autistic Society participated at the human chain

Physically challenged people  formed a human chain yesterday demanding they be allowed to participate in and represent all sectors of the country.

Around 100 phycially challenged, including visually the impaired held placards and banners pressing for their demands in front of Chittagong’s Press Club around 3pm.

Blogger Sabrina Sultana, president of Bangladesh Society for Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), presided over the human chain organised by Protibondhi Nagorik Shongothoner Parishad (PNSP). Different organisations which work for the physically challenged also participated in the programme.

Speakers at the programme said the physically challenged should be allowed to represent the committees launched by the government for them under the act enacted in 2013 for disabled persons rights and safety.

They said a physically challenged person should represent the physically challenged community as they could identify and disclose the exact problems they face in interacting with other communities. They urged the government to ensure their participation in the related committees and policy making bodies which were mentioned in the disabled persons rights act.

Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled (RCD), Unite Theater for Social Action (UTSA), B-SCAN and Chittagong Autistic Society participated at the human chain.

RCD President Rasheduzzaman Chowdhury and secretaries Md Kamruzzaman and Md Iftekhar Mahmud of PNSP addressed the human chain.


Source : Dhaka Tribune , 28th Sep 2014

Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled (RCD), Unite Theater for Social Action (UTSA), B-SCAN and Chittagong Autistic Society participated at the human chain

Physically challenged people  formed a human chain yesterday demanding they be allowed to participate in and represent all sectors of the country.
Around 100 phycially challenged, including visually the impaired held placards and banners pressing for their demands in front of Chittagong’s Press Club around 3pm.
Blogger Sabrina Sultana, president of Bangladesh Society for Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN), presided over the human chain organised by Protibondhi Nagorik Shongothoner Parishad (PNSP). Different organisations which work for the physically challenged also participated in the programme.
Speakers at the programme said the physically challenged should be allowed to represent the committees launched by the government for them under the act enacted in 2013 for disabled persons rights and safety.
They said a physically challenged person should represent the physically challenged community as they could identify and disclose the exact problems they face in interacting with other communities. They urged the government to ensure their participation in the related committees and policy making bodies which were mentioned in the disabled persons rights act.
Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled (RCD), Unite Theater for Social Action (UTSA), B-SCAN and Chittagong Autistic Society participated at the human chain.
RCD President Rasheduzzaman Chowdhury and secretaries Md Kamruzzaman and Md Iftekhar Mahmud of PNSP addressed the human chain. 

- See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-rights/2014/sep/28/physically-challenged-want-their-rights-respected#sthash.IDzlG0ZZ.dpuf

HC relief for student seeking wheelchair access at exam centre - PUNE

The Bombay high court has directed the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC) here to make necessary arrangements for a wheelchair-bound student to appear for her chartered accountancy (CA) intermediate exam in November.


In an interim order on September 29, the high court bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice M S Sonak also directed the ICAI office here to take measures to make its own building barrier-free for students with disabilities. The ICAI has to file an affidavit in the court by October 28 and the matter has been posted for hearing on October 30.


Akanksha Vardhaman Kale, who is pursuing her studies at BMCC, filed a petition in the high court on June 30 through her lawyer Satyavrat Joshi. She sought the court's directions to the Savitribai Phule Pune University to provide facilities - as mandated by Section 46 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 - to disabled persons at the university campus and all affiliated colleges.


Kale stated that she cannot go to any college in Pune to appear for her CA intermediate exam, scheduled between November 7 and 20, as there are no disabled-friendly facilities at the colleges. The ICAI and the Pune-based Sate Commissioner for persons with disabilities were named among the eight respondents in the petition.


On September 3, the bench directed Kale to suggest an appropriate place with disabled-friendly facilities, where she can appear for the exam, to be conducted by the ICAI. It also asked the lawyers appearing for the ICAI and the state government to take instructions from their clients regarding the issue. In her affidavit, filed three days later in court, Kale suggested that BMCC has the necessary barrier-free environment and her exam be conducted there by the ICAI.


On September 29, the lawyers appearing for the ICAI brought to the court's notice that the institute had approached BMCC with a plea to provide space for the conduct of the CA exam, but the college turned down the request. The bench, however, observed that BMCC may have taken the ICAI's plea as a request for large scale arrangements for several students. In response to the court's query, the ICAI pointed out that only the petitioner and no other student has requested for disabled-friendly facilities.


"Having regard to the fact that the petitioner is the only student with locomotory disability, requiring barrier free environment and that she is a student of BMCC, the interests of justice require appropriate directions need to be given to BMCC," the bench observed. The court directed addition of names of BMCC and the state coordination committee as respondents no 9 and 10 in the matter while issuing the interim order.


Source : TOI , 4th Oct 2014

Keystone Bank commissions ATM for physically challenged customers - NIGERIA

Keystone Bank Limited has commissioned an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) gallery  specifically built to accommodate the physically challenged persons in the society.

Speaking at the event in Lagos, executive director, operations and technology, Keystone Bank, Yvonne Isichei, said the bank decided to locate the ATM gallery at its Maryland branch because it was a very busy metropolitan area.

She said the bank introduced the ATM gallery as part of its corporate social responsibility, which according to her, “is all about touching the lives of people to demonstrate Keystone Bank’s commitment to financial inclusion as a developmental goal; as well to align with goal of sustainable banking, which is all about being conscious of the needs of those around its environment.”

She noted that some bank customers experience some difficulties using ATMs, especially the physically challenged. “We want to make financial services accessible. Financial inclusion is about encouraging everybody, taking it near the people as much as possible. It is about our channels and their workability. It is supposed to make life easier,” the Keystone Bank executive director said.

According to her, the level of financial inclusion has continued to grow, as the 2020 target of achieving significant improvement in the level of financial inclusion would be met with structures such as the bank’s ATM gallery for the physically challenged.

“We are happy to know that there has been an appreciable progress, but we still have a long way from achieving a 70 percent financial inclusion, which is the objective of vision 2020.

“Keystone Bank looked at these and so we are really happy that we recognise this need and in recognising it, we have provided a solution and that is why we are gathered today.

“Keystone Bank is here to launch the first of its kind ATM gallery that is wheel-chair friendly that indeed provides easy access for men and women, boys and girls, young and old, to be able to access and indeed be part of financial inclusion.

“We commissioned this gallery in line with our mission to deliver consistent superior performance and to be the preferred partner. We want to be the preferred partner to all segments of our customers base that we have, the young, the matured, the old and indeed at this point, noting the fact that there is a critical segment, the physically challenged,” she said.

The chairman, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria, Obioha Ononogbu, who was at the event, urged other banks to emulate Keystone Bank, saying “the world is for everybody, you don’t have to exclude some people. The disabled should also have the opportunity to benefit from banking facilities.

“The most important aspect is that it is made accessible for people on wheel-chair. I think that is the highlight of this system. This is a very good one for us that are on wheel chairs, so that we can have access and do it ourselves and not depending on anyone.”


Source : Business Day , 3rd Oct 2014

Added facilities: IBA launches auditorium with ramp - KARACHI

The Jahangir Siddiqui (JS) Auditorium, which is equipped with ramps for disabled persons, was inaugurated at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) city campus. IBA dean and director Dr Ishrat Husain and JS group chairperson Jahangir Siddiqui launched the auditorium. JS Auditorium has materialised due to the generous contributions of the Mahwash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation (MJSF). Ali Korai said that this auditorium had all the modern facilities, with a capacity to seat more than 400 people. It is perfect for lecture series, plays and movie screenings, he said, adding that the auditorium has been designed to assist the disabled members of our society. The auditorium is equipped with banking facilities, changing rooms, restrooms, adequate lighting and low maintenance. Naheed Mashookullah designed the interior of the auditorium. MJSF CEO Ali Siddiqui said that this auditorium was a contribution towards an all-inclusive and a united society. He hoped IBA will use the facility to promote great intellect.


Source : The Express Tribune , 2nd Oct 2014

The Long Road to Disability Rights in Japan

On January 20, 2014, the government of Japan ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a step many advocates considered long overdue. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006 and brought into force in May 2008, the CRPD bans all forms of discrimination on the basis of disability and requires the parties to the treaty to provide necessary accommodation to persons with disabilities. Although Japan signed the CRPD in September 2007, it spent more than six years subsequently laying the legal groundwork for ratification—even as South Korea, China, and dozens of other countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe officially joined the convention. Only after amending the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities and passing the Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities was Japan ready to become the 140th country to ratify the CRPD.

This qualifies as a giant leap for Japan. Yet media coverage has been sparse. The general public remains largely ignorant of the meaning of “prohibition of discrimination” under the CRPD and unaware of the kind of hurdles to participation the disabled face even today. In the following, I offer an overview of the convention and discuss what additional steps Japan must take to eliminate discrimination against these individuals.

Denial of Accommodation is Discrimination

The most significant aspect of the CRPD from the standpoint of its potential impact on our lives is the fact that it treats “denial of reasonable accommodation” as a form of discrimination.

Reasonable accommodation refers to adaptations and modifications to guarantee opportunities for participation and access to services that persons with disabilities would otherwise be denied owing to their disability. Section 2 of the CRPD defines the concept as follows:

“Reasonable accommodation” means necessary and appropriate modification and adjustments not imposing a disproportionate or undue burden, where needed in a particular case, to ensure to persons with disabilities the enjoyment or exercise on an equal basis with others of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Examples include arranging for sign language interpreters at local lectures, adding audio commentary to television shows and movies, and installing ramps at the entrances to department stores and restaurants. Failure to make such accommodations is considered discrimination under the convention. Look around you and you will see that there are still countless instances in which individuals with disabilities are unable to take part in our society on an equal basis.

Improving Support on University Campuses

As someone who has spent many years supporting higher education for people with disabilities, I am keenly aware of the barriers such students face on campus. Deaf and hard of hearing students have no way to hear emergency alarms or announcements made over the loud speaker system, not to mention the content of classroom lectures and discussions. Blind students often have no access to the content of textbooks and other printed materials and have difficulty commuting and moving between classrooms. The campus is home to students with a wide range of disabilities, from orthopedic impairments that may confine them to wheelchairs to developmental and internal disorders, and each of these students has a different set of needs.

Japan’s ratification of the CRPD means that henceforth schools will be expected to provide reasonable accommodation based on individual needs, including sign language interpreters or text transcribers for the Deaf or hard of hearing and transcription of materials into Braille or audio format for the blind or visually impaired. The CRPD is significant because it goes beyond idealistic rhetoric and mandates concrete action, stipulating that parties must “take all appropriate steps to ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided.”

Japan’s Efforts to Date

 

What actions has the Japanese government taken thus far to promote the principle of reasonable accommodation?

When the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities was amended in August 2011, a provision was added stating that “necessary and reasonable accommodation shall be made” to remove social barriers (Article 4, paragraph 2). Although the wording is somewhat vague, a provision for reasonable accommodation—the core concept of the CRPD—made its way into domestic law for the first time.

This was followed in June 2013 by passage of the Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities. Article 7, paragraph 2, of this law stipulates that “administrative organs, etc., . . . shall make necessary and reasonable accommodation for the removal of social barriers.” Private entities, meanwhile, must “endeavor to make necessary and reasonable accommodation for the removal of social barriers” (Article 8, paragraph 2).

Meanwhile, separate provisions in the Act on Employment Promotion etc. of Persons with Disabilities explicitly require private businesses to provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities. Under this law, business owners “must make necessary improvements to facilities, assign assistance providers, and take any other necessary measures” to “ensure treatment equal to that of nondisabled workers.”

Both laws are scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2016. Hopes are high that this will bring major changes to the lives of persons with disabilities in Japan, who have hitherto been denied many of the accommodations they sought. But even now, less than two years before the effective date of the legislation, the Japanese public is largely ignorant of its existence. Measures to familiarize the public with the laws’ gist and the changes they mandate are urgently needed.

Learning from a Leader in Disabled Rights

The United States has consistently been a world leader in the rights of the disabled. A full 41 years ago it legislated reasonable accommodation in “any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.^(*1) It expanded and extended these protections to the private sector 24 years ago under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.^(*2) Also noteworthy is the pioneering role played by the US federal government, which has led the way in promoting equal opportunity by actively hiring persons with disabilities and blocking the adoption of IT equipment and systems that are not universally accessible.

Admittedly, Japan and the United States differ fundamentally in terms of their social environment and their concepts of law. Nevertheless, given that the United States has decades of experience enforcing laws that Japan enacted only last year, we should learn what we can from its example. Meanwhile, the trend toward universal access and equal rights for the disabled is rapidly gaining momentum in Europe, particularly in such countries such as Denmark and Sweden, as well as in Hong Kong, South Korea, and other parts of Asia. Japan must accelerate its efforts if it is to keep pace with the international community.

There are high hopes for a dramatic improvement in conditions for the disabled in Japan now that the government has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Japan now faces the urgent task of implementing the concrete steps set forth in the convention through legal and other measures. In two years the Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities will take effect. I hope the day will soon come when we can say that the lives of persons with disabilities have truly changed.

(Originally written in Japanese on July 11, 2014. Title photo: Then Foreign Minister Kōmura Masahiko signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in September 2007. © Jiji.)

(*1) ^ As public institutions and most colleges and universities receive federal assistance, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act had a far-reaching impact and laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights legislation regarding persons with disabilities. Among other things, it requires that those covered by the law ensure access to programs and services to qualified individuals with disabilities, provide reasonable accommodation to disabled employees, and ensure accessibility when constructing new facilities or renovating existing ones.

(*2) ^ The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits disability-based discrimination in various social settings. The law is divided into four major areas, addressing all services and facilities that are available to the general public: employment, covering job recruitment, employment, and promotion by employers having 15 or more workers; public services and public transportation, which includes all programs and services provided at the state and local levels, such as public schools, courts of law, and healthcare; public accommodations and commercial facilities, referring to operations by private businesses and nonprofit organizations; and telecommunications, such as relaying of telephone calls and television subtitles.


Source : Nippon , 2nd  Oct 2014

Disaster and needs of differently abled - KASHMIR

         To include persons with disabilities- A need

Natural disasters affect everyone and different populations may face similar risks of exposure to the negative effects. Common experience reveals that persons with disabilities are more likely to be left behind during the evacuation in disasters due to a lack of preparation and planning, as well as inaccessible facilities and services. Warnings and evacuation measures are often not accessible to people with sensory disabilities and most shelters are not accessible. People with disabilities are many times even turned away from shelters due to a perception that they need “complex medical” services. Mainstreaming disability into emergency responses and preparedness, by making disability issues and persons with disabilities visible in national and international actions plans and policies are essential to ensure equality and human rights for all.

Legal framework

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was adopted in December 2006.The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Article 11 of UNCRPD pays particular attention to the obligation of States parties to undertake “all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters.” Furthermore, Article 4.1 is stating about promoting the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities without discrimination of any kind on the basis of disabilityand Article 32recognizes the importance of international cooperation to address the limited capacities of some States to respond to situations of risk and humanitarian crises.

Needs of persons with disabilities

Relief aid Such as food packages, medical supplies, education and training materials are often distributed through shelters; inaccessibility of shelters for persons with disabilities result in their exclusion from these vital services. Several studies show us that including the needs and voices of persons with disabilities at all stages of the disaster management process can significantly reduce their vulnerability and increase the effectiveness of Government response and recovery efforts. Women with disabilities are a particularly vulnerable group whose needs should be included at all stages of recovery and reconstruction efforts. Response teams could be trained to be disability-sensitive and relief items should be checked for their appropriateness to fulfil the needs of persons with disabilities.

Stigma and discrimination

Poor relationships within communities can be another significant determinant of inequalities for persons with disabilities. Stigma associated with disability assigns inferior or no value to people with disabilities and it leads to the denial of basic rights and services especially in the disaster context where there is a scarcity of resources. Social stigma often causes a reluctance of persons with disabilities to identify themselves as ‘disabled’ which worsens their own plight in the disaster context.


Enormous progress has been made towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, (MDGs).The MDGs are making a real difference in people’s lives and, with strong leadership and accountability. After 2015, efforts to achieve a world of prosperity, equity, freedom, dignity and peace will continue unabated.The UN is working with governments, civil society and other partners on an ambitious post-2015 development agenda. Advocating for disability‐inclusive policies, effective delivery of disability‐focused programmes are critical to be addressing inequalities experienced by persons with disabilities and the explicit inclusion of persons with disabilities in the post‐2015 development frame work would be a promising star.

Author is Project Manager, Jammu & Kashmir India Programme & Regional Projects/Asia, HI

Source : Rising Kashmir , October 2014

IGI official suspended for mistreating para-athlete - Delhi

A day after TOI reported alleged misbehaviour with a para-athlete at Indira Gandhi International Airport by an immigration officer, the authorities have suspended him and initiated a departmental inquiry.


Pradeep Raj, an international athlete with disability and a national youth awardee from the President of India, alleged misbehaviour by the security official at immigration counter 41 (reserved for the disabled) on September 22, 2014. He was travelling to South Korea for an international meet on disability.


Raj, in his complaint to the ministry of home affairs, Bureau of Immigration and Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, alleged that the official was not satisfied with his medical certificate, wanted to know his specific disability and humiliated him.


IB Rani, DCP, (Foreigner Regional Registration Office), said, "The department has suspended the officer, who at the rank of a sub-inspector, and a departmental inquiry has been instituted."


Raj alleged that the officer asked him to move to another counter saying "Langdakar chalne se koi handicap nahi ho jata. Doosri line mein ja (Walking with a limp does not make you a handicapped person. Move to the general queue)." He further humiliated him by asking "Where did you get the medical certificate from and how much did you pay for it?"


Sources said, apart from inquiry, the department is also taking measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated at IGI. This includes sensitization of officials handling disabled people. Moreover, to ascertain the allegations, sources said that CCTV footage will be scanned and Raj's and the suspended officer's statements will be taken. Other officers present on duty when the incident happened will also be quizzed.


Source : TOI , 2nd Oct 2014

India Civil Aviation Misses Court of CCPD Notice Deadline On Frisking

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) missed the deadline to reply to a notice issued by the Court of CCPD on frisking of passengers with disabilities.

 Last month, the Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities issued notices to both Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security to ensure they do not harass passengers with disabilities, giving both governmental entities 30 days to respond.

The notice was issued following the complaint filed by Dr Satendra Singh, a medical doctor at the University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital, Delhi.

Last February, Dr Singh was harassed and humiliated by personnel manning the security check-point at Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

“This February, I was called for an International Conference on Disability and on my return from Hyderabad International airport, I was harassed by security officials,” Dr Singh said. “I told them that it will be difficult for me to take off my orthosis. I politely told them that I am not saying no to security and asked them to screen me with ETD (Explosives Trace Detector Test). I even allowed physical frisking but they were hell bent on removal of my orthosis.” Notably, security guidelines state that removal of prosthesis is not necessary.

The disability activist, who was awarded the prestigious NCPEDP MphasiS Universal Design Awards in 2013 for his exemplary work towards the cause of accessibility and promoting equality and dignity for persons with disabilities, stood his ground.  “Being aware of my rights I refused and finally they scanned me with ETD,” he said. Dr Singh was cleared by security and went on to catch his flight.

Upon his return, Dr Satendra Singh complained to the disability watchdog Court of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD), CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). 

"Only CISF took note of my complaint and invited me to share my experiences in a workshop on soft skills," he said. "Neither DGCA nor Ministry of Civil Aviation responded to my harassment complaint."

DGCA has not responded to the Court of CCPD and 30 days deadline is over. BCAS has responded failing to provide evidence suggesting that incidents like the one Dr Singh reported will not happen in future.

Despite the deafening silence of DGCA, Dr Singh is far from over. "I have submitted my rejoinder requesting Court to make sure both DGCA and BCAS amend their rustic screening rules, modify guidelines taking UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities into consideration."

Las July, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati launched a nationwide initiative to elevate standards of service for vulnerable passengers. However, the Ministry’s silence on Dr Singh’s complaint is in stark contrast with the directive. DGCA was not available for comments.

“It is not acceptable for the DGCA nor Ministry of Civil Aviation to ignore a serious disability related complaint,” Reduced Mobility Rights Director Roberto Castiglioni said. “Our only hope is that this is due to an oversight, and a strong and positive response is forthcoming.”

Source : Reduce Mobility Rights , 3rd Oct 2014

Aids and appliances distributed to differently abled students : IMPHAL

The District Board of Education, Imphal West under the aegis of SSA Inclusive Education, aids and appliances were distributed to 125 differently abled children today at URC, Khoyathong.

Speaking at the function, Secretary (revenue) and Imphal West DC N. Ashok Kumar said that the potential in them should be nurtured and they should be made to flourish like normal persons in the society.

To enable them to live like normal people in society various programmes and schemes have been implemented, he said, adding that differently abled persons should not consider themselves to be lagging behind normal people.


Source : Yentha , 1st Oct 2014

Impact on your Brand - Employing differently abled people

Recently I came to know about KFC’s venture to employ Hearing-impaired employees to run a restaurant in Pakistan. I just happened to see the video and I was touched to the core of my heart. What a profound idea. Then I searched on internet about related news and found two such news items as follows. I tried to discuss benefits and impact on Brand Image of the company. (Internal Brand Image and external Brand Image) 

1. Retail outlets hiring Differently-Abled http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/marketing/retail-outlets-hiring-differentlyabled/article4013456.ece

2. KFC Restaurant run by Hearing Impaired Employees- http://www.workersforjesus.com/dfi/s-259.htm

3. Can And Able - http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/story_print.php?storyId=882955

The articles mentioned above had mention of several other such retailers that has already employed or are in the process of employing differently abled persons. Let’s discuss some of the consequences of employing such techniques apart from economic benefits to the organization.

1. Customer Reaction: Customers and the society will see the company as a socio-responsible company and will have a respect towards them.

2. Image/Brand building: Because of reason discussed in point 1, it creates a good brand name in the minds of society and future (probable) customers.

3. Employee Engagement: In countries like India, if the employer gives importance to differently abled people and employs them, certainly the employee engagement comes naturally. Productivity sores.

4. Reduced Employee Turnover: High employee engagement will result in low employee turnover ratio for the reasons mentioned in point 3.

5. Reduced Training Cost of Employees: Once the employee turnover goes down, it will result in reduction in training time per year and will result in cost saving for the company. 

Internal Brand Building:

One important concept and advantage I want to discuss here and which I feel is relevant to discuss is about Internal Brand Building. By internal Brand Image, I mean image in the eyes of your employees. How your own employees see your organization. When we are busy creating a Brand Image in front of the whole world, it’s even more important to create a good Brand Image in the eyes of your employees. This is even more challenging because you can fool the whole world, but you cannot fool your employees, they will truly know who you really are (they are sitting there working whole day, so mind it you cannot fool them). That’s why it’s even more difficult to build internal brand image.

To speak my own mind, if I would have been an employee of such organization that employs differently abled people, the image of my company in my eyes will certainly improve and I will see the employer as an employer stands apart from the crowd. I will see that it’s not ordinary organization, it’s extra ordinary. If I am proud of my organization, I will work enthusiastically and I will be more engaged in work and my dedication and loyalty for my organization will improve. This will certainly result in financial benefits to my organization.


Financial Benefits:

Obviously, in the long run, the company employing differently abled people will benefit financially because of all the reasons discussed in the above paras. Especially because of Brand Image in front of customers and in the eyes of your employees. My Question to such organizations: My question to such organization is that when they will be making such extra profits/financial benefits out of using such tactics and techniques, are they giving back to the society or employees a part of such benefits received. Are they giving the salaries and remuneration to differently abled employees at par with other employees? Or they are just giving them opportunities at below-par remuneration? The question is posed because of lack of my deep research on the salary data from KFC or organizations that employ differently abled people. But, I came across an article which states that “Salary of The remuneration of a differently-abled working person is commensurate with the job profile.”

As told to Indian Express by General Manager (Human Resources), Lemon Tree Hotels. http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/story_print.php?storyId=882955

Conclusion:

To conclude, there are only benefits to employing this strategy of HR to employ differently abled people in the organization. Even if there are any drawbacks, they are temporary and the benefits are long term. This measure will not cost the company anything extra because of reasons discussed in the above pages. Every organization should be encouraged to think on this line and build a better workplace. I hope we will build a better corporate arena with measures like this and make the world proud to have such organizations. I respect them all. Good Job, keep it up and we are with you. What is the duty of Chartered Accountant community?

If you are convinced of the advantages as discussed above, I request that it should be conveyed to your clients so that we can create a positive change in the society. If this article results in employment of at least 10 differently abled people, I will feel it was worth bringing it into paper.

Source : mbaclubindia,30th Sep 2014

Recently I came to know about KFC’s venture to employ Hearing-impaired employees to run a restaurant in Pakistan. I just happened to see the video and I was touched to the core of my heart. What a profound idea. Then I searched on internet about related news and found two such news items as follows. I tried to discuss benefits and impact on Brand Image of the company. (Internal Brand Image and external Brand Image) 1. Retail outlets hiring Differently-Abled http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/marketing/retail-outlets-hiring-differentlyabled/article4013456.ece 2. KFC Restaurant run by Hearing Impaired Employees- http://www.workersforjesus.com/dfi/s-259.htm 3. Can And Able - http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/story_print.php?storyId=882955 The articles mentioned above had mention of several other such retailers that has already employed or are in the process of employing differently abled persons. Let’s discuss some of the consequences of employing such techniques apart from economic benefits to the organization. 1. Customer Reaction: Customers and the society will see the company as a socio-responsible company and will have a respect towards them. 2. Image/Brand building: Because of reason discussed in point 1, it creates a good brand name in the minds of society and future (probable) customers. 3. Employee Engagement: In countries like India, if the employer gives importance to differently abled people and employs them, certainly the employee engagement comes naturally. Productivity sores. 4. Reduced Employee Turnover: High employee engagement will result in low employee turnover ratio for the reasons mentioned in point 3. 5. Reduced Training Cost of Employees: Once the employee turnover goes down, it will result in reduction in training time per year and will result in cost saving for the company. Internal Brand Building: One important concept and advantage I want to discuss here and which I feel is relevant to discuss is about Internal Brand Building. By internal Brand Image, I mean image in the eyes of your employees. How your own employees see your organization. When we are busy creating a Brand Image in front of the whole world, it’s even more important to create a good Brand Image in the eyes of your employees. This is even more challenging because you can fool the whole world, but you cannot fool your employees, they will truly know who you really are (they are sitting there working whole day, so mind it you cannot fool them). That’s why it’s even more difficult to build internal brand image. To speak my own mind, if I would have been an employee of such organization that employs differently abled people, the image of my company in my eyes will certainly improve and I will see the employer as an employer stands apart from the crowd. I will see that it’s not ordinary organization, it’s extra ordinary. If I am proud of my organization, I will work enthusiastically and I will be more engaged in work and my dedication and loyalty for my organization will improve. This will certainly result in financial benefits to my organization. Financial Benefits: Obviously, in the long run, the company employing differently abled people will benefit financially because of all the reasons discussed in the above paras. Especially because of Brand Image in front of customers and in the eyes of your employees. My Question to such organizations: My question to such organization is that when they will be making such extra profits/financial benefits out of using such tactics and techniques, are they giving back to the society or employees a part of such benefits received. Are they giving the salaries and remuneration to differently abled employees at par with other employees? Or they are just giving them opportunities at below-par remuneration? The question is posed because of lack of my deep research on the salary data from KFC or organizations that employ differently abled people. But, I came across an article which states that “Salary of The remuneration of a differently-abled working person is commensurate with the job profile.” As told to Indian Express by General Manager (Human Resources), Lemon Tree Hotels. http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/story_print.php?storyId=882955 Conclusion: To conclude, there are only benefits to employing this strategy of HR to employ differently abled people in the organization. Even if there are any drawbacks, they are temporary and the benefits are long term. This measure will not cost the company anything extra because of reasons discussed in the above pages. Every organization should be encouraged to think on this line and build a better workplace. I hope we will build a better corporate arena with measures like this and make the world proud to have such organizations. I respect them all. Good Job, keep it up and we are with you. What is the duty of Chartered Accountant community? If you are convinced of the advantages as discussed above, I request that it should be conveyed to your clients so that we can create a positive change in the society. If this article results in employment of at least 10 differently abled people, I will feel it was worth bringing it into paper.

Read more at: http://www.mbaclubindia.com/articles/impact-on-your-brand-employing-differently-abled-people-2673.asp#.VDBg5ED0aO0

Student Research in Autism and Cerebral Palsy is at the Heart of the CDN

Since 1987, a group of exceptional faculty from multiple disciplines has been working at The Center for Developmental Neuroscience and Developmental Disabilities (CDN) at the College of Staten Island in order to understand the etiology of mental diseases, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and other brain diseases as well as to provide outstanding education to undergraduate and graduate students.

Antony Castiello, a 2012 graduate from the Master's Program in Neuroscience is cloning ion channel genes to study the effect of pharmacological inhibitors isolated from spiders and scorpions. Antony is very interested in understanding molecular and physiological changes in individuals with Autism.

In 2002, the professors of the CDN established the Master’s program in Neuroscience and Developmental Disabilities with the idea of increasing the opportunities of higher education for Staten Island students interested in the neurological aspects of disease.




Maria Saldarriaga is interested in understanding the effects of congenital prenatal development problems. Maria just joined the program in Fall of 2014 and she plans on to conduct her research in cerebral palsy.

Since the program’s inception, more than 450 have enrolled in the Master’s in Neuroscience, consequently having an extremely positive impact on the community. The program allowed numerous students to continue with their education in healthcare (MD, dentistry, nursing) at the doctoral level, or to directly enter the job market at local Staten Island institutions dedicated to assisting people with disabilities such as Eden II, The G.R.A.C.E Foundation, and Staten Island University Hospital. Very successful scientists have started their careers with the Master’s in Neuroscience program. These remarkable professionals are now at CUNY, SUNY Downstate, Harvard University, University of Chicago, Washington University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Albert Einstein College, MIT, University of San Francisco, Stanford University, NYU, and the New York State Institute for Basic Research (IBR). Among these professionals, who had their start at the CDN, is Dr. Zaghloul Ahmed, who is now a Professor in Physical Therapy and also Dr. Abdeslem El-Idrissi, who is now the Chair of the Department of Biology at CSI. More recently, Jasmen Khan, a 2014 graduate, became the Science Outreach Coordinator at Rockefeller University. In fact, the CDN boasts the largest number of Neuroscience Doctoral students in the entire CUNY system, and offers the only Neuroscience Master’s program with emphasis on developmental and intellectual disabilities in the country.

Another remarkable success story is that of Antony Castiello, a Master in Neuroscience graduate who is currently doing research as an ad honorem volunteer in Dr. Dan McCloskey’s and Dr. Sebastien Poget’s labs at the CDN.

Like most students working with CDN faculty, Castiello performs his research because of his passion for neuroscience—without any promise of monetary gain. He is a native Staten Islander who graduated from Tottenville High School in 2003 and enrolled at CSI to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Science[TM1] and Economics, which he received in 2007. After a two-year hiatus, he chose to pursue the Master’s degree in Neuroscience at the CDN,which he finished in 2012. Castiello has a very personal motivation and interest in neuroscience that goes beyond the desire for a job. He has been working tirelessly to understand the chemical and physiological changes underlying Asperger Syndrome because he has been diagnosed with this syndrome. Dedicated students like Castiello and passionate faculty make the CDN one of the most unique research centers in the country.

When applying to the Master’s program, Castiello wrote: “I want to study neuroscience to use my knowledge of biology and psychology to find ways to alter the chemicals in the brains of people with Asperger’s so they can function as normal individuals and succeed in life.”

He also quoted that his Asperger’s would be a great help for his research because he could devote as much time to studying since he does not have a social life.

In May of 2013, Castiello published his thesis entitled Developmental Hypothyroidism Effects on Dopamine 2 Receptors in the Dorsal Striatum in Adult Rats. During his research, he discovered that “there are hormonal sexual differences between males and females with Asperger.”

Recently, Maria Saldarriaga, a young woman who is highly motivated to understand what progressive supranuclear palsy has done to her body and her brain, applied to the Center and has been accepted as a Master’s student in Neuroscience. In her letter to the Admissions Committee, Saldarriaga referred to herself as a “Renaissance woman” due to the fact that she has “adapted various coping mechanisms to deal with the challenges I have faced, both psychologically and physically.” She also explained that she is “still curious to this day to explore on an exterior scientific level my anomalies. This is my motivation to understand what makes me different—this will allow me to embrace, understand, and work with my challenges instead of fearing them. Neuroscience will give me the tools to discover more about my ailments and to the use that knowledge to provide a better quality of life for myself and others.”

One of the most important aspects of this Master’s program at the CDN is the amount of scientific research that students conduct under mentor supervision and the numerous laboratory skills they acquire–skills that easily transfer into any other research settings. Students conduct at least two semesters of research followed by a public defense of their data in front of a panel of professors. These practical skills are one of the keys of the success of the Master’s program in Neuroscience at CSI. However, all this training in active neuroscience laboratories conducting experiments has a high cost. The cost of covering the students’ research projects comes mostly from funds awarded to the professors at the CDN and funds from local foundations and institutions. Dr. Alejandra Alonso, the Director of the CDN and coordinator of the Master’s program, explained that Center faculty are also working on incorporating professional certifications and a Professional Science Master’s program to give students even more qualifications that would allow them to better fit in the job market. Leonardo Pignataro, Academic Affairs Specialist at the CDN, explained that it is paramount to “keep the research laboratory classes so the students acquire practical skills.” Unfortunately, the recent economic downturn has reduced funding and has affected tremendously the number of funded projects awarded to CDN professors, which in turn, has negatively impacted the amount of funding available for students like Castiello or Saldarriagato carry out their research projects. This can cause a ripple effect where the lack of funding can be detrimental to research and education that has a positive impact not only on the Staten Island or the NYC community, but potentially on anyone who might one day benefit from the research being done at the CDN. Center faculty members are certain that training students in neuroscience fosters intellectual potential that will work toward solving mental disorders that burden our community in the future. “The solution to autism, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, or neurodegeneration might come from work done by one of our students” said Dr. Alejandra Alonso.

The CDN has been reaching out to several organizations, as well as alumni and other private donors in order to bolster funding for the program. The scientific and cultural impact that the program has and will continue to have on the Staten Island community is immeasurable, but the Center must rely on these critical donations to help fund this important program.

For more information about the CDN or to find out how to donate to the program, visit: www.csi.cuny.edu/cdn/support.php.


Source : CSI Today , 23rd Sep 2014

National Convention on Inclusive Education of Children with Special Needs Held

The National Convention on Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs/disabilities was held in New Delhi today. The Convention focused on evolving strategies that will further the right of children with disabilities to free and compulsory education within an inclusive system.


The Convention came up with certain suggestions for realization of right to education of children with special needs within the education system of our country. It aimed at identifying the specific concerns of children with special needs/disabilities within the larger debates and concerns in education; (ii) taking stock of the status of inclusive education with specific reference to Right of children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009; (iii) exploring strategies that could be used to strengthen an inclusive education system; and (iv) making recommendations for the realization of the Right to Education of children with special needs/disabilities within the education system of India.


Focusing on the four themes (i) Enhancing enrolment and preventing dropouts (ii) Curriculum, assessment and CCE (iii) Improving the quality of education and (iv) Data, Governance and Grievance redress, it discussed the education of children with disabilities within the larger contexts and debates in education.

As a preparatory background the National Convention the Commission had organized a children's conclave on 3rd September 2014, at India International Center (IIC) to understand the views and opinions of children with special needs, who are the key stakeholders in Inclusive education.


Shri R.Bhattacharya, Secretary, Department of School Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ms Stuti Kacker, Secretary Department of Disability Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addressed the Convention which was also attended by experts, teachers, officials of the Government of India and State Government members of School Management Committees, and other organizations.



Source : Business Standard , 23rd Sep 2014

Chennai hospitals surveyed for accessibility - CHENNAI

64 hospitals responded to a questionnaire on the availability of facilities for disabled persons

A recent survey of city hospitals for their accessibility to people with disabilities received mixed response. While private hospitals seemed to be receptive to the exercise, government hospitals seemed unwilling to allow audits.

According to Smitha Sadasivan of the Disabilities Legislation Unit (DLU), hospitals are the first and basic unit that a person with disabilities needs accessibility to. And that is why, DLU, part of Vidya Sagar — which is a non-profit organisation working with persons with disabilities — recently conducted the study in 98 hospitals, with the help of students from the NSS unit of School of Excellence in Law.

“We wanted to audit the accessibility of city hospitals in terms of their infrastructure, diagnostic equipment, procedures as well their attitudinal response to the needs of disabled persons,” Ms. Sadasivan said, adding that an important feature they looked for was the seeking of informed consent from disabled people.

Sixty-four hospitals responded to a questionnaire on the availability of ramps, parking facilities, accessibility indicators like signage, and wheelchair-accommodative lifts, and 34 hospitals did not.

“We also wanted to know if hospitals had conducted training for employees on the requirements of people with disabilities,” said Salomi Christie, one of the students who visited the hospitals.

“Many private hospitals treated the survey with respect,” said Ms. Sadasivan, adding that the same could not be said of government hospitals.

“Repeated requests to hospital authorities led us to the office of the Directorate of Medical Education. We were finally told a letter would be sent to us regarding permission to audit government hospitals. It has been a week, and no letter has been received so far,” she added.

The results of the survey will be released on October 24, observed as United Nations Day, Ms. Sadasivan said.

Study was conducted by a unit of Vidya Sagar, with the help of students.

Source : The Hindu , 22nd Sep 2014

Smartphone App Gives 'Sight' to the Blind

A new computer program is being praised as a life-changer for blind people. The new program is known as the KNFB Reader app. It can help users listen to an audio read-back -- the sound -- of printed material.

Blind people say the KNFB Reader app will make life much easier. They say it will help with everything from reading restaurant menus to studying papers in the classroom.

The application software program costs $99. It is the product of a long relationship between the National Federation of the Blind and Ray Kurzweil. He is a computer scientist and an employee of Google, which specializes in Internet-related services.

The Google website says the technical development of the app resulted from the work of K-NFB Reading Technology Incorporated and Sensotec NV, a company in Belgium.

Ray Kurzweil demonstrated the app at the National Federation of the Blind's yearly meeting in June.

The KNFB Reader makes use of new pattern recognition and image-processing technology, and new hardware for smartphones. People using the app can adjust, or change the position, of the camera and read printed materials out loud.

Users say the app has given some people greater independence. The Reuters news service says they made the comments on social media sites such as Twitter. One user, named Gordon Luke, reported that he was able to use the app to read his voting card for the recent referendum in Scotland.

Ray Kurzweil told Reuters that the app will be available for Android mobile devices in the coming months. He said he may also build a version of the app for Google Glass. Google Glass is a small computer screen that can be connected to eyeglasses. It is able to take photographs, record video and play sound.

Ray Kurzweil added that “Google Glass makes sense because you direct the camera with your head."

Mr. Kurzweil started working on what he called "reading machines" in the early 1970s. The idea came after speaking with a blind person who expressed frustration with the lack of technology to assist blind people.

Mr. Kurzweil's first reading machine was the size of a washing machine. It cost $50,000.

The technology has continued to improve over the past 20 years. The new smartphone app can recognize and take printed material in one language and change it to another language. But it was not available on a mobile device until now. In the past, it cost more than $1,000 to use the software app with a camera and a mobile phone.

The release of the KNFB Reader app comes at a time when the technology industry is facing criticism. Critics say the industry is too concerned about making software programs for sharing photos and video games.

In San Francisco, activists have blocked buses operated by companies such as Google and Apple. They also have protested near the homes of some technology company executives. They say these business leaders are increasing the cost of living and not doing enough to help fix the problems of San Francisco.

Bryan Bashin leads the non-profit group Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco. He is also blind. He says the KNFB app shows the positive impact that technology can have. He says there are times in his life when he wishes the KNFB app were available to him. He adds that the ability to gain information quickly with something that fits in your pocket at a fast speed will be, what he calls, “a game changer."

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Source : Learning English VOA News , 27th Sep 2014