Disability World 25

DisabilityWorld
Abimonthlywebzineofinternationaldisabilitynewsandviews
Availableonthewebathttp://www.disabilityworld.org
Contents,Volume25,SeptemberNovember2004
InternationalNews&Views.............................................................................................3
DisabilityCaucusClosingStatement,UN4thAdHocmeeting.....................................3
ProgressReportonUNDisabilityRightsConvention....................................................5
ReportRanksHumanRightsofDisabledAmericansin24Countries............................9
Disability:ConsequenceofPovertyandCauseofRuralHunger..................................11
AViewfromHolland:"TheLandofMay"...................................................................12
U.S.GovernmenttoAwardGranttoExploreGeneticsofAutism...............................14
Madagascar:DisabilityShame,HonororReality?......................................................14
InternationalEpilepsyResearchNews..........................................................................16
RecordBreakingParalympicsPopularinGreece.........................................................18
MentalDisabilityAdvocatenamed"EuropeanHero2004"..........................................19
CivilRights&DisabilityFeaturedatUniversityofPittsburgh....................................20
WhirlwindWheelchairWebsiteUpgraded....................................................................22
TheIrvingK.ZolaAwardforEmergingScholarsinDisabilityStudies......................22
CallforPapers:DisabilityStudiesQuarterlyissueontechnology................................24
CallforpapersSupportingDeafPeopleOnlineConference2005.............................25
CallforPapers:specialissueonDisabilityandCommunityDevelopmentResearch,
Programs,Services,andPolicy................................................................................27
DeadlineExtensionforDisabilityStudiesProgram,Chicago.......................................28
InternationalNewsBriefly............................................................................................29
IndependentLiving..........................................................................................................29
TimelineoftheInternationalIndependentLivingMovement:Milestonesthrough2003
..................................................................................................................................29
CanadianCentreonDisabilityStudiesLaunchesLeadershipProject...........................59
Japan:Newsupportservicestoprotectoftherightsofpersonswithintellectual
disabilities,seniledementiaormentalillnesses.......................................................63
LILA:LivingIndependentlyinLA................................................................................66
WIDWinsAwardfor"AccesstoAssets"Project.........................................................67
IndependentLivingBriefly............................................................................................69
Access&Technology.......................................................................................................70
WhereThereAreNoWheelchairs:anoverviewofnongovernmentalapproachesto
wheelchairsindevelopingcountries.........................................................................70
PresidentSignsAssistiveTechnologyAct....................................................................82
AudioDescription:AccessforAll................................................................................83
AnAccessAuditoftheBangladeshNationalBuildingCode.......................................87
Madagascar'sDeafYouthsExcelinDanceProgram....................................................93
CallforProposals:SpecialIssueonAccessibilityandTechnicalCommunication......94
TheDeathofEnglish,theBirthofWeblish(HowthesimplicityofWeblishwillaidthe
disabled,theneedyandtheircaregivers)..................................................................96
CenterforAccessibleTechnologyinSign(CATS)....................................................100
GlobalUniversalDesignEducatorsOnlineNews.......................................................100
SeptemberAccessWorldNowOnline.........................................................................115
Access&TechnologyBriefly.....................................................................................117
Employment...................................................................................................................121
BookAnnouncement:DeclineofEmploymentofDisabledAmericans.....................121
Ghana:SkillsTrainingtoDiscourageBegging...........................................................122
Madagascar:WorkforceIntegrationofWomenwithDisabilities...............................125
Madagascar:Versl'integrationProgressivedesFemmesHandicapeesDansleMonde
deTravail................................................................................................................127
SouthAfrica:CompanyRecruitsWorkerswithDisabilities.......................................129
NewProjecttoTrainBlindSouthAfricansasRevenueAgents.................................130
Employmentbriefly.....................................................................................................130
Governance&Legislation............................................................................................131
SouthAfrica:NationalDisabilityConference.............................................................131
DisabilityandGovernanceinAfghanistan..................................................................132
GreekGovernmentDraftsAntiDiscriminationLawforMinorities...........................137
Japan:StepbySteptowardsDisabilityAntiDiscriminationLaw..............................137
DisappointingProgressofDisabilityRightsinMadagascar.......................................140
InterviewwithBertMassie:Chair,UKDisabilityRightsCommission.....................141
Peru:HumanRightsReportSparksInterestinMentalHealthReform........................149
Uganda:InterviewwithFlorenceNayigaSekabira,MinisterforDisabilityand
Aging......................................................................................................................151
My14YearsinSwedishPoliticalLife........................................................................158
Arts&Media..................................................................................................................162
PerformingArtsShowcaseDrawsCrowdinSanFrancisco.......................................162
mountainsandlanguage:apoem.................................................................................165
IndiaHoldsInternationalDisabilityFilmFestival......................................................169
VideoCameraAdaptedforUsefromWheelchair......................................................170
London's6thDisabilityFilmFestival,December2004..............................................171
Russia's2ndInternationalDisabilityFilmFestival,November..................................172
SUPERFESTInternationalDisabilityFilmFestivalCallforEntries.........................175
AwardWinningIranianFilmFeaturesChildrenDisabledbyWar.............................175
Arts&MediaBriefly...................................................................................................176
Women............................................................................................................................177
Women'sDevelopmentAssociationInvitesEssaysfor$1000Award........................177
Swaziland:FODSWAAnnouncesNewExecutiveCommittee..................................180
EncouragingGenderEquityinGhana'sDisabilityOrganizations..............................181
InterviewwithDisabledWomenLeadersfromGhana...............................................185
EquitytoWomenwithDisabilitiesinIndia................................................................191
DisabledWomen:RecomendedWebResources........................................................202
Samoa:IndepthReportonSituationofDisabledWomen.........................................205
WomenBriefly............................................................................................................206
Children&Youth..........................................................................................................209
NewBooksIntroducingDisabilitytoYoungChildren...............................................209
Children&YouthBriefly............................................................................................214
Resources&BookReviews...........................................................................................215
BookReview:OedipusBorealis,theaberrantbodyinOldIcelandicmythandsaga.215
AVBooksPublishesthe9/11CommissionReport.....................................................217
"Captions"Newsletter/AssistiveTechnologyResource..............................................220
Fall2004issueofDisabilityStudiesQuarterlyposted...............................................224
November2004GlobalAccessTravelEZine............................................................225
Free,FlexibleWebBasedClassBridgestheGapBetweenVisionImpairmentand
AdultLiteracyEducationFields.............................................................................228
MondayMorninginWashington,DC,Volume04,Issue43,October25,2004........228
ScotlandLaunchesEnewsonDisability&Education:SkillScotlandEnewsOctober
2004........................................................................................................................242
OneStopToolkitResourcesoftheWeekTechnicalAssistanceProjectEMaillistserv
................................................................................................................................247
ResourcesBriefly.........................................................................................................252
InternationalNews&Views
DisabilityCaucusClosingStatement,UN4thAdHoc
meeting
DearChair,deardelegates,
Wehavecometotheendofthe4thAdHocCommitteeandwewouldliketopresentto
youtheviewsoftheInternationalDisabilityCaucusontheworksofarandforthefuture.
Manyofushavespent6weeksthisyearinthisConferenceRoom4.Thefirsttwoweeks
inJanuarywerereallyoutstanding.Hugeprogresswasachievedandagooddocument
wasprepared,whichcontinuestobethebasicreferencedocumentinthenegotiations.
The3rdand4thAdHocCommitteemeetingshavebeenusefulinorderforalltohavea
betterunderstandingofthekeyissues,butverylittleprogresshasbeenmadeintermsof
advancingthetextoftheConvention.
Wethinkthatthetimehascometobringthisnegotiationprocesstoagoodconclusion.
Wefeelthatthepoliticalwillisthereandweshouldnotmissthishistoricopportunity.
Itismorethan20yearsagothattheideaofaConventionontherightsofpersonswith
disabilitieswasfirstdiscussed.
Personswithdisabilitiesallovertheworldareexcludedfromsocietyandcontinuetobe
discriminatedagainstintheirdailylives.ThisConventionwillputanendtothatsituation
andweallhaveanobligationforthistohappennow.
WecompletelysupportthestatementmadebyAmbassadorMacKayatthebeginningof
yesterday'ssession.WealsourgeGovernmentdelegatestobeflexibleinthenegotiation
andavoidunnecessarydiscussionsaboutsometimesalmostidenticalwordings.
Ifyouareflexibleandefficient,youcanfinishthistaskintheimmediatefuture.You
havethetoolsandmeanstoachievethisobjectivewhichisanurgentneedforallpersons
withdisabilities.Allocatetherequiredresources,establishaclearandambitiouscalendar
anddon'tallowanyunnecessarydelays.Thatiswhatpersonswithdisabilitiesexpect
fromyou.
Butofcourse,itisnotjustabouthavingaConventionintheimmediatefuture,butabout
havingaConventionthatadequatelyprotectsthehumanrightsofallpersonswith
disabilities,irrespectiveoftypeofdisabilityandregionoftheworld.
Toachievethis,theroleofdisabledpeople'sorganisations(DPOs)isindispensable.
ManyofyouhavestatedyourappreciationoftherolewhichDPOshaveplayedsofarin
providingyouwithourexpertise.
ThisactiveparticipationofDPOshastocontinuetobethecase.
Toensurethis,increasedeffortsneedtobemadetoensurethefullparticipationof
personswithdisabilitiesinthisfinalstageoftheprocess.Therearestilltoooften
communicationandotherbarriersfacedbypersonswithdisabilities,whichlimitour
possibilitiesofparticipation.Moreover,theparticipationofpersonswithdisabilitiesfrom
developingcountriescontinuestobelow.
WhileattendingtheCommitteemeetingsiscostlyforallDPOs,itisalmostimpossible
forDPOrepresentativesfromthedevelopingworld.
WethereforeurgeGovernmentsagaintomakecontributionstotheUNVoluntaryFund.
WeofferoursupportandadvicetoensuretheadequateselectionofDPOrepresentatives,
whoseparticipationistobecoveredbytheVoluntaryFund,inordertoensurethatwe
havesufficientrepresentationfromallregionsanddifferentdisabilitygroups.
WealsowanttoremindGovernmentstoinclude,inthisfinalstageofthenegotiation
process,representativesfromthenationaldisabilitymovementintheGovernment
delegations.
Ourparticipationisnotonlyrelevantbecauseoftheexpertiseweprovide.The
Conventiontextwillincludetheobligationtoinvolvepersonswithdisabilitiesthrough
theirorganisationsintheimplementationoftheConvention.Thisinvolvement,even
partnershipassomeGovernmentdelegateshaveproposedtocallit,hastohappenduring
thewholeofthenegotiationprocessandspeciallyinthisfinalstageoftheprocess..
ThenewproposedwayofworkinghassignificantlylimitedtheparticipationofDPOs.
TheInternationalDisabilityCaucusincludes35international,regionalandnational
organisationsrepresentingpersonswithdisabilitiesfromallregionsoftheworldand
fromallgroupsofpersonswithdisabilities.Theorganizationsincludedinthe
InternationalDisabilityCaucushavemadeandaremakingalleffortstoinformour
constituenciesaboutthisprocessinordertoensurethatthefullenjoymentofallhuman
rightsofallpersonswithdisabilitieswillbeensured.
TheInternationalDisabilityCaucusisthevoiceofmorethan600millionpersonswith
disabilities.Wehavebeenabletospeakwithonevoice,bringingtogethertheviewsof
differentgroupsofpersonswithdisabilitiesandfromthedifferentregionsoftheworld.
Thiseffortcan'tbeignored.
YouasGovernmentdelegatesandweasrepresentativesofthemorethan600millionof
personswithdisabilitieswantaConventionwhichwillimprovethelivesofallpersons
withdisabilitiesandwhichwillthereforebewelcomedandchampionedbyallpersons
withdisabilities.
WeareawarethatasforanyotherinternationalTreaty,thenegotiationstakeplace
amongGovernments.However,youhavetoestablishaconsultationmechanismwiththe
InternationalDisabilityCaucusinthisnegotiationprocesstoensurethatthefinal
Conventiontextwillprovideadequateprotectionofthehumanrightsofallpersonswith
disabilities.
AsweareaskingGovernmentstobeflexible,theInternationalDisabilityCaucusis
flexibleonconcretewording.But,aswellasGovernmentshavebeenaskedtoidentify
issuesonwhichtheyhaveverystrongviews,theInternationalDisabilityCaucusalsohas
strongviewsonsomeissues.
Therearecertainissueswhichmustbeadequatelyaddressedinordertoendtheexclusion
anddiscriminationofpersonswithdisabilities.IftheInternationalDisabilityCaucussays
"thisisnotacceptable"youhavetolistentous.
Weareconfidentinyouandofferyouourcontinuedpartnershipforthisfinalstageofthe
process.
ProgressReportonUNDisabilityRightsConvention
PreparedbyMr.GidionKainoMandesiofTanzania,RIVicePresidentforAfrica
1.INTRODUCTION
TheprocessofdraftingtheUnitedNationsConventiononDisabilityrightsand
negotiationsaboutitscontentstobeincludedandstructuresforeffectivemonitoring
implementationofsuchConventionatthenationalandinternationallevels,isnowoneof
thetopprioritiesofthemajorityUNmemberstatesandinternationaldisabledpeoples
organizationsandotherNonGovernmentOrganisations.Thiscouldbeevidencedbythe
factthatMorethan100Governmentdelegationsand35NGOs,includingRehabilitation
InternationalandotherinternationalDPOsthataremembersoftheInternational
DisabilityAlliance(IDA)spent2weeksfrom23rdAugustto3rdSeptember2004atthe
UNheadquartersinNewYorktoparticipateintheprocessofdraftingandnegotiations
onmanyaspectsoftheproposeddrafttext.AmbassadorLuisGallegosofEcuador
chairedthe4thsessionoftheAdHocCommitteeinthe1stweekofthesessionwhich
dealtwiththesecondreadingofthedrafttextoftheConvention.Bothgovernment
delegationsandNGOsinparticular,internationalDisabledPeoplesOrganizations
(DPOs)gotopportunitiestomakeoralstatementsonthedrafttextoftheConvention.
InternationalDPOsdidspeakasonevoiceandfewofthemmadesupplementary
statementssupportingtheissuesunderconsideration.Infact,thegovernmentdelegations
andNGOs,DPOsundertheumbrellaofInternationalDisabilityCaucusonthe
Conventionandindividualorganizationsmadeusefulcontributionsfortheimprovement
ofthetextofthedraftConvention.Thus,the2ndreadingofthetextofthedraft
conventionwassuccessfullydoneforarticles1to15excludingarticle3about
definitions.Thearticleondefinitionswillbedealtwithatalaterstage;inaddition,the
participantsaddressedtheissuerelatingtointernationalcooperationtobeincludedinthe
Convention.Thereafter,AmbassadorLuisGallegosinvitedhiscolleague,Ambassador
DonMCKay(NewZealand)tocoordinateinformaldiscussionsonthetextofthedraft
Convention.Governmentdelegationswereallowedtospeakandnegotiateonthedraft
textoftheConventionduringtheinformaldiscussions.InternationalDPOsandother
NGOswereobserversduringsuchinformaldiscussions.Theywerenotallowedtospeak.
2.CivilandPoliticalrightsasthefirsthumanrightsgeneration
Basically,duringthe4thsessionoftheAdHocCommittee,the1stgenerationsofhuman
rights,i.e.,civilandpoliticalrightstargetingfullenjoymentofsuchrightsbypersons
withdisabilitieswerefullydiscussedandacceptedbythemajoritytobeincludedinthe
convention.Muchemphasiswasplacedonseveralissuessuchastherighttolife,equal
recognitionasapersonbeforethelaw,libertyandsecurityoftheperson,freedomfrom
tortureorcruel,inhumaneordegradingtreatmentorpunishment,freedomfromviolence
andabuse,freedomofexpressionandopinion,andaccesstoinformationrespectfor
privacy,thehomeandthefamily,livingindependentlyandbeenincludedinthe
community.SomegovernmentdelegationsandthemajorityinternationalDPOsand
NGOsdifferedinsomekeyissuessuchasthoserelatingtoabortion,forcedinstitutions
andsterilization,inclusionofthefamilyandhowtoaddresspersonswithdisabilitiesin
difficultcircumstancessuchasinarmedconflicts,foreignoccupationandrefugees.Other
issueswerechildrenandwomenwithdisabilitiesaswellasindigenousissue.Consensus
hasnotyetbeenobtainedonthesedifferences.However,thenegotiationsarestill
continuingamonggovernmentdelegationsandotherkeystakeholdersonthesematters.
3.PurposeoftheUNConventionondisability
BoththeGovernmentdelegationsandInternationalDPOsandotherNGOshavebeen,in
principle,agreedtotheissuespertainingtothepurposeoftheproposeddraftofthe
Convention.Themajorityacceptedthatthepurposeoftheconventionshouldseekto
promoteandensurethefullenjoymentofallhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedomsby
personswithdisabilitieswhocurrentlyrepresent10percentoftheestimated6billionsof
theWorldpopulation.Upto80percentormoreofanestimated600,000,000peoplewith
disabilitiesthroughouttheworldliveindevelopingcountries.Thus,theproposedUN
Conventionondisabilityrightsseekstosafeguardandadvancebasicrightsandhuman
dignitywithultimateaimtoimprovetheirsociallifeanddevelopmentonequalbasis
withothersinsocietywheretheylive.
4.GeneralprinciplesoftheUNConventionondisability
Humanrightsnotionstoguaranteefullrealizationoftherightsanddignityofpersons
withdisabilitieswerealsodiscussedbygovernmentdelegationsandrepresentativesof
NGOs/DPOsduringthe4thsessionoftheAdHocCommittee.Theconcernsofmany
governmentdelegationsandrepresentativesofDPOswereintegrated.Theyhaveagreed
toenshrineintotheUNConventionondisabilityrightsthefollowinggeneralprinciples:
namely,equality,nondiscrimination,equalopportunities,reasonableaccommodation,
positivemeasures(affirmativeactiontreatment),accessibilityanduniversaldesign,self
determination,fullparticipation,fullinclusion,independentliving,international
responsibility/cooperation,disabilityinclusivedevelopmentofinternationalcooperation,
empowermentofpersonswithdisabilities;aswellashumandignityandrespectfor
differenceandacceptanceofdisabilityaspartofhumandiversityandhumanity.
5.Statesgeneralobligation
Withdueregardtogeneralobligationstobecompliedwithstatespartiesoftheproposed
draftoftheUnConvention,ithasbeensettledthateachstatepartytothisconventionon
disabilityrightsisundergeneralobligationtoensurethatbasicrightsandfreedomsasset
forthundertheproposedUNConventionmustbeexercisedandenjoyedbyallpersons
withdisabilitieswithoutdiscriminationofanykind.EachstatepartytotheConvention
mustundertakelegislative,administrativeandothernecessarypossiblemeasurestogive
effecttothislegalapproach.Further,nationalconstitutionsandotherappropriate
legislationatthedomesticjurisdictionsmustincorporatedisabilityrightstherein,itwas
emphasized.Puttingdisabilityrightswithinthenationallegalsystemswillhelpgreatly
thepracticalrealizationofdisabilityrightsatthedomesticjurisdictions.Inaddition,each
statepartytotheUNConventionondisabilityisobligedtoensurethatpublicauthorities
andinstitutionsactinconformitywiththeConvention,andnottoengageinanyactor
practicecontrarytoit.Otheraspectsacceptedbythegovernmentdelegationsand
representativesfromDPOsandNGOsregardinggeneralobligationsofthestatesinclude
theneedatthenationallevelofundertakingallappropriatestepstoeliminate
discriminationbasedondisability;promoteinternationalcooperation;andtoundertake
measuresforprogressiverealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsforthebenefit
ofpersonswithdisabilitiesinaparticularcountryconcerned.Mainstreamingdisability
issuesintoalleconomicandsocialdevelopmentpoliciesandprogrammeshasbeen
acceptedalsotobeincludedintheUNConventionondisabilityundertheprovisionsof
generalobligations.
6.Dataandstatisticsondisability
BoththegovernmentdelegationsandrepresentativesofInternationalDPOsandother
NGOssupportedthedraftofanarticleoftheConventiondealingwithstatisticsanddata
collectionondisabilityissues.Itwasgreatlyemphasizedthatdisabilitystatisticsare
essentialforplans,policiesandprogrammesforsociallifeanddevelopmentforpersons
withdisabilities.Thus,disabilitystatisticalinformationisanessentialbasisfor
developmentofadequatepoliciesandprogrammestobothlocallyandgloballyfor
promotingtherightsanddignityofpersonswithdisabilities.Suchinformationon
disabilitystatisticsshouldbestrictlyusedforstatisticalpurposespayingdueregardto
privacyandconfidentialityofthedatacollected.Emphasisadded.
7.Signlanguage
Themajorityofparticipantshaveacceptedthatsignlanguagebyitselfisalanguagefor
deafpeopleandshouldnotbeseenasameansofcommunication.Inthisregard,itwas
insistedthatdevelopmentandpromotionofsignlanguageatnationallevelisobligation
oftheeachcountryconcerninordertoensuredeafpeoplehaveaccesstosignlanguage.
Hence,ithasacceptedthatthesignlanguagebeincludedintheUNConventionof
disability.
8.Planofactiontopromoteparticipationofpersonswithdisabilitiesfrom
developingcountries.
ThechairpersonoftheAdHocCommitteeandtheInternationalDisabilityCaucusonthe
Conventionadmittedthattheparticipationofpersonswithdisabilitiesnthisfinalstageof
draftingprocessandnegotiationsissoimportant.However,theparticipationofpersons
withdisabilitiesfromlessdevelopingcountrieswhereby80%ofpersonswithdisabilities
live,iscontinuedtobelaw.Inthisregard,duringthe4thsessionoftheAdHoc
Committee,boththechairoftheAdHocCommitteeandInternationalCaucuson
DisabilityurgedgovernmentagaintomakecontributionstotheUnitedNations
VoluntaryFundinordertosupportparticipationofDPOsrepresentativesfrom
developingcountries.InternationalDPOswillassistselectionofpersonswithdisabilities
whowillparticipateinthisdraftingprocessandnegotiationsoftheUNConventionon
disability.
9.Thewayforward
TwoorthreemorenegotiatingsessionsontheUNConventionondisabilityrightsare
plannedforthenextyearinordertotrytofinalizethedrafttextsothatthefinaltextcan
bepreparedreadyforsignaturebySeptember2005.Thisisinaccordancewiththe
statementoftheAmbassadorLuisGallegos,ChairmanoftheUnitedNationsCommittee
draftingtheConventionmadein3rdSeptember2004tothereportersinNewYork
followingatwoweeknegotiatingsessionofthe4thAdHocCommitteeon
ComprehensiveandIntegralInternationalConventiontoprotectandpromotetherights
anddignityofpersonswithdisabilities.
ReportRanksHumanRightsofDisabledAmericansin
24Countries
TheCenterforInternationalRehabilitation(CIR)presentedtotheUnitedNationsAugust
24,2004theinauguralreportoftheInternationalDisabilityRightsMonitor(IDRM)
documentingthesituationofpeoplewithdisabilitiesin24countriesofSouthandNorth
America.
ThisisthefirstreportoftheInternationalDisabilityRightsMonitor(IDRM),a
groundbreakinginitiativebytheCIRandothermembersofthedisabilitycommunityto
documentandassessdisabilityrightsandabusesineverycountryacrosstheglobe.The
reportprovidesvitaldataaboutdisabilityrightsjustastheUnitedNationsbeginstwo
weeksofhistoricmeetingstodebatetheproposedInternationalConventionontheRights
ofPeoplewithDisabilities.
(Foracopyofthefullreport,visitCIR'swebsite,gototheIDRMAmericas2004Web
pagehttp://www.cirnetwork.org/idrm/reports/americas/index.html.)
Thedatainthereportwascompiledoverthepast12monthsby32IDRMresearchers
whoassessedlegalprotections,educationandemployment,accessibility,andhealthand
housingservicesforpeoplewithdisabilitiesinSouthandNorthAmerica.Thesecond
IDRMreportdetailingtreatmentinAsiaPacificwillbereleasedontheInternationalDay
oftheDisabled,December3rd.
"Ourcommitmenttotheprincipleoftheuniversalityofthehumanrights,ofwhichthe
rightsofpersonswithdisabilitiesisaninalienableandintegralpart,isdeeplyrootedin
thegoalsoftheUnitedNations.Themainobjectivenowistobuildaninternational
conventionthatwillhelpensureequalrightsandprotectionstothemillionsofpeople
aroundtheworldlivingwithadisability.WearegratefultotheCIRforleadingthis
importantinitiative"saidLuisGallegos,Ecuador'sAmbassadortotheUNandChairman
oftheUNAdHocCommitteeonanInternationalConventionontheRightsofPeople
withDisabilities.
TheSpecialUNRapporteuronDisability,SheikhaHissabintAhmedbinKhalifaAl
Thaniadded,"Wemustalsoensurethatthedisabilitycommunityatalllevelsas
experts,academics,politicians,orordinarypeopleareabletomonitorandreportonthe
progressaswellasobstaclesinimplementationofsuchinstrument."
Morethan400peoplerepresentinggovernmentalandnongovernmentalagenciesfrom
aroundtheworldaregatheredinNewYorkthroughSeptember3fortheAdHoc
CommitteeMeetingonanInternationalConventiontopromoteandprotecttherightsand
dignityofpersonswithdisabilities.
AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganization,nearly600millionpeoplethroughoutthe
worldlivewithadisability.Atpresent,thetreatmentofpeoplewithdisabilitiesvaries
widelyfromcountrytocountry.Somenationshavemodellegislationthatmandatesthe
fairandequalrightsofpeoplewithdisabilitiestoaccess,educationandemployment;
othercountriessubjectpeoplewithdisabilitiestohorrificanddegradingtreatment,
warehousingthemininstitutionsdesignedtoremovethemfromsociety.
HighlightsfromtheIDRMreportinclude:
OnlyfivecountriesintheAmericashaveattainedMostInclusiveNationstatus,while
nineareidentifiedasLeastInclusiveNations.
Thenationalconstitutionsof50%ofcountriesintheregionspecificallyprotectthe
rightsofpeoplewithdisabilities.
Lessthanonethirdofallchildrenwithdisabilitiesarelikelytoattendschool,and
closeto70%ofpeoplewithdisabilitiesdonothavejobs.
Serioushumanrightsviolationsarereportedinsomeinstitutions.Peoplewith
disabilitieshavebeenkeptinroomssoiledwiththeirownfeces,whileotherswere
deniedclothingorforcedtoeatoffthefloor.
"TheinformationintheIDRMreportisvitaltothepassageoftheproposedConvention
ondisabilityrightsandweareextremelygratefultothedozensofresearchersinSouth
andNorthAmericawhoworkedtirelesslytocollectthisdata,"saidDr.WilliamKennedy
Smith,FounderandChairmanoftheCIR."Thetremendousdisparityindisabilitylaw
fromonecountrytothenextisastounding.Theonlywaytoensurethatevery
governmentintheworldprovidesequaltreatmentandrespecttoitscitizenswith
disabilitiesistoholdthemaccountabletoasetofstandardsestablishedthrougha
Convention."
AboutCIR
TheCenterforInternationalRehabilitationisanotforprofit,nongovernmental
organizationthatseekstoimprovethelivesofpeoplewithdisabilitiesinsomeofthe
poorestcountriesbyprovidingrehabilitationandtrainingprogramsandmobilityaides,
andadvocatingtherightsofpeoplewithdisabilitiesworldwide.Foundedin1996byDr.
WilliamKennedySmithandbasedinChicago,theCIRoperatesincollaborationwiththe
renownedRehabilitationInstituteofChicagoandNorthwesternUniversity.Formore
informationontheprogramsoftheCenterforInternationalRehabilitation,visit
www.cirnetwork.org.
Disability:ConsequenceofPovertyandCauseofRural
Hunger
Hunger,malnutritionandpovertybreeddisabilities.Between250,000and500,000
childrengoblindeveryyearfromVitaminADeficiency(VAD).Thereareover16
millionmentallyhandicappedandnearly49.5millionpeoplewithlesserdegreesofbrain
damageduetoIodineDeficiencyDisorders(IDD).Morethanhalfofallpregnantwomen
intheworldareanemic,ofwhom90%liveindevelopingcountries.
Butdisabilityisalsocauseofpovertyandhunger,especiallyinruralareas,wherepeople
arefarfromservicesandhaveverylimitedeconomicopportunities."Disabledpeopleare
marginalized,theyarenotconsideredeconomicallyactiveandthisleadsthemveryoften
intothehungertrap,"explainsLawrenceJacobson,FAOFocalPointforDisability
Matters.
Reducingthecurrentfigureof600millionpeoplewithdisabilitiesworldwidecanbe
achievedbyboostingfoodproduction,improvingnutritionandintegratingdisabled
peopleintosustainableruraldevelopmentprograms.Twopilotprojectsimplementedby
theFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO)inThailandand
Cambodiademonstratehowthiscanbedone.
Thailandhasanestimated1.1milliondisabledpeople,representingaround1.8%ofthe
population.MostofthemliveintheNortheast,thepoorestpartofthecountry.To
enhancetheskillsofdisabledfarmers,andmakethemsuccessfulentrepreneurswith
incomegeneratingactivities,theFAORegionalOfficeinBangkokdevelopedan
innovativetrainingprogrambasedonmushroomcultivation.Mushroomsarepartofthe
dailydietofThaipeopleandthusoffergoodmarketopportunities,andtheircultivation
canbestartedataverylowcostwhilegeneratingincomewithinashorttime.
"Mushroomcultivationhasrestoredtheirselfconfidence,"explainsMr.Jacobson."These
peoplehaveacquiredtheskillsandmeanstoleadbetterandmoreproductivelives.They
canstandontheirownand,mostimportant,theycanteachotherpeoplewithintheir
community.Thisacquiredabilitytoleadandtoteachotherpeopleisanimportantaspect
ofthesuccessofthisproject."
InCambodia,thewarandlandmineshaveleftmorethan2%ofthepopulation
handicappedandmarginalized.Thepercapitarateofdisabilityisoneofthehighestin
theworld.AjointprogrambetweenHandicappedInternationalandtheFAOIntegrated
PestManagementProgramisgivingthemadditionalskillstointegrateintotheir
communities,toimproveincomes,tomanagetheircropsbetterandtoregaintheirself
esteem.
"Theprojectfocusesnotjustontreatingmarginalizedordisabledfarmersasspecial,"
explainsRobertNugent,FAOIntegratedPestManagementCountryOfficer."Thereisno
pointdevelopingspecialprogramsjustfordisabledfarmers.Youhavetolookatthe
farmingcommunityasawholeandhownetworksoffarmerscancometogetheras
trainers,asorganizers,asscientists.Thismodelisreplicableanywherewherethereisa
needtoplacefarmersatthecentreofthelearningratherthanproductionandtechnical
delivery."
LawrenceJacobsoncomments:"Fightinghungerintheworldmeansfightingtofeedall
hungrypeople.Theruraldisabledindevelopingcountriesareaparticularlyvulnerable
groupwhoarealltooofteninvisible.Itisessentialthatdevelopmentprogramstake
accountoftheirspecialneeds."
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact,NuriaFelipeSoria,FAOInformationOfficer:
Nuria.FelipeSoria@fao.org
AViewfromHolland:"TheLandofMay"
MarjaMorskieft,July2004,Englishtranslation:HannekeMeulenbroek,October2004
"Interested?It'saboutmobility",myspousesays,droppingapackofpapersonthetable.
Eversincemymobilityhasbeendramaticallyrestrictedbythebudgetcutsforspecial
transportfacilitiesforthedisabledIhavedevelopedakeeninterestinallthings
concerningthetopic,evenwhenitisaboutlabourmobility,whichhappenstobethecase
withthispackage.Itendtohaveproblemswiththistoo.Thedocumentdescribes,atgreat
length,the'mobilityroadmapmypartnerwillsoonbefacing.Itisaboutphasedplans
andprocedures,measuresandfacilitiesand,herewegoagain,alotof'may'guidelines,
whichsimplymeansthatyouremployermaymakearrangementswithyoubutthatheis
notobligedtodoso.Hemayofferyoutheproposedfacilities,butthatdoesnotmeanto
saythatyouareentitledtothem.Rightsdonotcomeintoit.Youaresubjecttohis
benevolence,that'swhatitallboilsdownto.
Howfamiliar!Afterall,Ihavebeenlivinginthe'LandofMay'forquitesometimenow.
Onemaygetsurgeryforone'ship,butoneneedstogotoGermanyforthereplacement,
where,asaneightyyearold,onecannotcommunicatewithanyonesinceonedoesn't
speakthelingo.Wheretheyhaveadifferentinsulinprotocolcausingyoutohaveone
hypoafteranother,thusextendingyourstayatthehospitalwithtwoweeks.
Youmaygethomecarebutonlyifyou'vebeendiagnosedwithoneorpreferablymoreof
theailmentsaboutwhichtheprevailingmedicaladvisoryboardshavereachedconsensus.
Ifnot,you'rebasicallylefttofendforyourself.
Youmay,ofcourse,appealagainstadecisionthatcutsyourpersonalhomecarebudget
by50%andconsequentlysubstantiallyreducesyourqualityoflife.However,duetothe
hostofcounteractionsofthedefendingparty,thisprocedurewillprobablydragonfor
about5years,drivingthejudgeoutofhiswitsandleavingyouwithoutanymeanstopay
forextracare.
Youmaylookforanotheroncologistwhenyoudon'tseeeyetoeyewithyourpresent
specialist.Afterall,itisamatteroflifeanddeath,whereyouneedadoctorwhocan
relieveyouofyourpanicbydiscussingeverythingwithyou,openlyandtruthfully.But
whatifheisalsotheonewhohastowritethereferralandstartscautioninghiscolleagues
aboutyou,portrayingyouasadifficultpatientandahypochondriactoboot?
Youmaytrytodosomepaidworkinspiteofyouruncooperativebody,butdon'tcount
onthemmakinganyallowancesforyourrestrictionsorfluctuatingenergylevels;
deviationsfromthenormarebothersomeandregulationsaretheretobeignored.
Youmaygototheexhibitionyouhavebeendreamingofforsometime.Butifyouwant
togotoday,becauseitisoneofyourgooddays,itislikelytoremainjustthat,avision:
thepublictransportproviderscannottakeyoutherebecausea)yourwheelchairistoo
big,b)thestationisnotaccessibleforwheelchairusers,c)thetrainisalreadyfully
bookedand,besides,d)youhavenotappliedforanyassistance3hoursinadvance.
Mobilityisunquestionablypartofthis'landofmay':youmaybutyoucan't.
Youmaytrytosavesomeofyourmonthlydisabilityallowanceforarainyday,buteach
monthanewcurbisadoptedthat,insum,leavesyouwithevenlessmoneytospare:the
compensationthresholdforyourmedicationandcareexpensesisraised,specialtransport
fundsarecut,thebudgetfortheimplementationoftheDisabledFacilitiesActhasbeen
takentothecleaner's.Apparently,thoserainydayshavealreadyarrived.
Youmaytrytokeepyourheadabovewaterandtonotloseyourselfesteem,yournerve;
tonotletitbotheryouwhenyouhearthebarelyveiledcontemptinthevoicesofthe
healthandwelfareministerandhisundersecretarywhentheydiscussandruleonpeople
likeyourself,theoneswithalimitation.Youmaytrytonotletitaffectyouwhenthosein
needofspecialcarearesoeasilylabelledasmanipulativeindividualsandmarginalor
problemcases.
Youmaytrytoignoreit,thisviewsupportedbyoneofourcoalitionpartiesthatis
constantlybeingaired:thatdisabledpersonsshouldbecompelledmoretotakeon
sociallyrelevantjobs.Asiftheircurrentcontributionstosocietyarenotvaluablealready.
Itsuretakessomeselfesteemtobeabletoignorethis!
Youmaytrytonotregardyourselfasacitizenwhoisnottobetakenseriouslywhenyou
readintheproposedlegislationon'CareintheCommunity'thatitisyourfutureto
becomedependentoncharityandthegoodwillofrelativesandneighboursnowthat'the
righttocareandsupport'isthenewtaboo.Asistherighttoparticipation,forthatmatter.
Youmaytrytokeepyourcourageupandtokeeponthinkingthathumanrightsalso
applytodisabledpeopleevenifitwouldbemoreadvisabletostartreservingsome
moneyforatestcaseagainstdiscriminationandexclusion.
Somany'mays',theymakemegiddy.
WhyshouldIthinkthatIhavelimitedpossibilities?Everythingispossible,right?In
NeverNeverLand.
U.S.GovernmenttoAwardGranttoExploreGenetics
ofAutism
TheNationalInstituteofMentalHealth(NIMH),partoftheNationalInstitutesofHealth,
announcedthisweeka3year,$3milliongranttoJohnsHopkinsUniversitytostudythe
geneticfactorsunderlyingautism.
Inanaverageyear,2to6newcasesofAutism,aneuropsychiatricdisorder,ariseper
1,000children.Whileatleast80percentofthedisorderisduetohereditaryfactors,
expertsbelieveitdevelopsfromaninteractionbetweenenvironmentalfactorsand
multipleunknowngenes.TheJohnsHopkinsresearchteam,ledbyAravindaChakravarti,
Ph.D.,proposestousenewgeneticanalysistechnologiestodissectthecomplex
neuropsychiatrictraitsofautism.
"Althoughtheroleofhereditaryfactorsinautismisnotindoubt,theirnatureremains
elusiveandnosinglecausalgenehasyetbeenidentified,"saidNIMHDirectorThomas
R.Insel,M.D."ThisinitiativeispartofagroupofprojectsputforwardbyNIMHto
beginunravelingtheunderlyinggeneticsofautism."
Thestudywillapplynovelstatisticalmethodsandmoleculartechnologiestoidentify
specificgeneticmarkers,orpolymorphismsnaturallyoccurringgeneticvariations
thatmayberelatedtoautism.Toaccomplishthis,theresearcherswilluseDNAand
clinicaldatafromtheNIMHHumanGeneticsInitiative(http://www.nimhgenetics.org)
andtheAutismGeneticResearchExchange(http://www.agre.org),twolargerepositories
ofresearchresourcesavailabletothescientificcommunity.Theinvestigatorsaimto
identifyspecificgenevariantsthatcontributetovulnerabilitytoautism.
CONTACT:
JenniferLoukissas
NIMHPressOffice
3014434536
NIMHpress@nih.gov
Madagascar:DisabilityShame,HonororReality?
ByFelaRazafinjato(fela.csm@netclub.mg)
"Ishavingadisabilityshameful?",thisisthequestionthatalwayscomestomymind
whenIhaveseendisabledpeoplewhodonotaccepttheirdisabilityandrefusetoidentify
themselvesastheyare.
AsImentionedinmypreviousarticles,Iwasactivelyinvolvedinthepassingofthebill,
Lawno.97044,whichtodaygovernstheparticularsituationofpeoplewithdisabilities
inMadagascar.Atthetime,itwasnecessarytoundertakealargecampaignof
sensitizationtodisabilityrights,notonlywithgovernmentandparliamentaryofficials,
butalsowithpeoplewithdisabilities.AndIidentifiedtwodistinctattitudescomingfrom
mydisabledcompatriots:
2/3ofthem,whoareinaprecariousfinancialsituationandunemployed,are
motivatedtorejointhemovementtofightforaccesstotherightsofpeoplewith
disabilities.
Theremaining1/3,whoaredisabledintellectualsearningagoodliving,arenotatall
interestedinquestionspertainingtodisability.
Actionoradvocacy?
Iwasverycurioustofindoutthereasonsfortheirlackofinterest,andIquestionedthem.
Theanswersarepracticallyidentical,basedonthebeliefthatdisabilityisnotabarrierto
goingtoschool,learning,working,orplaying;itisjustanobstacletobeovercome,after
whichitnolongerexists.Theyevenadded:"Itispreferabletotakeactionratherthanto
advocateormakedemands.Wehavesucceededinthisdifficultcontext,sowhycan't
you?"
Thedifficultcontextmentionedaboveentailstheinaccessibilityofbothpublicand
privatebuildingsandinfrastructure,theabsenceofvariousallowancesandbenefits,and
thelackofproperaccommodationsorprograms,prevalentinMadagascartothisday.
Rejectingrealityordisability?
Whowouldnotpraiseadisabledpersonwhosucceedsinthiscontext?However,tosay
thatoneisnotdisabled,andtorejectanyformofcollaborationwithotherdisabled
persons,Ifindthisattitudeshamefulanddisgraceful.
Overcomingadisabilitydoesnotmeanphysicallyignoringit.Whetheronelikesitornot,
thedisabilityisanintegralpartofthebody,likeskincolor,forexample.Howcouldone
tellablackmanthatheiswhitewheninfactheisn't,oradwarfthatheisslenderand
sveltewhenheistheopposite?Whetherheisrichorpoor,intellectualorilliterate,the
physicalaspectremainsunchangedandonehastoacceptreality,otherwiseonedoesnot
knowoneself,oneharborsfalseillusionsandriskshavingproblemsrelatingwithothers.
Neithershamenorhonor
Ontheotherhand,wecancompletelyovercomethedisabilityinourwayofthinking,of
acting,ofseeingthingsbecausethisisamatterofwill.ThisiswhyIreadilyadmire
disabledpeoplewhostrivetosucceedandwhodon'tforgetthattheyarephysically
disabled.
Disabilityisneitherashamenoranhonor,itisastateofbeingandonemustacceptit.
FortheinaugurationoftheSembanaMijoroCenter,whichIhead,Iinvitedthelocal
officialsofthe6thdistrict.Themayoraldelegate,thetaxcollector,thepolice
commissioner,thedistrictpresident,thepostalmanager...allcame,exceptforthe
parliamentaryrepresentative,himselfdisabled,whohadsenthisassistanttotakehis
place.Aftertheceremony,sheendedupconfidinginmeherangerandsadnessthatthe
representativehadchosentoforgohisdutybynotattending.Shekeptrepeating,"He
shouldhavecomehereinsteadofgoingtoaworkers'unionmeeting75km.outoftown,
becausethisisthedistrictwhichhewaschosentorepresent,andinlightofhisdisability,
heshouldencouragesuchaninitiative,ifonlybyshowingup".
WhenIwenttoseehim,hetoldmethatheworksforeveryoneandnotjustforthe
disabled.Beingclosetothemremindshimofhisdisability,andhedoesn'twantthat.
WhatwasItodobuttogobackandaddhimtothenumberofdisabledintellectualswho
areashamedoftheirdisability.
Imagineif...
Imagineifthisrepresentative,alongwithallthedoctors,C.E.O.s,lawyers,andteachers
weknowwhohavedisabilities,wouldjoinustodemandtheenforcementofbilln97
044!Thiswouldmeanalot,ifonlyinreducingthetimespenttoconsiderthecaseandin
changingtheimagethatofficialshaveofus.Therearetimeswhensomeministry
officialshavetoldusclearlythatifyouwanttohurrythingsalong,yousecurethe
supportofinfluentialpeoplewhoagreewithyourcause.Meanwhile,wecontinueto
struggleforaccesstotherightsofpeoplewithdisabilities,withorwithoutthesupportof
thoseinfluentialpeople.Weareconfidentthatthedaywillcomewhenalloureffortswill
becrownedwithsuccess.
Conclusion
ItisevidentthatIcannotforcepeopletodemonstratethesamefervor,thesame
convictionasIinthestruggleforaccesstotherightsofpeoplewithdisabilities.Isimply
askalldisabledpersons(compatriotsornot)tostandtogetherwiththeirpeerswhoarein
needofsupport.
Thechanceswhichlifegiveseachofusarenotalwaysequal,hencetheneedtohelpone
another,toholdhands.
InternationalEpilepsyResearchNews
EpilepsyAssociatedwithHigherRiskforLearningDisabilities
ArecentstudypublishedinEpilepsia,theofficialjournaloftheInternationalLeague
AgainstEpilepsy(ILAE),indicatesthatpeoplewhohaveuncontrolledseizuresontheleft
sideoftheirbrainsaremorelikelytohavelearningdisabilities,incomparisontopeople
whohaveseizuresontherightsideoftheirbrains.Epilepsy,aneurologicaldisorder
associatedwithrecurrentseizures,affects0.5%to1%ofthepopulation.IntheU.S.,
about2.5millionpeoplehavethisdisorderandabout9%ofAmericanswillhaveatleast
oneseizureduringtheirlives.
InthestudyconductedattheLSUEpilepsyCenterofExcellence,adultpatientsof
normalintelligencewitheitherlefttemporallobeepilepsy(TLE)orrightTLEwere
evaluatedwithreadingcomprehension,writtenlanguage,andcalculationtests.The
Centerresearchersfoundthat75%ofpatientswithleftTLEhadoneormorelearning
disabilities.Thiswasfoundinonly10%ofthosewithrightTLE.Additionally,those
withleftTLEreportedhigherratesofliteracyand/orcareerdevelopmentproblems,such
asahistoryofspecialeducation,repeatinggrades,ordisruptededucationalprogress.
AccordingtoauthorGrantButterbaugh,Ph.D.,DirectoroftheLSUEpilepsyCenters
NeuropsychologyProgram,andhiscolleagues,lefttemporallobeseizureonsetwas
associatedwithhigherriskoflearningdisabilities,consistentwiththedisruptiveimpact
ofmedicallywelltreatedbutuncontrolledseizuresinthe"languagedominant"sideofthe
brain.
TheILAEestimatesthatapproximately6inevery1000youngpeoplehaveepilepsy,with
80%attendingmainstreamschoolsandcolleges.Whiletheimpactofeachperson's
epilepsyisunique,theseresultsareimportantbecausetheyhighlightthepotentialneeds
ofpeoplewithbothtemporallobeepilepsyandlearningdisabilitiesforearlyeducational
interventionandreasonableaccommodationsundertheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.
AbouttheAuthor
GrantButterbaugh,PhDisAssociateProfessorofClinicalPsychiatryattheLouisiana
StateUniversityHealthSciencesCenter,EpilepsyCenterofExcellence,whereheserves
asDirectorofNeuropsychologyandResearchonthesocialemotionalandcognitive
impactofepilepsy.Hehascoauthoredprofessionalarticlesandpresentationsonthe
impactofvariousneuropsychologicalandpsychologicaldisordersonlifespanlearning
andotherdevelopmentalissues.Dr.Butterbaughisavailableforquestionsandinterviews
andcanbereachedat(504)5683068.
EpilepsyStudyShowsMemoryLossAfterBrainSurgery
Epilepsia,theofficialpublicationoftheInternationalLeagueAgainstEpilepsy,recently
publishedaoneyearfollowupstudythatfindssomepostsurgicalepilepsypatientshave
asignificantdeclineinverbalmemory.Thistypeofmemorylossisassociatedwith
learning,recallandrecognition.
Threemonthsaftersurgery,patientswithsurgeryperformedoneithertheleftorright
braintissueshowedsignsofverbalmemoryloss.Initially,theresultinglossofmemory
wasthoughttobeapossibleeffectofthetraumaofsurgery.However,12monthslater
30%50%ofthosepatientswhoexperiencedsurgerytothelefttemporallobeshowedno
recoveryofverbalmemory,whilepatientswhohadsurgeryontherightsideoftheir
brainregainedtheirmemory.Theresultsindicatethatthedeclineobservedinasmall
portionofpatientswhohadsurgeryontherightsideoftheirbrainswastemporaryand
mostlikelytheeffectsofcomplicationsinsurgery.Verbalmemorylossmainlyaffects
thosepatientswhosesurgerywasperformedontheleftsideofthebrain.
SelectiveAmygdalohippocampectomy(SAH),ormesialtemporallobectomy,wasthe
typeofsurgeryperformedonthe115patientsstudied."Itwasnotclearfromexisting
studiestowhatextentanSAHcanleadtosignificantdeclinesinmemoryfunctions,
whichmemoryfunctionsareatriskofbecomingimpaired,andwhichdeterminantsof
outcomecanbediscerned,"observedauthorUlrikeGleissner,PhD.
Asatypeofepilepsysurgery,SAHwasoriginallydevelopedtospareunaffectedbrain
tissuefromresectionandthustominimizethenegativeconsequencesofanterior
temporallobectomy,amoreconventionalsurgicaltechnique.MostoftenSAHis
sufficienttoeliminaterecurrentseizuresinpatients.
AbouttheAuthor
UlrikeGleissner,PhDhasbeenconductingneuropsychologicalexaminationsand
scientificresearchinpatientswithepilepsysince1994.Shehascoauthorednumerous
scientificarticlesandcurrentlyresidesinBonn,Germany.Dr.Gleissnerisavailablefor
questionsandinterviewsandcanbereachedatUlrike.gleissner@ukb.unibonn.de.
RecordBreakingParalympicsPopularinGreece
ByBarbaraDuncan(bjdnycla@aol.com)
Theclosingcelebrationsofthe2004ParalympicswerecurtailedonSeptember28,in
memoryofGreekchildrenwhowerekilledinabusaccidentontheirwaytotheevent.
ThousandsofGreekschoolchildrenweresponsoredtoattendthesportsevent,astheir
firstandquiteupbeatintroductiontodisability.
Overall,theParalympicswereconsideredanunparalleledsuccess,sellingover800,000
tickets,attracting50broadcastersand3200mediarepresentatives.The2004eventbroke
alotofrecords,including:participationbyathletesfrom136nations(comparedto123in
Sydneyin2000),athletestotaled3969(comparedto3843inSydney),304worldrecords
brokenand448Paralympicrecordsbroken.
Medals,rankings
OneofthebiggestsurpriseswasthenumberofmedalswonbyChineseathletes:141
total,extraordinaryconsideringthat80%oftheir200athleteswerecompetingina
Paralympicsforthefirsttime,andthattheycompetedinonly11ofthe19events.This
newsportspowerhouseisobviouslyonthefasttrack,readyingforthe2008Paralympics
inBeijing.
Thenextfourcountriesintherankingsoftotalmedalswere:Australia(100),USA(88),
Britain(94),andCanada(72).Concerninggoldmedals,therankingsareslightly
different:China(63),Britain(35),Canada(28),USA(27)andAustralia(26).
ThetopmultimedallistintheGameswasswimmerMayumiNaritaofJapanwhoearned
7goldmedalsand1bronze.
SymposiumonHumanRights
AsymposiumwasheldduringtheParalympicstobringtogetherthedisabilitysports
leadershipwithorganizationsinvolvedintheUNConventiononHumanRightsof
DisabledPersons.JointlyorganizedbytheInternationalParalympicCommitteeandRI
(www.riglobal.org),symposiumspeakersincludedPrinceRaadofJordan;AdolfOgi,
specialadvisortotheUNSecretaryGeneralonsportsandformerPresidentof
Switzerland;andShuaibChalklenofSouthAfrica,directorofthesecretariatforthe
AfricanDecadeofDisabledPersons;EtieneKrug,directorofpreventionofinjuriesand
violence,WorldHealthOrganization;andCheriBlauwet,U.S.Paralympianand
internationaldisabilityrightsadvocate.Morethan300peopleattendedandanadditional
2300viewerswereabletotakepartthroughalivewebcast.
Mediacoverage
Manycountries,especiallyintheEuropeanregion,carriednightlyTVcoverageofthe
twoweekevent.Forexample,theBBCwasbroadcastingregularlyfromAthens,andwe
heardfromRussianfriendsthattheywerewatchingnightlyreports.TheU.S.hadno
regularcoverage,earningcriticismfromothercountriesbecausetheU.S.isacontender
forthe2012OlympicsandParalympics.Recentreportsarethattherewillbea2hour
summaryoftheevent,broadcastinNovemberintheU.S.,butprobablyonacable
channel.
Certainly,somegoodlocalU.S.storieswentuncovered,suchasTatyanaMcFadden,a
Washington,D.C.areateenagerwhoearnedmedalsintrackandfieldeventsfromher
wheelchair.ShewasadoptedasatoddlerfromRussiabyDeborahMcFadden,aU.S.
disabilityrightsleader.
MentalDisabilityAdvocatenamed"EuropeanHero
2004"
Budapest,12October2004.TIMEMagazinehasdeclaredMentalDisabilityAdvocacy
CenterboardmemberDr.JanPfeifferaEuropeanHero.ThisweekseditionofTIME
Europecarriesa"tributeto29dazzlingpeoplewhoshinealightontheworld",including
JanPfeiffer,whohasbeenfightingforahumaneapproachtopsychiatryinhisnative
CzechRepublicandothercountriesfortwodecades.
TheTIMEMagazinearticlefocusesonJanscontributionstothecampaignagainstcage
beds,anissuewhichMDAChasbeenaddressingintheCzechRepublic,Hungary,
SlovakiaandSlovenia.JanPfeifferdescribescagebedsas"psychologicallydamaging,an
excuseforpoorstaffingandtraining,andaviolationofhumanrights".
IntheCzechRepublictheMinistryofHealthhasnoplanstomaketheuseofcagebeds
unlawful.FollowingpressureprimarilyfromNGOsandHarryPotterauthorJKRowling,
on13July2004,nowexMinisterofHealthKubinyisentanonlegallybindingletterto
hospitaldirectorsaskingtoendcagebedusebytheendof2004.However,thenew
MinisterofHealthMiladaEmmerovaisconsideringwithdrawingherpredecessor'sletter,
whichwillhavetheeffectofauthorizingthecontinueduseofcagebeds.Inpsychiatric
hospitals,undertheresponsibilityoftheMinistryofHealth,therearehundredsofcage
bedscurrentlyinusewithoutlegalregulation.
TheCzechMinistryofSocialAffairsresponsibleforthemany"socialcare"institutions,
alsohasnoplanstomaketheuseofcagebedsunlawful.Contrarytointernationalhuman
rightsstandards,theMinisterofSocialAffairsrecentlysentadraftlawtotheParliament
whichwillregulateallformsofrestraints,essentiallylegalizingtheuseofcagebeds
(currentlyusedinalegalvacuum).
Formoreinformation,pleaseseethe11October2004issueofTIMEEuropemagazine.
Formoreinformationaboutcagebeds,seeMDACswebsitewww.mdac.info
CivilRights&DisabilityFeaturedatUniversityof
Pittsburgh
SpecialReporttoDisabilityWorldbyKateSeelman,Ph.D.
WhenDickandGinnyThornburghwerepresentedwiththeprestigiousHenryBetts
Award,theygenerouslyinvestedtheproceedstoestablishtheThornburghFamily
LectureinDisabilityLawandPolicyattheUniversityofPittsburgh.Attheinaugural
lectureonOctober14,2004,PeterBlanckoftheUniversityofIowapresentedAmericans
withDisabilitiesandTheirCivilRights.Apanelofleadersfrombusiness,employment,
law,policy,healthandthedisabilitycommunitythensetoutthoughtfulresponsestothe
challengestotheADAthatProfessorBlanckdescribed.
TheBettsAwardispresentedannuallybytheAmericanAssociationofPeoplewith
Disabilities,thenation'slargestdisabilityconsumermembershiporganization.Theaward
isgiventoindividualswhohavehelpedleadthesocialtransformationthatisproducing
betteroutcomesforpeoplewithdisabilities.DickandGinnyThornburghtransformedthe
BettsAwardproceedsintoaninvestmentinscholarshipandadvocacyindisabilitypolicy
andlaw.TheLectureshipwassupplementedbytheChancellor'sOffice,theSchoolof
HealthandRehabilitationSciencesandtheSchoolofLaw.
Inhisremarks,DickThornburgh,formerGovernorofPennsylvaniaandAttorney
GeneraloftheUnitedStates,notedthat"Democracyisnotaspectatorsport."Dick
ThornburghwasattheforefrontoftheOlmsteaddecisionwhenhefiledabriefamicus
onbehalfoftheNationalOrganizationonDisability.Later,Thornburghwouldauthor
anotherimportantamicusbriefinthe2004SupremeCourtcaseLanev.Tennessee.
WhileOlmsteadexaminedthequestionoftherighttoliveinthecommunity,Lanev.
Tennesseeexaminedthequestionofwhetherornotcourthouseshadtobeaccessible
undertheADA.Toputitsimply,candisabledpeoplebeforcedtocrawlupthe
courthousesteps?Inbothcases,theSupremeCourtruledinfavorofpeoplewith
disabilities.
Inhislecture,ProfessorBlanckshared"DisabilityRightsStories"involvingindividuals
whowantpaychecksratherthanwelfarechecks.Thestoriesinvolvedactualcourtcases
inwhichhehasbeeninvolved.Onecaseinvolvedjobdiscrimination.Anindividualwith
mentalretardationwasfiredapparentlybecausehelookeddifferent.Anothercase
involvedreasonableaccommodationsforapersonwhohadworkedathisjobfortwenty
yearsandreceivedpositiveperformanceevaluations.Whenthejobwasoutsourced,he
waseventuallyfired.Still,anothercaseinvolveda"smart,brighteyedtenyearoldgirl
whohadspinabifida.Shehadspentmostofheryounglifeinthehospitalunitofa
trainingschoolandshewantedtoliveathome.Blanckdescribedtheoutcomesofthese
cases,sometimeswinning,sometimeslosingandsometimestheclientdidn'toutlivethe
litigation.LookingtothefutureoftheADA,heforcefullyrejectedthecriticismthatthe
rightsmodelisnotsucceeding:"therightsmodelhasbecomeamodelfortheworld."He
summarizedagroupofADAemploymentandpublicaccesscasesinwhichtheSupreme
Courthadrestrictedthemeaningofdisabilityandnarrowedconstitutionalauthorityto
limitthestates'immunityfromcivilrightssuit.Theproposed"ADARestorationAct"is
onevehicleconsideredbyadvocatestoclarifytheADA'sdefinitionofdisability.Blanck
alsoidentifiedanumberoffuturechallengesincludingtheapplicabilityofTitleIIIofthe
ADAtotheInternet.
Thelecturewasfollowedbyapaneldiscussion.Whileeachpanelistdescribedtheirown
experiencewithdisabilityactivity,onepanelistinparticulardrovethemessageoftheday
home:KelvinRosssaidhehadbeenlookingforajobfor20years;henowisemployed
bytheU.S.InternalRevenueService.Toachievethisgoal,Mr.Rossputtogethera
supportteamincludinganassistivetechnologyexpertintheUniversity'sCenterfor
AssistiveTechnologyandacounselorfromtheOfficeofVocationalRehabilitationwho
havesupportedhisobjectivetowork.Toobadittook20yearstorealizehistalents!
FormoreinformationaboutPeterBlanck'slectureandwork,see
http://disability.law.uiowa.eduoremailhimatpeterblanck@uiowa.edu.
ForinformationabouttheThornburghFamilyLectureinDisabilityLawandPolicy,
contactKateSeelmanatkds31@pitt.edu
WhirlwindWheelchairWebsiteUpgraded
Afterthreeyears,it'sfinallyhappening!Andit'smorelikeatotalmakeover.Welcometo
thenewWhirlwindwebsite.We'restillputtingupnewcontent,butWhirlwindhas
finallyjoinedthe21stCenturyinwebdesign,thanksinlargeparttothehelpof,ilo,the
designpartnershipofKarenLeeandScottAndreae.
Whirlwind'sfirstwebsitewasajointeffortbyselftaughtwebsitebuildersMirelDobrila
andMarcKrizack.Dobrila,awheelchairriderandcomputerprogrammerattheUnited
NationsinNewYorkCity,andKrizack,currentlyWhirlwind'sdirectorofoperations,
teamedupin1999toputtogetheraneclecticandwhimsicalwebsitethatcaptured
Whirlwind'slightheartedstyle,butthatlackedtheconsistency,artistry,andclear
navigationthatwebdenizensdemand.
In2002,SanFranciscoStateUniversitydecidedtonolongermaintaintheserverhosting
theWhirlwindsite,althoughtheylefttheserverpluggedintotheInternet.Fortwoyears
WhirlwindcouldnotFTPtoupdatethesite.Whirlwindsetupanalternatesite,but
Internetsearchengineswerestillreferencingtheoriginalsite.Theoldserverwasfinally
unpluggedfromtheInternetinlateAugust2004.Thenewsiteisdesignedforeaseof
navigationandwillcarryagreatdealofusefulcontentforthoseinterestedinwheelchair
designforpeoplewithdisabilitiesindevelopingcountries.
ScottAndreaeandKarenLeestarted,ilo,asmallartanddesignstudioin1996.Since
thenilohascreatedeverythingfromwebsitesandprintmaterialtosculpturesandinterior
spaces.ilo'sworkwasselectedforthe2004PrintDesignAnnual,andcanbefoundinthe
newdesignbook,Rethink,Redesign,ReconstructbyMarkWasserman.In2000,ilowas
shortlistedforUNESCO'syoungdesignersawardwiththeirworkbecomingpartofthe
UNESCO'spermanentcollection.
VisitWhirlwind'snewsiteatwww.whirlwindwheelchair.org
TheIrvingK.ZolaAwardforEmergingScholarsin
DisabilityStudies
TheSocietyforDisabilityStudies(SDS)ispleasedtoannouncethe2005IrvingK.Zola
AwardforEmergingScholarsinDisabilityStudies.Fundedthroughthegenerosityofthe
lateProfessorZola'scolleaguesatBrandeisUniversity,thisannualawardrecognizes
excellenceinresearchandwritingandthatsharesthevaluesandcommitmentto
disabilitystudiesexemplifiedbyIrvingK.Zola'slifeandscholarship.
Eligibility:
Thiscompetitionisopentoemergingscholarsinthefieldofdisabilitystudies;
Theresearchsubmittedmustberelevanttodisabilitystudies,whichwedefine
broadlytoincludetheexaminationsofconceptsandvaluesrelatedtodisabilityinall
formsofculturalrepresentationthroughouthistory,aswellasanalyseswhichdeepen
ourunderstandingofthepersonalandsocialdimensionsofthelivedexperienceof
disability.
Award:Thewinnerwillreceive:
Afinancialawardof$350;
ConferenceregistrationfortheSDS2005conference;
Anopportunitytopresenthisorherworkatthe2005conference;
PublicationinDisabilityStudiesQuarterly;
PublicpresentationatBrandeisUniversity;and
Acertificate.
Deadlines:AllmanuscriptsmustbesubmittedbyNovember30th,2004.Therecipientof
theawardwillbeannouncedonoraroundMarch1,2005.
EvaluationProcess:Allsubmissionswillbereviewedbyaninterdisciplinarypanelof
distinguishedscholarsindisabilitystudies.Allsubmissionswillbereviewed
anonymouslyandallreviewswillbeconfidential.Manuscriptwillbeevaluatedfor
importanceandtimelinessoftheresearch;significanceofcontributiontotheknowledge
baseindisabilitystudies;descriptionofresearchmethodologyanddesign,ifappropriate;
andoverallqualityofwritingandclarityofstyle.Manuscriptsandreviewswillnotbe
returnedtoauthors.
Submission:Tobeconsideredforthecompetition,allmanuscriptsmustadheretothe
followingcriteria:
Overalllengthmustnotexceed30pages(doublespaced,12pointfont)
MustbeinEnglish;
Mustbeavailableinalternativeformats(e.g.,largeprint,Braille,audiotape)upon
requestoftheAwardsCommittee;
Musthavecontentreflectingonatopicrelevanttodisabilitystudies;
Mustbewrittenbyasingleauthorwhoisalsoprimarilyresponsiblefortheresearch
describedinthemanuscript.
Mustnothavebeenpreviouslypublished.
PleasesendmanuscriptsasanattachmentinWordtoJoyHammelathammel@uic.edu
with"IrvingK.ZolaAward"inthesubjectline.PleasenotethatacompletedApplication
Formmustaccompanythemanuscript,asaseparateattachment.Ifyouarereceivingthis
announcmentelectronically,theapplicationformisincludedasanattachment.
Otherwise,youcanobtainonebycontactingJoyHammelattheemailaddressnoted
aboveorbywritingtotheaddressnotedbelow.Ifemailisnotavailable,sendonecopy
oftheapplicationformandfivecopiesofthemanuscripttothefollowingaddress:
JoyHammel
c/oSocietyforDisabilityStudies
UniversityofIllinoisatChicago
1640W.RooseveltRd.(M/C626)
Chicago,IL606086904
CallforPapers:DisabilityStudiesQuarterlyissueon
technology
DSQthemeissue,Spring2005:Technology&Disability
Submissiondeadline:December1,2004
GuestEditors:GerardGoggin,Ph.D.,UniversityofQueensland,Australiaand
ChristopherNewell,Ph.D.,UniversityofTasmania,Australia
Whetherinthehome,atworkorleisure,technologyplaysanimportantroleinthelives
ofpeoplewithdisabilities,andalsointhewaythatdisabilityisconceived,experienced,
andframedinsociety.
Awiderangeoftechnologiesareadopted,consumed,andusedbypeoplewith
disabilitiesinunexpectedandinnovativeways.Therearemanycontestsoverthe
meaningandimplicationsoftechnology,as,forinstance,inthecaseofthe'bionicear'.
Therearealsospecificculturalandsocialcodingsoftechnology/disabilitythatremain
littlerecognizedandexamined,andpoliticalandeconomicdiscoursesthathavebeen
littlestudied.Forinstance,disabilityisofteninvokedasawarrantfordevelopmentof
newtechnologies,frombiotechnologytoinformationandcommunicationtechnologies,
and'smarthomes'yetthesetechnologiesoftencreatenewformsofexclusionforpeople
withdisabilities.
InthisspecialissueofDisabilityStudiesQuarterly,wewishtoprovideatimely,
interdisciplinaryreconsiderationoftheconnectionsbetweentechnologyanddisability.
Ratherthanprovidingpublicity,news,orreviewsofnewtechnologiesorequipment,the
issueseekstoinvestigatethedeeperyetstillneglectedsocial,cultural,anddisability
rightsaspectsoftechnologyandpeoplewithdisabilities.
Inthislight,wewelcomesubmissionsontopicssuchas(butnotrestrictedto):
historiesofdisabilityandtechnology
casestudiesandreexaminationsof'classic'disabilitytechnologies,suchasthe
wheelchair,prosthesis,hearingaid,andsoon
casestudiesof'new'technologies,includingdigitaltechnologies,communicationand
mediatechnologies,biotechnologies,'smarthome',medicaltechnologies,and
cochlearimplant
theoreticalinvestigationsregardingdisabilityandtechnology(forinstance:howdo
theoriesoftechnology/disabilityinteractwithothertheoriesoftechnology,whether
Heideggerian,socialshapingoftechnology,materialist,actornetworktheory,
feminist,andsoon)
analysesoftechnologypolicyandpractice
studiesofdisabilityandtechnologydesign.
Tosubmitpapers:
Potentialcontributorsareencouragedtofamiliarizethemselveswithpreviousissuesof
DisabilityStudiesQuarterly(DSQ),andtodiscusstheirideaswiththeGuestEditors,
GerardGogginorChristopherNewell.
Contactinformation:
GerardGoggin,Ph.D.,CentreforCriticalandCulturalStudies,Universityof
Queensland,Australia.
Email:g.goggin@mailbox.uq.edu.au
ChristopherNewell,Ph.D.,SchoolofMedicine,UniversityofTasmania,Australia.
Email:Christopher.Newell@utas.edu.au
Ifyouwouldliketosubmitapapertothejournal,pleaseprepareyourmanuscriptin
accordancewiththeDSQstyleguide,andsendanelectroniccopyofmanuscripttothe
guesteditorsattheaboveaddresses.
Tosubmitpapersondisk,mailto:
ChristopherNewell,Ph.D.,
MedicalEducationUnit
SchoolofMedicine,
UniversityofTasmania,
PrivateBag99
Hobart,Tasmania,7001
Australia.
CallforpapersSupportingDeafPeopleOnline
Conference2005
SupportingDeafPeople2005
AnInternationalOnlineConference
March10th16th2005
ThisisthethirdintheseriesofthehighlysuccessfulSupportingDeafPeopleonline
conferences.ThelastSDPconferenceincluded230delegatesfrom19countries,spread
over5continents.
Thisisacallforpapersforthe2005conference.Theseshouldbenomorethan1500
wordslongandcanbeonanytopiclinkedtodeafness,supportingdeafpeople,being
deaf,etc.Toexpressaninterest,discussideasandforfurtherinformationcontactJudith
Mole(judithm@directlearn.co.uk).
Payment,aswellasfreeconferenceattendance,willbeavailableforselectedconference
presenters.
Deadlineforexpressinganinteresttosubmitapaperis1stDecember2004.Ifyouridea
isaccepted,youwillhavetoprovideanabstractforyourpaperbythe15thofDecember
2004,afterwhichtimethefinalpresenterswillbechosen.
Furtherinfo:
SupportingDeafPeople2005AnInternationalOnlineConferenceMarch10th16th
2005
KeynotePresentersconfirmedsofar:JeminaNapier(MacquarieUniversity,Australia)
andMarcMarschark&PattySapere(NationalTechnicalInstitutefortheDeaf,USA).
Britishkeynotetobeconfirmed.
Whoistheconferencefor?
TheconferenceisaimedatallthoseinvolvedinthesupportofDeafpeopleandDeaf
peoplethemselves.Thisincludes:SignLanguageInterpreters,CommunicationSupport
Workers,traineeinterpreters,notetakersandCSWs,lecturersforDeafpeople,
interpretingagenciesandsupportserviceprovidersaswellasDeafstudents,clientsand
trainersofinterpreters.
Whatisanonlineconference?
Anonlineconferenceusestheinternetasaconference'venue'.Participantsaregivena
passwordtoaccessthevariousconferenceandseminargroupsaswellasalivechat
room.Participantscanloginatanytimefromanyplaceandtheconferenceistextbased,
sonoextraequipment/softwareisneeded.Anyonewithaccesstotheinternetcan
participate.Participantswillhavetheopportunitytohavealookattheconferencesitein
advanceoftheconferencetofamiliarisethemselveswiththelayoutofthesite.
Whyhaveanonlineconference?
Traditionalconferencesrequireaphysicallocationsoparticipantshavetotravelandstay
inaparticularplace.Usinganonlineconferencemeansthatparticipantscanaccessthe
conferencefromanywhereintheworldandcandothisatanytimewhetheritis
midnightinBritainor11aminAustralia.Participantswillbeabletologonaslittleoras
muchastheywishtobefore,afterorduringofficehours.Asummaryofdiscussions
willbeavailableeachday.
Formoreinformation,frequentlyaskedquestions,papersfromthepreviousconferences,
etc.pleasesee:http://www.onlineconference.net/sdp3/index.htm
Conferenceregistrationisopen.Signupnowfortheearlybirddiscount.
Forsubmissionofpapersormoredetailedinformation,pleasecontact:
JudithMole,DirectLearnServicesLtd.http://www.directlearn.co.uk
judithm@directlearn.co.uk
CallforPapers:specialissueonDisabilityand
CommunityDevelopmentResearch,Programs,
Services,andPolicy
Peoplewithdisabilitymakeupasubstantialproportionofthepopulation.A
community'senvironmentsignificantlyaffectstheirabilityparticipateincommunitylife.
TheJournaloftheCommunityDevelopmentSocietyannouncesacallformanuscriptsfor
aspecialissueondisabilityandcommunitydevelopment.Thepurposeofthisissueisto
highlighthowcommunitydevelopmentstrategiescanpromoteparticipationin
communitylifeofpeoplewhoexperiencedisability,andhowdisabledpeopleand
disabilityserviceorganizationscontributetocommunitydevelopment.Manuscriptsmay
addresscrossdisabilityissues,peoplewhoexperiencedisabilityduetoanyimpairment
orchroniccondition,includingdisabilityduetoinjuryandchronicdisease,mental
illness,sensoryimpairments,andcognitiveimpairments.Topicsmayincludehousing,
environmentaldesignandcommunityaccessibility,advocacy,communityleadership,
transportation,telecommunications,demographics,communityhealthissuessuchas
longtermcareorhealthpromotion,employmentandeconomicdevelopment,citizen
involvement,programsandservices,orplanningandpolicy.Papersmayaddressadult
andchildren=sissues,aswellasruralandurbancontexts.Manuscriptsthatreport
research,programdemonstrations,uniqueservicecollaborations,andpolicystudiesare
encouraged.Bookreviewsarealsowelcome.
Tobeconsidered,manuscriptsshouldbereceivedbyJanuary3,2005.Todiscuss
whetheryourpotentialsubmissionfallswithinthistopicalarea,call:TomSeekins,Guest
Editorat(406)2432460.
Submissionsshouldbesentto:
TomSeekins,GuestEditor
JournalofCommunityDevelopment
RTC:Rural
52Corbin
UniversityofMontana
Missoula,MT59812
Youcanlearnaboutrelevantissuesbyvisitingthefollowingwebsites:
ResearchandTrainingCenteronDisabilityinRuralCommunities:
http://rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/
CommunityDevelopmentSociety:http://commdev.org/new/index.html
DeadlineExtensionforDisabilityStudiesProgram,
Chicago
TheInterdisciplinaryPh.D.PrograminDisabilityStudiesattheUniversityofIllinoisat
ChicagoisstillacceptingapplicationsfromprospectivestudentsforFall2005.The
deadlineforreceiptoffullapplicationshasbeenextendedtoJanuary3,2005.UIC's
DisabilityStudiesPh.D.programpromotesthedevelopmentofnewscholarlymodelsfor
understandingdisability.Partofthistransformativeintellectualapproachinvolvesthe
educationofdisabledandnondisabledacademicians,researchers,policyexperts,and
clinicianswhowilljoinwithdisabledpeopleinthecommunityasactivechallengersof
oppressiveinstitutionsandenvironments.Theprogramexamineshowaddressing
disabilityinitsfullcomplexitycanpromotethefullparticipation,selfdetermination,and
equalcitizenshipofpeoplewithdisabilitiesinsociety.
Inordertoachievethesegoals,UIC'sDisabilityStudiesprogramrecognizesdisabilityas
acomplexphenomenonexistingattheintersectionofhumandifferencesandsocial
values.Westrivetopromoteanawarenessofdisabilitythatsupportsindividualsin
shapingtheiridentitiesandlives.Theprogramisopentoscholarscommittedtostudying
howdisability"works"andwhatcanbedonetolessenthenegativepersonalandsocial
consequencesofdisability.Thisincludesthestudyofwhatdisabilityrevealsabout
societyandhumanityaswellashowitaffectspeoplewhofallbothwithinandoutsideof
thecategory.Scholarsfromanydisciplinecanengageindisabilitystudies.Aparticular
strengthoftheUICDisabilityStudiesprogramisaccesstodiversefacultymentorsand
resourcesinthehealthfields,thesocialsciences,andthehumanities.Studentsinthe
programconductresearchacrossimpairment,clinical,social,cultural,ethical,andpolicy
perspectives.
ThejointlyadministeredprogramisbasedintheCollegeofAppliedHealthSciencesand
includesfacultyandcourseofferingsfromthreefoundationalprograms:thedepartments
ofDisabilityandHumanDevelopment,PhysicalTherapy,andOccupationalTherapy.
Manyprogramfacultymembershaveconcurrentappointmentsinotheruniversityunits,
suchasEnglish,MedicalHumanities,CommunityPsychology,PublicHealth,and
LiberalArtsandSciences,andstudentshavetakencoursesofferedinmanyotherUIC
programs.
FormoreinformationortoarrangeatelephoneorinpersonmeetingwithCarolJ.Gill,
Ph.D.,DirectorofGraduateStudies,pleasecontact:
SarahRothberger,MFA
DisabilityStudiesProgramCoordinator
CollegeofAppliedHealthSciences(MC626)
1640WestRooseveltRoad,Room215
Chicago,IL606086904
(312)9961508(voice)
Fax(312)9960885
TTY(312)9961233
Email:sr22@uic.edu
Youcanalsovisitourwebsiteat:http://www.ahs.uic.edu/ahs/php/index.php?
sitename=dis
InternationalNewsBriefly
65YearOldManMakes3,000MileWheelchairTripFromMoscowtoMadrid
InAugust,65yearoldRussianVladimirKsenchakarrivedinMadrid,endinga3,000
milewheelchairtripthatbeganinMoscowlastJune.Aonemancampaignthathe
dubbed"RussiaEurope:WithoutDrugs,"KsenchakrolledthroughRussia,Belarus,
Poland,Germany,theNetherlands,LuxembourgandFranceonhiswaytoSpain,a
journeyintendedtoinspirepeoplewithdisabilitiesandtodiscourageyoungpeoplefrom
usingillegaldrugs.ToreadanAssociatedPressarticleaboutKsenchak'sadventure
online,pleasevisithttp://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2004/08/24/600223ap.html.
IndependentLiving
TimelineoftheInternationalIndependentLiving
Movement:Milestonesthrough2003
[filelocatedonlineathttp://www.ilru.org/summit/3international_il_timeline.htm]
MarcBehrendt,BarbaraDuncan,BruceCurtisandJenniferGeagan
Legend
Establishmentofrehabilitationcenters,schools,vocationalrehabilitationprograms
(SR)
Socialclubs,artsgroupsandsportsorganizationsformed(SC)
Groupsandcharitiesdealingwithspecificdisabilitiesbegun(SD)
Crossdisabilityorganizationstarted(CD)
Disabilityrightsresolutions,legislation(DR)
Independentlivinggroupsfoundedandservicesprovided(IL)
1755France:CharlesMichelAbbedelEpeeestablishedfirstfreeschoolforthedeafin
theworld1(SR)
1760England:Firstschoolfordeaf2(SR)
1784Italy:Firstschoolfordeaf3(SR)
1817USA:FirstSchoolforDeaf4(SR)
1832USA:PerkinsSchoolfortheBlindinBostonadmitsfirsttwostudents5(SR)
1864USA:ColumbusInstitution(laterNationalDeafMuteCollege;nowGallaudet
University)offersfirstdegrees6(SR)
1868Sweden:StockholmDeafClub7(SD)
1880Internationalmeetingofeducatorsofdeafchildren,heldinMilan,Italy,bansuse
ofsignlanguageinteachingdeafchildren8
1880USA:NationalAssociationoftheDeaffoundedasanadvocacygrouptooppose
Milandecisions9
1887Portugal:AssociationforthePromotionofEducationoftheBlind10(SR)
1901USA:NationalFraternalSocietyoftheDeaf,fraternallifeinsurancecompany
managedbyDeafpeople,actsasadvocacygroup11(SD)
1918USA:SmithSearsVeteransVocationalRehabilitationActestablishesvocational
rehabilitationprogramfordisabledsoldiers12(SR)
1919USA:41stateshavesomeformofworkerscompensation,allowingthoseinjured
atworksomemeasureofincomesupportandrehabilitation13(SR)
1920FessSmithCivilianVocationalRehabilitationActcreatesvoc.rehabfordisabled
civilians14(SR)
1920sNorway:NorwegianAssociationofDisabledPersonsfounded15(CD)
1920sSovietUnion:In1921theAllRussiaCooperativeofDisabledPersonswas
formedbytheSovietgovernment;in1925theAllUnionSocietyoftheBlindandin
1926,theAllUnionSocietyoftheDeafwereformedwithgovernmentsupport.268
(SD,CD)
1921USA:AmericanFoundationfortheBlind16(SD)
1922USA:RotaryInternational,EasterSealSocietyandRehabilitationInternational
founded
1923SovietUnion:SovietSocietyoftheBlind17(SD)
1927USA:WarmSpringsFoundationfacilityforpoliosurvivorsbecomesmodelrehab
andpeercounselingprogram18(SD)
1927SovietUnion:SovietSocietyoftheDeaf19(SD)
1927Portugal:LouisBrailleAssociation,firstorganizationofblindpeople20(SD)
1932Greece:PanhellenicAssociationoftheBlind21(SD)
1933GreatBritain:MassmarchonLondonorganizedbyNationalLeagueoftheBlind
focusesonjobdiscrimination22(SD)
1935USA:SocialSecurityActestablishedincomesupportsforblindpeopleand
disabledchildren;extendsvocationalrehabilitationprograms23(SR)
1935USA:LeagueofthePhysicallyHandicappedformedtoprotestdiscrimination
againstdisabledpeopleinfederalreliefprograms24(CD)
1935USA:InNovember,theNewYorkLeagueofthePhysicallyHandicapped
picketedfor3weeksattheheadquartersofthefederalgovernment'sWorksProgress
Administration,protestingemploymentdiscrimination269
1938USA:MarchofDimesbeginstreatmentcentersandfundraisingforchildrenand
adultswithpolio25(SD)
1940USA:NationalFederationoftheBlind26(SD)
1940USA:AmericanFederationofthePhysicallyHandicapped27(CD)
1945SovietUnion:Lawondisabledveteransadopted28(SR)
1946USA:NationalMentalHealthFoundationfoundedbyconscientiousobjectors
whoworkedinstatementalinstitutions,beginsmovementtowardsde
institutionalization29(SD)
1946/7Kenya:specialschoolforchildrenwithintellectualimpairmentsfoundedatSt.
Nicholas;arehabilitationcenterforveteranswholosttheirvisionduringWorldWarII
opensinThika30
1948UK:PrecursortoParalympicGamesheldinLondon,primarilyfordisabled
SecondWorldWarveterans31(SC)
1948USA:DisabledstudentsprogrambegunatUniversityofIllinois,providing
accessibleclassroomsandtransportation32(SR)
1949USA:UnitedCerebralPalsybegunbyparents
1950sUSA:Establishmentofcharitableorganizations,directlyorindirectlymodeled
onMarchofDimes33(SD)
1950sNorwegianumbrellaassociationondisabilityissuesestablished34(CD)
1951International:WorldfederationoftheDeafisestablishedinRome
1954Malaysia:NationalFederationSchoolfortheDeaf35(SR)
1957USA:LittlePeopleofAmerica36(SD)
1958USA:GiniLaurie,consideredbymanyAmericansasthe"grandmotherofIL,"
startstheToomieJ.Gazette(renamedRehabilitationGazettein1978)asaforumfor
internationalinformationexchangebypeoplewithsubstantialdisabilities,especially
peoplewhousedrespiratorsorhadpolio.
1959Sweden:Firstmeetingofselfadvocateswithcognitiveimpairments37
1960Italy:FirstofficialParalympicgames,Rome38(SC)
1960Europe:EuropeanLeagueofSocietiesforPersonswithMentalHandicap39
(SD)
1960Scandinavia:Normalizationmovement,primarilyaffectingpeoplewith
developmentaldisabilities40(IL)
1960sSriLanka:AllCeylonBlindUnion41(SD)
1960sSovietUnion:Over90%ofdisabledveteransemployedinworkshops42(SR)
1962InternationalLeagueofSocietiesforPersonswithMentalHandicap43(SD)
1962USA:DisabledResidentsProgramatUniversityofCaliforniaatBerkeley44
(SR)
1964France:GroupforIndependenceofPhysicallyDisabledPersons(GIHP)45(CD)
1964Japan:SecondParalympicgamesheld:Japaneseparticipantslivingin
institutionsmeetparticipantsfromothercountrieslivingindependently46(SC)
1967USA:NationalTheatreoftheDeaffounded47(SC)
1968USA:ArchitecturalBarriersActpassed,mandatedphysicalaccesstofederally
constructedfacilities48(DR)
1969Thailand:CenterofAlumniofSchoolsfortheDeaf49(SC)
1969RehabilitationInternationalWorldCongressintroduces"SymbolofAccess",
communitybasedrehabilitation"OneinTen"statistics
1970sBrazil:Establishmentofsocialclubs50(SC)
1970sEstonia:AssociationoftheBlindformed,followedbytheAssociationofthe
Deaf51(SD)
197075Germany:Formationofdisabledsocialclubsandgroups52(SC)
1970sCanada:CoalitionofProvincialOrganizationsoftheHandicapped53(CD)
197072USA:PeerCounselingstartsthroughdisabilityspecificsocialclubs54(IL)
1970USA:Advocacygroups,ParaquadinSt.LouisandDisabledinActioninNew
Yorkfounded55(IL)
1971JapaneseeditionofRehabilitationGazettewaspublished56(CD)
1971Uganda:UgandaAssociationoftheHandicapped57(CD)
1972USA:CooperativeLivingestablishedinHouston58(IL)
1972USA:BerkeleyCenterforIndependentLiving,Independentlivingprojectat
BostonUniversity59(IL)
1972/3USA:BostonSelfHelpCenterfounded60
1973USA:Section504oftheRehabilitationActprohibitsfederallyfundedprograms
fromdiscriminatingagainstpeoplewithdisabilities(DR)
1973Finland:FirstIndependentLivingProgramestablishedTheThreshold;first
crossdisabilityassociationinFinland61(IL)
1973Finland:Federationof6ILCsestablished62(IL)
1974SriLanka:SriLankaAssociationoftheVisuallyHandicapped63(SD)
1974Fiji:FijiParaplegicAssociation64(SC)
1974USA:PeopleFirst,selforganizationofpeoplewithdevelopmental
disabilities65(SD;IL)
1975USA:Topromotecrossdisabilityadvocacyonanationallevel,theAmerican
CoalitionofCitizenswithDisabilities(ACCD)wasestablished
1975USA:Firstnationalconferenceonindependentliving,heldinBerkeley,CA(IL)
1975Asia:FirstFarEastandSouthPacificGamesfortheDisabled66(SC)
1975UK:UnionofPhysicallyImpairedAgainstSegregationfounded67
1975Zimbabwe:Groupofdisabledpeoplelivinginaresidentialhomeorganize
themselvesforadvocacy68(IL)
1975Zimbabwe:Organizedprogramsforpeoplewithdisabilitiesinexistence,
includingrural,womens,educationalandadvocacyprograms69(IL)
1975Korea:ChungNipPolioCenterestablished,includedpeoplewithalltypesof
physicaldisabilities70(CD)
1975USA:EducationforAllHandicappedChildrenActpassed,establishingrightof
childrenwithdisabilitiestoeducation71(SR)
1975International:UNadoptsDeclarationofRightsofdisabledPersons
1976Korea:NationalYouthGamesforPhysicallyDisabled72(SC)
1976USA:IndependentLivingResearchUtilization(ILRU)programestablishedin
Houston73(IL)
1976International:UNproclaims1981asInternationalYearofDisabledPersons(CD)
1976Asia:AsianFederationofDeaf74(SD)
1977SriLanka:UnitedFrontoftheHandicapped75(CD)
1977Sweden:Buildingcodesstipulateaccessibilityinmultifamilyhousing76
1977USA:DisabilityactivistsoccupyFederalbuildingsin10cities,tocompel
implementationofthefirstFederalantidiscriminationlegislation77(CD)
1977USA:FilmComingHome.Hollywoodfilmpositivelyportrayspeoplewith
disabilitieslivingindependently78(IL)
1977USA:WhiteHouseConferenceonHandicappedPeopleincludesrepresentatives
fromallstatesproducingthefirstWhiteHouseActionPlanwiththefullparticipationof
peoplewithdisabilities79(CD)
1977USA:SecondnationalconferenceonindependentlivingisheldinHouston(IL)
1977International:DeclarationofRightsadoptedbyWorldConferenceonDeaf
Blind80(DR)
1977Netherlands:Umbrellaassociationof30groupsofdisabledpersonsformed81
(CD)
1977UK:Selfadvocacy"GangofFive"sparksnationalmovementtoliberatedisabled
peoplefrominstitutions82
1977USA:Definitionof"independentliving"isdevelopedbyleadingdisabilityrights
advocates(IL)
1978USA:FederalgovernmentagreestofundIndependentLivingCenters83(IL)
1978Scotland:FirstNationalForumforDisabledPeople84(CD)
1978Japan:Radicalselfadvocacymovementbegins85(IL)
1978Switzerland:Firstconferenceofselfhelpgroupsinrehabilitation86(IL)
1978ADAPTbeginsdemonstrationsandadvocacyforaccessiblepublictransportation
1978Russia:Disableddissidents(Kiselev,Fefelo,Husainov,Muraktanov)setup
"CommitteeontheRightsofDisabledPersonsintheUSSR,"grantedofficialstatusby
theHelsinkiHumanRightsWatch270(CD)
1978/79USA:Fiveregionalconferencesheldacrossthecountrytointroducethe
conceptofindependentlivingandtoprovidedirectionsforestablishingILCs(IL)
1979International:UNAdvisoryCommitteeforIYDPadoptsthemeof"Full
ParticipationandEquality"andurgesselforganizationofdisabledpeople(IL;CD;DR)
1980Brazil:NationalMeetingofEntitiesofDisabledPeople87(CD)
198081Canada:FirstCanadianILCsfoundedinWinnipegandOntario88(IL)
198081Nicaragua:Firstorganizationofpeoplewithdisabilitiescreated,providingIL
servicesandconductingadvocacy89(IL)
1981SouthAfrica:SowetoSelfHelpOrganizationofParaplegics90(IL)
1981UK:BritishCouncilofOrganizationsofDisabledPeople,crossdisability
organization91(CD)
1981Jamaica:CombinedDisabilitiesAssociation92(CD)
1981International:UnitedNationsInternationalYearofDisabledPersons;peoplewith
disabilitiesincludedinUNhumanrightsresolutions93(CD;DR;IL)
1981USA:MobilityInternationalUSA(MIUSA)formedtodevelopexchanges
betweenpeoplewithdisabilities94(CD)
1981Brazil:Firstcongresstocreateacrossdisabilityorganization95(CD)
1981International:DisabledPeoplesInternational(DPI)founded96(CD)
1981JapanandUSA:JapanesestudentswithdisabilitiescometostudyatUSIL
Centers(fundedfor10yearsby"Mr.Donut")97(IL)
1981USA/Mexico:FirstCommunityBasedRehabilitation(CBR)projectoperatedby
disabledpersonsstarts98(IL)
1981WesternSamoa:NationalSocietyfortheDisabled99(CD)
1981Pakistan:NationalCouncilforRehabilitationofDisabledPersons100(SR)
1981China:SportsAssociationofDisabledPersons101(SC)
1981Jordan:SportsFederationofHandicapped102(SC)
1981St.Lucia:NationalCouncilforDisabled103(CD)
1981Norway:TelethonraisesfundsenablingNorwegiandisabilityorganizationsto
beginprojectsindevelopingcountries104(IL)
1981Sweden:SwedishHandicapOrganizationsInternationalAidFoundation,founded
by14Swedishdisabilityassociationstosupportorganizationsofdisabledpersonsin
developingcountries105(IL)
1981Hungary:NationalFederationofAssociationsofDisabledPersons(MEOSZ)
founded106
1981Germany:Disabilityrightscoalitionstagesmocktribunal,puttingthecountryon
trialforabuseandsegregationofpeoplewithdisabilities107
1981Zimbabwe:NationalCouncilofDisabledPersonsfounded108
1981Singapore:EstablishmentofDisabledPeoplesInternational109(DPI)
1982Japan:IndependentLivingSeminarformallyintroducesIndependentLivingto
Japan110(IL)
1982Nepal:Enactmentof"DisabledProtectionandWelfareAct"111
1982Philippines:Enactmentof"AccessibilityLaw,BP344"112
1982International:UNGeneralAssemblyproclaims198392asUNDecadeof
DisabledPersons(IL;CD;DR)
1982International:EighthWorldCongressofInternationalLeagueofSocietiesfor
PersonswithMentalHandicap(nowInclusionInternational)heldinNairobi:first
sessionsorganizedbyselfadvocates113(SD)
1982USA:NationalCouncilonIndependentLiving(NCIL)established(IL)
1982Germany:FirstEuropeanIndependentLivingConferenceinMunich114(IL)
1982Germany:TheOrganizationtoPromotetheIntegrationofDisabledPersons
(FIB)founded115
1982CostaRica:CongressontheRightsofPeoplewithDisabilities116(DR)
1982NewZealand:DisabledPersonsAssembly117(CD)
1983SouthAfrica:DisabledPeopleofSouthAfricafoundedasnationwide,nonracial,
democraticorganizationlinkedtoantiapartheidstruggle118
1983USA:WorldInstituteonDisability(WID)founded(IL)
1983Thailand:EstablishmentoftheCouncilofDisabledPeopleofThailand(DPI
Thailand)119
1983Japan:USILspecialistsorganizetrainingseminarsinsixcities120
1983Philippines:NationalCongressofDisabledPersons121(CD)
1983Zambia:MeetingtoestablishcommonsecretariatheldbyZambianassociations
ofphysicallydisabled,blind,anddeaf122(CD)
1983France:CouncilofMinistersadoptsactionplanemphasizingaccessand
integration123(IL)
1983UK:FirstILCsfoundedinGreatBritain(Hampshire,Derbyshire)124(IL)
1983Thailand:NationalAssociationoftheDeaf125andtheAssociationofPhysically
Handicapped126founded(SD)
1983Europe:FirstScandinavianIndependentLivingConference127(IL)
1983Brazil:FoundationofNationalFederationofDisabledPersons128(CD)
1983Brazil:Foundationofothernationaldisabilityorganizationsforspecifictypesof
disabilities(e.g.blind,deaf,etc.)129(SD)
1983Canada:HumanRightsActexpandedtoincludeprohibitionofdisability
discrimination130(DR)
1983International:UnitedNationsestablishesDecember3asInternationalDayof
DisabledPersons271(DR)
1984Fiji:FijiDisabledPeoplesAssociation131(CD)
1984China:ChinaWelfareFundforHandicapped(forerunnerofChinaDisabled
PersonsFederation)132(CD)
1984USA:Firstnationalconferenceonruralindependentliving133(IL)
1984Korea:ProtestsuicideofwheelchairusergalvanizesKoreasdisabled
community(CD)
1984Estonia:Formationofdisabledsportsclubs134(SC)
1984Sweden:StockholmILCooperativefounded135(IL)
1984International:WorldBlindUnioncreatedbymergerofInternationalFederation
oftheBlindandWorldCouncilforWelfareoftheBlind136(SD)
1984SouthAfrica:InSeptember,DisabledPeopleSouthAfricawasfoundedin
Durbanaspartoftheliberationstruggleagainstapartheid272(CD)
1984International:ConferenceonCivilRightsofMentallyIllPeople137(SD)
1985Canada:FiveindependentlivingcentersinCanada138(IL)
1985Oman:OmansportsclubsfordisabledpeoplebeginthroughtheMinistryof
SocialAffairs139(SC)
1985Canada:NationalAssociationofIndependentLivingCentersformed140(IL)
1985Australia:AustralianBillofRightsamendedtoincludedisability141(DR)
1986SriLanka:ConfederationofOrganizationsoftheHandicappedPeople142(CD)
1986Nicaragua:CenterforPromotionofIntegralRehabilitation(CEPRI)foundedby
disabilityactivists
1986International:ActiononDisabilityandDevelopmentfounded143(IL)
1986Japan:FirstIndependentLivingCenterestablishedinTokyo;Wakakomanoie
(dayactivitycenterfordisabledpeoplerunbydisabledpeople)outsideofTokyo144(IL)
1986Japan:DPIJapanfounded145(CD)
1986Africa:SouthernAfricaFederationoftheDisabledfounded146
1986Oman:Forthefirsttime,personwithadisabilitysitsontheNationalCommittee
fortheDisabled(agovernmentalpolicycommittee)147(CD)
1986USA:TowardIndependencepublishedbyNationalCounciloftheHandicapped
(nowNationalCouncilonDisability),recommendingcreationoftheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesAct(DR)
1986SouthernAfrica:FoundingofSouthernAfricaFederationofDisabled(SAFOD)
inDurban,withrepresentativesfromZimbabwe,SouthAfrica,Zambia,Namibia,
Lesotho&Botswana273(CD)
1987Uganda:NationalUnionofDisabledPersonsUganda148(CD)
1987International:SelfHelpGrouporganizedwithinWorldCongressofMental
Health149(IL)
1987Belgium:IndependentLivingFlandersfounded150(IL)
1987Finland:PersonalAssistanceServiceslegislationadopted151(IL)
1987International:WorldFederationoftheDeafelectsdeafpresident,hiresdeaf
secretarygeneral152(SD)
1987Korea:Morethan500disabilityactivistsprotestlackofaccessibility153
1987Estonia:SportsGamesforDisabledAdults154(SC)
1987Indonesia:DisabledPeoplesAssociationfounded155
1987Lebanon:Morethan100disabledLebanesemarchforpeacethroughwartorn
Beirutandacrossthecountry156
1987Lebanon:Peacemarchofthousandsofdisabledpeopleandtheiralliesproceeds
fromnorthtosouthofcountry,organizedbyagroupdisabledbywar274
1988France:FirstILseminarheld157(IL)
1988Germany:CenterforIndependentLiving158(IL)
1988Belorus:Smallgroupsofdisabledpeopleorganizeonlocalbasis159(CD)
1988Poland:WithoutBarriersFoundation160(CD)
1988Canada:FundingpartnershipCAILCandFederalgovernment161(IL)
1988Belgium:ILFlandersFoundation162(IL)
1988SovietUnion:FoundingoftheAllRussianSocietyoftheDisabled163(CD)
1988USA:"DeafPresidentNow"protestmarchdrawsthousandsofsupporterstothe
streetsofWashington,DCresultinginthefirstdeafPresidentofGallaudetUniversity164
1988Vietnam:Disabledpersonsorganization"BrightFutures"organized,providing
peersupporttoitsmembers165(IL)
1988Korea:ParalympicsheldinconjunctionwiththeSeoulOlympics,accompanied
byprotestsonthepartofdisabledKoreansaboutthelackofaccommodationand
accessibilityinKoreaasawhole166(SC)
1988Estonia:Establishmentoforganizationforpeoplewithmobilityimpairments167
(SD)
1988China:DisabledPersonsFederationfounded168(CD)
1988Europe:EpilepsySelfHelpGroupsorganizeEuropeanCongress169(SD)
1988SovietUnion:FederationofPhysicalCultureforDisabledPeoplecreatedbyState
SportsCommission170(SC)
1988SovietUnion:Beginningofthemovementforpeoplewithphysicaldisabilities
withtheestablishmentoftheAllRussianSocietyofDisabledPeople171(CD)
1988SovietUnion:Afterpressurebyactivists,governmentauthorizesformationof
AllUnionSocietyofDisabledPersons,formalizedbyitsfirstconferenceinMoscowin
May275(CD,DR)
1989Europe:Disabledpeoplefrom12EuropeancountriesmetinEuropean
Parliament,focusonPAS172(IL)
1989Brazil:CenterforIndependentLiving,RiodeJaneiro173(IL)
1989Zimbabwe:AftertheUNWomensConferenceinNairobi,disabledwomen
begantoorganizeintoastrongnationalmovementforwomenwithdisabilities174(CD)
1989CzechRepublic:FirstILorganizationsformed175(IL)
1989Hungary:NationalConsultativeCouncilonDisabilitycomposedoffivemain
associationsofdisabledpersons,governmentministries,NGOs176
1989Estonia:Estoniawidedisabilityassociationestablished177(CD)
1989UK:12ILCsestablishedand90personalassistancesupportschemes178(IL)
1989Singapore:Adoptionof"AccessibilityCode"179
1989KoreaEnactmentof"LawforWelfareofDisabledPersons"180
1990International:DPIestablishesIndependentLivingCommittee181(IL)
1990Europe:EuropeanNetworkonILformed182(IL)
1990sKorea:Selfhelporganizationsform183
1990Austria:BICEPS(VienneseCenterforSelfDeterminedLiving)184(IL)
1990Germany:InstituteforSelfDeterminedLiving185(IL)
1990Philippines:KAMPIFederationof231grassrootsorganizationsofpeoplewith
disabilitiesestablishedbySecondCongressofPersonswithDisabilities186(CD)
1990EuropeanNetworkonILformed(ENIL)187(IL)
1990Japan:AsiaDisabilityInstitutefoundedtopromoteindependenceofpeoplewith
disabilitiesintheregion188
1990Philippines:EstablishmentinJulyoftheFederationofDisabledPersonsinthe
Philippines(DPIPhilippines)189
1990Thailand/Philippines:UnitedStatesHumanCareAssociationsinvited
representativesofDPIPhilippinesandDPIThailandtoanILStudyPrograminHouston
andSt.Louis(AugustSeptember)190
1990China:Enactmentof"LawfortheProtectionofDisabledPersonsinPeople's
RepublicofChina"inDecember191
1990Korea:Enactmentof"DisabledPersonsEmploymentPromotionLaw"192
19901995Germany:EducationandResearchInstituteforIndependentLivingof
DisabledPersonsfounded:offersseminars,meetingsandcongressesofdisabledpeople;
publicationsonIL193(IL)
1990CzechRepublic:TITAN,groupofdisabledpeoplefocusingonselfrealization
andeconomicindependence194(IL)
1990USA:AmericanswithDisabilitiesActpassed(DR)
1990Romania:RomanianAssociationofHandicappedPersons195(CD)
1990Thailand:Enactmentof"WelfareandRehabilitationofDisabledPersons
Act"196
1991JapanCouncilonIndependentLivingCenters197(IL)
1991Oman:AssociationforChildrenwithDisabilitiesfounded,acrossdisability
NGO198(CD)
1991Netherlands:IndependentLiving,Netherlandslaunchedasanetworkratherthan
center199(IL)
1991Norway:Personalassistancecooperativefounded200(IL)
1991Malaysia:Amendmentof"UniformBuildingByLaws"201
1991Thailand/Philippines:SwedenHumanCareAssociationsinvitedrepresentatives
ofDPIPhilippinesandDPIThailandtotheILstudyprograminStockholm202
1992Asia/PacificDecadeofDisabledPersonsbegins,adoptedbyUNESCAPatits
GeneralAssembly,forwhichDPImemberorganizationsinAsiahaveplayedvital
role203(CD)
1992Ireland:FirstcenterforindependentlivinginDublin204(IL)
1992Ireland:Irishgovernmentallowedpaymentofpersonalassistanceservicesunder
thecommunityemploymentscheme,meaningthatILCscannowemploypersonal
assistanceusers205(IL)
1992Japan:FirstILStudyPrograminJapanwasorganizedbytheCatholicAssociation
ofDisabledPersons,andsincethenitisorganizedannually206
1992China:AworkshoponILmovementwasincludedforthefirsttimeintheDPI
Asia/PacificRegionalAssembly207
1992Japan:SponsorshipofILstudyprogramforPhilippinesandThailandbegins208
1992Philippines:MagnaCartaLegislation(RA7277)passes,supportingtheIL
approach209(IL)
1992Nicaragua:FederationofDisabledPeopleisestablished210(CD)
1992France:GroupementFranaisdesPersonnesHandicape(GFPH)211(CD)
1993UNadoptsStandardRulesonEqualizationofOpportunitiesforDisabledPersons
1994Sweden:Adoptionofpersonalassistancelegislation212(IL)
1994Vietnam:Unofficial(notformallyrecognizedbythegovernment)disability
organizationsbegintoorganize213(CD)
1994Vietnam:AssociationoftheBlindbecomesthefirstdisabilityorganization
recognizedbythegovernment214(SD)
1994Philippines:FirstAsiaPacificILWorkshop215
1994Norway:PASisincludedinthegovernmentactionplan216(IL)
1994Ireland:Governmentprovidedfundingforpersonalassistanceservices217(IL)
1994Korea:Koreanwomenwithdisabilitiesorganizedforthefirsttime218(CD)
1994Mexico:FirstILCisestablishedinOaxaca219(IL)
1994CapeVerde:ACDAssociaoCaboverdeanadeDeficientes220(CD)
1994Cambodia:FoundationoftheNationalCoordinationSelfHelpAssociationand
theNationalEmploymentandEconomicCenter,theCambodianDisabledPeoples
Organization,DisabilityActionCouncilandtheNationalCenterofDisabledPersons221
(CD;IL)
1994Malaysia:Peoplewithdisabilitiescarryoutademonstrationtodemand
accessiblemonorailrunninginKualaLumpur222
1995Russia:LawonSocialProtectionofDisabledPeopleadopted223(DR)
1995Korea:TheparticipationofoneKoreanwomanwithadisabilityatthe4thNGO
ForumforWomenheldinBeijingwasacatalystforwomenwithdisabilitiestoorganize
andraisetheirissuesinKorea224(CD)
1995India:Enactmentof"PersonswithDisabilitiesAct"guaranteeingequal
opportunities,protectionofrightsandfullparticipation225
1995Cuba:InternationalconferenceondisabilityrightsheldinHavanabyACLIFM,a
nationalorganizationofdisabledpeople(DR)
1995Lebanon:FirstArabregionalconferenceonIL(10countriesparticipated)226(IL)
1995Netherlands:ResearchonindependentlivingcarriedoutbyUniversityof
Utrecht;oneofprimarygoalsisfundingforPAS227(IL)
1995Estonia:MedicalAssociationpromotesIL228(IL)
1995Yugoslavia:CenterforIndependentLivinginBelgradefounded229
1995Uganda:Constitutionrevisedtorequirethat5memberselectedtoParliament
havedisabilitiesandrepresentthisconstituency276(DR)
1995India:Enactmentoffirstcomprehensiverightsbasedlegislation,"Personswith
Disabilities(EqualOpportunity,ProtectionofRightsandFullParticipation)Act"277
(DR)
1995Georgia:FoundingofUnionofDisabledPeopleandVeteransAssistance,in
Tbilisiwith500members278(CD)
1995UK:DisabilityDiscriminationActcomesintoforceinDecember279(DR)
1996Vietnam:Organization"BrightFutures"providestraininginEnglish,computer
skills,leadershipdevelopmentandadvocacytoempowerpeoplewithdisabilities230(IL)
1996SriLanka:EnactmentofDisabilityRightsProtectionLaw231
1996FirstSwissILCestablishedinZurich232(IL)
1996UK:DirectPaymentsActpassed233(IL)
1996Russia:FirstRussianILCfoundedinNovosibirsk(Finist)234(IL)
1996IrishCouncilofDisabilitiesfounded235(CD)
1996Zimbabwe:GovernmentappointspeoplewithdisabilitiesasSports
Commissioners236(SC)
1996CostaRica:AdoptionofActionEqualOpportunitiesforPeoplewith
Disabilities237
1996Thailand:Mr.NarongPatibatsarakichrepresentingDPIThailandwasappointed
asSenator238
1996Indonesia:Disabilitylawpasses239
1996India:Ademonstrationishelddemandinglegislativechangeandbudget
redistribution240
1996Uganda:5MembersofParliamentwithdisabilitieselectedand1appointedto
serveasMinisterofStateforElderly&DisabilityAffairs280(DR)
1996Serbia:CenterforIndependentLivingfoundedinBelgrade281(IL,CD)
1997Korea:Adoptionofaccesslegislation241
1997Belgium:FlemishgovernmentbeginsexperimentalPASprogram242(IL)
1997Estonia:IndependentLivingCenterestablishedinTallinn243(IL)
1997UK:NationalCenterforIndependentLiving244(IL)
1997Belgium:FirstILCenteropens.Firstexperimentwithpersonalassistance
budget245(IL)
1997FlemishIndependentLivingCenteropens247(IL)
1997Russia:PerspektivafoundedasindependentlivingorganizationinMoscow,after
servingfor3yearsasRussianofficeofWorldInstituteonDisability282(IL,CD)
1997/98Brazil:NationalCouncilofIndependentLivingCentersformed246(IL)
1998Switzerland:SecondILCopensinBerne248(IL)
1998Sweden:NationalAssociationonIndependentLivingfounded249(IL)
1998Korea:FirstKoreaJapanIndependentLivingSeminar250(IL)
1998Korea:TheKoreanWelfareCenterdevelopsserviceprogramforwomenwith
disabilities251(IL)
1998Oman:AlNoorAssociationoftheBlindopens.Firstdisabilityspecific
organizationinOman252(SD)
1998Egypt:OrganizationofdisabledpeoplefoundedinCairo253(CD)
1998Hungary:Lawenactedon"RightsofPeoplewithDisabilitiesandtheirEqual
Opportunities"283(DR)
1998ArabRegion:TheArabOrganizationofDisabledPersonswasfoundedinEgypt
byrepresentativesof14countries;nowheadquarteredinLebanon284(CD)
1998Georgia:GeorgianDisabledWomen'sInternationalAssociationestablished285
(CD)
1999SwitzerlandjoinsEuropeanILNetwork(ENIL)254(IL)
1999Ireland:Developmentofindependentlivingcentersexplodes.ILCsinDublin,
Cork,Kerry,Laois,Bray,andTullamore.ILCsopenalmosteveryweek.255(IL)
1999Vietnam:NationalLawonDisabilityprotectsthehumanrightsofpeoplewith
disabilitiesandrequiresemploymentquotasandinclusiveeducation256(DR;SR)
1999Korea:CrossdisabilityInstituteofIndependentLivingforms257(IL)
1999Thailand:SuccessfuldemonstrationdemandingthattheBangkokSkyTrain
systembeingconstructedbemadefullyaccessibleforpersonswithdisabilities.Over450
personswithalltypesofdisabilitiesparticipated258
1999USA:SupremeCourtupholds"MostIntegratedSetting"requirement259(IL)
1999Zimbabwe:GovernmentappointsapersonwithadisabilitytobetheEducation
Ministerondisabilityeducationissues260(DR)
1999Vietnam:AccessibilityrequirementsincludedintotheBuildingCode261(IL)
1999France:Demonstrationforincreasedfundingforpersonalassistanceand
technicalequipment,participatedinby23,000peoplewithdisabilitiesandtheirallies
262
1999Thailand:FirstIndependentLivingseminar263(IL)
1999Malaysia:FirstILseminarorganizedbydisabilityadvocatessupportedbyAsia
DisabilityInstitute264
1999Jamaica:NationalpolicyforpeoplewithdisabilitiessubmittedtotheCabinetfor
adoption265(CD)
1999France:Peercounselingtrainingbegins266(IL)
1999USA:Thefirstinternationalsummitconferenceonindependentlivingheldin
WashingtonD.C.,inSeptember.
1999Peru:InJanuarythe"GeneralLawforPeoplewithDisabilities"comesintoforce,
creatinganentitytooverseeimplementation:theNationalCouncilforIntegrationof
PeoplewithDisabilities(CONADIS)286(DR)
1999International:GlobalPerspectivesonIndependentLivingfortheNext
Millennium:AnInternationalSummitConferenceonIndependentLivingassembles125
leadersfrom50countriesinWashington,DCinSeptember,adoptsdeclarationof
principles287
1999International:InSeptember,RehabilitationInternationaladoptsCharterforThird
Millennium,callingforUNconventiononrightsofdisabledpersonsandforadoptionof
accessibilitystandardsindevelopmentassistanceprojects288(DR)
2000NewZealand:ParliamentlaunchesmajorrevisionofAccessStandard289
2000SouthAfrica:InFebruary,Parliamentadopted"PromotionofEqualityand
PreventionofDiscriminationActof2000,"includingdiscriminationbasedondisability
290
2000NewZealand:Inresponsetolobbying,government'sfirstofficialrecognitionof
NZsignlanguageadopted,embeddedinamendmenttoMentalHealth(Compulsory
Assessment&Treatment)Bill291
2000International:InMarchinBeijing,aDeclarationcallingforaUNdisabilityrights
conventionwasissuedjointlyby5internationaldisabilityorganizations:DPI,RI,II,
WBU&WFD292
2000UK:DisabilityRightsCommissionbeginsoperationsinMarch,chargedwith
overseeingimplementationofDisabilityDiscriminationAct;majorityof14appointed
Commissionershavedisabilities293
2000Lebanon:InMay,Parliamentadoptedacomprehensive"DirectoryLaw
ConcerningPeoplewithDisabilities,"supportedbyNationalAssociationfortheRights
ofDisabledPeopleinLebanon294
2000USA:10thanniversaryofAmericanswithDisabilitiesActmarkedbyexhibiton
historyofdisabilitymovementatSmithsonianNationalMuseumofAmericanHistory
295
2000Niger:SeveralhundreddisableddemonstratorsmetinNiamey,citingbroken
promisesbypoliticianstosupportanationaldayofdisabledpersons296
2000Lebanon:Disabledwomenparticipatedina2000strongmarchinBeiruttoprotest
sexualdiscriminationandgenderbasedviolence297
2000Norway:LarsOedegaard,SecretaryGeneralofNationalAssociationofthe
Disabled,becamefirstParliamentarianusingawheelchair298
2000Japan:Inresponsetoadvocacygroups,Governmentreviewsandmodifies63
lawspreventingdisabledpeoplefromenteringmedicalandalliedprofessions299
2000Kosovo:InOctoberdisabledcitizensparticipatedinaccessibleelectioninitiatives,
coordinatedwithnewdisabilityNGO,Handikos,supportedbyInternationalFoundation
forElectionSystems300
2000Japan:InNovember,theDiet(Parliament)adopted"TheLawPromotingEasily
AccessiblePublicTransportationfortheAgedandDisabled"301
2000ElSalvador:InDecember,ElSalvadoradoptedalawrequiringbusinessesto
employ1disabledpersonperevery25workers302
2000Ghana:77disabledGhanaiansweretrainedaselectionobserversintheDecember
PresidentialandParliamentaryelections303
2001EuropeanUnion:InFebruary,EuropeanParliamentadoptedthe"BusandCoach
Directive,"requiringallbusesinEUtobefullyaccessible304
2001Norway:InresponsetolobbyingbyNorwegianNationalDisabilityCouncil,
Parliamentamendedmainlaborlawtoprohibitdiscriminationagainstdisabledpersonsin
thelabormarketandspecifiedsanctions305
2001Bangladesh:InApril,Parliamentadoptedfirstsignificantdisabilitylegislation,as
recommendedbytheBangladeshOrganizationofDisabledPersons306
2001Uganda:InMay,PrimeMinisterannouncedafundforsupportofmicro
enterpriseofdisabledpersonsinresponsetorequestsfromUgandaNationalActionon
PhysicalDisability307
2001USA:InJunecompliancewithSection508ofRehabActbecamemandatory
throughoutfederalgovernment,requiringaccessibilityofinformationprovided,ranging
fromkiosksinparkstowebsites308
2001Japan:Numberofindependentlivingcentersreaches100,15yearsafterfounding
offirstoneinHachiojiCityinTokyo309
2001Thailand:InNovember,approximately500disabledactivistsdemonstrated
againstemploymentdiscrimination,infrontofBangkok'sGovernmentHouse310
2001CostaRica:HumanRightsForumforPeoplewithDisabilitiesestablishedin
December311
2002Hungary:DisabilityRightsAdvocatesopensofficeinBudapesttoprovide
equalityandaccesstrainingacrossCentralEurope312
2002USA:ElectronicDisabilityHistoryMuseumestablishedat
www.disabilitymusuem.org313
2002Germany:InFebruaryParliamentpassesanEqualRightsLawforPeoplewith
Disabilities314
2002USA:ProyectoVision,firstnationaltechnicalassistancecenterforU.S.Latinos
withDisabilities,establishedbyWorldInstituteonDisability315
2002Peru:InApriltheNationalConfederationofDisabledPersonsorganizes
successfulprotest,requestinggovernmenttoreorganizedepartmentoverseeingdisability
issues316
2002Spain:Inresponsetoadvocacybydisabilitygroups,Spainapproveslawrequiring
accessibilityofpublicwebsitesandtheircontent317
2002Caucasus:InMayleadingdisabilityorganizationscreateNetworktoProtect
RightsofDisabledPersons,comprisedof30representativesfrom11regions318
2002Japan:8monthscholarshipstostudyIndependentLivingconceptsinitiatedfor
disabledstudentsfromMongolia,SouthKorea,Indonesia,SriLanka,Philippines,
Malaysia,Pakistan&China319
2002Mozambique:10yearreviewofCBRpracticesfindsindependentlivingapproach
hastakenholdanddisabilityorganizationsacceptedaspartofcivilsociety320
2002Philippines:PresidentGloriaArroyaDeclares20032012asPhilippineDecadeof
DisabledPersonsandrequestsNationalPlanofAction321
2002Afghanistan:DisabilitygroupsprotestinKabulforincreasedsocialbenefits322
2002Guatemala:2002Censusincludesdisabilitycomponentduetopressurefrom
GuatemalanNationalDisabilityCouncil323
2002Argentina:InDecember2002theCongressofArgentinaapprovedan
accessibilitylaw(962)inresponsetopressurefromRumbosFoundationandthe
DisabilityRightsNetwork324)
2002IberoAmerica:InDecember2002theIberoAmericanNetworkofOrganizations
ofPeoplewithDisabilitiesandtheirFamilieswascreatedinCaracas,Venezuelabymore
than100representativesfrom15countries325
2002Bangkok,Thailand:AsiaPacificDevelopmentCenterforPeoplewithDisabilities
Establishedin2002326
2003CostaRica:Aftermorethan1000disabledpersonsprotestedinMarchwithsigns
stating,"Withoutaccess,democracyisimpossible,"governmentbegannegotiationsto
addressaccesstoeducationandtraining327
2003Serbia:CenterforIndependentLivingreports250members,organizing30
workshopsin20cities20002001,andlaunchingpilotprojectin2003settingupfirst
personalassistanceservice328
2003India:IndianRightsGroupSuestoForceImplementationofActconcerning
peoplewithdisabilities329
2003Togo:in2003theTogoleseFederationofAssociationsofDisabledPersonswas
launched,togetherwithitsproject,"RightsofDisabledPersonsinTogo"330
2003SierraLeone:Amidstpostconflictchaos,theHandicapActionMovement&the
SierraLeoneUniononDisabilitywerefounded331
2003UK:InAprilDirectPaymentbecamemandatoryinEngland(cameintoforcein
June1999inScotland),requiringthatifapersonisfoundeligibleforcommunity
services,theymustbeoffereddirectpaymentofthosefundsasanalternative332
2003International:TenerifeDeclarationon"PromotingIndependentLiving,Ending
DisabilityDiscrimination"adoptedby400participantsinEuropeanCongresson
IndependentLiving333
2003Uganda:Over280studentswithdisabilitiesenrolledatUniversityofMakerere,
expectedtoformbulkoffuturedisabilityrightsworkers334
2003Cuba:InternationalConferenceonRightsofPeoplewithDisabilities,May611
inHavana,sponsoredbytheNationalCouncilforAttentiontoDisabledPersons,attended
byrepresentativesof12countries335
2003Mexico:Governmentadoptscomprehensivelegislationrecognizingrightsof
disabledpersonstoeducation,signlanguage&publicservices336
2003Spain:Spanishdisabledcitizensprotestinaccessiblevoting337
2003CentralEurope:"CageBeds"protestedinCzechRepublic,Hungary,Slovakia&
Slovenia338
2003Global:UNLaunchesNewDisabilityWebsiteinContextofRightsApproach339
ViewTimelineAnalysis
References
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2ibid.
3ibid.
4ibid.
5www.sfsu.edu/~hrdpu/chron.html
6ibid.
7IDEASPortfolio
8http://www.gallaudet.edu/~dpnweb/issues/history/newhistory4.html
9htttp://nad.org/aboutnad.html
10InternationalRehabilitationReview,I,1984
11sfsu.edu/~hrdpu/chron.html
15GlobalPerspectivesonIndependentLivingfortheNextMillenium,Washington,DC,
September2125,1999;("ILConference")
16www.afb.org
17Ageev,Stanislav,presentationat"HistoryoftheDisabilityMovementinRussiaand
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1998
1998
21www.vacation.net.gr/p/pab.html
22Humphries,SteveandPamelaGordon,OutofSight:TheExperienceofDisability
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25www.modimes.org
28"HistoryoftheDisabilityMovementinRussiaandtheUnitedStates,"
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30InternationalLeadershipForumforWomenwithDisabilities:FinalReport,May
1988,p.120
31"Paralympics,"EncartaOnline
33"BeyondAffliction,"NPRradioprogram
34ILConference
35www.jaring.my
37InterviewwithGunnarDybwad,InternationalRehabilitationReview,December1988
38"Paralympics,"op.cit.
39InternationalRehabilitationReview,June1988
40Groce,Nora,TheU.S.RoleinInternationalDisabilityActivities:ahistoryandlook
towardsthefuture,RehabilitationInternational,WorldInstituteonDisabilityandWorld
RehabilitationFund,1992
41SelfHelpOrganizationsofDisabledPersons,UnitedNationsEconomicandSocial
CommissionforAsiaandthePacific,NewYork:UnitedNations,1991
1998
43InternationalRehabilitationReview,December1988
44Interview,HaleZukas,October20,1999
45ResponsetoIDEASQuestionnaire
46InternationalRehabilitationReview,February1986
49SelfHelpOrganizationsofDisabledPersons,op.cit.
50Williams,Eugene,"SurvivingWithoutaSafetyNetinBrazil,:IdeasStudyVisit
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51Vosa,Jaak,BoardChairmanofIndependentLivingEstonia,ILConference
53www.cailc.org
54ILConference
56ILConference
57InternationalRehabilitationReview,March1977
58ILConference
59Shapiro,Joseph,NoPity,NewYork:TimesBooks,1993
60Shapiro,Ibid.
61Knkll,Kalle,DPIFinland,ILConference
62Ibid.
65InternationalRehabilitationReview,April1977
66http://fespic.iirt.net/eng/fespic7.htm
67Charlton,James,NothingAboutUsWithoutUs,1998,p.131
68Malinga,Joshua,ChairpersonDPI,ILConference
69Ibid.
70ILConference
72InternationalRehabilitationReview,II&III,1987)
73ILConference
7678,WID/RI(1993),p.40
77Curtis,Bruce,ILConference
78Ibid.
79Nelson,John,ILConference
80InternationalRehabilitationReview,September1977
81InternationalRehabilitationReview,January1978
1988,p.34
83Chelberg,Gene."IndependentLiving:ProsandCons."Unpublishedpaper
84InternationalRehabilitationReview,February1977
85ILConference
86InternationalRehabilitationReview,January1978
87BermanBieler,Rosangela,"TheIndependentLivingMovementinLatinAmerica:
AdaptingaFirstWorldPhilosophytoThirdWorldRealities,Portfolio97:IDEAS
2000
88Enns,Henry,CanadiansCenteronDisabilityStudy,ILConference
89ILConference
90www.independentliving.org
92Bartley,Monica,CombinedDisabilitiesAssociation,ILConference
93ILConference
94ILConference
95ILConference
96ILConference
97ILConference
98Curtis,Bruce,ILConference
99InternationalRehabilitationReview,II&III,1987
100InternationalRehabilitationReview,II&III,1987
101InternationalRehabilitationReview
102InternationalRehabilitationReview,II,1983
104Rabby,Rami,IDEASPortfolioII,1991
105InternationalRehabilitationReview,1987
106InternationalRehabilitationReview,1,1986
107PersonalAssistanceServicesinEuropeandNorthAmerica:Reportofan
InternationalSymposium,WID/RI(1993),p.56
109Nakanishi,Shoji,emailcorrespondence,January2,2000
110ILConference
113InternationalRehabilitationReview,IV,1982
114ILConference
115PersonalAssistanceServicesinEuropeandNorthAmerica:Reportofan
InternationalSymposium,WID/RI(1993),p.56
118InternationalRehabilitationReview,October,1990
124ILConference
127ILConference
128ILConference
129ILConference
133ILConference
135ILConference
136ILConference
138www.cailc.org
139ILConference
140ILConference
144ILConference
145ILConference
1988,p.82
147ILConference
148"OvercomingObstaclestotheIntegrationofDisabledPeople,"UNESCOsponsored
reportasacontributiontotheWorldSummitonSocialDevelopment,Copenhagen,
Denmark,1995,DisabilityAwarenessinAction
150ILConference
151ILConference
153DonghoKim,ILConferencePaper,1999
157Simon,JeanLuc,GroupementFranaisdesPersonnesHandicaps,ILConference
160Pawlowski,Piotr,PolandWithoutBarriersFoundation,ILConference
161www.cailc.org
162ILConference
163Ageev,Stanislavpresentationat"HistoryoftheDisabilityMovementinRussiaand
1998
164http://www.gallaudet.edu:80/~dpnweb/
165ILConference
166Kim,Dongho,ChungNipPolioCenter,ILConference
1988,p.129
173BermanBieler,Rosangela,"TheIndependentLivingMovementinLatinAmerica:
AdaptingaFirstWorldPhilosophytoThirdWorldRealities,Portfolio97:IDEAS
2000
174Longshow,Lizzie,NationalCouncilofDisabledPersonsofZimbabwe,IL
Conference
176InternationalRehabilitationReview,October1990
178ILConference
181ILConference
183ILConference
187ILConference
1988,p.87
195InternationalRehabilitationReview,October1990
197ILConference
198AlRawahi,MukhtarBinMohammed,OmanAssociationoftheDisabled,IL
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200ILConference
203ILConference
205ILConference
1988,p.90
209ILConference
210ILConference
211Simon,JeanLuc,op.cit.
212Ratzka,Adolf,InstituteonIndependentLiving,ILConference
213ILConference
214ILConference
215ILConference
216ILConference
218ILConference
219ILConference
220Cardoso,David,AssociaoCaboverdeanadeDeficientesILConference
221Veasna,Yi,NationalCenterofDisabledPersons,ILConference
1998
224ILConference
226ILConference
1988,p.106
230ILConference
232ILConference
233ILConference
234ILConference
235ILConference
236ILConference
1988,p.104
242ILConference
244ILConference
245ILConference
246ILConference
247ILConference
248ILConference
249Ratzka,Adolf,ILConference
250ILConference
251ILConference
252AlRawahi,MukhtarBinMohammed,op.cit.
253ILConference
254ILConference
255ILConference
256ILConference
257ILConference
258ILConference,SenatorNarongPatibatsarakichandTopongKunkhanchit
259ILConference
260ILConference
261ILConference
262EquateMagazine,publishedbytheEuropeanDisabilityForum,Spring1999
263ILConference
264DisabilityInternational,Vol.11,No.2,1999
265Bartley,Monica,op.cit.
266Simon,JeanLuc,op.cit.
267Ibid.
268DisabilityWorld,Vol.3,2000
271UnitedNations
281http://www.independentliving.org
289http://www.disabilityworld.org/0304_01/access/nzaccess.shtml
290http://www.disabilityworld.org/0102_01/gov/southafrica.htm
291http://www.disabilityworld.org/AprilMay2000/whatsnew.htm
292http://www.disabilityworld.org/April
May2000/IntntalNews/IntnatlDevelop.htm#Five
293http://www.disabilityworld.org/JuneJuly2000/Governance/UKDisabilityRights.htm
294http://www.disabilityworld.org/0304_01/gov/lebanon.shtml
295http://www.disabilityworld.org/JuneJuly2000/International/Smithsonian.htm
296http://www.disabilityworld.org/AugSept2000/whatsnew.htm
297http://www.disabilityworld.org/AugSept2000/whatsnew.htm
298http://www.disabilityworld.org/1012_00/gov/oedegaard.htm
299http://www.disabilityworld.org/1012_00/gov/briefly.htm
300http://www.disabilityworld.org/1012_00/gov/kosovo.htm
301http://www.disabilityworld.org/1112_01/access/japan.shtml
302http://www.disabilityworld.org/0102_01/employment/elsalvador.htm
303http://www.disabilityworld.org/0102_01/gov/ghana.htm
304http://www.disabilityworld.org/0102_01/access/briefly.htm
305http://www.disabilityworld.org/0506_01/employment/norway.shtml
306http://www.disabilityworld.org/0506_01/gov/bangladesh.shtml
307http://www.disabilityworld.org/0506_01/employment/ugandanfund.shtml
308http://www.disabilityworld.org/0506_01/access/accessibleinfo.shtml
309http://www.disabilityworld.org/1112_01/il/briefly.shtml
310http://www.disabilityworld.org/1112_01/employment/thailand.shtml
311http://www.disabilityworld.org/0103_02/gov/costarica.shtml
312http://www.disabilityworld.org/0103_02/il/dra.shtml
314http://www.disabilityworld.org/0103_02/gov/germany.shtml
315http://www.disabilityworld.org/0103_02/il/vision.shtml
316http://www.disabilityworld.org/0405_02/gov/peru.shtml
317http://www.disabilityworld.org/0910_02/gov/accesslaw.shtml
318http://www.disabilityworld.org/0405_02/il/caucasus.shtml
319http://www.disabilityworld.org/0608_02/il/empowerment.shtml
320http://www.disabilityworld.org/0608_02/il/mozambique.shtml
323http://www.disabilityworld.org/1112_02/gov/guatemala.shtml
324http://www.disabilityworld.org/0103_03/gov/buenosaires.shtml
325http://www.disabilityworld.org/1112_02/il/network.shtml
327http://www.disabilityworld.org/0608_03/gov/costarica.shtml
328http://www.independentliving.org/docs6/raijkov200303
329http://www.disabilityworld.org/0405_03/gov/india.shtml
330http://www.disabilityworld.org/0405_03/gov/briefly.shtml
331http://www.disabilityworld.org/0405_03/violence/sierraleone.shtml
332http://www.independentliving.org/docs6/evans2003.htm
333http://www.independentlving.org/docs6/tenerife20020426en
334http://www.allafrica.com/stories/20030507085.html
335http://www.disabilityworld.org/0405_03/news/cuba.shtml
336http://www.disabilityworld.org/0608_03/gov/mexico.shtml
337http://www.disabilityworld.org/0608_03/gov/spain.shtml
338http://www.disabilityworld.org/0608_03/news/budapest.shtml
339http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable
http://www.ilru.org/summit/index.htmhttp://www.ilru.org/index.htm
1999ILRUProgram.Allrightsreserved.
Lastrevised9/24/2004
CanadianCentreonDisabilityStudiesLaunches
LeadershipProject
CreatingOpportunityandSharingKnowledge:LeadershipDevelopmentintheCanadian
DisabilityMovement
OBJECTIVES
Thisprojectwillstrengthentheleadershipofthedisabilitymovement,overthelong
term,bycreatingandevaluatingdifferentmodelsofleadershipdevelopmentandby
sharinginformationabouthowtousesuccessfulmodelsacrossCanada.Itwillalso
provideopportunitiesforyoung,emerging,and/orpotentialleaderstodeveloptheir
leadershippotential.Andfinally,itwillengagethedisabilitycommunityindiscussing
andreflectingonleadership.
ACTIVITIES
PhaseOneisresearchonthecurrentstateofleadershipintheCanadiandisability
community.PhaseTwoconsistsoffourpilotprojectsthatprovideopportunitiesfor
leadershipdevelopmentinthedisabilitycommunity.PhaseThreeisanevaluationofthe
outcomesofthepilotprojectsinPhaseTwo.
PHASEONE:Gatheringourwisdomandlearningfromourexperiences
Deliverables:Akeyfeatureofthisprojectistoengagethedisabilitycommunityina
conversationonleadership.CCDSwillbothcreatespaceswherethiscanhappenand
activelygoouttoengagepeopleinaconversation.
Approximately5065hoursofindividualinterviewsand/orfocusgroupmeetingswill
beconductedwithcurrentandpastleaders(inbothstaffandvolunteerpositions),
emergingleadersandpotentialleaders.
Aliteraturereviewwillalsoprovideinsightintocurrentthinkingandpractice
regardingleadershipandleadershipinthedisabledcommunity.Thisliteraturereview
alongwiththeintakeinterviews(PhaseTwo)willserveasabaselineofinformation
usedtoevaluatetheimpactoftheproject.
Aninteractivewebsitewillbecreatedtoenablemembersofthedisabilitycommunity
acrossCanadatodiscussvisionsandopportunitiesforleadership.Thewebsitewill
includeamoderatedlistservwithfocussedquestions,anunstructuredchatroom,and
postedresourcesandupdatesontheproject.
PHASETwo:CreatingnewopportunitiesforleadershipdevelopmentTheprojectwill
initiatefourpilotprojectsthatwillenabledifferentaspectsofleadershipdevelopment
including:motivating,mentoring,internshipsandexchange.
Deliverables:
1. MotivatingprojectLocaldisabilitygroupswillhostfourregionalweekend
workshopsfocusingonyouth,multiculturalismandaboriginalpersonswith
disabilities.Oneworkshopwilllookatorganizationalleaders.Eachworkshop
willgiveapproximately1012potentialandemergingleadersopportunitiesto
meet1012establishedleadersinanaccessibleandaninformalsetting.Those
chosenasparticipantswillreceivea$500tuitionbursarytocoverthecostofthe
workshop.
2. MentorshipprojectEachparticipantattheregionalworkshopwillhavethe
opportunitytogaintheleadershipexperienceina3weekformalMentoringor
Internshipexperience.Onaweeklybasistheywillmeetonlinewitha
mentorshipcoachwhowillworkwithboththeprotgsandmentorstoensure
leadershiplearningsarebeingreached.Approximately10peoplewillparticipate
inthispilotproject.Inthewinterof2004,participantswilltakepartinathree
weekmentoringexperienceandcontributetoaweeklyonlineleadership
exchangeforthreeweeks.Followingtheinitialorientation,participantswillbe
matchedwithanorganizationandarole(staff,boardmemberorvolunteer).One
personinasimilarrolewithintheorganizationwillactasmentortothe
participant.
3. InternshipprojectForparticipantswishinginternshipplacementsthesewillbe
facilitatedindisabilityorganizationsorganizationsandpotentialinternswillbe
recruited.Organizationswillberequiredtoidentifyaspecificprojectorsetof
projectstheinternwillworkoninconjunctionwithanorganizationbased
coordinator.
4. LeadershiprenewalprojectUpto10currentleaders(stafforboard)willmove
toadifferentorganization.Thosewhowanttoparticipatewillbringtheir
organizationalcommitmenttoacceptaparticipantfromtheprogramanda
preferredplacementfortheirrenewalproject.Allparticipantsparticipateina3
weekLeadershipRenewalproject.Participantswillhaveaforumonthewebsite
tosharetheircommentsandthoughtsoverthecourseoftheproject.
PHASETHREE:Evaluatingpilotprojectsandsharingnewknowledgeaboutleadership
development
Deliverables:Thisphaseisaimedspecificallyatevaluationandknowledgedissemination
oftheproject.
Evaluatingthisprojectwillbeanongoingprocessasdescribedinphasesoneandtwo.
Duringphasethree,theprojectteamwillbringtogethertheevaluationsanddiscussions
ongoingintheprojectfromthegeneraldiscussionsonthewebsite,thefocused
conversationswithtargetedleaders,andaformalparticipantinterview4monthsafter
completionoftheMentorship/Internshipexperience.Comparisonswillbemadebetween
successesandchallengesidentifiedby40successfulleadersfromPhase1andthe
successesandchallengesexperiencedbyemergingleadersinthisproject.
EXPECTEDRESULTS/BENEFITSFORPARTICIPANTS
Thisprojectwillprovide4048current,emerging,andpotentialleadersinthedisability
communitywithopportunitiestodevelop,renew,andrejuvenateleadershipskills.Itwill
openupdiversepossibilitiesforpeoplewithdisabilitiestoengageinleadershipactivities
atthegrassrootslevel,notjustatraditional/hierarchicalconceptionofleadership.
Thisexperiencewillencourageandnurturearangeofpeoplewithdisabilitiestotakea
moreactiveroleinorganizations,therebystrengtheningthoseorganizations.Theproject
willproduceenduringleadershipdevelopmentmodelsthatensurecontinuity.Ultimately,
thisprojectwillincreasethecivicparticipationofpeoplewithdisabilities.
BENEFITSFORPERSONSWITHDISABILITIES
Thebenefitstoparticipantsincludethefollowing:
Opportunitytobearecipientofa$500tuitionbursarytoattendtheLeadership
workshop
Opportunitytobuildanddevelopleadershipskills
Opportunitytoidentifytheirstrengths,talents&developaLeadershipPlan
Opportunitytobuildnetworkswithbusiness&communityleaders&withpeers
throughmentorships
Increasedliteracywithleadingedgesoftwareelearningtechnology
Thisexcitingnationalstudywillstimulateanddevelopleadershipinthedisability
community!
OfficeforDisabilityIssues,CanadianCentreforDisabilityStudies
Wearelookingfor12personswithdisabilitiesinfourcentreswhowanttogrowintheir
leadershipskills...Areyouoneofthem?
AREYOU...
Apersonwithadisabilityandinterestedinleadership?
Willingtoparticipateinaprocesstohelpyoubecomea(better)leader?
Ifchosen,we'llgiveyouabursarytocoverthe$500tuitionfeesinordertohelpyou
achieveyourleadershipgoals.
LEADERSHIPWORKSHOPSFORPARTICIPANTSWITHDISABILITIESWHO
ARE...
PERSONSOFABORIGINALORIGIN:REGINANOTE:OCT.30&31,2004
Youth(1829):HalifaxDec.2&3,2004
ILRC(VancouverIsland):DuncanDec.13,14&152004(Tentative)
PersonsofMulticulturalorigin:TorontoNov.17&18,2004
Anopportunityforpersonswithdisabilitiestogrowintheirleadershipskillsandbepart
ofanationalstudy.
Whatistheprojectallabout?
Thisprojectdevelopsleadershipskillsforpersonswithdisabilities.Fundsareavailable
for12participantsineachlocationtoreceivea$500tuitionbursaryforaworkshopthat
willassistparticipantstoachievetheirleadershipgoals.
Allcandidateswillbeaskedtoparticipateinaleadershipworkshopthatidentifies
personaltalentsandleadsintoathreeweekmentorshipwithacommunityleader(in
personandonline)
Informationwillbecollectedthroughouttheprocessregardingleadership
developmentandrenewalwithafollowupfivemonthsaftertheleadershipworkshop
Note:Thoseparticipantswhoareworkingwillbeaccommodatedregardingtheirworking
hours.
Why?
Empoweringdisabledpeopletoleadthroughpersonaldevelopmentandstrong
communityconnectionsisanimportantsteptowardasuccessfulfuture.
Interested?
Respondtotheattachedformsandletusknowwhyyouareagoodcandidateforthe
tuitionbursary(valuedat$500).12candidatesforeachlocationwillbechosenbyan
advisorycommitteetoparticipateinthisinitiative.
SendyourapplicationtotheCanadianCentreonDisabilityStudies(addressattheendof
thefollowingquestions)oremail:research1@disabilitystudies.ca.
CanadianCentreonDisabilityStudies
56ThePromenade
Winnipeg,Manitoba
Canada
R3B3H9
Phone:(204)2878411
Fax:(204)2845343
TTY:(204)4756223
Website:http://www.disabilitystudies.ca
Email:ccds@disabilitystudies.ca
Japan:Newsupportservicestoprotectoftherightsof
personswithintellectualdisabilities,seniledementia
ormentalillnesses
WrittenbyCommunityWelfareDivision,PublicHealthandWelfareoffice,Osaka
PrefecturalDepartmentofPublicHealthandWelfareandtranslatedbytheJapanese
SocietyforRehabilitationofPersonswithDisabilities.EditedbyHaleZukas,World
InstituteonDisability(hale@wid.org)
Introduction
Asupportservicessystemcalled"SupportforCommunityLiving"wasenactedin
October1999bytheMinistryofHealth,LaborandWelfareinJapan.Thissystemaimsto
protectoftherightsofpersonswithintellectualdisabilities,seniledementiaormental
illnessesetc.
Priortothisservice,theOsakaPrefecturalGovernmenthadalreadystarteduniqueand
pioneeringsupportservicesforpersonswithintellectualdisabilities,seniledementiaor
mentalillnessesetc.byprovidingthemwithsupportssuchascounselingandeconomic
lifesupportservicesattheOsakaConservatorshipSupportCenterin1997.
EstablishmentoftheOsakaConservatorshipSupportCenter
Foranumberofyears,accordingtoMs.MichikoOhkuni,thepresidentoftheOsaka
ConservatorshipSupportCenter,caseworkersandcounselorshavebeendiscussing[the
questionof]howtoprotecttherightsandpropertyofpersonswithseniledementia,
intellectualdisabilities,ormentalillnessesshouldbeprotected.
Whenshevisitedbedriddenelderlypeopleinthelate1970sandearly1980s,she
encounteredvariousdementiarelatedproblems,withproblemsinvolvingpeople'sassets
beingaparticularconcern.Onecaseinpointwasthatofanelderlypersonwho
repeatedlyhandedovermoneytohis/herdaughter,whohad"takengoodcareof
him/her".Butwhendementiasetin,thedaughtervanishedfromthescene,leavingthe
elderlypersonhighanddry,withneithermoneynorahelper.Ontheotherhand,some
parentswhohaveachildwithanintellectualdisabilityormentalillnessspendsleepless
nightsworryingaboutwhatwillbecomeofthechildaftertheydie.
Theproblemsthatneedtobeaddressedthusrunawidegamut;somepeopleshirktheir
responsibilitieswhileothersfeelburdenedbythem.Problemsmaydifferintheir
specifics,butparent/childrelationsandpropertyrelatedissuesareoftencommonthreads.
Witheachpassingyeartheissuebecamemoreandmorepressing,andin1997the
prefectureofOsakaestablishedtheOsakaConservatorshipSupportCenter"AiAiNet"
asthefirstprojectofitskindinJapan.
Incooperationwithsocialwelfarecouncilsineachmunicipalityintheprefecture,the
OsakaWardshipSupportCenterisworkingtowarddevelopmentoftheprogramsfor
advocacyforcommunitywelfareandprovidespersonswithintellectualdisabilities,
seniledementiaormentalillnessesetc.withopportunitiesforcounselingbycaseworkers
andlawyersonvariousinfringements,uncertaintyabouttheirlivesandproblems.
DetailsoftheServices
CounselingService
Forthosewhosejudgmentisimpairedbecauseofintellectualdisability,seniledementia
ormentalillness,thecenterofferscounselingonhowtoexercisetheirrights.Telephone
adviceisavailablefrom10:00amto4:00pm5daysaweek,and,incaseswhere
telephoneadviceisdeemednottosuffice,peoplecanmeetwithasocialworkerorlawyer
byappointment2daysaweek.
SupportforCommunityLiving
Thecenterservespersonswithintellectualdisabilities,seniledementiaormental
illnessesetc.(includingpeopleininstitutions)whoeitherareunabletohandletheirown
financialaffairs,areunsureoftheirabilitytodoso,orsimplyfindthetasktoodifficult.
Specifically,threeservicesareavailable:
1. assistanceindealingwithsocialservices(bothinfindingappropriatesocial
servicesandhelpingpeopletonavigatetheirbureaucracies);
2. daytodaymoneyhandlingandmanagement(forthosewhohavedifficulty
gettingtoabankorpostofficeontheirown,towithdrawmoneyforliving
expenses,orwhoneedsomeoneelsetomanagetheirmoneybecausetheycannot
exercisesufficientjudgmenttodosoontheirown);and
3. holdingimportantdocumentssuchaspassbooks,certificates,sealsetc.intrust
(forthosewhoforgetwheretheyputtheirpassbooks,sealsetc.orwhoare
concernedlesttheirprecioussavings,registrationcertificates,etc.bestolen).
Thecenteralsopromotespublicawarenessofvariousissuesconcerningtherightsof
personswithintellectualdisabilities,seniledementiaormentalillnessesetc.
NumberofPeopleServed(outsidethecityofOsaka)
Infiscalyear2003,523peoplewereservedbytheadvocacyforcommunitywelfare
service.Personswithseniledementiawerethelargestgroupserved,followedbypersons
withintellectualdisabilitiesandpersonswithmentalillnesses.Thenumberofpeople
servedhasrisensteadilysincethecenterwasestablishedandisexpectedtocontinueto
increaseasawarenessoftheservicesavailablegrowsamongthetargetpopulations.
Thecenterreceivescallsfromtheelderlythemselves,theirfamilyorhelpersand
caseworkersaskedbytheelderlytodoso.Thistelephonecounselingisthefirststep,
wheremostproblemssuchaspettyconcernsandanxietiesaresolved.Thenumberof
telephonecallsforcounselingreceivedwas1,457infiscal2003.
Thenlawyersorsocialwelfarecounselorsconductaninterviewwiththosewhoare
deemedtorequirecounselingwithprofessionals.Duringfiscalyear200395inperson
interviewswereheld,34ofwhichwerewithpersonswithintellectualdisabilitiesand31
werewithpersonswithmentalillnesses.
About30%oftheproblemsaddressedwererelatedtocontrolormanagementofthe
client'sassets.Forexample,amongtheproblemsfacedbypersonswithintellectual
disabilitiesarehavingfamilymembersmisappropriatetheirdisabilitypensionortakeout
loansintheirname,orbeingcheatedbystreetvendorsordoortodoorsalesstaff.
Personswithmentalillnessesoftenhaveproblemswithloansandsomecomplainabout
concernsrelatingtotheirhealth.
Whenlitigationisrequiredinordertoresolveproblemssuchasdisputeswithconsumer
financecompanies,thecenterrefersclientstolawyerswiththerequisiteexpertisewho
willcontinuouslyengageinsolvingtheproblem.
Attimesanelderlyclient'sintentmaynotbeclear;thiscanmakeitreallydifficultto
resolvetheirproblem.
Take,forexample,anelderlypersonwho,havingcomplainedtoahelperaboutrelatives
[familymembers]stealinghisorherpensionmoney,getstothecenterandmakeswishy
washycommentstothecounselorlike"sincetheyaremyrelatives,maybeIshouldnot
betoohardonthem".Suchequivocationdoesnothelpmatters.Onechallengethatthe
centerfacesishowtodealwithproblemswheremoneyissuesareinseparably
intertwinedwithfamilyrelationships,suchasparent/childandbrother/sister.
TheFuture
Adaptingthecenter'soperations(includingprofessionalandlifesupportstaff
assignments)tomeettheneedsofitsgrowingclientele,willbeachallenge.
Therefore,itisnecessarytoactivelypromotemeasuresincludingallocationofregistered
(parttime)lifesupportstafftosecuretheimplementationsystemthatcanflexibly
respondtotheincreaseinserviceusers.
Itisalsonecessarytopromotetheestablishmentofa"servicepromotioncouncil"for
eachserviceinstitution,composedofpublicorganizations,interestedorganizationsthat
conductwelfareactivitiesregionally,NGOsetc.tobuildupamechanismthatstrengthens
thecooperationconcerningtheadvocacyforcommunitywelfareserviceintheregion.
Asanefforttoaccomplishthispurpose,thecenterispromoting"thecooperation
strengtheningprogram",whichisuniquetoOsaka.Theneedsofthetargetgroupwillbe
considered,caseswillbeexaminedandinformationwillbeexchangedatmeetingstobe
heldateachareaaftertheimplementationoftheprogram.
LILA:LivingIndependentlyinLA
ByMeganO'Neil,WorldInstituteonDisability(megan@wid.org)
LILA(LivingIndependentlyinLosAngeleshttp://lila.ucla.eduorwww.asklila.com)
hasanewlookandfeel!Ifyouhaventvisitedinawhile,pleasecheckitout.
LILAoffersthefollowingresourcesfreetothepublic,especiallytothosewhohave
disabilitiesthemselvesorhavefamilymemberswithdisabilitiesorwhoworkwithor
advocateforthedisabilitycommunityinLosAngelesCountyandourregion.
Forthefirsttimeeveranywhere,LILAnowmapsCityofLosAngelessubsidized
housinganddetailedownerprovidedaccessibilityinformation.Therearehundredsof
properties,representingthousandsofunits,mappedanddescribedonLILA.Thanksto
supportfromtheCityofLosAngelesDepartmentonDisabilityandtheLAHousing
Department,weareabletobringyouthisgreatnewhousinginformationresource.
Rightnow,informationonhundredsofadditionalpropertiesisbeingpreparedto
uploadintothedatabase.
LILAhasanewCommunityCalendaravailabletoanywhowanttopostevents
relatingtotheLAareadisabilitycommunity.
ThereisaSurveyinstrument,alsoavailableforusebyadvocatesandagencieswho
wanttogetsampleopinionsaboutissuesandcurrentevents.
AnAdvocacytoolallowsactivistsandorganizationstoalsouseLILAtohelpthe
communityconnectwiththeirlocalandstaterepresentatives.
LILAnowhasalmost2700mappedindependentlivingresourcesinitsdatabase.
Theseareshownincategorizedlistsorina"maproom"thatisinteractiveand
searchable.Theresourcesmapscanbequeriedbyvariousgeographiccriteria(city,
zipcode,politicaldistricts,etc.)aswellasbyresourcescategories.
LILAnowoffersdisabilitydemographicmapping,withtwooverlappinglayersand
userselectablequeryoptions.So,forexample,youcancreateamapshowingwhere
Latinoslive,showwherethereisahighincidenceofdisabilityandthenshowwhere
servicesforpeoplewithdisabilitiesarelocated.Agenciesandadvocatescanusethese
toolstohelptelltheirstoriestofundersorpolicymakers.
LILAisstillaresourcethatyoucanaddtoaswellasgetinformationfrom.Thereisa
templatethatallowsuserstoaddandedittheirownresourcespages,subjectto
administrativeapproval.
LILAhasacoordinateddiscussionForum.Nowyoucanuploaddocumentswithyour
comments,so,forexample,ifyouhaveahandcontrolledvantosell,youcanadda
pictureofit.
LILAhashundredsofcategorizedandannotatedLinkstoawidevarietyofWebsites
usefultothedisabilityandseniorcommunities.
Asalways,LILAappreciatesuserfeedback,sothereareavarietyofwaystogive
yourinputandsuggestionsforsiteimprovements
LILAalsooffersanumberofaccessfeaturesforusers,including:
Fontsizeadjustmentoptionstopromoteuseraccessibility;
Textonlyversionsforaccessbythoseusingscreenreadertechnology;
Sitesearchengines;
Colordifferentiatedsections.
Allofthesearefreeresources,broughttoyoubysupporterssuchasTheCalifornia
EndowmentandtheCityofLosAngeles.OthersupportersincludetheCountyofLos
Angeles,theCaliforniaCommunityTechnologyFoundationandMicrosoft.We
appreciatetheirsponsorshipandhelp.
So,whatareyouwaitingfor?Checkitout:http://lila.ucla.edu
Thanks,
TheLILATeam
(LILAisaprojectoftheWestsideCenterforIndependentLivingandtheUCLAInstitute
forNeighborhoodKnowledge.)
P.S.WearenowdevelopingastatewideprojecttobringLILAscommunitytoolstoall
Californians.Staytuned.
WIDWinsAwardfor"AccesstoAssets"Project
ByMeganO'Neil,WorldInstituteonDisability(megan@wid.org)
Incelebrationofthe25thanniversaryoftheCorporationForEnterpriseDevelopment
(nowknownsimplyasCFED),forthefirsttimeorganizationsorindividualswere
honoredwiththeprestigiousdistinctionofAssetInnovators.Theawardswerebestowed
uponpioneerswhohaveshapedthefieldofassetdevelopmentandIndividual
DevelopmentAccounts(IDAs).
TheWorldInstituteonDisability'sAccesstoAssetsProgramwasfeaturedasoneoffive
illustriousawardwinnersataluncheonatCFED'sannualconferenceonIDAs,inNew
OrleansonSeptember22.Approximately800specialistsinassetdevelopmentforpeople
oflowincomeattendedtheconference.NewCFEDpresidentAndreaLevereintroduced
KathyMartinez,WIDDeputyDirector,whoacceptedtheaward.Herearesomeexcerpts
fromheracceptancespeech,whichwasfollowedbyastandingovation:
"Itisestimatedthat20%oftheU.S.populationhassometypeofdisability.Evenafterall
theramps,Brailleonelevators,andtelephoneswithamplifiers,peoplewithdisabilities
remainonthemarginsofthemargins,thepoorestofthepoor...especiallyifyouarea
womanorpersonofcolor.Ourremainingbarriersarelargelyinvisible:lowexpectations,
myths,stereotypes,andlackofinformation.Thepublicunderstandingoftheconceptof
disabilityisstillconfusedwithillness,dependency,andinadequacy.Onbehalfofour
disabledbrothersandsisterswhodaretogetoffbenefits,whodaretoescapethecycleof
povertyandaredeterminedtobecomefinanciallyliterate,buildassets,andenjoy
economicprosperity,weacceptthisaward.
"DedeLeydorf,ourformerProjectManager,workedtirelesslytobuildbridgesbetween
assetbuildinganddisabilitycommunities.Itwaslargelythroughherdedicationandhard
workthatwehavereceivedthisaward.Withyoursupport,confidence,wewillallwork
togethertobuildevenstrongerbridgessothatmorepeoplewithdisabilitiescanreachand
attainfinancialsecurity,contributetoourcommunitiesandparticipateintheAmerican
Dream."
Amongtheotherrecipientswere:
CenterforSocialDevelopment(CSD)atWashingtonUniversity,theleading
academiccenteroftheoryandresearchonassetbuilding,i.e.,strategiesthatpromote
savingandinvestment(incontrasttoincomeandconsumption).CSD'sfounding
director,Dr.MichaelSherraden,introducedtheconceptofassetbuildingforpeopleof
lowincomeswithhisseminalbook"AssetsandthePoor:ANewAmericanWelfare
Policy"in1991.
RayBosharaservesascurrentDirectoroftheNewAmericaFoundation'sAsset
BuildingProgramandwaspreviouslythePolicyDirectoratCFED.Heiswidely
publishedinthefieldofassetbuildingandhastestifiedbeforeCongress,advisedboth
theBushandClintonAdministrations,aswellasleadersinEurope,onassetbuilding
policies.
CommunityActionProjectofTulsaCounty(CAP),leadbyExecutiveDirector
StevenDow,operatesoneofthecountry'slargestsinglesiteIndividualDevelopment
AccountprogramsthroughtheCFEDsponsoredAmericanDreamDemonstration.
CAPisactiveinawiderangeofissuesaffectinglowincomeandcontinuestopush
theboundarieswithinnovativenewtechnologiesandadvocacywork.
CenterforVenturePhilanthropy'sAssetsforAllAllianceisacollaborativethatincludes
nonprofitsworkingwithlowincomeindividuals,LendersforCommunityDevelopment,
Citibank,andahostoffundingpartners.TheAllianceiscommittedtothedocumentation
anddisseminationofitseffectivepractices.AcornerstoreofthatsharingistheIDA
CollaborativesToolkit,whichprovidesmanypracticaltoolsforbuildingandmaintaining
asuccessfulIDAprogram.
IndependentLivingBriefly
CompiledandeditedbyJenniferGeagan,WorldInstituteonDisability
(Jennifer@wid.org)
UnmetNeedforPersonalAssistanceServices:EstimatingtheShortfallinHoursof
HelpandAdverseConsequences
ResearchersattheDisabilityStatisticsCenterattheUniversityofCalifornia,San
Francisco,inastudyfundedbytheNationalInstituteonDisabilityandRehabilitation
Research,reportthatapproximately3.3millioncommunityresidingresidentsneed
assistancewithtwoormoreactivitiesofdailylivingfromanotherperson.Inastudy
publishedbyTheJournalofGerontology:SocialSciences,thefirstofitskind,1million
people,especiallythosethatlivealone,werefoundtoneedmoreassistancethantheyare
getting,andasaresult,areatriskofbeingforcedintoinstitutionssuchasnursinghomes.
Anabstractwithalinktothefullreportarelocatedat
http://psychsoc.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/59/2/S98?etoc.
UCBerkeleywebsitechroniclesdisabilityrights,independentlivingmovement
AnewwebsitehostedbytheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeleyandcompiledbythe
university'sBancroftLibraryhousesapproximately100indepthoralhistoriesanda
collectionofuniquearchivalmaterialsdocumentingthedisabilityrightsandindependent
livingmovement.Interviewswithmovementleaders,participantsandobservers,along
withdocuments,photographsandaudioandvideoclipofferarichhistoricalresourceand
collectionofprimarysourcesexploringthesocialandpoliticalhistoryofthedisability
movementfromthe1960stothepresent.Inadditiontotheoralhistories,thecollection
containsawealthofdocumentsincludingpoetMarkO'Brien'spublishedandunpublished
poemsandotherwritings;papersofEdRoberts,notednationalleaderfromBerkeley;and
recordsfromtheWorldInstituteonDisability.PleasevisitUCBerkeley'sDisability
RightsandIndependentLivingMovementwebsiteat
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/collections/drilm/
SurvivalStrategiesforGoingAbroad:AGuideforPeoplewithDisabilities
SurvivalStrategiesforGoingAbroad:AGuideforPeoplewithDisabilities,byLaura
HersheyandpublishedbyMobilityInternationalUSA,featuresstories,tipsandresources
frommorethantwentyexperiencedtravelerswithdisabilitiesdescribetheirchallenges
andproblemsolvingapproachesandsharestories,tipsandresourcesrelatedto
participatingininternationalprograms.Thiseasytouseguideaddressesthedisability
relatedaspectsofgoingonaninternationalexchange,includingchoosingaprogram,
applying,preparingtotravel,adjustingtolifeinanewcountryandreturninghome.For
moreinformation,pleasevisithttp://www.miusa.org/publications/books/SS
Access&Technology
WhereThereAreNoWheelchairs:anoverviewofnon
governmentalapproachestowheelchairsin
developingcountries
BySteveKurzman(info@stevenkurzman.com)
Thisarticleoffersabriefoverviewofsomeofthemajornongovernmentalorganizations
involvedintheprovisioningofwheelchairsforpeoplewithdisabilitiesindeveloping
countries.AfuturearticleinDisabilityWorldwillsurveycurrentwheelchairsolutions
availableinselecteddevelopingcountriesfromamoreusercenteredperspective.
Therearemanypeople,organizations,andgovernmentswhoseworkinvolves
wheelchairsinaninternationalscope;theonesdescribedbelowareapartiallistatbest,
limitedtoseveralprominentNGOswhoseworkreflectsthediversityofphilosophiesand
productsinthearea.
TheFreeWheelchairMission
TheFreeWheelchairMissionisperhapsbestknownfortheiruniquewheelchairdesign
whichincorporatesaplasticpatiochairastheseatandseatbackofthewheelchair.
InspiredbyaChristianphilosophyofgiving,theirprimarygoalisto"providethe
transforminggiftofmobilitytothephysicallydisabledpoorindevelopingcountries."
(www.freewheelchairmission.org)WhiletheMissiondoesnotevangelizedirectly,
accordingtotheir2004publicrelationsvideo,"becausethesechairsarefreelygiven,the
FreeWheelchairMissionanditspartners[mostlynondenominationalchurchesand
missions]arebeingwelcomedintocountriesaroundtheworldpreviouslyclosedand
unfriendlytooutsiders."(www.freewheelchairmission.org/videos/2004Mpeg.mpg)
TheMission'sfounder,DonSchoendorfer,watchedadisabledwomaninMoroccocrawl
acrossadirtroad25yearsagoandhasbeenhauntedbytheimageofimmobilityever
since.HewasinspiredtofoundtheMissionin1999andhassinceshipped23,000free
wheelchairsto33differentcountries,includingrecentdeliveriestoChina,Ghana,India,
Iraq,Mexico,Panama,Peru,Uganda,andZambia.TheMission'sfundingisfairly
grassroots;mostoftheirworkisfundedthroughindividualdonationsandsmall
fundraisers,whilefoundationsandcorporateemployeematchingprogramsaccountfor
therest.Theyarealsoimplementinganewdirectmailfundraisingeffortthiswinter.
FreeWheelchairMissionestimatesthatthereare100150millionpeopleintheworld
whoneedawheelchair.Accordingly,theirapproachisstraightforward:todesigntheleast
expensivewheelchairpossibleanddistributeasmanyaspossible.Thebasicdesign
conceptistoassembleachaironwheelsfromcomponentsalreadybeingmanufacturedin
highvolumeatlowcost.
QuickTime and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
TheFreeWheelchairMission'schair(photocourtesyFreeWheelchairMission)
Asastartingpoint,Schoendorferselectedamoldedplasticpatiochairbecauseit's
waterproof,durable,andinexpensive.ThefirstmodelusedastandardchairfromHome
Depot,buttheMissionnowpurchasescustomchairsmanufacturedwithaUVinhibitorin
softerPVCplastictoincreasethechair'slifespan.Hethenwrappedthechairinasteel
frameandaddedbicyclewheels,mountainbiketires,and8inchcastors.Theyalsoadda
footrest,sidepanels,brakes,andaseatcushiontofinishthechair.Schoendorferis
currentlydevelopingalaptabletofitacrossthearmsofthechairforworkingand
reading.TheMission'saveragecosttomanufacture,ship,anddistributeawheelchairin
2003wasjustover$41.
Thechairisonesizefitsall,sotheyusefitchildrenbystacking2or3seatingcushions
andusingaseatingharness,whichisalsousedforadultswithspecialseatingneeds.They
estimatedurabilityat510years,butthusfaronlyhaveanecdotaldatathatsomeofthe
originalwheelchairsdonatedin2000arestillbeingused,accordingtoBrettTrowbridge,
MarketingandStrategicAdvisorfortheMission.Theyalsogetanecdotalfeedback
throughanorthopedicsurgeonontheBoardofDirectorswhoaccompaniessomeofthe
deliveries.WhileTrowbridgeadmitsthechairisnotperfect,theybelieveitisbetterthan
nothingwhichiswhatmostoftherecipientshadbeforereceivingthewheelchair.
TheMissionshipsthechairsinmodularform,550percontainerload,withassemblykits
andinstructionsillustratedwithphotographstoavoidlanguagebarriers.Partner
organizationssuchaslocalRotaryFoundationclubs,WorldVisionInternational,orother
Christianrelieforganizationsandchurchesreceive,assemble,anddistributethechairs.
Partnerswiththeappropriateresources,suchasWorldVision,providerehabilitation
servicessuchasphysicaltherapyandtrainingonhowtousethechair,thoughmostdo
not.
QuickTime and a
WheelchairdistributioninNajaf,Iraq(photocourtesyFreeWheelchairMission)
TheFreeWheelchairMissioniscurrentlygearingupfortheirChristmascampaignwith
thegoalofreaching25,000chairsshippedbytheendofthisyear.Youcanlearnmore
abouttheMissionatwww.freewheelchairmission.org.
HopeHaven'sInternationalMinistriesandWheelsforHumanity
It'seasytodiscussthesetwoorganizationsinconjunctionwitheachothernotonly
becausetheysharemuchofthesamephilosophyandpractices,butalsobecausetheyare
runbytwobrothers:MarkRichardsatHopeHavenandDavidRichardsatWheelsfor
Humanity.Bothorganizationsarenotablefortheireffortstoresponsiblyand
appropriatelyrecycleusedwheelchairsfromtheUnitedStatestodevelopingcountries.
MarkRichardswasalreadyfamiliarwithwheelchairsfromworkingasapersonal
assistanttoafriendwhousedachair,butbecameanactivistwhiledoingvolunteerwork
inCentralAmericaabouttwentyfiveyearsago.Inthelate1980s,hewasworkingwitha
SafeHavenforBoysprojectinGuatemala.WhiledrivinghomefromGuatemalaCityone
rainynight,hesawoneofhisneighborsawomanwithadisabilitycrawlingacrossthe
roadinhisheadlights.Helatermetherandofferedtogetherawheelchair.Whenheand
hiswifereturnedtotheU.S.,Markcontactedhisfriendandwroteanarticleaskingfor
donationsforthenewsletterofaspinalcordinjuryassociationinWisconsin.Hereceived
twentychairs,refurbishedthem,anddrovethemdowntoGuatemalatodelivertohis
formerneighborandothers.
In1993,MarkbecameProgramDirectorforWheelsfortheWorld,wherehedeveloped
theirsystemofcollecting,refurbishing,andworkingwithlocalrehabclinicsordisability
organizationstodeliverwheelchairstodevelopingcountries.Sponsorswhodonated
wheelchairsweregiveninformationandaphotoofthenewownerofthechair,apractice
lateradoptedbyotherorganizationsinthefield.By1996,hewasworkingfulltimewith
HopeHaven'sInternationalMinistriesinIowa.(HopeHavenwasfounded40yearsago
asalocal,dayalternativetoboardinginstitutionsforDeafchildrenandnowoffers
servicestochildrenandadultswithdisabilities.)
DavidRichardshadheardhisbrotherdescribehisworkforsometimeand,after
accompanyinghimonatriptoCentralAmericatodeliverchairs,foundedhisown
organization,WheelsforHumanity,insouthernCaliforniain1996.WheelsforHumanity
reliesonfundingfromfoundations,fundraisers,andindividualandcommunity
donations.
Bothorganizationsacceptdonatedwheelchairs,andcompletelycleanandrefurbishthem
usingvolunteerlaboranddonatedcomponentsfromcompanies.WheelsforHumanity
expectstocollect5,000chairsduring2004whileHopeHavenexpectstoreceive
approximately8,000,whichmeansquitealotofvolunteers.WheelsforHumanityrelied
onovercommunitymemberstodonate10,000hourstocleaningandrebuildingchairs
lastyear.Inadditiontotheretireesandstudentswhovolunteerabouthalftheneeded
work,HopeHavenalsoworkswiththeSouthDakotaDepartmentofCorrections,which
hascreatedwheelchairrefurbishingworkshopsatthreeofitsprisons.Inmatescan
volunteertorefurbishchairsinexchangeforlearningnewskills,participatingina
sociallyproductiveactivity,andtokenpayment.
Wheelchairusers(orpotentialusers,asthecasemaybe)indevelopingcountriesare
morelikelytohavepolioorcerebralpalsythanspinalcordinjuries,whichhavealow
survivalratewithouttheappropriatemedicalresources.Onesizefitsallchairsareoften
notappropriatefortheseusers.Accordingly,bothorganizationsdoalotofcustomfitting
andseating,andrecyclealotofhighqualityrecliningandtiltinspacechairs.Mark
Richardsremarkedthatthequalityoftherecycledchairshasimprovedovertheyears,
andHopeHavennowrecyclesalotofhighendmodelssuchasQuickieIRISandTS
(bothofwhichhaveabasepriceofapproximately$3,000).Richardsfeelsthatother
organizations,suchasWhirlwind,workwithactiveuserchairs,sohetriestofocuson
users'morespecializedneeds.
QuickTime and a
HopeHavenstafffittingachair(photocourtesyHopeHavenInternationalMinistries)
Althoughbothorganizationsacceptanydonations,theytrytoplacetherecycledchairsin
anappropriatecontext,suchasdeliveringhospitalstylechairsforindoorusein
institutionsratherthaneverydayoutdooruse.Inadditiontowheelchairs,theyalsorecycle
otherassistivetechnologyandavarietyofphysicaltherapyequipment.Accordingto
DavidRichards,wheelchairsmakeuponly40%oftheequipmentrecycledbyWheelsfor
Humanity.Atypicalshippingcontainerloadcontainsabout150chairsreadyfordelivery,
plus50100pairseachofcrutchesandwalkers,and1015transferboardsandother
piecesofphysicaltherapyequipment.
Bothorganizationsalsoworkalotwithchildren.DavidandMarkestimatethatovera
thirdofWheelsforHumanity'srecipientsandabouthalfofHopeHaven'srecipients,
respectively,arechildren.Thelatterhasfoundthattheydon'thaveenoughchildren's
chairstomeetthedemandoftheirpartners,soHopeHavenhasstartedworkingwith
ROCWheels(www.rocwheels.org)toproduceappropriatechairsforchildrenwith
cerebralpalsy.ROCWheelsiscurrentlymanufacturingtwochildren'smodelsandwill
alsosoonstartmakinganactiveuserrigidframechairforadults(allinvarioussizes).
TheycurrentlymakethechairsinIowa,butplantostartshippingpartsandmaterialsto
developingcountriestomanufacturethemthere.
Customfittingandseatingservicesrequirealotofpreparationandinformationabout
chairusers'individualneeds.BothWheelsforHumanityandHopeHavenworkwith
rehabclinicstoidentifyrecipients,andthenworkwithaclinicteamofphysicaland
occupationaltherapistsandcertifiedrehabilitationtechnologyspecialiststodothecustom
fittings.WheelsforHumanitypreferstoworkatclinicswithorthoticsandprosthetics
servicesbecausetheycantraintheP&Otechniciansinwheelchairrepairandensure
longtermavailabilityofrepairservices.
QuickTime and a
WheelsforHumanityoccupationaltherapistandrehabilitationtechnicianfittingachair
(photocourtesyWheelsforHumanity)
Theyrecentlycollaborated,forexample,withtheVietnamVeteransofAmerica
Foundation,whorunanorthoticsworkshopinahospitalandrehabcenterinNamDinh,
Vietnam.ThedirectoroforthoticsforVVAFmetwiththerehabcenterdirector,who
identifiedrecipientsforwheelchairs.Staffthentookphotographsandcollected
informationonimpairment,seatingneeds,functionlevel,andmeasurements.Theysent
theinformationtoWheelsforHumanity,whothenselectedappropriatechairsand
assembledaclinicteamtotraveltoVietnam.Theteamworkedwithalocalphysical
therapisttocustomfitandseattheusers,trainthemandtheircaregivers(usuallyparents)
onwheelchairmechanics,seating,howtoavoidpressuresores,andotherimportant
topics.
HopeHavenusesaverysimilardistributionprocess,andMarkRichardsaddedthathe
triestocontactbothlocalwheelchairmanufacturersanddisabledpeople'sorganizations
forcollaboration.Thelattertrainnewchairusers,andheencourageslocalproducersto
filltherepairnichefordonatedchairsasawaytobuildacustomerbase,suchasashop
inAntiguathatbothbuildsWhirlwindwheelchairsandrefurbisheschairsforHope
Haven.HopeHavenisalsoanactiveorganizeroftheAssociationofMobilityProviders
(www.rocwheels.org/Mobility_Providers/),orAMP,anetworkofprofessionalsworking
intherehabtechnologyfield.TheAMPiscurrentlyworkingtodevelopdistribution
standardstoensureappropriatewheelchairprovisionindevelopingcountries.
YoucanlearnmoreaboutHopeHavenInternationalMinistriesat
www.hopehaven.org/InternationalMinistries/andWheelsforHumanityat
www.wheelsforhumanity.org.
Motivation
BasedinBristol,England,Motivationisknownfortheirworkwithappropriate
technologywheelchairs,buttheyseethatasonlythebeginning.Motivationaims"to
enhancethequalityoflifeofpeoplewithmobilitydisabilities"andtheyviewtheirwork
withwheelchairsandothermobilitydevicesasonlypartofthisbroadergoal
(www.motivation.org.uk/).
Theirapproachisholisticandencompassesfiveareas:poverty,rights,capacity,and
servicesaswellasproducts.AccordingtoExecutiveDirectorandcofounderRichard
Frost,whenthethreeoriginalfoundersofMotivationbeganworkinginBangladesh,they
foundthatmanypotentialwheelchairusersweredyingbecauseofcomplicationsfrom
pressuresoresandotherhealthissues.Helpingpeopletogetandstayhealthywas
necessarybeforetheycouldevenconsiderequippingthemwithchairs.Then,oncepeople
werehealthyandhadwheelchairsandtrainingonhowtousethem,therewerelimited
opportunitiesavailabletothemtoparticipateintheircommunities.Theproblemwas
obviouslymuchbiggerthansimplytheneedforwheelchairsandleadtoMotivation's
broaderapproach.
Accordingtotheirwebsite,"Motivationbeganin1989whenDavidConstantine,a
wheelchairuser,andSimonGue,bothIndustrialDesignstudentsattheRoyalCollegeof
Art,London,wontheFryeMemorialPrizefortheirdesignofawheelchairforthe
developingworld.Designedtobemadefromlocallyavailablematerials,thedesignwas
simple,easilyadaptableandideallysuitedtotheoftenroughenvironmentofmany
developingcountries."(www.motivation.org.uk/_history/)Constantine,Gue,andRichard
FrostbroughtthewheelchairdesigntotheCentrefortheRehabilitationoftheParalysed
inBangladesh.Aftergraduatingfromschoolin1991,theyreturnedtoestablisha
wheelchairworkshopandhavebeenworkingsincethen.
Motivationworksonlybyinvitationfromlocaldisabledpeople'sorganizationsorrehab
centers.Theinvitationsusuallycomeintheformofrequeststoprovidewheelchairsor
buildaworkshop,sotheyworkwiththelocalpartnertostudyuserneedsandlocal
capacities,anddevelopappropriatesolutions.InNicaragua,forexample,theyworkwith
localpartnerstoprovidevocationaltrainingandfindemploymentopportunitiesto
addresspovertyamongpeoplewithdisabilities.Theyconductpeertopeertrainingswith
disabledpeople'sorganizationsandlobbygovernmentstoaddressrightsissues.
Motivationisalsointerestedincollaborativelydevelopingasetofinternationalstandards
forwheelchairsandhassuccessfullyworkedwiththegovernmentofSriLankato
implementstandardsforgovernmentwheelchairpurchasing.
Theyworkwithlocalpartnerstosetupwheelchairworkshopsandtrain"Wheelchair
Technologists"todevelopservicesandcapacity.Forexample,Motivationhasworked
withtheTanzanianTrainingCentreforOrthopaedicTechnologists(TATCOT)toruna
WheelchairTechnologistTrainingCourse.Theorganizationisalsointerestedin
developingacertificationprocesssimilartothatusedbyInternationalSocietyof
ProstheticsandOrthotics(ISPO)tocertifyP&Otechniciansaspartofanefforttohelp
wheelchairtechnologistsachievecredibilityandrecognitionasprofessionals.
Motivationdoesalltheirwheelchairdesigninthepartner'scountryanddoesextensive
fieldtrialsfornewchairs.Astheyhaveworkedwithlocalpartnersovertheyearsto
designwheelchairsforprojects,they'vedevelopedseveralmodelstomeetspecificneeds.
Motivationnowhasafamilyofwheelchairsthatareadaptedtolocaluseforeachproject.
TheirfirstmodelwasdevelopedforuseinBangladeshtoimproveupontheEverest&
Jenningsinspiredhospitalstylewheelchairsusedinthespinalcordinjuryunitatthe
CentrefortheRehabilitationoftheParalysed.Thisfirstfourwheelmodelofferedbetter
mobilityandlighterweightmoresuitableforactiveuseaswellasmoreadjustableand
lessexpensive.WhentheybeganworkinginRomania,theyfoundthewheelchair
developedinBangladeshwasnotappropriatesotheyredesignedit.
WhentheybeganworkinginCambodia,steeltubingwasnotavailablesotheyused
wood.Theyalsodevelopedathreewheelchair,withalongerwheelbaseforadded
stabilityinruralareas.Peoplealreadyusedthreewheelchairsandpreferredthemin
testing.Theyhavealsoredesignedthethreewheelchairwithsteeltubinginsubsequent
projects,anditiswidelybuiltinSoutheastAsiaandAfrica.
Theyhavealsodevelopedadedicatedtricyclewheelchairaswellastricycledrive
conversionattachmentsforfourwheelchairs.Tricyclesarefrequentlymoreappropriate
inruralareasbecausetheycoverlongdistancesmoreeasilythanstandardwheelchairs,so
Motivationdesignedanattachmenttoconvertchairs,makingthemsuitableformixed
distanceandurbanuse.They'vedesignedthededicatedhandpoweredtricycleinthepast
twoyearsandarealsotestingpowerassistancesystemsinSriLanka.Sofar,usershave
foundthebatterypoweredmodeleasiertorefuel(becauseofrelativelyeasyaccessto
electricalsockets)butprefertheperformanceofthepetrolpoweredversion.
Motivation,likeotherorganizationsworkingwithwheelchairsindevelopingcountries,is
attemptingtograpplewiththescaleofneed.AccordingtoFrost,theyconsideredthe
scaleoftheirandtheirpartners'workandfelttheyhadnotyetscratchedthesurface.The
problemwashowtobuildwheelchairsonalargerscale,withhigherqualitybutlower
cost.Additionally,manyoftheirpartnersaremoreinterestedinprovidingservicesthan
manufacturingproducts,andreducingthelaborrequiredtobuildwheelchairswouldfree
themuptofocusonthoseservices.TheirresponseistheWorldmadeproject:acentrally
produced,appropriatelydesignedthreewheelwheelchair.Motivationwillhavethe
WorldmadechairsmanufacturedinChinaandshippedtoseveralpilotcountriestobe
assembledanddistributed.Thegoalistoproduce3,500Worldmadechairsnextyearand
scaleupto10,000chairsannually.
YoucanlearnmoreaboutMotivationatwww.motivation.org.uk.
WhirlwindWheelchairInternational
(Fulldisclosure:theauthorwasaninternwithWWIduring20034.)
Whirlwindisuniqueinthisfieldinthattheyneithermakenorgiveawaywheelchairs
theydesignthemandcreatelocalcapacitytobuildthem.Theorganizationisnota
providerofwheelchairsbutratherahuborredistributioncenterforknowledgeof
appropriatetechnologywheelchairdesign,engineering,andsmallscalemanufacturing.
Atthesametime,Whirlwind'swheelchairdesignembodiesaphilosophygroundedin
theconsumeranddisabilityadvocacymovementswhichissimultaneouslyallaboutthe
chairandallaboutthepersonusingit.
TheirapproachisdescribedbyDirectorofOperationsMarcKrizackinanarticletitled,
"It'sNotAboutWheelchairs":"Providingwheelchairsisnotaboutwheelchairs.Itis
aboutintegratingpeoplewithdisabilitiesintotheirsociety....Whentheneedsoftheend
userareconsideredfirst,themostappropriatewheelchair(notmerelythecheapest)can
beprovided,andwithothertargetedassistance,thewheelchairridercangotoschool,get
ajob,andbecomeanetcontributortosociety."
(www.whirlwindwheelchair.org/articles/current/article_c02.htm)
Accordingly,Whirlwindisasmuchaphilosophyofwheelchairsasitisatypeofdesign
oranorganization.AlthoughtheyaregroundedintheSanFranciscoBayArea's
disabilitycommunity,bothChiefEngineerRalfHotchkissandKrizackspeakasmuch
fromageneralperspectiveofconsumeradvocacyasamorespecificpositionofdisability
advocacy.Whirlwindwasoneoftheearliest,ifnotthefirst,proponentofappropriate
designforwheeledmobility:wheelchairsshouldbedesignedfortheuser'slifestyleand
activities,andforherlocalenvironment,whetherthatbeoutdoorterrainorindoor
architecturalfeatures.
Borrowingatermfromsoftwaredevelopment,Whirlwindalsoapproacheswheelchair
engineeringasan"opensource"designproject,whichlooselymeansthataproductis
collaborativelydesignedandcanbefreelymodifiedbyanyonefornonproprietaryuse.
Anothercriticalelementoftheirapproachisinvolvementofwheelchairusersinthe
designprocess.Asawheelchairuserhimself,Hotchkissbelievesthatmostideasthat
haveledtoimportantadvancesinwheelchairdesignhavecomefromwheelchairusers,
suchasHerbertEverestwiththeoriginalfoldingEverest&Jenningschairofthe1930s
and'40s,andMarilynHamiltonwiththefirsthighperformanceQuickiechairsofthe
1980s.Anotheraspectoftheirphilosophyislocalproduction,largelyforreasonsof
consumerempowermentandtosupportsustainableinfrastructureforwheeledmobility.
Formuchofitsexistence,WhirlwindhasbeensynonymouswithRalfHotchkiss,who
becameaparaplegicin1966andbeganworkingwithwheelchairsalmostimmediately
whenhisfirstchairbrokeahalfablockfromthehospital.Hequicklyfixedthechairand
startedworkingonanddesigningothers.Ashespentmuchofthe1970sworkingfor
RalphNaderonproductsafetyissuesandgaininganawarenessofconsumeradvocacy
issues,twoeventsradicalizedhimasawheelchairuserandengineer.Onewasthebreak
upoftheEverest&Jenningsmonopolyonwheelchairs,throughanantitrustsuitinthe
late1970s.Theotherwasdevelopinganimprovementtohospitalstylechairstonarrow
them,allowingeasieraccesstorestrooms,forexample,andbeingrebuffedbyboth
EverestandJenningsandInvacarebecausetheimprovementswouldbetoocostlyto
them.
HotchkisswasalreadyactivelyworkinginindependentlivingprojectsinCentral
AmericawhenhebeganworkingonwheelchairsinNicaraguain1980.Theaimofthe
originaldesignwastobecomparabletothenewlightweightactiveusechairsfrom
Quickie,butmorelocallyappropriateandsustainableindevelopingcountries.Thisfirst
chairwastenpounds(~4.5kg)lighterthanstandardEverest&Jenningschairsandhad
foldingfootrests,parkingbrakes,andmoreconvenientarmrests.In1990,theyadapted
thechairtodealwitharchitecturalbarriersinRussiawheredoorwaysandelevatorsare
uniformlytoonarrowtofitwheelchairsthrough.ThissecondWhirlwindhasahorizontal
handleunderneaththeseatthatallowstheusertofoldtheseatandnarrowthechairwhile
remainingseated.Theirthirdchair,theAfricaI,wasdevelopedtobemoreeasilymade
andrepairedinAfricawherematerialssuchasbearingswereeitherprohibitively
expensiveorunavailable.Itwasdesignedtobemoreselfaligningsoitwouldstillopen
andcloseeasilywhenmadewithoutjigsandfixturesandusedneedlebearingsinsteadof
ballbearings.
QuickTime and a
TheLivianowheelchair(photocourtesyWhirlwindWheelchairInternational)
Whirlwind'scurrentchair,theLiviano,representsashiftintheorganization'sapproachto
manufacturingandservices.Thedesignhasalongerwheelbaseandismoreadjustable
thanpreviousversions.Italsorequireshigherprecisionfabricationandwillbemade
usingsetsofjigsandfixtures.TheLivianoispartoftheWhirlwindIndustrialization
Project(WIP),astrategytosimultaneouslyincreasethescaleofproductionwhile
improvingtheconsistencyandqualityofthechairsandexpandingbeyonddesignto
packagethewheelchairswithservices.
Whirlwind'sapproachasbeentoworkonaverysmallscale,aimingtoservethelowest
commondenominatorofmanufacturing.ShopManagerChrisHowardjokinglydescribed
thetypicalWhirlwindworkshopas"threeguysinashackinbackofahouse."Although
aspectsofWhirlwinddesignsarewidelyusedaroundtheworldaround45countries
theyestimatethattheirnetworkofworkshopshasproducedroughly50,000wheelchairs
todateandWhirlwindwheelchairsarenowbeingproducedinaboutnearlytwodozen
countries.
(ThisisnottosaythateveryoneintheWhirlwindnetworkare"guys."Asister
organization,WomenPushingForward(formerlyknownasWhirlwindWomen),has
workedsince1994tomentorandtrainwomenwithdisabilitiesinwheelchairbuilding,
independentliving,andempowerment.WomenPushingForwardbecameanindependent
organizationearlierin2004butcontinuestoworkwithWhirlwindandcurrentlyworksin
Mexico,Uganda,Thailand,andColombia.Youcanfindmoreinformationaboutthemon
theirwebsiteatwww.womenpushingforward.org.)
LikeMotivation,Whirlwindhasbeenlookingforawaytoincreasescalewhilestill
retainingtheirbeliefinlocalproduction.WIPaimstoindustrializesmallandmedium
sizewheelchairproductionbydesigning,producing,andsupplyingjigsandfixturesto
localworkshopsandfactories.TheyarealsobeginningaprojectinColombia,whichwill
incorporateeducationalandemploymenttraining,peertrainingandadvocacy,and
rehabilitationservicesalongwithwheelchairproduction.
MoreinformationaboutWhirlwindWheelchairInternationalisavailableontheirweb
siteatwww.whirlwindwheelchair.org.
TheWheelchairFoundation
TheWheelchairFoundationhasestablishedanameforthemselvesasthelargestvolume
supplierofwheelchairstodevelopingcountries.Sincetheirfoundingin2000,theyhave
givenawayover300,000chairs,morethanalltheotherorganizationsdescribedinthis
articlecombined.Theirgoalisstraightforward,ifambitious:toprovide1million
wheelchairstopeoplewhocannotaffordoneby2007,whileraisingawarenessaboutthe
needforwheelchairsindevelopingcountries.
TheFoundation'sapproachisbasedonvolume.Theyestimatethatapproximately100
130millionpeopleintheworldneedwheelchairs(believingthattheWHOandUN
estimateof20millionpeopleonlyaccountsfor205%oftheactualneed),sotheyaimto
providebasicmobilitytoasmanypeopleaspossibleasefficientlyaspossible.Theydo
thisbypurchasinghugenumbersofwheelchairs,whichminimizescostbyeconomyof
scale,andworkingwithnongovernmentorganizationsthatdistributethechairs.
KennethBehring,asuccessfulbusinessmanandrealestatedeveloper,startedthe
Foundationin2000.Behringwasalreadywellestablishedasaphilanthropistin
educationalandotherfieldswhenhefirstdonatedwheelchairsinAfricaandEastern
Europein1999.AccordingtotheFoundation'snewsletters,"hispersonalcontactwiththe
recipientsgavehimagreaterunderstandingofhowmuchhopeandhappinesscanbe
giventoapersonwhoreceivesawheelchair,'andhestartedtheFoundationthenextyear
(ChangingtheWorldWheelchairFoundationNewsletter,vol.1).Behringcontributed
$15millionofhisownmoneyandtheorganizationquicklygrewtobeabletoprovide
10,000chairspermonth.
TheWheelchairFoundationisfundedthroughdonationsfromindividualsaswellasa
varietyofcorporate,ethnic,andreligiousdonors.Theorganizationmatcheseach$75
donationwiththeirownfundingtopurchaseanddonateachairfor$150.Theyalso
receive$5millioninfundingfromtheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternational
Development(USAID)intheStateDepartmentanda$5milliontransportationgrant
fromtheDefenseDepartmenttoshipanddeliverwheelchairstoAfghanistan,Iraq,and
othercountriesinconflict.
TheFoundationprimarilypurchaseswheelchairsmadeinChinaandshipsthem(280per
container)topartneringnongovernmentalorganizationsinrecipientcountries.Theyare
currentlytryingtoexpandtohavechairsmanufacturedinothercountriesaswell.For
example,accordingtoVicePresidentofPublicEducationChrisLewis,Indiahasso
manytradebarrierstoimportationthattheWheelchairFoundationisworkingonawayto
manufacturechairsinIndiainsteadoftryingtoimportthem.Theyalsooccasionallywork
withsmall,localmanufacturersinsomecountries,suchasVietnam,whohavesmaller
capacitybutcanmatchthepriceofChinesefactories.
TheWheelchairFoundationworkswithawiderangeofpartnerstoactuallydistribute
anddeliverthechairs,includingFirstLadies'charitiesinCentralandSouthAmerican
countries,theChurchofLatterDaySaints,andover2,000RotaryFoundationclubs
aroundtheworld.Theyseemtobefairlyflexible,dependingonneeds;forexample,they
usedtheRedCrescentSocietytodistributechairsinIranandtheU.S.Armyin
Afghanistan.Thepartneringorganizationspaythedutiesonthecontainers,clearthem
throughcustoms,anddistributethechairs.Somepartnerorganizationshavetheexpertise
inrehabilitation,butmostdonotprovideservices.Theycollectaphotographofthe
recipientintheirnewchairandtheirstory,whichtheFoundationpassesalongtodonors.
TheFoundationhasrecentlystartedtheBehringWheelchairR&DCenteratDalian
JiaotongUniversityinDalian,Chinatoworkonwheelchairdesignanddistribute
drawingstoallowlocalshopstomakechairs.
YoucanlearnmoreabouttheWheelchairFoundationontheirwebsiteat
www.wheelchairfoundation.org.
...AndMovingForward
Thisarticleofferedanoverviewofsomeofthemajornongovernmentalorganizations
involvedinprovisioningwheelchairsforpeoplewithdisabilitiesindevelopingcountries.
Ononehand,allofthesegroupsarerespondingtothesameproblem:aneedfor
wheelchairsinthedevelopingworld.Ontheother,thereisanenormousdiversityof
approachestodesign,production,distribution,anddelivery.
Thesecondpartofthisarticlewilladdresstheseissuesfromamorelocalperspective.
Simplyput,whataretheresultsofthesevariousapproaches?Whatimpactdotheyhave
onwheelchairusers,bothtechnicallyintermsofdurabilityandsociallyintermsof
qualityoflife?
Acknowledgements
Iwouldliketothankthefollowingindividualsforgenerouslytakingthetimetospeak
withmeabouttheirworkforthisarticle:DavidConstantine,RichardFrost,LizaHayes,
RalfHotchkiss,ChrisHoward.MarcKrizack,ChrisLewis,DavidRichards,Mark
Richards,StephenStocks,andBrettTrowbridge.
PresidentSignsAssistiveTechnologyAct
APressReleasefromtheAssociationofAssistiveTechnologyAct(ATAP)Projects,
www.ataporg.org
VictoryforMillionsofPeoplewithDisabilitiesWhoStriveforIndependence
(Washington,DC)PresidentBushyesterdaysignedtheAssistiveTechnologyActof
2004,whichwillensurethatindividualswithdisabilitiesthroughouttheUSandits
territorieshaveaccesstothetechnologytheyneedtohelpthembeindependentinschool,
athome,theworkplaceandinthecommunity.Thislegislationrepresentsanimportant
commitmenttopeoplewithdisabilitiesfromthePresidentandtheCongress.
Millionsofpeoplewithdisabilitiesrelyonassistivetechnologytohelpthemgainand
maintainindependence.EverystateandUSterritoryhasanAssistiveTechnologyAct
Program(ATProgram)fundedundertheprovisionsoftheTechnologyRelated
AssistanceActof1988.LegislationsupportingtheStateATProgramswasscheduledto
sunsetonSeptember30,2004.TheATActof2004supportsthecontinuanceofStateAT
Programsandeliminatesthesunsetprovision.Byeliminatingthesunsetprovision,the
governmentsentaclearsignalthatitsupportsafederalinvestmentforpeoplewith
disabilities,whichwillpayoffforcommunities,theeconomy,businessesandpeople
withdisabilities.
"TheimpressivebipartisaneffortofCongresstoensurethecontinuationofthesevital
programsishearteningforpeoplewithdisabilitiesandtheprogramsthatservethem,"
saidDeborahBuck,ExecutiveDirector,AssociationofAssistiveTechnologyAct
Programs."WearesopleasedwiththebipartisanbicameralleadershipofRep.Buck
McKeon(RCA),Rep.JohnBoehner(ROH),Rep.DaleKildee(DMI),Sen.Judd
Gregg(RNH),Sen.TomHarkin(DIA),Sen.PatRoberts(RKS)andSen.Edward
Kennedy(DMA).WhentheCongressputsasidepartisanshipinordertoaddressthe
needsofpeoplewithdisabilities,itisavictoryforallAmericans."
TheAssociationofAssistiveTechnologyActPrograms(ATAP)workedforseveralyears
toeducateCongressaboutthesignificanceoftheActinthelivesofpeoplewith
disabilities.Joinedbyothernationaldisabilityorganizations,technologycompaniesand
businessrepresentatives,ATAPsharedwithCongressthemanysuccessesofthe
programsandthedifferencethelawcanmakeforpeoplewithdisabilities.ATAPsalutes
theCongressandthePresidentfortheirimportantworkinreauthorizingthislawand
removingthesunsetprovision.
TheAssociationofAssistiveTechnologyActPrograms(ATAP)isanational,member
basedorganizationcomprisedofstateAssistiveTechnologyProgramsfundedunderthe
AssistiveTechnologyAct.http://www.ataporg.org
Contact:DeborahBuck518.439.1263dbuck@nycap.rr.com
AudioDescription:AccessforAll
ByJoelSnyder(jsnyder@ncicap.org)
Ithinkitwasbackinprehistorictimeswhentwosightedcavemenweremunchingon
someleftoversabertoothtigerwhenonefellowscreamedtotheother,"Lookoutbehind
you,there'samastodoncomingfromtheleft!"Thereyouhaveit,ladiesandgentlemen
theoriginofAudioDescription(AD).
Icametodescriptionalittlemorerecently.For25yearsI'vebeenworkingwiththis
narrativetechniquethatprovidesaccesstovisualimagesforpeoplewhoareblindorhave
lowvision.Itwasdevelopedforthefirsttimeasanongoingserviceintheperforming
artshereintheWashington,DCareaintheUnitedStates.SincethattimeIhavebeen
luckyenoughtohelpperformingartsgroups,mediaproducers,museums,schools,
libraries,andothervenuesallaroundtheworldandonthewebdevelopADprograms.
AudioDescriptionisakindofliteraryartforminitself,toagreatextent.It'satypeof
poetryahaiku.Itprovidesaverbalversionofthevisualthevisualismadeverbal,and
aural,andoral.Usingwordsthataresuccinct,vivid,andimaginative,audiodescribers
insertphrasesbetweenpiecesofdialogueorcriticalsoundelementsduringperforming
artseventsandonvideoorfilm;inothercontexts,timingislesscriticalbutthe
fundamentalgoalisthesame:toconveythevisualimagethatisnotfullyaccessibletoa
segmentofthepopulationandnotfullyrealizedbytherestofus.Therestofus,sighted
folkswhoseebutwhomaynotobserve.
ADcanenhanceartsexperiencesforallpeopleexperiencingexhibitsinmuseums,
theatergoers,folksatthecinemaorwatchingtelevisionathome(youcanmakea
sandwichinthekitchenwhiletheTVisoninthelivingroomyouwon'tmissamoment
oftheaction),anditcanevenimprovekids'literacyskills.It'susefulforanyonewho
wantstotrulynoticeandappreciateamorefullperspectiveonanyvisualeventbutitis
especiallyhelpfulasanaccesstoolforpeoplewhoareblindorhavelowvision.You'll
finditthesedaysatartsevents,onbroadcasttelevision,andinthecinema,butalsoat
weddings,parades,rodeos,circuses,sportsevents,evenfunerals.
Newapplicationsforaudiodescription
NottoolongagoIconductedaworkshopinNewHavenwithdaycareworkersand
readingteachersonwhatIthinkrepresentsanewapplicationforaudiodescription.We
experimentedwithdevelopingmoredescriptivelanguagetousewhenworkingwithkids
andpicturebooks.Someofthesebooksaredeficientwithrespecttolanguageskills
theyrelyonthepicturestotellthestory.Buttheteachertrainedinaudiodescription
techniqueswouldneversimplyholdupapictureofaredballandreadthetext:"Seethe
ball."Heorshemightadd:"Theballisredjustlikeafireengine.Ithinkthatballisas
largeasoneofyou!It'sasroundasthesunabrightredcircleorsphere."Theteacher
hasintroducednewvocabulary,invitedcomparisons,andusedmetaphororsimilewith
toddlers!Byusingaudiodescription,thesebooksaremadeaccessibletokidswhohave
lowvisionorareblind,aswellashelpdevelopmoresophisticatedlanguageskillsforall
kids.Apictureisworth1000words?Maybe.Buttheaudiodescribermightsaythatafew
wellchosenwordsconjuresvividandlastingimages.
AsIalludedtoearlier,descriptionhasbeenaroundasanongoingserviceforover20
years.Indeed,ADisnolongerinitsinfancy.Itisbeginningtogrowandgrowup
becomingmoresophisticated,andingreaterdemandallovertheworld.Newapplications
continuetoemergeinbuildingliteracy,withlongdistancelearningefforts,inoffices
andatconferences,aspartofinteractivecomputergames,andevenwithintheatrical
productions(asdemonstratedbytheNewYorkCitybasedtroupeTheaterbytheBlind).
ThenewlyreconstitutedAudioDescriptionInternational[www.adinternational.org]now
boastsseveralhundredmembersdescribersandusersofdescriptionfromaroundthe
world.Workingasaconsultanttoaudiodescriptionprogramsisnowpossibleforusersof
descriptionandformaltrainingtobecomeanaudiodescriberisbecomingmoreavailable.
ForMedia
AstudyconductedbytheAmericanFoundationfortheBlindrevealedthatblindorlow
visionpeoplewatchtelevisionabout24hoursperweek.Butforateleviseddramathe
musicscore,severalbitsofdialogue,afewprecioussoundeffectsprovidetheonlyaural
cluestothestagedaction;avisuallyimpairedviewerislikelytolosekeyelementsofthe
program.
IntheUnitedStates,inareaswherealocaltelevisionstationisequippedtoparticipate,a
specialaudiochannel("SAP"SecondaryAudioProgram)isavailableonstereo
televisionstoreceivethedescribednarrationsinsertedbetweenportionsofdialoguein
theoriginalsoundtrack.WGBHinBostonbeganitsDescriptiveVideoService(DVS
WGBH'snameforaudiodescriptionontelevision)inthemid80s.Morerecently,its
"MoPix"programoffersdescription(combinedwithrearwindowcaptioning)forfirst
runfeaturefilmsinmovietheaters(cinema).TheNationalCaptioningInstitute,aleader
inmediaaccessforover20years,providesclosedcaptioningfor65,000hoursof
televisioneachyear.Now,itsDescribedMediadivisionproducesdescriptionforabroad
rangeofAmericanbroadcasttelevisionincluding"SesameStreet,"featurefilms,anda
myriadofprogramsoncableandnetworkchannels.AnotherU.S.providerofdescription
forthemediaisTulsa,Oklahoma'sNarrativeTelevisionNetwork.NTN'sfounderand
president,JimStovall,isanaccomplishedathleteandbusinessman,totallyblindsincethe
ageof30.
Appendedtothisarticleissomebriefmaterialthatmayhelpyouseewhatdescriptionis
allaboutbyhavingyou,figuratively,closeyoureyes.Inlivepresentations,Ioftenask
peopletolistentoanexcerptfromtheAmericanBroadcastingCompany's(ABC)
nationwidebroadcastofStephenKing's"TheShining,"firstwithnopictureonthescreen
andnodescriptionjustassomeonewithnovisionmightexperienceitifheorshehad
noaccesstodescription.ThenIplaythesameexcerptasdescribedbytheNational
CaptioningInstitute'sDescribedMediadivision:andfinally,onelasttimewiththevideo
intactsoasightedviewercanmakehisorherownjudgmentsabouttheeffectivenessof
thedescriptions.Whatfollowsthisarticleisanannotatedscriptofthedescriptionforthis
90secordexcerpt.Thenoteswillaffordyousomeinsightintoourreasoningforusingthe
preciselanguageweusedwhywechosethewordsweselectedtobringtheseimagesto
yourmind'seye.
ForTheater
Inalivetheatersetting,atdesignatedperformances(dependingontheavailabilityofthe
serviceandhowitisadministered),peopledesiringaudiodescriptionareprovided
headsets/earplugsattachedtosmallreceivers,aboutthesizeofasmallpocketcalculator.
Often,beforetheshow,atapedor"live"versionoftheprogramnotesplaysthroughthe
headsets,afterwhichatraineddescribernarratestheperformancefromanotherpartof
thetheaterviaanFMradioorinfraredtransmitter.Thenarratorguidestheaudience
throughtheproductionwithconcise,objectivedescriptionsofnewscenes,settings,
costumes,andbodylanguage,allslippedinbetweenportionsofdialogueorsongs.
ForMuseums,Galleries,ArtExhibitions
MuseumsuseAudioDescriptiontechniquestotranslatethevisualtoasenseformthatis
accessibletopeoplewhoareblindorhavelowvision.Usingthesetechniquesforthe
descriptionofstaticimagesandexhibitions,museumdocentsfindthattheydevelop
betteruseoflanguageandmoreexpressive,vivid,andimaginativemuseumtours,greatly
appreciatedbyallvisitors.Inthisway,docentledtoursaremoreappropriateforthelow
visionvisitoranddocentsfindthattheirregulartoursareenhanced.Alivelyandvivid
descriptiveprocessenablesdocentstomakethemuseumexperiencemoreaccessibleand
moremeaningfulforeveryone.
RecordedADtours,specificallygearedtopeoplewithlowvision,areincreasingly
common.Combinedwithdirectionalinformation,theserecordedtoursenablevisitors
whoareblindtouseasimplehandheldaudioplayertotouratleastaportionofthe
museumindependentlyandwithnewaccesstothevisualelementsofexhibitions.Other
curatorsareinterestedinhavingcertainvideoswithinanexhibitoraparticularfilm
described.
OpportunitiesforAudioDescriptionareallaroundus.Itsgrowthasanaccesstechnique
isonlyconstrainedbyourimaginationsandthebuildingofADskillsinagreaternumber
ofpeople.Forinstance,anotherpotentialforADinvolvesaudiobooks.Thesetapesare
usedbymillionsofsightedAmericans.Itmayonlybeamatteroftime
beforethesoundtracksoffilmsandplayswithanaddedaudiodescriptionnarrativeare
availablesothatanyonecanexperience(orreexperience)thoseartseventswithout
actuallybeingthere.
Internationalexperience
Overthepastfifteenyears,ithasbeenmyprivilegetotraindescribersanddoAD
workshopsthroughouttheUnitedStatesandinoveradozencountriesaroundtheworld,
mostrecentlyinPortugal,Russia,andGermany.AfterleadingseveraldaysofAD
traininginMoscow,Icamehomewithanewinsightintotheartsandaccess.My
colleaguestheretaughtmethataudiodescription,accesstothearts,isaboutDemocracy.
IntheUnitedStates,aprosperous,democraticnation,accessibilitygenerallyisnotyet
viewedasaright,asareflectionoftheprinciplesuponwhichournationwasfounded.
PeopleinRussiaarewrestlingwitheconomiccircumstancesattendanttoanynew
democracy,yettothemtheworditselfmeans"accesstoeveryone."Ilearnedthatfrom
myfriendsthereandIsharethatwonderfullyinclusivenotionwithyouhere.
It'sanideathatstillrequiresbroaderacceptanceandunderstanding.Ablindfellow
visitingamuseumwithsomefriendsintheUnitedStateswasonceasked,"Excuseme,
butwhatyoudoinginamuseum?Youcan'tseeanyoftheexhibits."Hisresponse?"I'm
hereforthesamereasonanyonegoestoamuseum.Iwanttolearn,Iwanttoknowand
beapartofourculture."Hisinabilitytoseeshouldn'tdenyhimaccesstoourcultureand
Ibelieveittheresponsibilityofartsinstitutionstobeasinclusiveaspossible.Hisstory
illustratestheimportanceofaccesstoculture,everyone'sright.
WehavearichandvariedcultureintheUnitedStates.That'scertainlytrueincountries
aroundtheworld.Allpeopleneedtobefullparticipantsintheirnation'sculturallife
thereisnoreasonwhyapersonwithavisualdisabilitymustalsobeculturally
disadvantaged.Thereneedn'tbeastateintheU.S.oranationworldwidethatdoesn't
offeraccessforallitspeople.Perhapswithafocusonpeople'sabilities,wewillcome
muchclosertogreaterinclusionandtotalaccess.
FormoreinformationonAudioDescription,visitwww.audiodescribe.com
References
Axel,Elizabeth.1996.MakingVisualArtAccessibletoPeopleWhoAreBlindAnd
VisuallyImpaired.ArtEducationfortheBlind.NewYork,NY.
Charlson,Kim.2001.MakingTheaterAccessible:AGuidetoAudioDescriptioninthe
PerformingArts.BayStateCounciloftheBlind.Watertown,MA.
Ellis,Fay.1991.APictureIsWorthAThousandWordsforBlindandVisuallyImpaired
PersonsToo!AnIntroductiontoAudiodescription.AmericanFoundationfortheBlind.
NewYork,NY.
Grambs,David.1993.TheDescriber'sDictionary:ATreasuryofTerms&Literary
Quotations.W.W.Norton&Co.NewYork,NY.
Groff,GerdaandGardner,Laura.1990.WhatMuseumGuidesNeedToKnow:Access
forBlindandVisuallyImpairedVisitors.AmericanFoundationfortheBlind.NewYork.
Packer,JaclynandKirchner,Corinne.1997.Who'sWatching:AProfileoftheBlindand
VisuallyImpairedAudienceforTelevisionandVideo.AmericanFoundationforthe
Blind.NewYork,NY.
Schaefer,John.1995.SightUnseen:TheArtofActiveSeeing.GoodYearBooks/Scott
Foresman.Glenview,IL.
Author:JoelSnyderisDirector,DescribedMedia,NationalCaptioningInstitute,Vienna,
VAandPresident,Founder,AudioDescriptionAssociates,TakomaPark,MD
AnAccessAuditoftheBangladeshNationalBuilding
Code
ByJohanBorg(johan@propempo.se)
Abstract
TheBangladeshNationalBuildingCodewaspublishedin1993tosafeguardlife,limb,
health,property,andpublicwelfare.TheprovisionsoftheCodeareapplicabletoall
personsofBangladesh.Thisstudywasundertakentoknowwhatprovisionsarerelatedto
orhaveanimpactonaccessibilityforpeoplewithdisabilities.
ThefindingsrevealthatthegeneralandspecificrequirementsintheCodearenot
sufficienttoensurethattheneedsofpeoplewithdisabilitiesaremet.Eventhoughthe
Codementionspeoplewithphysicalandmentaldisabilities,theirneedsforanaccessible
environmentarenotaddressedadequately.Further,educationalinstitutions,amongother
buildings,areexplicitlyexcludedfromtherequirementforaccessibletoiletfacilitiesand
drinkingfountains.
In2001theBangladeshPeoplewithDisabilitiesWelfareActwasadopted.Accordingto
thisact,measuresshouldbeundertakentomakepublicandprivatebuildings,schools,
andpublictoiletsaccessibletopeoplewithdisabilities.Toproviderelatedprofessionals
withdesignrequirementsforbuildingsthatareaccessibletoall,properaccessibility
guidelinesneedtobedeveloped,adoptedandfollowedbyconcernedauthoritiesand
actors.
Introduction
AccordingtotheUnitedNationsnopartofthebuiltenvironmentshouldbedesignedina
mannerthatexcludescertaingroupsofpeopleonbasisoftheirdisability.The
BangladeshPeoplewithDisabilitiesWelfareAct,adoptedin2001,statesthatmeasures
mustbeundertakentomakepublicandprivatebuildings,schools,andpublictoilets
accessibletopeoplewithdisabilities.
Anaccessiblebuildingischaracterizedbythepossibilitiesofreachingallplaces,entering
allplacesandmakinguseofallfacilities.Accessiblebuildingsarerelevanttoeverybody.
However,inthispapertheterm"accessibility"isonlyusedwithrespecttopeoplewith
disabilities.
Thisstudywasundertakeninordertounderstandtowhatextenttheneedsofpeoplewith
disabilitieshadbeenaddressedinBangladeshNationalBuildingCode(inthefollowing
referredtoas"theCode").TheprovisionsintheCodewerecomparedwithrequirements
incommonguidelinesforaccessibility.
BackgroundoftheCode
Asubstantialportionofnationalresourceisinvestedinbuildingconstruction,inboth
publicandprivatesectors.Inordertoensureoptimumreturnofthisinvestmentandto
achievesatisfactoryperformanceofthebuilding,theconstructionneedstobecontrolled
andregulated.LegislativemeasureforsuchcontrolhasbeentakenintheBuilding
ConstructionActof1952andotheracts,ordinancesandregulations,andare
supplementedbylocalanddevelopmentauthorityrules.Theseinstrumentsneed
updating,rationalizationandunification.Itwasthereforefeltthatacomprehensive
buildingcodewouldservethepurposeofauniformnationalstandard.Theworkto
developtheCodebeganin1992andwascompletedbytheendof1993.
PurposeoftheCode
ThepurposeoftheCodeistoestablishminimumstandardsfordesign,construction,
qualityofmaterials,useandoccupancy,locationandmaintenanceofbuildingswithin
Bangladeshinordertosafeguard,withinachievablelimits,life,limb,health,property
andpublicwelfare.
IntheCodeitisstatedthattheprovisionsareapplicabletoallpersonsofBangladesh.
OrganizationoftheCode
TheCodeisorganizedintothefollowingtenparts:
ScopeandDefinitions
AdministrationandEnforcement
GeneralBuildingRequirements,ControlandRegulation
FireProtection
BuildingMaterials
StructuralDesign
ConstructionPracticesandSafety
BuildingServices
Alteration,AdditionandChangeofUseofExistingBuildings
SignsandOutdoorDisplay
Eachpartcontainsanumberofchapters,whicharedividedintosectionsandsubsections.
Part1,3,4,5,8and10areofspecificinterestwhenidentifyingtheprovisionsinthe
Codetoensureaccessibilityforpeoplewithdisabilities.
FindingsinPart1oftheCode
Inpart1,ScopeandDefinitions,itwasfoundthattheprovisionsoftheCodeare
applicabletoall,whichincludespeoplewithdisabilities.Further,thepurposeoftheCode
istosafeguardpublicwelfare.Thus,theCodeattemptstosafeguardthewelfare,i.e.
healthandhappiness,ofpeoplewithdisabilitiestoo.
Inthepartongeneralbuildingrequirements,controlandregulation(part3),anumberof
provisionsarerelevanttoaccessibilityforpeoplewithdisabilities.Itwasfoundthat:
Theminimumwidthofwalkwaysistoonarrowforpedestriansorwheelchairusers
meetinganotherwheelchairuser.
Themaximumslopeoframpsatoffstreetparkingspacesaretoosteepforwheelchair
users,whichisaproblemifanalternativeprovisiontoreachtheparkingspaceisnot
made.
Properlyutilizedtherequiredparkingspaceallowsforaccessiblecarparking.
Themaximumriserheightinstaircasesistoohigh.
Theminimumheightofhandrailsinstaircasesistoohigh.
Theminimumclearpassagesbetweencabinsleadingtoexitsaretoonarrowfor
wheelchairusers.
Nothingismentionedaboutthepositionofwindowstoallowwheelchairusers'
viewingthroughthewindow.
Therequiredminimumaverageintensityofilluminationistoolowforpeoplewith
reducedvision.
Intheclassificationofbuildings,custodialinstitutionsforpeoplewithmentaland
physicaldisabilitiesarerecognized.
Thepartonfireprotection(part4)includesprovisionsthatarerelevantfroman
accessibilityperspective.
Rampsshallbeusedinexitsandexitcorridorsiftheelevationdoesnotexceed300
mm.Thismaycauseinaccessibilityinexitcorridorswithelevationdifferencesabove
300mmifalternativeprovisionsarenotmade.
Amaximumstepdownof200mmispermittedatexteriordoorsnotrequiredtobe
usedbyhandicappedoragedpeople.Fromaninclusiveperspective,therearenosuch
doors.
Allexitsshallbeclearlyvisibleandexitaccesscorridorsshallbemarkedand
signposted.
Exitsshallbeeasilydiscernableandaccessiblefromareasservedbythem.
Theminimumwidthsofcorridors,passagewaysandrampsaretoonarrowfor
wheelchairsusers.
Themaximumslopeinexitaccessaislesistoosteep.
Theminimumwidthoflevelorrampedaislesistoonarrow.
Theminimumwidthofadoorwayisacceptable.
Themeansofexitandexitaccessinbuildingsrequiringoneexitshouldalsobe
signposted,andnotonlytheexitsinbuildingsrequiringmorethanoneexit.
Signsshallbeclearlyvisible,andsupplementedbydirectionalsignswherenecessary.
Doorsshallbeclearlymarkedforeasyidentification.
Signsarerequiredtobeinhighcontrast.
Therequiredminimumsizesofsignsareadequate,butamaximumstrokewidthis
notgiven.
Rampsaregivenasanexampleofexitsininstitutionalbuildings.
Theminimumclearwidthsofexitsandcorridorsofcustodialandpenalandmental
institutionsareadequate.
Nothingismentionedaboutavoidingmaterialscausingallergicreactionsinpart5on
buildingmaterials.
Inpart8,buildingservices,thefollowingwasfound:
Therecommendedvaluesofilluminationofworkplacesandforbuildingsaretoo
lowforpeoplewithreducedvision.
Norecommendedvaluesofilluminationaregivenforinstitutionalbuildings.
Nothingismentionedaboutthelocationofmainswitchandswitchboardstoensure
accessibilityforothersthanfiremenandotherpersonnel.
Liftsareonlyrequiredinbuildingsofmorethansixstoriesor20minheight.
Nominimumdimensionsoftherequiredliftsaregiven.
Liftsinbuildingshavingmorethantenstoreysoraheightofmorethan32mshall
haveatleastoneliftwithstretcherfacility.However,theliftdoesnothavetoserveall
floors.Theliftmakesitpossibleforwheelchairuserstoenterthelift,butnottoturn
thewheelchairinsidethelift.
Thenominalheightofhallcallbuttonsofliftsisappropriate.
Theminimumsizeofdirectionbuttonsistoosmall.Further,onlyraisedbuttons
shouldberequired.
Besidestherequiredvisualindicationtoshowregisteredliftcalls,thereshouldbean
audiblesignaltoo.
Theproposedaudiblesignal,tosupplementthevisualsignaltoindicatewhichliftis
answeringthecall,shouldbearequirement.
Theminimumsizeofthevisualsignindicatingdirectionorpositionoftheliftis
adequate.
Thespecialsignindicatingfloordesignationonthedoorjambsareadequately
specified.However,thereliefshouldbealittlemoreraised.
Inthechapteronwatersupplynothingismentionedaboutaccessibility.
Residential,educational,storageandhazardousbuildingsareexplicitlyexcluded
fromtherequirementofhavingatleastonewaterclosetandonedrinkingfountain
accessibletoandusablebyphysicallyhandicappedpersons.
Inpublicbuildingsnotaccessiblebypeoplewithphysicaldisabilities,waterand
sanitationfixturesshallbelocatednotmorethanoneflooraboveorbelowthefloor
occupiedbythepeopleforwhoseusethefixturesareintended,unlesselevatorservice
isavailable.Accordingtothedisabilityacttherearenosuchbuildingsasallpublic
buildingsshouldbeaccessible.
Thedesiredmaximumpathoftraveltowaterandsanitationfacilitiesistoolong.
Therequiredplumbingfixturesforinstitutionsformentallyandphysically
handicappedarefarbelowtherequirementsforotheroccupancytypes,e.g.
educationalfacilitiesandinstitutionsforcareofchildren.
Theminimumdimensionsofwaterclosetcompartmentsforwheelchairusersaretoo
small.
Theminimumdimensionsofwaterclosetstallsforpeoplewithambulatory
disabilitiesareverysmall(evensmallerthanthegeneralrequirementsfortoilets).
Whenitcomestosignsandoutdoordisplay(part10),itcanbenotedthat:
Nosignsshallbeerectedthatwouldconfuseorobstructthevieworinterferewith
officialsigns,signalsordevicesinstalledforthepurposeofguidingorcontrolling
road,rail,marineorairtraffic.
Itistheresponsibilityoftheownertoensuresafetyandlegalityofthesign.This
requiresawarenessaboutrequirementsforpeoplewithdisabilities.
Alltemporarysignsshallbeerectedinsuchplacesoasnottoobstructanypublic
way,footpathorentranceandexitofanybuilding.
Discussion
AlthoughtheCodeaddressescertainaspectsofaccessibilityrelevanttopeoplewith
disabilities,thefindingsrevealthattheprovisionsarenotsufficient.
Theinclusiveapproach,indicatedinthepurposeoftheCode,iscommendable.However,
theminimumrequirementsintheCodedonotsafeguardthepublicwelfareasintended.
IftherequirementsoftheCodearefollowed,alargeportionofpeoplewithdisabilities
willnotbeabletoenjoythehealthandhappinessthatfollowonreaching,enteringand
usingthebuilingsandtheirfacilities,nottomentiontheservicesprovidedinthe
buildings.
Tofacilitatetheconstructionofaccessiblebuildings,relevantactorsneedtoknowhow
thebuildingsshouldbedesigned.Therewillbeanincreasingdemandforsuch
knowledgeasthesectiononaccessibilityinBangladeshPersonswithDisabilityWelfare
Actisbeingenforcedandprogressivelyputintopractice.Toavoidadiverserangeof
accessibilitysolutions,itisimportantthatacommonaccessibilitystandardisdeveloped
andfollowed.Consistencybetweendifferentbuildingsisacrucialaccessibilityfeature
formanypeoplewithdisabilities,e.g.peoplewithvisualimpairmentsandcognitive
disabilities.
Thisstudywascarriedoutunderextremetimeconstraints.Itisthereforepossiblethat
certainaccessibilityrelatedprovisionsintheCodewerenotidentified.
Conclusion
In2001theBangladeshPeoplewithDisabilitiesWelfareActwasadopted.Accordingto
thisact,measuresshouldbeundertakentomakepublicandprivatebuildings,schools,
andpublictoiletsaccessibletopeoplewithdisabilities.Thefindingsofthisstudyreveal
thattherequirementsofBangladeshNationalBuildingCodearenotsufficienttoensure
thattheneedsofpeoplewithdisabilitiesaremet.Toproviderelatedprofessionalswith
uniformdesignrequirementsforbuildingsthatareaccessibletoall,properaccessibility
standardsandguidelinesneedtobedeveloped,adoptedandfollowedbyconcerned
authoritiesandactors.
Author
JohanBorg
ContactdetailsinSweden:
Propempo,Hvilan17C,SE79530Rttvik
Tel:+4624851551,+46705155231
Email:johan@propempo.se
ContactdetailsinBangladesh:
BangladeshCentreforAssistiveTechnology
InterLifeBangladesh
House5A,Road25A,Banani,Dhaka
Tel:+88028813240
Email:ilb@citechbd.com
References
BangladeshNationalBuildingCode,HousingandBuildingResearchInstitute,
Dhaka,1993.
BangladeshPeoplewithDisabilitiesWelfareAct,GovernmentofBangladesh,
Dhaka,2001.
BorgJ,FundamentalsofAccessibility,InterLifeBangladesh,Dhaka,1997.(In
Bangla)
Byggikapphandikapp,ABSvenskByggtjnstandtheHandicapInstitute,
Stockholm,1989.
PromotionofNonHandicappingPhysicalEnvironmentsforDisabledPersons:
Guidelines,EconomicandSocialCommissionforAsiaandthePacific,UnitedNations,
NewYork,1995.
Madagascar'sDeafYouthsExcelinDanceProgram
DancewasintroducedtotheyoungdeafpeopleoftheAKAMAbyayoungwoman
whosestudiesinPhysicalEducationculminatedinathesisonthemovementexpression
ofdeafpeople.UnderthesupervisionoftheLutheranchurch,theAKAMAisaschool
forchildrenandyouthwithhearingimpairments.Theclassesfollowtwotracks:
The"formaleducation"track:
Primaryclasses,from1stto5thgrades
Secondaryclasses,from6thto9thgrades
The"ProfessionalTraining"track:
Carpentry
Sewing,embroidery
ComputerScience
Itallbeganmorethan10yearsago...
Itallbeganin1993whenMirana,theyoungwomaninquestion,washiredasavolunteer
physicaleducationteacherattheAKAMA.Usingtheelementsofherthesis,shetriedto
teachtotheyoungdeafpeoplenotonlygymnastics,butalsomoderndance.Shemetthis
greatchallengewithpatienceandcreativity,andsooncamethetimeforthegroup'sfirst
publicappearance.
Atfirst,theaudiencewasmadeuponlyoftheLutheranparishionersattendingareligious
feast.Amixtureofsurpriseandadmirationwasapparentontheirfacesastheysawthe
youngdeafdancersmovinginharmonywiththerhythmofthemusic.EvenMiranawas
stupefied,shelaterconfessed,fortheresultsoftheirworksurpassedherexpectations.
ThesuccessofthefirstshowspreadsofastthatthegroupwassoonaskedbytheCityof
TananarivoSchoolDistricttoperformatthevariousschoolfairssuchasAllSchools'
Day,BackToSchoolDay,etc.Theinvitationshavesincekeptcoming,andthemembers
ofthegrouparemoreandmoremotivatedtogiveittheirverybest.AsforMirana,she
hasconsistentlyaddedaninnovativetouchtotheirstyle.
DuringthecelebrationofindependencedaylastJune26th,thegroupdancedinfrontof
anaudienceofoveronethousandatthegreatstadiumofMahamasina,andeveryonewas
amazed.Youcouldhearpeoplewhispering:"Thisisincredible!Howisitthattheyoung
deafpeoplemanagetodancewhentheydon'thearthemusic?Aretheyreallydeaforare
theypretending?..."Sadly,thisconfirmsthebiasesthathandicappedpeopleconfrontona
dailybasis.
MalagasygroupvisitsSwitzerland
Thegroup'sreputationhasspreadbeyondMadagascar'sbordersandhasconquered
Switzerland.In2003,thegroupstilldirectedbyMiranaperformed40showsonatour
ofseveralcitiesinSwitzerland.Itwasasuccess.TheyoungdeafpeopleofSwitzerland
learnedalotfromyoungdeafMalagasy.
Mirana,withthehelpoftheirnewSwissfriends,nowdirectsaprogramcalled"Tanana
Mirana(DelightedHands)"whichworkstowardsthesocial,cultural,andprofessional
integrationofyoungdeafpeople.Theprogramoffersmanyactivities:drawing,cutting
andsewing,embroidery,signlanguageclasses,French,English,familyplanning,andof
coursedance.About70youngdeafpeoplecurrentlyusetheprogram.
AccordingtoMirana,theprogram'sgoalisnotonlytohelpspreaddanceamongyoung
deafpeople,butalsotohelplaunchtheirothertalents,suchasdrawingandembroidery.
WhenIvisitedtheprogram,Isawthatmanydrawingsmadebytheyoungdeafpeople
gracedthewallsofthevariousrooms.Seeingtheseworksofartimmediatelymademe
wanttosupporttheircreation.
ItisimportanttonotethatMadagascarisoneofthefewcountrieswithadeafdance
group.Judgingfromtheresponsetotheeventsthatthedeafdancersparticipatedin,I
daresaythattheycarrywiththemtheprideofthenation,thusprovingthattheyare
indeedcitizensinfull.
CallforProposals:SpecialIssueonAccessibilityand
TechnicalCommunication
TechnicalCommunication,thepeerreviewedjournaloftheSocietyforTechnical
Communication,ispleasedtoannounceaspecialissueexploringaccessibilityand
technicalcommunication,tobepublishedinFebruary2006.TheguesteditorsareGail
LippincottofRGLSolutionsandKathrynRileyoftheIllinoisInstituteofTechnology.
DESCRIPTION
Researchersinfieldsrangingfromhumanfactorstocognitivepsychologyhavestudied
waystoproduceinterfaces,adaptivetechnology,anddesignguidelinesforaccessible
communication.Policyplannersinmanycountrieswranglewithlegislationaimedat
accommodatingcitizenswithdisabilities,includingthegrowingseniorpopulation.
Toooften,however,technicalcommunicatorsaremissingfromthesemultidisciplinary
discussions.Toensureaccessiblecommunication,wemustincorporatethefindingsof
otherdisciplinesintoourownteaching,research,andpractice,andwemustbringour
audienceexpertisetobearonresearchandlegislation.Thisspecialissuefocuseson
accessibilityandthetechnicalcommunicationprofession.
POSSIBLETOPICSFORTHISSPECIALISSUE
Wewelcomearticlesthatwillhelppractitioners,teachers,andresearchersunderstand
communicationprinciples,technologies,organizationaldynamics,andlegislationrelated
toaccessibility.Weseekarticlesthatoffernewinsightintotheaudiencetraitsthat
accessibilitystudiesinvestigate:physical(e.g.,sight,hearing,mobility),cognitive(e.g.,
learning,reasoning),andsocial(e.g.,resources,access,training,attitudes).Inaddition,
weseekarticlesthatdiscusstheconsequencesofadoptingorignoringaccessibility
initiativesinpractice,education,orresearch.Questionsofparticularinterestincludethe
following:
Whatarethesocial,economic,legal,andorganizationalimpactsofaccessibility?
Whatpracticaldifficultiesariseinimplementingaccessibilityintechnicaldocuments?
Howcanweapplyinternationalguidelinesornationallegislationtoaccessibility?
Whatisthewriter'sroleinensuringaccessibility?
Howcanawarenessofaccessibilityissuesbestbetaughtinacademicprogramsand
theworkplace?
Howcanwritersinfluenceinterfacedesigntoensureaccessibility?
Whatnewtoolsortechnologiescanweusetomeetaudiences'needsforaccessible
documents?
Howcanweapplyourexpertiseinaudiencecenteredcommunicationtoaccessibility
studies?
Howdoeslegislationaboutaccessibilitychangetheeconomicsandpracticeof
producingpublications?
Howdoaccessibilityissuesrelatetoethicalquestionsintechnicalcommunication?
TYPESOFSUBMISSIONS
Wewelcomeallstandardmethodologicalapproaches,including(butnotlimitedto)case
studies,experimentalresearch,ethnographicandobservationalresearch,andliterature
reviewsandannotatedbibliographies.Allproposalsandmanuscriptswillbepeer
reviewed.Acceptanceofaproposaldoesnotguaranteeacceptanceofthefinalarticle.
SCHEDULE
Thescheduleforthespecialissueisasfollows:
15January2005:500wordproposaldue
15February2005:Acceptancessenttoauthors
15April2005:Draftmanuscriptdue
15June2005:Commentssenttoauthors
1August2005:Finalmanuscriptdue
15January2006:Issuepublished
Sendproposalsbyemailtobotheditors:
GailLippincottatglippincott@earthlink.net
KathrynRileyatriley@iit.edu
CONTACTINFORMATIONIfyouhavequestionsaboutyourproposalideaorwishto
beconsideredasareviewerofproposalsandmanuscriptssubmittedforthisspecialissue,
pleaseemailGailLippincottorKathrynRiley.
TheDeathofEnglish,theBirthofWeblish(Howthe
simplicityofWeblishwillaidthedisabled,theneedy
andtheircaregivers)
ByJanineMLodato(LodatoClan@aol.com)
EnglishisverysimplecomparedtootherlanguagessuchasFrench,Spanish,German,
Italian,etc.Allhaveseveralpagesintheirgrammartextbooksdevotedtothe
conjugationsneededjustforthesubjunctivemood,amoodwhichisrapidlydisappearing
fromEnglish,(moreonthesubjunctivegrammarlateristhispaper).NowonderEnglishis
becomingthecommonlanguage,thelinguafranca,oftheworld!Thebasicreason,of
course,isthesimplicityofitsgrammar.Evenmostscientificortechnicalpapersarein
Englishwhile,justahundredyearsago,theywouldhavebeenwritteninLatin.
English,though,doeshaveitsidiosyncrasieswhicharedifficultforforeigners,aswellas
forvoicerecognitionsoftware,tocopewith,includingspellingandassociated
pronunciation.Takeforexamplethewordspelled"wind."Dependingonthecontextof
thesentencewecanpronounceittwodifferentwayssuchasin"Wastheclockwound?"
versus"Didthewindingsoundoftheblowingwindwoundyourears?"
Therearemyriadofotherwordswiththesamedualpronunciations:e.g.wound,refuse,
compact,andcontract.Thereisnoendtothem!Andthentherearetheirregularverbs,
300ofthem,whichhaveverycomplextensestructures.Myhusbandandcaregiver(Iam
adisabledwomaninwheelchair)whocametothiscountryaftertheHungarianstudent
revolutionwascrushedbytheSoviets,becameoneoftheoriginalgeeksandneverreally
learnedtheirregularverbtenses.Insteadheusedtheauxiliaries,whichhelearnedearly
andusedinphrasessuchas:"Ididinfactseeit"insteadof"Isawit."It'snosurprisethat
thevoicerecognitionsystemsprefersuchexpressionthatiseasierforittounderstand.
TheWebhashadaprofoundeffectonEnglish.InplaceofproperWebsterstyleEnglish,
anewlanguagehasevolvedontheInternet:"Weblish"(ifImaybesoboldinnamingit).
Thisnewlanguageisnowusedallovertheworld,anditisconstantlycomingupwith
newwordsmostofwhichhavean"e"oran"i"upfront.Emailis,ofcourse,awell
knownexample,butonceemailwascreatedtherehadtobeanewnamefortheregular
mail,sowhynot"snailmail"asagreatdescriptiveterm.ExamplesareallovertheWeb,
andmorearecroppingupeveryminute.JustlookattheURLsofthewebsitethemselves
andyouwillseeawholenewsetofdescriptivenames:Froogle,thenameforthe
shoppingwebsiteofGoogle,isonesuchimaginativeWeblishvariationofEnglish.One
ofmyfavoritenewwordsisLindows,theLinuxbasedvariationofWindows.Weall
hopeitwillsucceed,andputalittlecompetitivepressureonMicrosoftsotheywilldoa
betterjobinthefuture.Microsoftdoesknowhowtocompetewhentheywantto:lookat
whattheyareforcingAOLtodo.
Butthemostimportantdevelopmentofsimplified,shortwordbasedEnglish,Weblish,isa
directresultofvoicerecognitionsystemswhichneedsimplicityandshortwordsforhigh
precisionofunderstanding..Voiceactivated,easilyusabletelephonesystemswillbenefit
peopleinallwalksoflife,notjustthedisabled,althoughforthedisableditisanabsolute
must..Handsbusy,eyesbusypeople,sometimescalled"functionallydisabledpeople",
canbenefitgreatlyfromvoicerecognitionbecausetheydon'thavetouseamouseand
keyboardtodocumenttheirfindings.Anyonedrivingacarwillfindvoicerecognitiona
muchmoreeffectivewayofmanipulatingavehicleandcommunicatingfromthevehicle.
Weareallhandsbusyoreyesbusyatonetimeoranotherinthekitchen,inthegarden,
orgivingcaretochildrenoradultsinneedetc.Personalcomputershavethecapacityto
accommodatevoicerecognitionsystems,likeIBMViaVoice.
Voicerecognitionbycomputersorbytelephonesisespeciallyadvantageoustoalarge
populationsegmentofthedisabled,chronicallyillandelderlyaswellastheircaregivers.
Usingakeyboardisnexttoimpossibleoratleastdifficultforthisfastgrowinggroupof
people.Caregiversandtheirpatientswouldbenefitfrombeingabletousejusttheir
voicestodocumentthetreatmentsorcaretheyprovidetotheirpatients.Additionally,
voicerecognitiontechnologywouldallowthemahandsfreeenvironmentinwhichto
analyze,treatandwriteaboutparticularcaseseasilyandquickly.
ThecaregivingservicesmarketalonemayjustifytheLinuxbasedvoicerecognition
orientedproject.ProvidingcaretotheneedyisoneofthelargestexpensesintheGroupof
Tennations,anditisthefastestgrowingsectoraswell.JustintheUSA,thesegmentof
thepopulationwhichincludeselderly,chronicallyillanddisabledpeopleaccountsfor
100millionpeople.Addtothatthe5millionformalcaregiversand44millioninformal
caregiversatworkinAmerica,andwearelookingathalfthepopulation!!
ItmustbetheformerhighschoolEnglishteacherinmethatunderstandsthatEnglishis
becomingsimplerallthetime,evenwithouttheinfluenceoftheWeb,maybebecausethe
manyforeignerswhonowuseitfrequently.ForexampleIheartheomissionofthe
subjunctiveinmovies,TVadsandTVprograms.No,itisnotatenselikethepresent,
pastorfuturetenses.No,itisnotapartofspeechlikeanadjective,norisitaverbform
liketheinfinitive.Thesubjunctiveindicatesamoodsimilartotheindicativemood
phrase,whichindicatesasituationoffact,e.g.aphrasesuchas:"Thewindisblowing
today."Asubjunctiveisalsosimilartotheinterrogativemoodphrase:e.g."Didyouwind
theclocktoday?"Thesubjunctivemoodalsocanbeusedtosuggestasituationcontrary
tofact.:e.g."IfIwererichIwouldbuyanewcar"or:"IwishIhadenoughmoneytobuy
anewcar."TwoflagsinEnglishthatindicatethesubjunctivemoodarethewords:"If"
and"Wish".
IhavetaughtEnglishtoforeignersfor20years(mywheelchairexistencedidnotaffect
that,infactitmayhaveevenhelped)tostudentsonalllevelsfrombeginnerstohighly
advancedtechnicalexperts.Myhusbandismyworststudent,buthedoesactasmyvoice
recognitionrobotsometimesinsteadofmycomputerthoughhedoestalkbackandthe
computerdoesnot.Imustsay,Iamimpressedthatsomanyforeignersspeak,understand,
readandwriteEnglishevenbetterthanmanyAmericans.Iamimpressed,indeed,
althoughIrecognizetheyhavenochoiceiftheywanttosucceedatsomehigherlevelof
occupation.TheInternet,thenowfamousWeb,hascementedthisfact.Almostall
websites(addressedbywww.....andendingineitherdotcom(intheformof".com")or
dotgovordoteduordotorg,etc.)arepublishedonthewebinEnglish.Eventhewebsite
addresses(calledURLs,universalrecordlocators)endindotde(Germany)ordotjp
(Japan)ordotit(Italy),andsymbolsforalltheother60plussimilarnamesofthe
countriesoftheworld,arepublishedinEnglish.Google,themostfavoredsearchengine
ontheWeb,indicatesthat,atthistime,thereare1,900Kdotcom,105Kdotgov,370K
dotorg,158Kdoteduand385KdotnetwebpagesontheInternet(K,ofcourse,standsfor
kilowhichisonethousand).But,mostinterestingly,theGermanbaseddotdeaccounts
for2,050Kwebpages,andmorethanhalfofthoseareinEnglish.
ButthereisanotherinterestingdevelopmentontheWeb.AspartofWeblish,thereare
thenewhieroglyphswhichmanypeoplenowuseintheiremails.Forexample,Iama
disabledwomaninwheelchair,soIliketosignmyemailwith:
~\__
(o)\_
Therearemanyotherexamplesofthis,like:)forhappyandsoon.
Myaginggeekhusbandimmediatelysuggestedthatweshouldcallthisnewsymbology:
eglyphyorwebglyphyor....andhewentonindefinitelywithnewwordsuntilIscreamed:
"pleasespareme,enoughofthis".Heisright,somebodywillcomeupwiththebestname
anditwillbeadoptedbymanyandbecomepartofthenewlanguage.
ThenthereisSMS,thenewcellularphonebasedshortmessagingsystem.Itusessomeof
thebestshorthandoutofnecessity,sinceitsphoneshaveonly12keys.Agoodexample:
CLML8Rfor"callmelater."Andsoonyougetthedrift.
Then,therearetwoimportantsublanguagesofWeblishthatneedtobenoted.Oneisthe
lingoofthesearchengineswhichusenoverbsorprepositionsofanykind.Oneonly
needstotypeinkeywordsforwhichtosearch.Example:disablednational
organization"assistivetechnology".Thesethreewordsandthephraseinquotestellthe
searchengineallofthemneedtobeinthewebpagetobepulledup.
AnothersublingoofWeblishisthatofassistivetechnology(AT).Thekeyis:theshorter
thebetter.Example:TVon,Lightson,Dooropen,etc.
Inthecaregivingfield,thesimplicity,reliabilityandlowcostofLinuxforservers,
tablets,embeddeddevices,anddesktopsareparamountfeatures.Obviously,themarket
forthesenewtechnologiesexists.Whatremainsisforsomecourageouscompanywith
aggressivepeopletotapintothatmarket.Oncethosecompaniesgetthetechnology
distributed,theneedsofmanywillbemet,andanewmassmarketwillopenupthat
Microsoftisn'tfillinganddoesn'tseemtowanttofill.Infact,thefieldofopportunity
alreadyexists,butitneedstobeexpandedtoservebothphysicallydisabledand
functionallydisabledAmericansandotherpopulationsoftheworld.
Yes,voicerecognitionoffersgreatpromiseforthefuture.However,itisn'tperfectandit
stillneedstobeimproved.Oneimprovementwoulduselipreadingtobolsterits
accuracy.Stillanotherwouldbemultitonalvoiceinput.Anotherwouldbe
improvementsinthedesignofdirectionalmicrophones.Everygenerationofvoice
recognitionsoftwarewillbeimprovedasthehardwareforLinuxgetsbiggerand
stronger.
IBMis,infact,nowworkingonalipreadingsystemforinstallationinanautomobileso
thattheonboardcomputercanverypreciselyunderstandthespokencommandsofthe
driver.So,IBM,weneedtogetthistechnologyintoourdesktops,ebookreaders,tablet
computersandPDAsaswellplease?Whynotlicenseyourlipreadingtechnologytoa
consortiumofopensourcedevelopers,perhapssponsoredbyanonprofitsuchas
www.drail.org,anorganizationconcernedwiththeneedy.Or,evenmoreeffectivewould
bealicenceforagroupofsuchorganizations,suchasRobertWood,AARP,Elderweb,
etc.whowouldputlipreadingandenhanced,precisevoicerecognitiononanebook
reader(suchaswww.ebookgemstar.comortheKoreanmanufacturedone:
www.ebookad.com/hiebook/)oraniPOD(Apple'sgreatmusicmachine),oratablet
computer,oranyotherPCthatthissegmentofthepopulationwouldfeelcomfortable
with.
VirtualPCsrunningonacommunitybasedservertowhichtheenduserscouldconnect
withsimpletelephones(POTS)orvideotelephones(www.vialta.com)wouldbeofgreat
use.MygeekcaregiverhusbandsuggeststhatweshouldcallthisprojectWordows."Oh
no,"Iyellatmyfavoritegeek,"Thatisnotsogood:itsoundslikeweirdos!Youneedto
becarefulwhenyoucreateanewwordinWeblish."
Soletuscallit,ifyouwillpermitme,"Slimdows".
Withallthesechanges,theEnglishteacherinmecomestotermswithachanging
linguisticenvironment.Sincelifeitselfisconstantchange,Englishmustalsochange.
Copyright2004,JanineMLodato.
CenterforAccessibleTechnologyinSign(CATS)
TheAtlantaAreaSchoolfortheDeaf/CenterforAccessibleTechnologyinSign(CATS)
isdedicatedtoprovidingaccessibilitytomediaviasignlanguage.CATS'goalisto
enhanceliteracyandgeneralworldknowledgebyprovidingtoolswhichmaketext,
captions,video,webpages,andmultimediaaccessibletodeafusers,particularlychildren.
Visittheirwebsiteathttp://www.aasdweb.com/CATS/
GlobalUniversalDesignEducatorsOnlineNews
Volume5Number6,AugustSeptember2004
TheGlobalUniversalDesignEducator'sOnlineNewsisproducedandpublishedthrough
contractswiththeCenterforUniversalDesignatNorthCarolinaStateUniversityand
AdaptiveEnvironments,Boston,MA,incooperationwiththeNationalInstituteon
DisabilityandRehabilitationResearch.
EDITOR'SNOTE
Inthisissue,7countries,EuropeanwideeffortsandtheWorldBankreflectawidearray
ofactionsleadingtoamoreinclusivesociety.Tourismanditseconomicbenefitsisa
topicforthreedevelopingeconomiesAfricaandBrazilareholdingconferencesand
Malaysiareportsonstudiesrelatedtotheeconomicbenefits.Studies,policy
development,research,andcompetitionsareotherstrategiesseethePolisprojectin
Europethatisgeneratingtoolsleadingtocostbenefitanalysisforuniversaldesign,a
CouncilofEuropequestionnaireseekinguniversaldesigninformationfromits45
memberstates,theAfricanpolicyrelatedconference,theWorkplaceresearch(Japan),a
housingfeaturessurvey(US),anddesigncompetitionsprovidingincentivesatmultiple
scales:individualdesign(Europe,DfA),housing(US,NAHB),citywide(US,NOD).
Formoreopportunities,seeUDEO(US)anditsextensivecompetitionspage.Accessto
thevoteisapowerfultoolseeDOJ'sexcellentchecklistforvotingplaces(US);
educationbygamingisanothertool(US,ADAgame);involvingstudentsinuniversal
designhaslongtermbenefits(USStudents);professionalorganizationsinforming
theirmembershipaddscloutseeAHEAD,theAmericanInstituteofBusinessDesign,
andtheAmericanSocietyofInteriordesign(US).Technicalassistancematerialssuchas
theAquaticVenuesreport(US),theguidanceonthenewADAAG/ABAAG(US)andthe
ITTATConlinenewsletterforinformationdesign(US)areinvaluablefordesigndecision
making.CommunicationtoolsareessentialforinspirationandknowledgeForm&
Funktion(NordicCountries)andChildren,YouthandEnvironmentsJournal(US).
Conferencesareanothergenerativetool,toshareandpromoteinnovationforinclusion:
Designingforthe21stCenturyIII(Brazil),OpenSpace:PeopleSpace(Scotland),the
AssistiveTechnologyandMedia(US)andtheWorldBankDisabilityConference
(World).
NOTE:theAugustSeptemberCalendarwassentearlier.Wewillcontinuethispractice
inthefuture,tominimizethelengthoftheissue.
InformationfromtheOnlineNewsmaybefreelycopiedandquotedaslongasthe
individualauthor,and/orwebsiteandthissourceiscited.PreviousissuesoftheOnline
NewsareavailableonlineattheGlobalUniversalDesignEducationNetworkwebsiteat:
http://www.universaldesign.net.
NEWSFROMTHEGLOBALNETWORK
AFRICA
oACCESS2004AConferenceonPartnershipinDisability
In2004SouthAfricawillcelebrateadecadeofdemocracyAccess2004isplannedto
coincidewiththesecelebrationsandtakeplaceNovember30December2004inCape
Town,SouthAfrica.Access2004willensurethatdisabilityrelatedplanning,
developmentandimplementationremainrelevantaspertheIntegratedNational
DisabilityStrategyandIntegratedProvincialDisabilityStrategy.Oneofthebiggest
challengesisstilltoensurethatdisabilitybecomesandremainspartofmainstream
development,planningandimplementation.Formore,see:http://www.access2004.co.za/
oAccessibilityForAll:InternationalConferenceonAccessibleTourism
KenyaDisabledDevelopmentSocietywillhostthisInternationalConferenceon
AccessibleTourisminNairobi(Kenya),October79,2004.Allinterestedpartiesfrom
otherpartsoftheworldareinvitedtoattend.Topicsfortheconferencewillbe:
AccessibleTourism(Tourismforall)AccessibleenvironmentAccessible
AccommodationUniversalDesignAccessibilityasahumanrightTravelagenton
speciallyadaptedtrips.Therewillalsobeexhibitionspaceformanufacturersonitems
relatedtoaccessibilityanduniversaldesignproducts.Thiswillbeagoldenopportunityto
capturemarketsfortheirproductsinthispartoftheworld.Preandpostconference
activitieswilltakeparticipantstoourbeautifulnationalparks/nationalreservesand
beautifulhistoricalsitesofthe12thcentury,atthecoastalregionofthecountry.Seize
thisopportunitytoseethisbeautifulpartoftheworld.Formoreinformation,contact:
PeterBodoOng'aro,bodo@avu.org
BRAZIL
oInclusiveTourismConference
The'InclusiveTourismConference'(TheCongressoIberoAmericanodeAccessibleno
Turismo)willtakeplaceattheContinentalHotelinCanelas,RioGrandedoSul,Brazil
fromNovember17to19,2004.Someofthetopicscoveredattheconferenceare:
TourismforTravelerswithDisabilities:ANewMarketNicheInTourism,Accessibility
inTourismPolicyandtheRightsofConsumers,ThemeParks,TourismSites,andPublic
Events:HowDoWeMakeThemAccessible?,AModelCityforTransportationand
Mobility,AccessibleTravelCircuits:Routes&Destinations,MaritimeAccess:AModel
toFollow,GroundTransportation:ItisTimeforaChange,AirTravel:AreWeReady?,
MyHotelisPreparingtoAttractPeoplewithDisabilities,andMyRestaurantisMakinga
ProfitServingCustomersWhoHaveDisabilities.Theconferencedetails(onlyin
Portuguese)areavailableat:http://www.turismosembarreiras.com.br/
TheRollingRainsReportreportedontheconferenceinarecentissue.TheRollingRains
ReporthighlightsUniversalDesignthinkingandthetravelandhospitalityindustry.Its
WebLog(blog)formatissuitedtoitscontentofdailypostsonnewsitems,conferences,
researchquestionsofinterest,andworksinprogress.Readershipincludesthosealready
engagedinUniversalDesignaswellastravelagents,touroperators,travel&leisure
writers,andtourismindustryprofessionals.http://www.RollingRains.com
oDesigningforthe21stCenturyIII:PreConferenceDays
Hereismoredetailontheinternationalconferenceinuniversaldesignthatwillbeheldin
RiodeJaneiro,December712,2004.ThishighlightsthetwoPreConferencedayson
Tuesday,7DecemberandWednesday,8Decemberandtheirtwotypesofhighly
interactiveprogramsIntensiveSessionsandCharettes.Allareledbyinternational
experts.
IntensiveSessionsareeitherfulldayorhalfdaysessionsthatprovidestateoftheart
concentratedlearningonspecifictopics.Intensivesessionsrequirepreregistrationand
paymentofaPreConferenceIntensivefee.ThemultipartCharrettesbeginduringthe
PreConferenceperiod;manyofthemwillbeheldintheRiocommunity.Theopening
sessionisfollowedbytwoworkingsessionsduringtheCoreConferencealongwitha
finalpresentation.CharrettesessionsrequirepreregistrationandpaymentofaCharrette
fee.ThetitlesoftheIntensivesandCharettesfollow.
FullDayPreConferenceIntensiveSessions:ADayofMediaandTechnologyAccess;
ExhibitandInformationSystemsforTouristDestinationsUniversalDesignandthe
InclusiveInterpretiveProgram;ExtremeDesign(aworkshopondesignandperception);
InclusiveInnovation:FocusonHealthCareDelivery;TheIntersectionofUniversal
Design&theEcologicallyHealthyCity;UnderstandingUniversalDesignThrougha
FacilityandSiteSurvey;UniversalDesignandtheInternationalTravel&Hospitality
Industry;UniversalDesigninPublicTransit;WebAccessibilityforDesigners.Formore
informationonthefulldaysessions,see:http://www.designfor21st.org/#pre_fd
HalfDaySessions:BeyondBricksandMortar:UniversalDesignforLearningandthe
TransformationofEducation;DesignforAllinFaithCommunities;MakingPlacesfor
People:theRoleofCitizenParticipation;TheMandateforGreen/SustainableDesign:
GoodforPeopleGoodforthePlanetEarth;TheNorwegianExperiment;UrbanPlaces,
HumanSpaces.Formoreinformationonthehalfdaysessions,see:
http://www.designfor21st.org/#pre_hd
Charrettes/CaseStudies:AssessmentofLivingSpaceforEldersinBrazil;Help!How
BigisThat?ToystoIntroduceMathematicalConceptsforVisuallyImpairedChildren;
LearningEnvironmentsforChildrenwithCognitiveDisabilities:Mainstreamingfor
Inclusion;PrinciplesofUniversalDesignRevisited;SugarLoaf:ACelebrationof
History,EcologyandAccessibility;UniversalDesignandtheMarineEnvironment
FromAlongtheShoretoOffshore;UniversalDesigninMuseums.Formoreinformation
ontheCharrettes/CaseStudies,see:http://www.designfor21st.org/#char
Fullconferencedetailsareat:http://www.designfor21st.org/.
EUROPE
oCouncilofEuropeQuestionnaireonAccessibility
Intheframeworkofitsactivitiesinthefieldoftherehabilitationandintegrationof
peoplewithdisability,theCouncilofEuropehasestablishedanewCommitteeofexperts
onUniversalDesign,whichhelditsfirstmeetinginStrasbourgon1719May2004and
towhichallCouncilofEuropememberstateswereinvited.Toachieveitsgoals,the
CommitteeofexpertsneedsaccurateinformationonthecurrentsituationofUniversal
Design/Accessibilityforpeoplewithdisabilitiesinall45memberstatesoftheCouncilof
Europe.Toobtainthisinformation,theCommitteehasdevelopedaquestionnairethat
wassenttoallmemberstates.
Thesourceforthisinformationwas:http://www.ifhohyp.org/php/page.php?
page=news&news_id=20Thequestionnaireitselfcanbeseenat:
http://www.ifhohyp.org/documents/council_of_europe
_questionnaire_on_accessibility.docThewebsitefortheCouncilofEurope,Integration
ofPeoplewithDisabilitiesfocus:http://www.coe.int/T/E/Social_Cohesion/soc
sp/Integration/
oDfAandATAwards
TheEuropeanCommissioniseagertorecognizetheeffortsmadebydesigners,
engineers,designstudentsandcompaniesintheareaofDesignforAllandAssistive
Technology.Ifyouarestrivingtoimprovethequalityoflifeforeveryone,valuenew
innovationsandvisualizewhatthefutureholds,theywanttohearfromyou.Toqualify
fortheDesignforAllandAssistiveTechnologyawards,weareseekingentriesfrom
designers,engineers,designstudentsandcompanies.Eachentrywillbejudgedaccording
toAccessibility,Aesthetics,Appropriateness,Availability,Awareness,Affordabilityand
Advancement.Thecategoriesare:Dailyliving,Mobilityandtransportation,
Communicationandinformation,Lifelonglearning,Employmentandprofessionallife,
andCulture,leisureandsport.ClosingdateforentriesisSeptember15,2004.
Formoreinformation,see:www.dfaatawards.org
oPOLISProject
ThePOLISprojectstandsforDecisionsupporttoolsandpolicyinitiativesinsupportofa
universaldesignofbuildings.POLISstartedonJanuary1,2004andisfundedbythe
CommissionoftheEuropeanCommunities.Themaingoalsare:Toprovideforadetailed
analysisoftheeconomics,i.e.,costsandbenefitsassociatedtoaccessibilityandtouse
thisinformationtodevelopadecisionsupportsystemforauniversalbuildingdesign
(DSS.UBD),toaddresstherelevanceoftheproposedsolutionswithintheexisting
EU/membercountrypolicyinstrumentsandtosuggestpracticalmeansofintegration
withinexistingor,verylikely,newlyrequiredpolicyinstruments,towardstheultimate
goalofan'accessibilityforall'EUstandard,andtodisseminatetheresultstowards
diverseaudiences(EUandmemberstateauthorities,designers,engineers,product
developers,etc.)andtoidentifybusinessopportunitiesintermsofneweraassistive
technologiesandservices.
Fulldetailsavailableat:http://www.polisubd.net/publish/home.shtml
JAPAN
oUniversalDesignintheWorkplace
ThisinformationappearedontheRICSwebsite(RoyalInstitutionofChartered
Surveyors)andisbasedoncontinuingresearchbytheUniversalDesignCommitteeof
theJapanFacilityManagementPromotionAssociation.Itrepresentstheresearchers'
approachtodevelopinguniversaldesignguidelinesforworkplacedesign,andincludes
theidentificationofcriticalsuccessfactors(CSFs)thatplayakeyroleinfacilities
planningandassessment.
Formoreinformation,see:http://www.rics.org/ricscms/bin/show?
class=Feature&template=/includes/showfeature.html&id=1111
MALAYSIA
oAreWeReadyforElderlyTourists?
TourismisanimportantforeignexchangeearnerforMalaysiaandtheelderlytourist
sectorisagrowingone.Thereporthighlightstheincreasingnumberofelderlytourists,
theneedforbarrierfreeandaccessibletouristspotstocaterforthissegmentoftourists,
theexistingstateofsuchfacilitiesinmajorMalaysiancitiesandfinallytheresources
availabletomakePenangabarrierfreetouristdestination.
ThereportdiscussestheMarketPotentialandstates'Throughthepromotionofnon
handicappingenvironments,weareactuallypromoting'TourismforAll'withtheconcept
ofauniversaldesignforallbuiltenvironments,whichincorporatebarrierfreefeatures.'
ItthengoesontopresentwhatPenangwouldgainfromthisinitiativeandhowit
currentlyfaresonaccessibility.LocalauthoritiesestimatecompliancetotheUBBL
(UniformBuildingBylaws),funding,training,dissemination,etcasanywherefrom5
70%.
Userviewswerealsosolicitedonawarenessof'Bylaws34AoftheUniformBuilding
Bylaws(UBBL)regardingtheprovisionofdisabledfriendlyfacilitiesinallpublicand
privatebuildingswithinastipulatedtimee.g.ramps&railings,disabledtoilets,Braille
blocksandpavements,andsignage.'Andthisrangedfromabout50100%.Whenasked
torate,onascaleof1to5(1=noneatall,5=veryadequate),astowhetherkeypublic
placeshaveadequatedisabledfriendlyfacilities,theoverallratingwasa2,meaning
facilitieswereconsidered'Inadequate.'
Thereportconcludesbytalkingaboutneighboringcountriesandtheireffortstomake
theircitiesaccessibletoattractforeigntourism.Itnotesthough,thatinMalaysia,
Putrajayaisagoodexampleofacitywithbarrierfreeaccess.Unfortunately,theother
statesofMalaysiahaveyettohavesimilarfacilities.Itisconsideredagoodtimefor
Penangtocapitalizeonthisnichetourismmarketandprovideanexamplethattherestof
Malaysiacanfollow.ThePenanggovernmenthasmademuchprogressinproviding
disabledaccesslocally.Thegovernmentcannotdoitallandthearticlecallsforthe
privatesectortomakesurethattheirpremisescomplywiththeUBBLtoensurethat
Penangisviewedasabarrierfreetouristdestination.
Thefullreportisavailableat:http://www.seri.com.my/EconBrief/EconBrief2004
06.PDF(pleasenotethatitisonlyavailableinPDFformatandmaynotbeaccessibleto
all)
NORDIC/SCANDINAVIAN
oForm&Funktion
ThelatesteditionofForm&Funktion,theNordicDesignforAllMagazine,(Number1,
Volume3,June2004)isnowavailableonline.Thethemeofthisissueis'Accessto
Culture'andisaboutbuildingsofculturalvalueoldandnewonesandthosethathaven't
yetbeenbuilt.TheexampleshavebeentakenfromSweden,DenmarkandNorway.It
includesdiscussionofSweden's2005YearofDesign,whichincludesathemeof'Design
forAll.'OtherarticlesdiscusshowTheAteneumartmuseuminHelsinkihastakenthe
leadindevelopingaccessibleservices,thebuildingofthenewOperaHouseinOslo,the
DanishCultureMinister'saccessibilityeffortsandLckCastleasapilotprojectof
Sweden'sNationalPropertyBoard'saccessibilitypolicy.Theissuealsoincludesregular
columns,NordicHighlightsandEuropeanHighlights,aswellasotherinterestingarticles.
ToseethefullissueofthiseditionofForm&Funktion,see:
http://www.nsh.se/Form&Funktion/Form&Funktion_12004.pdfForpastissuesofForm
&Funktion,see:http://www.nsh.se/in_english/Form&Funktion_in_English.htm.(please
notethatForm&FunktionisonlyavailableinPDFformatandmaynotbeaccessibleto
all)FormoreonSweden's2005YearofDesign,see:http://www.merdesign.se/
SCOTLAND
oOpenSpace:PeopleSpace
ThisinternationalconferenceonInclusiveOutdoorEnvironmentstakesplaceOctober
2729,2004inEdinburgh,Scotland.Theconferencewillreviewrecentresearchand
debatecurrentissuessurroundinggooddesignforopenspaceandsocialinclusion
spacesandplacesforthe21stcentury.Theprogramwillincludecontributionsfroman
internationalarrayofexpertscoveringthemajorthemesoftheconference:childrenand
youngpeople;disabilityandsocialinclusion;healthandrestorativeenvironmentsand
tourismandleisure.
Forcompleteconferencedetails,see:
http://www.openspace.eca.ac.uk/conference/confbackground.htm
UNITEDSTATES
o2005BestofSeniorsHousingDesignandMarketingAwards
TheBestofSeniorsHousingawardsprogramcelebratesthebestandmostsuccessful
seniorsprojectsandrecognizesvisionaryprojectsstill'ontheboards.'TheNational
AssociationofHomeBuilders(NAHB)SeniorsHousingCouncilpioneereditsawards
programin1992toshowcasethefinestprojectsfromactiveadultcommunitiesand
seniorapartmentstoCCRCsandassistedlivingcommunities.Inadditiontohonoring
outstandingdesignsacrossthecountry,theSeniorsHousingCouncilhasaddedanew
marketingcomponenttoacknowledgeachievementsinmarketingallformsofseniors
housing.TheentrydeadlineisOctober22,2004.
ThefulldetailsoftheAwardsareat:http://www.nahb.org/award_details.aspx?
sectionID=471&awardID=131
oADAGame
TheADAGamesimulateshowadvocacycanpromotepositivechangesincommunities.
Playerstakeontheroleofadvocatesfordisabilityrightsinoneofeightvirtual
communitiesintheSoutheasternUnitedStatesandworktogethertoimprovecompliance
withtheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)intheircommunitiesintheareasof:
ProgramAccess,PublicAccommodations,Transportation,Employment,and
Communication.Duringtheregistrationprocess,youarerandomlyassignedtooneofthe
followingcities:Birmingham(AL),Orlando(FL),Atlanta(GA),Louisville(KY),Biloxi
(MS),Charlotte(NC),Charleston(SC),orNashville(TN).Youcanswitchcitiesatany
time,butareencouragedtoremainwithonecitythroughoutthegametoworktogether
towardsbuildingamoreaccessiblecommunity.
Theleadsponsorofthe'ADAGame'istheSoutheastDisabilityandBusinessTechnical
AssistanceCenter(DBTAC),oneof10centersfundedbytheNationalInstituteon
DisabilityandRehabilitationResearch(NIDRR)attheU.S.DepartmentofEducation.
TheSoutheastDBTACishostedattheCenterforAssistiveTechnologyand
EnvironmentalAccessattheCollegeofArchitectureattheGeorgiaInstituteof
TechnologyinAtlanta,Georgia.
TheADAGamewebsiteisat:http://www.adagame.org/
oAHEADBrochuresonUniversalDesign
AHEAD(theAssociationforHigherEducationandDisability)hasproducedtwonew
universaldesignbrochures:'UniversalDesigninHigherEducation'and'Universal
Design:AGuideforStudents.'
Thefirstexplainsuniversaldesignprinciplesandpresentstheconceptsandapplications
ofuniversaldesignwithfaculty,administratorsandothercampusstaffinmindviathese
usefulsections:UniversalDesignOverview,UniversalDesignPrinciplesExplained,
FrequentlyAskedQuestionsandReferences.
Thesecondbrochureexplainshowuniversaldesignprinciplesareappliedtolearningand
encouragesstudentstothinkabouttheireducationalexperienceinanewway.While
gearedtostudents,thispublicationisactuallyusefultoanyonewhowantstoimplement
universaldesignintothecurriculum.Topicsinclude:AnOutlineofUniversalDesign
Principles,ASummaryofServiceProvisionandStudentIdentity,IdeasforPromoting
UniversalDesignonCampus,FrequentlyAskedQuestions,andReferences
InformationaboutthesebrochuresandothernewAHEADpublicationsisavailableat:
http://www.ahead.org/support/publications/newcatalog.php
oAIBDResolutionsonEnvironmentallySustainableDesignandUniversalDesign
inHousing
TheAmericanInstituteofBuildingDesign(AIBD)boardofdirectorsacceptedtwo
resolutionstosupportUniversalDesignandSustainableDesignattheAIBDs54th
annualconventionheldinWashington,D.C.,July2831,2004.
ThefirstresolutionstatesthatAIBD'shallencourageandsupportourmembershipinthe
voluntarypracticeofenvironmentallysustainabledesignandourcorporatemembersthat
provideenvironmentallysustainableproductsandservices'andcommittothefollowing
longtermobjectivesforenvironmentallysustainabledesign:'Supportbuildingdesign
thatresultsinresourceefficientconstruction,Continuetoencouragetheresearchanduse
ofnewtechnologies,materialsandpractices,Supportmarketdemandforcosteffective,
environmentallysustainabledesign,andProvideeducationalopportunitiestoour
membershipaboutthepracticeofenvironmentallysustainabledesign.'
ThesecondresolutionstatesthatAIBD'shallencourageandsupportourmembershipin
thevoluntarypracticeofuniversaldesigninhousingandourcorporatemembersthat
provideproductsandservicestothephysicallychallengedandcommittothefollowing
longtermobjectivesforuniversaldesigninhousing:'Supportcreativedesignsolutionsto
improvethebuiltenvironmentofthephysicallychallenged,Supportmarketdemandfor
costeffective,universaldesignsolutionsthatwillallowourelderlyordisabled
populationto'ageinplace,'Provideeducationalopportunitiestoourmembershipabout
themethodsandpracticeofuniversaldesigninhousing,andContinuetopromotethe
AmericanInstituteofBuildingDesignastheleadingprofessionalorganizationinthe
designofresidencesforallpeople,includingthephysicallychallenged.'
Formoreinformationandthefulltextoftheresolutions,pleasecontact:BobbiFalasco,
DirectorofOperations,bobbi@aibd.org,www.aibd.org
oAssistiveTechnologyandAccessibleMediaConference
ThisconferencewillbeheldNovember912,2004atColoradoUniversity(CU)
Boulder.TheconferenceissponsoredbyCUBoulderincollaborationwithEASI,
AHEAD&others.Sessionhighlightsinclude:CreatingeBooksusingAdobePDF,
MicrosoftLITandDaisyFormat,AligningthePieces:AUDLApproachtoOnline
LearningforAll,AchievingWebAccessibilitywithSection508,DigitalCollectionsof
HistoricalDocumentsandAccessibility,AssistiveTechnology:TheKeytoLearner
CenteredTeaching,andEvaluatingTexttoSpeechSoftwareforCollegeStudentswith
LearningDisabilities.
Formoreinformation,goto:www.colorado.edu/Atconference
oChecklistforPollingPlaceAccessibility
TheDepartmentofJusticehasreleasedthewellillustrated'ADAChecklistforPolling
Places'tohelplocalofficialsimprovevotingaccessibilitynationwide.The33page
checklistcoversawiderangeofaccessibilityissues,includingparking,passengerdrop
offareas,walkways,buildingentrancesandhallways,anduseofthevotingarea.Ithelps
electionofficialsrecognizeandidentifyaccessibilityproblemsattheschools,religious
institutions,andpublicbuildingsthatserveaspollingplacesthroughouttheUnitedStates
andofferspractical,simple,andefficientsolutionsforeliminatingbarriers,including
temporarymeasuresforElectionDay.
Thispublicationisavailableatwww.ada.gov/votingck.htm
oChildren,YouthandEnvironment
Inthisissue,CYEpublishesthesixwinningpapersinthe2003GraduateStudentPaper
AwardforExcellenceinResearchcompetition.Theyrepresentthebestqualitiesof
researchthatadvancesknowledgeaboutthesignificanceoftheenvironmenttochildren
andyouth.Thesearticlesareabout:theimpactsofpovertydeconcentrationonchildren
andyouth,youthparticipationinurbanagricultureandcommunitydevelopment,an
historicalanalysisofyoungpeople'suseofpublicspace,studentparticipationinthe
redevelopmentofschoolgrounds,youngpeople'sperceptionsofrestorative
environments,andconceptualizingsocialcapitalamongyoungpeople.
Forthisedition,see:http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/a4.plPastissues,astheyare
archived,areavailableat:http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/CYE_BackIssues/
oITTATC
ThelatesteditionofTheInformationTechnologyTechnicalAssistance&Training
Center(ITTATC),ACCESSEandITNEWS,'PromotingAccessibleIT&
Telecommunications,'isavailable.BesidesarticlesaboutUpcomingEvents,FCC
Telecommunications/Regulations,ForYourAction/Information,Articles/Publications
andPastEvents,itcontainsausefulResourcessection.
Thereisalsoanonlineresourcepublication'AccessibilityintheUserCenteredDesign
ProcessDevelopment.'Thisisaresourcetoassistusabilityprofessionalsinincorporating
accessibledesignpracticesintotheusercentereddesignprocess.Thisresourceis
designedprimarilyforusabilityprofessionalswhoknowUserCenteredDesign(UCD)
processesandtechniques,includingtheprinciplesofusabilitytesting,andhaveabasic
understandingofaccessibility.Thisresourcedoesnotincludedesignsolutionsor
guidanceonspecificaccessibilitydesignissues.
Thecurrenteditionisavailableat:http://www.ittatc.org/news/july_04.cfmThearchives
ofpasteditionsareat:http://www.ittatc.org/news/AccessibilityintheUserCentered
DesignProcessDevelopmentavailableat:http://www.ittatc.org/technical/access
ucd/about.cfm
oMakingASplash:InclusionofPeoplewithDisabilitiesinAquaticVenues
TheNationalCenteronAccessibility(NCA)hasreleasedanewmonographonthe
inclusionofpeoplewithdisabilitiesinaquaticfacilities.Thisonlinemonographdiscusses
someofthemajorconsiderationsforthesuccessfulinclusionofpeoplewithdisabilities
ataquaticfacilitiesincludingvisitorexpectations,accessibilityguidelinesforswimming
pools,considerationsforaquaticstaff,policiesandprocedures,familyrestrooms,pool
lifts,aquaticchairsandwaterslides.Besuretocheckoutthevideoclips.
OtherNCAmonographsinclude:TrailSurfaces:WhatDoINeedtoKnowNow?,
EffectiveCommunicationinParksandRecreation,WhatareAlternativeFormats?How
DoTheyApplytoProgramsandServices?,AccessiblePicnicTables:Requirementsand
Recommendations,CampgroundAccessibility:IssuesandRecommendations,Principles
forAdaptingActivitiesinRecreationProgramsandSettings,WhatisanAccessible
Trail?,ProvidingAccesstoBeaches,andmore.
ThismonographandotherNCSmonographsareavailableat:www.ncaonline.org
oNewADAandABAAccessibilityGuidelines
TheU.S.AccessBoardannouncesthereleaseofnewdesignguidelinesthatcoveraccess
forpeoplewithdisabilitiesunderthelandmarkAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)of
1990.Theguidelinesupdateaccessrequirementsforawiderangeoffacilitiesinthe
publicandprivatesectorscoveredbythelaw.Aspartofthisupdate,theBoardalso
reviseditsguidelinesforFederalbuildingsundertheArchitecturalBarriersAct(ABA)of
1968.TheABArequiresaccesstofacilitiesdesigned,built,altered,orleasedwith
Federalfunds.Underthenewguidelines,amoreconsistentlevelofaccessisspecified
underboththeADAandtheABA.
FollowingisanexcerptofguidanceofferedbyKathyGipsoftheNewEnglandADA&
AccessibleITCenter:
'Confused?Youarenotalone.
Asmanyofyouknow,onJuly23theU.S.AccessBoardissuedupdatedaccessibility
guidelinesforneworalteredfacilitiescoveredbytheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct
andtheArchitecturalBarriersAct.TheADAappliestostateandlocalgovernmentsand
totheprivatesector.TheABAappliestofederalagencies.
ThesenewADAguidelineswillbecomeenforceablestandardswhentheU.S.
DepartmentofJusticeadoptsthemaspartoftheirADAregulations.TheABAwill
becomeenforceablestandardswhenthefourfederalstandardsettingagenciesadopt
them.ThebestcasescenariofortheDepartmentofJusticeadoptionistwelvemonths;
twentyfourmonths(orlonger)ismorelikely.
MeanwhilecontinuetousetheADAStandardsthatareinthe8x10inchgreyandwhite
book'NondiscriminationontheBasisofDisabilitybyPublicAccommodationsand
CommercialFacilitiesRevisedasofJuly1,1994'yesit'stenyearsoldbutitisthe
currentlegalstandard.Youcanorderthemfromus(nocharge)orgetthemfromtheU.S.
DepartmentofJustice'swebsitewww.ada.gov.They'resmackinthemiddleofthepage.
SeveralarchitectshavecalledandsaidtheyplantousetheADAAG'04insteadofthe
currentADAStandards.Ourconcernisthatinsomeplacestherequirementsprovideless
ordifferentaccessrequirements.Hereareafewexamples:
1.ADAAG'04Smallparkinglotsof14carswillneedoneaccessiblespace,butthat
spacewon'trequireasignoranyotherdesignation.
CurrentADAStandardsrequiresanaccessiblespacewithappropriateabovegrade
signageinallparkinglots
2.ADAAG'04allowsthedistancefromthecenterlineofthetoiletinanaccessible
restroomtobe1618inchesfromthewall.
CurrentADAStandardsrequiresthecenterlinetobeat18inches.
3.ADAAG'04allowsthedoortoswingintotheclearfloorspacerequiredatfixturesin
accessiblerestroomsaslongasthere'sone30x48inchclearfloorspacebeyondthedoor.
CurrentADAStandardsdonotallowthedoortoswingintotheclearfloorspaces
requiredatfixtures.
WhentheDepartmentofJusticeissuestheirnewregulationstheywillgiveusplentyof
timefromwhenwegetbuildingpermitstowhenthenewdesignstandardswillgointo
effect.Itmaybeabitofamessytransitionperiod.
Yesit'sconfusing.PlusthrowintothemixthatseveralstateshaveadoptedIBC
2000/ANSI117.1andMassachusettshasitsownaccessibilitycode.Meanwhileperhaps
thebestuseoftheADAAG'04iswherethecurrentADAStandardsdon'taddressan
issueorareconfusing.TheADAAG'04canbeusedforclarification.'ContactKathy
Gips,kgips@adaptiveenvironments.orgifyouhaveanyquestions.
Forfullcontentoftheguidelines,see:http://www.accessboard.gov/adaaba.htm
oNODSurvey,AccessibleAmerica2004Competition
TheNationalOrganizationonDisability(N.O.D.)recentlyannouncedthatitsnational
surveyofAmericanswithdisabilities,conductedeveryfouryearsbytheHarris
organization,wasreleasedinlateJune.TheN.O.D./HarrisSurveywaslastconductedin
2000.ItconcludedthatAmericanswithdisabilitiesareatacriticaldisadvantage
comparedtootherAmericansintenkeyareasoflife.Continuingatrend,thesurvey
foundslowandmodestprogressintheindicators,whichHarrishastrackedsince1986.
Additionally,N.O.D.urgesAmerica'smayorsandchiefelectedofficialstoentertheir
communitiesinthefourthannual$25,000'AccessibleAmerica'awardcompetition,open
toallU.S.citiesandtowns.ThewinnerofN.O.D.'sAccessibleAmerica2004
competitionwillbeacityortownwherecitizenswithdisabilitieshaveopportunitiesfor
fullandequalparticipationinthelifeoftheircommunity,includingaccesstoeducation,
jobs,voting,transportation,housing,religiousworship,andafullrangeofsocial,
recreational,cultural,andsportsactivities.AnotherareathatN.O.D.isgivingspecial
focusinthepostSeptember11eraisemergencypreparednessforpeoplewith
disabilities.Thecompetitionhighlightsthoroughcommunitywideprogressandinspires
replication.ThecompetitiondeadlineisOctober31,2004.
Forfullsurveyresults,see:http://www.nod.org/content.cfm?id=1537Forfulldetailson
AccessibleAmerican2004Competition,see:http://www.nod.org/content.cfm?id=1551
oStudentsandUniversalDesign
Recently,threestudenteffortsinvolvinguniversaldesignwerereported.IntheNorth
KansasCitySchoolDistrict,carpentryandinteriordesignstudentsbuiltathreebedroom,
1,580squarefootuniversallydesignedhouseastheirprojectforthepastschoolyear.
'universaldesign'elementsincludeanostepentry,raisedelectricaloutlets,wide
doorwayswithleveractionhardware,rockertypeswitches,rollinmastershower,
blockinginstalledforgrabbars,heightadjustableshowerheads,multiplecabinetheights
inthekitchen,basecabinetswithrolloutshelves,raiseddishwasher,anddisposaland
rangehoodswitchesonthefrontofthecabinets.Thehouseisframedforfutureelevator
installationandstairlifttotheunfinishedbasement.
AtLamarUniversityinBeaumont,Texas,sixteeninteriordesignstudentsandtheir
instructorwereapproachedbythedirectorofRISE(Resource.Information.Support.
Empowerment)andaskedtodesignakitchenusing'universaldesign.'Afteraninterview
withRISE,eachstudentintheclassdesignedtheirownuniversallydesignedkitchen.
RISEisafederallyfundedprogramthatprovidesskillstrainingandsupporttoassist
individualswithdisabilitiesinlivinganindependentlife.Thisisnotthefirsttimethe
instructorhasdoneadesignlikethis.'Iamalwayslookingforcommunityprojects.'The
instructorsaid.OneofherclassesdidaprojectforHabitatforHumanities,andthe
studentchapterofAmericanSocietyforInteriorDesigners,iscurrentlyworkingona
planwiththeWomen'sandChildren'sShelter.
Recently,the2004winnersoftheNorthCarolinaSustainableBuildingDesign
Competitionwereannounced.TheNorthCarolinaSustainableBuildingDesign
Competitionisaprogramtoengagestudentsinthestate'spublicuniversitiesand
communitycollegestolearnandapplythelessonsofsustainabledevelopmentinthe
designandconstructionofbuildings.Studentteamsdesignedahomeforanactualsitein
NorthCarolinaincorporatingasustainableapproachtodesignthatincludesenergy
efficiency,renewableenergy,waterconservation,wastereduction,useoflocally
availablematerials,andattentiontotheparticularassetsofthesite.Furthermore,the
NorthCarolinaSustainableBuildingDesignCompetitionrequiredprovisionsforasafe
areaunderextremeweatherconditions,recognitionofthehealthimplicationsofbuilding
materials,anduniversalaccessforthebuildingandsite.Inthisway,hundredsofstudents
eachyearreceiveuniversaldesignmaterialsandtraining,andgetpracticeinintegrating
universaldesignintohousingdesign.TheDesignCompetitionreinforcestheconnection
betweenuniversaldesignandsustainabledesign:universalfeaturessavemoneyand
resourcesbyreducingtheneedtorenovatehomesasresidents'needschange.Universal
homeslookgoodandworkwellforallusers.
AnarticleontheNorthKansasCitySchoolDistrictproject:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1452&dept_id=
155077&newsid=8307474&PAG=461&rfi=9AnarticleontheLamarUniversityclass
isat:http://www.lamar.edu/news/story.asp?ID=728ThefulldetailsoftheNorth
CarolinaSustainableBuildingDesignCompetitionareat:
http://www.sustainabledesigncompetition.org/site/sdc/public/home.cfm
oSummerIssueofICON
TheSummerIssueofICON,fromtheAmericanSocietyofInteriorDesign(ASID),hasa
largearticleonUniversalDesign,'UniversalDesign:Transparent,Inclusive,Attractive..
.andanEssentialConsiderationforToday'sResidentialDesigners.'Thearticlebuildson
thepreceptthat'Advocatespredictthatinthenextdecadeuniversaldesignwilltransform
theAmericanhome,significantlyalteringrealestate,designandconstructionstandards.
Theirbenchmarkisthecapacityofahometoaccommodatethephysical,sensoryand
psychologicalabilitiesandlimitationsofallitsoccupantsandtheirvisitorsoverthe
courseoftheirlifetimes.'
Forthefullcontents,see:http://www.asid.org/ASID2/resource/icon.asp(pleasenotethat
theUniversalDesignarticleisonlyavailableinPDFformatandmaynotbeaccessibleto
all)AISDUniversalDesignResourceCenter:
http://www.asid.org/asid2/resource/ud_info.asp
oSurveyonUniversalDesignFeaturesinNew,SingleFamilyHousing
Anewsurveyonuniversaldesignfeaturesinnew,singlefamilyhousingisscheduledto
beopenuntilOctober1,2004.Thefindingswillbeavailabletoallwhoparticipateand
areinterestedintheresults.Thepurposeofthissurveyistodeterminewhatdesign
featuresandproductsareconsideredessentialfornewhouses(particularlyintheprivate
housingmarket)tobeuniversallydesigned.Thissurveyisaboutuniversaldesign,thus,
includes,butisnotlimitedto,featuresofVisitAbilityandaccessibility.Questionsare
askedaboutdesignfeaturesandproductsandrespondentsselectwhethereachparticular
featureisessentialtouniversaldesign(Level1),enhancesuniversaldesign(Level2),or
shouldnotbeincludedasafeatureofuniversaldesign(Level3).
Theresultsofthissurveymaybeusedtoinformhousingprofessionals(educators,policy
makers,designers,buildersanddevelopers)astheydevelopstrategiestopromote
universaldesigninhousing.Yourparticipationinthissurveyisstronglyencouraged,
especiallyifyouhaveaworkingknowledgeofuniversaldesignandhousing.Your
participationiscriticalaswemovetowardmakinguniversaldesignthestandardforthe
designandconstructionofnew,singlefamilyhousing,ratherthantheexception.
Thesurveymaybetakenonlineorwithapapercopy.Itwilltakeyouapproximately30
minutestocomplete.Youcanaccessthesurveyonline(seebelow)orrequestahard
copybycontactingDr.SandraC.Hartje,AssociateProfessorofInteriorDesignand
Housing,SeattlePacificUniversityatshartje@spu.eduor2062812204.
Thesurveyisavailableat:http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2NPPH7K3
oUDEOCalendarandCalls/Competitions
TheUniversalDesignEducationOnline'sUpcomingCallsandCompetitionspagelists
severaldesigncompetitionsandopportunitiesthathavesocialjusticecomponents.These
competitionlistingsandlinkspromotecriticalinvestigationintothewaysthatdesigners
addresssocialequityandculturaldifferences.Professorsandstudentsmightfind
interestingopportunitiesforbothstudioandindependentwork.Thelistingsareupdated
monthly,andthereisanarchiveofpastcompetitionsforyourreference.
Also,theUniversalDesignEducationOnline'sCalendarofCurrentEventsannounces
manyconferencesandeventsthataddressissuesofdiversityandinclusionindesign.
Theselistingsgiveprofessorsandstudentsanexcellentoverviewofwhatishappening
worldwideinspecificareassuchasinformationdesign,interiordesign,community
development,urbandesign,environmentaldesign,engineering,industrialdesign,
architecture,landscapearchitecture,aging,tourism,andglobalization.Aswiththe
competitionpage,thelistingsareupdatedmonthly,andthereisanarchiveofpastevents
foryourreference.
TheUpcomingCallsandCompetitionpageisavailableat:
http://www.udeducation.org/resources/competitions/showcurrentcompetitions.aspThe
CalendarofCurrentEventspageisavailableat:
http://www.udeducation.org/resources/calendar/showcurrentevents.aspIfyouhavea
listingforthesepages,pleasesendittoElaineOstroffatElaine@ostroff.org
WORLD
oWorldBankDisabilityConference
IncelebrationoftheUnitedNation'sInternationalDayofDisabledPersons2004,the
WorldBankisholdingaconference,'DisabilityandInclusiveDevelopment:Sharing,
Learning,andBuildingAlliances,'November30December1,2004.Thisconferencewill
bringtogetherhundredsofdisabilityanddevelopmentexpertsfromaroundtheworld
whowillparticipateinpaneldiscussions,hearkeynoteaddressesfromdistinguished
speakerswithinthedisabilityandeconomicdevelopmentcommunities,browsethemany
disabilityrelateddisplaybooths,andshareknowledgeonstateofthearttechnologyand
bestpracticeindisabilitywork.ThiseventconstitutesthefollowuptotheDecember
2002internationaldisabilityconference.
Forfullconferencedetails,see:
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS
/EXTSOCIALPROTECTION/EXTDISABILITY/0,,contentMDK:
20241693~pagePK:148956~piPK:216618~theSitePK:282699,00.html
CALENDAR
Thoughthemaincalendarportionwassentoutearlier,thereisoneerrata.
ERRATAWhiteHouseConferenceis:October2326,2005andnotOctober2326,
2004aspreviouslystated.
GlobalUniversalDesignEducator'sNetworkemaillist
TheTraceResearchandDevelopmentCenteristhehostoftheeducator'semaillist.Note
thattheemaillistandtheOnlineNewsaretwodistinctfeatures.Thelistisinteractive,
unliketheOnlineNewsthatyoureceivebimonthly.Ifyouwanttobepartofan
interactiveemailexchangewithotherpeoplewhoareinterestedinteachingandlearning
aboutuniversaldesigneducation,youmustsubscribeasexplainedbelow.Onceyou
subscribeyouwillreceivedirectionsforhowtousethelist.
*Tosubscribegotohttp://trace.wisc.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/universaldesigned
whereyoucansubscribeonline.Youwillalsolearnmoreaboutthepurposeofthelist.
Addingyourinformation,questionstotheOnlineNews:Sendemailto
elaine@ostroff.orgwithCalendarlistingsandarticles.Articlesshouldbelimitedto300
words.Iftheissueistoofulltoinclude,andthetimelinessofthearticleallowsit,wemay
holdtheitemuntilthefollowingissue.
TosubscribetotheOnlineNews,sendanemailmessagetothesameaddress.Thereis
nocharge.
ElaineOstroff,Editor.DirectoroftheGlobalUniversalDesignEducator'sNetworkand
FoundingDirector,AdaptiveEnvironments
DianeRichard,EditorialAssistant.CenterforUniversalDesign,CollegeofDesign,
NorthCarolinaStateUniversity
TheGlobalUniversalDesignEducator'sOnlineNewsisproducedandpublishedthrough
contractswiththeCenterforUniversalDesignandtheAdaptiveEnvironmentsCenter,in
cooperationwiththeNationalInstituteonRehabilitationResearch.
375RiverRoadWestport,MA02790Tel5086366537Fax5086362674
elaine@ostroff.orgwww.universaldesign.net
SeptemberAccessWorldNowOnline
TheSeptember2004issueofAccessWorld,theAmericanFoundationfortheBlind's
technologymagazine,isnowavailableonourwebsite.
BesuretosignuptoreceiveAccessWorldExtra,theemailnewsletterproducedby
AccessWorldstaffineachofthesixmonthswhenAccessWorldisnotpublished.When
yousignupforAccessWorldExtra,youarealsoaddedtothelistofpeoplewhoreceive
emailannouncementswhenanewissueofAccessWorldisposted.
TheSeptemberissue,whichyoucanreadathttp://www.afb.org/accessworldfeatures:
DiabetesandVisualImpairment:AreHomeBloodPressureMonitorsAccessible?
StevenTaylor,DarrenBurton,andMarkUslan
Weevaluatetheaccessibilityofhomebloodpressuremonitors.Theauthorsstatethatin
managingdiabetes,maintainingproperbloodpressureisasimportantasmaintaining
properbloodglucoselevels.Studieshaveshownthatpeoplewithdiabetesaretwiceas
likelytodevelophighbloodpressure(alsocalledhypertension)andthatmorethan50
percentofpeoplewithdiabetesactuallydohavehighbloodpressure.Despitethefactthat
nearlyonethirdofthe17millionAmericanswithdiabeteshaveavisualimpairment,this
articleshowsthatthereisanextremeshortageofaccessiblemedicaldevicestohelpthese
peoplemonitortheirhealth.
RecognizingandRewarding:AReviewofOPENBookandKurzweil1000Koert
Wehberg,DeborahKendrick,andJayLeventhal
Weevaluatethetwoleadingopticalcharacterrecognition(OCR)packages.OCR
technologycontinuestoimprove,andbothcompanieskeepaddingotherfeatures,suchas
theabilitytosearchtheWebforebooks,createMP3s,readPDFfiles,recognize
currency,andmore.Asaresult,peoplehavebegunusingbothoftheseproductsformore
andmoretasksatworkandathome.Findouthowtheycomparewithoneanother.
TheManandtheMachine:AnInterviewwithRayKurzweilJayLeventhal
Kurzweil,renownedinventorandfuturist,wastheprincipaldeveloperofthefirstomni
fontopticalcharacterrecognitionprogram,thefirstCCD(chargecoupleddevice)flat
bedscanner,thefirsttexttospeechsynthesizer,thefirstmusicsynthesizercapableof
recreatingthegrandpianoandotherorchestralinstruments,thefirstcommercially
marketedlargevocabularyspeechrecognitionsoftwareand,ofcourse,thefirsttextto
speechreadingmachineforpeoplewhoareblind.Itwasfascinatingtohearfirsthandhis
accountofeventsfrombackinthemid1970s,aswellassomeamazingdevelopmentshe
predictsascomputerscontinuetogrowsmallerandmorepowerfulinthetwentyfirst
century.
YouCanTakeItWithYouII:AReviewofTwoMorePortableCCTVsCarol
Farrenkopf
ThisarticleevaluatestwoportableCCTVs,theQuickLookfromAshTechnologiesand
theAssistVisionSliderAV300fromTIMESCorporation.TheSliderisalightweight,
compactCCTV,whiletheQuickLookisahandhelddevicethatcanfitinapocketor
purse.Thetwodeviceswereusedbystudentsandadultsinavarietyoflocations.Ratings
andfeatureschartscomparethesetwoproductswithproductsinthesamecategoriesthat
Dr.FarrenkopfreviewedinourJuly2004issue.
OutoftheBlue:UsabilityTestingatIBMJosephSacco,GuidoCorona,andLeila
Johannesen
ThreeIBMstaffmembersdescribeIBMusabilitytestingconductedatthecompany's
SiliconValleyLaboratoryinSanJose,California.Peoplewhoareblindorvisually
impairedtestedtheusabilityofonlinedocumentationforIBMproducts.Theywere
questionedaboutdescriptionsoffiguresindocumentation,wherefiguresshouldbe
placed,whetherpraisessuchas"beginfiguredescription"areusefulandhow
complicateddescriptionsoffigurescouldbemademoreuseful.Theresultswillbe
incorporatedintofutureIBMproducts.IBMhasbeenaleaderinaccessibilityfor
decades.WehopeothermainstreamcompanieswillfollowIBM'sleadinincluding
peoplewhoareblindorvisuallyimpairedinusabilitytesting.
AVirtualVirtuoso:CathyAnneMurthaDeborahKendrick
WeinterviewCathyAnneMurtha,founderofAccessTechnologyInstitute.Murthadoes
herparttofillthegapofqualifiedtrainersinthefieldbyteachingbeginnerstouse
assistivetechnology,writingtextbooks,andconductingonlinetrainingviavoicechat.Sit
inonaclasswithKendrickandlearnaboutthisexcellentsourceforincreasingyour
knowledgefromthecomfortofyourownhome.
NotJustPlayingAround:AReviewofAccessibleWindowsBasedGamesJim
DenhamandHeatherMcComas
WereviewaccessiblegamesfromAllinPlay,BSCGames,andGMAGames.Whether
youwanttodriveatankthroughenemyterritoryorsimplyplayagoodgameofcards,
theauthorsfindthereissomethingforyou.
Contactusataccessworld@afb.netandletusknowwhatyouthinkofthenew,webonly
AccessWorld.
Access&TechnologyBriefly
(Jennifer@wid.org)
Washington,DCMetroofficialsexperienceobstaclesfacingsystem'sdisabledriders
Masstransituserswithmobilitydisabilitiesrelyonelevatorstomovefromplatformto
platformorfromthestationtothestreet.Whenelevatorsbreak,ahalfhourcommute
oftenbecomesaseveralhourordeal.AccordingtoarecentWashingtonPostarticle,as
partofthefirstDisabilitiesAwarenessDay,hostedbytheMetropolitanWashington
CouncilofGovernments,12commuterswithdisabilitiestooklocalofficialsonatrip
throughdowntownWashington,DConWashington'sMetro,sothattheofficialscould
experiencefirsthandtheobstaclespersonswithdisabilitiesfacedailyjusttryingtoget
fromonelocationtoanotherusingtherailsystem.Detailsonline:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/articles/A498412004Oct20.html.
SomepeoplewithmobilityimpairmentspreferSegwaystoscooters
AccordingtoarecentNewYorkTimesarticle,severalhundredpeoplenationwidethat
needassistancewalking,butnotawheelchair,useSegways.TheSegwaycurrentlydoes
notfitintothedefinitionfollowedbytheU.S.DepartmentofTransportationin
implementingtheAmericansWithDisabilitiesActandisnotapprovedormarketedfor
useasamedicaldevice,butsomedisabledridersarestillwillingtopayatleast$3000to
haveone.Detailsonline:http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/14/technology/circuits/
14segw.html?ex=1099643131&ei=1&en=35d2b6b3506d341d.
U.S.TVshowrenovateshometoprovideaccessiblefeatures
ApopularU.S.realityTVshow,ExtremeMakeover:HomeEdition,recentlyfeatureda
homemakeoverforacoupleinDetroitwhoaredeafandtheirtwosons,a14yearold
whoishearinganda12yearoldwhoisblindandautistic.TheExtremeMakeovercrew
andtheteamtheyassembledworkedtogivethisfamilyhightechcommunicationand
safetysolutionscurrentlyavailabletoindividualswholivewithhearingimpairments.The
14yearold,concernedabouthowhisfamilywillbeabletocommunicatewhenheenters
highschoolandthenontocollege,gottheattentionoftheExtremeMakeoverteam.The
showcreatedasystemthatallowstheparentstocommunicatewitheachotherusingsign
language,evenwhentheyareindifferentrooms,andwithfriendsandfamilyoutsidethe
homeandincludesavarietyofsignalingdevices.TheTVshowrespondstorequests
fromviewersfornecessaryremodelingforvariousreasonsandhasbeguntoinclude
accessibilityasarationaleforitsservices.Fordetails,visittheExtremeMakeover:Home
Editionwebsiteathttp://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index.html.
Philippinesrailsystemreceivesawardforaccessibilitybyparentsorganization
TheLRTLine2,a13.8kmelevatedrailsystemconnectingPasig,Marikina,Quezon
City,SanJuanandManilainThePhilippines,openedinApril2003.TheLRT'sPurple
LinewasrecentlyawardedbytheParentAdvocatesforVisuallyImpairedChildrenas
oneoftwohandicappedfriendlytransportationestablishments.TheLRT2features:
Braillebuttonsonthecontrolsofitselevators,whicharereservedforpeoplewith
disabilities,seniorcitizensandpregnantwomen;embossedpathfindingtactilestoguide
visuallyimpairedpassengerstothetrains;announcementsofeachnextstop;wheelchair
rampsinallitsstations;spacesdesignatedforpeoplewhousewheelchairsandmobility
devices,andcertainseatsclearlydesignatedbysignssaying,"Pleasevacateforthe
disabledandelderly."Detailsonline:http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?
index=1&col=&story_id=13642.
USdisabilityorganizationsfilepetitionaboutcaptioningqualitywithgovernment
TheAmericanAssociationofPeoplewithDisabilitieshasjoinedtheAssociationofLate
DeafenedAdults,theDeafandHardofHearingConsumerAdvocacyNetwork,the
NationalAssociationoftheDeaf,andSelfHelpforHardofHearingPeopleinsupporting
TelecommunicationsfortheDeaf,Inc.,infilingaPetitionforRulemakingonJuly23,
2004,askingtheFederalCommunicationsCommission(FCC)toaddresslongstanding
qualityissuesinclosedcaptioningofallbroadcast,cableandsatellitetelevision
programmingforviewerswhoareDeaf,hardofhearingorlatedeafened.Section713of
theTelecommunicationActof1996currentlyrequiresthat75%ofallnewprogramming
becaptioned,whichwillincreaseto100%ofallnewanaloganddigitaltelevision
programmingin2006,butadditionalenforcementmechanismsarenecessarytoensure
fullimplementationoftherulesandtoincreaseaccountabilityfornoncompliance.As
partofongoingeffortstopromotemoreconsumerinvolvementwiththeFCCandother
governmentagencies,televisionviewerswhouseclosedcaptioningareencouragedto
sharetheirownexperienceswiththeFCC.Fordetailsonline:http://www.aapd
dc.org/News/aapd/landmark.html.
ScienceFictionbecomesrealityfordisabledpeopleunabletousetheirhands
Likesomethingoutofasciencefictionmovie,theCyberkineticsBrainGate,atinysensor
arrayimplantedinthebrain,hasenabledaquadriplegicmantocheckemail,play
computergamesandmanipulatetelevisioncontrols.BrainGate,themostsophisticated
implantofitskind,contains100electrodes,eachonetappingintoaseparateneuron.
BasedonmorethantenyearsofdevelopmentatBrownUniversity,theBrainGate(TM)
Systemisintendedtoprovideseverelydisabledpeoplewithapermanent,directand
reliableinterfacetoapersonalcomputer.TheCompanyhasinitiatedapilot(feasibility)
clinicaltrialoftheBrainGate(TM)Systeminuptofiveseverelydisabledpeopleunable
tousetheirhands.ToreadmoreaboutBrainGateonline:
http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/ScienceFictionNews.asp?NewsNum=230.
Internetaccessadvocatesforvisionimpairedpeopleareslowlymakingprogress
DisabilityadvocatesappeartobeslowlygaininggroundinmakingInternetsitesmore
accessibletoInternetuserswithvisualimpairments.Someadvocatesarechoosingtotry
workingwithcorporationstochangetheirpracticesratherthanfilinglawsuitsagainst
them.Theseadvocatesrecognizethatcompaniesarenotdoingenoughtomaketheirbank
machines,brochures,andwebsitesaccessibletothevisionimpaired.Although,the
federalgovernmentamendedthe21yearoldRehabilitationActtoincludeSection508in
1998,requiringallfederalagenciesandcompaniesdoingbusinesswiththegovernment
tocomplywithsomebasicwebsiteaccessibilityguidelines,mostadvocacygroupssay
the1990AmericanswithDisabilitiesAct,prohibitingdiscriminationbyemployersand
businesses,shouldbethelegalbenchmarkforwebsiteaccessibility.Webaccessibility
guidelineshavetoconstantlybeupdated,andforuserswithvisionimpairments,access
beginswithensuringthattheprogrammingcodeusedtobuildthesiteiscompatiblewith
screenreaders.Advocateshopethattheycanconsultwithbigcompaniestomaketheir
websitesaccessible,thusminimizinglawsuits.Detailsonline:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash
/oct2004/nf20041027_6496_db016.htm.
UKlawentersnewphase,requiringaccessfordisabledpersonstobusinesses
TheDisabilityDiscriminationActintheUKhasnowmovedintoanewphase,requiring
shops,restaurantsandotherbusinessestoensuredisabledpeoplecanusethesame
servicesofferedtoablebodiedpeople.Disabilityactivistswarnthattherewilllikelybe
courtcasestoenforcerightsordirectactionagainstspecificoffenders.TheDisability
RightsCommissionoverseestheimplementationofthenewlegislation.Detailsonline:
http://www.ananova.com/business/story
/sm_1123257.html?menu=business.latestheadlines
NewOntariolegislationaimstomakeOntariocompletelyaccessiblewithin20years
ThegovernmentofOntariohasintroducedlegislationtophaseinnewaccessibility
regulationsforbusinesseswiththegoalofmakingOntariofullyaccessibletopersons
withdisabilitiesin20years.Thefirstpieceoflegislationintroducedinthisfallsession,
theOntarianswithDisabilitiesAct,callsforseparateconsultationswithlargeandsmall
businesses,themanufacturingandretailsectorsaswellaspersonswithdisabilitiesto
determinewhatstandardswouldberequiredandwhentheywouldbeintroduced.Details
online:http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/10/12/666223cp.html.
LegalsetbackforwebsiteaccessadvocatesintheUS
InSeptemberthe11thCircuitCourtofAppealsruledthatWebpublishersarenot
requiredtocomplywiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.Upholdingalowercourt's
decisionfromOctober2002,whichconcludedthatwebsitescannotberequiredtocomply
withthe1990disabilitieslaw(inresponsetoalawsuitbyanadvocacygroupfortheblind
seekingaredesignoftheSouthwestAirlineswebsite),thethreejudgepanelnotedthata
futurecasecouldprovideavehicleforexploringthequestioningreaterdepth.TheADA
saysthatany"placeofpublicaccommodation"mustbeaccessibletopeoplewith
disabilitiesandincludescategoriessuchashotels,restaurants,shoppingcenters,
universitiesandbowlingalleys.ItdoesnotnametheInternet.Toreadanarticleaboutthe
decisiononline:http://news.zdnet.com/210095885384087.html.
Disabilitygroupsaccusedofconflictofinterestinevotingcontroversy
SomedisabilitygroupsintheUSareclaimingtheyaresimplyfightingfortherighttouse
accessiblemachines,becausetouchscreenvotingsystemsaretheonlyonesthatallow
themtocastballotswithoutassistance.Othersareaccusingthesegroupsofbeingusedby
thecompaniesthatmakeelectronicvotingmachinestoincreasecompanyprofits,and
worse,oftakingmoneyfromthesecompaniesandnotdisclosingtheserelationships
whileadvisingstatesandfederalagenciesandadvocatingforvotingaccessand
legislation.ToreadanarticlefromWiredMagazineabouttheseallegationsofconflicts
ofinterestandquestionablemotives,pleasevisit
http://www.wired.com/news/evote/0,2645,65292,00.html.
Employment
BookAnnouncement:DeclineofEmploymentof
DisabledAmericans
ByMarkT.Richards,ILRUProject
TheDeclineinEmploymentofPeoplewithDisabilities,aPolicyPuzzle.EditedbyDavid
C.StapletonandRichardV.Burkhauser.PublishedbyCornellUniversity.
APolicyPuzzle,editedbyDavidC.StapletonandRichardV.Burkhauser.Therelease
statesthatthoughresearchersagreethattheemploymentrateforworkingagedpeople
withdisabilitiesdeclinedduringthe1990s,theydon'tagreeonthemaincauseforthis
decline.Somecitetheincreasingseverityofdisabilitieswhileothersarguethattheeasing
ofeligibilitystandardsandincreasesintherelativebenefitsofSocialSecuritydisability
programs(SSIandSSDI)aretoblame.Stillothersarguethatthepassageand
implementationoftheADAoffersarationaleforthedecline.AnewbookfromtheW.E.
UpjohnInstituteswingsopenthedoorsonthisdebate.Itpresentsthelatestresearchon
theemploymentwoesoftheworkingagedpopulationwithdisabilitiesinawaythatis
accessiblenotonlytoresearchers,buttopolicymakers,advocacygroups,andgrassroots
disabilitycommunities.
TheDeclineinEmploymentofPeoplewithDisabilities:aPolicyPuzzlebeginswitha
documentationoftheemploymentratedeclineandendsbyspellingouttheimplications
ofthisdeclineforpublicpolicy.However,thebulkofthebookprovidesadetailed
examinationofthevariousexplanationsforthepuzzlingdeclineinemploymentamong
theworkingagedpopulationwithdisabilities.Astheeditorsstateintheirintroductory
chapter,
"Giventherobusteconomicexpansionofthe1990sandthepromiseofgreater
independencethatisembodiedintheADA,thisdeclineinbothemploymentandits
importanceforhouseholdincomemightreasonablybeconsideredadisasterforthe
workingagedpopulationwithdisabilities.Hence,itisnotsurprisingthatthisdeclinein
measuredemploymenthasgeneratedamajordebate,representedinthisbook,overthe
qualityofthenumbersproducedbycurrentdatasetsand,ifcredible,thecausesforthis
unprecedenteddecline."
ThebookisanoutgrowthofaconferenceorganizedbyCornellUniversity's
RehabilitationResearchandTrainingCenterforEconomicResearchonEmployment
PolicyforPersonswithDisabilities,withfundingfromtheU.S.Departmentof
Education'sNationalInstituteonDisabilityandRehabilitationResearch.Includedare:
Introduction,RichardV.BurkhauserandDavidC.Stapleton
AUser'sGuidetoCurrentStatisticsontheEmploymentofPeoplewithDisabilities,
RichardV.Burkhauser,AndrewJ.Houtenville,andDavidC.Wittenburg
EmploymentDeclinesamongPeoplewithDisabilities:PopulationMovements,
IsolatedExperience,orBroadPolicyConcern?,AndrewJ.HoutenvilleandMaryC.
Daly
HaveChangesintheNatureofWorkortheLaborMarketReducedEmployment
ProspectsofWorkerswithDisabilities?,DavidC.Stapleton,NanetteGoodman,and
AndrewJ.Houtenville
RisingHealthCareExpendituresandtheEmploymentofPeoplewithHighCost,
ChronicConditions,StevenC.Hill,GinaA.Livermore,andAndrewJ.Houtenville
EmploymentandtheChangingDisabilityPopulation,H.StephenKaye
TheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActandtheEmploymentofPeoplewithDisabilities,
ThomasDeLeire
DoestheDefinitionAffecttheOutcome?EmploymentTrendsUnderAlternative
MeasuresofDisability,DouglasKruseandLisaSchur
IsItTimetoDeclaretheADAaFailedLaw?,PeterD.Blanck,SusanSchwochau,
andChenSong
TheRoleofDisabilityInsuranceinExplainingtheRecentDeclineinthe
EmploymentRateofPeoplewithDisabilities,NanetteGoodmanandTimothy
Waidmann
AReviewoftheEvidenceandItsImplicationsforPolicyChange,RichardV.
BurkhauserandDavidC.Stapleton.
TheDeclineinEmploymentofPeoplewithDisabilities:APolicyPuzzle,DavidC.
StapletonandRichardV.Burkhauser,editors,ispublishedbytheW.E.UpjohnInstitute
forEmploymentResearch,August2003.448pp.$45clothISBN0880992603/$22
paperISBN088099259X.Opinionsexpressedaresolelythoseoftheauthors.We
encourageyoutorequestareviewcopyofthisbook.
Thisreleaseisavailableathttp://www.upjohninst.org/publications/ntr.html.Readthe
introductorychapterofthisbookathttp://www.upjohninst.org/publications/ch1/depd.pdf
.
Ghana:SkillsTrainingtoDiscourageBegging
ByDeniseNepveux.AnastasiaDareisManageroftheDr.GodfreyS.Bacheyie
WorkshopfortheDisabledinJirappa,UpperWestRegion,Ghana.ThankstoTahiru
Bamuahforprovidinginterpretationforthisinterview.
Pleasedescribetheworkyouaredoinghereatthecenter.
Ourgoalsaretodiscouragebeggingandtogetintegratedintosociety.Wedoskills
trainingtodiscouragebegging.Wetrainourfellowdisabledpersonssothattheyhave
incomegeneratingskills.Wearetrainingtheminseamstressandknittingand
shoemakinginordertopromoteselfreliance.
Whyisitimportanttodiscouragebeggingamongdisabledpeople?
A:Wedon'thavetherespectofhumanbeingsbecauseweareontheroadside,begging.
Peopledon'trespectus.Ourparentsfeelwearedisgracingthemsotheywanttoshunand
eliminateusordischargeusaway.Sowediscourageit[begging]amongstourselves.We
letourrelationswithourcommunitiescometogether.Afterthat,ourrelationshipswith
ourcommunitiesimproveandwelivetogetherinharmony.
Howdoestraininghelpyoutogetintegratedintosociety?
Fromtraining,webecomeabletoearnourownincome.Thenthere'snoneedtoaskany
helpfromanyotherperson.Theyseethatwecontributetothedevelopmentofthe
community.Soweareimportant.
Youmentionedthatfamilieswantto"eliminateus."Whyandhow?Isthisstillhappening
now?
Theyseeusaspeoplewithnopotentials.Useless.Liabilities.Theyseeusascursed.We
representabadspirit,orthatthegodsareangryandwanttopunishthefamily.Another
thingthattheysaytoadisabledpersonisthatGodneededtomakeyoumalfunction,
otherwiseyouwouldhavebeenevenmoredangeroustohumanity.Weare[seenas]
curseswithinthefamilyandwedon'thaveanypotentials.Soweareuselessamongthem.
Wearealiability.That'stheirmind.
Inmycase,Iwas14yearsoldwhenIgotpolio.Myparentsstoppedsendingmeto
school.IsensedthedangerofneglectandIappealedtoCatholicmissionariestohelpme.
Theysupportedmetoobtainseamstresstraining,andIlivedwiththem.NowIliveonmy
ownandItrainotherstobeseamstresses.
QuickTime and a
AnastasiaDare(seated)inherworkshop
YoumentionedsomethingbeforeaboutchangesinJirappaoverthepastyears.Canyou
saymoreaboutthat?
Alotofchangeshavehappenedsincewecametogethertoformadisabledpeople's
organization.Theorganizationhasbeenheresince1990,andthecentersince1996.We
realizethatwehaveajobtodonow.Nowtherearefifteenwomentrainingatourcenter
insewingtablecloths,knitting,andotherthings.Therearealsofourmenlearning
shoemaking.Wedon'tsitinthehouse.Nowweareprovingmoreabledthandisabled.
Andthesedays,peopleareseeingusdifferently.Theyhavestartedinvitingusto
functionsinthecommunity.
Anotherchangeisinhowwearereceivedatourchurches.Atfirst,theywouldaskyou,a
disabledperson,nottositonachair.Ratherwehadtositonthefloorandwewouldn'tbe
giventhechancetoshakehandswithothersortosingwiththechoir.Since1990wehave
beenrealizingachange.Weusethechurchestohelpmobilizeourmembers.Whenwe
announcemeetingsinchurches,theyseethatwecanthinkanddothingsforourselves.
Anotherthingistheoutreachprogram:disabledpersonseducatethepublic.Wegoand
gatherpeopleandeducatethemthatdisabilityisn'tacurse,norisitinability.Itis
anybody'slot.Inthehouses,disabledpeoplehavebeenlockedup,hidden.Womenare
traditionallynotsenttoschool,orstoppedfromattending.Nowgirlsaregoingmore,and
disabledpersonsarealsobeingsenttoschool.Wekeepformsfortheblindanddeaf
schoolsatthecenter,andparentshavecometofillthemout.Sopeoplehavestarted
bringingtheirchildrenout.
Madagascar:WorkforceIntegrationofWomenwith
Disabilities
[enfranais]
ThemissionoftheCentreSembanaMijoro,whichIhead,istoeducateandmobilize
peoplewithphysicaldisabilities,inparticularwomenandyounggirls.
Ourgeneralgoalistofacilitatethesocioeconomicintegrationofdisabledpeople,with
threespecificobjectives:
toincreasethenumberofdisabledchildrenenrolledinschools
toreducethenumberofdisabledadultsoutofwork
tosensitizethegeneralpublictotherightsofpeoplewithdisabilitiestoeducationand
toemployment.
Duringthecenter'sfirstyearinoperationfromJuly1,2003toJune30,200426
disabledchildrenandyoungpeoplewereabletobenefitfromthefinancial,technical,and
psychologicalhelpwhichtheprogramoffers.
Activitiesduringfirstyear
Overall,theprogramactivitiesduringthefirstyearhaveyieldedthefollowingresults:
Assessmentofabilities
26childrenandyouthintheprogram,ofwhich
10graduatetothenextgrade
02repeattheyear
03findemployment(02throughthecenterand01onherown)
02areengagedinprofessionaltraining
07followaremedialcourse
02arepreparingtoopentheirowngroceryrestaurant
Assessmentofbehaviors
Theyaccepttheirdisability,anddonotconsideritanobstacletotheirphysical,
intellectualandmoraldevelopment.Theyalwaystrytogivethebestofthemselves.
However,oneyoungwomanishavingdifficultyinrelatingtoothersbecauseeithersheis
overzealousandbothersothers,orshewallsherselfupinsilenceandalsobothersthem.
Accordingtothistable,threedisabledpersonsarepresentlyintegratedintheworking
worldwherecompetitionandcreativityprevail.
Itisn'teasytofindcompaniesinterestedinhiring,duetothefactthatpeopleconsiderthe
disabledasincapableoflearningandofworkingsinceforthem,disabilityautomatically
affectstheintellectualquotient.
Twoprongedapproach
Whathavewedoneinresponse?Wehaveoptedforatwoprongedapproach,which
meansweworkonpreparingboththeemployersandthefuturejobseekersforeach
other.
ShortlyaftertheinaugurationofthecenterinJuly2003,westartedcontactingthe
employers'uniontofamiliarizethemwithourprogramfirstofall,andalsotomakethem
apartnerinourefforts.Wehavefeltacertainreluctance,butthishasnotstoppedus
fromcontinuingourworkofquestioningandnegotiating.Asfortheemployerswhofeel
readytorecruitourdisabledyoungpeople(veryfewatthemoment),theyhaveexpressed
awishtofinddisabledpeoplewhonotonlyhavetheability,butalsothesocialskillsand
thestrongmotivationtosucceed.
Wemaintainregularcontactwiththeseemployersinordertolistentotheirneedsin
termsofhumanresourcesandtoorientourdisabledyoungwomentowardpromising
careeropportunities.
Ourapproachtothedisabledjobseekersistoincitethemtoshowofftheirabilitiesrather
thantheirdisabilityandtoadapttotheirenvironment,inparticulartheinaccessiblepublic
placesandinfrastructure.Itistruethatprogressinsuchacontextisdifficult,butsince
lifemustgoon,itwasnecessarytoadapttoit,withoutlosingsightoftheworkof
advocacyconcerningtheenforcementofbilln97044ontherightsofpeoplewith
disabilities.
Weeklytrainingsessions
Inourweeklytrainingsession,wealsoteachourfuturejobseekershowtorelatewith
otherpeople,howtotakeresponsibilityforthemselves,andthevalueofintellectualand
moralhonesty.
Tothisday,ourtwoprongedapproachhasprovensuccessfulbecauseeveryonewins:
Theemployerswhorecruitedourdisabledyoungwomenreporttheirsatisfaction
becausetheyworkwell,respecttheircolleagues,andarriveontime(3monthshave
passed).
Thedisabledyoungwomenaremeetingtheirneeds,makingnewfriends,andtaking
chargeoftheirfuture.
TheCentreSembanaMijorohasmetoneofitsgoals,toreducethenumberof
disabledpersonsoutofwork.
Thecenter'sfirstyearinoperationhasbeenasuccess,owingtothecompletededication
ofthebeneficiaries,theparents,theeducators,andthestafftooureducationphilosophy,
wherebyonecannotlivebyproxy,andeachofushastotakeaction.
Wethinkthatwiththiscontinuingsuccess,wewillbeabletoprogressivelyintegratethe
disabledyoungwomenwhohavejoinedthecenterintotheworkingworld.
Madagascar:Versl'integrationProgressivedes
FemmesHandicapeesDansleMondedeTravail
ParFelaRazafinjato(fela.csm@netclub.mg)
LeCentreSembanaMijorodontjedirigesefixecommemissionprincipaled'duqueret
deresponsabiliserdespersonnesensituationdehandicapphysique,notammentlesfilles
etlesfemmes.
Sonobjectifgnralestdefavoriserl'intgrationsocioconomiquedespersonnes
handicapesettroispointsdterminentsesobjectifsspcifiques,savoir:
augmenterlenombredesenfantshandicapsscolariss
rduirelenombredesadulteshandicapschmeurs
sensibiliserlapopulationsurlesdroitsl'ducationetl'emploidespersonnes
handicapes.
LeCentreaterminsapremireanned'exercicedu01Juillet2003au30Juin2004et
aucoursdelaquelle26enfantsetjeuneshandicapsphysiquesontpubnficierdel'aide
financire,techniqueetpsychologiqueofferteparl'association.
Demaniregnrale,lesactivitseffectuespendantlapremireanned'exercice
enregistrentlesrsultatssuivants:
Evaluationdescapacits
26enfantsetjeuneshandicapsphysiquesprisenchargedont
10sontadmisenclassesuivante
02redoublentlaclasse
03trouventunemploi(02placesparlecentreet01placeparellemme)
02sontencoursdeformationprofessionnelle
07suiventuncoursderemiseniveau
02prparentlamiseenplacedeleurpetitepiceriegargote
Evaluationdescomportements
Ellesacceptentleurhandicapetneleconsidrentpascommeunfacteurdeblocageleur
panouissementphysique,intellectueletmoral.Ellesessaienttoujoursdedonnerle
meilleurd'ellesmmes.
Nanmoins,unejeunefilleprouveunedifficultrelationnellecarsoitellefaitunexcs
dezleetdrangelesautres,soitellesemuredanssonmutismeetdrangeaussiles
autres.
Auvudecetableau,troispersonneshandicapessontactuellementintgresdansle
mondedetravailoprvalentlaconcurrence,lacomptitivitetlacrativit.
Iln'estpasfaciledetrouverdesentreprisesd'accueil,tantdonnquelesgens
considrentlespersonneshandicapescommedespersonnesincapablesd'apprendreetde
travaillercarpoureux,l'invaliditaffecteautomatiquementlequotientintellectuel.
Qu'estcequenousavonsfait?Nousavonsadoptlapolitiquedetransversalitc'est
direnousprparonslafoislesemployeursetlesfutursdemandeursd'emploi
handicaps.
Peuaprsl'ouvertureducentreenjuillet2003,nousavonscommenccontacterle
syndicatdesemployeurspourleurexpliquerlesactivitsducentred'unepart,etpourles
associernotredmarched'autrepart.Desrticencessefontsentirmaiscelanenous
empchepasdepoursuivrenosactionsd'interpellationetdengociation.Pourles
employeursquisedisentprtsrecruternosjeuneshandicaps(trspeupourle
moment),ilsontmislesouhaitd'avoirdespersonneshandicapesayantnonseulement
unecapacitmaisaussiuneaisancerelationnelleetunefortevolontderussir.
Nousmaintenonsrgulirementcescontactsaveclesemployeurspourtrel'coutede
leursbesoinsenmatirederessourceshumainesetorienternosjeunesfilleshandicapes
auxmtiersporteursdedbouchs.
Notredmarchevisvisdesdemandeursd'emploihandicapsestdelesinciterfaire
valoirleurscapacitsmaispasleurhandicapets'adapterl'environnementdanslequel
ilssetrouvent,notammentlesinaccessibilitsdesinfrastructuresetlieuxpublics.Ilest
vraiquec'estdifficiledes'voluerdansuntelcontextemaiscommelaviecontinue,il
fallaits'yadaptersansperdredevuelesactionsderevendicationsconcernant
l'applicationdelaloin97044surlesdroitsdespersonneshandicapes.
Dansnotresanced'encadrementhebdomadaire,nousenseignonsgalementnosfuturs
demandeursd'emploilaprisederesponsabilits,lesrelationsavecautrui,lavaleurde
l'honntetintellectuelleetmorale.Lehandicapn'estpasunobstaclepourdevenirunbon
citoyen,unebonnecitoyenne.
Acejour,cettepolitiquedetransversalitafaitsespreuvescartoutlemondeest
gagnant:
Lesemployeursquiontrecrutnosjeunesfilleshandicapesdclarenttresatisfaits
carellestravaillentbien,respectentleurscollgues,arriventl'heure(3moissont
couls).
Lesjeunesfilleshandicapessubviennentleursbesoins,sefontdesamis,prennent
desdcisionsconcernantleuravenir.
LeCentreSembanaMijoroaatteintundessesobjectifsquiestderduirelenombre
deshandicapschmeurs.
Lapremireanned'activitducentres'estsolded'unrsultatpositif,grcel'adhsion
totaledesbnficiaires,desparents,desducateurs,dupersonnelnotredevise
d'enseignementselonlaquelleiln'yapasdevieparprocuration,c'estchacunquidoit
agir.
Nouspensonsqu'aveccersultatpositif,nousparviendronsinsrerprogressivement
danslemondedetravaillesjeunesfilleshandicapesquisontprisesenchargeparle
centre.
SouthAfrica:CompanyRecruitsWorkerswith
Disabilities
ByMarkT.Richards,ILRUProject
IndependentOnline(IOL)(www.iol.co.za)reportsthattheblackempowerment
companythePhaPahmaAfricaEmployeeeEmpowermentTrustandtheWorkforce
GroupHoldingshavedevelopedageneralstaffserviceproviderPhaPhamaAfricaStaff
Servicesthatisaggressivelypromotingrecruitingneedsofpeoplewithdisabilitiesto
mainstreampositions.
The(SouthAfrican)EmploymentEquityActrequireseliminatingunfairdiscrimination,
butuptonowPhaPhamafeelsmostcompanieshavefocusedonraceandgenderasa
meansofeliminatingdiscrimination,buthavenot,asyet,donemuchaboutpeoplewith
disabilities.
WorkforceGroupHoldings,whichiscomposedofvariouscompanies,willprovidethe
initialdevelopmentfunding,management,guidance,infrastructuresupportand
administrativeassistance.
DevelopmentmanagerZandileLudwabasays"theultimategoalisforPhaPhamatobe
completelymanagedandstaffedbypeoplefromdisadvantagedcommunities,"IOL
reports.Additionally,Ludwabasaysapersonwithadisabilitywhoiswellqualified
shouldbeinapositiontofindagoodjobsinceemployersneedtofulfilltheirobligation
intermsoftheEmploymentEquityAct.
But,ofcourse,thereexiststheseeminglychronicstigmasassociatedwithhiringpeople
withdisabilities.Employersthinkhiringpeoplewithdisabilitiesmaycreateproblemsin
theworkplace,oftenassumingcompanieswillincuradditionalexpensesinmakingtheir
workplaceaccessible.
"Thisisnotnecessarilythecase,"Ludwabapointsout,"asmanyworkplacesrequirelittle
ornoadaptation."
Additionally,theIOLarticlepointsoutthatPhaPhamaprovidesthesupportemployers
andemployeeswithdisabilitiesneedtoformamoreproductiveworkingrelationship,and
Ludwabasaysmostexistingemployeessoonsettledownafterfindingthatpeoplewith
disabilitiesarereallynotthatdifferentfromtheirothercolleagues.
ThissortofcoalitionbetweenorganizationslikePhaPhamaandestablishedbusiness
organizations,suchasthoserepresentedinWorkforceGroupHoldings,isanidealwayto
mainstreampeoplewithdisabilitiesintobusinessandbydoingsodispelling
preconceivednotionsofasegmentofthepopulationwhocanhavenoproactiveinfluence
onsociety.
AsLudwabapointsout,"Ourapplicantswithdisabilitiesaren'taskingforhandouts.
Theyarepreparedtobeasproductiveastheirablebodiedcolleagues,andtheyexpectto
earnmarketrelatedsalaries."
NewProjecttoTrainBlindSouthAfricansasRevenue
Agents
TheFinanceMinisterofSouthAfricalaunchedajointjobtrainingprojectonJuly13
betweentheRevenueServiceandtheNationalCouncilfortheBlind,withthegoalof
preparingmorethan700blindpersonsforthelabormarket.Tobegin,theRevenue
Servicewillsupporttrainingof10blindstudentsascallcenteragentsandtheemploy
them.
ArecentresearchstudybytheNationalCouncilfortheBlindrevealedthatdisabled
peoplearetheleastemployedgroupinthecountry,witharateof0.28%inthecorporate
sector.Atleast2.2millionSouthAfricanshavephysicaldisabilitiesandthosewhoare
blindaccountforthelargestsegment.Details:www.dpsa.org.za/displayArticle.asp?
id=118
Employmentbriefly
U.S.EqualOpportunityEmploymentCommissionIssuesFactSheetonIntellectual
DisabilityintheWorkplace
InhonorofnationalEmployment&DisabilityMonth,theEqualOpportunity
EmploymentCommissionhasissuedanextensivefactsheeton"IntellectualDisabilityin
theWorkplace."Approximately1%oftheU.S.populationor2.5millionpeoplehave
someformofintellectualdisability,formerlyknownasmentalretardation.Ofthese,only
about31%areemployed.
Thefactsheetexplainscomprehensively,inQuestionandAnswerformat,theapplication
oftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActtopeoplewithintellectualdisabilitiesinthe
workplace,usingabbreviatedcasehistoriesandindepthsupportinginformation.Checkit
outat:www.eeoc.gov/facts.intellectual_disabilities.html
SuccessStoriesfromU.S.ResearchCenteronWorkplaceSupports
MBNA,theworld'slargestindependentcreditcardissuerwithoperationsthroughoutthe
US,Canada,Ireland,Spain,andtheUK,isfeaturedasacasestudyformodelingan
inclusiveworkenvironmentwhereeachpersonisgiventhesupportnecessaryandan
opportunitytobesuccessful.MBNAofferstheiremployeesmeaningfulworkandthe
education,equipment,andsupporttoaccomplishit.Thecompany'sSupportServices
Departmentcurrentlyprovidesopportunitiestohundredsofpeoplewithcognitiveand
developmentaldisabilitiesinMaine,Delaware,Ohio,MarylandandCanada.Toread
moreaboutMBNA'sinclusiveworkenvironmentandothercasestudiesofcompanies
thataresuccessstoriesinrecruitingandhiringpersonswithdisabilitiesaswellas
reintegratingemployeesthathavebecomedisabledandarereturningtowork,pleasevisit
BizNet,aprojectoftheRehabilitationResearch&TrainingCenteronWorkplace
SupportsattheVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity,at
http://www.worksupport.com/biznet/caseStudy/casestudy.html
Deafdeliveryworkerswinlandmarkdecision
InOctober,aclassofover1,000deafpackagedeliveryworkersacrosstheUSwona
decisionbythefederaldistrictcourtinSanFrancisco,representingalandmarkvictoryin
theemployees'classactionlawsuitagainstUPS.Thelawsuit,Batesv.UPS,allegedthat
UnitedParcelService(UPS),thenation's4thlargestemployer,systematically
discriminatedagainstdeafemployeesbyrefusingtoconsiderthemfordrivingpositions
onthebasisoftheirdisability.ThelawsuitwasbroughtundertheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActbyfivedeafUPSworkersonbehalfofdeafemployeesandapplicants
throughoutthecountry.Thelawsuitisthefirstemploymentclassactionbroughton
behalfofdeafworkersthroughoutthecountryconcerningworkplacediscrimination.
Othercompanies,includingtheU.S.PostalService,havepermitteddeafemployeeswho
havedemonstratedsafedrivingskills,todrivethelightervehiclesthatarepartofUPS
fleetwithoutproblems.UndertheCourt'sruling,UPSwillhavetojoinitscompetitors
andconductindividualizedassessmentsofdeafemployeeswhoseektheopportunityfor
promotiontosuchdrivingpositions.ToreadtheDisabilityRightsAdvocatespress
release,pleasevisithttp://www.dralegal.org/cases/bates/decision.html.
Governance&Legislation
SouthAfrica:NationalDisabilityConference
In2004SouthAfricawillcelebrateadecadeofdemocracyAccess2004isplannedto
coincidewiththesecelebrations.
Theconferenceprogramwillexploretheeffectdemocracyhashadonpeoplewith
disabilityespeciallyintermsofaccesstoensuringequalparticipationinandbenefitfrom
mainstreamsociety.Access2004willensurethatdisabilityrelatedplanning,
developmentandimplementationaspertheIntegratedNationalDisabilityStrategyand
IntegratedProvincialDisabilityStrategyremainrelevant.Oneofthebiggestchallengesis
stilltoensurethatdisabilitybecomesandremainspartofmainstreamdevelopment,
planningandimplementation.
Relevantpresentationsandexhibitionscomplimentedbyvibrantdiscussionanddebate
willbeattendedbygovernmentanddecisionmakers,sectorprofessionals,academicsand
institutions,thecorporatesectorandthedisabledcommunity.
Moreinformationisavailableathttp://www.access2004.co.za/index.html
DisabilityandGovernanceinAfghanistan
ByMajidTurmusani(turmasani@hotmail.com)
Backgroundissues
Traditionaldebatesongovernancefocusedmainlyonthestateandtheimprovementof
itsinstitutionalcapacity(Campbell,2000;Kingston,2002).Theconceptof'governance'
isoftenpresentedasinvolvingtheuseofpoliticalauthorityandexerciseofcontrolina
societyinrelationtothemanagementofitsresourcesfordevelopment(WorldBank,
1992;1997).Thisisaclassicalviewofgovernanceandencompassestheroleofpublic
authoritiesinregulatingtherelationshipbetweentherulerandtheruled.Good
governancehowever,impliesaprocessbywhichpeopletakeanactiveandinfluential
partinshapingdecisionsthataffecttheirlives(Schmitter,1997).Governanceisbeing
understoodheretoinvolveotheractorsincludingcivilsocietyorganizationsinmaking
andimplementationofdecisions,orinthisdiscussion,theinvolvementofdisabilitycivil
societyorganizations.
Themostcommonformofdisabledpeople'sinvolvementindecisionmakingoften
comesthroughtheirfeedbackregardingserviceprovisionsandhowtheycanbe
improved.Asserviceusers,disabledpeoplehavemuchtosayaboutserviceprovisionsif
theyareconsulted.Afurthersteptoenableparticipationindecisionmakingistheequal
andgenuinerepresentationofdisabledpeopleonboardsofserviceproviders(Turmusani,
VreedeandWirz,2002).Thiscanincreasethegovernancecapacityofdisabledpeople
andgiveanopportunitytoheartheirvoicesattheplanningandmanagementlevels.Both
formsofparticipationarebeingnotedinthecontextofCBRinAfghanistanasexplained
shortly.
ThenotionofgovernancewithregardtodisabledpeopleinAfghanistanconcernsthe
actualandpotentialinvolvementofdisabledpeopleinvariousdecisionmaking
mechanisms.Inparticular,itconcernstheinvolvementofdisabledAfghansinthe
managementofrelatedorganizations.DisabledAfghanshavebeenabletosetupand
independentlyruntheirownDPO's,evenifonalimitedscale.Thisprovidesthemthe
opportunitytobetheplanner,theimplementer,andthedecisionmakerofagivenproject,
andhasnotablyincreasedtheirgovernancecapacity.
However,disabledAfghanswerelargelyabsentfromclassicalgovernanceprocesses
managedbygovernmentevenwhengovernmentdecisionsconcerneddisabilityissues.
TheonlyexceptionistheirrepresentationontheNationalDisabilityCommission(NDC)
whichisasemigovernmentalbody.OnereasonfortheinactivestatusofNDCisinfact
thelimitedownershipofdisabledpeopleoverthiscommissionandtheirnominal
participationinitsplanninganddecisionmakingprocesses.
TheNationalDisabilityPolicyhasemphasizedtheparticipationofdisabledpeoplein
governanceprocessandindecisionspertainingtotheirlives.TheNationalConstitution
CommissionhasrecognizedthisimportantissueanditsfinaldraftofConstitutionin
2004givestherightfortwodisabledpeopletoberepresentedontheLoyaJirgaAfghan
NationalAssembly(NationalConstitution,2004).
Thecapacityofdisabledpeopletogovernovertherecentlycompleteddisabilitypolicy
hasbeenevidentaswillbediscussedbelow.Disabledpeoplehaveactivelybeeninvolved
inallstagesofpolicydevelopment.Theyhavealsoledtwonationalworkshopstowards
thefinalizationofdisabilitypolicy.Followingcompletionofthepolicywork,theyalso
tookpartintheLoyaJirgadiscussionandadvocatedtheirrightforgovernanceofthis
policy.
GovernanceandtheNDC
TheNationalDisabilityCommissionhasbeentheonlynationalumbrellaforumwhere
disabledpeoplehadopportunitytoexpresstheirviewsandparticipateindecisionmaking
process.AlthoughNDChasnoexecutivepower,therepresentationofseniorofficials
includingofficialsfromtheMinistryofMartyrsandDisabled(MMD)gaveitsomeform
ofauthority.NDCneverthelesscanbestbedescribedasacoordinationforumforthe
disabilitysectorwhereallconcernedactorsarebroughtaroundonetable.Thisincluded
representativesfromdisabledpeoplewhoareblind,deaf,andphysicallyimpairedaswell
asrepresentativesfromNGOsandrelevantgovernmentdepartmentsandtheUN.NDC
holdsitsmeetingsonanadhocbasisandasnecessary.However,thereisnoclear
existingworkplantodirectthisbody.
TheunclearstatusofNDCanditsrelativeineffectivenessledpartnerswhoaremembers
ofNDCtothinkoftemporarymeasuresforcoordinationindisabilitysector.Asaresulta
coordinationcommitteesprangupoutofNDCtoprovideimmediatecoordination
assistance.ThecompositionofthiscommitteeissimilartothatoftheNDC,butitholds
meetingsonaregularbasisandithasaworkingplan.
Themandateofthiscoordinationcommitteeisfocusedmainlyonissuesconcerning
disabilityserviceprovisions.Inthissense,itactsasaprovideroftechnicalassistanceand
expertisetotheMMDandotherdisabilitypartners,tohelpdevelopandsupportquality
programsandservicesthroughitsactionsandrecommendations.Threeareashavebeen
identifiedasprioritiesforthecommittee:1)technicaladviceensuringqualitystandards
ofexistingservices;2)technicaladviceconcerningnewservices;and3)providingdonor
informationandsupport.Variousneedsassessmentsandresearchmethodsweretobe
usedfordatacollection,analysisandpresentationfordecisionmaking.Anapproachof
capacitybuildingfortargetedorganizationsandcommunitieswasproposedtobeatthe
centreofthiscommitteetogetherwithaccessibleinformationdisseminationand
awarenessraisingondisabilityissuesthereiscurrentlynoinformationavailableonthe
workofthiscommittee.
DespitethefactthattheNDChasbeenmostlyineffectiveandlackingclearstructureand
vision,NDChasplayedanimportantroleinthedevelopmentofdisabilitypolicyas
indicatedearlier.SincetheinceptionoftheTaskForceonDisability,NDChadactively
providedanumbrellaforthepolicydevelopmentprocess.NDChasalsolobbiedforthe
endorsementofthispolicybygovernmentattheLoyaJirgameetinglatelastyearas
mentionedabove.
Therecentlycompleteddisabilitypolicyproposedspecificrolesandresponsibilitiesfor
NDCincludingthatofadvocateforfuturelegislationondisability.Thedisability
community,representedbyvariousdisabilitygroups,playsacrucialroleinNDC'sfuture
success.Untilnow,lackofindependentfundingforNDCmeantthatitsagendaisoften
formulatedinaccordancewithdonorswhohappentobelargeINGOsworkinginthe
countryforspecificdisabilityfocusedprojectsoftenmedicalrehabilitationprojects.
Historicopportunityin2005election
ThereisanhistoricopportunityfordisabledpeopleinAfghanistantostandfor
parliamentinthefirstdemocraticgeneralelectionscheduledinApril2005.Inthiscase,
disabledpeoplerepresentative/swilltakepartindifferentlevelsofgovernanceand
decisionmakingprocesses.Forthistohappen,itisimportanttonoteaccessibility
standardsthroughouttheelectionprocessincludingaccessibilityinpollingstations,
informationandtransportationsystemssothatthedisabledpopulationisabletoelect
fairlytheirrepresentatives,shouldtherebeany.
Currently,therearenoofficiallyreporteddisabledcandidatesstandingforthe
PresidentialelectionofOctober2004.ThestrongestrivalofPresidentKarzaiinthe
comingelectionhowever,issaidtohaveaphysicaldisabilitycausedbywarhe
previouslyservedasministerofeducationintheKarzaitransitionalgovernment.
Moreover,thereisoneindependentwomancandidateinthiselectionamongthe18
registeredcandidates.Itisbeingproposedthat5%oftotalworkforceemployedin
runningtheelectionprocesswillbepeoplewithdisability.Thisislikelytoincludemildly
physicallydisabledpeoplethough.Thereisnofurtherinformationavailableon
accessibilitystandardstoassistdisabledpeopleintheelectionprocesswhethertheyare
workersorvoters.
GovernanceandCBRapproach
InAfghanistan,disabledpeoplehaveparticipatedinthemanagementofCBRoftenas
serviceusers.Howeverthefactisthatmanystaffmembersemployedbytheseprojects
arethemselvesdisabledortheyareparentsofdisabledchildrenreceivingCBRservices,
andthisallowedthemgreaterlevelofparticipationingovernanceprocess.Planningand
executivedecisionsnonethelessremainoftenatthehandofcentralmanagerswithlimited
consultationwithCBRfieldstaff.Thishasbeenevidentinthemanagementstructureand
operationoftheUnitedNationsComprehensiveDisabledAfghanProgram(CDAP)
whichutilizesaCBRmethodologyforservingdisabledAfghans.
AftertheevaluationofUnitedNationsCDAP,theMMDproposedthatvariousemerging
DPOsgetinvolvedindirectmanagementofCBRprojectsrunbytheUNCDAP.Inthis
sense,suchaprocesswouldallowgreatergovernancefordisabledpeopleaswellas
greatercapacitybuildingofDPOstobedeveloped.Thisproposalhasnotmaterialized,as
theUNwasinfavorofcapableandaccountableINGOstorunCDAPinthefutureshould
theyceaseitsoperationasevaluationresultsdidrecommend.
TheissueofgovernanceinAfghanistanhaslongbeenidentifiedbytheUNasa
prerequisiteforthedevelopmentofthecountry.ThejointAssessmentforRecoveryand
ReconstructionofAfghanistan(2002)conductedbytheAsiaDevelopmentBank,UNDP,
andtheWorldBank,hasrightlyemphasizedgovernanceandgoodgovernanceascrucial
aspectsforthereconstructionofAfghanistan.TheUNDPwithitsvariousprojectshas
takenaproactiverecoveryapproachtorestorethecapacityofgovernmentand
communitiestorebuildingthemselves.Intheprocess,UNDPhasfocusedonsupporting
theadministration,planningandgovernancesystemforAfghanistanreconstruction;
strengtheningtheregionalcooperationwithneighboringcountries,andenhancingthe
UN'sowncoordination,whiledeliveringtheaboveservicesandproducts.
TheUNDPstrategyinAfghanistanisbasedonPEACEinitiative(PovertyElimination
andCommunityEmpowerment)thatincludesarapidresponsetocrises,ruralandurban
rehabilitation,sustainablelivelihoodgenerationprogramming,andtoolsfordrought
mitigation.ThePEACEinitiativesupportsdisabledpeopleunderitsprojecttargetingthe
reintegrationofrefugeesanddisplacedpeople.ThePEACEinitiativeisaimedat
widening,fordisadvantagedpeopleingeneralandthedisabled,widowsandorphansin
particular,realopportunitiesandrealchoicesforpersonalwelfare,inparticularby
ensuringthatasmuchaspossiblethroughacommunitydriveneffort,theybenefitfrom
mainstreamdevelopment(UNDP,1997).However,PEACEaswellasotherUN
initiativeshavehardlyrecognizedtheimportanceofgovernanceindisabilitysector,
namelywithregardtodisabledpeople'sorganizations.
Conclusion
ManychallengescontinuetoconfronttheUNPEACEinitiativeaswellasthewider
disabilitysectorwhiletargetingdisabledpeople,especiallyregardingthelimitedcapacity
ofthegovernmenttoleadadisabilityprograminthecountry.Inordertoimprovethe
situationofover2milliondisabledAfghans,seriousinvestmenthastobemadebyall
parties,notablytheAfghansthemselves,andbesupportedbytheinternational
community.Thepotentialsofdisabledpeopleandtheirorganizationsaresopromising,
yettheylacktheopportunitytodevelopgovernanceskillswhicharenecessaryfortheir
integrationandinclusionintosociety'smainstreamdevelopment.Aninvestigationinto
thisunderresearchedareaofgovernanceanddisabilityistherefore,necessaryintermsof
existingneeds,assets,andgapsusingappropriatedisabilityresearchapproaches.
References
AfghanConstitution(2004)TheConstitutionofAfghanistan,2004.URL:
http://www.embassyofafghanistan.org/pdf%27s/
Documents/AdoptedConstitutionEnglish.pdf
AsiaDevelopmentBank/UNDP/WorldBank(2002)Afghanistan:PreliminaryNeeds
AssessmentforRecoveryandReconstruction.JointreportconductedbyAsia
DevelopmentBank,UNDP,andWorldBank,January2002.
Campbell,B(2000)AnOverviewofGovernance.Commissionedpaperforthe
InternationalDevelopmentResearchCentre(IDRC).URL:
http://www.ceim.uqam.ca/textes/FinalOverviewofGovernance.htm
Coleridge,P.(2002)CommunityBasedRehabilitationinaComplexEmergency:Study
ofAfghanistan.InM.Thomas,andM.J.Thomas(eds.),SelectedReadingsinCBR
Series2:DisabilityandRehabilitationIssuesinSouthAsia,NationalPrintingPress,
Bangalore,pp.3549.
Kingston,P(2002)UnderstandingGovernnaceinLebanon:TheCaseofDisability
PolicyMaking.TheLeaneseCentreforPolicyStudies.URL:
http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/civsoc/final/lebanon/leb4.doc
MMD(2003)TheComprehensiveNationalDisabilityPolicy.URL:
http://www.disabilityafghanistan.org
NCC(2003)TheConstitutionMakingProcess.NationalConstitutionCommission,
Kabul.
Schmitter,P(1997)EnablingEnvironmentsforCSOFormationandGrowth.Draft
InterimReportoftheInternationalConferenceonGovernanceforSustainableGrowth
andEquity:Part5.CivilSocietyOrganizationDialogue.UnitedNations,NewYork,28
30July1997.URL:http://magnet.undp.org/icg97/part5.htm
Turmusani,M,Vreede,AandWirz,S(2002)SomeEthicalIssuesinCBRinDeveloping
Countries.DisabilityandRehabilitation,24,10.
Wardak,A,FaizIM,andTurmusani,M(2003)Disabilitypolicydevelopmentin
Afghanistan:towardsbarriersfreesociety.ExpertMeetingtowardsaComprehensiveand
IntegralInternationalConventiononProtectionandPromotionofRightsandDignityof
PersonswithDisabilities.June24,ESCAP,Bangkok.
www.worldenable.net/bangkok2003/paperafghanistan.htm
WorldBank(1992)GovernanceandDevelopment.TheWorldBank,WashingtonD.C.
WorldBank(1997)WorldDevelopmentReport:TheStateinaChangingWorldThe
WorldBank,OxfordUniversityPress,NewYork.WorldBank(19992000)World
DevelopmentReport,Enteringthe21stCentury.TheWorldBank,OxfordUniversity
Press,NewYork.
TheNationalDisabilityCommission(NDC)wasinitiatedasanindependentbodybythe
MinistryofMartyrsandDisabledandwasembracedbyotherdisabilitypartners.The
ideawasforNDCtoprovidetechnicaladviceondisabilityissuestogovernmentaswell
astooverseefuturedisabilitypoliciesinthecountryincludingcoordinationissues.
GreekGovernmentDraftsAntiDiscriminationLawfor
Minorities
InordertobringitslawsinlinewiththeEuropeanUnion,theGreekGovernmentis
planninglegislationtobanishdiscriminationintheworkplaceandinitssocialsecurity
systemonthegroundsofrace,gender,religion,disabilityornationality.Theblueprint,
comprisedoffivechaptersand25articleshasbeenpreparedbyadraftingcommittee
undertheguidanceofthevicepresidentoftheCouncilofState,Greece'shighest
administrativecourt.Thedraftlawalsocallsforprivateandpublicsectoremployersto
omproveworkconditionsfordisabledpeople.Details:
www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles
_politics_100004_25/10/2004_48771
Japan:StepbySteptowardsDisabilityAnti
DiscriminationLaw
ByShuheiOhtaofJapanCouncilonDisability,translatedbytheInformationCenterof
theJapaneseSocietyforRehabilitationofPersonswithDisabilities(JSRPD).Thisarticle
originallyappearedintheJune2004issueof"Normalization."
EvaluationsDividedonAmendmenttoTheBasicLawforPersonswithDisabilities
TheamendmentbillforTheBasicLawforPersonswithDisabilitieswasatlastpassedby
theDietinMay.Thisbillincludes"antidiscriminationprovisions",stating,"Nobody
shalldiscriminate(against)personswithdisabilitiesorperformotherdiscriminatingacts
toviolatetheirrightsandbenefits,becauseoftheirdisabilities,"whichisthemost
remarkablefeature.However,sincenopenaltyisstipulated,itslegaleffectivenessand
bindingforcearequiteweak.
AlthoughJD(JapanCouncilonDisability)hasbeenassertingtoamendTheBasicLaw
forPersonswithDisabilities,therehavebeenmanytwistsandturnsbeforeitisfinally
realized.Lotsofdisabledpersons'organizationsincludingJD,demandtheestablishment
ofAntiDiscriminationforPersonswithDisabilities.Thisisbecausetheyareawarethat
theyneedalegallybindinglaw,whichtheycanuseduringatrial,whentheproblemof
"discrimination"actuallyoccurs.Therefore,therehasbeenadeeprootedconcernamong
someoftheselfadvocacygroupsthatwiththisamendmenttoTheBasicLaw,
establishmentofthenewAntiDiscriminationLawmaybedelayedorevenabolished.
Partlyinfluencedbysuchselfadvocacygroups'movement,whentheDietwasdissolved
lastyear,theamendmentbilltoTheBasicLawwaswithdrawn.Imyselfalsohavethe
sameconcernthatbyjustaddingthevagueantidiscriminationprovisions,theprobability
isthatGovernmentwouldnotfocusonthemainissue.However,whenIseethe
differencesbetweentheJapaneselegalsystemandthoseinEuropeandAmerica,I
believethatitismuchmoreimportanttoproceedstepbystep,verysteadily,untilthe
establishmentofthenewlawisfinallyrealized.
Pointstobeamended
Thisamendmentbillalsoincludessomeotherimportantideas.InArticle8(Fundamental
Policies),itisstatedthat"Intakingtheplansrelatedtothewelfareofthedisabled
persons,theindependenceofthedisabledpersonsshouldbefullyrespectedand
considerationshouldbegivensothatthedisabledpersonscanliveindependentlivesin
theirlocalcommunities,makingthemostoftheirabilities."WhileinnewArticle14
(Education),itisaddedthat"byactivelypromotingexchangesaswellasjointstudies
betweenchildrenandstudentswithdisabilitiesandthosewithoutdisabilities."Whatis
meantbysuch"jointstudies"needsmorediscussion,butthisstatementhascertainly
openedthedoortotheinclusiveeducation.
Asforthedefinitionofdisability,thereisaminorchangeintheamendmentbill(Article
2),byreplacing"personswhosedailylifeorlifeinsocietyissubstantiallylimitedover
thelongterm"with"personswhosedailylifeorlifeinsocietyiscontinuouslyand
substantiallylimited."Thefundamentalconceptoflistingthreedisabilities(physical,
intellectualandmentaldisabilities)remainsthesame.JDinsiststhenecessityofthemore
inclusivedefinitionofdisabilities,otherwisethepersonswithdisabilitieswhodonotfall
underanyofthesethreecategoriesareverylikelytobeleftoutinfuturejustasbefore.
TheadditionofthenewprovisioninArticle23,"TheStateandlocalpublicentitiesshall
promotestudyandresearchonintractablediseasesandotherswhichmaycause
disabilities,inviewofthedifficultiesintheirpreventionandtreatment.TheStateand
localpublicentitiesshallalsoendeavortocarefullypromotemeasuresforthepersons
whosedailylifeorlifeinsocietyiscontinuouslyandsubstantiallylimitedduetothe
disabilitiescausedbyintractablediseasesandotherreasons"canbeappreciated.
ThisArticle23iscontainedinChapter3,whichisentitled"FundamentalMeasuresfor
PreventingDisabilities."Thisconceptof"preventionofdisabilities"needsalittlemore
consideration.
Inthisamendmentbill,theemploymentofpersonswithdisabilitiesinsocietyisclearly
stated.InArticle153,itisstipulated,"TheStateandlocalpublicentitiesshallprovide
financialassistanceandtakeothernecessarymeasuresinordertoexpandfacilitiesfor
personswithdisabilitiestoworkandtogetvocationaltraininginlocalcommunities."
Thisgivesahopetothesmallworkshopssufferingfromfinancialdifficulties.
Moreover,theCentralCouncilforthePromotionofMeasuresforDisabledPersons
(Article24)isrestored,whichwillsettleonFundamentalPlansforPersonswith
Disabilities.Inaddition,alltheprefecturesarerequiredtodevelopPrefecturalPlansfor
DisabledPersons."EffortstoAchieveIndependence"and"Protection,etc.ofSeverely
DisabledPersons"aregoingtobedeletedintheamendmentbill.
ExpandingDisabilities'MovementwithJDF
Asabove,thereiscertainlysomeprogress,althoughitisstillnotenough.Atpresent,the
problemoffinancialassistanceiscausingconfusionandtheintegrationwithlongterm
careinsuranceishotlydisputed.Intheirbackgroundliestheproblemoffinancial
resources,whichisobviousfromtheTrinityReform.Undersuchconditions,itis
expectedthatamendingTheBasicLawandthussteppingforwardwillatleastplayarole
asabreakwateragainstabigwavetowashawaypersonswithdisabilities.
NowinthepreparatorycommitteeofJDF(JapanDisabilitiesForum),"Special
CommitteeonRightsandLegislationsuchasAntDiscriminationLawforPersonswith
Disabilities"isestablishedandisgoingtostartexaminationtowardstheestablishmentof
AntDiscriminationLawforPersonswithDisabilities.EvenafterthisamendmentofThe
BasicLaw,itisexpectedthatresearchonmeasuresandextensivemovementaimingat
legislatingthenewlawwillnotbeabandonedbutwillcontinuetobepromotedfurther.
Atpresent,discussionsareheldintheUnitedNationsontherightsofpeoplewith
disabilitiesinordertosetupanewconvention.Fromtheglobalpointofview,disabilities
areoftencausedbywarorfamine,thereforethethoroughsolutionofwhichisverymuch
anticipated.
TheUnitedNation'smovementhasanimportantmeaningforthepeoplewithdisabilities
inJapan,too.ThemovementtoestablishAntiDiscriminationLawshouldbelinkedwith
theworksbytheUnitedNationsinfuture.Thedisabledpeople'sorganizationsinJapan
haveresponsibilitiestoworktogetherandenhancethecurrenttrendtowardsthe
realizationoftheUNConventionandtheestablishmentoftheAntiDiscriminationLaw
inJapan.
DisappointingProgressofDisabilityRightsin
Madagascar
SinceMarch2000,anumbrellaorganizationcalledtheCollectiveofOrganizationsacting
forDisabledRights(COPH)hasbecomeabeaconofhopefordisabledpeople,the
mouthpieceforallpublicandprivateentitiesactingonbehalfofpeoplewithdisabilities.
Thisyear,theCOPHhashiredalegalconsultanttoconductastudyontheevolutionof
therightsofpeoplewithdisabilities.Letusrecallthattherearetwobillsoflaw
governingtheworldofthedisabledinthiscountry:Billno.97044,whichpassedon
February2,1998followedbyOrderno.2001163,passedonFebruary20,2001.
Unfortunately,theresultsofthestudyhaveshownusthatthesetwobillshaveyetto
translateintoanyconcreteaction,whetherbytheministryofPopulationoranyother
ministry.Tothisday,theyremainatthelevelofbroaddeclarationsofprinciple,
regardlessoftheproclamationofthenationaldisabledpeople'sdecade.
Pressconferencecalled
Facedwiththissituation,lastMay28theCOPHorganizedapressconferenceduring
whichthegovernment'semptypromiseswerelaidoutonebyone,includingthepassing
ofsixministerialorders,thedevelopmentofanationalprogramfordisabledpeople,etc.
Thenewsdidn'tstopthere,andthereweremorescandalousstories(tousethepressterm)
reportedbythepanelists.Recentstories,noless!
Fouryoungdisabledpeoplewerekeptfromcompetingintherecruitmentexaminationsof
theteachers'trainingcollegesinTular(01)andMahajanga(03),basedonasupposed
ministerialorderforbiddingphysicallydisabledpeoplefrompracticingteaching.Does
thisorderreallyexist?Apparentlynot,ifonereferstothevariousbillscompiledduring
theCOPHstudy.
Thelocalofficialsflatlyrefusedtoconsidertheyoungdisabledpeopleforthestudent
teacherrecruitmentexamination.Theyhadnochoicebuttobitterlygiveupontheir
rights.
Disagreementsaboutaccommodationsforexams
InTananarivo,threeyoungdeafpeoplewerealmostforcedtorenouncetheofficialhigh
schooldiplomaexams.Indeed,thejunioradministratorsinchargemadeitknownthat
theywouldnotallowtheinterpretersintheexamrooms,arguingthattheycouldgivethe
students"tips"usingsignlanguage.Accordingtothedeafstudents'teachers,theyonly
requirehelpattheverybeginningoftheexams,meaningonthefirsthourofthefirstday,
duringwhichtheadministratorsexplaintherules(arrivingontime,exitingonlyonehour
afterthestartoftheexams,etc.).
IttookpetitionstohighofficialsinorderfortheDirectorofSecondaryEducationto
finallyauthorizethepresenceoftheteacherinterpreters,whoofcourselefttheexam
roomafterdeliveringthenecessaryexplanations.
Forus,thispetitionshouldneverhavebeenmade,giventhatthisprovisionisalready
specifiedinthebilln?97044andintheordern?2001163.Itissadtoseethatthe
ministryofficialsinchargeareunawareoftheveryexistenceofthebillsregulatingthe
rightsofthedisabled.
COPHcallsforanendtoindifference
TheCOPH,throughthevoiceofitsexecutivedirector,callsonallthoseincharge,allthe
decisionmakersofthenationtoputanendtoindifference.Italsodemandsafavorable
environmentforpeoplewithdisabilitiestoparticipateinthedevelopmentofthecountry.
Howcanwejustifythegovernment'sattitudeofindifferenceinfrontoftheproblems
facingdisabledMalagasycitizens?IspovertysoprevalentinMadagascarthatiteclipses
theminoritygroups?
Inanycase,advocatingforourrightsisalongtermendeavor,andthosewhoengageinit
mustalwayshaveperseveranceandcharisma.
InterviewwithBertMassie:Chair,UKDisability
RightsCommission
InterviewconductedbyIleneZeitzer(ilenezdc@yahoo.com)inOsloinJune2004,on
behalfofWorldInstituteonDisability
Q.Youareinanappointedposition,isthatcorrect,notanelectedone?
A.Yes,IwasappointedbytheSecretaryofState.
Q.,You'reChairoftheDisabilityRightsCommission.Howlonghaveyoubeeninthis
positionnow?
A.IwasappointedfromJanuary2000.
Q.AreallthepeopleontheCommissionappointedoraresomeelected?
A.Firstofallit'sopencompetition,becausethewayinwhichpublicappointmentswork
intheU.K.,theyhavetofollowcertainprinciplestoensurethey'reopen,thatthere'sno
favoritism,nocronyism.Whetherthatgoeson,ofcourseisanotherthing,butthat'swhat
theprinciplesaredesignedtoprevent.Thepostsareadvertised,youhavetoapplyfor
them,andthenthereareinterviewsbycivilservants,alwayswithanexternalexaminerto
ensurethecivilservantsarebeingfair.So,atallinterviewsatthatlevel,there'salways
goingtobesomebodywhoisnotinvolvedintheprocess,isjustsimplytherefromthe
outsideappointedbytheOfficeofPublicAppointments.Thenthecivilservantswill
makeoneortwo,maybethree,recommendationstoMinistersfromwhichtheymay
choosethepersontheywanttoappoint.Then,inthecaseoftheChair,thatalsohastobe
approvedbythePrimeMinister.So,it'scivilservantsfirst,shortlist,thentheSecretary
ofState,usuallyit'spassedbytheUnionMinisterwithdirectresponsibility,andoncethe
SecretaryofStatehasagreed,itthenithastogetthePrimeMinister'sapproval.Theterm
ofofficecanbebetweenthreeandfiveyears,veryseldommorethanthat.Asuccessful
appointment,iftheywish,andthegovernmentwishes,canbeappointedforasecond
term.Butafterthat,theposthastobereadvertised.Sotheycanreappointwithoutre
advertisingforoneterm,afterthatitmustbereadvertised.ForCommissioners,thereisa
similarprocessdependingontheparticularbody,eitherthechairisinvolvedinissuesor
not.WiththeDRC,weputupachoiceofnamestoMinisters,andatthispoint,it'sthe
departmentalMinisterswhomakethedecision,andthelengthoftheappointment.
TermsofCommissioners
Q.Theymakethedecisionofthelengthoftheappointment,too?
A.Yes,it'snotnormallycontroversial,it'susuallyathreeyearterm.WhentheDRCwas
starting,somegotoneyear,somegottwo,somegotthree.Whenthepeoplegottwo
years,theycouldbereappointed,andmanyofthemwereinfact,butwedidn'twantall
thecommissionersleavingatthesametime.Wewanttostaggertheirterms.Alsoyou
havetolookatthebalanceoftheCommission.Wearerequiredbylawtoensurehalfthe
membersaredisabledpeople.Infact,currentlywehavetwothirds.Butwealsoneedto
haverepresentationfromemployersandfromotherpartsofsocietyandthere'sonly15
Commissioners,includingtheChair.Sopeopleneedtowearmorethanonehat,and
you'relookingforaparticulartypeofcandidate,andthen,ofcourse,althoughwe'renot
meanttohavepeoplewithparticularimpairments,wemakesurewe'vegotsomebody
withahearingimpairment,mobilitydisability,ormentalretardationtousethe
Americanphrase.We'vegotalotofCommissionerswithmobilityimpairments,and
Commissionerswithahistoryofmentalillness;thatdoesn'tcoveralltheimpairment
groupsofcourse,therearelotsofotherthings.SoCommissionershavetohaveabroader
visionthantheirownimpairment.
Q.Whogeneratestheshortlistofnames(forCommissioners)?
A.Firstofall,therewouldbeanadvertisementforCommissionersinthenationalpress,
soanybodycanapply.Thecivilservicewouldnormallyweedoutthosewhodon'tmeet
thejobdescriptionwe'veset.AndIwouldcomeinatthestagewhereit'sbeenreducedto
about40people,becausewe'reappointingthree.AndthenIwouldbewiththecivil
servantleadingthis,usuallyacivilservantaboutGrade5,whichisthelowerrankofthe
seniorcivilservice,soclearlyyoureachthedecisionmakingprocessatthecivilservice,
theoperationalpart,andanexternalexaminer.Anexternalexamineristhereatevery
pointtomakesurethatI'mnotappointingmyfriends,orI'mnotselectingsomeonefor
inappropriatereasons,andthecivilservantsaretheretodothesame.Andthenwewould
getitdowntothreepeopletointerview.Sothere'sthreepeoplewewouldbelookingto
interviewoutofninepeoplesowehaveachoiceofthreeforeverypost,andifwedon't
findtherightpeople,wecanreadvertise.Butwewouldhopetobeabletoputupmore
namestotheMinistersthantherearevacancies.Andsometimesyoumakeverystrong
recommendationsofonepersonoveranother,butultimatelyit'stheMinisterwho
decides.Sowecanmaketherecommendations,andthere'sthechairmanonthepanel
doingthat.AndIcanifIwishmakemyviewsknowntoMinisters,butthedecisionisnot
mine.
Q.WhenyousaytheMinister,youmeantheDepartmentalMinister,notthePrime
Minister?TheChairistheonlypositionthePrimeMinisterneedstoagreetocorrect?
A.Yes.
Q.So,ifyouwereappointedin2000,thennextyear(2005)istheendofyourfirstterm,
isthatcorrect?
A.No,myfirsttermexpiredinApril2004,becauseIonlyaskedforafouryearterm,
becauseIplannedtoretirethen.Iplannedtodofouryearstogetitgoing,andthenhand
itover.Butthere'sanewchangeintheUK,wherethey'regoingtoamalgamatethe
CommissionforEducationalEquality,theEqualOpportunitiesCommittee,a
Commissionwhichdealswithgenderissues,andtheDRC,andalsoexpandtheroleto
coverage,sexualorientation,andbeliefsystemsreligions.Sowe'regoingtohaveone
majorCommission,whichtheythinkwillstartaround2007.SoIacceptedanotherterm
appointmentuntil2007whenIretire.
Governmentplantocombineequalitycommissions
Q.HowdoyoufeelabouttheCommissionsbeingcombined?
A.Thefirstproposalsbythegovernmentissuedonthiswere,atthemost,halfbaked.In
fact,Idon'tthinkI'dsayhalfbaked,Idon'tthinkthey'dbeenintheovenatall.They
wouldhaveproducedacompletehodgepodge,whichwouldn'thaveworked.Essentially,
theywantedtoputeverythingtogetherandputonepersonoveritandsay,"Well,you
don'tneeddisabledCommissionersandwe'reallintegratednowandwe'reallfightingfor
acommoncause."Theproblemwiththatviewisthatformostdiscriminatedgroups,
they'refightingtheattitudesorthebehaviorofthepeople.Disabledpeoplearealso
fightingthewholeenvironment,andit'smuchdifferent.Thesolutionsarenotsimply
aboutbeingnicetopeople.Infact,manypeoplewhotrytobenicetodisabledpeople
willstillgetitfundamentallywrong.So,wethoughtthatdisabledpeoplehadtokeep
controlofthedisabilityagenda.
Whentheseproposalscameout,ofallthecommissioners,Iwastheonlypersonwho
objectedtothemandsaid,"Look,thishasnotbeenthoughtthroughproperly."TheDRC
thendidalotoflobbying,campaigning,tomakeourcaseandweweresuccessfulinthat,
andsothenewbodynowwillhaveguaranteedinlaw,atleastonedisabled
Commissioner.Itwillhaveacommitteeinwhichhalfthemembersmustbedisabled,and
thatwillrunthedisabilitypolicyasaneworganization.WhatI'venotgotonboardyet,is
adisabilityunitproperlyresourcedandstaffedtoforwardtowardthat.Andsomeofthe
othergroupsaresaying,'Whyshoulddisabilityhavethiswhenwedon'thaveit?"My
firstresponseherewastosay,"Allgroupsshouldhavethesesortsofarrangements."But
thegovernmentwasdisagreeingwithit,andsomeofthegroupssaidtheydidn'twantit.
AndsoIsaid,"Wellfine,youdowhatyouwant.I'mfightingthisfordisabledpeople,
andifwedon'tgetthisfordisabledpeoplewewillposethisrighttoParliament."
Governments,byandlarge,don'twanttopassalawclaimingtohelppeople,whenthe
peopletheyareclaimingtohelparecampaigningagainstit.Itmakesthelawlookas
thoughit'snotquiteasgoodasMinistersaresayingitis.
Sowethinkthatweprobablysalvagedquitealotofit.SomedisabledpeopleintheUK
believequitestrongly,ifyou'regoingtohaveacommissionforequalityandhuman
rights,thendisabilityshouldbeinthere,theyshouldbeseparate,andtherearelotsof
commoncauses.Oneofthedebateshasbeenthatdisabledpeoplehavemultipleidentities
thatthey'redisabled,they'reJewish,they'reBlack,they'reLesbianorGay.Isay,"No,
peopledon'thavemultipleidentities,theyhavemanyfacetstooneidentity,andthisis
confusedthinking."Ifyoucan'tgodownstepsbecausethere'snoliftorelevatorthenit
doesn'tmatterifyou'reaMuslim,itdoesn'tmatterwhetheryou'reaHindu.Whatmatters
isthatyou'reinawheelchairandyoucan'tgetdownthebloodysteps,that'swhatmatters!
Youhavetoreallyanalyzewheretheproblemis,andIthinkalotofthinkingaroundthis
isreallyveryfuzzy.
OneofthethingsIfoundfrustratinginthisdebateishowmanypeoplehavenottakenthe
timetoreallythinkthroughtheissuesasdeeplyastheyshouldbethoughtout.Nowwhen
thegovernmentistryingtowriteitswhitepaperandthey'vewrittenthewhitepaper
whichreflectstheDRC'spositionmuchbetternow.Buttheywanttostartwritingabill,
sogroupsarecomingoutsaying,"No,thisisnotgoingtoworkforBlackpeople."And
someoftheBlackgroupsarerebelling,andofcourseasIsaidinthefirstplace,it'salso
gottoworkforBlackpeople.Soit'sstillalottoplayfor,butIsuspectthere'ssufficient
politicalcommitmentandobviouslyabigpressuretohavesomethingandtogetit
throughwhilethegovernmentisopentodoingit,becausetheirviewisifgovernment
changes,thenewgovernmentmightnotbeascommitted.So,there'slotsofpressureto
doit,andIthinktheministerswillultimatelyrespondtothatpressure.WhatI'vegotto
doismakesurethatwhateverhappens,disabledpeopleatleastareprotected.
Budgetaryimplications
Q.Doyouworrythatitwillbeacompetitionforthebudgetaryresourcesinthesense
thatyou'llbepittedagainstethnicminoritiesandtheelderlyandagingdiscrimination?
Doyouthinkthatitwillbeeverybodytryingtofightforthesamepiecesofpie?
A.IfyougoontoourWebsite,I'vehadacoupleofspeechesonthat.I'vealreadywritten
aboutthatenormousissuethatIseeasgoingtobeacompetitionbecausethecurrent
Commissionsspendsomethinglike45millionpoundsbetweenthem.TheCommission
forRacialEquality(CRE)hasthebiggestbudgetofover20,we'recomingupto17
millionanditcouldbe20bythetime2007comes.AlltheotherCommissionsarehaving
theirbudgetsreduced,andtheDRCistheonlyonewhichisstillexpanding.Thenagain,
aswearguetogovernment,we'vegotalotmoretodo.Imean,they'vebeinggoingfor25
years,we'vebeengoingforonlyfive.Oneofthepurposesofthisorganizationisto
promotesocialharmonythroughoutsocietynothinglikehavingambitiousambitions.
I'vesaiditcan'tpossiblydothatifithassocialdisharmonywithinanditwillhavesocial
disharmonyifeveryoneisfightingforresources.SoI'veaskedforabudgetof100
millionandmyguessiswe'llgetsomethinglike55,whichwillautomaticallymeanthere
willbestrifewithin.
Enforcementpowers
Q.Rightnowyoudohaveenforcementpowersyoucantrypersuasionbutyoucanalso
bringpeopletocourt,isn'tthatso?
A.Wecanonthecivilrightslegislationbutnotonthehumanrightslegislation,andthat's
madeitdifficultforusinrepresentingpeopleinhealthservicesbecauseit'scivilrights,
likeaccesstoshops,restaurants,employmentissues,youcanfindacomparator.Youcan
sayhadthispersonnotbeendisabled,theywouldbetreatedinonewayandbecause
they'redisabledthey'retreatedinanalternativeway,whichislessfavorable.Thenyou
say,well,thatbreaksthelawsoyoucanbringenforcementpowerstobear,wehavealot
ofenforcementpowers,boththroughthecourts,thetribunals,andalsowedoformal
investigations.
Wealsohaveadormantpoweronhumanrights,whichthegovernmenthasgoneahead
andintroduced.It'sintheAct,soalltheMinisterhastodoissignitoff,andtheyrefuse
todoso.Andthatmakesitverydifficulttotakecasesinthehealthserviceswhereyou're
talkingaboutpeople'srighttodignitytolackofhumiliationandinmanycasesthe
healthservicesdotreatpeoplewithappallingindignityandarroganceandwhileit'snot
necessarilytheeverydayexperienceinhealthservices,ithappenssufficientlyfrequently.
Investigationofbiasinhealthservicesdelivery
Ournextformalinvestigation,whichwe'relaunchingintheautumn,isonhowthehealth
servicecaterstopeoplewhohavelearningdisabilities,whotendtodiemuchyounger
thanotherpeople.Thatcan'talwaysberelatedtotheirintellectualimpairments,andquite
obviouslyiftheygotothedoctorandthey'vegotapain,andthedoctorsays,"Well,
you'reimaginingit"anditturnsoutthey'vegotcancer.Now,somebodywithoutan
intellectualdisabilitywouldbetreatedwithmorerespectbythedoctor,apainisapain.
Somebodywithanintellectualdisabilityisascapableatindicatingthatasanybodyelse,
sowhydowedistrusttheirviewoftheirpainandassumeit'spsychological?Youcan
imaginehowpeoplewithahistoryofmentalillnessaretreatedifthehistoryofmental
illnessisontheirfile.Itprobablymeansthatalltheirsymptomsareignoredbecausewe
automaticallylookforanemotionalreasonforthesymptomsthey'redisplaying,when
therecouldbeaphysicalone.Sowecaninvestigatethis,butwecan'tactuallybring
cases.Icandotheinvestigation,butIcan'tbringlegalcasesbecausewedon'thavethe
humanrightspowers.Thenewbody,wherethegovernmentshouldbeactuallydoing
this,they'vebeensaying,"Well,we'vebelievethiscanbedonebyeducationand
persuasion."Ifitcanbedonebyeducationandpersuasion,andthegovernmentwantsa
change,whynotgiveitlegalpower?Alltheysayisthatlegalpowersdon'tbringchange,
inwhichcasewhydon'ttheychangetheTreasuryrulessotheyhavetopersuadeusto
payourtaxes?Buttheydon'tdothattheyhavestronglaws.You'vegottopayyour
taxesoryougotojail,sothere'sambiguitycertainlyinthegovernment'sreasoning.
Futureabilitytobringcivilsuits
Q.WhenthisnewHumanRightsCommissionisembodiedanditbecomestheprocessor
theway,willyoustillhavetheabilitytobringsuitsthatarecivilrightsbased?Whatwas
theDRC'sability?
A.Weareinsistingthattheyhaveit.Firstofall,thegovernmentwassayingthat,well,
theywantedthistobeanewCommission,whichworkedwithpeopleandiscooperative.
ButtheDRCdoesallthatanyway;wehavegoodrelationswithemployers.Butthere
comesatimewhen,likewithRyanAir,theairline,whereyoujustknewtheyweredoing
wrong.Weaskedthemtodoitright;theyignoredus.Theysaidthislawdoesn'tapplyto
us.Theywerechargingpeoplewhoneededtoborrowawheelchairtotakethepeople
throughtheairport.Andtheysaid,"Well,we'renotcharging.It'sahandlingcharge.It's
theairportwhocharges."Whereaseveryotherairlineplaysadvocate,soRyanAirwas
beingabitdisingenuoustosaytheyweren'tchargingandifadisabledpersonbuysa
ticketonRyanAirthenthere'sdutyinthat,andwetookthemtocourttobattletoprove
that.Now,RyanAirisappealing,andwe'refightingtheappealandIthinkwe'llwinthat.
Buttherearesomepeoplewhoaresodeterminedtodiscriminate.There'sonlythelaw,
andthepowerofthelawtostopthem.Andforgovernmentstobelievethatallthisis
aboutkindlypeoplewhoarejustneedaneducationisnave.Ofcoursetherearepeople
whoarekindlyandfitthatstereotype.That'sfine,youcanworkwiththem.Butthere's
peoplewhodon't[getit].
Newcommission'schallengewillbetoequalizetherights
Theotherproblemtheneworganizationisgoingtofaceis,thatifyouaregoingtosetup
aneworganization,whichthisgovernmentseemsintenttodo,youwouldthinktheone
thingyou'ddoisequalizetherights.Butthey'renotevendoingthat.Thethreenew
strandsofage,sexualorientation,andbeliefsystemswillonlyhaveaformofadvice.So
ifadisabledmaninhis90swhoisaMuslimisturnedawayfromanightclubwherehe
wantstogodancingallnight,he'sgotnorightsbecausehe's90,thepeopleatthenight
clubcansay,"Welikeyoungpeopleatournightclub.You'reabitoldforournightclub,
mate."There'snorightifhe'sturnedaway.Andthefactthathe'saMuslim,there'sno
rights.Andsoifhesays,"Well,I'vegotArthritis,youcan'tturnmeawaybecauseI've
gotArthritis,"it'snotthebasis.So,oneofthemainreasonsforbringingthemtogetherto
rationalizeantidiscriminationlegislation,thegovernmentisnottaking...Andthat'swhy
disabilityneedstobekeptseparateforabitsowhiletheotherbitsareallfightingfor
whatthey'veobviouslygottofightfor,disabilitywillsplitthatagenda.Andthat'swhy
we'vefoughtsohardwiththegovernmenttokeepthedisabilitystrandwhichtheywill
keepforatleastfiveyearsbeforetheyreviewit.Andtheysaidtheywillbuildthatinto
thelegislationbecausewewerepromisedthat,andIsaid,"No,promisesarenogoodto
me.Ministerscomeandgo.Iwantitinthelaw."
Powertosue,butpressurenottousethepower
Q.ButintermsofbeingabletosueforcivilrightswiththenewCommission,youhaven't
wonthatyet,isthatcorrect?
A.Theyarelettingussueforcivilrightsbutthey'rebeingtoldit'snotapowerthey
shoulduseveryoften.Andtheywerealsosayingintheearlydiscussionsthatitwasallto
bestrategic.Wellstrategicisawordthatistrottedoutwhen,byandlarge,peopledon't
knowwhattheyaretalkingaboutyouknow,itmeanswhateveryouwantittomeanand
it'soneofthosenicewordswhichiselastic.Sotherearesometimes,certaincases,they'll
say,"Thisisfundamentallywrong,andwe'vegotalotofpeopledoingthis"sothat
peoplewillgetthemessage.It'snotthatstrategic.Ablindpersongoesintoarestaurant
withaguidedog,andisbannedbecausetherestaurantdoesn'ttakedogs,nowthatisjust
againstthelaw,noquestion.Butbecauseitwastherestaurantindustry,wehadtobringa
fewcases.Nowtheyweren'tbig,strategiccases,theydidn'tgototheHouseofLords,
theydidn'tcreatemassivecaselaw,thelawisquiteclear.AnysortofHighStreet
solicitorcouldhavetakenthem,buttheywouldn'tbecausetheywouldn'tmeetanycost,
sowetookthem.Soyoutakeafew,andtherestaurantindustrygetstoknowthatif
you'vegotguidedogs,yougotserved.Andthenthemessagegetsthrough,andthat'svery
persuasive.Youknow,there'stimeswhenyoujusthavetolitigate.Andtheydoadvise
youthatyouhavepowerstodoit,butthepressurewouldbeonnottouseit,butmy
suspicionisiftheyhavethesecommissioners,theywouldinsistonusingit.Infact,if
theydisagreeoneverythingelse,oneofthedangers,istheymightstrugglefinding
agreementonsomeoftheotherissuesthattheresultisthatlitigationhasbecomethe
lowestcommondenominator.That'sonethingtheycanagreeon,andthat'sthedanger.
TheywillneedaverypowerfulChair,whoevertheychoosetochairthisnew
organization.It'snotgoingtobeaneasytask.
Government'srationaleinestablishingonecommission
Q.Whatwasthegovernment'srationaleintryingtodothatapartfromthetalkabout
beingonebig,happyfamily?Inreality,wasitabudgetarythingorsomethingelse?
A.Well,no,Ithinkthatthereareanumberofreasons.OneIsuspectisthere'sabelief
thattheEOCandtheCREperhapsneedanotherwayofliving,becausethey'vebeen
aroundfor25years,andgovernmentsdon'tlikethingslastingtoolong,byandlarge.So
thatcouldbeonething.Theotherthingwouldbethenewstrands,that'stheoldEuropean
lawandtheEuropeanUnion,andtheiremploymentrights,butthatcouldbemetbyjust
mergingthosestrandsofthecurrentcommissions.Imean,there'slotsofwaysyoucould
havedoneit,buttheycameupwiththisone.It'salsosignificantwhichdepartmentis
behindthis,theDepartmentofTradeandIndustry,whichofcourseislargelygearedto
meetingtheneedsofemployers,andemployershaveaskedforasinglecommission,
whichtheysaywillbeaneasieronestopshop.Butanyway,theywantaonestopshop.
Thisisnotcomingfromacivilorhumanrightsperspective,thisiscomingfromthe
DepartmentofTradeandIndustry.Andyoucouldseetheemploymentinfluencein
saying,youknow,"Don'tbetakingonemployersallthetime."Andifyou'regoingto
haveanorganization,whateveritsnameis,tofightfortherightsofpeople,thenyouhave
toquestiontowhatextentthosewhoaredenyingtherightsaresettingtheagenda.The
agendashouldbesetbydisabledpeople,itshouldn'tbesetbyemployers,itshouldn'tbe
setbyministers.It'sdisabledpeoplethatmatterinallthis.
ConcernsaboutsubsumingtheDisabilityRightsCommissionwithinlargerbody
Q.Itseemstome,Idon'twanttoputwordsinyourmouth,buthavingaDRC,whichis
specificallyaboutdisability,andhavingpeoplewithdisabilitiesonit,wouldseemtobe
havingagreaterimpactintermsofeducatingthenondisabledworldyourpeers,
membersofParliament,etc.abouttheimportance.Iwouldworrythatbecomingpartof
thisHumanRightsCommissionwhereeverybodyhastheirownaxetogrindsortof
lowerstheprofileinaway.Isthataconcern?
A.Ithinkallofusaregoingtohavetoworryaboutthat,iftheygotothisnewbig
Commissionwilltheylosetheirownidentity?Andthere'sadangerofit.WhatI'vetried
todotomitigatethatis,there'sanewdisabilitybillgoingthroughParliamentatthe
moment,whichwillgivetheDRCnewpowers,notjusttofightdiscriminationbutto
promotetheequalityofdisabledpeople.It'samuchmoreactivething.Andthere'ssome
otherthingscominginaswell.Theexceptionsonemploymentareallbeingremoved,so
thefireservicewillbecovered,thepoliceservicewillbecovered,theonlyexceptionwill
bethearmedforces.So,we'rebringingstrongerlaws,butthey'llneedtimetosettle,
whichwillprobablytakeusthrough2010,2012anyway,whichiswhyI'vearguedthat
thedisabilitystrandwillbethevitalresourcetotakeallthisagendathrough,soit'savery
goodagenda.Isuspectthey'llbemoredisabilitybillsinthefuture,butitwillbemore
difficultgettingthemthroughthisparticularbody.AnotherthingthattheDRCisdoing
nowisworkingwiththedisabilitycharitiesverycloselytoensurethatwhentheDRCis
notthere,thattheyarereadyandwillingtopickupthecampaignandroll,sothat
disabledpeopledon'tneedtorelyononebody.So,we'llbegoingtotwostrategies.One
istoensurethebodyisassensitivetotheneedsofdisabledpeopleaspossible,andI've
describedsomeofthemeasurestodothat,butwe'realsotryingtomakesurethatifthis
failstotally,thedisabilityagendawillstillgoforward,becauseofthecharities,whocan
dothecaseintheirownright,undertheactthatsaystheDRCcansue,thecharitycan
sue,anindividualcansueaswell.Andwhatwedoiswefundcases,becauseanyonecan
takeacase,sowedon'tprofitfromtakingacase.
Pursuingsuitsinpartnershipwithdisabilityorganizations
Q.UnderthisnewCommission,ifyoudidn'thavethepowerstosue,wouldyoubeable
tostillpayforcasesbroughtforthbycharities?
A.Yes,they'llhavethepowertodoso,thequestionis,willtheyuseit?Willtheysaythis
isapriority?Iftheydon't,thecharitiescantakethecasethemselvesonbehalfofthe
personwithadisability,buttheywouldhavetofootthebill.Andit'stypicallyabout
5,000poundsacase.Soit'sexpensive,theywouldhavetochoosethecase.Butevenat
theDRC,weonlytakeabout50casesayear.Butwhatwe'rechoosingnow,ishaving
takentheciviljusticeone,we'relookingforthebigcases.There'sanacademiclawyer
whoreviewstheemploymentlegislationeachyear,andthediscriminationlegislation,
andinhislatestlecture,oftheeightsignificantcasesbeingbroughtundertheEDA,the
DRCwasinvolvedwithsevenofthem.Sowearetakingthebigcases,andwe'vegot
about1000morecasesonappeal.They'retheexpensivecases,andyou'vegottohavea
fairlydecentbudgettocountertheriskofloosing.
Ifyoucan'taffordjustice...thenjusticeisdenied"
Andifyoucan'taffordjustice,intheUK,abitlikeinAmerica,thenjusticeisdenied.So
youneedsomebodywithabigenoughpursetoensureyouhaveaccesstojustice.And
theneworganizationIsuspectwillnotwanttobeantidisabledpeople;theywouldget
thewrathofthedisabilitycommunityandthatcouldmakethiswholethingfalldown.So,
Idon'tseedisabledpeoplebeingignored,whatwouldbemorelikelyisagroupofnon
disabledpeoplewhodon'tunderstanddisabilityaswellastheDRCdo,wouldbemaking
themajordecisions.Andnotonlyaretheynotgoingtounderstanddisability,they're
goingtohavetheextracomplicationofhavingtomeettheneedsoftheotherstrands,
whichtheyalsomightnotunderstand.Andsothedecisionmakingprocess,bydefinition,
mightnotbeaswellinformedasitisintheDRC,relatedtodisabilityissues.I'msurethat
intimeitwillbe,onehopes.Buttherewillbeahiatus,I'msure.SoI'mhopingthe
disabilitycommitteewillatleasthavetheexpertise,theknowledgetotakethisforward
andtocontinuethisuntilabout2012.AndatthatstageIreallycan'tanticipatewhatstate
theworldwillbe.I'llbelongretired;therewillbesomebodyelsetomakethedecisions.
Judgingthesituationoftheday,whatI'vedoneiswiththeDRC,issettheroadouttoat
least2011,2012where'sthere'ssomeprotectionandthenitreallyisotherpeoples'
decisionwhethertheDisabilityCommissionshouldcontinue,orwhetheritshouldbe
mergedwiththeotherstrands.Andtheremightbeacaseforitthen,butIcan'tanticipate
that,it'stoofaraway.
Peru:HumanRightsReportSparksInterestinMental
HealthReform
ByAlisonA.Hillman(ahillman@mdri.org)
MentalDisabilityRightsInternational(MDRI)andtheAssociationforHumanRights
(APRODEH)releasedatwoyearstudyentitledHumanRights&MentalHealthinPeru
inLimaonSeptember13,2004.Thereport,whichdetailswidespreadabusesand
discriminationagainstpeoplewithmentaldisabilitiesincludingpeoplewithpsychiatric
andintellectualdisabilitiesinPeru,hasgarneredsupportfrommanysectorsofPeruvian
societyforbroadbasedreformofmentalhealthandsocialservices.Peru'sMinisterof
Health,PilarMazzetti,attendedthepresentationofthereport,andofferedsupportforthe
report'srecommendations,notingthatatransitiontocommunitybasedmentalhealth
serviceswasnecessary.
Thereportdocumentsanumberofserioushumanrightsviolationsagainstpeoplewith
mentaldisabilities,including:inhumananddegradingtreatmentininstitutions;
discriminationintheprovisionofhealthandsocialservices;failuretoensureinformed
consent;andviolationsoftherighttocommunityintegration,amongothers.Investigators
attributetheseviolationsto:"nearpervasivediscrimination,prejudice,andlackof
opportunitiesforpeoplewithmentaldisabilities;insufficientgovernmentfinancingfor
mentalhealthandsocialservices;andthehistoricalfailuretoincludepeoplewithmental
disabilitiesinservicesplanning."Whilethereportdocumentsafewimpressive
communityintegratedprograms,itfindstheseareprimarilyprivatelyfundedinitiatives,
andthat,"thegovernmenthaslargelyfailedtotakeresponsibilityforthemostbasic
concernsofpeoplewithmentaldisabilities."
ThereportprovidesanumberofrecommendationstothePeruviangovernmentthat,if
adopted,wouldhelpbringPeru'spoliciesandpracticesintocompliancewith
internationalhumanrightsnorms.Whilerecognizingthatincreasedfundingisneededfor
communityintegratedhealthservicesandsupports,thereportoffersseveralloworno
costrecommendationsforenforcingtherightspeoplewithmentaldisabilities.These
recommendationsinclude:supportingthecreationandtrainingofconsumerorfamily
controlledpeersupportprogramsemphasizingnonprofessionalpeersupport;amending
policiesbarringpersonswithpsychiatricdisabilitiesfromrehabilitationcentersandother
facilities;creatingnecessaryaccommodationsincommunitybasedtraumacounseling
programstoincludepeoplewithpsychiatricanddevelopmentaldisabilities;and
includinghumanrightsanddisabilityawarenesstrainingaspartofthecurriculumof
healthcareprofessionalsandothersservingpeoplewithmentaldisabilities.
Despitechallenges,HumanRights&MentalHealthinPerunotesthatPeruisa
promisingcountryformentalhealthreform.Peru'sMinistryofHealthhastakenrecent
stepstowardpromotingreform,includingthepublicationinJanuary2004of"Guidelines
forActioninMentalHealth."Theseguidelinespromotecommunityintegratedmental
healthservicesandtheactiveparticipationofconsumersandfamilymembersinservices
planninganddelivery.TheSpecialCongressionalCommissiontoStudyDisabilityhas
alsobeenavocalproponentofenforcingtherightsofpeoplewithmentaldisabilities,and
theCoalitionforHumanRightsinHealth,aconsortiumoforganizationsfromPeru's
vibrantcivilsocietymovement,hasbeenactivelyparticipatinginthisprocess.
TheUNStandardRulesontheEqualizationofOpportunitiesforPersonswith
Disabilitiesrecognizethat,"Personswithdisabilitiesaremembersofsocietyandhavethe
righttoremainwithintheirlocalcommunities.Theyshouldreceivethesupporttheyneed
withintheordinarystructuresofeducation,health,employmentandsocialservices."As
thereportnotes,"Withappropriatesupportsandservices,peoplewithmentaldisabilities
aroundtheworldhavebeensuccessfullyintegratedintothecommunityandliveand
workinintegratedsettings."Investigatorsexpressedtheirsincerehopethereportwill
assistpolicymakers,serviceproviders,stakeholders,andnongovernmentalorganizations
topreventandeliminateallformsofdiscriminationagainstpeoplewithdisabilities,and
transformPeruintoamoreinclusivesociety.
Online,downloadableversionsofHumanRights&MentalHealthinPerucanbefound
inEnglishandSpanishatwww.mdri.org.
Uganda:InterviewwithFlorenceNayigaSekabira,
MinisterforDisabilityandAging
InterviewconductedbyIleneZeitzer(ilenezdc@yahoo.com)
Q.WereyouaMemberofParliamentpriortoyourcurrentposition?
A.Yes,IwasaMemberofParliament.IgottoParliamentinJune1996,andIwas
appointedMinisterofStateforElderlyandDisabilityAffairsinAugust1998.
Q.Whatdoyouthinkhasbeentheimpactofhavingyourselfandotherdisabled
individualsinhigherofficesinUganda?Canyoutellusaboutthemandwhatdoyoufeel
hasbeentheeffectofhavingyouandtheseotherindividualsinthesepositions?
A.Imaynotbeabletorememberallofthemwhoareinhigheroffices,butfirstinthe
politicalarena,wehavefiveMembersofParliament.Twoladiesbesidesme,theother
oneisMargaret,andthentheotherthreearemen.Atleastoneofthemisdeaf,theother
womanisvisuallyimpairedandthentherearethreeofuswithphysical[mobility]
disabilities.Muchoftheeffectofhavingusatthislevelhasbeenawarenessraising.
Rolemodelsneededforvarietyofgroups
We'reactingasrolemodelstomany,totheyoungpeoplewithdisabilitiesandother
disabledpersonsandeventotheparentswhohavechildrenwithdisabilities.We
encouragetheirhopeswhentheyseeusinsuchpositionstheyhavehopethat,oneday,
theirchildrenmaytakeupsuchpositions.Italsogivesthemtheknowledgethathavinga
childwithadisabilityisnotacurseasitusedtobethoughtof.Instead,thatiftheirchild's
potentialisdeveloped,shecancontributetothefamilyandtothenationatlarge.Sothis
hasbeenapositiveimpact.
Influencingdecisionsathigherlevelsofgovernment
Secondly,wehavebeenabletoinfluencedecisionsathighuplevelsofgovernment.Our
sittinginCabinethelpstoensurethatwhateverjudgmentgoesthroughCabinetis
disabilitysensitiveorfriendly.TheParliamentwilllookatwhatCabinethasprovided
andiftheywishtoimproveonit,thentheydoso.Sothenyouhavethesetwolevels
whereyoucanensurethatwhatevercomesoutofParliamentisdisabilityfriendly,
disabilityinclusive.Sowehavebeenabletoinfluencewhateverpolicy,lawsandsoon
goesthroughthegovernmentanditsprograms.Forexample,inthecaseofuniversal
primaryeducation,that'saprogramwhichhasbeencreatedtoensurethateachandevery
childbelow18yearshastheopportunitytogotoschool.Governmentmeetsthetuition
fee,theparentshavetoprovideonlyschoolfeesandmoneytofeedtheirchildrenand
alsotobuybooks.Wehelptoensurethatthepolicythatestablishesthatprogram
providesforchildrenwhohavedisabilities.Ithasresultedthatinfamilieswherethereare
childrenwhohavedisabilities,thosechildrenshouldbegivenprioritybecausewhenthis
programwasestablishedtobeginwith,itwastopertaintofourchildrenperfamily.
Thosewouldgotoschoolforfree,Imeanattendwithoutpayingtuitionfees.Butthe
federalgovernmentdecidedthateveryUgandanchildshouldhaveeducationforfree,so
wehadtoensurethatchildrenwithdisabilitieswereprovidedfor.Weinsistedthatina
familywheretheyhavechildrenwithdisabilities,theyshouldbegivenpriorityamong
thefour.
Q.Sotheyarepushedtothefrontoftheline,sotospeak?
Impactonpublicperceptionofdisability
A.Yes.Sowehavehadquiteanimpactonpolicies,actsofParliamentandprogramsof
government.Now,theotherpositiveimpactIwouldsayisinthepublic.Inourlocal
language,wheneversomeonesawadisabledperson,theywouldsaythatpersonisa
"CataYamba"meaningsomeonewhoishelpless.Nowpeoplecametomyofficeand
said,"Thesedayswehadtoaddcouncilor,"becausemanydisabledpeopleendupon
theselocalgovernmentcouncils.Sothepublichadtochangethelanguagebecausewhen
theymeetapersonwithadisabilitytheydon'tknowwhethertheyaretalkingtoa
councilororanyotherperson,sotheynolongercallthem"thehelplesspeople"but
councilors.
Q.Theassumptionisnowthattheyareallcouncilors,whereasbeforetheassumption
wastheywereallhelpless?
A.Yes.WhenIwaselectedtobeaMemberofParliamentin1996,allofthetechnical
officeshadaneducationofficer,andintheministrywhereIworktoday,thatpersonwas
addressingsomegovernmentpeopleandsaid,"Wehavetochangeourlanguage.Ifyou
havealwayscalledpeoplewithdisabilities'helplesspeople,'howwillyoubeableto
continuetomakethisstatementbecausenowthisMemberofParliament,shewillbe
entitledtoavehicle,shewillfindyouinthewindandmaygiveyoualift.Nowhoware
yougoingtotellothersaboutahelplesspersongivingyoualift?"Sothatwasinteresting.
So,notonlyithascreatedthatpositiveattitudetowardspeoplewithdisabilities,ithas
alsobuiltahopeforpeoplewithdisabilities,boththeyoungandtheadults.Wehaveour
leadersinthere,theyareindecisionmakingpositions.
Thoughnotmuchhasyetbeenachievedinlocalgovernmentcouncils,butatleastwhere
ourrepresentativesofpeoplewithdisabilitiesare,and,iftheyhavelobbyingand
advocacyskills,they'vebeenabletolobbyforbudgetstoensurethatpeoplewith
disabilitiesareincludedintheprogramsatthatlevel.Becausewhenwemakepoliciesat
thenationallevel,weneedtohavepeopletohelpusfollowuptheimplementationatthe
grassrootslevel.Sotheideaofhavingthecouncilorsatthegrassrootanddifferentlocal
governmentlevelsistobeabletodemandservices,tobeabletoknowthepolicies
provideforwhattheprogramissupposedtodoforpeoplewithdisabilities.
Skillstrainingneeded
Thechallengeatpresentisthatmanyofourcouncilors[withdisabilities]sometimeslack
theskillsoftheother[nondisabled]membersofthecouncil.Thecouncilhasabout15
people,thentherearetworepresentativesofpeoplewithdisabilities.Theyshouldbeable
toworkhandinhandwiththeothersonthelocalcouncilsothatwhentheyare
advocatingforsomeprovisionatthelocalgovernmentlevel,theycanbesupported
becausethereisalsoasmallcabinetatthelocalgovernmentcouncil.Theyhavepolicies,
buttheyalsoseektodrawtiestotheirlocalgovernment.Soweneedtobuildthecapacity
ofourpeoplewithdisabilities,especiallyatthelocallevel,sotheycanbeabletodemand
budgets,todemandforservicesandtobeableeventocommunicatetousatthenational
levelonissuestheyfeelareoppressive.Sometimestheydocommunicate,butsometimes
theydon't.
ElectionprocessinUganda
Q.WhenyouwereelectedtoParliament,howdidthatwork?Wereyouactuallyputon
theballotbyyourparty?Ordidyouputyourselfon?Tellmealittlebitabouthowthat
electionsituationworked.
A.TheinterestingpartofUgandaisthatsince1996,wehavebeenunderthemovement
systemofgovernment.Itwasanallencompassingsortofmovementbecauseofthe
revolution,ourdividedpartieshadn'tworkedwellformanyyears.Whenthepresent
Presidentcamein,hecamewithavisionofgettingpeopleunitedandsosomehowwe
didn'tcontinuemultiparties.Wehavebeenunderonesystem,embracingthelarge
partieswhocameinandtheconstitutionprovidedthatfortenyearswe'dbeunderthe
movementsystemofgovernment.Sounderthatweareallembraced,sothereisnoparty.
Sowecouldonlyelectourownrepresentatives.Disabledpeoplehadtobeorganizedto
electtheirleaderstoParliament.
Q.Anddidthepartygotothedisabilityorganizationsandaskthemtogivethemalistof
peopletorunfortheParliament,similartothesystemusedinSouthAfricabytheANC?
A.Yes,butSouthAfricaalsohadanotherparty,Liberty.
Q.Yes,buttheANCisthemostpowerfulandtheywenttothedisabledpeoples
organizationsandsaid,"Giveusalistofpeoplewhowouldbeviablecandidates."And
thentheyputthemontheballotwherevertheywerefrom.
Regionalapproachto5disabilityseatsinParliament
A.No,foruswehavefiveseatsintheParliamentandit'suptopeoplewithdisabilitiesto
decidehowwewanttogetourfivemembersofParliament.Sowedecidedaspeople
withdisabilitiesthatforthefiveseats,wearegoingtodivideUgandaintofourregions
andthenweshalldecidewhatitwillbeforeachregion.Thenwealsosaidthatoneseat
shouldbeforwomenwithdisabilities,whichwouldbecontestedforbywomenwith
disabilitiesonly.Theotherfourwouldbecontestedforbybothmenandwomenbecause
wewantedtoensurethatinParliamentwehadbothmenandwomenwithdisabilities
represented.SoweorganizedElectoralColleges.Wegetrepresentativesfromeach
district,soeachdistrict,whenthetimecomestoelectanewMP,sendsfourpeople:one
withavisualimpairment,onewithaphysicaldisability,onewithahearingdisabilityand
onewithanyotherdisability.Atthatpoint,wemeetinthecapitalcity,Kampala,then
theymakeanElectoralCollege,anditisthroughthatwegoandcampaign.Wecomeup
withourmanifestoandwhoeverisinterestedtoserveasaMemberofParliament,hegoes
tocampaign.Ifthedisabilitypeopleelectyou,thenyougo,iftheydon't,whetheryou
havesupportfromgovernmentornot,thenyoudon't.
Q.ThenondisabledmembersoftheElectoralCollegedonotvoteforyou?
A.No,theyarenotsupposedto.
Q.Soonlythedisabledpeopleareallowedtovotefortheirrepresentative.
A.Yes.SotheyelectustoParliament,andsoasthewomenrepresentativeinParliament,
I'msupposedtoimmediatelyfocusonissuesofdisabledwomen.SoIworkhandinhand
withtheothers,butyouknow,I'mnotlimitedtothat.Ihavetoalsofocusonnational
issues,butIshouldensurethattheissuesofwomenwithdisabilitiesarenotleftout,so
that'smyimmediatefocus.Butwearenotlimitedtothat,infactoneofusisthe
chairpersonofoneofthecommitteesinParliamentthathandlestheeconomyofthe
country.Sowearefreetodebateeachandeverythinglikeeveryotheritemin
Parliament,justlikeanyotherMemberofParliament,wearenotlimited.
WorkingwiththeUgandandisabilitymovement
Q.Howdoesthatworkintermsoflegislationthatisn'tnecessarilyperceivedasa
disabilityissue,butthatwouldimpactonpeoplewithdisabilities?Let'ssaylegislation
abouteducationortransportation?Wouldyouautomaticallybesentwhitepapersonany
pendingproposalsorbills?WouldthefiveMembersofParliamentwithdisabilitiesbe
givenallthatorwouldyouhavetoask?
A.Iwouldhavetoaskforit.NowthedisabilitymovementinUgandaisverypopular.
EachandeveryotherMinisterknowsthatthere'sanorganization,theNationalUnionof
DisabledPersonsinUganda,that'sNUDPU,buttheyalsoknowthattherearethe
stakeholders,so,forexample,rightnowtheMinisterofTransport,Communicationand
Housingisworkingonbuildingacontrolbillinordertocomeupwithlawson
constructionofbuildings.Sowhentheydraftedthepolicy,theyhadtoinvite
stakeholders,andtheyknowverywellthatwehaveaninterestinthat.Somydepartment
wasinvited,andasaMinisterIwasinvitedtoconsultativemeetings,butNUDPU
officials,representingtheNGOthatistheumbrellaforpeoplewithdisabilities,was
invitedtothatmeetingandtheMinisterofEducationbecauseshealsohandleschildren
withdisabilitiesandotherstakeholderswereinvited.Sowehadtolookatthebill,atthe
draftbill,youknow?Welookedatit,madeourcomments,thentheresponsibleministry
hadtotakeitback,addressourconcernsandthengoaheadtoworkonit,andafterthat,
thebillisgoingtobepresentedtoCabinet.ButafterCabinetitwillcomebackto
Parliament.Sowhentheyinviteme,theyalsoinvitetheotherMPstothatconsultative
meeting.Butifitcomesoutthattheydidn'ttakecareofalltheissuesrenderedatthat
consultativemeeting,thenitwillbechallenged.Imean,theMPsforpeoplewith
disabilitieswillhaveanotheropportunitytoensurethattheirrealconcernsaretakencare
of.
ButdisabilityawarenessinUganda,itreallyevenimpressesme.Whenit'stimetodebate
disabilityinParliament,Imeanthere'sno"whohasadisabilityandwhodoesn'thaveit."
TheMPsthemselvesnow"getit"becauseintheirconstituenciesdisabledpeoplehave
cometothem,becausetheydon'twaitforusonly,theyalsogototheotherMembersof
Parliament,becausetheyvoteforthem,too.That'stheadvantagewehave.Wevotefor
ourownMembersofParliamentforpeoplewithdisabilities,butwealsovoteforthose
otherMPsinthecommunitieswherewelive,sowehavetherighttogotothemandsay,
"Pleaseensurethatgovernmentdoesthisandthat."
Disabilitysupportathighestlevel
AsaMinisterresponsiblefordisabilitiesissues,I'minterestedinthelevelofawarenessin
thetopleadershipofthecountry.WhenthePresidentmettheleadersofpeoplewith
disabilities,hesaid,"Ihaveasisterwhohasadisability,butmyfatherwantedtokeep
herathomesoshecouldtakecareofthecalves."Thefatherwasworriedthatthe
daughtercouldfallonthewaybecausetheschoolsusedtobefar,unliketodaybecause
manyschoolshavenowbeenconstructed.Sotheirfatherwassoworriedabouthis
daughterthathewantedhertostayathome,takecareofthecalves,youknow?Butthe
motherwasstrong,andthemothersaidno.Shestoodhergroundandsaid,"Mydaughter
shouldgotoschool."Themotherinsistedthatthegirlhadtogotoschool,now,shehasa
Mastersdegree.SothePresidentisalsoveryclosetodisabilityissues,andheknowsthat
inParliamentdisabledpeoplearecrucial.
Interministerialcooperation
Q.Talkalittlebitaboutyourpositionnow.HowlonghaveyoubeentheMinisterof
State?
A.SinceAugust1998.
Q.Andtellusalittlebitaboutthatposition.HowdoyouworkwiththeotherMinistries
andalsothedisabledpeoples'organizations?
A.WehaveabigministrycalledtheMinistryofGender,LaborandSocialDevelopment.
Nowinthatministry,therearedifferentdepartmentsthataremannedbyMinistersof
State.SothatministryhasfiveMinistersofStateandanotherMinister,calledaSenior
Minister.WithinthatbigMinistry,wehaveadepartmentwhichtakescareofallpersons
withdisabilities,that'stheoneI'minchargeof.Thenthere'sanotherbiggerone,another
biggerdepartmentforchildrenandyouth.There'saMinisterofStateresponsibleforthat.
Thenthere'sanotherMinisterresponsibleforlaborandindustrialrelations;andanother
responsibleforcultureandgenderaffairs.Sothosearedifferentbigdepartmentswithin
thatministry.
Q.Andyou'reallcalledMinisters?EachdepartmentheadiscalledaMinister?
A.Yes,aMinisterofState.Sowithinthatministry,wecollaborateagreatdealbecause
weareallunderoneumbrella.SoIknowwhat'stakingplacewiththechildren:they
sharewithmeinformationaboutwhatisgoingon,andIalsosharewiththem.Wesend
informationtoeachothersothatwecanatleastknowsomethingthatishappeningwith
theotherdepartments.Now,whenitcomestootherministries,liketheMinistryof
Agriculture,Educationandsoon,mineisalmostlikeanadvocacyministry,becauseI
havetheleadroleofinitiatingpolicyondisabilityifthereisaneedforalaw,Ihaveto
initiateit.Iadvisegovernmentondisabilityissuesandtheconcernsofpeoplewith
disabilities.Imanageaprogramandsupervisebygoingtothelocallevelstoseewhatis
happening,andmostespeciallyintheareasofdisabilityandtheolderpersons'affairs.
Nowif,duringmyfieldvisits,Ifindaprograminsomearea,forexample,ifIfindthat
thelocalgovernmentsareleavingdisabledpeopleoutofgovernmentprograms,Icome
backtomyofficeandcommunicatetotheministerresponsible.Isay,"Insuchandsucha
district,yourdepartmenttheredoesnotprovideforpeoplewithdisabilitiesinthisarea."
Inotherwords,Ifoundsuchandsuchaproblem,soyouhavetoseeaboutitasa
ministry.Manytimestheygoaheadandactandthentheyreporttome.Orotherwise,
theymightwritetomeandsay,"Ok,giveusmoreinformation,"orsomethinglikethat.
Andifthey'recomingupwithanythingpolicyorlaworanything,wesharewitheach
other.Alltheministriesmustgetacopy,maketheircomments,thentheysenditbackto
therightministryresponsibleforthatparticularprogram,policyorlaw.Sothat'showwe
work,butwealsohaveCabinetmeetings.Whenyouarepresentingsuchpapers,typically
youarethereinperson,orifI'mnotabletobethere,thenthereisaSeniorMinisterthere,
becausesheworksverycloselywithallofthespecializeddepartments,sowehaveto
briefherfromtimetotime.
Reportingchannelsandbudgets
Q.YoureportdirectlytotheSeniorMinisterofyourministryandthenshereportstothe
President,isthatthereportingstructure?
A.No,shereportsdirectlytothePrimeMinisterandthePrimeMinisterreportstothe
President.WealsohavethefullCabinetmeetingsandtheyarechairedbytheVice
PresidentforthePresident.SotheyaresupposedtobechairedbythePresidenthimself,
butinhisabsencetheVicePresidentchairsthem.SoinCabinetwehaveanopportunity
toreport.
Q.Anddoeachofyouhaveyourownbudget?OrdoyougotoyourSeniorMinister
whenyouneedmoney,orhowdoesthatwork?
A.Inthebudget,wearelookedatasoneministry,sothattherearebudgetlinesforthe
differentprogramsthatwerun.
Q.Doyouknowwhatyouroperatingbudgetisforyourprogramswhenyoustartyour
fiscalyearapproximatelyhowmuchmoneyyouwillhavethatyeartorunyour
programs?
A.Yes,butsometimestherearebudgetcuts.Alsoduringtheyear,youcanrunoutof
fundsbecausetherewasn'tenoughrevenuecollected,soyouaren'tabletoaccessthe
wholeamountthatyouaskedfor.Sothatwillalsohappen.
Q.AndIassumethatthemoneycomesfromgeneralrevenuesfromtaxation?
A.Yes,andevensomedonationsfrompartnersindevelopment.But,ithastobe
budgetedforbyMinisterofFinancethatdoesthefinancesforallthedifferent
governmentministries.Wealsogetmonthlyreleases.That'swhyI'msayingthat
sometimesforsomemonths,youmaygoandtheysay,"Wedidn'tgetenoughrevenueso
youaren'tgettingwhatyoubudgetedfor."Sothisaffectstheprograms.
Programsforelderlypersons?
Q.Sinceyousaidyouhavetheelderlyandthedisabledinyouministry,what'sthe
breakdownpercentagewiseintermsofyourbudget?Howmuchofyourtotalbudgetis
devotedtoprogramsfortheelderly,howmuchforthedisabledsinceUgandaisprobably
predominatelyayoungcountry,isn'tit?Doyouhavealotofelderlypeople?
A.Yes,wedo.AccordingtothepopulationintheCensusof2002,6%ofourpopulation
iselderly,60andabove.Butthefunnythingisupuntiltoday,wehaveaminimalbudget
fortheolderpersons.Whathappensisthattheprogramofthepeoplewithdisabilitieshas
hadsomesupportfrompartnersindevelopment,orthedonorcommunity.Butasforthe
olderpersons,Ihaven'tsucceededtogetthatyet.I'vecommunicatedtodifferent
organizations,butitseemsthattheystillfeelthattheAfricanextendedfamilycanstill
takecareoftheolderpersons,whichisnotthetruth.Imean,it'snotthereality.Because
theyoungpeoplearenotintheruralareaswheretheyusedtobetotakecareoftheir
parents.Someofthemhavegonetootherplacestolookforemployment.Secondly,
becauseofHIV/AIDS,theyoungpeoplehavediedandlefttheolderpeoplewithorphans
intheruralareas.Sotheolderpersons,insteadofexpectingsupportfromtheirchildren,
sonsanddaughters,nowhavetheresponsibilityofcaringfortheirgrandchildreninthe
ruralareas.ButIhaven'tbeenabletogetpeoplewhoarewillingtosupportgovernment
inthatarea.Andthegovernment'sbudgethasn'tbeenforthcoming.
ImpactofHIV/AIDS
Q.HowbigaproblemisHIV/AIDSinUganda?
A.Accordingtowhattheysay,thestatisticsarethatthelevelofinfectionhasgonedown
becauseofthecampaign.ThePresidenthasbeensoopenaboutit,andwheneverhe
addressesanygathering,heremindsthepopulationaboutHIV/AIDS.Andthereisa
programfortheyouthandthechildrentogetouttheawarenessraising.Butofcoursethe
damagehadalsobeencausedearlieronfromthe90'swhenAIDScameinthecountry.
So,Imean,ithasbeenderailednow,butitisabigproblembecauseyougo,wehave
manyorphansinthecountry.Itwasoneofthehighest[oftheAfricancountries]alotof
workhasbeendonetoreducetheproblem.Therateofinfectionhasreallygonedown,
butwhataboutthosewhohadbeeninfectedbeforethecampaignhadbegun,theyoften
died.
Q.Howlonghasthecampaignbeengoingon?
A.SincethePresidentcametopowerwhichwasin'86.
Q.Sohewaswarningpeopleearlyon?
A.Yes,hewaswarningpeople.Butbefore'86,AIDSwasaround,theproblemhadreally
comesothosewhohadbeeninfected.Andothersofcoursewhowantedtohaveaffairs,
inspiteofallthatawareness.Somepeoplemaynottakeitseriously,sotherearealso
otherinfections.Buttherateofinfectionhasgonedown.That'swhyitistalkedaboutso
much,andourPresidenthasjustreceivedanawardfromtheU.S.forbeingopenand
fightingHIV/AIDS.Butforothernationsthatnevercameoutopenly,theyhaveabigger
problemthanours.
My14YearsinSwedishPoliticalLife
ByBengtLindqvist.(Editor'sNote:Mr.Lindqvist,Europe'sfirstblindMinister,was
askedtocontributethisarticleaspartoftheWorldInstituteonDisability'sprojecton
governanceanddisability.)
Introduction
Therearetworeallystrongreasonsforopeningupparticipationinpoliticallifefor
peoplewithdisabilities.Thefirstisthatatrulydemocraticsocietymustrecognise
diversityandacceptthedifferentrequirementsformakingpoliticalinvolvementa
possibilityforall.Itisagiventhatpeoplewithdisabilitiesarepartofanypopulationin
theworldandthereforeallnationsstrivingtowardsdemocracymustdevelopanactive
policywithconcretemeasurestomakeitpossibleforpeoplewithdisabilitiestotakean
activepartinpoliticallife.Thesecondreasonissimplythatitisnotpossibletorealise
theinternationallyrecognisedgoalofdisabilitypolicyfullparticipationandequality
withoutmakingitpossibleforpeoplewithdisabilitiestobeinvolvedinthepoliticallife
oftheircountry.Itisagainstthisbackgroundwewillwelcomeallnewinitiativesleading
towardsincreasedaccessibilityandrealparticipationbypeoplewithdisabilitiesinthe
politicalprocess.
Background
BeforeImakeanattempttoformulatesomeexperiences,gainedduringmytimeasan
electedpoliticianinSweden,Iwanttogiveyousomebackgroundinformation,which
hopefullywillhelpyoutounderstandmyroleandfunctionasapolitician.
IlostmysightasaboyandIhavemyrootsintheSwedishmovementofpeoplewith
disabilities.ForalongtimeIservedasthepresidentoftheSwedishAssociationofthe
VisuallyImpaired.From1977IheldthepositionaschairpersonoftheCentral
CommitteeofOrganisationsofdisabledpeopleinSweden(HCK),afairlyinfluential
organisationwithapproximately400,000members.
In1980HCK,togetherwithotherorganisationssuchastradeunions,pensioners'
organisationsetc.,gotinvolvedinamajorpoliticalcampaignagainsttheongoingcutsin
publicspendingonsocialservices.Iwasaskedtochairthegroupleadingthiscampaign.
Ourworkattractedagooddealofattentionand,partlybecauseofthis,Iwasaskedto
accepttorunforaseatinParliamentfortheSocialDemocrats(theSwedishlabour
party),towhichIbelong.Ourpartywontheelectionsin1982andIgotmyseatin
Parliament,whichhadneverhadablindmemberbefore.
ImanagedtodefendmyseatinParliamentthroughfoursubsequentgeneralelections
andleftParliamentin1996,inthemiddleofanelectionperiod.Myreasonfordoingthis
wasthatIhadacceptedthepositionasUNSpecialRapporteuronDisabilityin1994andI
foundthatthisfunctiontooksomuchtimeformethatIwasunabletodoadecentjobin
Parliamentatthesametime.
In1985OlofPalme,theSwedishprimeminister,askedmetojoinhisgovernmentand
gavemetheresponsibilityforsocialservicesandfamilyaffairs.Ikeptthispostupto
1991,whenourpartylosttheelection.Afterashorttimeoutofoffice,Ireturnedtomy
seatasamemberofParliament.
Campaigningforaseat
Inourcountrypeoplewerenotusedtomeetingapoliticalcandidatewithadisability.
However,whenIacceptedtorunforaseatinparliament,Ialsohadtoaccepttodothe
samekindandamountofcampaigningasothercandidates.ThismeantthatItookpartin
allsortsofmeetings,streetdiscussions,visitstoworkplacesetc.Especiallyduringmy
firstcampaignin1982Ioftennoticedreactions,whichIbelievehadtodowithmy
blindness.Thereactionswereakindofmixtureofsympathy,cautiousness,curiosityand
reservation.AsIgainedexperience,Iimprovedmyperformance,butImustalsoconfess
thattheseopenairmeetingsandconfrontationswerenevermybestdiscipline.
Fromadisabilitypointofview,thefactthatpeoplemetablindpersoninthisrolewas
obviouslyagoodthing.A"disabilitycomponent"moreorlessautomaticallybecamepart
ofmymessage,evenifIspokeaboutotherthings.Atmeetings,whichIconsideredas
moresuccessful,people"gotusedtome"andthediscussionsbecamemorerelaxedand
freefromspecialregards.Participantsandlistenersfoundoutthatpeoplewithdisabilities
haveviewsandexperiencesofotherdimensionsoflife,notjustondisabilitymatters.
Naturally,Ialsogotmorequestionsondisabilitymattersthanothercandidates.
Mytimeinparliament
AsIpointedoutbefore,IwasthefirstblindmemberoftheSwedishParliament.Fromthe
verybeginningofmyworkasanM.P.,Ifoundthattheresponsiblepeopleforservingthe
memberswerequitedeterminedtofindpracticalsolutionsforme.Thereweremany
questionsfromtheadministratorsbothoftheparliamentandthepartyoffice.Howcould
theenormousflowofprintedinformationbemadeaccessibleforme?Thiswasafew
yearsbeforetheeraofpersonalcomputersandspecialequipmentforblindpeopleto
maketheinformationflowaccessible.Thereforeotherformsofserviceshadtobefound.
Theresultwasthattheparliamentestablishedextensivesupportservices,amountingto
almosttwofulltimepositionsassecretaries.Theparliamentalsoboughtascanning
machine,whichwasinitsinitialstageofdevelopment.Ittooktwopeopletocarryitfrom
oneroomtoanother.Ialsogotabraillecomputer.
WiththissecretarialassistanceandtechnicalequipmentIcouldmanagequitewellaftera
fewmonthsoflookingforefficientcombinationsandworkingmethods.
ItturnedoutthatIcouldmanagemostoftheroutinesinthechamber.Oneexceptionwas,
however,thedifferentlightssignallingtothememberwhoisspeaking,whenhistimeis
out.Thisoncegavethespeakerofthehouseseriousproblems.Iwasinthemiddleofa
heateddiscussionwithanothermemberandIhadtotallyforgottenabouttimerestrictions.
WhenmytimewasupandIgottheredlight,whichIcouldn'tsee,thespeakerdidnot
findanicewaytocutmeoff.Hewaitedforalongtimeandwasclearlyembarrassedby
thesituation.Unawareofwhatwashappening,Ijustwentonspeaking.Finally,the
speakerlosthispatienceandbrokemeoffveryrudely,whichwasnotanaturalthingfor
himtodo.Afterwardshecametomeandapologisedandwecouldbothlaughatthe
incident.Lateronwefoundaway,throughwhichhecouldwarnme,whenmyspeaking
timewasapproachingitsend.Hesimplyknockeddiscretelyonthetablewithhisgavel.I
amnotcertain,butIthinkhestartedtousethismethodtowarnothermembersaswell.
DuringmytimeinparliamentIservedasamemberoftheCommissionforsocialaffairs.
Weweresevenrepresentativesofmypartyanddividedissuesbetweenus.Ihada
mixtureofmattersasmyresponsibility,amongthemdisability.Itisimportanttonotice,
thatdisabilitywasjustoneofanumberofissuesthatIworkedwith.Oneotherarea,
whichinterestedmealotwasfamilypolicyandchildcare.However,withmy
backgroundinthemovementofpeoplewithdisabilities,manyofthepersonalinitiativesI
tookinparliamenthadtodowithdisability.Mylinkswiththemovementandwithother
interestgroupingsmademeoneofthemostdiligentmembersofparliamentwhenit
cametopersonalproposalsandinitiatives.
WhenIcamebacktoparliamentaftermysixyearsasacabinetminister,Ihadsomuch
morepoliticalexperience,Inaddition,thewholeinformationflowinparliamenthadbeen
computerised,whichmeantarevolutioninaccesstome.Withsomeextraequipmentfor
brailleandsyntheticspeechIcouldmanagemostoftheinformationonmyown.The
resultwasthatIneededverylittleextrasupportandcouldmanagewiththesameamount
ofsecreterialserviceofferedtoanymember
Mytimeingovernment
AsagovernmentministerIwassurroundedbysomuchstaffthatitwasmoreorlessa
questionofgettingorganisedinadifferentway,tomakethingswork.Amongother
thingsIintroducedasystem,wherestaffmemberscametomyroomandmadepersonal
presentations,insteadofsendingmeloadsofwrittenmaterial.Thiswasapracticalway
ofgettingaccessforme,butIsoonlearntthatitwasalsomuchappreciatedbystaff
members,astheygotpersonalcontactanddirectcommunicationwiththeminister.
AsaministerIhadaratherbroadandgrowingportfolio.Thefulltitleofmyofficewas:
MinisterforSocialServicesandFamilyAffairs.Itincludedchildcare,parentinsurance,
fostercare,adoptions,servicesforpeoplewithdisabilitiesandtheelderly,alcohol
policiesanddrugabuse.ImakethislonglisttoillustratethatIwasaministerwitha
regularportfolioandnotaspecialministerfordisabilitymatters.
Ienjoythinkingbackonmytimeinthegovernment.IlearntalotandIhadgood
relationswithmyfellowministers.Imustadmit,however,thatsomeofthemwerenow
andthentemptedtoreferdisabilitymatterstome,evenifthesemattersclearlybelonged
totheirownresponsibility.IfIcould,Igavethemadvice,butmostofthetimeIsentthe
matterbacktothemtoactupon.
Oneinterestingrelationwastheonebetweenmeandmyformercolleaguesandfriendsin
themovementofpeoplewithdisabilities.Theynaturallyhadhighexpectationsonmeto
workespeciallyhardtoimprovethesituationofpersonswithdisabilities.Ifeltnowand
thenthattheyweredisappointedinme,asIfailedtorealisesomeoftheirinitiativesand
proposals.Thiswasparticularlynoticeablearound1990,asourcountrywasontheway
intoadeeprecession.Intheelectionsin1991ourgovernmenthadadifficulttimeandI
personallyfounditparticularlyfrustratingthatsomemajorimprovementsindisability
legislation,whichIhadprepared,weretakenoverintheelectioncampaigningbythe
liberals,whileweinthesocialdemocraticgovernmentweremainlythinkingof
sustainingandprotectingthestrengthofthenationaleconomy.Thiswasthegeneral
approachbythegovernmentanditprobablycontributedsignificantlytoourlossofthe
elections.
Somegeneralconclusions
FirstofallIthinkitisimportanttobeinvolvedinpoliticsonanequalbasiswithothers.
Ifwewantourpartytosupportusascandidatesforelectedpositions,wemusttryto
takeonthesamekindofresponsibilityforthegeneralprogrammeofthepartyasother
candidates,inotherwordsnotlimitingourroletobeingaspecialrepresentativefor
disabilityissues.Withourexperienceasdisabledpersonswewillstrengthenthe
disabilitydimensionanyway.
Adifferentbutimportantpointisthatthepartyandtheresponsibleauthoritymustcreate
fairconditionsforustofunction.Thisisimportantfromtheverybeginningwhenwe
accepttorunascandidates,and,ofcourse,whenwetakeuppositionsaselected
membersofanassembly,acouncilorthenationalparliament.
Manypeoplewithdisabilities,whoinfuturewanttobeinvolvedinpoliticalwork,will
havetheirrootsinthemovementofpeoplewithdisabilities.Itisveryimportantto
developgoodrelationswiththemovement,withmutualrespectforthedifferentroles
playedbyyouasapoliticianandthemovementconstantlyadvocatingforbetter
conditions.Withgoodrelationstherearesomanythingsyoucando,evenifyouwillnot
beinapositiontosatisfyalltheirrequests.
Concretestepscalledfor
Finally,muchincreasedparticipationinpoliticaldecisionmakingisnecessary,ifweare
evertoreachthegoaloffullparticipationinsociety.Therearemanyconcretethingsthat
canandmustbedonetoopenupthepossibilities.AfewyearsagotheInternational
FoundationforElectionSystems(IFES),togetherwithelectionauthoritiesanddisability
organisationsinanumberofcountries,carriedoutasuccessfulresearchanddevelopment
programmeintheareaofelectionaccess.Theprojectrevealedmanyseriousproblems
bothinelectionlegislationandinthepracticalexerciseofvotingrights.Asaresultofthe
project,IFEShaspublishedareportwithmanyvaluablerecommendationstoimprove
accesstothevotingprocedures,includingphysicalaccesstopollingstationsand
informationaccessbothfrompoliticalpartiesandtheelectionauthorities.Therearealso
recommendationsonhowtoprotectthesecrecyofvotingandhowtoprovidevoting
assistancewithoutviolatingthepersonalintegrityofthepersonvoting.
Iwouldverymuchliketoseetheserecommendationsgenerallyimplementedaroundthe
world,andIalsohopethattheserecommendationswillbeincludedinthenewUN
conventionprotectingthehumanrightsofpersonswithdisabilities.
Arts&Media
PerformingArtsShowcaseDrawsCrowdinSan
Francisco
ByBarbaraDuncan(barbaraduncan@gmail.com)
LegendaryjazzvocalistandpianistDianeSchuurwastheheadlinerforthisyear'sEver
WideningCircle,theannualshowcaseofperformanceartistswithdisabilities,produced
bytheWorldInstituteonDisability(WID)andtheCorporationonDisabilitiesand
Telecommunication(CDT).Schuur,blindsincebirth,hasbeenonstagesincetheageof
nineandhereaseinthespotlightshowedasshedroveheraccompanyingsaxophone,
bassanddrumplayerstosoaringmusicalheights.HerlatestseguesintoBraziliantempo
andthesolosbythefirstclassmusiciansbroughttheSanFranciscoaudienceattheYerba
BuenaCenterfortheArtstoastandingovation.Severalselectionswerefrom"Heartto
Heart,"herlatestalbum.
QuickTime and a
CharleneCurtiss(inchair)andJoannePetroffofLightMotion
HeldonSeptember29,theeveningperformancealsofeaturedtwoedgycomics,C.J.
Jones,adeafAfricanAmericanwhomanagedtochanneltheThreeStoogesandCharlie
Chaplininoral,bodyandsignlanguage;FredBurns,whousespsychedelicpainted
crutchestoletyouknowthathisjokeswillbecountertoyourculture;andaspinning,
whirling,musicallyprovocativedancebyCharleneCurtiss,wheelchairuser,andJoanne
PetroffofLightMotion,aleadingintegratedperformancecompany.But,surely,the
surpriseoftheeveningwasanewtalent:16yearoldEmilianoBorgoisChacon,alocal
highschooljuniorwhorecitedhisbilingualpoetrywithbreathtakingspeedandheart
stoppingpoignancy.Emiliano,whohascerebralpalsy,hasalreadywonnationalpoetry
slamsandoweshisSpanishfluencytohismother,borninCostaRica.
QuickTime and a
EmilianoBorgoisChaconperforming
TheeveningwascohostedbyDeborahKaplan,ExecutiveDirectorofWIDandLiane
Yasumoto,ExecutiveDirectorofCDT.CDTorganizesSuperfest,theInternational
DisabilityFilmFestivalheldinBerkeleyeveryJune.Informationviaemail:
Superfest@aol.com
Thecohostsalsorecognizedtwolongtimesupportersofdisabilityrightsandculture:
CatherineCampisi,Ph.D.,directoroftheCaliforniaDepartmentofRehabilitation,
receivedWID'spolicy&advocacyaward;andVictoriaAnnLewis,Ph.D.,aperformer,
writeranddirectoroftheatre,receivedCDT'sartsandcultureaward.Dr.Campisi
commentedthat,"Thehighlevelperformancestonightremindmethatit'struewhatI
havelearnedovertheyearsdisabilityisaboutdifference,notaboutdeficit."
mountainsandlanguage:apoem
Copyright2004EmilianoBorgoisChacon
lamadre
demimadre
oncetoldmethattherewasunpadre
whocouldhealme
andIwasgrowing
andgodwouldblessme
shecouldntseethatinsidemymind
myeyeswereclimbingmountains
andreelingfromlookingattheworldbelow
reelingfromtheworldabove
touchingme
withthefigmentsofherfaith
andsincerityinherprayer
see,thereissomethingthathappens
whendiostebendiga,godblessesme,
thatIcantquiteplace,
maybeitsmyheart
kneelingconfused
prayinghopeintothickairasifamiraclecouldbringmywordsandaspirations
totheclouds
whenIstillneedahandtogetupfromtheground
andresentment
wasneverspentbentonthefloorsolong
Itriedcryingforgod
andcomposingmyownpsalms
andthereissomethingthathappens
whendiostebendiga
thatIneverlettouchmeagain
andwithastafflikeapen
Imstillshiveringandshaking
fromtryingtorise
pullinguponastickthatbleedsink
andleavesscarsonpaperformetotouchandsavor
asmyonlychild
onlyson,littleboyofmemories
andIsee
undermypatteddownhairtherewasachurning
andadeepselfreflexivestare
thatfortenyears
IwishedtodeathIcouldrunawayfrom
andtherearechapterswhenI
breakdown
maybeitshiddenguilt
ofprayingtowhatIdontbelievein
andstrongerpeople
havetoholdmeandholdme,myheartfinallybroken
soitsopen
butthereisnorush
ofarainbowofwords,only,
"Imsorry"andconvulsionsandsomethingthatstoohot
andtoocold
andthisismystoryinEnglish
__________
themother
ofmymother
oncetoldmethattherewasafather
whocouldhealme
andwhenIwalkedthroughdoorways
on
this
sideofmyfamily
lipswouldwhisper
andthumbsandwrists
wouldspinjustbarelywiththememoryofchurch
andtheydidloveme
intheirembraciveLatinoway
yourgrowingsotall
cuantasnoviastienes
andIwouldblush
andtheywouldsitmedown
andtellmethatIdontcometovisitoftenenough
whenwasthelasttimeyoucametoCostaRica?
lastsummer,Icomeeverysummer,
youmeaneveryrainyseason.
well,yes,thatstrue.itsrainingrightnow
warmtears
becausegodblessedthemso
much
andoutofthekitchen
orsteppingawayfromthetelenovela,
backfromhaciendocompras
boththeshoppingandsoapoperasweregood,
butImfromlosesatadosunidos
soforoncetheyregoingtolayablessingwhereitshouldgo;
everytimediosmebendiga
enCostaRica
itrains,
itwashesawaytheirpain
theyfeelgoodaroundme
becausetheyhaveprayersforme,
theyhealmeintheirmindsalmost
asmuchasIdo
buttheydotrulyloveme,
andIalwaysfeeltheneed
topolitelydestroythebibleinbetweenus
lamadre
demimadre
oncetoldmequehabaunpadre
whocouldhealme
thatIshouldcry
andpleadwithmymother
totakemebehindgodsmountain
inthemiddleofCostaRica
andseethefatherwhocouldhidemysinfromme
betterthanshecould
well
Imtallerthanmygrandmothernow
andshehasnttalkedtome
aboutmiracles
sincemyeyesshiedaway
fromlookinguptoher
Imsureshestillbelieves
thatsomewhereinCostaRicaGodmadeamountain
ofprayerbeads
Imsureherfaithisstill
muchtallerthanme
butitisntthere
looming
anymore.
graciasabuelita,
fortakingcareofmygreatgrandparentsintheiroldage,
raisingmymotherandaunts,
sewingandcooking,
andlovingmeenoughtopinchmycheek
andcallmeguapo
forkissingme
huggingme
"pordios"trembling,
servingmesteamingfood
andswattingallthefliesaway
Ilookatthepictures
oflavirginandbabyjesus
whileIeatthepintoconjuevos
youcookedme
andIrealizethatyouhaveleadmebyhandupamountain
stronger
andolder
thangod
yourgazestaysstraightahead
whilemyeyesgowildclimbing
becausenoonewhohaslovedmehaseverliedtomelikethisbefore,
acreationofthe
figmentsofyourfaith
andsincerityinyourprayer
thesecondbiteof
riceandbeans
reassuresme:
theheavy,quecalor,air,woodentable,plasticchairs,
fillingmepintadowithpinto
youwillneverhearitfrommylips
butitwillseepthroughmyprayersifIevermakeoneagain
Iloveyou
Idontunderstandyourfaith
Idontknowhowyouslippedthosebiblesundermyhands
butgodisntmyanswer
IknowIdratherreadyourstory
fromyourface
IndiaHoldsInternationalDisabilityFilmFestival
ByBarbaraDuncan
StarsanddirectorsfromBollywoodjoinedwithhighlevelgovernmentofficialsandother
civicleadersinNewDelhiinSeptembertoinaugurateIndia's2ndInternationalSpecial
FilmFestival.Thefirstonein2003featured14filmsandthisoneshowcased26films
anddocumentariesfromIndia,Italy,France,Israel,Japan,ChinaandtheU.S.
JointlysponsoredbyBrotherhoodandActionAidIndiaSociety,thefestivalwasopened
September8byMs.RevathyMenonandNanditaDas,eminentactresses,Mr.Gulzar,the
legendarydirectorofHindifilms,Dr.UmaTuli,India'sChiefDisabilityCommissioner,
andMs.MeiraKumar,UnionMinisterforSocialJustice.Ms.Das,avolunteerwith
disabilitygroups,statedthat:"Mostfilmsreflectexistingsocietalattitudesofprejudice
andlackofawarenessaboutdisabilityinsociety."Revathyanchorsaradioprogram,
"TowardsAbility."
Theaimofthefilmfestivalwasto"createawarenessaboutdisabilityissuesthroughthe
mediumoffilmsandtofosterintegrationinsocietybyspreadingthemessageofability."
TheeventhadthesupportoftheIndianFilmInsitute,severalmajorcompaniessuchas
IndianAirlinesandDelhiTourism,manyembassiesandtheChildren'sFilmSocietyof
India.
SeveraloftheIndianfilmsshownwerefulllengthfeaturessuchas"Anjali,"a1990film
starringMs.Revathyasasensitivemotherofachildwithcerebralpalsy;"Koshish,"a
1972filmdirectedbyMr.Gulzaranacclaimedportraitofadeafcouple;"TeraMera
SaathRahein,"focusingontherelationshipbetweentwobrothers,onewithacognitive
impairment;and"KoiMilGaya,"a2003filmwhosesynopsissoundslikeacross
between"E.T."and"ForrestGump."
FilmsfromothercountriesincludedtheFrenchclassic,"IntheLandoftheDeaf,"an
Italianfilm,"AHeartElsewhere,"theIsraelifeature,"MyMother'sFirstOlympics,"and
"ChildrenofaLesserGod"and"Bornonthe4thofJuly"fromtheU.S.
Somedisabilitygroupswereunimpressedwiththefilms.JavedAbidi,Convenorofthe
DisablityRightsGroup,anumbrellaorganization,statedthat,"Mostofthefilmsarequite
conventionalIhavehardlyseenanygoodfilmondisabledpersons...andinonefilma
disabledboybecomespowerfulthroughmagic,makingitsoundlikeafairytale."Sudha
Balchandran,DirectoroftheNationalSocietyforEqualOpportunitiesforthe
Handicapped(NASEOH),saidshetoowascritical,pointingout,"Themediashould
depictabilitynotdisability."
Filmswereshownfreefortwoweeksatsixdifferentvenues,somewithhosted
discussionsaboutinclusionorintegration,sothatthemaximumnumberofpeoplecould
seethem.Details:www.southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/93871/1/571
VideoCameraAdaptedforUsefromWheelchair
MOUNTMARION,NYOctober15,2004Lairdannouncedtodaythelaunchofanew
systemformountingavideocameraonawheelchair.Thissystem,namedVGO,givesa
wheelchairuserfullcontrolovertheirvideocamera.Thisnewwheelchairvideosystem
helpsbroadcasters,educators,AVandmediadepartmentsmeetADAandSection508
complianceinanewcreativeway.
"Upuntilnow,theuseofavideocameraforsomeoneinawheelchairhasbeendifficult
ifnotimpossible,"saidChasePiersonfromDCTV."Lairdhastackledandsolvedthis
problembyworkingwithitsengineeringteam,consultants,andfromthepersonal
experiencesofourownemployeeswhouseassistivedevicestoaccesstechnology,"said
LairdDirectorofOperations,PakuMisra.
Thebroadcastvideowheelchairsystemcomesequippedwithasteelswingoutarmanda
cameratripodheadmountedonitforsafeandsteadycameramovement.Thearmcan
easilyswingoutofthewaywhentheuserneedstoenterorexittheirwheelchair.The
entiresystemcanberemovedsimplyfromthewheelchairbyreleasingthetwolocking
knobs.
VGOisavailablewithtwochoicesoftripodheads:Eitheranormalhandoperated
versionoranelectronicheadthataddsautomaticcontrolsofcamerastart,stop,record,
lensfocusandzoomaswellasfullpanandtiltcapability.Allofthesefeaturesare
controlledfromacabledhandheldremote.
Thereisanoptional5.6"colorLCDmonitorsystemandclampavailablesouserscan
viewexactlywhatthecameraisrecordingwithouthavingtobenearthecamera.
TheVGOwheelchairsystembringscreativeaccessibilitytopeoplewithdisabilitiesfor
shootingbroadcast,wedding,andtrainingvideosaswellasothermultimedia
productions.
LairdTelemediaproducts,includingtheVGOWheelchairVideoSystem,areavailable
fromaworldwidenetworkofprofessionaldealers.Forimagesandmoreinformation
aboutVGO,logontowww.lairdtelemedia.com.
London's6thDisabilityFilmFestival,December2004
TheLondonDisabilityArtsForum(LDAF)incollaborationwiththeNationalFilm
Theatre(NFT)wouldliketoannouncethatits6thDisabilityFilmFestivalwilltakeplace
on15December2004attheNFT,SouthBank,London.
LDAF'sDisabilityFilmFestivalshavepreviouslytakenplaceduringthesummer,butthis
yearthe6thDisabilityFilmFestivalmovestoDecembertocoincidewithWorldAids
Dayon1stDecemberandtheInternationalDayofDisabledPeopleon3rdDecember.
Overthepastfiveyears,theDisabilityFilmFestivalhasscreenedover200films.Many
ofthemhavetourednationallyandinternationally.TheDisabilityFilmFestivalisunique
inseveralfeatures:
Thefestivalonlyscreensfilmsinwhichdisabledpeoplehavehadcreativecontrol.
Thismeansthatthemajorityoffilmshavebeenwrittendirectedorproducedby
disabledpeopleorhavebeenmadecollaborativelywithdisabledpeople.
Thisfestivalrepresentssomeofthefinesttalentamongstdisabledartistsand
filmmakersontheseislandsandworldwide.Thefestivalstrivestoprovidedisabled
filmmakersandartistswithanatmospherewheretheycanexchangeideasand
networkwitheachother.
Thesubjectandstyleofallofthefilmsisdiverse.Contrarytopopularbelief,
disabledartistsarecreatingextraordinaryworkthatdoesn'tnecessarilyfocuson
disability.
Accessisapriority.Thisyear,LDAFwillcontinuetoworkwiththeNFTtoimprove
theaccessibilityoftheviewingexperience.Eachfilmwillbesofttitled,audio
describedandBSLinterpreted.Palantypetranscriptionwillbesimultaneously
projectedatallpaneldiscussions.TheDisabilityFilmFestivalisincreasinglyviewed
asamodelofgoodpracticeforthoseorganisationswhowishtobeproactivein
embracingthelaw.InOctoberthisyear,thefinalpartoftheDisabilityDiscrimination
Act1995isimplemented,stipulatingthat'allleisurevenuesmustmakereasonable
adjustmentsfordisabledpeople'.
ItistheonlyDisabilityFilmFestivalofitskindintheworld,becauseitisproduced
bydisabledartistsandhasbeenusedasamodelofgoodpracticefordisabilityfilm
festivalsincitiesincludingHelsinki,Melbourne,Paris,Berlin,Moscow,Calgary,
Toronto,TampereandBeirut.
"Lovely,friendlyatmosphere"
"Ifinallymadeitforyourfilmfestival.....veryimpressed,movedandinspiredbyallthe
films."Audiencemembersat5thDisabilityFilmFestival
"Extraordinary!I'vebeenaimingtogethereforsometime.I'msopleasedwemadeit!"
FayeGinsburg,NewYorkUniversity
"ThisisthebesteventI'vebeentoinalongwhile."PhilipBarden,Deloitte&Touche
"Thisfestivalisaneventofnationalsignificance.Abrilliantidea."JoeBidder
"ThataweekendoffilmslikethesecanbeshowninahighprofilecentralLondonvenue
issensational".KateAnsell,BBC'sdisabilitywebsite(www.bbc.co.uk/ouch)
The6thDisabilityFilmFestivalProgrammewillincludethefeaturefilms'Afterlife'
starringPaulSageand'CloudCuckooLand'starringDerekJacobi;shortfilms,including
'NotTheUsualVictim'and'I'mnotFromHear'andpaneldiscussions,including'Access
SomeAreas'aboutworkandtrainingopportunitiesinfilmandvideo(inassociation
withBECTU)and'CreativeSurvival'aboutthebarriersexperiencedbyfilmmakerswho
arementalhealthserviceusers(inassociationwithMentalHealthmedia).
Forfurtherinformationcontact:CaglarKimyoncuandCristinaPerezzaniLDAF's
DisabilityFilmFestivalOfficeT:+44(0)2076914203Fax:+44(0)8701688073Email:
caglar@ldaf.netorcristina@ldaf.netorwww.disabilityfilmfestival.net
Russia's2ndInternationalDisabilityFilmFestival,
November
ByDeniseRoza(droza@online.ru)
SecondInternationalDisabilityFilmFestival"BreakingDownBarriers"
November11142004
Moscow,Russia
PerspektivaandtheWorldInstituteonDisabilityhaveorganizedthesecondInternational
DisabilityFilmFestival"BreakingDownBarriersII"inMoscowNovember1114,2004
attheSalyutFilmTheaterthatissupportedbytheMoscowDepartmentofCulture.This
projectwillbejointlycarriedoutwiththeMoscowMayorsoffice,theRussianMinistry
ofCultureandotherlocalandpartnerdisabilityNGOs.Perspektivaalsohas
endorsementsandfundingcommitmentsfrom:theRussianFilmmakersUnion,
UNICEF,GoldenTelecom,USAID,Internews,theProgramARO(Assistanceto
RussiasOrphans)andNobleGibbonsandmanyothers.TheMinistriesofEducationand
CultureaswellasotherstateRussianbodiessupportthefestivalandwillplayarolein
theactivities.
FilmsandWorkshops
120filmsfrommorethan20countrieshavealreadybeensubmittedandreviewedandit
isexpectedthatatotalof30hoursoffilmwillbeshownduringthe4dayfestival.Nearly
20countrieswillberepresented:India,GreatBritain,France,Sweden,Canada,the
UnitedStates,Germany,Poland,Russia,Armenia,Georgia,Thailand,theUkraine,etc.
Althoughthemajorityoffilmsaredocumentary,therearealsofeature,educationaland
artfilmsandpublicserviceannouncements.Aselectionofthebestfilmsofthefestival
willbecopiedandmadeavailabletodisabilityNGOsthroughoutRussiaandother
countriestobeshowntothepubliclocally.
WorkshopswillalsobeleadbybothinternationalandRussianfilmmakersonsuch
topicsas"theimageofdisabledpeopleinfilm,""makingdisabilityfilmsforchildren,"
"educatingthecommunitywithfilm,"etc.Filmmakerswillalsopresenttheirfilmsand
takequestionsafterthescreening.
Inadditiontomonetarysupport,thecityofMoscowisprovidinguniqueadvertising
opportunities.1000posterswillbemountedonstreetlevelbillboardsaroundthecity
announcingtheevent,andfor7daysavideoclipadvertisingtheeventwillbeshownon
4hugescreensatmajorintersectionsandsquares.TheTVstationStolitsawillbeoneof
theofficialinformationalsponsors,alongwiththeMoscowTimes,EkhoMoskvyand
GovoritMoskva.Perspektivaalsoexpectstobroadcastavideoclipannouncingthe
festivalon2nationaland2localTVstations.Finally,apressconferencewillbeheldon
November10tolaunchtheeventandattractbothmediaandthepublictotheevent.After
thefestivalandincollaborationwithInternewsandPerspektivasregionaldisability
NGOpartners,someofthebestFestivalfilmswillbeshownonnationalandregionalTV
duringtheInternationalDayofDisabledPeople.
ProgramSchedule
BlueRoom
11.0012.00OpeningCeremony
Kinara,directedbyParvezImam,India,5'
VisualSound:MusicVideosFortheDeaf,directedbyGreggBrokaw,8'
GeorgianMusicClip,Georgia,6'
Laterreestronde/TheEarthIsRound,directedbyBrigitteCoscas,France,4'
12:0012:30Break
12:3014:00(DisabilityArtandCulture)
KingGimp,directedbyBillWhiteford,USA,40'
Valssi/Waltz,MikkoKeinonen,Finland,6'20'
WearePHAMaly,directedbyHenryAnsbacher,USA,19'
SelfPreservation:TheArtofRivaLehrer,directedbySharonSnyder,USA,32'
SharonorDavid(authorsofSelfPreservationandDisabilityonDisplay)presentfilmand
answerquestionafterfilm
14:0014:30Break
14:3015:30DisabilityArtandCilture
BornFreak,directedbyPaulSapin,UK,50'
DisabilityOnDisplay(ReconstructingBodies:DisabilityTakesontheArts),directedby
SharonSnyder,USA,18'
15:3016:00Break
16:0017:00Discussion:ImageofDisabledPeopleinArtandMedia
SharonSnyderandDavidMitchell,UniversityofIllinois
BarbaraDuncan,RehabilitationInternational
LenaTaranova,Lotos,Azerbaijan
MoscowTalkShowHosts:TogetherWeCanDoMore
17:0018:00Break
18:0020:00StrivingforIndependence
HappinessisaGift/Darbyt'schastlivym,directedbyM.M.Taranchenko,Russia,23'
Directorandthemaincharacter,VladimirNabatovpresentthefilmandanswerquestions
WaitingforRonald,directedbyEllenGerstein,USA,22'
BreakingtheSilence,directedbyLeszekWosiewicz,Poland,26'
20:3022:00
GhenghisBlues,directedbyRokoandAdrianBelic,USA,88'
RedRoom
12:3013:30(DisabilityArtandCulture)
DisabilityCultureRap,directedbyJerrySmith,USA,23
KickstART!ACelebration,directedbyGeoggMcMurchy,Canada,13'
TheatreUnlimited,directedbyDamonMolloy,USA,10
TheRumbaDance,Armenia,5
AxisDancecompany,USA,15
Break13:3014:00
14:0016:00(Educational)
LessonsofEtiquette,directedbyNataliaArtemyeva,Russia.7
CountMeIn(part1),UK,30
OtherChildren,directedbyVictoriaAnnopolskaya,Ukraine,25
AccesstoEducationinRussia,directedbyAndreyStankevich,Russia,25
VolgaSummerCamp,directedbyNataliaArtemyeva,Russia,10
LifetoLive,directedbyMaciejAdamek,Poland,2000"
16:0016:30Break
16:3018:00(StrivingForIndependence)
TsindimaandHerDogPeanut,directedbyPavelShvedov,Russia,14.Tsyndymaand
directorpresentfilmandanswerquestions15'
Legs,directedbyRobMeyer,USA,9
EachPersonChoosesforHimself,directedbyNataliaArtemyeva,Russia,5
SometimeSomewhereTimeTraveller,directedbyParvezImam,India,27
18:0018:30Break
18:3020:00(TVShows)
Youlookingatme?,directedbyDanJones,USA,27
"MoscowStolitsaProgram,TalkShow
Format"TogetherWeCanDoMore"25"
Talkshowhostspresentandanswerquestionsaboutprogram15.
20:3022:00
StilleLiebe/SecretLove,directedbyChristophStaub,Switzerland,90'
SUPERFESTInternationalDisabilityFilmFestivalCall
forEntries
SUPERFEST,theworldslongestrunningjuriedinternationaldisabilityfilmfestival,is
seekingyourentryforsubmissiontoour25thfilmcompetition.SUPERFESTisthe
primaryinternationalshowcaseforcuttingedgefilmsthatportraydisabilitycultureinall
itsdiverse,complex,andempoweringfacets.
WeareseekingentriesofworksaboutdisabilityproducedsinceJanuary1999.We
especiallywanttoencouragesubmissionsbymediamakerswithdisabilities.A1/2inch
VHSNTSCpreviewformatisrequired,alongwithacompletedandsignedentryand
releaseform,andentryfeecheck.Finalentrydeadline:January31,2005(postmarked).
EarlybirddiscountifmailedbyJan.15,2005.JudgingtakesplaceinSpring2005,and
winnerswillbeannouncedonoraroundApril1st,2005.Winnerswillbescreenedinthe
SFBayAreainJune,2005,andallentrieswillbelistedinthefestivalcatalogue.Winners
willbeaskedtoprovidestillproductionphotosandtapecopiesforpublicitypurposes.
Entryfeesrangefrom$30to$90,dependingonfilmlengthandproductionbudget.To
requestanentrypacket,sendalegalsizeSASEto:CDT,P.O.Box1107,Berkeley,CA
94701;Phone:5108455576;Email:Superfest@aol.com.Formoreinformation,orto
downloadanentryform,visithttp://www.madknight.com/cdt/superfest.Thankyou!
AwardWinningIranianFilmFeaturesChildren
DisabledbyWar
ByBarbaraDuncan(barbaraduncan@gmail.com)
IraniandirectorBahmanGhobadiisalreadywellknownforhisvisuallyarrestingand
complexfilms,suchas"MaroonedinIraq"and"ATimeforDrunkenHorses,"using
nonprofessionalactorstocapturethelivesofpeoplewhomustusedesperatemeasuresto
survivepoverty.AccordingtothejudgesandreviewersfromtheSanSebastianand
TorontoFilmFestivals,"TurtlesCanFly"isanotherimpressiveaccomplishmentinthis
vein,earningtopprizesfromboth.
ThisfilmchronicleslifeinaremoteKurdishvillageontheTurkishIraqiborder,
immediatelybeforetheU.S.invasionofIraq,throughtheeyesofasmallbandof
orphanedchildren,mostlydisabledbylandminesandneglect.Theleaderofthegroup,a
13yearoldnicknamedSatellite,organizesthechildrentoclearordnancefromlocalfields
toearnenoughmoneytofeedtherefugeepopulation.
AccordingtoNoahCowan,aCanadianreviewer,"TurtlesCanFlyistoldinGhobadi's
characteristicallyluminousyetrestrainedtones,shuttlingbetweenepicsweepsofthis
extraordinarilybeautifulareaandtheintimaterealitiesoftheirdaytodaylives...Thismay
beGhobadi'sbesteffortyettosupporthisresolutebeliefthateverylifecounts."
Anotherreviewer,J.RobertParks,said,"WhileGhobadi'staleisasadone,heleavensit
withhumorandspotonobservationsofhowchildreninteract.Thenonprofessionalcast,
anotherhallmarkofIraniancinema,isstrong,eveninthefinalactwheneventsgrow
moreintense."
Arts&MediaBriefly
PolandHoldsInternationalFineArtsCompetition
The8thInternationalBiennialExpositionofFineArtsbyDisabledPersonsistaking
placeinlate2004inCracow.Inthelastbiennial,660artistsfrom13countriesentered
works.Detailsontheweborviaemail:yennefer@ifb.com.pl
FinlandInvitesEntriesforDisabilityFilmFestival
Finlandhasissuedacallforentriesforits5thInternationalDisabilityFilmFestival,
KynnysKINO5,tobeheldinthesummerof2005.Thethemeis"AllAspectsof
Traveling,"andtheorganizersarelookingforshortfilmsmadebyorinpartnershipwith
disabledpersons.Deadlineforentries:January17,2005.Detailsontheweb:
www.kynnyskino.info/english
Thalidomide!AMusicalOpensinLondon
MatFraser,aBritishfilmactorandproducer,haswrittenhisfirstplayandit'sasellout
inLondon."Thalidomide!AMusical"wastheauthor'sresponsetolearningabittoo
muchabouthowcorporategreedhadcontributedtointernationalsalesofthedrugand
resistancetotakingresponsibilityfortheaftermath.Hecommented,"Ilearnedsomuch
aboutthedrugthatitbroughtmedownabit,justtheendlessexamplesofcorporate
greed.Thebestwaytogetamessageacrossifyouareangryistowriteacomedy...andI
hadalwayswantedtowriteamusical."
TheplayopenedOctober1inLondon.Fraserhasalsoproducedsomesuccessful
documentaries,suchas"BornFreak,"ahistoryofdisabledsideshowperformers.Details
abouttheplay:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3706772.stm
Women
Women'sDevelopmentAssociationInvitesEssaysfor
$1000Award
Sisters,there'snoneedtoreinventthewheel.Aswomen'smovementsandorganizations
aroundtheworld,wecanlearnfromeachotherandcreatenewwaystobecomestronger.
AWIDisgatheringinsightsintofeministorganizationalstrengtheningandmovement
buildingthatweintendtosharewithAWIDmembersandothersaroundtheworld.What
processesmakeastrongwomen'sorganization?Howcanwemovebeyondour
fragmentedfeministandwomen'smovements?Thisisacalltoacknowledgethediversity
andwealthwithinwomen'sorganizationsandmovementsandtoshareourhardwon
experiences,ourknowledgeandourbestpractices.Weareseekingessaysandcase
studiesfromallregionsoftheworld.Thosethatareselectedwillreceiveanhonorarium
of$1000USDtobeusedtowardsorganizationalstrengtheningactivities.Selected
contributionswillalsobepublishedbyAWIDandhighlightedatthe10thInternational
AWIDForumonWomen'sRightsinDevelopment,October2730,2005,inBangkok,
Thailand.
Twowaystoparticipate
1.SUBMITANESSAY:Sendusanessayonaparticularissuerelatedtomovement
buildingand/orstrengtheningwomen'sorganizations.Essaysshouldcritically
evaluatepasteffortsandfocusonnewwaysofthinkingandorganizationaroundthese
issues.
2.SENDUSACASESTUDY:Acasestudywoulddescribeandanalyseaspecific
exampleofhowwomen'sorganizationsandmovementsarecarryingoutinitiativesto
promoteorganizationalstrengtheningandbuildwomen'smovements.Weareseeking
casesthatillustratehowtheresultswereachievedandwhatimportantlessonswere
learned,andthatmakestrategicsuggestionsforfutureactionbywomen'sgroups
globally.
Bothessaysandcasestudiesshouldfocusononeormoreofthefollowingissues:
Powerdynamicsandleadershipinorganizationsandmovements;
Broadeningparticipation/mechanismsofinclusion;
Overcomingfragmentationinthemovements;
Repoliticizingtheworkandmovements;
Feministprinciplesinactionregardingrelationshipsamongpeopleandorganizations
andwithintheorganizationsandmovements;
Fundraising,resourcemobilizationandsustainability;
Sustainingtheworkofwomen'sorganizationsandmovementsinconflictsituations;
and
Buildingalliancesandpartnershipswithotherorganizationsormovements.
Whocanparticipate?
Participationisopentoindividuals,women'sgroups,organizationsornetworksthatare
partofwomen'smovementsordefinethemselvesasfeminist,whetherornottheyare
membersofAWID.Weencourageparticipationbypeoplefromdiversebackgrounds,of
differentages,areasofwork,sexualities,identities,ethnicities,religions,regions,etc.We
particularlyencourageactiveparticipationofwomenfromtheGlobalSouthandEastern
andCentralEurope.
Howtoparticipate?
ContributionswillbeacceptedinEnglish,SpanishorFrenchonly.
Essaysshouldbenolongerthan1518DOUBLESPACEDpages,TimesNewRoman,
12point.
Casestudiesshouldbenolongerthan1015DOUBLESPACEDpages,TimesNew
Roman,12point.
Casestudiesshouldalsoincludegeneralinformationaboutthegroup/organization
/network/collective/coalition/etc.,thattheCaseStudyrefersto,includingitsname,
specificlocation,dateestablished,numberofmembersorstaff,itsreach(local,
national,regional,international)andfinallyitsintendedbeneficiaries.Thecasestudy
shouldalsoexplainwhowerethemainplayers/actorsthatled,facilitatedandwere
involvedintheprocessdescribed.
Allcontributionsmustincludeacompletedsummarypageform(seebelow).
Sendrelevantbackgroundinformation,ifyouwish,suchasrelevantdissemination
materials,publications,videos,etc.
ContributionsshouldbesentnolaterthanJanuary31st,2005toAWIDbyemailto:femo
call@awid.orgorbypostalmailtothefollowingaddress:
FeministMovementsandOrganizations(FEMO)Programme,
AssociationforWomen'sRightsinDevelopment(AWID)
Crdoba234,Int.7
ColoniaRomaSur
MxicoDF,CP06700
MEXICO
Conditions
Submissionoftheapplicationformandthecasestudyoressayimpliesacceptanceofthe
followingconditions:
YourcontributionsmaybepublishedbyAWID.
AWIDwillnotreturnanymaterialsincludedorattachedtothesubmissionsandsuch
materialsmaybeincludedaspartoftheAWID'sFeministMovementsand
OrganizationsDocumentationCentreandAWID'sFeministeLibrary.
Casestudiesoressaysthatdonotfollowthespecifiedformatwillbeexcludedfrom
theselectionprocess.
Theselectionprocess
AllessaysorcasestudieswillbeinitiallyreviewedbyAWIDstafftoverifythatthey
fulfilltherequirementsmentionedabove.Completedsubmissionswillthenbeclassified
byregionandissueoffocus.Afterthedeadline,theSelectionCommitteewillmeetto
reviewandselecttheessaysandcasestudies.Atotalofapproximately15essaysand15
casestudieswillbeselected.Approximatelyfivecontributionswillbeselectedfromeach
geographicregion(namely,Africa,AsiaandPacific,EasternandCentralEurope,Latin
AmericaandtheCaribbean,MiddleEast,andfinallyNorthAmericaandWestern
Europe).
TheSelectionCommitteeismadeupofwomenwithknowledgeandexperiencein
strengtheningandbuildingwomen'sorganizationsandmovements.Themembersofthe
SelectionCommitteeare:
BisiAdeleyeFayemi,AfricanWomen'sDevelopmentFund,Nigeria/UK
FilizBikmen,ThirdSectorFoundation,Turkey
GeetanjaliMisra,CreatingResourcesforEmpowermentinAction(CREA),India
SanjaSarnavka,BeActiveBeEmancipated(B.a.B.e),Croatia
IndaiSajor,HumanRightsAdviser,Philippines
VirginiaVargas,CentrodelaMujerPeruanaFloraTristan,Peru
BarbaraWilliams,DiversityandManagementConsultant,Canada
Awardsandrecognition
Everyessayorcasestudyselectedwillreceiveanhonorariumof$1,000USD.The
awardsareintendedtoserveasseedmoneytosupportFeministOrganizationsand
Movementsrelatedworkalreadyinprogressbytheorganizationorindividual.In
addition,allessaysandcasestudiesselectedwillbepublishedinabookandonAWID's
website.Finally,allcasestudiesandessaysselectedwillbepresentedatAWID'snext
InternationalForumtobeheldinThailand,inOctoberof2005.AWIDintendstoprovide
fundingtosupportwinners'participationinForum.TheSelectionCommitteewill
considerissuingHonourableMentions,atitsdiscretion.
ShouldyouhaveanyquestionsorcommentsaboutthisCallpleasecontactLydiaAlpzar
atlalpizar@awid.orgoratthemailingaddressabove.
Thanksforpassingonthiscallandfortakingpart!
ThisCallisavailableinEnglish,French,Spanish,ArabicandRussianinAWID'sweb
siteatwww.awid.org
ContributionSummary
Completeandsendthissummarywhensubmittingyourcontribution
1)Thesubmissionis:
AnEssayoraCaseStudy
2)Title:
3)Author:
4)JobTitle:
5)Organization:
6)Address:
7)TelNo:
8)FaxNo:
9)Emailaddress:
10)Summary[max100words]:
11)Country/Region:
12)Issuefocus:
AssociationforWomen'sRightsinDevelopment
AWID
215SpadinaAve.,Suite150
Toronto,Ontario,Canada
M5T2C7
T:416.594.3773
F:416.594.033
Swaziland:FODSWAAnnouncesNewExecutive
Committee
PleasebeinformedthattheFederationofOrganisationsoftheDisabledinSwazilandhad
itselectionsonthe11September2004inManzini.
Thenamesofthenewmembersareasfollows:
Mr.MusaMakhanyaPresidentBlind
Ms.ZethuMasukuVicePresidentDeaf
Mr.BhekieJeleSecretaryGeneralPhysicallyDisabled
MrsGraceBhembeViceSecretaryGeneralParent
Mr.DumisaniKhumaloTreasurerPhysicallyDisabled
Mr.SozabileSimelaneMemberBlind
Ms.SiphiweMaziyaMemberDeaf
Ms.NtombieFakudzeWomen'sRepresentative
Oneofthemajorachievementsscoredfromtheaboveexecutiveisthatitisgender
balanced.(50/50)
Lookingforwardtoyourcontinuedsupportforthenextfiveyearsinoffice.
Regards
BhekieJele
SecretaryGeneral
FODSWA
EncouragingGenderEquityinGhana'sDisability
Organizations
MariamaAdamaIssahistheGenderOfficerofActiononDisabilityandDevelopment
(ADD)Ghana,aUKbasedorganizationwhichfocusesontrainingandsupportof
disabledpeople'sorganizations.ShespokewithDeniseNepveuxinherofficeinTamale.
WhatareyourmainresponsibilitieswithADD?
MyresponsibilitiesaretoincorporategenderintoADD'sworkwithdisabledpeople's
organizations(DPOs).MyfirsttaskistosensitizeADDanddisabledpeople's
organizationstogender.WeneedtoensurefairandequitableaccesstowhateverADD
hastoprovide.Second,Ihavetoencouragedisabledwomenthattheycandomore.
Whatdoesgendermeantoyou?
Itmeansthattherearedifferentanddistinctrolesformenandwomen,butthatall
contribute,andthatmustberecognized.Everybodymustbeallowedtocontributetothe
developmentoftheircommunities.
Howaregenderanddisabilityrelated?
Genderanddisabilitygohandinhand.Forexample,adisabledmanmaybeseenasa
weakling,orhemaybecalledawoman.Becauseofhisdisability,heisfeminized.
Disabledpeoplearelumpedtogether,consideredvulnerableordisadvantaged.But
disabledpeoplearemenandwomen.Werealizedit'simportanttochampionthisgender
issuewithinthedisabilitymovement.Wehavetosensitizethattheyaremenandwomen.
It'stheirrightandtheymustbeabletoenjoythatright.Thedisabilitymovementisabout
equalrights.Butithasn'talwaysincorporatedgenderconcerns.Ourmessageissimple:
menandwomenhaveequalrights.
Howdoyouteachaboutgender?
Genderanalysismeanslookingataccess,control,andbenefit:whohasaccess,who
controls,andwhobenefits.Butyoucan'tjusttalkaboutthosethingsdirectly.Sowe
developedthe"genderequalitydonkey"andthe"genderanalysisbicycle"tohelpshow
thatit'snotaboutwomentakingoverfrommenbutratheraboutrecognizingthefull
contributionofeachother.[PleaseseephotoofMariamaholdinganillustrationofthe
genderanalysisbicycle]
Fromnextyearwewillbetrainingwithwhatwecall"genderlenses."Theyarequestions
toaskyourselvesinordertomakesurethatmenandwomenarefairlyrepresentedin
organizationsorprogramsandtheirneedsaretakenintoequalconsideration.It'sinthe
pipeline.
HowdidyougetstartedworkingongenderwithADD?
Westarted3yearsagoincorporatinggenderintotheprogramitselfwithDPOsandwith
ADDasanorganization.Whenwestarted,weconductedaneedsassessmentofthe
DPOs.Wefoundthatwomenwerenotpartofdecisionmaking.Inseminars,women
didn'tspeak.Menspokeforthem.Sonextwemetwiththewomen.Weletwomen
themselvestalkabouttheirsituationandwhattheywantedtodotochangeit.Theycame
upwithideas.Well,theysaid,ifwecouldgetsomethingtodo,anincomegenerating
activity,andallthat.Sointryingtoletthemexplaintheirsituation,anddiscussing
options,weweretryingtolinktotheissueofgender.
CanyoudescribeyourongoingworkinnorthernGhana?
Whenwegooutfordiscussionswithruralwomen,we'llmeetthechief,we'llsaywe
wanttomeetthegroupofpeople,wearewelcomed,thewomencomeout...orsometimes
thewomendon'tevencomeoutactually.Themendo.Thenwehavetostressthatwe
wanttomeetthewomen.Thenthemenleadtheirwomentocomeout.Nowastheysit
around,whilethemenarestandingaroundtryingtoseewhatishappening,theywillnot
expressthemselves.Whateverweaskthem,theywillsay"Oh,noproblem."Ortheywill
keepsaying,"Yesyesyes!"Youwon'tgetanyinformationfromthem.Andthemenwill
standaroundtobesurethat,youknow,youarenotdoinganythingtodestroytheir
peacefulkindofsetting.Andoncetheyaresurethattheinformationyouhavebrought
hasnothingtodowithdestabilizingtheirsystem,thenyouarefine.Afterawhilethemen
willleave,andthenthediscussioncanstart.Andit'sdifficult.Traditionisveryhardto
getthrough.ButIthink,gradually,thingsareworking.
Overtheyears,wehaverealizedthatwomenhavebeenmarginalized.Andthatwe
haven'thadtheopportunitytoputupourbest.Soweask:ifyouareinasituationwhere
youhavenojob,kids,andahusbandwhoisnotsupportingyou,istheresomethingthat
youcando,buthavenotbeenallowedtodo?Andtheysay"ohyeah!Myhusbandwon't
letmedowhatIknowhowtodotoearnmoney."Sowesayyes,genderisaboutletting
yourhusbandknowthatyouhavearoletoplay.Andifallowedtoplaythatrolewell,the
benefitcomestothefamily.Anditisyourright.
Theissueofrightsiswhatisthebigproblem.Becauseyouknow,traditionallyawoman
reallyhasn'tgotrights.Especiallyinthispartoftheworld.Mostly,ifyougototheUpper
EastRegionforexample,thedowrysystemmakesitvirtuallyimpossibleforthewoman
tohaveanyrights.Onceyouaredowried,thecowsarepaidandyouaredowried,youare
partoftheman'sassets.Sowhoareyoutostanduptotheman,orwhoareyoutodecide
whatyouwanttodo?Andtheseareverynegativeandwetrytoletthemunderstandhow
negativethatis.
Sowetrytousetheirowncircumstancestoletthemunderstandwhatgenderisallabout
andtrytochangesituationsthattheyfindthemselvesin.Sothatiswhatwedo.Wedon't
justgoandstandtalkingaboutgender.Weletthemtrytodiscusstheirsituation,their
verylives,thewaytheyare,andusethattobringintheissueofgender.
Sotheconceptofrightsisthepartthatisabitforeign?
Yeah.That'sabitforeign.Lookingatitfromourowntraditionalbackground,wedon't
talkabouttherightsofwomen.That'saproblem.Andrecentlywestartedtalkingabout
therightsofchildrenaswell.
Intheveryruralcommunity,you'llfindthatpresentlythemencannotmakeendsmeet.If
therainsfail,thatisthat.Andformostpartoftheyear,whenyouhaverunoutoffood
andallthat,it'swomen'sdutyandresponsibilitytotakecareofthefamily.Thewoman
providesthefood.Andyetwesaywomenhavenorights.Youknowthewomanis
addingthetraditionalroleofthemantohertraditionalrole,andtakingcontrol.Butthen
againyoucan'tsaythatiscontrol,becausethemanhasmarriedyouandbyvirtueofyour
marriagetohim,whateveryoudoheisstillseenastheheadofthefamilyandthe
providerandallthat.
Andhecanalwayssackyou?
Yes.Andthatdefinitelyisnotfair,butitisthetradition.Peoplethinkthatistheirculture,
thatistheirtradition,thatistheirlife,andtheyacceptit.Andmostofthemareeven
ignorantofthefactthattheirrightsarebeingtrampledupon.Theymustbesensitized.
Andinsensitizingthem,youwon'tdecreasetheprofitofthehusband.
Howhastheresponsebeenatthelocallevel?
Genderconceptsaredifficult.Themeninitiallyweresayingthingslike"It'sEuropean"
and"itwon'tworkhere.""It'snotourtradition."Andthiswasbecausegenderwasnot
understood.Themenfearedthatwomenwantedtobecomemenortakecontrolandmen
wouldbepushedtothebackground.Menmustacceptthatwhenwomenaretryingto
buildconfidenceandtakeoverthatpart,itdoesn'tmeanthattheyaretakingitoverfrom
themen.
Weneedtoworkonmoresensitizationwiththemen.Wealsoneedtotalktothewomen
aswellandhelpthemtounderstandthatjustbecauseyouarebeginningtoexperience
power,powerdoesn'tmeanbeginningtolookdownuponmenorlordingitoverthemen.
Butwomenarebeginningtotakeactivepartindecisionsandbeginningtotake
initiatives.Weneedtomakesurethattheyarepartofthemainorganization.
Whenweconductedourneedsassessmentwiththewomen,weaskedthem"Whatdoyou
wanttodo?"Andtheideaofawomenwithdisabilitiesassociationcameout.Nowwe
havetheWomenWithDisabilitiesAssociationinall24districts.Wearetrainingthe
membersin:groupdevelopment,leadership,conflictresolution,advocacybusiness
management,andplanning.Wearestillcapacitybuilding.It'sworkingwell.Thewomen
areexcitedaboutit,andhappythatforthefirsttimetheyarecarryingouttheirown
initiatives,gettingsupportanddon'tneedtodependuponthebiggerorganizationsthat
mainlymencontrol.Ihopeitwillbesustainedandsupportedandwe'llbegintoseean
impactinafewyears'time.
GenderSensitivityEducationTools
ThetoolsdescribedandpicturedhereweredevelopedbyLindaPanelsandMariama
AdamaIssah
Inourgendertrainings,firstweshowadrawingofwhatwecallthe"genderequality
donkey."Inthedrawing,adonkeyispullingacartthatholdsalargecontainerofwater.
Youcanseeawheelonthissideandyouknowthatbyallmeansthere'sawheelonthe
otherside.Soweaskpeople,"whatifthewheelsarenotofequalsizes?"Thepeopleget
interestedandrespondthatthewatertipsoverandpoursoutanditdoesn'treachthe
community.Thenweask,"whatifthewheelsareofequalsize?"Theysaythattherideis
smooth,sothecommunity'sneedsgetmet.Andprogressanddevelopmentarepossible.
QuickTime and a
Nextweusetwodrawingsofbicyclesandriders.Thebicycleisagoodthingtouseto
explainaboutgender,becauseeveryoneknowswhocanandcan'tride.Thebicyclefirst
usedinthenorthofGhanawasamen's10speed.Onlymencoulduseitbecauseofthis
highbarbetweentheseatandhandlebars.Womencouldn'trideitwearingaclothorskirt
withoutexposingtheirthighs.Womenarenotallowedtodothathere.Sowhenafamily
livedinasmall,remotecottage,themanwouldhavetousethisbicycletodoallthe
runningaroundtoprovidefood,takethechildtoschoolortothedoctor,andgetwater.
Soinsuchasituation,themancontrolsthebicycleandhassoleaccess.Thebenefitsmay
reachthefamily.ButasI'veusedthisteachingtool,peoplehavecommentedthatwhen
mengoandfetchwater,thewaterwillbesoldformoney,andsothewaterwon'tbefor
thefamily'suse.Sothebenefitmaynotcometothefamily.
Overtimeaswetellitthebicyclewearsout,andbychancethemangetsadifferent
kindwithalowbar.Nowthewomancanrideitwithoutexposingherthighs.Itis
commonthesedaystoseewomenridingthisbike.Themansoonrealizesthatshecan
shop,takethechildtoschool,anddosomanythings.Sothewomannowsharesaccessto
thebike,shesometimescontrolsit,andthebenefitcomestothefamily.Soiftheman
buysthisone,thewomanandalsothechildrenhaveaccess,somecontrol,andthewhole
familybenefits.
InterviewwithDisabledWomenLeadersfromGhana
ByDeniseNepveux.MonicaMwinibalonoandJosephineKuomkugriareexecutive
officersoftheWomen'sWingoftheGhanaSocietyofthePhysicallyDisabled(GSPD).
MonicaresidesinWaandis2ndVicePresident.JosephineisNorthernSector
AdministratoroftheWomen'sWing,andsheresidesinBolgatanga
QuickTime and a
MonicaandJosephineinacanoeattheWeichauHippoSanctuary
First,canyoudescribetheregionsyouareresponsiblefor?
Josephine:Weworkinthethreenorthernregions.IntheUpperWestRegion,GSPDhas
500women.IntheUpperEast,wehave300women,and400intheNorthernregion.
EspeciallyhereintheUpperWestRegion,mostofusliveinmudhouses.Fewvillages
havelights.Mostusekerosenelamps.Someinvillagesfetchwaterfromapipe,others
fromawell,butsomeinruralareasusepondwatertodrink.Whenyoudrinkfromrivers
andponds,therearehealthproblemsyougetguineawormandwhatnot.Butwealso
havememberswhoseparentsarewealthy,sotheyliveinbungalows.
Whatkindofworkdothewomendo?
M:Ok,thedisabledwomenintownsandvillageshere,theyareseamstresses,weavers,
pettytraders,basketweavers,doormatmaking,leatherwork,shoemaking,andcatering.
J:Butothersdon'tdoanything.Theydon'thaveanyskills.Theymaynotbesentto
school.Theyarejusttoldtosit.Andthefamilywillbeprovidingfoodandmaybesome
oldclothesfromtheotherfamilymembers.Someofthefamilieswhoareveryignorant
aboutdisability,theyjustdon'tdoanythingforthatdisabledperson.It'sonlyafewwho
help.Sothefamilynormallyeats,andgivessometothedisabledperson.Andwhenyou
seethefoodisnotmuch,theyjusthideitfromthem.Andthepersongoeswithout.
Let'stalkaboutthedisabledchildren.What'sthesituationnowinthevillages?
M:Theywillsayofthedisabledchildrenespeciallywhentheyarenewlybornthat
thatoneisnotahumanbeing.It'safairy,aspirit,asnake,andtheywillfindawayof
doingawaywiththatchild!Others,theywillnotkilltheirchildbuttheywillhidethe
child.Theywouldn'tlikeanybodytoknow,becausethepersonwillsay,oh,youarenota
goodperson,that'swhyGodhasgivenyousuchachildwithdisabilities.Andonlylater
throughneglectthatchildiskilledoff.
J:AndthishappenedinBolga.Amanhadhisdisableddaughterintheroomfor27years,
beforeshewassickandshedied.Henevertookhertoadoctor,soitwasonlythenthat
weheardofher.
Sometimeswhenothersgetachildwithadisability,theyconsultsoothsayerspeople
whoclaimthattheycanseethefutureofsomebody,orforeseethingsthathave
happened,oraregoingtohappen.Sowhentheyconsultthesepeople,sometimesthey
givethemsomeconcoctionstocomeandgivethechild.Theysayifthechildisnota
fairy,thechildwillnotdie.Butifthechildisafairy,thechildwilldie.
Butwhatdoesthatmean,achildisafairy?
J:Thechildisnotahumanbeing.It'sabeastoranimal.Itcametothehousetohurtthe
familyanddestroyit.Eitherthefatherormotherwilldie,ortherewillbepoverty,very
seriouspoverty,andthefamilywillnotgetfoodtoeatandthingslikethat.Butthechild,
beingafairyorbeast,hecansurvivebecausehecansneakoutintothefieldsatnightand
eat,andthencomeback.Sohewillbeok,whiletheywillbesuffering.
M:Theythinkthattheywillneversufferenough.Thechildisacurse.Soit'sbetterthat
theygetridofhim,andtheywillhavetheirhappyhome.
Whatcanyoudotohelpmakethatsituationbetter?Whatcananyonedototrytoprevent
thosekindsofkillings?
J:WhatweasWomen'sWingleadersaredoingisadvocacy.Comingonradio,inviting
thetraditionalleadersandtalkingaboutthesethings.Becausesomedisabledchildrenwill
normallybebroughttothesechiefs.Everybodyintheregionislisteningtowhatisbeing
saidontheprogram.Weinvitethechiefs,sothatwhilewearetalking,thoseinthearea
willhearthevoiceofthisvillagechief.Latermaybesomebodywhowaslisteningonthe
radio,orwhogetstoknowthatsomethingwashappeningontheradio,willbringa
disabledchildcasetohim.Thenthechiefwilltryandtalktothemthatwhattheyare
thinkingaboutthatchildiswrong.Itwillhelpto,ifnottostopittotally,itwillreduce.
M:Andwegooutforoutreachatthezonar[village]level,sothatweeducatethemmore.
Whenwego,wedon'tonlytalktothedisabledpeople.Weinvitethechiefsandwhat
whatthere,sothattheythemselveswillalsolistenandthentalktotheirpeople.Sothat
theywillbeabletotakecareofdisabledchildrenamongthemintheircommunities.So
thattheywillnotbeabandoningthemorneglectingthem.Becausetheyarealsohuman
beings.Andyououghttotakecareofhumanbeings.It'sGod'sgift.YouarenotGod!If
youcannotcreatelife,howdoyoudestroylife?It'sverybad.Soweeducatethemonall
ofthis.
Whataresomeoftheproblemsthatyourwomenarefacing?
J:Theattitudesthatpeoplehavetowardsdisabledwomenmakethemfeelweak,orlike
theyarenothumanbeings.Somewhohavemovementproblems,don'twanttomoveso
thatanyonewillbelookingatthem.Sotheyjuststayinthecorneroftheirhousefrom
morningtoevening.Andtheydon'tevenwanttocometomeetingsforpeopletosee
them.ButsincewehavestartedwiththeWomen'sWing,theyareboldtocomeoutto
meetings,andIalwaystellthemabouttheexperiencesIhavebeenthrough.Itellthem,if
thiscanhappentome,itcanalsohappentoyou.Andwhenitishappeningtoyou,do
somethingaboutit.Becauseitishappeningtoallofus.
M:Anotherproblemismarriage.Beingadisabledwoman,unlesssomebodywhois
alreadymarriedwillcometoyou,theydon'twanttomarryyou.Youwon'tseeasingle
mancomingtosayIwanttomarryyou.Andsometimesthemen,theyalmostwantto
hideandcometoyou.Theywon'tcomeinthedaytime,oh!Theywillcomeinthenight!
AnddoyouthinkIwillallowyoutosneakandcometomebecauseI'madisabled?No!
Wesaycomedaytimesothateverybodywillseeyou!Becausewearealsohumanbeings
likeyou!It'sonlythatpartofthebodythatisnotfunctioningeffectively.Itdoesn'tmean
thatweareignorant!Wehavetheknowledge.Wecanreason.Whyshouldyoulook
downuponus?Sowedon'tacceptthat.
D:Doyoutalktothewomenandthegirlsaboutthesethings,likehowtheyshould
behavewiththemen?
J:Wetalkwiththem,andwhenwegoonradio,wesayit.Becauseifyouknowyou
wouldn'tlikeanybodytoknowthatwehavearelationshipwithyou,orwhenwebecome
pregnantyou'lldenyus,thendon'tcome!Don'tcome!Goaway.Wearenotjusttobe
takenforgranted.
M:Andsometimesthemandoeswanttomarryyoubutthefamilywillnotallowhimto
marryyou.
J:Becausetheirsonisbringingaliabilitytothem!Andtheywillnottakeitup.
Whatdoesthatmeanwhenyousayliability?
J:Youcan'tdoanythingtosupporttheupkeepofthefamily.
M:Youcan'tfetchwater,youcan'tcook.Andtheynormallythinkyoucan'tproduce
children!You'renotgoingtohaveanychildren.You'renotgoingtohelpinsewing,
milling,whatever.Soitwillbringproblemstothehouse.It'samistake.
J:Theotherwomenwhoaremarriedinthehousethinkthatwhenyoucome,theywilldo
everythingforyou!Fetchwaterforyou,gotofarm,andwhenitistimeforharvesting,
theywillharvestfoodandbring,andyouwillbeeating!Youaregoingtobesittinginthe
house,alwaysjustsittinginthehouse.
That'stheirbelief.Butisittrue?
M:It'sNOTtrue!Buttheyallhavethatmentality.Whenamaniscominginforyou,
theyjustdisagree.Becausetheydon'tknowthatyoucando.Theyjustassumethatyou
can'tdo.
Sowhatcanbedoneaboutthissituation?
J:Yeah,wehavehadradioprogramswherewetalkaboutthis.Andaftertheprogram,
whenpeopleseeus,thosewhoknowus,theysayhey!I'mgladtohearwhatyousay.I
wantedtomarryyouandyourefused!Youthinkmendon'twanttomarryyou?Ok.
TodayI'mcoming!I'mcomingtotakeyoutomyhouse.
D:Sowhenadisabledwomanistakenasasecondwife,howwillthatsituationbefor
her?
M:Oh,hell.Hell.Becauseyourrivalwillnotevenliketoseeyou."Howcanyoukeepa
husbandwithadisabledwoman?"Youknow?Shewillnotacceptyou.Shewillbecome
adisturbancetoyou,thedisabledwoman.Andevenifyoupreparefood,shewillsay"I
won'teatit."
J:Shewilleventryandsaytotheman,ifyoubringthisladytothehouse,thatwillbethe
daythatIampackingout.
M:Iwillusemyselfasanexample.Imarriedamanwhowashavingafirstwife.
Actually,themenarenotalwayshonest.Hedidn'ttellmethathehadawife.Yousee,I
wasabout20yearsoldandIdidn'tknowwhatmarriagewasabout.Anywayhecomesat
daytime,evengotoanyplace,gotodrinkingbarandwhatnot!Buthenevertoldthe
wife.Thewifewasnotaware.
D:Youweren'tawarehehadawife?Andthewifewasn'tawareofyou?
M:Yes!Hedidn'ttellmethathehadawife!SountilIwaspregnant,thenIstarted
hearinginformationhereandthere.Wewerenotyetlegallymarried.SoIstartedasking
himquestions.Andhesaid,"Oh,youdon'tworry!"Thewomanhijackedhimtogoand
havetheirwedding!Iconfrontedhim.Isaidit'sbetterheshouldgoandbewiththewife,
andIwillalsofindmyway.LaterIlearnedthattheyalreadyhad5children,sominewas
his6thborn.
Sodidhehelpwiththatchild?
M:No,no!Hehasstopped.SinceIdecidedtostophim,hestoppedtakingcareofthe
child.Butastimegoes,Iknowwhattodotohim.Iwilldealwithhimpropertogethis
supportforthechild.IwillsendhimtoWomenandJuvenileUnit.Anytimeamanhasa
childwithyouandisnottakingcareofhischild,youcantakehimtoWAJU.
Anddoyoueducateyourwomenaboutthis?
M:Yes.Webringittothem.
Goingbackabit,whatmadeyouwanttohavethisresponsibility?Whatmadeyouwant
tobeleadersinyourwomen'swing?
M:Asadisabledwoman,oradisabledperson,I'msureothersarealsosufferingtheway
Iamsuffering.Thatiswhywewanttobecomeleaders,sothatwewillhelpothers.And
sothatinfuture,thosecomingupwillnotsufferlikewearesuffering.Itisbecauseof
ignorancethatwearesufferingnow.Butnowthatwehavealsobeenenlightened,we
havetoenlightenotherstoknowwhatdisabilityactuallyis.
J:Asforme,Irealizedthatwithintheoverallorganization[GSPD],withmenand
womencomingtogether,womenwerenotatthesamelevel.Wedidn'tcontribute.Notat
all.Whenweweretogetherwithmenwe'djustsitthereandlistenandgetupandgo.But
withmyeducationIknewIcouldtalk,andallowingthementodoallthetalking,itwas
notproper.Inwhole,ourdivisionwasnotproper.So,Isetouttousemyselfasarole
model.Whenitwaselectiontime,Icontested.Andtheygavemethesecretarypositionof
theBolgadistrictofGSPD.ThenasIimprovedinthework,Icontestedfortheregional,
andtheygavemethesecretaryagain.ThenIwastravelingouttotakeminutesinthe
nationalmeetings.SolateronIrealizedthatanywherewewenttodoouradvocacywork,
ortoconsultpeopleforsupporttodoourprograms,mostlythepeoplewereinterestedin
helpingwomen.SoIdecidedtoformthewomen'swing.
AlsoIrealizedthatit'sbecauseofthementhatthewomenarealwayskeepingto
themselves.BecausesometimeswhenIwanttotalk,evenbeinganexecutive,therewill
besomemenwhowilleventrytoshoutmedown.Ialwayssayno,I'venotmademy
point.Seeingthatthemenaretryingtoshoutmedownmadethewomeninmydistrict
notwanttotalk!SoIdecidedtobringthewomentogether.IstartedtheWomen'sWing
inmydistrict.Iwastalkingtothem,invitingthemformeetings,leadingthemtodo
certainthings,andtryingtoteachthemcertainskillsandadvisethemthatiftheywillnot
continuewiththeireducation,theyshouldgototherehabilitationcenterwheretheywill
belearningatrade.
Formerlywhenyouaskedoftheiropinion,theywouldjustsay,"Whateveryoudecide
willbefinal."Butnowthisonewillbringsuggestion,thisonewillbringsuggestion,then
the3or4,andwefinallycomeoutwithoneortwo,touseittogoabouttheproblem.
Nowthewomenarecomingup.Andsomeofthemareevenacceptingelectedpositions.
Bysodoing,theyarenowgettingbetterandtheyareconvincedthattheyarealsohuman
beings.
Andtheyarenowboldenoughtocomeouttomeetingsandalsoairtheirviews.
J:Sonowtheyknowit'swrongforthemtolettheleadersuggestanddoeverything.And
I'mnowworkingonthemtobecomeleadersthemselves.Theyshouldalsostartfrom
somewhere,doingitsmall,small,small.Weencouragethem,andtheyarenowcoming
up.Wearealsoenlighteningthemtojoinotherwomen'sgroups.Theablewomen's
groups.Theyhavestartedlearningfromthat,andnowifyoucallthemforameetingat
anygiventime,youwillseethemintheirnumbers!
EquitytoWomenwithDisabilitiesinIndia
ByIndumathiRao,MemberAdvisor,CommitteeonWomenWithDisabilities,National
CommissionforWomen(cbrnet@vsnl.com)
Introduction
Womenwithdisabilitiesaremultiplydisadvantagedthroughtheirstatusaswomen,as
personswithdisabilities,andmajoritynumbersaspersonslivinginpoverty.
InMay2002,ESCAPadoptedtheresolution"Promotinganinclusive,barrierfreeand
rightsbasedsocietyforpeoplewithdisabilitiesintheAsianandPacificregioninthe
twentyfirstcentury".TheresolutionalsoproclaimedtheextensionoftheAsianand
PacificDecadeofDisabledPersons,19932002,foranotherdecade,20032012.
"Therearecurrentlysome5.6billiondifferentpeopleintheworld.Somehavea
differencecalleddisability."DisabilityDimensioninDevelopmentAction:Manualon
InclusivePlanning,UnitedNations.The1970smarkedanewapproachtodisability.The
conceptofhumanrightsfordisabledpersonsbegantobecomemoreaccepted
internationally.TheDeclarationontheRightsofDisabledPersons,adoptedbythe
GeneralAssemblyon9December1975,encouragednationalandinternationalprotection
oftherightsofthedisabled.Recognitionwasgiventothefactthatdisabledpersonswere
entitledtothesamepoliticalandcivilrightsasothers,includingmeasuresnecessaryto
enablethemtobecomeselfsufficient.Thedeclarationreiteratedtherightsofdisabled
personstoeducation,medicalservices,andplacementservice.Itfurtherrecognizedtheir
righttoeconomicandsocialsecurity,toemployment,tolivewiththeirfamilies,to
participateinsocialandcreativeevents,tobeprotectedagainstallexploitation,abuseor
degradingbehaviour,andtoavailthemselvesoflegalaid.Realizingtheneedtopromote
thefullparticipationofthedisabledinthesociallifeanddevelopmentoftheirsocieties,
on16December1976,theGeneralAssemblydeclaredtheyear1981InternationalYear
ofDisabledPersons(IYDP),stipulatingthatitbedevotedtointegratingdisabledpersons
fullyintosociety.
"Aroundtheworld,womenmakeupjustover51%ofthepopulation.Womenwith
disabilitiesarethemostmarginalizedinIndiansociety.Theyaredeprivedofpolitical,
Social,Economic,andhealthopportunities.Theproblemsofwomenwithdisabilities
becomeverycomplexwithotherfactorssuchassocialstigmaandpoverty.Womenwith
disabilitieshavebeenlargelyneglectedwhenitcomestoresearch,statepolicies,the
disabilityandwomen'smovements,andrehabilitationprogrammes,andthishasbecome
awidelyacceptedfactinrecentyears.Also,"duetonumeroussocietalstandards,they
continuetobeleftoutofthedecisionmakingprocesses.Thisrealityisespeciallytrueof
womenwithdisabilitiesincultureswheretheroleofwifeandmotherisconsideredtobe
theprimaryroleforafemale."IreneFeika,DeputyChairpersonofUnderrepresented
Groups,DisabledPeopleInternational.
Althoughthismayseemtobeofminorimportance,thepatternofignoringandisolating
disabledwomenisrepeatedthroughoutnationalandinternationalpublicationsand
websitesofpeoplewithdisabilities.
Education:
Womenwithdisabilitiesdonotformahomogeneousgroup.Forexample,thementallyill
andmentallyretarded,thevisually,hearingandspeechimpairedandthosewithrestricted
mobilityorwithsocalled"medicaldisabilities"allencounterdifferentbarriers,of
differentkinds,whichhavetobeovercomeindifferentways.
ThroughouttheAsianandPacificregion,publicattitudesarechangingregardingthe
valueofeducatingandtrainingwomenwithdisabilities.Theprejudicesurroundingtheir
abilityandvaluecontinuestoperpetuatetheviewthateducatingthemisfutile.
Opportunitiesforgirlswithdisabilitiestoreceiveaneducationortoattendtraining
coursesareavailabletoonlyafew.Forexample,thethenInternationalCouncilon
EducationoftheVisuallyHandicappedestimatedthatonlytwopercentofvisually
impairedchildrenindevelopingcountriesreceiveanyformalschooling.InChina,where
therearesome5milliondisabledchildrenagedbetween7and15years,only6percent
areenrolledinschools.Itisreasonabletoexpectthatthenumberofgirlsincludedin
thoseestimatesissignificantlylessthanhalf.
OnereportonwomenwithdisabilitiesintheRaichurdistrictofKarnatakaState,India,
indicatedthattheliteracyrateofsuchwomenwas7percentcomparedtoageneral
literacyratefortheStateof46percent.
Traditionally,schoolsfordisabledchildrenaremostcommonlysegregatedinstitutions
forthosewithvisual,hearingandintellectualimpairments.Girlswithextensivephysical
disabilitieshaveevenlessopportunityforschooling.Thefewspecialschools,
concentratedinlargecities,haveresidentialfacilities;theresidentialsystem
discriminatesagainstaccessbygirls.Solongaseducationforpeoplewithdisabilitiesis
largelyconfinedtoasegregatedsystem,onlyafewdisabledgirlsandwomenwillbe
benefited.
Evidencealsoindicatesthatapredominantlysegregatedschoolsystemfordisabled
childrenisunlikelytobeadequateandaccessibleforthisgroupofchildren,andthatitis
alsoeducationallyinferior.Astudyofdisabledgirls,bothinspecial(usuallyresidential)
schoolsandinregularschools,foundthatthoseinspecialschoolswerelessproficientin
basicliteracyandnumeracyskills,hadlowerexpectationsabouttheirowncapabilities
andlackedconfidenceinsocialsettings.Thus,itisobviousthatmainstreaminggirlswith
disabilitiesintosocietymustbeginatschool.
Educationisthekeytotheadvancementofwomenandgirlswithdisabilitiesasit
providesaccesstoinformation,enablesthemtocommunicatetheirneeds,interestsand
experiences,bringsthemintocontactwithotherstudents,increasestheirconfidenceand
encouragesthemtoasserttheirrights.Withoutabasiceducation,theirchancesfor
employmentarealmostnil.Hence,thereisanurgentneedtoconsiderpoliciesand
programmesthatwillplacegreateremphasisontheparticipationofwomenwith
disabilitiesinthemainstreameducationsystem.Certainlythechallengesaregreat.Inthe
year2003Ministryofsocialjusticeandempowermenthasintroducednovelschemeof
providingscholarshipsforpeoplewithdisabilitiestopursuehighereducation.The
importantfeatureofthisprogrammeisitreserves50%ofscholarshipsforwomenwith
disabilities.
Employment:
Womeningeneralfacediscriminationinemployment.Forwomenwithdisabilities,this
discriminationisfargreater.Insituationswherethereishighunemployment,
opportunitiesforremunerativeworktendtobeseverelylimited.Whendisabledwomen
dofindjobs,theyreceiveconsiderablylowerwages.Forexample,evenforan
industrializedcountry,studieshaveshownthatadisabledwomanworkingfulltimeearns
only56percentofthesalaryofafulltimeemployeddisabledman.Infact,disabled
womenearnthelowestwagescomparedtodisabledmenornondisabledwomen.
Furthermore,inadditiontotheprejudiceanddiscriminationbarrier,theinaccessibilityof
thephysicalenvironment(e.g.,buildings,roads,transportandtoiletfacilities)isaserious
obstacletodisabledwomenworkingoutsidetheirhomes.
Sincethelackofmobilitylimitsdisabledwomenfromobtainingrawmaterialsand
marketingtheirproductsthemselves,engaginginpieceworkisthemostcommonform
ofincomegenerationavailabletothem.Examplesofpieceworkbydisabledwomenand
girlsincludelabourintensiveandpoorlypaidactivitiessuchasweaving,sewing,basket
making,theassemblingoftoysandproductionofhandicraftitems.
Thematerialsaredeliveredtotheirhomesandfinishedproductsarecollectedbyagents.
Thereisnolegalorsocialprotection.Disabledwomenandgirlsmaybeexposedto
unsafematerialsandsubjectedtoexcessivehoursofworkunderharshconditions.Even
wheredisabledwomenhavejobs,theirrightsasworkersmaybeoverlooked.Facedwith
discrimination,littlejobmobilityandfewskills,disabledwomenworkersmaybeforced
toendureoppressiveworkingconditions.
Socialexclusion:
Womenwithdisabilities,especiallyfromruralareas,arelikelytobeleftoutoffamily
interactionsandcommunityactivities.Inaddition,theyareexposedtosocialstigmaand
stereotypingwithintheircommunities,whichleadsthemtofeeldevalued,isolated,and
ashamed.
Astudyconducted(Emilyetal2002)demonstratedculturallyappropriateform
independentgrouplivingtohaveabeneficialimpactonthewomen'slevelsofsociability
andtheirconfidencetoventureoutinpublicortosocialfunctions.
Livingamongotherwomenwithdisabilitiesandinanonjudgmentalenvironmenthelped
inraisingselfesteemandindevelopingsocialskills.Allofthewomenwhoresidedin
thegrouphousefeltaccepted,sociable,andconfidenttoventure.Together,confidencein
theirabilitieswasstrengthenedandtheycouldcarryouttheirbusinesswithmutual
support.Thus,independentgrouplivinghelpsinSocialDevelopment(Increased
sociability,publicconfidenceandabilitytosupport)andPersonalDevelopment
(improvedselfimage,independenceandprofessionalmotivation)
Despitethemostoptimisticoutlookforchangeinemploymentopportunitiesforwomen
withdisabilities,thepresentrealityisthatthebesthopeforproductiveworkmayliein
selfemploymentorgroupemploymentprobablyonacooperativebasis.Whilenumerous
projectsexistwhichprovideskillstrainingfordisabledwomen,theyfrequentlyfallshort
ofmeetingtheultimategoalofprovidingameansofadequateincome.
Acriticalneedremainsforprogrammessuchascreditschemes,entrepreneurialskills
trainingandadvisoryservicesfordisabledwomenandtodevelopanicheinthemarket
forthegoodsandservicestheycanoffer.Forwomenwithdisabilitiesinrural
communitiesmoreattentionhastobepaidtodevelopingoptionsforproductiveand
remunerativework,andtherequisitetraining.
IncestisverycommoninIndia.Womenwithdisabilitiesaretheeasypreyforthe
exploitationwithinthefamily.Wealsodonotdiscusstheseissuesinpublic.Thelarge
demandofparentsofmentallyretardeddaughtersforcomp[ulsorysterilizationspeak
volumes.Thereisaneedtotacklethisissuebycreatingawarenessandstrengtheningthe
existinglawstopunishtheoffendersseverely.
Abandoninggirlswithdisabilityisanotherissuethatneedsstrengthening.Themeasures
requiredaretopreventabandoningbycreatingawarenessandtoimprovehomesfor
them,whichareoftenthecentersofexploitation.
Adoptionofchildrenwithdisabilitiesisanotherissue,withoutwhichthesechildrenstay
homeless.ThereisaneedtostartSOShomesforthesechildreninsteadofallowingthem
stayinorphanagesforever.
Apartfromeconomicindependence,workisanessentialmeansofenablingapersonto
developasenseofidentityandselfesteem.Thus,gainfulemploymentisanimportant
meansofpromotingthesocialintegrationofdisabledwomen.Fromtheperspectiveof
theState,investingintheeducationandtrainingofwomenwithdisabilities,and
promotingopportunitiesfortheiremployment,issoundeconomicandsocialpolicy.
Gainfullyemployedwomenwithdisabilitiescontributeactivelytotheeconomy(Hidden
sisters,1995)
Health:
Healthproblemsofolderwomenwillbecomeanincreasinglyimportantissuein
developingcountriespartiallybecauseofthesheerincreaseinabsolutenumbers.Today,
twooutofthreeoftheworld's469millionwomenolderthan50alreadyresidein
developingcountries.By2020threeoutoffourwillresideindevelopingcountries,an
absoluteincreaseof408million.
Itisimperativetokeepinmindtheheterogeneityofdevelopingcountries.Agingand
disabilityhavecloseassociation.Olderwomenconstituteadistinctpopulationthat
requiresinterventionsverydifferentfromapopulationofyoungerwomen,whoneedan
emphasisonmaternitycare.Obviouslyhealthproblemsofwomenarenothomogeneous
andcannotallbeaddressedthroughthetraditionalmaternalandchildhealthservices.
Thepatternofthehealthproblemsolderwomenfacereflectstoalargeextentthelevelof
developmentoftheirregionandcountry.Additionally,awoman'swellbeingisaresult
ofallherpreviousexperiences,includingfactorssuchasurbanorruralresidence,marital
status,numberofchildren,education,income,andnutrition.Furthermoreworkhasa
tremendousinfluenceonwomen'sphysicalandmentalhealth.Indeed,occupational
healthproblemsareemergingasaresultoftheincreasednumberofwomeninurban
industrialjobs.
Twootherissuesthatemergeascritical,butthatarerarelydiscussedbydisabled
women'sgroupsareterrorism/riotsanditsimpactondisabledwomenandAIDSamong
disabledwomen.
AIDSposesabiggerthreattodisabledwomen.Itisestimatedthatasmuchas10percent
ofthepopulationinmanyAsiancountriesisalreadyinfectedbyAIDS.Giventhe
extremelypoorhealthcareandlackofappropriateAIDSpreventioninformationreceived
bywomenwithdisabilitiesallovertheworld,theAIDSratesareexpectedtobevery
high.
Policydirectionsandprogramstowardspreventionofmortalityandmorbidityamong
womenolderthan50,andmajorcausesofdiseaseburdenarerequired.
Advocacy:
Ingeneral,theburdenofworkforwomenwithdisabilitiesfallssquarelyontheshoulders
ofdisabledwomenthemselvessothatdisabledwomen'sissuescanbeaddressedand
informationandresourcesshared.Womenwithdisabilitieshavebeenanintegralpartof
thehistoryofmovementsfordisabilityrights.Inspiteoftheircontributions,however,
disabledwomen'sissueswerelargelyignoredandtheiraccomplishmentsminimized.
Inaddition,withindisabledwomen'sorganizationsthefocusseemstobeonorganizing
andadvocatingforwomenwithphysicalorvisualdisabilities.Thereisverylittle
attentionpaidtowomenwithotherdisabilitiessuchaswomenwithmentalretardation,
cerebralpalsy,andmentalillnesseventothepointoflackofaccesstothese
organizations.
Withtherealizationthattheirfutureliesfirmlyintheirownhands,womenwith
disabilitiesaroundtheworldarefocusingontheirenormousstrengthandemerging
resourcestodirectlychangethepicture.Sincethebeginningofthiscurrentmovementfor
IndependentLiving,womenwithdisabilitieshavebeenactiveorganizersandadvocates
fortherightsofallpeoplewithdisabilities.
ABBCreportstatesthat"War,poverty,lackofhealthcareandlackofdecentworking
conditionsandsafetyregulationsarethefundamentalcausesofmostdisabling
impairments.Theproblemiscircular:povertymeansfewresources;fewresources
perpetuatepovertyatthesametimeastheycausedisability."
DisabledwomeninIndiafacenumerouschallenges."Intheabsenceofwellcoordinated
governmentpoliciesaimedatintegratingdisabledpeopleinmainstreamactivities,
disabledwomenliveunderextremelydifficultconditions,fornotonlyaretheywomen
butmostofthemareintheruralareas.ThewomenwithdisabilitiesinIndiaare
discriminatedagainstequality.Discriminationdeprivesdisabledwomenofvitallife
experiences,andthereforebydenyingthemtheopportunitytoparticipatefullyin
communityaffairstheyaredeprivedofequalityofopportunity."
Withouteffectiveremedialaction,theconsequencesofdisabilitywilladdtotheobstacles
tothedevelopmentofwomenwithdisabilities.Henceitisessentialthatweinclude
immediate,adequateandappropriatemeasuresfortheequalizationofopportunitiesfor
girlsandwomenwithdisabilitiesinthefollowingareas:
Someofthekeyareasofconcerntodisabledwomeninclude:
Awareness:tohighlighttheplightofwomenwithdisabilities,especiallyinrural
areas
Education:Disabledgirlsarelesslikelytoattendschoolthandisabledboys.
Training:ProfessionalandVocationallimitedaccessintotrainingprogrammes.
Employment:Disabledwomenarelesslikelytobegrantedloanfacilitiesorbe
employed
Violence:Womenandgirlswithdisabilitiesareparticularlyvulnerabletoviolence,
especiallywithinthehomesituation.Sexualabuseisquitecommon,especially
amongwomenwithmentaland/orhearingdisabilities.Abusebyphysiciansand
caregivers,e.g.forcedsterilization,iscommon.
Healthservices:Refusalofhealthworkerstoadvisedisabledwomenandgirlson
appropriatefamilyplanningservicesandmethods
Empowerment
Someoftheneedstobeaddressed:
Publiceducationandawarenessprogrammestopromotepositiveperceptionsonthe
potentialofdisabledwomeninsociety
Careerorientededucationfordisabledwomen
Therighttocontroltheirownfertility
Legislativeprovisionstopromoteandprotectthehumanrightsofdisabledwomen
Accessible,wellequippedresourcecentresandclinicsthatwillprovideinformation
onissuesaffectingdisabledwomen
Provisionsinthesocialsecuritysystemthatwilldealspecificallywiththeneedsof
disabledwomen,especiallyyoungdisabledmothers
Developmentofspecificmeasurestoredressthesocialandeconomicexploitation
ofdisabledwomeninruralareasandinformalsettlements.
Amongapproximately40countriesintheAsiaandPacificregion,25countriesalready
haveselfhelporganizationsofdisabledpersons.Twentyoftheseorganizationsare
nationwidecrossdisabilityorganizations.
OneIndiandisabledwomanframesthesituationthisway:"Theissuesofwomenwith
disabilitiesaresameasotherwomeninIndiaplusmore[complex]astheylackaccessto
education,resultinginalltheproblemslinkedwithilliteracysuchaspoverty,lackof
decisionmakingpowerandlackofavailableoptions.Becauseofdisabilitytheyarenot
consideredtobewomenwhocanfulfillthetraditionalrolesofIndianwomen.Worstof
allIhaveseenthatmostwomenwithdisabilitieswhoareleadersthemselvesreally
believeinthisnotion.Sotheissue,whichneedsattention,islackofrecognitionofrights.
TheconceptthatawomanhasrightsiswelladoptedbythewomeninIndia,howevernot
bywomenwithdisabilities."
AnIndiandisabilityactivistsays:"Inasocietywherethepracticeofgenderinequality
hasbecomeaconvention,disabledwomenarethemostisolatedandmarginalized.After
yearsofstruggle,disabledmenhavesucceededtosomeextentinmakingtheirvoice
heard.Aspecialinitiativeisrequiredtomakesurethatdisabledwomenarealsoheard."
ToolsforEmpowerment:
Nongovernmentalorganizationscanplayapowerfulroleincounteractingthecycleof
oppressionthroughwhichdisabledwomenaredeniedaccesstosupportandresources
thatwouldempowerthemtoreachtheirpotentialandcontributetothecommunity.
Theneedforfundingsupportpresentsacriticalchallengeforwomenwithdisabilities.
Onesurveyrespondentsummeditup:"thereismuchtobedoneandnotenough
resourcestodoitwith."
SomeoftherecommendationstoNGOstomoreeffectivelyincludewomenwith
disabilities:
Disabilityorganizations,leadershiptrainingprojectsandindependentliving
servicesmustcollectdataoninvolvementofwomenandgirlswithdisabilitiesand
conductspecificoutreacheffortstoincludewomenwithdisabilities.
Mainstreamorganizationsmustsupportandworkinpartnershipwithorganizations
ledbywomenwithdisabilities.
Womenwithdisabilitiesmustbeinvolvedinallpolicyanddecisionmaking
processes,andateveryleveloftheprojects:asstaff,volunteers,participants,and
evaluators.
Education,vocationaltrainingandrehabilitationprogramsmustincludewomen
withdisabilities,topreparewomenandgirlsforcareersandgainfulemployment.
Rehabilitationandadaptivetechnologymustbeavailableforwomenwith
disabilities,andwomenwithdisabilitiesmustbeinvolvedinthedevelopmentand
productionofadaptivedevices.
Healthservicepersonnelmustbetrainedtoofferinformedandsensitiveserviceand
educationaddressingthehealthneedsofgirlsandwomenwithdisabilities.
Nongovernmentalorganizationsmustworkwithwomenwithdisabilitiestopressure
governmentstoeffectivelyimplementtherecommendations,whichhavebeenmade
overtheyearsbyvariousUNbodiesandnongovernmentalorganizations,
particularlyattheFourthWorldConferenceonWomeninBeijingin1995.
EntrepreneurshipdevelopmentcumprevocationaltrainingcumVocationalTraining
cumplacementmultipurposecenterstopromoteselfandgroupemployment(witha
crossdisabilityapproach)forwomenneedtoestablishatleastoneineach
Taluk/blocklevelwithhostelfacilities.Aftersuccessfultrainingandplacementin
theopenemployment/selforgroupemploymentindependentlivinghousesneedto
besupportedbythegovernment.Suchhousesshouldbeidentifiedfromthe
governmenthousingprojectsandhousesinthegroundfloorwithaccessibility
shouldbeprovidedinadditiontoprovidingloanstopurchaseaccessibletaxi/auto
rickshaw/cyclerickshawsforcommutingtotheworkplace.NGOswhoare
interestedinbuildingsuchhousingfacilityforworkingwomenwithdisabilitiesneed
tobesupportedwithgrants.
Womenwithdisabilitiesworkingintheagriculturerelatedworkneedsextrasupport.
OtherRecommendations:
AligningwiththeBiwakoMillenniumFrameworkforaction:towardsaninclusive,
barrierfreeandrightsbasedsocietyforpersonswithdisabilitiesinAsiaandthePacific
TheCommissionhastosetthefollowingtargets:
1. By2005,Governmentsshouldensureantidiscriminationmeasuresbyforming
specialtaskforcestoprotectwomenwithdisabilities.
2. By2005,selfhelporganizationsadoptpoliciestopromotefullrepresentationof
womenwithdisabilities,
3. By2005,womenwithdisabilitiesshouldbeincludedinallthepolicymakingbodies
frompanchayathtoparliamentlevels
4. Setupstatewisetaskforcetopreparewhitepaperonthequalityofservices
availableforgirls/womenwithdisabilitiesandalltheinstitutionsmanagedor
supportedbythegovernmentandotherdonors.
5. TheCommissionshouldinsiston50%Reservationsforgirlswithdisabilitiesin
schoolsandcolleges(outoftheexistingquota)aswellas50%ofthetotalofjob
opportunities,reservedforpersonswithdisabilities,rangingfromaminimumof
30%andtoamaximumof50%asperthePWDAct,1995.
6. Inordertoimprovethequalityoflifeofwomenwithdisabilitiesintheruraland
urbanIndia,districtCBRSocietiesforwomenwithdisabilitiesshouldfunctionin
cooperationwithCBRsocietiesforpersonswithdisabilitiesatthedistrictlevel,with
theDistrictCommissionerastheChairmanoftheandtheDeputyDirector,Women
&ChildDevelopmentastheSecretary.Allorganizationsworkingforwomenwith
disabilitiesandallorganizationsofwomenwithdisabilitiesandSelfHelpGroupsof
Parentsofadolescentgirlswithdisabilitiesshouldbecomemembersofthesociety.
AsampleoftheBylawsoftheDistrictCBRSocietyforpersonswithdisabilitiesis
enclosedandBylawsfordistrictCBRSocietyforWomenwithDisabilitiesneedto
bedeveloped.
7. Inurbanareasinadditiontothereservation,womenwithdisabilitiesarefindingit
extremelydifficulttogethostelfacilities.Therefore,a3%reservationshouldbe
madeinallexistingwomenshostelsforwomenwithdisabilities.
8. ThereisaneedforaschemetosupportSelfhelpmutualaidgroupsofwomenwith
disabilitiesonthelinesofStreeShakthiinKarnatakaandtheDFIDVelugu
programmeinAndhraPradeshforwomenwithdisabilitiesandthisshouldincludea
seedmoneytostartbothselfandgroupemployment.Inadditiontopromotingself
andgroupemployment,thereisaneedforEDPprogrammes,bothruralandurban,
forwomenwithdisabilitiestostarttheirowncooperativesonthelinesofSEWA,
bothinKhadiCommissionandallthepovertyalleviationprogrammes.Industrial
developmentcorporations.Womensdevelopmentcooperativesshouldprovideskill
development,financialsupportandmarketinglinkages.Inalltheshopsandmalls
ownedbygovernmentorcooperativesorquasigovernment,outofthe3%
reservation,50%reservationshouldbemadeforwomenwithdisabilitiesandit
shouldbeallottedat50%ofthecost.
9. Finally,aboutmoviesandmedia,initiativesshouldbetakentoregulatethemedia,
whicharemainlyfocusingonwomensexternalbeautytopromotethebrandsand
nothingbeyond.WecanpromotethisonthelinesoftheEriksonCompany,Finland
whichstateswomenwithdisabilitiesshouldalsopromotethepopularbrands.This
willhelptofightfortheageoldimageaboutwomenandhelppeopletoappreciate
innerbeauty.
10. UnderSarvashishaAbhiyanaspecialprogrammefortheinclusionofgirlswith
disabilityinICDSandelementaryschoolsshouldbelaunchedonthelinesofJoyful
inclusionandUdishaPortageprogrammelaunchedbytheWomenandchild
DevelopmentDepartment,GovernmentofKarnatakaincooperationwithCBR
NETWORK(SouthAsia)
11. Theexistingpracticesofdiscriminationbasedondegreeofdisabilityoreconominc
criterionshouldberemovedforchildrenwithdisabilityuptotheageof014years
fortheeducationalpurposetoscaleuptheaccesstobasiceducationalservices.
Bibliography:
1.AsianandPacificDecadeofDisabledPersons,19932002:MandatesforAction
(ST/ESCAP/1492).UnitedNations
2.AsianandPacificDecadeofDisabledPersons:ActionTargets,GenderDimensions
(ST/ESCAP/1669),unitedNations.
3.AfricanCommissiononHumanandPeoples'Rights,POBox673,Banjul,The
Gambia.DisabilityAwarenessinActionisaninternationalinformationproject
supportingtheworkofdisabledpeopleandtheirorganizations.DAA,11BelgraveRoad,
LondonSW1V1RB,UnitedKingdom.Email:DAA_ORG@compuserve.com
4.AsianandPacificDevelopmentCenter.1989.AsianandPacificWomen'sResource
andActionSeries:Health.KualaLumpur:AsianandPacificDevelopmentCenter.
5.Barnum,H.andR.Greenberg.1994."Cancers."InD.T.JamisonandW.H.Mosley,
eds.,DiseaseControlPrioritiesinDevelopingCountries.NewYork:OxfordUniversity
Press.
6.BiwakoMillenniumFrameworkforAction:Towardsaninclusive,barrierfreeand
rightsbasedsocietyforpersonswithdisabilitiesinAsiaandthePacific,Summarypaper
draft,2002
7.CorbettJoanO'TooleforMobilityInternationalUSA(MIUSA)DisabledWomenAnd
IndependentLivinginBrazil,Germany,GreatBritain,India,Japan,NewZealand,
Nicaragua,Russia,SouthAfricaandUganda.
8.DeMaeyer,E.,andM.AdielsTegman.1985."PrevalenceofAnemiaintheWorld."
WorldHealthStatisticalQuarterly38:302316.
9.DISABILITYWORLD.ORGMARCH2000,VOL1,
"DisabledMembersofParliamentWieldInfluenceinUganda"ByKaySchriner,
Ph.D.
"INDEPENDENTLIVINGDisabledYouthAdvocacyTeamsinRussia"ByMarc
Behrendt,WorldInstituteonDisability
"NewLaborGovernmentinNewZealand:RemovingBarriersforPeoplewith
Disabilities"
"SouthAfricaRedraftsAntiDiscriminationLaw"
10.DISABILITYWORLD.ORGApril/May2000,VOL2
"Women:AfricanWomen&AIDSANDNICARAGUAGovernance&
Legislation:U.S.AgencyforInternationalDevelopmentIssuesProgressReporton
DisabilityPolicyANDInitiativesoftheGovernmentofIndiatoAdvanceAsia&
PacificDecadeofDisabledPersons"ByAnuradhaMohit
http://www.disabilityworld.org/April2000
11.Doty,P.1987."HealthStatusandHealthServicesUseAmongOlderWomen:An
InternationalPerspective."WorldStatisticsQuarterly40(3):279290.
12.DisabledPeoples'International(DPI)advocatestherightsofdisabledpeople.The
DPINetworkhasover
100nationalassemblymembers,overhalfofwhichareindevelopingcountries.
Headquarters:DPI,1017EvergreenPlace,Winnipeg,Manitoba,CanadaR3L2T3.
Email:info@dpi.org
13.Equity(newsletter)vol1,issue4,January1999publicationoftheNationalCentre
forPromotionofEmploymentforDisabledPeople(NCPD)
14.Fromhttp://www.stakes.fi/sfa/disweb0.html
"EuropeandisabledwomendiscussedtheirhumanrightsinKauniainen,Finland"
15.From:http://www.dpi.org/newsletterFall1999,vol6,no.2
"TheemploymentscenarioinIndiawithreferencetoPeoplewithDisabilities"A
ResearchConductedby,NationalCentreforPromotionofEmploymentforDisabled
PeopleInCollaborationwith:TheNationalAssociationfortheBlind,Delhi,India
16.FROM:http://www.dpi.org/newsletterSpring1999,vol6,no.
"AllytotheDisabilityMovement:TheworkofActiononDisabilityand
Development"ByPatSimmons,ActiononDisabilityandDevelopment,United
Kingdom
"AConversationwithLandmineSurvivorsattheDPIFifthWorldAssembly"by
JeanParker,DisabilityRadio,USA
"WomenwithdisabilitiesTheMostMarginalisedgroupofAll."IreneFeika
DeputyChairpersonofUnderrepresentedGroups.DPI
17.Heise,L.1992."ViolenceAgainstWomen:TheMissingAgenda."InM.Koblinsky,
J.Gay,andJ.Timyan,eds.,TheHealthofWomen:AGlobalPerspective.Boulder,CO:
WestviewPress.
18.Heisel,M.1988."OlderWomeninDevelopingCountries."WomenandHealth
13(3/4):25372.
19.HiddenSisters,1995c:WomenandGirlswithDisabilitiesintheAsianandPacific
Region(ST/ESCAP/1548),UnitedNations.
20.InclusionInternational,GaleriesdelaToisond'Or,Chaussed'Ixelles,#393/32,B
1050Brussels,Belgium.
21.Maggi,S.1992.TheWorldHealthOrganizationProgramforResearchonAging.
Geneva:WorldHealthOrganization.
22.Miles,A.1991."TheMedicalControlofWomen."InWomen,HealthandMedicine.
Philadelphia:OpenUniversityPress.
23.MobilityInternationalUSA,Loud,Proud,andPassionate(sm):IncludingWomen
withDisabilitiesinInternationalDevelopmentPrograms.Fall2000.POBox10767,
Eugene,OregonUSA97440Voice/TDD:5413431284;fax:5413436812;email:
info@miusa.org.
24.RehabilitationInternationalisafederationof169organisationsin92countries
conductingprogrammestoassistdisabledpeopleandallwhoworkforprevention,
rehabilitationandintegration.Headquarters:RI,25East21stStreet,NewYork,NY
10010,USA.
25.UnitedNations.1985.TheWorldAgingSituation:StrategiesandPolicies.New
York:UnitedNations.
26.WorldBank.1992.WorldDevelopmentReport.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress.
27.WorldBank.1993.WorldDevelopmentReport.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress.
WorldHealthOrganization.1992.Women'sHealth:AcrossAgeandFrontier.Geneva
DisabledWomen:RecomendedWebResources
Afewyearsagoduringthehighsofthedot.comrush,therewerenumeroussitesthat
coveredissuesconcerningwomenwithdisabilitiesfromvariouspointsofview.Now,it
ismoredifficulttofindsitesthatareregularlyupdatedorhavesubstantivematerials.So,
afewofusatDisabilityWorlddidasearchoverthelastmonthandhavelistedthemost
interestingofwhatwefound.Weleftoutalotofsitesthathadoutdatedmaterial,some
thathadonlylocalinformationandothersthatwereimpossibletonavigate.Pleaseletus
knowifwemissedanyofyourfavoritesites.
DisabilityFeministResources
www.wwda.org.au
Stillthemotherlode,producedbyWomenwithDisabilitiesofAustralia,featuringan
amazingrangeofpapersandnewslettersfromafeministpointofview,repletewith"oz"
attitude.Oneofthelatestentries,byHelenMeekosha,"DriftingDowntheGulfStream:
NavigatingtheCultureofDisabilityStudies,"isanindepthcritiqueoftheBritishand
AmericaninfluencesonanemergingAustralianapproachtodisabilitystudies.
www.centerwomenpolicy.org/reportscategory.cfm?ProgramID=9
ProgressiveU.S.basedfeministcenteredpolicyandadvocacycenter,integrallyinclusive
ofdisabilityissues.Featuresprint,pdfandwordversionsofthreeimportanttreatises:
"Reshaping,Rethinking,RedefiningFeministDisabilityStudies,"byRosemarieGarland
Thompson(2001);"StrongProudSisters:Girls&YoungWomenwithDisabilities,"by
HarilynRousso(2001);and"ViolenceandDisabledWomen,"byBarbaraWaxman
Fiduccia&LeslieWolfe(1999)
International
www.dpi.org/resources/topicswomen.htm
WeeklyselectionofarticlespostedbyDisabledpeople'sInternational
www.fire.or.cr/disabilities/notas/dismap.htm
ArrayofinterestingmaterialsproducedinaudioandprintformatsforFeminist
InternationalRadioEndeavour(FIRE)underguidanceofdisabilityfeministLaura
Hershey
Africa
www.disability.dk/site/viewdoc.php?doc_id=611
A2002reportofanAfricanWomen'snetworkformedbydisabledwomenfrom13
Africancountries
www.womensnet.org.za/hr/dpsa.htm
DescribesDisabledWomen'sDevelopmentProgramofSouthAfrica
www.mrc.ac.za/mrcnews/april2001/free.htm
MedicalResearchCouncilofSouthAfricareportofacollaborativeparticipatoryaction
researchprojectwithdisabledwomen
www.mrc.ac.za/supercourse/lecture/lec1301/013.htm
MedicalResearchCouncilofSouthAfricastudyfocusedonhealthofwomenwith
disabilities
www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=929
2003articleonmarginalizationofdisabledwomeninNamibia
Asia
www.worldenable.net/wadbangkok2003
Recommendationsandfinalreportof2003UNAsia&PacificRegionalWorkshopson
WomenandDisability,heldinAugust&OctoberinBangkok
Europe
www.edf.women.org.uk/case.htm#top
Presentationof"TheCaseforDisabledWomen:SummaryoftheCurrentSituationof
WomenwithDisabilitiesinEurope,"byAnaPelaez,member,Women'sCommission,
presented18February2004toEuropeanParliament;followedbypresentationof
"DisabledWomenNonDisabledWomen:StrategiesforActionwithintheEuropean
Context,"byLydiaLaRiviere
www.independentliving.org/docs1/iglesiasetal/1998.html
EuropeanUnionsponsoredstudyof"ViolenceandDisabledWomen"infourcountries:
Denmark,Germany,SpainandSweden.HasreceivedlittleexposurebeyondEurope,but
hasvaluableinformationandcommentaries.
www.edfwomen.org/news
Reportofa2003meetingoftheEuropeanDisabilityForum,heldinWarsaw,that
adoptedaresolutionontheHumanRightsofDisabledWomenandgirls,andmothersof
disabledchildren
www.equalityni.org/whatsnew/archiveindiv.cfm?StoryID=302
2003Researchreporton"DisabledWomeninNorthernIreland:Situation,Experience
andIdentity"publishedbytheEqualityCommissionofNorthernIreland.Thisisoneof
theCommission's"IdentityReport"seriesandothersare"Black&MinorityDisabled
PersonsinNorthernIreland"and"Lesbian,GayandBisexualDisabledPersonsin
Britain."
www.geocities.com/mad_chicks_uk
LaunchinganewmovementinLondononNovember27,2004,focusingonissues
specifictowomenmentalhealthserviceusers.ContactpointisEstherLeslie,Schoolof
EnglishandHumanities,Birbeck,emailmadchicks@hotmail.com
www.kindermedhandicap.dk/summary%20english.htm
SiteofDanishWomenwithDisabilities
Canada
www.dawn.thot.net
Canadianbasedfeministcrossdisabilityorganization,regularlyupdatedwithnewsof
organizations,research,projects,mostlyinNorthAmericabutwithmulticultural
emphasis,e.g.,FirstNationperspectives
www.nald.ca/cclow/search/search_res.asp?s=subject&q=22
SeriesofstudiesaboutdisabledwomenproducedbyTanisDoe,DianeDriedgerand
AprilD'Aubin,postedonthewebsiteofCanada'sNationalAdultLiteratureDatabase
www.dsqsds.org/_arhelos_html/2004/summer/dsq_sum04_crooks.html
ArticlebyValerieCrooksinDisabilityStudiesQuarterlyon"IncomeAssistanceand
WomenwithDisabilitiesinOntario,Canada"
USA
www.dwu.org
U.S.basedDeafWomenUnited,annualconference,regularnewsletter,lotsofuseful
links
www.bcm.edu/crowd
HoustonbasedBaylorCollegeofMedicine'sCenterforResearchonWomenwith
Disabilities.Someinterestingnewmaterialemanatingfrom2003symposiumon
ImprovingHealth&Wellness.
http://nursing.villanova.edu/wwdies/welcome.htm
Universityresearchproject(withsupportofBristolMyersSquibb)coveringdisabled
womenandbarrierstohealthcare,aging,parenting,breasthealth,rightsandresources
www.4women.gov/wwd/index.htm
Kepthearingabouthowgreatthissitewas,soweweresurprisedtofindanoddlymedical
presentationofinformationbydisabilitycategory.Byoddly,wemeanitcoversBulimia
Nervosabutnotblindness,PanicDisorderbutnotparaplegia,DissociativeDisorderbut
notdeafness,andPervasiveDevelopmentalDisordersbutnotdevelopmentaldisabilities
etc.Admittedly,though,itwasfuntocheckoutSexualityandfind"TheNewFreedom
Initiative"listed.
www.kidsource.com/NICHY/girldisability1.html
Indepth5partarticleplusrecommendedresourceson"Havingadaughterwitha
disability"
www.disabledparents.net
Notasiteaimedspecificallyatwomen,butmostmaterialswrittenbyoraboutmothers
withdisabilities
www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/women/start.htm
ThedatapackedU.S.NationalScienceFoundation's2004editionofWomen,Minorities
andPeoplewithDisabilitiesinScienceandEngineering
www.nowfoundation.org/issues/disability/forum2003/102403forum.html
Shortreportof2003forumofNowFoundationandAmericanAssociationofPeoplewith
Disabilitieson"LinkingArmsforEquality&JusticeforAll"
www.notdeadyet.org
Foundedin1996toalertdisabilitycommunityandpublicthatJackKevorkianwas
mainlyassistingthesuicidesofdisabledwomenwithnonterminalconditions;now
takingactionsinover30statesinoppositiontothesuicideeuthanasiamovement.
Samoa:IndepthReportonSituationofDisabled
Women
AmajorresearchreportonthesituationofwomenwithdisabilitiesinSamoahasjust
beenissuedbyUNESCO,theInailauWomen'sLeadershipNetworkandInclusion
International.Basedonthedisaggregationofdatafromnationalsurveys,and
supplementedbyaseriesofinterviewsbyDonnaLene,thereportfindsthatdisabled
womenareatserioussocioeconomicdisadvantagecomparedtodisabledmen.For
example,althoughlaborparticipationbydisabledmenisquitelow,atleasthalfthe
populationofwomenwithdisabilitiesreportedhavingactivityonlywiththeirfamilies
andanother39%reportednoactivity.Therewasalsodisturbinginformationaboutthe
lackofeducationandawarenessofthewomeninterviewed:onedeafwomansaid,
"AIDS,what'sthat?Nobodytoldmeaboutthat..."
Detailsontheweb
WomenBriefly
EQUITYenewsletter:November2004
DisabilityandAssetBuildingCommunitiesWorkingTogether
http://www.wid.org/equity
IntheNovemberEQUITY:
EntrepreneurialWomenwithDisabilities:CreatingTheirOwnPaths
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity
FEATUREARTICLE
ABLEOWNERS:WomenwithDisabilitiesEntrepreneurshipProject(WDEP)
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity&sub=200411&topic=fa
PaulaGreenfieldWashington,Ph.D.,describestheDepartmentofLaborWomen's
Bureausponsoredproject(currentlyinPhaseII)designedtosupportwomenwith
disabilitiesinterestedinstartingtheirownbusinesses.Readmoreabouttheprojectand
someofthesuccessstoriesfromPhaseI.
TAXFACTSFreeEITCWebcast
November19,2004
12:002:00PMEST
TheImportanceoftheEarnedIncomeTaxCreditForPeoplewithDisabilitiesandtheir
Families
CoSponsoredbytheLaw,HealthPolicyandDisabilityCenter,UniversityofIowa,and
theNCBDevelopmentCorporation/NationalDisabilityInstitute
RegistrationInformation&QuestionsshouldbesenttoMatthewGernsteinat
Mgernstein@ncbdc.orginadvanceoftheWebcast.Aregistrationformmaybe
downloadedattheLaw,HealthPolicy,andDisabilityCenter'swebsite(
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu)andaccessingtheTaxFactslinkinthe"What'sNew"
sectionordirectlyathttp://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/projects/aatpcasts.html.The
registrationformmayalsobeaccessedbyvisitinghttp://www.MasterMyMoney.org
(whichwillbeavailabletheweekofNovember1)anewsitebyNCBDevelopment
Corporation(www.ncbdc.org).
SPECIALSECTION
ELECTION2004:GetoutandVOTE!
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity&sub=200411&topic=ss
Findoutmoreaboutthecandidates'viewsondisabilityandassetbuildingissues.
PROGRAMOFTHEMONTH:
RegionalSitesfortheWomenwithDisabilitiesEntrepreneurProject(WDEP)
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity&sub=200411&topic=pm
MicroenterprisedevelopmentorganizationsfromfourregionsacrosstheU.S.havebeen
designatedasthepilotsitesforWDEP.Eachsitehasdevelopedtheirownuniquemodel
onhowtoservedisabledwomenentrepreneurs.
PROFILEOFTHEMONTH:
ANewBeginning:VictoriaSkelton
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity&sub=200411&topic=profile
Despiteanabusivechildhood,growinguppoor,anddisablingmentalconditionsthatat
timeshaveleftherparalyzedbyfear;VictoriaSkeltondoesnotwastetimewithblameor
resentment.FindingtheassetbuildingprogramattheWomen'sOpportunitiesResource
Center(WORC)wasjustthestartofherjourneyontheroadtowardseconomicself
sufficiency.
TIPOFTHEMONTH:
MakingSelfEmploymentanOptionforWomenwithDisabilities:
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity&sub=200411&topic=tm
BusinessPlans
Oneofthebestwaystoreducesomeoftheanxietyinvolvedinstartinganewbusinessis
towriteabusinessplan.Forpeoplewithdisabilities,abusinessplancanhelpsecure
fundingandsimplifycomplexbenefitsquestions.
EQUITYRESPONDS:WIDAnswersYourQuestions.
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equity&sub=200411&topic=responds
WhatisaPlanforAchievingSelfSupport(PASS)andhowcanithelppeoplewith
disabilitiesthatwanttostarttheirownbusiness?
LEARNING&NETWORKINGRESOURCES:
Informativewebsitesofinteresttobothcommunities
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=equityresource
CONFERENCES&EVENTS:
http://www.wid.org/publications/?page=conf
Online2004IDAProgramSurveyhttp://www.cfed.org/focus.m?
parentid=31&siteid=241&id=242
CFEDNeedsOurHelp!PleasecompletethebriefsurveybyNovember15,2004.
TheinformationyouprovidewillhelpCFEDcapturethestateofthefield,sharethis
muchneededdatawithmanycriticalstakeholders,andupdatetheIDADirectorythe
mostcomprehensivelistofIDAprogramsinthecountryusedbyfunders,practitioners,
programparticipants,andotherseveryday.
ToensurethatCFEDprovidesinformationthatisuptodate,onlythoseorganizations
thatcompletethebriefsurveywillcontinuetobelistedintheIDADirectory.
WorldInstituteonDisability(WID)isanonprofitpublicpolicycenterdedicatedtothe
promotionofindependenceandfullinclusioninsocietyofpeoplewithdisabilities.
WID'sAccesstoAssets(ATA)programprovidestrainingandtechnicalassistanceto
assetbuildinganddisabilityorganizationsseekingtoimprovetheinclusionofpeople
withdisabilitiesinpovertyreductionprograms.Inaddition,ATAprovidesinformation
andreferralservicestoindividualswithdisabilitiesandconductsfederalandstatepolicy
analysisonrelatedissues.
NEW!TollFreeTechnicalAssistanceHotline:18667231201
Doyouhavequestionsaboutassetbuildingstrategiesorservingpeoplewithdisabilities?
Pleasecontact:
MeganO'Neil
WorldInstituteonDisability
AccesstoAssetsProjectCoordinator
megan@wid.org
Isthereanarticle,conference,orwebsitethatyouwouldliketohaveincludedin
EQUITY?Allcommentsandsuggestionsarewelcome.
WeencouragethewidestpossibledisseminationofEQUITYpleaseforwardthis
messagetocolleaguesandfriends.
TosubscribeorunsubscribetoEQUITY,pleasesendanemailtoequity@wid.org
EQUITYisdisseminatedinplaintextinanefforttobeasaccessibleaspossibletoa
varietyofaudiences.Ifyouhavedifficultyreadingthisemailoraccessingourwebsite,
pleasesendcommentstoequity@wid.org
EQUITYisapublicationofWorldInstituteonDisability'sAccesstoAssetsProgramand
issupportedbytheAssetAccumulationandTaxPolicyProject.
TheAssetAccumulationandTaxPolicyProject(AATPP)
http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/projects/assetdevtaxpol.html
isapartnershipofTheLaw,HealthPolicy,andDisabilityCenterattheUniversityof
IowaCollegeofLaw,incollaborationwithSouthernNewHampshireUniversitySchool
ofCommunityEconomicDevelopment,theNationalFederationofCommunity
DevelopmentCreditUnions,theWorldInstituteonDisability,andtheNational
CooperativeBankDevelopmentCorporation.AATPPis100percentfundedbyU.S.
DepartmentofEducationgrant#H133A031732.Itscontentsaresolelytheresponsibility
oftheauthorsanddonotnecessarilyrepresenttheofficialviewsofNIDRRorUniversity
ofIowa.
EQUITYisalsogenerouslyfundedbytheJ.W.andIdaM.JamesonFoundationandthe
CharlesandHelenSchwabFoundation.
Children&Youth
NewBooksIntroducingDisabilitytoYoungChildren
ByBarbaraKolucki(bakoluck@aol.com)
NoFairToTigers
NoFairtoTigersisadvertisedasan"AntibiasBookforKids".Itisdistributedby
RedleafPresswhichhasawonderfulcollectionofsuchbooksrangingfrompreschool
agetoadolescents.Manyofthebooksarebilingual,andthisoneisSpanish/English.
QuickTime and a
Inanotetoparents,teachersandothercaregiversattheendofthebook,theauthortalks
abouthelpingchildrentolearnaboutfairnessandjustice.Anditdoes.Mandyisalittle
girlwhousesawheelchair.Herstuffedtigerhasanearthatisfallingoffandsheisona
questtohelphim.Whensheshowsherdadhowdirtyheis,thedadvolunteerstotake
himtothelaundromat.Mandyexclaims"Putatigerinawashingmachine?Lockedup,
likeacage?That'snofairtotigers."Thensheandherdadwashhimgentlyinthe
bathroomsink.
MandyhelpsherTigergetsewnbacktogetherandcleanedup.Butwhentheygotothe
petstorefor"real"tigerfood,Mandyisupsetbecausethistimeitisnofairtoher:there
arestepsattheentranceofthestore.Herfamilyofferstofindsomeonetocarryherinside
butsheexclaimsthatshedefinitelydoesnotwanttobepickeduplikesomepuppydog!
AndeventhoughthestorekeepercomesoutsidetogiverhersomecrackersforTiger,she
tellshimthatthetigerisappreciativebut....theyneedarampforthestore.
Thebookiswonderful.Mandy'sstoryisdevelopmentallyappropriateforbothpreschool
andearlyprimarychildrenandagoodearlyreaderforfirstandsecondgradechildren.
Theillustrationsareexcellent;veryaccurateandsensitiveintheirportrayalofagirlwith
adisabilitybeingassistedbyhermothergettingintobed.
Thenotesattheendofthebooksuggestvariouswaystoextendthemessageofantibias.
Theseincludeissuesrelatedtocaringfortoys,animals,childrenbeinginjuredand
disability.Thelastsuggestionstates,"WhileMandyusesawheelchairandaccessibilityis
importanttoher,sheismorethanapersoninawheelchair.Helpchildrenlearnmore
aboutpeopleinyourclassroomorcommunitywhousewheelchairsorotheradaptive
equipment.Whataretheirinterests?Whatdotheydoforwork?Whoisintheirfamilies?
Howdotheytakecareofothers?"
Thisbookgetstenplusstars...
Author:EricHoffman
Illustrator:JaniceLeePorter
www.redleafpress.com
BeQuietMarina
MarinaandMoiraarebothfouryearsold.Eachlikestodance,playwithdolls,goona
seesawanddressup.Marinahascerebralpalsyandoftenscreamsandmakeslotsof
noises.Moirahatesnoisebecauseitfrightensher.
ThisisaphotoessaybookoftworealgirlswhoattendedtheBankStreetFamilyCenter.
Ittellsthestoryoftheirfriendship,andthemanywaystheyarealikeanddifferent.At
firstitwasdifficultforthemtobefriends.MarinawasindependentwhileMoirawas
quietandstayedclosetoherteacher.WhenMarinacouldnotwaitherturn,orhadto
cleanuphertoys,sheoftenpoutedandscreamed,drivingMoiratocoverherearsand
leaveMarina.
QuickTime and a
MostlikelyundertheguidanceoftheCenterstaff,onedaywhenMarinawasgetting
upset,Moirasimplysaidtoher"Pleasedon'tscream!"Shecontinuedtoaskherthisas
theyslowlylearnedtoplaytogether.Marinalearnedtobettercontrolherbehaviorand
MoiralearnedtonotbeafraidofandgentlyconfrontMarina.
Thisstorycouldbeaboutanytwochildren.Itisadelightfulbookaboutsimilarities,
differencesandlearningnewhealthysocialskills.
Theendofthebookincludesanexplanationforolderchildrenandadultsaboutcerebral
palsyandDownsyndrome.ItalsolistsvariousdisabilityresourcesintheUSA,Canada,
theU.K.,SouthAfricaandAustralia.
Greatbook.
Author:KirstenDeBear
Photographer:LauraDwight
www.starbrightbooks.com
SusanLaughs
SusanLaughsisabookforyoungchildrenthatintroducesthemtoayounggirlwhouses
awheelchair.Oneachpageofthisdelightfulbook,weseeSusanwithmembersofher
family,petanimals,atschool,alone,andwithfriends.Oneachpageweseeadifferent
aspectofthisyounggirlhowshelaughsandissad,isgoodandisbad,isweakandis
strong.Oneachpageweseeafabulousillustrationofherflyingthroughtheaironher
father'sarms,swimmingwithherfamily,ridingahorseandplayingsimplegames.
AndonlyonthelastpagedoweseethatSusanisusingawheelchair.
Wehaveseenthis"technique"oftenovertheyearsindisabilityawarenesscampaigns.
Mostofthetime,itworksverywell.Itdoesheretoo.AnditisthefirsttimeIhaveseenit
usedforsuchyoungchildreninabook.
Buyit!
AuthorandIllustrator:JeanneWillisandTonyRoss
Publisher:RandomHouse(ARedFoxBook)
www.kidsatrandomhouse.co.uk
TakingCerebralPalsytoSchool
Outofallofthebooksreviewed,thisoneisthemostexplicitwithregardtodisability.It
isbasedonastoryaboutarealboy,ChadMadson,andhisfamily.Thestoryistoldinthe
firstperson:Chadwritesabouthis"CP,"andhisfirstlessontothereadersisthat"allkids
aredifferentevenkidslivingwithCP!"
ThebooktellsinsimplelanguagehowChadliveswithCPfromtheextratimeittakes
tocombhishairordrinkmilkfromacup,tophysicaltherapytoswimming.
ChadsuggeststhatreadersgetafeelforlivingwithCPbyputtingsocksontheirhands
andthentrytobuttontheirclothes.IgetmixedreviewsfrommyfriendswithCPonthis
approach,butthebottomlineisthatifadisabledpersonisfacilitatingthis"simulation,it
isathousandtimesbetterthananondisabledpersondoingit.AsChadpointsout,kids
andpeoplewithdisabilityaredifferent,andhavedifferentopinions.
WeseeChadinanintegratedclassroom,butworkingwithanassistant.Weseehim
talkingwithclassmates,andsometimestheyunderstandhimandothertimestheydon't.
But,hewantsusalltoknowthathowhespeaksinnotanyindicationofhisintelligence.
Seizuresareexplainedtoreadersinasimplewaysomethingthatwouldindeedhelp
childrennotbesoafraidiftheydoseeone.Andhementionsthattheyarenotcontagious,
whichIknowfromyearsworkingwithchildren,isaconcerntheyoftenhave.
Intheend,ChadsaysthatCPisonlyaverysmallpartofhislifebutasopposedtosome
oftheotherbooksreviewedhereitistheprimaryfocusofthebook.Idobelievethatthe
book(andthoseoftheseriesmentionedbelow)couldbeusefulforchildreninearly
primaryclasses.
TakingCerebralPalsytoSchoolispartofaSpecialKidsinSchoolseries.This
includeseverythingfromAttentionDeficitDisorder(ADD)toDownSyndrometoFood
Allergies.JayJoBooksisaPublisherof"SpecialBooksforSpecialKids".
Author:MaryElizabethAnderson
Illustrator:TomDineen
Publisher:JayJoBooks
www.jayjo.com
jayjobooks@guidancechannel.com
Children&YouthBriefly
(Jennifer@wid.org)
DeafKidsinNicaraguaCreateNewLanguage
DeafchildreninaschoolinNicaraguawithoutanytypeofformalinstructioninvented
theirownsignlanguage.Inareportpublishedinthejournal,Science,researchers
studyingthisphenomenonfoundthattheirobservationsshowthatchildren,notadults,
arekeytotheevolutionanddevelopmentoflanguage.1,000childrenataschoolin
Managuaprovidedtheseresearcherswithalivinglaboratory,madepossiblebythe
neglectandisolationofdeafpeopleinNicaraguauntilthe1970s.In1977,aschoolfor
specialeducationopenedinManagua,andforthefirsttime,deafchildrencouldmeetand
learntogether,andcouldstaytogetherastheygrewup.However,noonetaughtthem
formalsignlanguage,sotheymadeuptheirown.Toreadanarticleaboutthestudy,
pleasevisithttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3662928.stm.
DistanceTrainingComputerNetworkfortheBlindinVietnam
SaoMaiComputerCentrefortheBlindisacomputertrainingcenterwhichworksto
improvetheITknowledgeofblindandvisuallyimpairedpersonsbyprovidingtraining
incomputerskillsandaccesstoITproducts.TheCentrerecentlylaunchedtheDistance
TrainingComputerNetworkfortheBlindproject,fundedbySamsungAsiaaspartof
their"SamsungDigitAllHope"initiative,tobenefitblindyouthfromfourorganizations
infourdifferentprovincesinVietnam.Theprojectisthefirstdistancetrainingcomputer
programinVietnamandiscarriedoutdirectlybyblindteachers.Computertraining
courseswillbeconductedviatheInternetwithelectronicdocuments,Braillebooksand
tactilegraphics,aswellasliteraturerecordedontapesandCDs.Toreadmoreaboutthe
project,pleasevisithttp://www.samsung.com.au/hope/winners/vietnam02.htm.
UNissueschildpovertywarningforEasternEuropeandCentralAsia
UNICEFrecentlyreportedthatmillionsofchildrenliveinpovertyinEasternEuropeand
CentralAsiadespiteeconomicgrowthinthoseregions.Thereportlooksatthelivesof
childrenin27countriesinEasternEuropeandCentralAsiaandfoundthatkeyindicators
ofchildren'swelfareincludinginfantmortalityandnumbersofyoungstersininstitutions
werenotimproving.Innineofthecountriessurveyed,14millionoutof44million
childrenwerelivingbelowthenationalpovertyline.UNICEFalsosaysthatmanyof
theseyoungpeoplearedisabledasaresultofmanyyearsofneglect.ToreadaBBC
articleaboutthereportonline,pleasevisit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr//2/hi/europe/3737282.stm.
BullyingCurriculumtoHelpDisabledStudentsandParents
TheParentAdvocacyCoalitionforEducationalRightshasdevelopedanewcurriculum,
"IsYourChildaTargetofBullying?InterventionStrategiesforParentsofChildrenwith
Disabilities."Thematerialsaddressbullyingandareforprofessionalandparentleaders
topresentatparentmeetings,workshops,trainingsandotheroccasions.Thecurriculum
definesdisabilityharassmentandbullying,advisesparentsonhowtotalkwiththeir
childrenaboutbullying,teachesconstructivewaysatargetcanreacttobullying,educates
parentsaboutlawsandpoliciesaffectingbullying,andexplainshowtoaddressbullying
inindividualeducationprograms.Formoreinformationaboutthiscurriculum,please
visithttp://www.pacer.org/publications/bully.htm.
Resources&BookReviews
BookReview:OedipusBorealis,theaberrantbodyin
OldIcelandicmythandsaga
ByM.Miles(m99miles@hotmail.com)
LoisBragg(2004)Oedipusborealis.TheaberrantbodyinOldIcelandicmythandsaga.
FairleighDickinsonUniversityPress.isbn0838640281.302pp.
Thisbookwascookingupthroughadecade,duringwhichLoisBragg,Professorof
EnglishatGallaudetUniversity,offeredvarioushorsd'oeuvresofNordicSagadisability
inacademicjournals.Thefullbreakfast,lunchanddinnerarefascinating,provocative,
oftendamnpeculiar,onoccasionsindigestible,butaculinaryexperiencenottobe
missed.Thebookisenlivenedbydrawingsofvariousdisreputablecharactersand
creatures.[1]
TheNorsesagasdonotlacksaucylanguageandpepperycharacterswhoseimpairments
ortemperamentareprominentatsight,e.g.IdiotEgil,IvarrtheBoneless,ThorfinSkull
splitterandAsgeirScatterbrain,ReftheSly,thetwinsOlvirHumpandVarestGump,
KetilFlatNose,andFinntheSquinter.[Okay,oneofthoseslippedbackfrommodern
times.]Bragg,anescapedAngloSaxonist,hasnoproblemcallingafoolafool.Shenotes
thatwhendiscussing"afictionalSwedishberserker,seenslobbering,howlingand
buggeringhiswayacrosstheIcelandiclandscape",termssuchas'developmentally
challenged'or'speechimpaired'or'gay'arehardlyadequatetocapturethephenomenon.
Thebookalmostexclusivelydescribesmentwisty,shifty,violent,lusty,autistic,gory,
quintessentiallymalewhilefemaleaberrationsremaindecentlybehindthecurtain.(Oh
dear.Thisbookhassomethingforalmostanyonetogetannoyedwith).
Braggkicksoffwithan'incidentaldigression'of35pagesonGreekmythsconnected
withOedipusofThebes.Repletewithsectionheadingssuchas"Dionysus:madness,
sparagmos,andsexrolereversal",and"Laius:sodomy,parricideandmore
cannibalism",theOedipusSagaprovidesaclassicalpedigree(piedegrue,orgruesome
foot??)tothepeculiarIcelandicheroesathousandyearslater,andassuresthemodern
Americanreaderthatshecanrelax,shegonnabeonhomeground.[2]Describingthe
unwittingencounterbetweenOedipusandhisDadatapointwherethreeroadsmeet
("thisshapeisanearlyuniversalsymbolofthefemalepubictriangle")andOedipus
knockingDadoffhisperchphysically,symbolicallyandprefreudianly,Braggsuggests
that"Sophoclesrationalizesthestoryasakindof'roadrage'incident,aswhenAmerican
commutersrespondtolaneweavingwithgunplay."Thisisunderstoodtobe'male'
commuters;anditshouldprobablybePaw,notDad,topullthereader'slegaboutthe
"crablikediscursivetrack"ofOedipus'scomplexpodalarrangements.[3]
Gods,Giants,Goats&Grim
MostofthepresentedIcelandicmaterialisbasedintextattributedtoSnorriSturluson(c.
11781241),wholookedbackrathercensoriously(perhapswithtingesofwistfulness?)to
awonderfulheathenpast,over200yearsearlier,whenMenGotToDoalotof
stimulatingactivitiesthatMenDidn'tGetToDoinSnorri'stimes.Thechangeisascribed
byBraggtothespoilsport,quicheeating,protopuritanicalinfluenceofthe"wholesale
religiousconversionof[Snorri's]society"toChristianity.Yahcain'trightlydoroadrage
innoChristiannation.AsforgoingaVikinginthelandsofdistantpeople,smashingup
theirtowns,lootingtheirmineralassets,andcausingtheirchildrentostarve,thatwasone
ofthefirstthingstheChurchauthoritiesruledOutOfBounds.[4]
Toplungeintothedetailofaberrancy,Bragghastoassumethatreadersareatleast
vaguelyfamiliarwithNorseorIndoEuropeanmythologiesandtheirrecentacademic
careers,orwithdisabilitystudiesandsomeofthewildershoresofacademiclit.crit.
However,shefillsinsomebackgroundandskirmishesenpassantwithafew
mainstreamsagawonks,fortifiedbyfencingpracticewithherinhouseexpert,W.
Sayers.DisabilityinNorselit.couldhardlyhaveescapedthenoticeofearlierscholars,
sincevarioustalesaretitledwithcharactersnicknamedfortheirimpairment.Yetthis
formofaberrancyhasattractedverylittledetailedexamination.[5]
Thereisamplematerialthatcanbeinterpretedaslinkingassortedgods,giants,goatsand
homesteaderswithawidevarietyofaberrantintimacythatwasoncenotdeemedproper
fordiscussionwithmaidenaunts.Thesagasareadventureplaygroundsforkissandtell
reportage,fromthosewhowerethere(atleast,intheircosmicimagination).Letnobody
worrythatanysagarecorder,asBraggunderlines,"bynomeansintendedoreven
imaginedthisreading"well,inthoserepressedtimes,afteracoupleofcenturiesof
importedmedievalChristianity,theywouldn'thaveimaginedit,wouldthey!(Oristhat,
too,aslightlyoverconfidentmodernmyththatweknowpastmentalitiesbetterthanthey
knewthemselvesbetter,indeed,thanweunderstandourselves?)
StrollswithTrolls
ThebookisasfullofwordsastherearenotesinabagatelleofMozart.Bragghasa
similardelightinplayingwiththebuildingblocks,pilingthemup,dismantlingsometo
showthebrickletsinside,andsuggestingwaysinwhichthemeaningsandconcepts
changedovertime.Onecanimaginethecopyeditorsweatingtokeepupwiththeverbal
playsandnotmiscorrecttoomany.Onp.260,forexample,itisnotentirelyclear
whetheroneistakingatrollthroughtheIcelandiclandscape,orastroll;orperhapsboth.
TheIcelandicTouristBoardshouldorderashipmentofcopies,formysterytoursofan
earlymythicworldthatisbothstrikinglydifferentanddisconcertinglyresonantwiththe
humanshamblesinwhichwelivenow.
NOTES
[1]Oneofthetwodrawingslabelled"bodilessheads",onp.66,looksverylikethe
UniversalSignfor"Yes,wehavenobananastoday!",whichfirstappearedasan
Egyptianheiroglyph,followedbyacuriouscareerupsidedowninavastGermanlexicon.
(PierreLacau,1954,Surlesystmehiroglyphique,Cairo.p.15.)
[2]Ladies,kindlynotethatsparagmosmightnotbelegalinyourcountryofresidence.
Firstcallyourlawyer,orchecktheweb.
[3]MaybeaglossbytheearlyPolishscholar,E.D.Pszcz.
[4]Men,justDon'tGoThere!Youmightgetaserioustellingofffromyourminister.
[5]Forexample,WilliamMorris&EirikrMagnusson,inTheSagaLibrary,translated
"TheStoryofHowardtheHalt"in1891,introducingitatsomelength,takingitseriously,
anddiscussingitspossiblehistoricity(pp.xiitoxxiii),withhardlyamentionofthe
impairmentofHoward(Havardr),orthedefectsofAtlitheLittlewho(likeHoward)
underwentanimprobabletransformationfrompeevishvictimtorampanttoughguy.
MorerecentcommentatorstaketheHavardrsagaascomicexaggeration,ofinterestonly
asanexampleofexasperatedwomengoadingtheirmenfolktostandupandfightand
again,aresilentonphysicaldeficits.
AVBooksPublishesthe9/11CommissionReport
Commissionerspraisetechnologyensuringreaderswillhaveaneasierwaytoread,
hearandvisualizethereport
LighthousePoint,FLIncelebrationofVeteransDay,AVBooks(www.avbooks.com)
isreleasingThe9/11CommissionReport(FinalReportoftheNationalCommissionon
TerroristAttacksUpontheUnitedStates),the"bookeveryAmericanmustown,"asan
audiovisualbook.
"WearereleasingthisbookinthisuniqueformatonVeteransDaytohonorthetens
millionsofveteranswhohavesovaliantlyservedthiscountrytopreserveourfreedom,"
saysGeorgeHay,CEOandfounderofAVBooks.
Haybelievesthereportprovidesreaderswiththemostcriticallookanycitizenryhashad
onhowitsgovernmentoperatesandthatonlyafree,democraticgovernmentwould
publishit.
Whypublishnowwhenthereportwaspreviouslyreleased?
AVBooksispublishingnowbecausethisformatexpandsitsavailabilitytotensof
millionsofmorereaders,includingpeoplewithdisabilities,becausethebookhasfeatures
theprintedversionlacks,andbecausetheMP3technologymakesthereporteasierto
readthetextandfootnotesandtocarry.
Forexample,specialfeaturesinthebookincludeexclusivevideointerviewswith9/11
CommissionersJamieS.GorelickandRichardBenVeniste.Thecommissionersexpress
theirpersonalviewsonthereportanditsimpactuponAmerica,Congress,thePresident
oftheUnitedStatesandtheworld.
Speakinginasombertone,CommissionerGorelicksays,"Thisbookisacriticalhistory
ofhowourgovernmentoperates.Therehasneverbeenanybookpublishedlikethisin
thehistoryofourcountry.Iamthrilledwiththereceptionwereceivedfromthecountry
anddoublypleasedtolearnthatthecountryisrespondingtothereports
recommendations."
Indiscussingtheinternationalimpactofthebook,shesays,"Othercountriesarereading
thebooksearchingforinformationonwaystoprotectthemselvesfromterrorists."
CommissionerGorelickisapartnerintheWashington,D.C.lawfirmofWilmer,Cutler,
Pickering,Hale&Dorr.
CommissionerBenVenistesays,"The911Commissionreportisessentialforanyone
whowantstounderstandhowthistragedyoccurred,whyourgovernmentfailedto
preventit,andhowwecantakestepstobetterprotectournationfromfutureattacks
whilestillpreservingourcivilliberties."
RichardBenVenisteisapartnerintheWashington,D.C.lawfirmofMayer,Brown,
Rowe&Maw.
ThecommissionersarepleasedthatAVBookstechnologyexpandsthereadershipofthe
book.
"Byincreasingthenumberofpeoplewhowillhaveaccesstothereport,includingpeople
withdisabilities,thenationwillbestrongerandmorevigilantinourwaragainstterror,"
saysGorelick.
ThebenefitsofAVBooksMP3CDtechnologyarereadersreceiveacompletedigital
versionofthereportthroughwhichtheycaninteractwithaudio,textandimages.These
featuresalsomakethebookinternationallyaccessibletotensofmillionsofblind,
visuallyimpairedandpeoplewithlearningdisabilities.
Forportabilitypurposes,withthistechnologythebookcanbeinstalledonPCcomputers,
andplayedonMP3friendlydevicessuchasiPodsandDVDPlayers.
Oneofthecriticismsofthereporthasbeennearlytwothousandfootnotesinthebook
andhowreadershavetogotoanotherbooktoreadthefootnotes.
"WithAudioVisualBooks,readerscanclickontothefootnoteandimmediatelythe
footnotecanbepulledintothemainbodyofthetextandreadaloudwithoutthereader
losinghisplace,"saysHay.Anotherfeatureiselectronicnotescanbetakenand
identifiedwithspecifictext,printcanbeenlargedforpeoplewithvisualimpairments,
andthebackgroundandcolorcanbechangedtobenefitreaderswithlearningdisabilities.
Anothercriticismhasbeenitsthickness.AVBookseliminatesthiselementandmakes
thebookeasilyportable.Suchportabilityexpandsthereadershipofthereportandmakes
iteasytouseitasatextbookinhistoryorgovernmentclasses.
HaysaysAVBookstechnologymakesthereportalivingdocumentbecausefuture
additionscaneasilybeaddedbyclickingonFutureUpdatesintheTableofContentsand
thendownloading.
Leadersinthedisabilitycommunitypraisetheaccessibilityfeaturesofthistechnology
andthegoalofthepublishertoensurepeoplewithdisabilitieshaveaccesstothereport.
"Byensuringpeoplewithdisabilitieshaveaccesstothe9/11Report,thepublisher
recognizestherightofprovidingeveryAmericanaccesstothisreport,"saysAlanReich,
presidentoftheNationalOrganizationonDisability,Washington,DC.NODs
(www.nod.org)missionistoincludeAmericas56millionpeoplewithdisabilitiesin
everyaspectinsociety.
Farfromreplacingthetraditionalbook,theinteractiveAudioVisualBook,combined
withitssophisticatedandadvanceddigitalcapabilities,extendsthereachoftheoriginal
book,andeffectivelybrandsthebookwithanewgenerationofreadersbothfamiliarand
comfortablewithcomputersandMP3CDtechnology.
AVBooksutilizesitsproprietaryAVBookCreatorsoftwaretoproducean
AudioVisualBook.Thetechnologycombinesthephysicalownershipwithadvance
readingtechnologythatwillforeverchangethewaypeopleinteractwithdigitalbooks.
TheAudioVisualBookisthe"DVDofthePublishingWorld"andincorporatesthebest
featuresofpaper,electronic,andtheaudiobooksaswellasDVDcapabilities.
Thereportsellsfor$19.95andwillbeavailableinbookstores,airports,on
www.amazon.comandthroughAVBooksonwww.avbooks.com.
"Captions"Newsletter/AssistiveTechnologyResource
CAPEarnsNationalRecognitionforUsabilityandAccessibilityofPromotionalCD
ROM
CAPhasbeenhonoredwiththeBestNewAbilityCommunicationsAward.This
recognitionisbasedonCAPsdevelopmentanddisseminationofacompletelyaccessible
CDROM,RealSolutionsForRealNeeds,asamarketingandeducationaltoolforCAP
customersandthegeneralpublic.TheNewAbilityCommunicationsAwardis
administeredbytheNewFreedomFoundationofChicago,IllinoisonJuly31,2004.
RealSolutionsforRealNeedsisaninnovativeoutreachmechanismbecauseitsdesign
exceedsrequirementsofSection508oftheRehabilitationActbyrequiringnoadditional
assistivetechnologytoaccessinformationcontainedontheCDROM.Byincluding
featuressuchasopencaptioningandaudiodescription,userscanlearninthemodethatis
mostaccommodatingtotheiruniquedisabilities.ThisflexibilityalsoempowersCAP
customerstoutilizethetrainingattheirconvenience.
TheNewFreedomFoundationseekstoinspirethecreationofnewabilitiesandimprove
thequalityoflifeforthosepeoplewhohaveadisabilitythrougheducationalprograms,
publicawarenesscampaigns,researchgrants,andscholarships.TheBestNewAbility
CommunicationsAwardhighlightsthemosteffectivecommunicationvehiclefor
providinginformationinthemostusableandaccessibleformat.
QuickTime and a
LesliePugh,CAPteammember,acceptsBestNewAbilityCommunicationsAward
CAPisdedicatedtoensuringthatpeoplewithdisabilitieshaveequalaccesstothe
informationenvironmentandopportunitiesintheDepartmentofDefenseandthroughout
theFederalgovernmentinallstagesoftheemploymentlifecycle,saidCAPDirector
DinahCohen.Thepassionforourmissionisdemonstratedineachstepofour
accommodationprocessandreflectedinthepresentationandaccessibilityofour
message.IthanktheNewFreedomFoundationforrecognizingCAPwiththis
outstandingawardandfortheircooperationinfurtheringopportunitiesforAmericans
withdisabilities.
CAPTECCorner,WavesofCommunication
QuickTime and a
PaulSingleton,Deaf/HardofHearingTeamLeadergivespointersoncommunicating
withdeafemployees
CAPhostedaWavesofCommunicationtrainingsessiononTuesday,August24and
Thursday,August26,2004atCAPsTechnologyEvaluationCenter,(CAPTEC)located
atthePentagon,inWashington,DC.Theeventprovidedanopportunityforthe
DepartmentofDefenseandourpartneragenciesmanagers,supervisorsandcoworkers
tolearncommunicationguidelines,disabilityetiquetteandassistivetechnologyavailable
toutilizewhileworkingwiththeirDeafandHardofHearingemployees.Aguestspeaker
from
Sprint,representingtheFederalRelayService(FRS),spokeonFRSservicesand
availability.
Attendeesparticipatedinademonstrationofthecommunicationtoolsthatareavailable.
AnexampleofacommunicationtoolthatwasdemonstratedattheeventwastheVideo
RelayServices(VRS),aninternetbasedsolutionthatallowsaDeafusertoparticipleina
telephoneconversationusingsignlanguageandawebcamera.Othertoolsthatwere
demonstratedincludetheCaptelPhone,ConferenceCaptioningandthePersonal
ComputerTeletypewriter.
IfyouareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutDeafandHardofHearingcommunication
toolsforyouand/oryouremployee,pleasefeelfreetocontactCAPTECtoschedulean
appointmentat(703)6935160,(703)6935160TTY,oremailNatalieTimmonsat
Natalie.Timmons@tma.osd.mil.Ifyouand/oryouremployeeareinterestedinacquiring
communicationtoolsfromCAP,pleaseemailusatcap@tma.osd.mil.
ACelebrationtoRemember:The14thAnniversaryoftheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesAct
AllaroundtheUnitedStates,the14thAnniversaryoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct
wasobservedbyvariousFederalgovernmentandprivateagencies.OnJuly27,2004,the
DepartmentofCommerceandtheDepartmentofEducationcosponsoredaprogramand
exhibitiontitledAssistiveTechnologyUtilityandMarketPotential,incommemorationof
theanniversaryofthesigningoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActonJuly26,1990.
ThethemefortheeventwasTechnologyforAllAmericans.
Theeventfocusedoninnovationandintegrationofnewtechnologyforyouthsandadults
withdisabilitiesintheirdailylivesandthroughouttheiremploymentlifecycle.
Theeventfeaturedseveralpaneldiscussionsfocusingonnewinnovationsamong
technology,assistivetechnologyacrossthelifespan,improvingresultsforchildrenand
youthwithdisabilities,aswellasperspectivesonmarketdevelopment.Featuredspeakers
includedTheodoreKassinger,DeputySecretaryofCommerce,TracyJustesen,White
HouseOfficeofDomesticPolicy,EugeneHickok,DeputySecretaryofEducationand
SenatorRobertDole,formersenateMajorityLeaderandmanyothers.Amongthe40
organizationsthatshowcasedintheexhibithallwereEnhancedVision,Interagency
CommitteeonDisabilityResearch,andTecAccess.
QuickTime and a
TheHonorableRobertDole,FormersenateMajorityLeadergiveshisremarks
SenatorRobertDoleacknowledgedthatpeoplewithdisabilitiesarestillfacedwithmany
challenges.Headdedthatthedesireforpeoplewithdisabilitiestohaveindependenceand
securitytogoanywhereremainsstrong.SenatorDolealsosharedwitheveryonehis
developeddisabilityandasimple,butuseful,toolthatheutilizestoassisthimwith
buttoninghisclothes.Heunderstoodtheneedfornewinnovationsandencouragedthe
growthandexpansionoftechnologyforpeoplewithdisabilities.
ConferenceHeldinWashington,D.C.
TheNationalYouthLeadershipNetwork(NYLN)heldits2004conferenceJuly2427,
2004.TheNYLNisacohesiveanddynamicgroupofyoungleaderswithdisabilities
fromacrosstheUnitedStatesandtheAmericanterritories.Thenetworkseekstopromote
youthleadershipandeducationinanefforttoensurethatallyouthwithdisabilitieshave
theopportunitytoattaintheirmaximum,unique,andpersonalpotential.TheNYLN
stands
aboveotheryouthdevelopmenttrainingsbecauseitisdesignedbyyouthforyouth.This
innovativeapproachallowsthenetworktoaddressissuesthattrulyimpactthelivesof
Americas54millionpeoplewithdisabilities.
Thisyearsconferenceexaminedthetheme"Living,Learning,Leading:Youthwith
DisabilitiesContinuingtheLegacy."The50competitivelyselectedparticipantsattended
awidearrayofsessionscenteringoneducation,employment,healthcare,legislation,and
disabilityawareness.
Youthwithdisabilitiesinterestedingainingtoolstobecomeinfluentialleadersonthe
local,state,ornationallevelintheareaofdisabilityareencouragedtoapplyforthe
NYLN.Pleasevisittheirwebsiteathttp://www.nyln.orgformoreinformation.
AnotherSuccessfulSummerforWRPStudents
QuickTime and a
2004summerintern,LisaValenti
TheWorkforceRecruitmentProgram(WRP)cosponseredbyDepartmentofDefense
(DoD)andtheDepartmentofLaborsOfficeofDisabilityEmploymentPolicy,continues
topromotesummerinternshipandpermanentemploymentopportunitiesforcollege
studentswithdisabilities.InearlySpring2004,approximately1,600collegestudents
withdisabilitieswereinterviewedby80highlytrainedrecruiters.Over200collegesand
universitiesparticipatedintheprogram.VariousfederalagenciesreceivedCDROMs
containingstudentsprofiles.Managers,supervisorsandemployeeshadtheopportunity
towelcometheinternsintheirworkplace,andhavefoundthemtobeanassetin
supportingtheiragencymissions.
Over352WRPinternswerehiredthisyear.Duringthesummer,theWRParranged
PentagonandCapitolHilltoursandsocialeventsforthestudents,managers,supervisors
andformerWRPinternstoenjoy.TheendofsummerWRPReceptionwasthehighlight
oftheWRPprogram.Everyonerecievedtheopportunitytotalkabouttheirunique
experiencesandtobuildanetworkoffederalcontactsforpotentialfutureemployment
opportunities.
"AsaWRPintern,itwasdefinitelyanenrichingexperienceworkingatCAPwhere
peopleareknowledgeableaboutdifferenttypesofdisabilities.Oneofthebiggestprojects
thatIworkedonwastoassistinorganizingandplanningaCAPtrainingeventonhowto
communicatewithdeafandhardofhearingpersonsintheFederalworkplace.My
positionwasthenconvertedintoafulltimepositionbigthankstotheWRPprogram
forhelpingmefindfulltimeemployment",sharedbyLisaValenti,anewmemberof
CAPsDeafandHardofHearingTeam.
CAPisasignificantpartofWRPbyprovidingworkplaceaccommodationstoassistwith
theinternsjobdutiesandresponsibilities.Ifyouwishtolearnmoreabouttheprogram,
visitwww.dol.gov/odep/programs/workforc.htm.
Fall2004issueofDisabilityStudiesQuarterlyposted
TheFallDisabilityStudiesQuarterlyisnowonlineat:
http://www.dsqsds.org/current_issue.html.
ItsthemesectionthisissuefeaturespapersandcommentariesaboutDisabilityinPublic
HealthandtheHealthProfessions,guesteditedbyKristineMulhornoftheUniversityof
MichiganFlint.
November2004GlobalAccessTravelEZine
GLOBALACCESSDISABLEDTRAVELNETWORKEZINE,VOLUMEV,
NUMBER11,November2004,Copyright2004,GlobalAccess,
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/
WelcometotheNovember2004issueoftheGlobalAccessDisabledTravelNetworkE
Zine.Thankstoeveryonefortakingthetimetowriteusandshareyourtravel
experiences.
1.NEWZEALAND:ACCESSIBLEWALKS
DetailedinformationonNewZealandsmanyaccessiblewalksawaitreadersof
AccessibleWalks:AGuidetoScenicSouthIslandWalksinNewZealandbyAnna
Jameson.Tolearnmoreaboutthisbooksinformation,visit
http://www.nzbooks.com/nzbooks/product.asp?
sku=AnnaAndrewJameson0473072580
2.FRANCE:LACOUMEGITES
LaCoume,arenovated17thCenturyfarmhousewithtwoaccessiblegites(holiday
homes),isnowavailableintheLanguedocRousillonRegionofSouthWestofFrance
1hoursfromSpain.Carcassone,thetwelfthcenturymedievalcityisjust30minutes
away.
ThegitesnamedAguilarandPuivertreportedlyoffergoodaccessandmaneuverability
throughouttheunits.Bathroomsprovideaccessibleshowersandfoldingshowerseats.
Therearealsograbrailsinthebathrooms,aroundthetoiletandintheshowerareas.
Additionalaccessequipmentisavailableuponrequest.
LaCoumeisclosetomajorroadnetworks,trainsandairports.Toulouseairportis1hour
awayandCarcassonneisonly30minutes.
Thisregionisknownforitshilltopvillages,castles,andgreatscenery.
Tolearnadditionaldetailsonthesegites,visithttp://www.gitesrus.com/
3.CIS:GEORGIA&THECAUCASES
Itishearteningtolearnthatsomanyareasoncephysicallyinaccessibletodisabled
travelersarenowofferingaccessiblevenues.EasternEuropeisblossomingwithmore
accessibletravelopportunities.NowGeorgia,onceaformerUSSRmember,butnowa
memberofCIS(theCommonwealthofIndependentStates)isoneofthelatest.Tbilisi,
thearchitecturally(andculturally)richcapitalofGeorgia,cannowbeenjoyedby
wheelchairusers.Tolearnmoreaboutwhataccessisavailable,visit
http://www.travels.ge/andclickonthelinkto"AccessibleTours."
4.FLORIDA:GULFCOASTRENTAL
Kurt&Karen,ofGulfCoastManagement&Maintenance,Inc.sentusthefollowing
noteabouttheiraccessibleFloridarental:
Theywrite,"ImanageanewlargehomeontheGulfCoastofFloridathathasbeenbuilt
withdisabledpeopleinmind.Itis4/5bedroom,twoofwhicharemastersuites,withfour
bathrooms.Thereisalargesolarheated(electricheatpumpoption)poolandspawitha
waterpoweredliftchair.Ashowerhasbeenmadeintoa"rollin"withaprovided
waterproofchair.Thenearbybeacheshaveanewrampedboardwalkoverthedunes.All
doorwayshavealsobeenslopedaswell.
Regards,
Kurt&Karen
gcmm@gls3c.com
5.WORLDWIDEACCESSNEWS
SANDIEGO,CADUMPSACCESSIBLECABS
BobAlbasentusthefollowingcomplaintaboutpoortransportationoptionsinSanDiego,
California:Bobwrites,"YellowCabremovedaccessiblevehiclesoutofSanDiego.They
saidtherewasnodemandeventhoughwheneverIcalledtheywantednoticehoursin
advancebecauseitwassohighindemand.SoifyouareinSanDiegoanduseachair,
thenyourejustscrewed.Iknow,I'vebeeninthissituationmanytimes."
MOREMALLORCAACCESSTIPS
CliveHalliday,oftheUK,sentthefollowingadditionalaccessinsightsonMallorca:
Clivewrites,"Wheelchairaccessibletoiletsarenotsocommonatsomesunny
destinations.IhavejustreturnedfromaholidayinMajorca.Myfatherisinawheelchair
andneedsadaptedfacilities.Istruggledtofindinformationbeforeandwhilstonthe
island.soIthoughtIdsharethislistofconveniencesforpeopleusingwheelchairs."
Majorcadisabledtoilets:HotelConsulCalaBonaharbour.
MarinaatPortAlcudia.Butelectronickeyrequiredfromoneofthecafes.
PortoCristo.Disabledtoiletonharbourfrontnexttotouristinformation.
LlucMonastery.Insidemainbuilding.
PalmaAirport
Also,ifyourconsideringahotelandlookingforplacesofinterestsuitablewith
wheelchairaccess,thisiswhatwefound.
HotelAliciaCalaBona.Nineroomsarewheelchairadapted.Butnodisabledperson
couldhavebeenconsultedfordesigning.Toiletsaretoolowandnotfarenoughforward
fortransfer.Nograbhandles.Dooropensinwardcausingseveremanoeuvringproblems.
Theresultbeingthedoorhadtoberemoved.
Youneedtoring,faxoremailthehoteldirectlytobeassuredoneoftheserooms.Hotel
serviceandfoodareexcellent.Seaviewroomsyoucouldnotaskforbetterwithsunrise
nearlyeveryday.CalaBonaalovelyquaintsmallharbourtown.Notoverdevelopedand
flatenoughforwheelchairs.Mostkerbshaveeasydropoffforcrossingroads,butsome
aremissing.
Arta.Wonderfuloldtownwithchurchandcastleontopofthehillwithfantasticviews.
YoucandriveacarrightupintotheCastleSquarewherethefacilitiesareavailablefor
wheelchairusers.
6.ITALY:ACCESSIBLEFLORENCEACCESSGUIDE
Whetheryourerentingawheelchair,needingbusschedules,seekinghotel
accommodationwitharollinshower,orsearchingformuseumaccessinformation,the
newAccessibleFlorenceGuidebyCorneliaDanielsoncanprovehelpful.Visit
http://www.bftservices.it/foradditionaldetails.
7.MEXICANRIVIERACRUISE
KathleenDunn,whofrequentlyshareshertravelinsights,sharesarecentcruisealongthe
MexicanRivierawithherparents.
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/mexicoriveriacruise.htm
MissedaTravelEZine?CatchuponapreviousissuebyvisitingourEZineArchiveat
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/travelzinearchive.htm
GlobalAccesswelcomesyourtravelreports,tipsandcommentsatclearpath@cox.net
Thanksforsharing!
Free,FlexibleWebBasedClassBridgestheGap
BetweenVisionImpairmentandAdultLiteracy
EducationFields
Participatingin"BridgingtheGap:BestPracticesforInstructingAdultsWhoAre
VisuallyImpairedandHaveLowLiteracySkills"justgotaloteasier.TheAmerican
FoundationfortheBlind's(AFB)NationalLiteracyCenterhaslaunchedanonline
versionoftheirlongstandingprogramthatintegratesvisualimpairmentandadult
literacyissuesforeducators.Originallydevelopedasathreedaygroupworkshop,
"BridgingtheGap"isnowavailabletoindividuals,freeofcharge,atwww.afb.org/btg.
Participantscanregisterfortheclassonline,andbysimplychoosingausernameand
passwordtheycanworktheirwaythroughseveralcontentsectionsontheirowntime,at
theirownpace,andinamannerthatsuitstheirspecificneeds.
Formoreinformationvisit:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=47.
MondayMorninginWashington,DC,Volume04,Issue
43,October25,2004
WelcometoMondayMorninginWashington,DC.TheInclusionResearchInstituteof
Washington,DCpublishesthisweeklyreport.Wewillbringtoyoutheeventsof
importancetoparents,children,andindividualswithdisabilities.Pleasesendyour
commentstommwdc@inclusionresearch.org.Youarewelcometoreproduceand
distributeitemsfrom"MondayMorning",butpleasecredit"MondayMorningin
Washington,DC"(InclusionResearchInstitute,2002)
"Wearecommittedtoworkingforfullinclusionincommunitiesofallpeoplewith
disabilities,includingthemostsignificantdisabilities,accordingtoprinciplesofself
determination."
Viewthisdocumentonlineatwww.inclusionresearch.org
INTHISISSUE
October26DisabilityVoteMediaDay
Barriersrestrictvotingbypeoplewithdisabilities
TheADA,theCourts,andtheElectionFromSteveGold
Tipsforvoterswithdisabilities
LCCRandLCCREFOfferOnlineCompendiumofVoterResources
TakeAdvantageofEarlyVoting!"
WorkbookoutlinesWIAtrainingoptions
NCPADMonthlyNewsletter
RecTechNUDGECornerParaplegiaExerciseVideoclip
DOJAnnouncesAdvancedNoticeofProposedRulemakingtoAdoptNewDesign
Standards
PhysicalInactivityCostCalculator
Events
Grants
Doyouknowamilitaryfamilywhoneedsrespitecare?
WebcastsnowavailableonKaiesernetwork.org
DisabilityInsurance:SSAShouldStrengthenItsEffortstoDetectandPrevent
Overpayments.GAO04929
InformationTechnology:MajorFederalNetworksThatSupportHomelandSecurity
Functions.GAO04375
PublicCommunityCollegesandTechnicalSchools:MostSchoolsUseCreditand
NoncreditProgramsforWorkforceDevelopment.GAO054
FocusedMonitoring
NationalCenterforSpecialEducationAccountabilityMonitoring
Law,HealthPolicy&DisabilityCenterBulletinBoard
MedicarebeneficiarieswillsoonbeabletoresolveMedicareappealsfaster
NewEEOCFactSheetaddressesEmploymentrightsofpeoplewithintellectual
disabilities
RealizethePotential:5thAnnualYouthDevelopmentSymposium
October26DisabilityVoteMediaDay
Congratulationstoadvocatesatthelocal,stateandnationalorganizationforyourrecord
breakingdisabilityvotework.Unfortunately,thepotentialofthedisabilityvoteisbelow
theradarscreenofmostmedia.Tuesday,October26isoneweekbeforeElectionDay.In
anefforttoincreasetheturnoutofpeoplewithdisabilitiesanddrawpressattention,
AAPDwithourcolleaguesfromADAPT,UnitedCerebralPalsy,andtheAbilityCenter
ofToledo,Ohio,wearecallingonourcommunitytoeithersendoutapressreleaseor
holdapressconferenceonTuesday,October26,2004.Thebroadmessageisthatwell
bevotinginrecordnumbersinordertodefendtheADAandtomakeourcommunities
moreaccessible.Startplanningnow,highlightyourcommunitysnonpartisanvoting
activities.
Voterregistrationdrives.
Votingaccessstruggle.
GetOuttheDisabilityVotedrives.
JimDickson,VicePresidentofGovernmentAffairs,AmericanAssociationofPeople
WithDisabilities(AAPD),2024570046x25,2024570473fax,1629KStreetNW,
Suite503,Washington,DC20006,Visitourwebsiteatwww.aapddc.org,email:
aapdvote@earthlink.net
CallyourlocalBoardofElectionsbeforeElectionDaytofindthelocationofyour
pollingplaceanditsaccessibilityfeaturesispartofgoodplanning.ElectionDayis
Tuesday,November2,2004.AsJustinDartsaid,"Voteasifyourlifedependedonit,
becauseitdoes."
APressReleasefromtheNationalOrganizationonDisability:Barriersrestrict
votingbypeoplewithdisabilities
Transportationandproblemsatpollingplacesaremajorimpedimentstovotingrights
WASHINGTON,DC,October19TwentyonepercentofU.S.adultswithdisabilities
representingmorethaneightmillionpotentialvoterssaytheyhavebeenunabletovotein
presidentialorcongressionalelectionsduetobarriersfacedeitherat,oringettingto,the
polls.Thefindingsraiseseriousissuesfortheupcomingelections,whichalreadyare
causeforconcernamongvotingrightsadvocates.Thispollresultispartofalarger
disabilitysurveyprojectstudyingvoterpreferences,issuesofconcern,andbarriersto
votingduringthiselectionseason.ThissurveyprojectbytheNationalOrganizationon
DisabilityhasbeenmadepossiblebyagrantfromCarnegieCorporationofNewYork.
Issuesofvotingrightsarenotconfinedtoasinglestateorasinglevotingbloc,said
N.O.D.PresidentAlanA.Reich.Theyarenationalissueswithnationalrepercussions.
Westronglyencourageelectionofficialstorespondtothisseriousproblemandtodirect
allpollworkerstoredoubleeffortstoensurethatthoseofuswithdisabilitiesreceiveall
necessaryattentionandassistance.
N.O.D.spoll*,conductedbyHarrisInteractive.,foundthatoftheroughlyonefifthof
U.S.adultswithdisabilitieswhosaidtheyhadwantedtovote,butwerenotableto:
29percentsaidtheycouldnotgetaccessibletransportation;
22percentsaidtheireligibilityhadbeenchallenged;
21percentreportedthepollingplacewasnotaccessible;
21percentreportedtheirmentalorphysicalabilitieswerequestioned;
19percentsaidtheycouldnotunderstandthevotingmachine;
18percentsaidtheyweremadetofeelembarrassedoruncomfortable;
12percentreportedthatneededalternativevotingformats(e.g.largeprintballots,
computerassistedvoting
booths,paperballots,etc.)werenotavailable;
12percentsaidneededassistance(e.g.asignlanguageinterpreter)wasnotavailable;
and
8percentsaidtheywerenotallowedtohavesomeonehelpthemwiththevoting
machine.
Additionally,21percentsaidtheydidnotknowhowtoregister,inspiteoflegal
requirementsthatthosewhoprovideservicestopeoplewithdisabilitiesalsoofferhelpin
registeringtovote.
FortymillionAmericanswithdisabilitiesareofvotingageanditiscriticalthatour
ballotsbecast,justlikeanyoneelses.Itisthefundamentalpromiseofdemocracythatthe
voicesofallcitizenswillbeheardthroughtheballotbox.Reichsaid.Peoplewith
disabilitieshavemore,notless,reasonthanotherAmericanstovote,yetonly41percent
ofvotingagedcitizenswithdisabilitiesvotedin2000.Inthesefinaldaysleadingupto
the2004election,andinthemonthsthatfollow,wearedeterminedtoensurethat
promiseiskeptforpeoplewithdisabilities.
TheNationalOrganizationonDisability,foundedin1982,promotesthefullandequal
participationandcontributionofAmericas54millionmen,womenandchildrenwith
disabilitiesinallaspectsoflife.N.O.D.isanonpartisanorganization.Formore
informationvisitwww.nod.org.
*Methodology:TheHarrisPoll.wasconductedbytelephonewithintheUnitedStates
betweenSeptember9and13,2004amonganationwidecrosssectionof398adults(aged
18andover)withdisabilitiesand828adults(aged18andover)withoutdisabilities.For
bothsamplesfiguresforage,sex,race,education,andregionwereweightedwhere
necessarytoalignthemwiththeiractualproportionsineachpopulation.Forthesample
ofpeoplewithdisabilities,theserespondentswerealsoweightedbytypeofdisabilityand
thesampleofpeoplewithoutdisabilitieswasalsoweightedbythenumberofadultsand
numberofvoice/telephonelinesinthehouseholdwherenecessary.Intheory,witha
probabilitysampleofthissize,onecansaywith95percentcertaintythattheresultshave
asamplingerrorofplusorminusthreepercentagepointsforthetotalsampleofU.S.
adultswithoutdisabilities(andplusorminus5percentagepointsforthesmallersample
ofU.S.adultswithdisabilities).Unfortunately,thereareseveralotherpossiblesourcesof
errorinallpollsorsurveysthatareprobablymoreseriousthantheoreticalcalculationsof
samplingerror.Theyincluderefusalstobeinterviewed(nonresponse),questionwording
andquestionorder,interviewerbias,weightingbydemographiccontroldataand
screening(e.g.,forlikelyvoters).Itisimpossibletoquantifytheerrorsthatmayresult
fromthesefactors.
Contact:BrewsterThackeray,Brewster@nod.orgorTimSullivan,SullivanT@nod.orgor
202/9556327
TheADA,theCourts,andtheElectionFromSteveGold
AnumberofpeoplehaveaskedmeaboutthePresidentialelectionandthesurvivalofthe
ADA,aswellashowCourtdecisionsimpactontheempowermentofthedisability
community.ItisimportanttolookatboththeSupremeCourtANDthelowerfederal
courts.
First,PresidentGeorgeW.BushhassaidthathismodelSupremeCourtnomineesare
JusticesAntoninScaliaandClarenceThomas.IntwocriticalADA/disabilitycases,
OLMSTEAD(integrationofpersonswithdisabilitiesfrominstitutionstothecommunity)
andLANE(accesstothecourtsbypersonswithdisabilities),bothoftheseJusticesruled
againstthedisabledPlaintiffsandthereforeagainstthedisabilitycommunity.
ThesetwoJusticeshaveattackedtheADAdirectly,challengingwhetherornotCongress
intendedtheADAtorequireintegrationandwhetherCongresshadthepowertoend
discriminationbyrequiringaccesstocourts.TheyhavealsoattackedtheADAindirectly,
sayingthatdisabledindividualsandadvocacygroupsdonothave"standing"toenforce
theADAor"federalism"preventsenforcementoftheADA.Thesetwohavealsobeenon
theantiADAsideincasesrestrictingthescopeanddefinitionofdisability.
IfPresidentBushwinsonNovember2,2004andappointsseveralmoreJusticesinthe
modelofScaliaandThomas,theADAwillbeseriouslyinjeopardyintheSupreme
Court.
Second,whilemostpeoplefocusonlyontheSupremeCourt,PresidentBushhas
appointedapproximately200districtandappellatejudges.Itisatthislevelthatmost
casesaredecided(becausetheSupremeCourtdecidesveryfewcasesascomparedtothe
numberdecidedatthedistrictandappellatecourtlevels).
WhileIdonotpretendtoknow,orhavedocumentaryevidence,aboutallthese200
judges,Icanusemyexperienceduringmorethan30yearsasacomparison.Giventhe
ideologicalconflictsinthiscountrywhichalsoexistintheCourts,thedisability
communityshouldwanttheappointmentoftrulyfairandprincipled(unbiased)judges
whorespectCongress'roleinbanninganddefiningdisabilitydiscrimination.
Whathashappenedinthepastfouryearsatthelowercourtlevelisademonstrableshift
withtheoddstiltingdramaticallyagainstfairnessandprinciples(inmostcircuits,notall).
IthasbeenmuchhardertowinADAcasesduringthepastfouryearsthaninthe1990s.
ThereisajudicialattitudethathasstartedattheSupremeCourtlevelandhasseeped
downthatlowercourtjudgesshouldfeelfreenotacceptwhatCongressintendedwhenit
enactedtheADA.Thisseverelyhurtsthedisabilitycommunity.
Third,inthedocument"Top20ReasonsWhyPeoplewithDisabilitiesChooseJohn
KerryforPresident,"SenatorKerryhaswrittenthathewill"Vigorouslyfightanyattempt
toweakentheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)byproposinglegislationtorestore
therightsthathavebeenwhittledawayintheADAbytheSupremeCourtandappoint
onlyjudgeswhosupporttheADAandothercivilrightsstatutes."Whilethereareno
guaranteesinthislife,thatsuresoundsbetterthanvotingagainstOlmsteadandLane.
ThebottomlineavoteforBushputstheADAinseriousjeopardy.AvoteforKerry
meanswillmustholdhimaccountabletohiswrittenstatement.
SteveGold,TheDisabilityOdysseycontinuesTocontactSteveGolddirectly,writeto
stevegoldada@cs.com
BackissuesofotherInformationBulletinsareavailableonlineat
http://www.stevegoldada.comwithasearchableArchiveatthissitedividedintodifferent
subjects.
Tipsforvoterswithdisabilities
Findoutwhereyourvotingplaceisandifitisaccessible.Ifyoucannotgetintoyour
votingplace,youwillneedtomakeplanstovoteatanotherlocationorbyabsentee
ballot.Dontdelay.MakethenecessaryarrangementsNOW!
VoteEARLYifyouneedtoorwouldliketo.Anumberofstatesallowabsenteevoting
byanyonewhorequestsanabsenteeballot(youdonthavetobeawayorunabletogoto
thepolls)and/orallowearlyvoting.Findoutwhatwillmakeiteasiestforyoutocast
yourvote,anddoit!!Formoreinformationondeadlines,regulations,andwheretocall
withquestions,pleasevisit:http://www.nass.org/electioninfo/laws&admin.htm.
GotothepollsearlyonElectionDay...andRememberYourID.Whatevertypeof
votingmachinesarebeingused,there'snoexcusefornotgettingoutandcastingyour
ballot.Ifyoucannotgetintoyourvotingplace,saythatyouwantaballotbroughttoyou.
Itsyourrightunderthelaw.Beprepared,andbefirstinlinewhenthepollsopen!!Ifyou
haveanyproblemsatthepollingplace,calltheElectionProtectionhotlineat(866)OUR
VOTE,(8666878683).ElectionProtectionisanationwideprogramrunbycivilrights
andvotingrightsgroupstosafeguardyourrighttocastaballotonElectionDay.There
areexpertsandattorneysstandingbynationwide,fromnowuntilaftertheElection,to
assistyou.
LCCRandLCCREFOfferOnlineCompendiumofVoterResources
TheLeadershipConferenceonCivilRights(LCCR)andtheLeadershipConferenceon
CivilRightsEducationFund(LCCREF)arepleasedtoannounceanewonlineresource
forvoters.TheOneStopShopforVotersisacompendiumofonlineresources,including
manyresourcesdevelopedbyLCCRmemberorganizations,thathelpvotersto:
verifyvoterregistrationstatus;
understandvotingrights;
findpollingplaceandhoursofoperation;
requestanabsenteeballot;
researchwhatcandidatesandissueswillbeontheirballot;
findwhichvotingsystemwillbeusedtorecordvotes;and
knowwhattodoiffacingdifficultyinvoting.
Thewebsitealsooffersalistofactionsthatvoterscantaketohelpprotectvotingrights
thisNovember2,andencouragesconcernedvoterstovolunteerasapollmonitorwiththe
nonpartisanElectionProtectionCoalition.
PleaseconsiderdistributingthishelpfulOneStopShopforVoterstoyourmembersand
linkingtoitfromyourownwebpage.Visitthewebsiteat:
https://secure2.convio.net/lccr/site/Advocacy?
JServSessionIdr006=nfw457a7e2.app6a&id=219
TakeAdvantageofEarlyVoting!"
Earlyvotinghasbegun(orwillsoonbegin)inthefollowing35states:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
NewMexico
NorthCarolina
NorthDakota
Oklahoma
SouthDakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington,DC
WestVirginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Ifyouliveinoneofthesestates,whywaituntilNovember2tovote?!Amongother
things,votingearlymayhelpavoidproblemswithvotingaccessibility.Tofindoutabout
earlyvotinginyourarea,useoneoftheresourcesbelow.
ForalistofStateElectionoffices,visit:
http://www.nass.org/electioninfo/state_contacts.htmForlocalelectionoffices,visit:
http://www.votesmart.org/voter_county_election_offices.php
Bothsidesinthispresidentialelectionhavedevelopedresourcestoassistcitizenswith
earlyvoting,includinginformationaboutwhereearlyvotingisavailableandlinksto
localelectionoffices.Seethefollowingwebsitesformoreinformation:
http://www.georgewbush.com/VoteEarly/andhttp://www.democrats.org/evc/
Forausefulcollectionofresourcesonvoting,includinginformationaboutlocalvoting
sites,visit:http://www.kottke.org/plus/vote2004/
FromNCWD/ANewsWorkbookoutlinesWIAtrainingoptions
Core,intensive,what?PeoplewhouseOneStopresourceroomsandworkshopsmaystill
beconfusedaboutwhattrainingservicesofferandhowtoaccessthem.Consumersand
workforcestaffalikecanconsult"UnlockingthePotentialofWIATrainingServices:
The5KeyQuestionstoAsk...andAnswer!"fromtheLaw,HealthPolicy&Disability
CenterattheUniversityofIowaCollegeofLaw.Theworkbookalsoincludesbasic
informationaboutOneStopsandWIA.
UnlockingthePotentialofWIATrainingServices
http://www.onestops.info/article.php?article_id=241
"ThesearticlesoriginallyappearedinTheNCPADNews,issue10,October,2004.
NCPADMonthlyNewsletter
RecTechNUDGECornerParaplegiaExerciseVideoclip
RecTechisaRehabilitationEngineeringResearchCenterprogramintendedtoidentify
strategiesandsolutionsforimprovingtheaccessibilityofparks,trails,fitnesscenters,and
swimmingpoolsforpersonswithdisabilities.TheNationalUserswithDisabilitiesGroup
onExercise(NUDGE)isaresearchprojectassessingtheextenttowhichcurrent
knowledgeconcerningrecreationtechnologyistransferredintopracticalapplication,
assistingpeoplewithdisabilitiestoengageinrecreationalactivities.Toparticipateinthe
NUDGEsurvey,clickonhttp://www.rercrectech.org/surveys/default.htm.Forgeneral
informationonNUDGE,gotohttp://www.rercrectech.org/r2.htm,andtojoin,contactDr.
BarthRileyatnudge@uic.eduorcall8009008086.
Thismonth'svideoclipisonparaplegia.Viewitat
http://www.ncpad.org/videos/fact_sheet.php?sheet=271.Orderthecompleteparaplegia
videoathttp://www.ncpad.org/get/video/real/sci/orderform.pdfandseeNCPAD'sother
factsheetsonspinalcordinjuryathttp://www.ncpad.org/disability/fact_sheet.php?
sheet=62;http://www.ncpad.org/disability/fact_sheet.php?sheet=130.
DOJAnnouncesAdvancedNoticeofProposedRulemakingtoAdoptNewDesign
Standards
TheDepartmentofJusticehaspublishedanAdvancedNoticeofProposedRulemaking
(ANPRM)tobegintheprocessofrevisingtheDepartment'sADAregulationstoadopt
designstandardsthatareconsistentwiththerevisedADAAccessibilityGuidelines
publishedbytheArchitecturalandTransportationBarriersComplianceBoard(also
knownastheAccessBoard).
TheANPRMisthefirstofthreestepsintheregulatoryprocess.TheANPRMwillbe
followedbyanoticeofproposedrulemaking(NPRM)andafinalrule.Membersofthe
publicmaysubmitcommentsuntilJanuary28,2005.Commentsmaybesubmitted
electronicallytohttp://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/newsletter.php?
letter=30&section=424#8,orbymailtoP.O.Box1032,Merrifield,VA221161032.All
commentswillbeavailabletothepubliconlineat
http://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/newsletter.php?letter=30&section=424#8andby
appointmentattheofficesoftheDisabilityRightsSection.
PhysicalInactivityCostCalculator
ActiveLivingLeadershipandFiftyPlusLifelongFitness,withthesupportofNCPPA
and20otherpartnerorganizations,havelaunchedthefreePhysicalInactivityCost
Calculatortoestimatethecostsofphysicalinactivitythatremainamysterytomost
businessesandcommunities.
Thenewcalculatorusesascientificformulabasedonmedicalcare,workers'
compensation,andlostproductivitydatatoestimateacommunity'sororganization's
financialcostsrelatedtophysicalinactivity.Decisionmakersanswersixgeneral
demographicquestions.Thecalculatorusestheseanswerstoprovideanestimateoffunds
lostduetophysicallyinactivepopulations.Oncecostsarecalculated,decisionmakers
canusetheActiveLivingLeadershipWebsitetolearnaboutavarietyofstrategiesfor
increasingphysicalactivityandreducingcostsincurredbyasedentarypopulation.
Tryoutthenewcalculatorathttp://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/newsletter.php?
letter=30&section=424#9
Events
AbilitiesExpo,focusedonimprovingthelivesofpersonswithdisabilities,November12
14,2004http://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/newsletter.php?letter=30&section=424#13
JuniorOrangeBowl,adevelopmentalmeetforathleteswithphysicaldisabilities,
December24,2004http://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/newsletter.php?
letter=30&section=424#14
HartfordSkiSpectacular,whereathleteswithdisabilitieslearntoski,snowboard,race,
nordicski,andmore,December512,2004
http://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/newsletter.php?letter=30&section=424#15
SkiforLight,acrosscountryskiingprogramforblind,visuallyimpaired,andmobility
impairedindividualsandtheirguides,January30February6,2005
Grants
NickelodeonProSocial"Let'sJustPlay"CampaignGrantAwardstopromotemore
physicalactivityamongkidswithandwithoutdisabilities
Women'sSportsFoundationAcceptingApplicationsforGoGirlGo!Grantsforthe
developmentandfundingofgirls'sports/physicalactivityprograms
GrantsforAmericanswithDisabilitiesNewFreedomInitiative
Tosignupforthisfreemonthlyelectronicnewsletter,clickon
http://www.ncpad.org/newsletter/orsendanemailtolistserv@listserv.uic.eduwiththis
messageinthebodyoftheemail:SUBSCRIBENCPADNEWSyourfirstname
yourlastname
Doyouknowamilitaryfamilywhoneedsrespitecare?
NationalPublicRadiohascontactedmetoidentifymilitaryfamilieswhohaveadisabled
childandoneparenthasbeencalledofftoactivedutyinIraq.Theywouldliketodoa
storyonthehardshipsthesefamiliesface,specificallyingettingsupportiveservices,
especiallyrespite,whentheirneedsarecompoundedfurtherbyanabsentparent.
IfyouknowofanysuchfamilieswhomightbewillingtobeinterviewedbyNPR,please
letmeknowASAPbyThursday,October21.Pleasesendmedetailsoftheirstoryand
whatdifficultiestheyhavefacedfindingrespiteinparticular,aswellastheircontact
information.Thestorywouldprobablynotrunforafewmonths,buttheyaremaking
decisionsthisweekaboutwhethertheywillpursuethestoryatall,basedonthefamilies
andstoriestheyhaveidentified.
JillKagan,MPH,NationalRespiteCoalition,PolicyDivisionoftheARCHNational
RespiteNetwork,4016OxfordSt.,Annandale,VA22003,7032569578,
www.archrespite.org/nrc.htm
WebcastsnowavailableonKaisernetwork.org
ExaminingMedicare'sTwoYearWaitingPeriodforIndividualswithDisabilities
AllianceforHealthReformandTheCommonwealthFund
http://cme.kff.org/Key=4615.C14.C.C.kn6GC
DisabilityInsurance:SSAShouldStrengthenItsEffortstoDetectandPrevent
Overpayments.GAO04929
http://www.gao.gov/cgibin/getrpt?GAO04929Highlights
http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d04929high.pdf
InformationTechnology:MajorFederalNetworksThatSupportHomeland
SecurityFunctions.GAO04375
PublicCommunityCollegesandTechnicalSchools:MostSchoolsUseCreditand
NoncreditProgramsforWorkforceDevelopment.GAO054
FocusedMonitoring
http://www.monitoringcenter.lsuhsc.edu/PDF%20
Word/071902a%20FOCUSED%20MONITORING.pdf
Howthefederalgovernmenthaschangeditsspecialeducationaccountabilityprocessto
focusonresults.
http://www.monitoringcenter.lsuhsc.edu/
Tolearnaboutindividualstatesprogressinimplementingfocusedmonitoringand
continuousimprovementprocessesastheyreformtheirspecialeducationprograms,click
onastateinthemaporatextlinkbelowthemap.
Law,HealthPolicy&DisabilityCenterBulletinBoard
October19,2004,Volume1,Issue10
TheDisabilityLaw&PolicyNewsletterisabiweeklypublicationoftheLaw,Health
Policy&DisabilityCenterthataimstoinformdisabilityadvocates,scholars,andservice
providersofthemostcurrentissuesindisabilitylaw,policy,research,bestpractices,and
breakingnews.http://disability2.law.uiowa.edu/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php
FromMEDICARENEWS
CONTACT:CMSMediaAffairs(202)6906145
MEDICAREBENEFICIARIESWILLSOONBEABLETORESOLVE
MEDICAREAPPEALSFASTER
CentersforMedicare&MedicaidServicesAdministratorMarkB.McClellan,M.D.,
Ph.D.,todayannouncedakeystepinhelpingMedicarebeneficiariesresolvetheirappeals
morequicklyandefficiently,aspartofacomprehensiveoverhauloftheMedicareclaims
appealssystem.
CMSawardedcontractstoeightQualifiedIndependentContractors(QICs)toperform
reconsiderations,orsecondlevelclaimsappeals,ofdeniedMedicarefeeforservice
claims."Seniorsandpeoplewithdisabilitiesdeserveapromptandconsistentand
responsiveprocessfortheirclaimsappealsinMedicare,"saidDr.McClellan."Weare
workingtowardcompletingouroverhauloftheMedicareclaimsappealssystemby
October1,2005tobetterserveMedicarebeneficiaries,providers,physicians,andother
healthcareproviders."
ThereconsiderationsthatwillbeconductedbythenewQICswillreplacethecurrent
"fairhearing"processforMedicarePartBclaimsandestablishanewsecondlevelof
appealforMedicarePartAclaims.Statuterequiresthatreconsiderationsmustbe
completedwithin60daysfromthedaytherequestisfiled.Theeightentitiesselected
were:
1.Integriguard,LLC;
2.QAdministrators(QA);
3.IslandPeerReviewOrganization(IPRO);
4.RivertrustSolutions,Inc.;
5.ComputerSciencesCorporation(CSC);
6.Maximus,LLC;
7.FirstCoastServiceOptions,Inc.;and,
8.Permedion.
Aspartofthenewprocess,thesecontractorswillbeabletobidonspecifictypesof
appealsworkloadssuchasPartA,PartBordurablemedicalequipment,andinthe
specificareasofthecountryforwhichtheywillprocessclaims.
OtherstepsthatCMSistakingaspartofitscomprehensiveoverhaulofMedicareclaims
appealsinclude:
Finalizingthetransferofresponsibilityforthethirdlevelappealsconductedby
AdministrativeLawJudgesfromtheSocialSecurityAdministrationtothe
DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesbyOctober1,2005.
Developinganewappealspecificdatasystemthatwillallowauthorizedusersto
trackindividualappealsinrealtime.
EstablishinganAdministrativeQICthatwilloverseethedistributionofcasefiles,
developappealsprocessingprotocols,conducttrainingoftheQICs,andthe
disseminationofinformationonQICappealsdecisionstothepublic.
Implementinga60daydecisiondeadlineandimprovednoticesforclaimsre
determinations,orfirstlevelappealsperformedbyfiscalintermediariesandcarriers.
Theimprovednoticeswillincludethespecificreasonsforthedecisionandasummary
ofrelevantclinicalorscientificevidenceusedinmakingthedecision.
Issuingthefinalregulationsneededtoimplementthenewuniformappeals
procedures,includingtherulesQICsandotherappealsentitiesbytheendoftheyear.
APressReleasefromTheU.S.EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission,
http://www.eeoc.gov
NEWEEOCFACTSHEETADDRESSESEMPLOYMENTRIGHTSOFPEOPLE
WITHINTELLECTUALDISABILITIES
DispellingMythsandFearsCanPromoteEmploymentOpportunities
WASHINGTONInobservanceofNationalDisabilityEmploymentAwarenessMonth,
theU.S.EqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)todayreleasedafactsheet
ontheapplicationoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA)topersonswith
intellectualdisabilitiesintheworkplace.Thenewpublicationisavailableat
www.eeoc.gov.Theterm"intellectualdisability"describestheconditiononcecommonly
referredtoas"mentalretardation."ApproximatelyonepercentoftheUnitedStates'
population,anestimated2.5millionpeople,haveanintellectualdisability.Estimates
indicatethatonly31percentofindividualswithintellectualdisabilitiesareemployed,
althoughmanymorewanttowork.
"Moreoftenthannot,individualswithintellectualdisabilitiesfacebarriersinthe
workplaceposednotbymentalimpairmentsbutbyotherpeople'sattitudes,"said
CommissionChairCariM.Dominguez."Withthisfactsheet,theEEOCaimstobreak
downmyths,fearsandmisperceptionsthatstandinthewayofemploymentopportunities
andsometimesevenleadtoharassmentonthejob.Peoplewithintellectualdisabilities
wanttoworkandhavealottocontribute.Employerswhoarenottappingintothis
communityaremissingout."
Thenewfactsheetaddressessuchtopicsas:
whenanintellectualimpairmentiscoveredbytheADA;
whenanemployermayaskanapplicantoremployeequestionsabouthisorher
intellectualdisability;
whattypesofreasonableaccommodationsemployeeswithintellectualdisabilities
mayneedonthejob;
howtoaddresssafetyconcernsandconductissuesintheworkplace;and
howanemployercanpreventharassmentofemployeeswithintellectualdisabilities.
ThisfactsheethelpstoadvancethegoalsoftheNewFreedomInitiativePresident
GeorgeW.Bush'scomprehensivestrategyforthefullintegrationofpeoplewith
disabilitiesintoallaspectsofAmericanlife.TheNewFreedomInitiativeseeksto
promotegreateraccesstotechnology,education,employmentopportunities,and
communitylifeforpeoplewithdisabilities.AnimportantpartoftheNewFreedom
Initiative'sstrategyforincreasingemploymentopportunitiesinvolvesproviding
employerswithtechnicalassistanceontheADA.InformationaboutotherEEOCdriven
activitiesunderthisprogramalsoisavailableontheagency'swebsite.
InadditiontoenforcingTitleIoftheADA,whichprohibitsemploymentdiscrimination
againstpeoplewithdisabilitiesintheprivatesectorandstateandlocalgovernments,and
theRehabilitationAct'sprohibitionsagainstdisabilitydiscriminationinthefederal
government,EEOCenforcesTitleVIIoftheCivilRightsActof1964,whichprohibits
employmentdiscriminationbasedonrace,color,religion,sex,andnationalorigin;the
AgeDiscriminationinEmploymentAct,whichprohibitsdiscriminationagainst
individuals40yearsofageorolder;theEqualPayAct;andsectionsoftheCivilRights
Actof1991.
Contact:JenniferKaplan,(202)6637084;DavidGrinberg,(202)6634921,(202)663
4494(TTY)
RealizethePotential:5thAnnualYouthDevelopmentSymposium
ChicagoMarriottDowntownChicago,ILNovember1618,2004
The5thAnnualYouthDevelopmentSymposium,sponsoredbytheNationalAssociation
ofWorkforceDevelopmentProfessionalsandtheGreatLakesEmploymentandTraining
Association,willprovidebestpracticesinformation,programmodels,guidanceonthe
WorkforceInvestmentAct,andresponsetotheissuesthatconcernworkforce
developmentprofessionalswhoplananddeliveryouthprograms.
AccesstheURLformoreinformation.http://www.nawdp.org/YD04SavetheDate8
04.htm
Untilnextweek
InclusionResearchInstitute,1010WisconsinAvenue,NW,Suite340,Washington,DC,
20007.Phone:2023387153Fax:2023387216Toreceiveyourcopyofthisweeklye
mailreportorifyouwouldliketoberemovedfromthelist,sendyourrequestto
mmwdc@inclusionresearch.org.
Disclaimer:MMWDCpublishesinformationaboutissuesandeventsthatwebelieveto
beimportantandlikelytobeofinteresttoadvocatesandothersinterestedininclusionof
personswithdisabilitiesinallpartsofsociety.However,MMWDCandInclusion
ResearchInstitutedoesnotnecessarilyendorseallevents,sponsoringorganizationsand
reportswhichappear.
ScotlandLaunchesEnewsonDisability&Education:
SkillScotlandEnewsOctober2004
Firstedition
WelcometothefirsteditionofSkillScotlandEnews!
SkillScotlandEnewsprovidesnewsandinfoonissuesarounddisabilityandpostschool
educationfordisabledpeopleacrossScotland.
SkillScotlandEnewswillalsofeaturetheexperiencesandperspectivesofdisabled
students.Whathasbeenyourbestorworstexperience?Whatsortofsupporthaveyou
received?Howhaveyoufoundstafforotherstudents'attitudestowardsdisability?
IfyouwouldliketoputanarticleinSkillScotlandEnewsorifyouhaveanyideasor
comments,dogetintouchatadmin@skillscotland.org.ukWewouldlovetohearfrom
you!
DoyouhaveanyfriendswhomightliketoreceiveSkillScotlandENews?Ifso,do
emailthislinktothem:http://www.skill.org.uk/scotland/enews.asp
TheSkillScotlandENewsconformstotheTextEmailNewsletter(TEN)Standards,
Version1.1tomakesurethatitisasaccessibleaspossibleforallreaders.Fordetailssee
Website:http://www.headstar.com/ten.
MSPsaskforinputfromdisabledlearners
MSPsaregoingtoexaminethebarriersfordisabledpeopleatcollegeanduniversity.
TheMSPsontheEqualOpportunitiesCommitteehavestartedayearlonginquiryinto
disability,particularlylookingatfurtherandhighereducation,artsandleisure,and
accesstoworkfordisabledpeople.
TheMSPswanttogettheviewsofdisabledpeopledirectly.SkillScotlandEnewswill
haveuptodateinfoabouthowtogetinvolvedastheinquiryprogresses.Andyoucan
readtheMSPsdiscussionsonlineat:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/equal/index.htm.
Gethelpwithyourrent
Thelawhaschangedsothatsomestudentswillnowbeabletogethousingbenefittopay
forcollegeoruniversityownedflatsorhalls.
OnlycertainpeoplecanclaimHousingBenefitwhilsttheyareastudent.Youcanclaimif
youqualifyfortheDisabilityPremiumorifyougetDisabledStudentsAllowance
becauseofdeafness,amongstothers.Butifyouareeligibletogethousingbenefit,you
cannowliveinaccommodationownedbyyourcollegeoruniversityandstillgetthis
benefit.
MarionBlain,awelfareadviseratStirlingUniversity,said:"Thischangetothebenefits
rulesisanimportantstepforwardfordisabledstudents,givingthemthechoicetolivein
thetypeofaccommodationthatbestsuitsthem.Iencourageanyonewhomightbe
eligibleforthisbenefittogetintouchwithawelfareadvisertocheckoutiftheycan
claim."
Formoreinformationonwelfarebenefitsforstudents,contacttheSkillInformation
ServiceonFreephone:08003285050orcontactyourlocalCitizensAdviceBureau.
Beingafresher!
TheBBCOuchonlinemagazineondisabilityisfollowingfourstudentsintheirfirst
monthofuniversity.
ThestudentsareArmina,Bobbie,DarrenandKirsty.Youcanreadabouttheir
experiencesat:http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/lifefiles/student/
Whatwereyourexperiencesofbeinganewstudentatcollegeoruniversity?Wantto
writeaboutitforSkillScotlandEnewsorwebsite?ThencontactSkillScotlandonTel:
01314752348oremail:admin@skillscotland.org.uk
Newrightsfrom1Oct2004
From1Octoberthisyear,thelawhaschangedsothatorganisationsthatgovern
professionsarenotallowedtodiscriminateagainstdisabledpeople.Thismeansthat
organisationsliketheGeneralMedicalCouncil(GMC),ortheLawSociety,orCorgi
GasFittersormanyotherswillbecoveredbytheDisabilityDiscriminationAct(DDA).
Itisnowunlawfulforthesebodiestotreatadisabledpersonworsethananondisabled
person,ortofailtomaketheadjustmentsthatadisabledpersonneeds.Thesechanges
meanthatprofessionalbodiesnowneedtoconsiderallowingchangestocoursesand
examssothatdisabledpeoplecanaccessthem.
Forexample,astudentwhousesawheelchairlostacaseagainsttheGMCin2003
becausethecourtruledthattheGMCwerenotcoveredbytheDDA.Thismeantthatthe
GMCdidn'tneedtomakeadjustmentstothecourseinmedicinesothatthestudentcould
traintobeadoctor.Nowthatthelawhaschanged,thiscannothappenagain!
Ifyouwouldliketoknowmoreaboutthesechanges,contacttheSkillScotland
InformationServiceonFreephone:08003285050
Free2Pee
OnOctober1st,Scopeencourageddisabledpeopleandtheirfriendstohaveaday/night
out&checkoutaccessfordisabledpeopleatpubs,cinemasandotherleisurevenues.
Scopesays:
'Imagineatypicalnightoutwithyourfriendsyouhaveafewdrinks,afewlaughsand
thenyouallgohomebecausethevenuedoesn'thaveanytoilets.Soundfamiliar?Well
maybenotforeveryone,butformillionsofdisabledpeopleintheUK,thelackof
accessibleloosputsamajordampeneronanynightout.'
Youcanreadaboutthecampaigners'experiencesat:http://www.free2pee.org.uk/.
Nomoremedicaltestsforteachers.Didyouknowthatupuntilnoweverypersonin
Scotlandwhowantstotrainasateacherhashadtogothroughamedicalexam?They
did,butthisisabouttochange.FromOctoberthisyear,nooneinScotlandhastogo
throughamedicalexamtotrainorworkasateacher.
Thisisgoodnewsformanydisabledpeople.Inthepast,themedicalexamhasbeenan
extrahurdleformanydisabledpeoplewhohavewantedtopursuetheirambitiontobea
teacher.Forexample,Deafpeopleoftenhadtoprovethattheycouldhearaclassmaking
noisewhentheirbackwasturned.Nowtheemphasisshouldbefirmlyonmaking
whateveradjustmentsarepossibletoensurethatadisabledpersoncanaccessacareerin
teaching.
Skillpublishesaguidetitled'IntoTeaching'fordisabledpeoplethinkingaboutentering
theteachingprofession.Theguideincludesloadsofadviceabouthowtogoabout
applying,aswellasprofileswrittenbydisabledpeopleabouttheirteachertraining.See
theSkillwebsitefordetails:http://www.skill.org.uk
Moneymatters
DirectPaymentsinanutshell.SkillScotlandinterviewedShonaBlackfromDirect
PaymentsScotlandtofindoutmoreaboutwhatDirectPaymentsmightmeanfordisabled
students.
Inanutshell,whataredirectpayments?Itismoneygiventoyoubythelocalauthorityso
thatyoucanarrangeandpurchasethehelpandservicesyourequiretomeetyour
assessedneeds,inthewayyouwant.Thisincreasestheflexibility,choiceandcontrol
youhaveoveryourlife.
Canyougetdirectpaymentsifyouareastudent?Yes,currentlydisabledpeoplewho
havebeenassessedbytheirsocialworkdepartmentasrequiringserviceshavetheoption
ofadirectpayment.
Whataretheadvantagestodirectpayments?Directpaymentsmeanyoucanchoosewho
providesyourcareandsupportandwhenandtheydoit.Thiscaneitherbedoneby
employingyourownstafforbycontractingdirectlywithanagency.Youcanchooseto
haveadirectpaymentaspartofyourcarepackagealongwithlocalauthorityservices.
Ifyouhaveafluctuatingconditionandrequireagreateramountofsupportatshort
notice,directpaymentscanallowflexibilitytomeetthisneed.Directpaymentssupport
independentlivingandcanenableyoutoleadafullerlifeinthecommunity.For
example,directpaymentscouldbeusedtopayforsupporttogooutduringeveningsor
weekendswhenmainstreamservicesareusuallymoredifficulttoget.Theycanalsobe
usedtohelpsupportyoubackintoworkoreducation,ortopursueyourowninterests.
Arethereanydisadvantages?Becominganemployergivesyouthegreatestlevelof
controlbutalsomeansyoutakeonmoreresponsibility.Somepeoplefindthisdaunting,
butyoucanhaveasmuchsupportasyourequiretomanageyourdirectpayment(from
familymembers,localsupportorganisations,advocatesetc)orsomepeoplechooseto
buyintheirsupportfromanagency.
WherecanIgetmoreinfo?Ifyou'dliketofindoutmoreaboutdirectpayments,orfor
contactdetailsoflocaluserledsupportorganisations,pleasecontacttheDirectPayments
Scotlandhelplineon01315583450oremailinfo@dpscotland.org.uk,website:
http://www.dpscotland.org.uk
Careersinfocus
Deaflawyers.AnewwebsitehasbeensetupbyagroupofDeafsolicitors,barristersand
lawstudents.Itaimstorespondtoaccessissues,publicisespecialisedinformationand
raiseawarenessofissuesDeafpeoplefacewithinthelegalsystem.Thesitealsoaimsto
bringDeaflawyerstogether,andtoreachouttootherswhomaynotbeawareoftheir
rights.Youcanaccessthewebsiteat:http://www.deaflawyers.org.uk
Tellingitlikeitis!
EveryeditionofSkillScotlandENewsfeaturesarticlesbydisabledstudentstalking
abouttheirownexperiencestellingitlikeitis!Thisedition,ChrisMacLeanhaskindly
contributedanarticletotellusabouthisexperience.
Experiencesofbeingdisabledandbeingapostgraduatestudent,byChrisMacLean.
TheUniversitythatIattendedisverygoodathelpingdisabledstudentsingeneral,
especiallywhenyouareapplyingfortheDisabledStudentsAllowance(DSA).They
helpedmethroughthewholeprocessoffillingouttheformsandsuggestedthesizeof
thecomputerthatIrequiredinordertodomycourse,whichwasanMScinMultimedia
andInteractiveSystems.Within2monthsofapplying,IreceivedachequeforDSAand
thatmeantIwasabletodomycourse.
ThedownsideofallthiswasthatIwasonlytoldaboutDSAwhenIbecamea
postgraduate,havingdonemyundergraduatedegreetherealso.Butdespitethat,Iwas
helpedagreatdealwhilstdoingmycourse.
NowthatIaminmywritingupstageofmyMastersIhavefoundthatIamnolonger
entitledtoDSA,asIamconsideredaselffundingstudent.SoifIwanttoupgrademy
laptoptothesamespecificationsastheuniversity's,Iamgoingtohavetopayforit
myself.
Theseup'sanddown'sofbeingadisabledstudentpersuadedmetostandforelectionat
theendofmypostgraduatediploma.BecomingtheCampaignsandRepresentation
Sabbaticalin200102,increasedmyconfidenceasadisabledstudentandmadeagreat
differencetomylifeasIwasnolongerthequietandshystudentsittinginthecorner.I
becameastudentwhostoodupforhisrightsandotherpeople'srightsandconsequently
becametheNationalPostgraduateCommitteeScotlandChairin200203andwasre
electedin200304.
Somyadvice,tothoseofyoureadingthis:takepartinwhatyourstudentunionsare
doingwithregardstodisabledstudentsandfightyourcorner;standupforwhatyou
believein.
What'son?
TheScottishGraduateFair.Informationaboutgraduateopportunities,internshipsand
placements19October,2pm7pm20October11am4pmSECC,Glasgow
FormoredetailsofcareersfairstakingplaceacrossScottishuniversitiesintheAutumn
2004,see:http://www.agcasscotland.org.uk/events.html.
SkillScotlandisatavenuenearyou!SkillScotlandisholdingeventsatcollegesand
universitiesacrossScotlandfordisabledstudents,totalkaboutrightsandaccessto
educationandemployment.Ifyouwanttofindoutifthereisaneventnearyou,orifyou
wouldliketoinviteSkillScotlandtoyourcollege/university,getintouchatTel:0131
4752348orEmail:admin@skillscotland.org.uk
SkillScotlandupdate.SkillScotlandhascalledontheScottishExecutivetoinclude
supportforalldisabledstudentsinthewordingofthedraftbillonfurtherandhigher
educationinScotland.
Thebillsaysthatcollegesanduniversitiesmusthaveregardtopeoplewithlearning
difficulties.SkillScotlandhashighlightedthatinstead,itshouldrequirecollegesand
universitiestoprovidetheadditionalsupportthatstudentsneedinordertolearn.
IfyouwouldlikeacopyofthecommentsthatSkillScotlandhasmadeonthebill,email
admin@skillscotland.org.uk.
ThereismorenewsaboutSkillScotland'srecentworkat:
http://www.skill.org.uk/scotland.
SkillScotlandEnewsdetails.
SkillScotland:NationalBureauforStudentswithDisabilitiesexiststopromoteequality
forpeoplewithallkindsofdisabilitiesinpost16education,trainingandemployment.
ForfurtherinformationaboutanypartoftheSkillScotlandEnews,contacttheSkill
InformationServiceatFreephone/Text:08003285050MondayThursday1.304.30pm
Mailto:admin@skillscotland.org.ukWebsite:http://www.skill.org.uk/scotland
IfyouwouldliketocommentorcontributenewsitemsorarticlestoSkillScotlandE
news,dogetintouchatadmin@skillscotland.org.uk.
OneStopToolkitResourcesoftheWeekTechnical
AssistanceProjectEMaillistserv
FORYOURINFORMATION
CallforPapers:SpecialIssueonDisabilityandCommunityDevelopment
Research,Programs,Services,andPolicy
ResearchandTrainingCenteronDisabilityinRuralCommunities,TheUniversity
ofMontanaRuralInstitute
Peoplewithdisabilitymakeupasubstantialproportionofthepopulation.Acommunity's
environmentsignificantlyaffectstheirabilityparticipateincommunitylife.TheJournal
oftheCommunityDevelopmentSocietyannouncesacallformanuscriptsforaspecial
issueondisabilityandcommunitydevelopment.Thepurposeofthisissueistohighlight
howcommunitydevelopmentstrategiescanpromoteparticipationincommunitylifeof
peoplewhoexperiencedisability,andhowdisabledpeopleanddisabilityservice
organizationscontributetocommunitydevelopment.ManuscriptsmayaddressAcross
disabilityissues,peoplewhoexperiencedisabilityduetoanyimpairmentorchronic
condition,includingdisabilityduetoinjuryandchronicdisease,mentalillness,sensory
impairments,andcognitiveimpairments.Topicsmayincludehousing,environmental
designandcommunityaccessibility,advocacy,communityleadership,transportation,
telecommunications,demographics,communityhealthissuessuchaslongtermcareor
healthpromotion,employmentandeconomicdevelopment,citizeninvolvement,
programsandservices,orplanningandpolicy.Papersmayaddressadultandchildren's
issues,aswellasruralandurbancontexts.Manuscriptsthatreportresearch,program
demonstrations,uniqueservicecollaborations,andpolicystudiesareencouraged.Book
reviewsarealsowelcome.
Tobeconsidered,manuscriptsshouldbereceivedbyJanuary3,2005.Todiscuss
whetheryourpotentialsubmissionfallswithinthistopicalarea,call:TomSeekins,Guest
Editor(406)2432460.
Submissionsshouldbesentto:
TomSeekins,GuestEditor
JournalofCommunityDevelopment
RTC:Rural
52Corbin
UniversityofMontana
Missoula,MT59812
Youcanlearnaboutrelevantissuesbyvisitingthefollowingwebsites:
ResearchandTrainingCenteronDisabilityinRuralCommunities:
http://rtc.ruralinstitute.umtedu/
CommunityDevelopmentSociety:http://commdev.org/new/indexhtml
UPCOMINGEVENTS
WebcastEmployerFocusedOneStops:BusinessGettingtheMostforTheirInvestment
TheU.S.ChamberofCommerce,CenterforWorkforcePreparation
September21,2004
1:002:30PMEasternDaylightTime
http://www.uschamber.com/cwp/events/default(ScrolldowntothelinktotheSeptember
21stwebcast)
HundredsofOneStopsacrossthecountryaremeetingandexceedingemployers'
workforceneeds.AndtheCenterforWorkforcePreparationhasthenamesofthe
businessesandtheirstoriestoproveit.
DiscovertheinnovativewaysthatOneStopsarereachingouttoemployerstomeet
theiruniquehiringandtrainingneeds.
Gaininsightintohowlocalchambersfosterrelationshipsamongcommunitypartners
toaddresstheworkforcedevelopmentissuesthatemployersface.
ObtaininformationaboutanewWebbasedtoolthatshowcasesmorethan200
employerswhohavesuccessfulexperienceswithOneStops.
AccesstheURLforregistrationinformationandtoregisteronline.Thereisnochargeto
participateinthiswebcast.Youmayalsocontact,theCWPProgramOfficerTodd
Cohenat2024635905ortcohen@uschamber.com.
WEBSITESOFTHEWEEK
DisabilityandBusinessTechnicalAssistanceCenters(DBTACs)
http://www.adata.org/dbtac.html
AreyouconnectedwithyourDBTAC?TheNationalInstituteonDisabilityand
RehabilitationResearch(NIDRR)establishedtheseregionalcenters(thereare10ofthem
tocovertheUnitedStates,includingtheVirginIslandsandPuertoRico)toprovide
information,training,andtechnicalassistancetoemployers,peoplewithdisabilities,and
otherentitieswithresponsibilitiesundertheADA.Thecentersserveasacomprehensive
resourceonADAissuesinemployment,publicservices,publicaccommodations,and
communications.Eachcenterworkscloselywithlocalbusiness,disability,governmental,
rehabilitation,andotherprofessionalnetworkstoprovideADAinformationand
assistance.Programsvaryineachregion,butallcentersprovidethefollowing:
TechnicalAssistance
EducationandTraining
MaterialsDissemination
InformationandReferral
PublicAwareness
LocalCapacityBuilding
AccesstheURLtofindthecontactinformationforyourDBTAC.
EmploymentandDisabilityInstitute
CornellUniversitySchoolofIndustrialandLaborRelations(ILR)
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/
[Takenfromthewebsite.]
TheEmploymentandDisabilityInstitute(EDI)conductsresearchandprovides
continuingeducationandtechnicalassistanceonmanyaspectsofdisabilityinthe
workplace.Since1968,researchersandpractitionersattheCornellILRSchoolwith
expertiseindisabilityhavehelpedcompanies,labororganizations,governmentagencies,
schools,andcommunitiesthroughouttheUnitedStatesandabroadtoaccommodateand
integrateindividualswithdisabilities.TheEDIteamconsultswithpolicymakers,
disabilityadvocates,andrehabilitationprogramprofessionals.
EDIcontributestodevelopinginclusiveworkplacesystemsandcommunitiesinavariety
ofways.TheEDIteamengagesinresearchandproducesscholarlyarticles,develops
trainingmaterials,conductstrainingsessionsdomesticallyandinternationally,andoffers
technicalassistanceonawidearrayofdisabilityrelatedmatters.EDIexpertiseembraces
legalmandatesandoperationalissues,anallencompassingperspectivethatenablesusto
helptransformpublicpolicyintopractice.
EDIprovidestechnicalassistance,training,andresearchinthefollowingtopicareas:
ADA,Accommodation,&AccessibleIT
DisabilityStatisticsResearch
DisabilityBenefitsandReturntoWork
TransitionPlanningforYouth
DisabilityEmploymentResearch
WorkforceDevelopment&CommunityInclusion
InternationalDisabilityPolicyResearch
EducationResourcesInformationCenter(ERIC)Database
http://www.eric.ed.gov/
[Takenfromthewebsite.]
TheEducationResourcesInformationCenter(ERIC),sponsoredbytheInstituteof
EducationSciences(IES)oftheU.S.DepartmentofEducation,producestheworld's
premierdatabaseofjournalandnonjournaleducationliterature.ThenewERIConline
system,releasedSeptember2004,providesthepublicwithacentralizedERICwebsite
forsearchingtheERICbibliographicdatabaseofmorethan1.1millioncitationsgoing
backto1966.EffectiveOctober1,morethan107,000fulltextnonjournaldocuments
(issued19932004),previouslyavailablethroughfeebasedservicesonly,willbe
availableforfree.
PUBLICATIONSOFTHEWEEK
U.S.DepartmentofLaborReleasesReportonStateoftheWorkforceonLaborDay:
America'sDynamicWorkforce
August2004
http://www.dol.gov/asp/media/reports/workforce/toc.htm
Thereport"surveysthestateofAmerica'sworkforce,thechangingnatureofthe
workforceandthenewopportunitiesthataredevelopinginthe21stCentury.Thereport
highlightswaystoimprovethenation'sjobtrainingprogramstohelpmoreworkers
acquireindemandskills.
Toviewthereport,accesstheURLlistedabove.Toreadthenewsrelease,access:
http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/opa/opa20041765.htm
DisabilityInfo.Gov:AFederalGovernmentWebPortalonDisabilityRelatedInformation
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/
ThefollowinginformationcanbefoundontheDisabilityInfo.Govwebsite,afederal
interagencywebportalondisabilityrelatedinformationfrommanygovernment
programs.Thelinksbelowaretwoofthetopicareasthatcanbefoundunderthe
"Employment"sectionofthissite.Thewebsitealsoincludeslinkstootherdisability
relatedresourcesonothertopicssuchasEducation,Housing,Transportation,Health,
IncomeSupport,Technology,IndependentLivingandCivilRights.
WorkIncentivePrograms
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/digovpublic/public/DisplayPage.do?parentFolderId=42
2004RedBookonWorkIncentives&EmploymentSupports
Guidetoworkincentivesandemploymentsupportsavailabletopeoplewithdisabilities
undertheSocialSecurityDisabilityInsurance(SSDI)andSupplementalSecurity
Income(SSI)programs.
PlanforAchievingSelfSupport(PASS)
InformationonthePASSprogram,aworkincentiveprogramforSupplementalSecurity
Income(SSI)programbeneficiaries.
StateWorkIncentivesActivities
Statebystatelinkstoinformationoninitiatives,activitiesandprograms(includingthe
TickettoWorkProgram,demonstrationprojects,cooperativeagreementsandgrants)
thatcanhelppeoplewithdisabilitieswhowanttowork.
TickettoHire
Afree,nationalreferralservicefromtheSocialSecurityAdministration'sTickettoWork
Programtoassistemployersinhiringmotivated,qualifiedworkerswithdisabilities.
TickettoWork&WorkIncentivesAdvisoryPanel
PanelthatadvisestheSocialSecurityCommissioner,thePresidentandCongresson
issuesrelatedtoworkincentivesprograms.
TickettoWorkProgramInformation
ContainslinkstoinformationabouttheTickettoWorkandWorkIncentives
ImprovementActof1999.
VirginiaCommonwealthUniversityBenefitsAssistanceResourceCenter
InformationontheBenefitsAssistanceResourceCenter,fundedbytheU.S.Social
SecurityAdministrationtoprovidetechnicalassistanceandtrainingtotheBenefits
Planning,AssistanceandOutreachProgramsundertheTickettoWorkandWork
IncentiveImprovementActof1999.
WorkIncentives
InformationandpublicationsonworkincentiveprogramsforSocialSecurityDisability
Insurance(SSDI)andSupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI)beneficiaries.
WorkWorld
Freesoftwareforpersonalcomputersdesignedtohelppeoplewithdisabilitiesfind
employmentandhighernetincomethroughfederalandstateworkincentivesand
benefits.
WorkingWhileDisabled,HowWeCanHelp
AportaltotheSocialSecurityAdministration,withlinkstoitsdisabilityrelated
programsandcontactinformation.
YourTickettoWork
ComprehensiveinformationabouttheTickettoWorkProgram,includingaservice
locatorforaccessingavailableemploymentnetworks.
WorkplaceAccommodations
Therearemanyjobaccommodationsthatcanassistpeoplewithdisabilitiestoperform
theessentialfunctionsofajob.Resourcesinthissectionprovideinformationand
technicalassistancetoidentifyandsecureaccommodationsforemploymentforpeople
withdisabilities.
Theaccommodationsareseparatedintothreesubcategories:
ForEmployers
ForJobSeekers&Workers
FortheAgricultureIndustry
ResourcesBriefly
(Jennifer@wid.org)
Issue2oftheReviewofDisabilityStudies:AnInternationalJournalnowonline
Issue2oftheReviewofDisabilityStudies:AnInternationalJournal(RDS)isavailable
onlineathttp://www.rds.hawaii.edu.Thisissuefeaturesaforumonpostsecondary
educationaswellasresearcharticles,commentary,essays,bookreviews,andanew
section,"disabilityclassics."Thejournalisavailablebothonlineandinprintaswellas
alternativeformatsforsubscribers.Thisisthelastissuethatwillbepostedfreeonline
withoutasubscription.Forinformationaboutsubscribingandsubmittingarticlestothe
journal,pleasevisittheRDSwebsiteathttp://www.rds.hawaii.edu.
UKDisabilityStudiesConferenceonlinearchiveofpapers
Paperspresentedatthe2003and2004DisabilityStudiesConferenceintheUKarenow
archivedandavailableonline.PleasevisittheUKDisabilityStudiesConferenceArchive
athttp://www.lancs.ac.uk/fss/apsocsci/events/ds_archive.htm.
CBRResourceKitfromIndia
TheCBRNETWORKinBangalore,IndiahasdevelopedCBRresourcekitsincluding52
CD'swithvirtuallectures,adigitallibrary,softwareforassessment,andplanningtools.
TheresourcekitsaredesignedforNGO's,universities,governments,individualsand
serviceprovidersandcoverearlyidentification,education,mobilityaids,rightsissues,
selfhelpgroups,curriculumbasedcriteriaandmore.Formoreinformation,please
contactcbrnet@vsnl.com.VisittheCBRNETWORK(SouthAsia)websiteat
http://www.cbrnetwork.org.in.

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