From: Mahesh Chandrasekar [mailto:advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com] Sent: Friday, December 23, 2011 4:19 PM To: CBR Forum: Admin Subject: December 2011 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin
CBR Forum E-News Bulletin - A Compilation of News, Information and Updates December 2011 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin First issue: Oct 2007, Current Issue No. #52 Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying - in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and enhance the potential to exercise these rights. Compiled by: C. Mahesh, Advocacy Coordinator advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com<mailto:advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com> BEST WISHES FOR A * MERRY CHRISTMAS * AND A HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS, PEACEFUL AND JUST NEW YEAR A: INDIA A1: ACTS/ POLICY/ PROGRAMMES Draft of India Country Report [as per the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)] as submitted to MSJE by Centre for Disability Studies, NALSAR Law University http://disabilitystudiesnalsar.org/CountryReportLatest.doc Please send in your comments and suggestions to cdspa...@gmail.com<mailto:cdspa...@gmail.com>, nileshsin...@gmail.com<mailto:nileshsin...@gmail.com> Subsidised foodgrains for 75 pc of rural India Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, K V Thomas, introduced the National Food Security Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha, with Congress president Sonia Gandhi leading the party MPs in thumping desks. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/213807/subsidised-foodgrains-75-pc-rural.html The Big Question: Can the Food Bill feed India's hungry? The National Food Security Bill ambitiously seeks to eradicate hunger and malnutrition by providing subsidized food grain to 75 percent of the rural population, and about 50 percent of urban households. However, for the bill to be a success, the distribution of subsidized grain has to reach the poorest of the poor. http://in.news.yahoo.com/the-big-question--can-the-food-bill-feed-india-s-hungry-.html Right to service The government on Tuesday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that would allow a citizen to complain against public officials for tardiness in service. If the complaint is not dealt with within a stipulated time, an official can be fined. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111221/jsp/nation/story_14909030.jsp TIME FOR A RADICAL CHANGE The AMRI disaster points to the need of having strict regulatory mechanisms to supervise private hospitals, writes Indranill Basu Ray. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1111220/jsp/opinion/story_14890155.jsp A2: VERDICT Murder committed under insanity or epilepsy no crime: SC A person committing a crime, including murder, under a state of illness cannot be convicted for murder, the Supreme Court has held upholding the acquittal of an epilepsy-afflicted man who stoned to death a temple priest in 1999 in Rajasthan. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/208611/murder-committed-insanity-epilepsy-no.html A3: EDUCATION Need for inclusive education system At least 15 children suffering from various disabilities narrated the problems faced by them in pursuing education in Delhi during a 'jan sunvai' (people's hearing) organized by Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and NGO Aarth Astha here recently. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/article2725489.ece#.Tu7BNCSu-cw.gmail The RTE Act and Children with Disabilities Disability is widely recognized as a cross cutting developmental issue that has relevance to all dimensions of social exclusion. Even today, if we link up disability to developmental issues, it raises serious concerns where people with disabilities are at a double burden of marginalization http://www.morungexpress.com/Infocus/73863.html Bengal's class bias: don't blame RTE Calcutta, Dec. 21: The Right to Education (RTE) Act does not bar any child from outside the "neighbourhood" to participate in the lottery system for admission to schools - contrary to what the Bengal government has been claiming. http://telegraphindia.com/1111222/jsp/frontpage/story_14914249.jsp TATA Interactive concluded 6th TATA Interactive Learning Disability Forum In Mumbai TATA Interactive Systems (TIS), the pioneer and global leader in learning solutions, concluded its sixth consecutive annual TATA Interactive Learning Disability Forum (TLDF) on November 25-26, 2011 at Mumbai. http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/TATA-Interactive-concluded-6th-TATA-Interactive-Learning-Disability-Forum-In-Mumbai/5313106414 A4: HEALTH Physically challenged or sexually challenged? Human sexuality intrinsically includes biological, genetic, cultural, political, legal and philosophical aspects in itself. Even morality, ethics, spirituality and religion are involved when we talk about human sexuality. However, from the psychological point of view, there are four basic drives that push people to perform any action. These are hunger, thirst, avoidance of pain and sexual urges. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Physically-challenged-or-sexually-challenged/articleshow/10978609.cms India faces polio threat from Pakistan: Minister NEW DELHI: India faces the threat of importing the polio virus from Pakistan and is taking steps to prevent it, Minister of State for Health Sudip Bandyopadhyay informed the Rajya Sabha. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/india-faces-polio-threat-from-pakistan-minister/articleshow/11181703.cms Archaic MCI rule leaves medico out on a limb He is a self-confessed 'medical miracle.' Destined to deal with the amputation of his right arm and severe damage to his skull after he was electrocuted, Sudhakar Shenoy had to come to terms with the harsh realities of life at the tender age of eight. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/209939/archaic-mci-rule-leaves-medico.html Young campaigners demand their rights Lack of health facilities in her village saw Rikida Shadap born completely deaf and also lose her mother within three months of her birth. http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/11/29/young-campaigners-demand-their-rights/ A5: LIVELIHOOD/ EMPLOYMENT 'Persons with disability are motivated to learn more and advance' In the last decade, Nasscom Foundation -the social wing of National Association of Software and Services Companies- spearheaded initiatives that opened up the possibility of employment of persons with disability in the IT and BPO sectors. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/209868/persons-disability-motivated-learn-more.html Jayalalithaa commits 3 per cent of State jobs for persons with disability The best news for members of the community this International Day for the Disabled is a commitment from Chief Minister Jayalalithaa herself. "This government will implement the three per cent reservation for differently abled persons in government jobs," she stated in her message. http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2684806.ece Disabled Mhada job-seekers get relief through HC Acting on a clutch of petitions filed on behalf of disabled persons, the Bombay high court, on Thursday, directed the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) to relax certain guidelines it had laid down for handicapped candidates appearing for exams to be conducted by the housing board on December 11. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Disabled-Mhada-job-seekers-get-relief-through-HC/Article1-779809.aspx A helping hand A company in Mysore has employed many differently-abled people who are involved in various tasks that include assembling electronic components, writes Manish http://www.deccanherald.com/content/209592/a-helping-hand.html A6: ACCESS Physically challenged quartet bat for disabled-friendly amenities BHUBANESWAR: Four persons with disability ( PWD), who had embarked upon a unique trip across the country with an aim to spread awareness about making tourist spots more disabled-friendly, reached the state capital on Monday. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Physically-challenged-quartet-bat-for-disabled-friendly-amenities/articleshow/10927921.cms Breaking down disability barriers On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a look at the hurdles they face http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2684151.ece Microsoft launches disabled-friendly products Microsoft India on Saturday - World Disabilities Day - unveiled a set of 40 templates for most commonly used public information circulars, forms, gazettes and notifications. These templates when used will automate the process of creating accessible documents for visual, hearing and learning impaired people. With the aim of enhancing employability prospects through skill development, Microsoft also enabled Microsoft Office Specialist Certification for persons with impairments through its partners. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2684292.ece Making computers accessible to the disabled There are many schools and organisations working for the betterment of differently-abled persons in India. But when it comes to the use of computers, very few have the knowledge and understanding of how to make computer-usage more disabled-friendly. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/making-computers-accessible-to-the-disabled/214123-60-121.html ATMs to be made disabled-friendly NEW DELHI: In what can be termed a much needed intervention for the differently abled, the office of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities has written to the Department of Banking Operations and Development to make automated teller machines (ATMs) in the city disabled-friendly. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/ATMs-to-be-made-disabled-friendly/articleshow/11066673.cms Hearing, speech impaired boy held for theft A teacher of a deaf and dumb school was called in by the police to grill a 20-year-old differently -abled boy who was arrested for theft on Monday. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/hearing-speech-impaired-boy-held-for-theft/890330/ A7: DISCRIMINATION/ APATHY Plan panel criteria for BPL draw flak Differently-abled people observe 'black day' in Kashmir Srinagar, Dec 3: On the World Disability Day on Monday, differently-abled people observed 'black day' to protest what they termed as Government's discriminatory approach towards resolution of their demands and failure to implement special legislations for their upliftment. http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2011/Dec/4/differently-abled-people-observe-black-day-in-kashmir-53.asp Why's the world so cruel to a physically challenged person? Lasya Shashimohan, An endorsement that is currently on air shows the story of a wheelchair-bound young woman who transcends trying circumstances to emerge as a successful violinist. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/208930/whys-world-so-cruel-physically.html Ride, don't hide from disability Today is World Disability Day. When one thinks of 'Disability,' we automatically associate it with physical disability;' and rightly so, because what can be more disturbing than seeing a crippled or a blind person? Yet, the invisible disabilities - mental disabilities - where victims appear normal are just as insidious. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/208868/ride-dont-hide-disability.html Delhi University turns blind eye to disabled student's plight Visually challenged PhD aspirant Shakti Kumar Agarwal has been 'denied'a hostel seat. When Shakti Kumar Agarwal completed his LLM this year, he thought he'd achieved quite a feat. Battling blindness and osteoporosis, 32-year-old Agarwal had overcome all odds to secure his future. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhi-university-neglects-disabled-student/1/163856.html HIV+ woman may lose custody of adopted daughter MADURAI: The Madurai Network of Positive People's Society is trying to get a girl child, who was adopted by an HIV positive woman, enrolled in school, as the woman was unaware of the consequences when she decided to bring up this orphan as her own, four years ago. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/HIV-woman-may-lose-custody-of-adopted-daughter/articleshow/11038950.cms They challenged disabilities to vote The Municipal Corporation elections on Saturday witnessed a large number of physically challenged people coming out to cast their votes across the city. These people were a great motivation for all. While some considered disability as their strength and no deterrent, others wanted to inspire people to use their right to vote judiciously. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/they-challenged-disabilities-to-vote/889120/ A disabled woman's 14-yr fight for alimony CHENNAI: Afflicted with partial hearing loss after a severe bout of typhoid in her childhood, Salma, now 39, fights an uphill battle everyday. Married in 1997 and deserted six months later, she has a 14-year-old son to support and no regular source of income. Though a court ordered her husband, Salim, to pay a maintenance amount of Rs 5,000 every month from July 2002, he has refused to comply. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/A-disabled-womans-14-yr-fight-for-alimony/articleshow/11162450.cms OPSC violating rights of disabled BHUBANESWAR: Persons with disabilities in the State have alleged violation of the Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, by Orissa Public Service Commission and the Government. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/opsc-violating-rights-of-disabled/211828-60-117.html Wheelchair travellers' demand disabled-friendly tourism PANAJI: "We don't want people to treat us with empathy or sympathy. We wanted to be treated as equals," said Neenu Kewlani, who along with three of her friends went around the country in 82 days on their wheelchairs, to study the facilities available for the differently-abled in the states and also to create awareness about barrier-free tourism. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-18/goa/30530996_1_disabled-friendly-differently-abled-tourist-sites A8: EXCELLENCE Awards salute spirit of differently-abled NEW DELHI: When Ashwin Karthik decided to pursue engineering, pressure of studies and stiff competition were not the only things that bothered him. Reaching the classroom and writing his exam in just three hours were some of the bigger challenges. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Awards-salute-spirit-of-differently-abled/articleshow/10963256.cms His magical fingers speak, see and hear BANGALORE: Forty-two-year-old BNV Raman does not know what a photocopy machine looks like but his fingers never miss the right button. He cannot talk or hear his colleagues speak as he is hearing and speech-impaired too. But his smile belies his disabilities. For Raman, a photocopy machine operator with Vijaya Bank, these hurdles have never come in the way of his work. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/His-magical-fingers-speak-see-and-hear/articleshow/10965754.cms Battling disability with aplomb Shazman Shariff profiles a few women who live normal lives despite their physical disabilities http://www.deccanherald.com/content/208835/battling-disability-aplomb.html Disabled children showcase their talent in Coimbatore COIMBATORE: As part of the celebration of International Day of Persons With Disabilities, the special education department of Avinashilingam University on Friday gave a platform to the disabled children to exhibit their talents and abilities. Chief Guest for the program was corporation commissioner TK Ponnusamy http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-10/coimbatore/30501501_1_special-education-disabilities-higher-education Learning to walk again, a step at a time Basavappa's son, an eight-year-old boy from Raichur, has stopped walking and even talking ever since he had a bad fall a few months ago. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/211169/learning-walk-again-step-time.html World's shortest woman wants to be Bollywood star Jyoti Amge - a high school student from Nagpur, Maharashtra has been recognized as world's shortest woman by Guinness World Records recently. She is 18, and is dreaming of make it in Bollywood one day! http://in.omg.yahoo.com/photos/world-s-shortest-woman-wants-to-be-bollywood-star-1324272813-slideshow/ Survivor's story: Madhu Bala Sharma She is currently working with Gurgaon-based IBM Global Process Services as a Deputy Manager. Recipient of 'The Role model award' by the president of India in 2009, Madhu pursued her post graduation in English literature from Lady Sri Ram College in Delhi University. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Survivors-story-Madhu-Bala-Sharma/articleshow/11165587.cms KRCL holds special trip for disabled children MARGAO: Fifty-five students from a school for 'hearing-and-speech-impaired' children arrived in Goa on Tuesday as part of a initiative by the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL). http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/KRCL-holds-special-trip-for-disabled-children/articleshow/11186522.cms Blind umpires to take the field in disabled cricket tourneys VADODARA: When the inaugural match of national T20 tourney for disabled cricketers takes off in Faridabad on December 22, it will be for the first time that disabled umpires will be standing in the middle. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/Blind-umpires-to-take-the-field-in-disabled-cricket-tourneys/articleshow/11123626.cms Disabled reach out to the homeless NEW DELHI: On a day when blinding fog and biting cold kept most Delhiites indoors, five men quietly cycled away from Laxmi Nagar to Mandawali. As cars sped past, Ramesh Pal pedalled hard to reach his next goal - another homeless like himself who may be sleeping in the open. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Disabled-reach-out-to-the-homeless/articleshow/11174954.cms-- A9: ARTS/ CULTURE/ SPORTS/ RECREATION/ FAMILY Taste buds follow them blindly BANGALORE: This is no candlelight dinner, let alone a candle. In this restaurant shut off from light, you entrust yourself to those who've always known the dark, as well as an old friend - the visually-challenged. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Taste-buds-follow-them-blindly/articleshow/11027838.cms Mass marriage for the disabled, 27 tie the knot CHENNAI: Kavitha waited patiently as her mother draped her pink and gold sari. "I'm not very comfortable in a sari but today is special," said the 20-year-old who uses crutches. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Mass-marriage-for-the-disabled-27-tie-the-knot/articleshow/11039860.cms They take their vows in silence Matrimonial meet for hearing impaired couples will be held from December 23 to 25. They cannot use the mobile phone, the newest gadget used by the masses. Yet they speak in a language which is universal. Between and amongst hearing impaired people there is no caste, religion or any such barrier. Yet to unite two eligible hearing impaired persons in marriage is a difficult task. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/213238/they-take-their-vows-silence.html B: INTERNATIONAL NEWS First deaf MP leads the way for others with disabilities The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) is delighted to congratulate Mojo Mathers on her new role as a Member of Parliament, and hopes that she will open the political doors for others with a disability. http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/first-deaf-mp-leads-way-others-disabilities/5/110215 6 months old, and left to die. Several weeks ago, I visited a baby house in Eastern Europe. It houses about 130 infants and small children, a third of whom are children with disabilities. Most babies are eventually returned to their birth parents, put into foster care or are adopted. But not the babies with disabilities. http://www.disabilityrightsintl.org/ No disability living allowance for me. Nowhere to turn for many more I'm a disability campaigner. I'm not sure I ever intended to be, but I saw the great injustice of welfare changes and how they would hit some of the most truly vulnerable people in our society and couldn't sit back and watch. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/20/disability-living-allowance?newsfeed=true Obama Calls For Better Pay For Disability Caregivers The Obama administration is proposing new rules to provide first-ever minimum wage and overtime protections for in-home care workers who assist people with disabilities. http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/12/15/obama-better-pay-caregivers/14652/ Disabled life quality 'worst in developed world' AUSTRALIANS living with a disability have the worst quality of life in the developed world and their employment opportunities have hit rock bottom, according to a report issued today by PricewaterhouseCoopers. http://www.theage.com.au/national/disabled-life-quality-worst-in-developed-world-20111129-1o581.html Ride Don't Hide An international tour and movement to battle mental illness stigma http://www.ridedonthide.com/ Stigma Still Rampant for Disabled Stigma and prejudice is fuelled by a lack of knowledge and increasing public awareness about mental disabilities will reduce discrimination, says Gadija Koopman, Deputy Director of Cape Mental Health Society. http://allafrica.com/stories/201111030220.html Changing the Mindset around Blindness Freetown - In Sierra Leone misconceptions about blindness are widespread, and people often blame blindness and other disabilities on witchcraft, but local and international work is being done to reduce stigma and open up opportunities, according to campaigners. http://allafrica.com/stories/201111041133.html Disabled man cleared of NY murder might get $3.75M ROCHESTER, N.Y. - A mentally disabled man is poised to collect a $3.75 million settlement for a wrongful murder conviction in upstate New York that put him behind bars for more than a decade, his attorney and the city said Monday. http://online.wsj.com/article/APd022e0646fd54b58a696a4c49871c93a.html International Disability Rights In 1981, the United Nations named today the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "What we've been working on is really efforts to help remove those barriers." -- Special Advisor Judy Heumann http://www.voanews.com/policy/editorials/International-Disability-Rights--134939418.html Are We Really Celebrating International day of Disabled People? An interaction program on the status of implementation of existing government policy and programs on disability in the context of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was held in the capital on second December 2011 in a hall of the World Trade Center, Nepal. http://agentshurdarsons.blogspot.com/2011/12/are-we-really-celebrating-international_08.html Send disabled children to rehab centre - Yahya PUTATAN: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin has urged parents to send their disabled children to the Community Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) to obtain proper rehabilitation and education for their own good. http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/12/12/send-disabled-children-to-rehab-centre-%e2%80%94-yahya/#ixzz1gITNhqmq Solitary confinement should be banned in most cases, UN expert says 18 October 2011 - A United Nations expert on torture today called on all countries to ban the solitary confinement of prisoners except in very exceptional circumstances and for as short a time as possible, with an absolute prohibition in the case of juveniles and people with mental disabilities. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40097&Cr=torture&Cr1 African churches challenged to take up disability rights issues With disabled, sound- and sight-impaired people among Africa's clergy, the continent's churches are being challenged to lead the struggle to increase rights for disabled people. http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15890 Disabled people finally given a voice on HIV and Aids Access to HIV information, testing and treatment for people with disabilities was raised for the first time as a central theme at the International Conference on Aids and STIs in Africa (Icasa), held last week in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/dec/15/disabled-people-given-voice-on-hiv?newsfeed=true Paralogic Paralogic was established in response to the high recurring cost of continence products in Australia, particularly urinary catheters. 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