From: Mahesh Chandrasekar [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 3:00 PM To: CBR Forum: Admin Subject: January 2012 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin
CBR Forum E-News Bulletin - A Compilation of News, Information and Updates January 2012 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin First issue: Oct 2007, Current Issue No. #53 Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying - in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and enhance the potential to exercise these rights. Compiled by: Mary Battihun and C. Mahesh [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> A: INDIA A1: ACTS/ POLICY/ PROGRAMMES Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha Appointed as Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Government of India has appointed Shri Prasanna Kumar Pincha as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities. Shri Pincha has assumed charge w.e.f. 28th December, 2011 accordingly. It is for the first time ever that a person with disability has been appointed as the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities in the country. http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/AdvSearch.aspx Braille EVMs help visually impaired cast votes Dehra Dun: Paving way for the visually impaired to have a decisive role in the country's democratic process, the Election Commission is encouraging use of EVMs having braille signs in Dehradun in Uttarakhand where polling is on to elect the state's third Assembly. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/braille-evms-help-visually-impaired-cast-votes/225594-37-170.html National Consultation Meeting on the Draft Country Report on UNCRPD A two-day National Consultation Meeting for drafting first Country Report of India on United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was held here yesterday. http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=79657 M.S.J.E. refuses to take ownership of N.A.L.S.A.R.'s Draft Country Report on C.R.P.D. implementation D.N.I.S. News Network, India: In yet another embarrassment to N.A.L.S.A.R. University, Hyderabad, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (M.S.J.E.) has refused to take ownership of the Draft Country Report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (C.R.P.D.) in India. http://remindindianews.posterous.com/ 'Need 2% for disabled in budget NASHIK: Pointing out that the disabled are being ignored, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has demanded a 2% budgetary provision for their welfare, besides seeking the creation of a separate ministry for them. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-12/nashik/30619423_1_disabled-persons-disabled-children-disabled-population New Census Data on Disability The 2011 Census data on disability is likely to be released in the first quarter on 2013. This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri D. Napoleon in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78740 Government to launch project for hearing impaired children KOTTAYAM: The state government was planning to launch a project for children suffering from hearing impairment, social welfare minister M K Muneer said on Thursday. Two hundred children would be covered under the scheme every year, he said while inaugurating the Disability, Rehabilitation, Early Assessment and Management Services (DREAMS) centre at Mahatma Gandhi University. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-23/kochi/30550227_1_hearing-impairment-centre-disability A2: EDUCATION Couple runs school for children with disabilities When 14-year-old Naveen was thrown out of school, G. Senthil, 39, a medical psychiatrist who himself had learning disability, took charge of the teenager. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/couple-runs-school-children-disabilities-417 Ministries tussle to teach tiny tots New Delhi, Jan. 24: Two central ministries have locked horns over the country's youngest students, the tug-of-war for the tiny tots unfolding after a plan to bring pre-school education under the Right to Education Act. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120125/jsp/nation/story_15051115.jsp Centre for disability studies inaugurated GUWAHATI: The Gauwahati University, in collaboration with NTPC Limited, started an information communication training centre (ITC) at the department of disability study on Wednesday. The aim behind this training center is to encourage students with disability to pursue higher education in the field of science and technology. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Centre-for-disability-studies-inaugurated/articleshow/11372382.cms Delhi schools directed to abide by admission rules Delhi Education Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely on Tuesday asserted that the State Government would ensure that every child desirous of admission in the Capital gets a seat, though it may not be able to ensure a school of choice. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article2792390.ece Govt. apathy ensures that right to education remains on paper The Right of Children to free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 (in short, the Right to Education Act) seem to have remained on paper in most states, including Karnataka. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/223262/govt-apathy-ensures-right-education.html Centre prods states to hire secondary teachers New Delhi, Jan. 12: The human resource development ministry has asked all states to assess how many additional teachers are required at the secondary level under a new teacher-student ratio worked out for Classes IX and X. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120113/jsp/nation/story_15000229.jsp CBSE to introduce new scheme for visually impaired After the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the introduction of the Onscreen Marking System (OMS) for its higher secondary students, the board will now set up special question papers for visually impaired students from the next academic year. http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/dec/301211-pune-CBSE-to-introduce-new-scheme-for-visually-impaired.htm Thumbs up for CBSE's no to practical for blind CHENNAI: Disability activists have welcomed the move by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to do away with hands-on practical components in basic sciences for visually-impaired students (class 11 and 12) and replaced it with a multiple-choice question paper instead. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Thumbs-up-for-CBSEs-no-to-practicals-for-blind/articleshow/11533952.cms Now, software for visually impaired students BANGALORE: For the visually-impaired students of Bangalore University, lessons will become tad easier thanks to Shreedhar TS. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/personal-tech/computing/Now-a-software-for-visually-impaired-students/articleshow/11374256.cms Visually-Impaired teachers given training THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The visually-challenged teachers in the state would soon grow out of the need for a helping hand to take them around in schools. The 248 visually-impaired teachers are in the process of developing tactile maps, which provide them the layout of their school environment, enabling easy mobility. For the first time, the Education Department and the Integrated Education for the Disabled (IED) cell have... http://ibnlive.in.com/news/visuallyimpaired-teachers-given-training/216616-60-122.html Sound Sense It was not easy for 25-year-old Garima Goyal to get three post-graduate degrees. But the coursework, deadlines and submissions were not the deterrent. The biggest challenge she faced was the lack of easy access to the prescribed texts in a format she could study after she started to lose her sight at 15. http://nsingit.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/sound-sense/ V-C promises hostel seat to disabled local girl Preeti, an 18-year-old physically challenged student at Daulat Ram College, had worked hard to get into the "North Campus". It is difficult for the first year student of BCom (Honours) to travel all the way from her Samaypur Badli home to come to the college, but her request for a hostel seat had been turned down because she is a resident of Delhi. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/V-C-promises-hostel-seat-to-disabled-local-girl/895032/ IIM Bangalore organizes conference on Higher Education Access by Persons with Disability Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) in cooperation with the Fourth Wave Foundation, is organizing a national conference titled " Enabling Access for Persons with Disabilities to Higher Education and the Workplace: Role of ICT and Assistive Technologies " at the IIM Bangalore campus on January 20th and 21st, 2012. http://www.coolavenues.com/b-schools/b-school-events/iim-bangalore-organises-conference-higher-education-access-persons-disability A3: HEALTH Doctors fined for illegal drug trials Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh government has imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on the 12 government doctors who had been found to have conducted drug trials on children and mentally challenged persons in Indore. http://zeenews.india.com/news/madhya-pradesh/doctors-fined-for-illegal-drug-trials_749917.html Anger over secret drug trials on Indian children BHOPAL, India - Indian activists have reacted angrily after 12 doctors were fined less than $100 each for conducting secret drug trials on children and patients with learning disabilities. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gTM8F3zQy_s5z3H6U7j7EScISsjQ?docId=CNG.abe97bb398ff0cdec84e8b248a8ce4ee.311 India to move resolution on mental disorders at WHO meet NEW DELHI : Having succeeded in getting mental disorders included in the global list of non-communicable diseases (NCD), India will now push for a comprehensive, coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level while focusing on allocating "appropriate priority and resources" for mental healthcare in health and development Programmes. http://remindindianews.posterous.com/india-to-move-resolution-on-mental-disorders Eliminate mental deformities, says Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Bangalore: Emphasizing on the need for more research work for the welfare of mentally challenged children, former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam said that there was a need to find out what goes wrong in the brains of these children. http://www.ndtv.com/article/karnataka/eliminate-mental-deformities-says-dr-apj-abdul-kalam-158370?slider&cp Psychiatry: Complete recovery possible KOCHI: Complete recovery is possible in the case of mental illness, says Dr Mohan Isaac, Professor at the University of Western Australia and former professor at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/Psychiatry-Complete-recovery-possible/354201.html License for mental health centers The Indian Psychiatric Society wants the Director of Health Services to be entrusted with the powers to issue licenses to mental health care centers. - Page 7 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2807250.ece Financial boost for fight against NCDs NEW DELHI: India's fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic lung diseases - could receive a big financial boost. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-17/india/30634918_1_chronic-ncds-diseases-chronic-kidney 10% of kids in India have learning disability: Experts CHENNAI: At least 10% of children in the country have a learning disability, say experts at Learn 2012, an international conference on inclusive education and vocational options, here on Thursday. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/10-of-kids-in-India-have-learning-disability-Experts/articleshow/11643931.cms 42 per cent of Indian children are underweight A new study based on a survey of the height and weight of more than one lakh children across six States has found that as many as 42 per cent of under-fives are severely or moderately underweight and that 59 per cent of them suffer from moderate to severe stunting, meaning their height is much lower than the median height-for-age of the reference population. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2789902.ece ICU patient dies after rodents feast on him A 70-year-old paralytic patient, on ventilator at the ICU of a government hospital in Jodhpur died a gory death on Tuesday, with rats allegedly feasting on him. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/218359/rats-nibble-paralysed-man-hospital.html 'Stay clear of stem cell treatment for spinal cord injury' "Stay clear of stem cell treatment for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)," warned Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, Director of National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research in Australia. He visited the Mary Verghese Institute of Rehabilitation attached to Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore in early December 2011 http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/article2793141.ece#.Tw3JLbWTtBA.mailto AMRI Hospital fire victims' families receive compensation Kolkata: The West Bengal government Monday started paying compensation to the family members of the victims of AMRI hospital fire which left 93 people dead. http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/amri-hospital-fire-victims-families-receive-compensation-163008&cp Immunization push propels India towards victory in war against polio Moradabad is a nondescript and scruffy city, 110 miles north of the Indian capital Delhi. Few have heard of it, despite its population of nearly five million. But it is about to become the site of an astonishing victory against a terrible disease. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/02/india-winning-war-against-polio A4: LIVELIHOOD/ EMPLOYMENT Problems being faced by the visually impaired in the recruitment processes of the Staff Selection Commission Substantial number of recruitments for groups B, C and D services of the Central Government are made through the Staff Selection Commission. The visually impaired persons face considerable problems while taking the skill tests for these posts because screen reading software are not provided and/or allowed by the S.S.C. Instead, a reader is allowed to read out the screen to them which negatively impacts their typing performance. The CCPD have issued important directions to the S.S.C. to address these issues. For the copy of the order, please send a mail to: M. Muthu Selvi, Secretary, AICB, [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Hired despite disability, and fired for same Kempesh has a condition that makes him nearly blind. But he says Software Company picked him up in campus recruitment fully aware of his disability http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=1&contentid=2012011120120111001625421af269375 A5: ACCESS The problem of accessibility for visually challenged students around Delhi University North Campus Report by Shailender Yadav, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Delhi Young Voices India. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqB1eVjNKRA&feature=email No ramps, railings for disabled students at LU LUCKNOW: Instead of providing a friendly environment, Luckow University (LU) is showing an insensitive and hostile attitude towards disabled students. False promises have piled up to a level that differently-abled students have now lost hope in university officials. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/No-ramps-railings-for-disabled-students-at-LU/articleshow/11346210.cms Visually impaired can soon access ATMs Under a colourful canopy on the grounds of the Ali Yaver Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, dozens of students from the Happy Home School on Wednesday milled around hearing about fantastic technologies that would ostensibly make their lives better. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_visually-impaired-can-soon-access-atms_1633947 SBI opens blind friendly ATMs on 'Braille Day' BHOPAL: In a first of its kind of initiative, blind friendly and barrier free Automated Telling Machines (ATMs) were inaugurated in the city on the occasion of World Braille Day on Wednesday. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-05/bhopal/30592422_1_atms-speech-software-sbi Panel on technology for disabled To spread awareness on the way technology is helping persons with disabilities to develop skills and work in IT and knowledge sector, the City-based Cheshire Disability Trust (CDT) has formed a committee of experts representing NGOs and the IT industry. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/216665/panel-technology-disabled.html IIIT to develop speech-to-text SMS tech Hyderabad: City-based International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) is set to develop a mobile technology that would accept speech as input and convert it into language and text, which can be sent as an SMS, a top functionary of IIIT said. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/iiit-to-develop-speechtotext-sms-tech/901013/1 A6: DISCRIMINATION/ APATHY Abandoned, conjoined twins stare at an uncertain future The world of nine-year old conjoined twins, Vani and Veena revolves around their room in Niloufer Children's hospital and the doctors and nurses who care for them round the clock. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/220241/hyderabads-siamese-twins-face-uncertain.html Bangalore's physically challenged put to trouble Although the motive of this programme was to improve awareness about Disability Discrimination Act, 1995, the way it was conducted highlighted that the organizers themselves were not considerate towards the needs of the physically challenged. http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_bangalore-s-physically-challenged-put-to-trouble_1641184 Crime against mentally ill women on the rise MADURAI: In February 2004, when B. Chandramohan was the Collector of Madurai district, he had announced that the district administration/ government would earmark a space (a home) for wandering persons (victims of mental illness) who were either abandoned or victimized or physically abused by anti-social elements. http://remindindianews.posterous.com/ Harassment of mentally ill patients: court orders high-level probe Thrissur Chief Judicial Magistrate P.S. Anthony on Monday directed the City Police Commissioner to investigate into the alleged harassment of inmates at the illegal mental health centre at Avanur, near here. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article2807452.ece Mentally challenged kills 65-yr-old LUCKNOW: A mentally-challenged person, in a fit of rage, killed a 65-year-old man with sharp-edged weapon and injured two others who tried to save the old man at Babukheda Raidas under PGI police station area on Monday morning. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-17/lucknow/30634721_1_vishwanath-mentally-challenged-person-ram-charan Lawyers boycott Pune rage driver Santosh Mane No lawyer is ready to represent Santosh Mane, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) driver, who mowed down eight people and injured 30 others with a hijacked bus on Wednesday. http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Maharashtra/Lawyers-boycott-Pune-rage-driver-Santosh-Mane/Article1-802610.aspx Battered child may be speech-impaired, say police Police investigation has suggested that the two-year-old battered baby struggling for life at the AIIMS trauma center could be speech-impaired http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Battered-child-may-be-speech-impaired-say-police/Article1-803082.aspx World Disability Day: No permission for annual event World Disability Day is perhaps the only day when issues faced by differently-abled people come to the fore. But sadly this year, an event held to mark the day won't take place in the Capital as the Delhi Police has denied permission for it citing law and order issueshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50v5q7jgZGs A7: EXCELLENCE Teens' heroics make state proud after a gap of two years Sandesh, 17, is a special kid - not just because he is hearing-and-speech impaired, but for his valour and presence of mind that saved the life of Rashmi, a 14-year-old girl. http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/1/20120115201201150011281866fb43563/Teens%E2%80%99-heroics-make-state-proud-after-a-gap-of-two-years.html Disabled man rescues girl from well A physically challenged man became an unlikely hero in a Rajasthan village when he jumped into a 30-feet-deep well to save a 15-year-old girl, lifted her with his only hand and rescued her even as onlookers watched in amazement. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/215259/disabled-man-rescues-girl-well.html Woman plays matchmaker for differently abled Prabha Pense, a former teacher for hearing impaired children, has brought singletons together for the past 22 years. http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/221454/woman-plays-matchmaker-for-differently-abled.html How a mum fought her son's disability It can be traumatic to learn that your child is hearing impaired, but it's not the end of the world. Equip them to forge ahead in life, says yoga teacher and corporate trainer Radha Raju, whose son was born with hearing impairment but is now an achiever http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=74&contentid=2012012320120123211545859209c0b04 Blind Ambika finds peace playing chess 25 years ago when he took to chess, he never knew how to play the game and neither was interested in playing it. But now after two-and-a-half decades, he takes chess as his religion and has mastered the game of sixty four squares. Such is the story of Ambika Prasad Singh, a visually challenged chess player, who plays the game as a hobby and uses it as a tool to find peace. http://www.indiansportsnews.com/isn-specials/9285-visually-impaired-ambika-finds-peace-on-sixty-squares.html Life is what we make of it Shankar lost both of his legs in an accident. Though shaken initially, he fought all odds to come back to full steam http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=10&contentid=2012011820120118045528201f2e2e515 'Visually impaired must shed their inhibitions' Visually challenged Rahul Deshmukh, the founder president of the National Association for the Welfare of Physically Challenged (NAWPC), has always appeared in the merit list of every examination he has appeared. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/interview_visually-impaired-must-shed-their-inhibitions_1643745 'Artificial limbs are no hindrance' Dr. G Yathiraj, whose both legs were amputated at 14 years of age, was busy screening people with disability at the Jaipur Limb Camp organised by Rotary Bangalore, Peenya, on Thursday. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/217022/artificial-limbs-no-hindrance.html 10th CavinKare Ability Awards to be presented on February 18 Their ability or mastery may be known to many, but recognising them for it can inspire several others. In honouring such achievers with the 'CavinKare Ability Award for Eminence' and 'CavinKare Ability Mastery Award,' the Ability Foundation and CavinKare seek to do precisely that - tell their stories of grit and confidence. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2845689.ece B: INTERNATIONAL NEWS Why care less about the disabled fetus? In a controversial editorial on sex selection in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, interim editor-in-chief Rajendra Kale identified female feticide as an "evil" that "devalues women." http://world-countries.net/archives/137331 Suit: Sheltered Workshops Violate Rights of People with Disabilities January 25, 2012; Source: Chicago Tribune | In a first-of-its-kind class-action case filed in federal court, the Oregon chapter of the Cerebral Palsy Association and eight individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities claimed that sheltered workshops violate protections against discrimination under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act... http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19426:suit-sheltered-workshops-violate-rights-of-people-with-disabilities&catid=155:nonprofit-newswire&Itemid=986 Against All Stereotypes: Stress, Depression, Recovery, and Then? Legs dangling out the windowsill into the unforgiving cold of Beijing's winter, I sat in a trance, wondering what happened to me. At 28, I was in the global management cadre of one of the most prestigious firms in the world with an awe-inspiring title on my business card. I had a loving boyfriend and many friends. But wrought with numbing migraines every other day for six months and ER visits every week, I couldn't cope anymore with my work, with life, or with myself. I had sunk into depression, ready to jump to my end... http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2012/01/04/against-all-stereotypes-stress-depression-recovery-and-then/ Where is Mental Health? Unlike the more visible problems of HIV, malnutrition, or maternal and child health, mental health has not attained a heightened sense of urgency on the global health stage. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released a media report that highlights the underinvestment in mental health care in developing nations... http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/hghr/2011/10/21/where-is-mental-health/ Pregnancy a disability? DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Would you consider a pregnant woman to be disabled? A law professor at the University of Dayton is making a case that the answer, while at work, is yes. http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/local/dayton/pregnancy-a-disability Good-bye, Wheelchair, Hello Exoskeleton In a warehouse that looks like a cross between a mad inventor's garage and a climbing gym, a pair of mechanical legs hangs from the ceiling on ropes. With the quiet whir of four motors, one in each hip and knee, the legs take a step, then another and another... http://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/bionics/goodbye-wheelchair-hello-exoskeleton Disabled people finally given a voice on HIV and Aids An international conference on Aids last week focused on the problems of disabled people and HIV, which are often ignored because of misconceptions about disability and sexuality http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/dec/15/disabled-people-given-voice-on-hiv Singaporeans more accepting of people with disabilities: survey This is according to findings by the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD) which conducted a nationwide survey to gather the public's perception towards people with disabilities. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1176542/1/.html Global development voices: Living with disabilities There are estimated to be 1 billion disabled people across the world. Disability doesn't feature specifically in the MDGs, but many campaigners say lack of provision for the disabled is holding back development progress. Here 14 people with disabilities tell us about the challenges they face in their countries http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/dec/15/disability-voices-development Talk point: Fighting the stigma of disability Mosharraf Hossain has had more than his fair share of hurdles to jump during his lifetime. Since contracting polio at the age of three, Hossain, who lives in Dhaka, Bangladesh, has had to challenge stereotypes and stigma in a country that, although improving, is still not quite accepting of people with disabilities. http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/dec/15/talk-point-disability-stigma EasyJet throws disabled businessman off flight as he cannot walk to emergency exit A disabled businessman has been thrown off a budget flight - because he could not walk to the emergency exit. Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2012/01/17/easyjet-throws-disabled-businessman-off-flight-as-he-cannot-walk-to-emergency-exit-115875-23703345/#ixzz1jgWEjRCD Disneyland Says Disabilities Act Doesn't Require It to Allow Segways (CN) - As a lawyer for Disneyland defended the park's preference of wheelchairs for the disabled over Segways, the 9th Circuit judges joked about sedan chairs held aloft by porters, as practiced in ancient times. http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/16/43084.htm Polio survivor's new film explores sexual surrogacy Nine years before Mark O'Brien died, the 36-year-old poet and journalist, who was also a polio survivor living in an iron lung, decided he wanted to lose his virginity. Until then, he'd always been ashamed of his sexuality, which he believed served no purpose save to mortify him when he became aroused during bed baths. http://www.jewishjournal.com/the_ticket/item/polio_survivors_new_film_explores_sexual_surrogacy_20120118/ Call to execute UN rule on persons with disability Doha, Jan 22 (bdnews24.com<http://bdnews24.com>)-Governments and influential people around the world have been urged at a summit at the Qatari capital to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to bring 'equality'. http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=216622&cid=2 UNICEF: In conflict and crisis, children with disabilities must not be forgotten DOHA, Qatar, 24 January 2012 - Children with disabilities must not be forgotten during crises and conflict, UNICEF said at an international conference. http://www.unicef.org/media/media_61412.html Second wellness resort for disabled soldiers The Sri Lanka Army is planning to set up its second wellness resort at a cost of Rs.240 million to look after totally disabled war heroes before the end of the year after gathering the sufficient funds from the public and various other donors as a "Brave Hearts" fund project of the Army. http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/16152-second-wellness-resort-for-disabled-soldiers.html Toddler with mental disability denied transplant she needs to live, mother says A distressed mom claims a Philadelphia hospital is denying her sick tot a kidney transplant because she is - in the alleged words of a physician there - "mentally retarded." http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/toddler-mental-disability-denied-transplant-live-mother-article-1.1007623#ixzz1jnOEr6L0 The cost of disabilities could reach 77.2 percent of household income A team of researchers have for the first time estimated the cost and impact of disabilities on the finances of disabled people. According to data, 90% of the population with a serious disability in Spain is in a state of moderate poverty and 56% lives in a state of extreme poverty. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-disabilities-percent-household-income.html Open Source Braille Display This project started earlier this year when I read a local author's book of life as a Blind person. After contacting him, I decided I could best help by designing a simple device to make low-cost Braille display from a computer possible. http://www.indiegogo.com/Open-Source-Braille-Display Disabled climber is undaunted by Everest challenge No challenge is too big and no mountain too high for Sudarshan Gautam. Gautam is preparing to climb Mount Everest this year, but he'll attempt the summit without something most people think is essential for a mountaineer - arms. http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Disabled+climber+undaunted+Everest+challenge/5933884/story.html Are employers moving to only hire the healthy? It's a relevant question after Geisinger Health System announced last week it will no longer hire people who test positive for nicotine. Starting Feb. 1, those who smoke cigarettes and cigars or use any form of smokeless tobacco need not apply. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/01/are_employers_moving_to_only_h.html Is the World Bank failing girls and kids with disabilities? A new report has found the World Bank is badly letting down girls and students with disabilities in its educational aid programs in developing countries, while AusAID's programs and those of the Asian Development Bank are significantly better. http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/01/31/is-the-world-bank-failing-girls-and-kids-with-disabilities/ Persons with disabilities have equal rights Islamabad-Persons with Disabilities have equal rights of education, health, development and should be treated as normal people, said Director General of Special Persons (DGSE), Mustafain Kazmi on Thursday. http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=134103 Disabled man braves life on his own ISLAMABAD - The government has not introduced any solid laws to protect the rights of people with disabilities and to facilitate them, due to which they continuously battle exclusion and restriction to their full participation in society in their daily lives, while facing resultant discrimination, abuse and poverty. http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/01/disabled-man-braves-life-on-his-own/ Disable people must get employment, education Karachi-with an estimated 10% population with different kind of disabilities, it's imperative to recognize their rights of employment, education and health care in Pakistan. Almost all disable people in Pakistan are completely dependent on their families as majority is illiterate hence unable to lead their lives like normal people. http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=137822 C: RESOURCES - Newsletter, Publication, Journal, Study, Website Videos on the Disability Advocacy Programme - Rural India 'Impact of the Disability Advocacy by District Level Initiative partner NGOs and DPOs of CBR Forum in East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, 2011-12' available at the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EonmVe51HC0&feature=youtu.be Disability Advocacy Programme at Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu available at the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJIqkmOL770 When Salman teaches maths Salman Khan, a Bangladeshi-American and former hedge fund analyst is one. In 2004, Khan, an alumni of MIT and Harvard, started Khan Academy, a free online platform with home-made video tutorials in math and science. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-15/special-report/30629579_1_videos-salman-khan-youtube The special stairclimber for active wheelchair user http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opBHAq7S0Hw Making Mobile Phones and Services Accessible for Persons with Disabilities Mobile communications have become in less than two decades omnipresent in all countries, reaching out to the most isolated and underserved populations in developed and developing countries alike. In 2011more than 5.4 billion mobile phones are in use, almost one per human being on the planet. http://g3ict.org/resource_center/publications_and_reports/p/productCategory_books/subCat_1/id_191 The Impact of Climate Change on People with Disabilities Report of the e-discussion hosted by The Global Partnership for Disability & Development (GPDD) and The World Bank (Human Development Network - Social Protection/Disability & Development Team, July 8, 2009 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lc-ccr/centrepublications/staffpublications/Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_Disability-Report-2010.pdf 'A Separation', a film exploring Alzheimer's Asghar Farhadi's film "Nader and Simin: a separation" deservedly won a host of prizes at the 2011 Berlin Film Festival. http://www.studiotaf.it/archivio/2-segnalazioni/105-a-separation.html#.TxjqzaG8-hk.facebook No Easy Choice: A Story of Disability, Parenthood, and Faith in an Age of Advanced Reproduction No Easy Choice: A Story of Disability, Parenthood, and Faith in an Age of Advanced Reproduction, will be released. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/ellenpainterdollar/2012/01/it-only-took-10-years/ D: ANNOUNCEMENTS Mobility International USA's 6th International Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) August 6 - 27, 2012 (tentative), Eugene, Oregon, USA Application deadline: March 1, 2012 Email: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Click following link to download the application http://www.miusa.org/exchange/currentprogs/wild/wild2012/index_html Presentation of the call for projects 2012 International Foundation of Applied Disability Research (FIRAH), for details contact - [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>, www.firah.org<http://www.firah.org/> World Down Syndrome Day at UN The first official World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) will be celebrated at the UN Headquarters in NY, on March 21 2012 (3/21), with the Conference "Building Our Future". http://www.inclusive.org.br/?p=21921 Applications for the LAMP Fellowship 2012-2013 are now open! The LAMP Fellowship is a unique initiative for bright young people to have a high-impact engagement with the policy-making process at the national level. LAMP Fellows are selected to provide quality research support to Members of Parliament (MPs) to help them perform their legislative and oversight functions effectively. http://www.lamp.prsindia.org/thefellowship Tutorial on audio visual media accessibility CIS in cooperation with the ITU-APT Foundation is organizing the ITU tutorial on audio visual media accessibility in New Delhi on 14th-15th March, 2012 at the India International Centre. Announcement page with link to registration is: http://cis-india.org/news/itu-tutorial-in-delhi Sharing the Voice and Diversity of Youth: Auditions for Youth Advocates with Disabilities Be a part of an exciting Global Disability Advocacy and Education Project! If you are between the ages of 12-30, you are eligible to be part of a global education project. You may be selected to share your voice in a user generated disability etiquette video. For more information please contact Elizabeth Pope Program Coordinator, World Enabled/Pineda Foundation for Youth at: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Deadline to Apply is: February 10, 2012 Women and Human Rights The Women's Human Rights Education Institutes is now accepting applications for their 6-week "Women's Human Rights Education Institute: Building a Peaceful World in an Era of Globalization" to be held 21 May-28 June 2012 in Toronto, Canada. Application deadline is February 28, 2012. More information at http://learnwhr.org/programs/whri-six-week-institute/ Kindly email [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> for - Contributing news/ events to this E-news bulletin - To unsubscribe this E-news Bulletin Disclaimer: This e-news is a collation of articles/ news from national and international sources. The contents of the same do not necessarily represent the views of CBR Forum. -- C. Mahesh Advocacy Coordinator CBR Forum 14, CK Garden, St. Thomas Town Post Wheeler Road Extension Bangalore - 560 084 Tel - 080- 2549 7387 or 2549 7388 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> www.cbrforum.in<http://www.cbrforum.in> "The issue is not the absence of equal rights but the inability to exercise them" "When Policies weaken, Rights must be strengthened" ________________________________ Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, use, review, distribution, printing or copying of the information contained in this e-mail message and/or attachments to it are strictly prohibited. If you have received this email by error, please notify us by return e-mail or telephone and immediately and permanently delete the message and any attachments. The recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The Reserve Bank of India accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
