Milestone national network of DPOs has achieved a big target

News from Pakistan

Dear Leaders of disability movement,

Milestone national network of DPOs has achieved a big target.
1- Disabled persons of Pakistan can get 1000Rs every month directly from the provincial government.
2- Severe disabled persons can get 2000Rs as BENAZIR SOCIAL SECUTRITY FUND FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING, So its mean that now the severe disabled persons could use Personal attendant services.
3- Disabled persons of Pakistan can get their own wheelchair due to their requirement of disability from government (first 120 wheelchairs already distributed on 14th August by the Zumard Khan Sahab and Dr. Israr Shah Sahab with collaboration of Milestone. Hearing Aid also available free of coast by the federal Government. 500 white can also distributed on 14th August. All assistive devices are by the Pakistan Bait ul Mall and the federal government. For devices you can send the application in milestone office or in Pakistan Bait ul Mall. An application with the copy of Nation ID card.
4- If a family have 2 or more the 2 disabled persons in a same family that family will declared a special respected family and will supported by the government.

Dear friend we did this and implementation is also started and if you will not take responsibility to make it social movement it will be fail. Share this information with your colleague organizations and members with disabilities.

Lot of Love
Shafiq Ur Rehman
President
MILESTONE
479-omer block Allama Iqbal Town Lahore, Pakistan
MILESTONE H8/4 street NO 7 Next to Pakistan Bait ul Mall, Islamabad Pakistan

Activity Report from Capital Independent Living Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan

Activity Report from Capital Independent Living Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan

Refresher Training on “Independent Living and Peer-Counseling” for Persons with Disabilities
Organized by Capital Independent Living Centre (CILC)
22-23 June, 2008

Capital Independent Living Centre (CILC) organized two days Training on Independent Living and Peer-Counseling in Al-Maktoom, Special Education Centre for Visually Impaired Children, G-7/2, Islamabad

The basic aim of that training was to enhance knowledge and to facilitate the interactive (participatory) sharing of ideas that will enable participants to think systematically about implementing activities of Independent living and Peer-Counseling.

Objectives
- Refreshes and enhance knowledge and skills of a wide range of both national and international disability related issues. And also share practical experience after getting the trainings from APCD and JICA
- Be able to analyze the disability related issues at grassroots level and find practical solutions.
- Build independent Living capacity and be able to empower other persons with disabilities in their organizations, societies and countries.
- Obtain skills to manage the activities of Independent Living Program and to make an effective presentation.
- Exchange ideas and experience with other participants of the course and promote mutual understanding

Participated By:
Almost 20 persons with disabilities participated in this training which includes pioneer members of STEP, Women with Disabilities, some Volunteers.

Whole Training facilitated by former APCD trainees, Ms. Abia, Ms. Pakeeza, Ms. Sadia, Ms. Nasreen Aziz and Mr. Muhammad Imran.

Inauguration
The orientation ceremony was inaugurated by Ms. Robina Anjum, Director Al-maktoom Special Education Center for Visually Handicapped Children.

Orientation
The Ice breaking session oriented the training. All participants who belonged to different backgrounds and strange to each other became close and familiar through this session.

Language
Urdu/ English lecture will be translated in Urdu simultaneously

Contents of the training
Following contents were focused in the training.

1. Independent Living
- History and Philosophy of IL
- ILC Management
- Role of President of ILC
- Role Play
- Services of IL
- Advocacy
- Peer-counseling
- Personal Assistant Service
- Housing Information
- IL Program (ILP)

2. Peer-counseling
1) History of peer-counseling
2) Purpose
3) Agreements
4) Relationship
5) New & Good
6) Human Nature
7) Discharge of Emotion
Oppressions
9) How to conduct sessions
10) What they have learnt

All the sessions conducted successfully. The Participant actively participated in the sessions.

Certificate Distribution
Mr. Khalid Naeem, the Director General Ministry of Social Welfare & Special Education participated as the chief guest in the closing ceremony. He encouraged the participants to forget about their disabilities and perform their roles as an active part of society. He further assured his cooperation for the betterment of PWDs. Certificates to the participants were distributed by him.

Results
15 Persons with disabilities are empowered. Acquire the basic knowledge about disability movement, Independent Living and Peer-counseling. Esteemed with new spirit, came out of their shells and disappointment. They are ready to be an active part of CILC and society as well. They want to be a role model and good peer-counselor for other PWDs in the community.

Activity Report from Malaysia, May 2008

Activity Report from Malaysia, May 2008

In order to implement IL more effectively and get the involvement of government, we registered our IL activities & program with Rigistrar of Society as a separate organization, name as Society of Independent Living For The Disabled Selangor. The registration was approved by government in February 2008.

We rent a house to set up IL centre in month of April 2008, and done some minor renovation and preparation in the month of May. We plan a series of weekly training program on IL Program and PC Program and submitted to welfare department. Government verbally agree to grant us with grant for us to run the two program. We will start the weekly program in the month of July.
http://www.ilselangor.blogspot.com/

The government is now setting up a task force to look into how to set up more IL centres next year, and to study on how to give status recognition to qualified Peer Counselor.

Sia Siew Chin
Beautiful Gate Foundation

Activity Report from Philippines, May 2008

Activity Report from Philippines, May 2008
(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on May 27, 2008)

Date: May 27, 2008
Time: 8:00 pm - 10:20 pm

Attendance:
Mr. Abner Manlapaz
Mr. Edwin de Villa
Dr. Enrique “Ike” Ampo
Mr. Patrick “Johnny” Cacanindin Jr.
Ms. Teresa O. Chua

I. Monthly Report.
(1) Cebu HACI IL Team
Patrick “Johnny” Cacanindin Jr.
We will be training this Thursday, May 29 a male applicant for our PA pool. It is really not a training but an exposure to different cases of PWDs within our team. He will be affiliated to one PWD every 15 days among the team. Once he is skillful enough, we will make him our resident PA, to be utilized by the members of our team who needs PA. He will be compensated from our funds given by the Redemptorist fathers.

Teresa “Tess” O. Chua
We have a new member, Nelbert Lasquites. Johnny and I made our first visit and introduced IL to Nelbert and Jane on December 29, 2007. We endorsed Nelbert to Joey since both of them reside in Talisay City. Joey is currently working in the Person with Disability Affair’s Office (PDAO) in Talisay city. Joey paid him a visit for a talk with Nelbert and his wife, Jane. Then Nelbert went to visit Joey in his office at Talisay city hall. He spent almost a day doing planning with Joey on his IL activities.
We had one female PA trainee but she has to leave due to health reason. We are scouting female PA at this time.

(2) HACI de Oro
Dr. Enrique “Ike” Ampo
- The City Social Welfare Office of Cagayan de Oro will initially print 1,000 pieces. of new ID Card discount for PWDs. The City Federation President will also sign the ID and the phrase “at least 20% discount” will also be printed.
- I will appear in tomorrow’s local morning show of ABS-CBN Network called “Pamahaw Especial” means “Breakfast Special” from 6:30am to 7:00am to be inserted in the “Umagang Kay Ganda” means ” Beautiful Morning ” which is the national broadcast of ABS-CBN Network. It can be seen over ABS-CBN website. The Akap-Pinoy Seminar coverage will also be shown.
- Ongoing identification and submission of requirements for the Oro Habitat for Humanity Housing Program for PWDs
- May 21 to 24, 2008. Visayas and Mindanao AKAP-Pinoy Trainers’ Training was held in Cagayan de Oro.
- Included the probable construction of the IL Center in the planning workshop of AKAP PINOY.

On going preparation for the 30th NDPR week Celebration for the early release of the solicitation letters.
Included in the coming June 5, 2008 Social Development Committee meeting of the Regional Development Council the agenda for the presentation of the CRPD.
I just had a hearing at the Land Transportation office for my complaint of refusal to convey this afternoon. Present on the hearing were the operator and driver. The driver was penalized and must attend Drivers’ Seminar again.

(3) Life Haven, Inc.
Abner Manlapaz
Life Haven continues to participate in the formulation of the National Health Program for persons with disabilities. One of the programs we are lobbying is IL peer counseling program. It was noted that 32% of the government employees suffers from different forms of psychological disorder after the survey conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) last 2006. Hence, the health department believes that the psychological empower is needed by persons with disabilities including those who are still in the hospitals to address their total well-being.
One doctor also suggested that DOH should create a halfway program using the strategy of the IL concept to address the needs of persons with newly acquired disability to facilitate their reintegration in the community. Another point we raised is the mandatory issuance of health cards for all persons with disabilities. Of course, the health department is quite hesitant to discuss this matter further since it involves a big amount of budget to be implemented. Nonetheless, we are receiving a lot of support from disabled people’s organization and other non-government organizations. The formulation is going to continue and we could only hope that all will goes well to ensure that proper support is given to persons with disabilities.
By the way, during the last workshop, SCIF joined us in making the IL concept more acceptable to the group.
Life Haven is beginning to be recognized by National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) as a result of our accidental participation during the international celebration of the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The celebration was held last May 12 and participated by numerous persons with disabilities to show unity and support for each other. As a result, we can represent the IL movement in the national sub-committee which is also known as NCDA-Sub-Committee on IDC.
We were also lucky to attend the consultation facilitated by the Commission on Human Rights to create the Philippines Action Plan and Program for the next 5 years. We successfully included the new convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as part of the core treaties that the government needs to respect, protect and fulfill. We will also be part of the committee as the formulation of the action plans and programs are developed.
AKAP-PINOY, the national federation of organization of persons with disabilities whose mission is to lead the advocacy considers me to be one of the trainers for advocacy training workshops carried by Akap-Pinoy. This is a good chance for us to incorporate the IL concept in the workshop I will handle.

(4) SCI Foundation
Edwin de Villa
In my report last month, I mentioned that we have a local ordinance for Office for Person with Disabilitity (OPDA). We also have a local ordinance in support Republic Act No. 9442 and cswd (???) started issuing Identification Cards though they do not comply with the guidelines issued by NCDA (National Council on disability Affair).

Minutes taken by:
Teresa O. Chua

Report from Nepal, May 2008

Report from Nepal, May 2008

New Hope is born in Nepal.

The 240-year’s old discredited institution on monarchy will be read only in the pages of history now on after the historic first meeting of the Constitution Assembly CA declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic from 28th May, 2008 at 11:20 AM.
Many may not believe their eyes that it demise has come much sooner than they had imagined. This epochal change complete, attention must now be directed to the tasks at hand – to consolidate the gains of the Nepali People’s long struggle for freedom, peace, good governance, development, justice, equity and inclusiveness.
Article 63 (3) (C) of the Interim Constitution has provided for nomination of 26 CA member by the council of ministers, on the basis of consensus, from amongst the prominent persons and there who could not make it to the CA via direct election or proportional representation. The CA will take full shape only after the appointment of 26 members.
The major political parties excluded Persons with Disabilities. Small Political party, CPN (United) has shown big heart and gave big social message having the great sense of inclusion by selecting deaf and transsexual in the CA by PR method. Mr. Raghav Bir Joshi has become focal point and hope of 30 milling PWDs in Nepal. Mr. Raghav is going to be the 1st deaf Member of Parliament in ASIA.
Still we are making strong advocacy to the political parties and government of Nepal to nominate some PWDs on the basis of consensus from amongst the prominent persons and there who could not make it to the CA via direct election or proportional representation.
The result will come within this week.

Similarly, CIL Kathmandu is running its activities smoothly. It has conducted the Independent Living Training for the PWDs at
1. Eastern Part of Nepal – Morang
2. Central Part of Nepal – Makawanpur
3. Western Part of Nepal – Kaski
4. Mid-Western Part of Nepal – Banke
5. Far- Western Part of Nepal – Kailali
With the aim of establishment of 7 IL Centers (in 2008 ) in the different parts of Nepal and 5 IL Center has already established. Barrier free campaigns at International airport and world heritage site of Kathmandu Darbar Square have been completed. Peer counseling, ILP, attendant services, Advocacy program are going on.

Krishna Gautam
CIL-Kathmandu

Report Activities of CIL Kathmandu April, 2008

Report Activities of CIL Kathmandu April, 2008

General Introduction of Organization:
The Independent Living Centre Kathmandu (CIL-Kathmandu) has emerged as a key strategic player within disability field working to advance the rights, dignity and lives of disabled people in Nepal. CIL Kathmandu has formally been established on 2005 and registered in the District Administration Office of Kathmandu District on 2006 under the Institution registration Act-1977 and affiliated with social welfare council on 2006. From it inception, CIL Kathmandu established principally to support the Persons with severe disabilities considering that persons with disabilities should have the opportunity to be actively involved in daily livings, decision-making processes, policies and programs, including those directly concern issues of PWDs. It has been engaged in advocacy and awareness to promote and protect the rights and dignity of PWDs. CIL Kathmandu has been taking responsibilities of coordinating, and building the capacities of PWDs through the financial and technical support of international development partners and the government. CIL Kathmandu’s works is to ensure the principles and strategies underlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized legal instruments that protect and promote the rights of PWDs. This organization is fighting for the right and dignity of people with disabilities through advocacy, awareness/sensitisation, capacity building, attendant services, IL skills, peer counselling, Human Right Education Training, barrier free campaigns/ events from central to grassroots level.

1. Report on ‘Independent Living Training/Seminar’ in Pokhara
Pokhara- 28th April, 2008
Independent Living Center, Kathmandu has conducted a training/seminar about Independent Living Concept for the Persons with Disabilities at Pokhara. The program was seperated into two sessions i.e. inauguration and learning session.
The inauguration session lasted for two hours. Major political parties such Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), CPN (Maoist) were invited as the chief guests and officials from different government agencies, NGOs, DPOs were invited as the guests. There were 38 persons attending in the program along with 21 PWDs. Ms Anjana K.C. played the role of Master of Ceremony (MC), welcome speech was delivered by Ms Sita K.C. and Mr. Bhojraj Shrestha delivered the speech of importance of the program. The program was chaired by Mr. Hem Bahadur Gurung, the president of NDUP-Nepal.
Legislator Mr. Rajkaji Gurung (Karan) of CPN (Maoist) has made a commitment to ensure the fundamental rights of PWDs in new constitution of Nepal and appreciated the role of PWDs in public movement to end the autocratic rule of the King Gyanendra. Mr. Punya Prasad Poudel, acting secretary of CPN (UML), has said that PWDs should not be behaved as second class citizen by the nation. He further said that they should be brought to mainstream of political, economical and social arena. The representative from Nepali congress was absent in the program. Mr. Sagarmani Parajuli, the representative of District Administratation Office of Kaski said from the chair of guest that government has been managing to issue the disability identity card to identify and catagorize PWDs which helps them to receive certain facilities by the government and other concerned agencies. Mr. Uttam Nagila, the chief of Pokhara Sub-metropolitan said that local goverment has allocated 5 percent budget out of total development cost for the capacity building part of PWDs. He further expressed the belief that this budget would be fruitful to make PWDs contributing member of the society. Mrs Maya Kadayat from DDC Kaski, Mrs Usha Baruwal from Nari Sewa Kendra, Mrs Purna Shrestha from Women Development Office, Kaski; Mr. Sisir Khanal from Kaski Blind Association also delivered the valuable words on the occasion. Mr. Hem Bahadur Gurung expressed the vote of thanks and declared the closing of the inauguration session of the program.
The second and important learning session started with introduction of the participants and the fecilitators. There were 25 participants in the program. Out of 25 , there were 12 women with disabilities and 9 male disabled persons. Mr. Bhojraj Shrestha, Mr. Ganesh K.C. and Mr. Hem Bahadur Gurung were fecilitating the sessions. The session contained the topics about history of IL, concept and practises of IL in national and international level, models of rehabilitation in disability field, defination of disability, principle of IL, activities of IL, barriers faced by PWDs, international laws regarding disability issues and human rights for PWDs. Sessions were conducted through lecture, group discussion and question/answer methods.
All participants actively took part in discussion and interaction of overmentioned topics during the sessions. Lastly, they committed to adopt the independent living concept as the guiding principle to work in disability sector. They were assured independent living concept as the right based approch to be practiced to bring a drastic change in the field of disability.

2. Report on ‘Independent Living Training/Seminar’ in Nepalgunj
Kohalpur- 30th April, 2008
CIL Kathmandu has organized workshop/ training on Independent Living Concept for the Persons with Disabilities at Nepalgunj on 30th April, 2008 with the collaboration of Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare. The program was hosted by Handicapped New Life Center, Banke. The main purpose of the program is to promote and strengthen the IL concept for the persons with disabilities in this region. The workshop/ training were inaugurated by the Constitution Assembly member from the Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum Mr. Sarbadev Ojha. Representatives from the major political parties officials from different government agencies, NGOs, Social workers etc were invited as the guests. Chief Guest Mr. Sarbadev Ojha shared his opinion that coming Constitution Assembly should address the issues of Persons with Disabilities. He committed that he will take major role to address the issues a a prior in the constitution assembly. He said that members for the constitution assembly is not him/herself enought to do all this work. Disability community should fight until the achievements. He further said that they should be brought to mainstream of political, economical and social arena. He noted that it is the state responsibility to gurantee the fundamental rights, human rights as well as social, economical and physical rights for the PWDs. Other guests put their opinions during the ceremony .
There were 98 persons attending in the inaguration program including the Persons with Disabilities. Mr Parek Bahadur Shahi played the role of Master of Ceremony, welcome speech was delivered by Mr T.N.Sedai and Mr. Krishna Gautam delivered the speech of importance of the program. The program was chaired by Mr. Madan Man Rokaye the president of Handicapped New Life Center Banke.
The second session started with introduction of the participants and the fecilitators. There were 35 participants in the program. Mr. Krishna Gautam and Mr. Parek Bahadur Shahi were fecilitating the sessions. The session contained the topics about history of IL, concept and practises of IL in national and international level, models of rehabilitation in disability field, defination of disability, principle of IL, activities of IL, barriers faced by PWDs, international laws regarding disability issues and human rights for PWDs. Sessions were conducted through lecture, group discussion and question/answer methods. All participants actively took part in discussion and interaction of overmentioned topics during the sessions. They were assured independent living concept as the right based approch to be practiced to bring a drastic change in the field of disability.

3. Barrier free Campaign
(1) Kathmandu, - International Airport.
As the part of barrier free campaign CIL Kathmandu organized barrier-free campaign programs on the International airport and world heritage site of Kathamndu Darbar Square. The campaign programs were organized by CIL Katmandu. There were 16 Persons with Disabilities attending the program. The programs were co-ordinate by Mr. Tek Bahadur Gurung. The main aim of the campaign is to appeal the management committee to make the internationa airport disabled friendly.
Mr. Bhoj Raj Shrestha clarified the difficulties and problems faced by national and international guests due to the inaccessible infrastrecture at International Airport area. He mentioned that the only one International Airport which is also related to the national prestige to the international community should build according to the international values and norms. Persons with Disabilities are facing the difficulties due to lack of crane up to aeroplane, accessible lifts, slopes, accessible toilets, and many other physicla infrastrecture. He demand the management team to re-construct and re-build the International Airport.
Mr Teak Bhadur Gurung requested to provide the disabled services in proper manner, should make the airport disabled friendly and especial pass for disabled people and their helper according to their disability with in airport while using services. Mr. Gurung repeated that the Persons with Disabilities will continue such kinds of campaign untill the achievents.
The general Manager of international Airport accepted all the issues positively and promised to start the urgent step to improve the barrier free environment with in airport. Showing the positive attitude towards the disabled issues he said that if any disabled people informed on time the airport administration would arrange especial support for national and international disabled guests. If disabled friend faced any difficulties at that time, he advised to meet him directly. Finally he said that if any disabled friends are being unable to use the facilities due to inaccessible environment the airport administration would take step to improve it. He committed for the Persons with Disabilities that he will change the infrastrecture as soon as possible and all the PWDs will get feeling of it.

(2) Kathmandu, Kathmandu Darbar Square
The Barrier Free campaign was organized on the World Heritage site of Kathmandu Darbar square. Although the world heritage site is the prime attraction to the national as well as international guests, there is not even a single disabled friendly public toilet with in this area. This world heritage has not any kind of support provisions for the PWDs and even for the elderly people. Considering this as a issue CIL Kathmandu organized the campaign in this area. The issues were raised effectively with present of world heritage conservation and improvement officer. The campaign met the world heritage conservation and improvement officer and demand him to build the accessible toilets, make provisions to give direct services for the PWDs to observe the historical material available in the area.
Officer took this issue as a prior and committed to build the accessible toilets, ramps, slopes and will make specific policy to give direct services for the persons with disabilities. He said that this all will do in upcoming budget. He also suggested to CIL to organizing this kind of programs with co-ordination of local people for its effectiveness.The barrier free campaign is one the big successful programs to make disabled friendly environments.
CIL Katmandu believes that ?Good designs enable and bad design disabled?. This kind of programs has helped a lot to sensitize the issues of disability and to improve the environment. Analyzing and realizing its effectiveness of such kind of campaigning, CIL Katmandu now thinking to organize at least two programs with in one month in future. We hope the encouragement and support form our national and international friends who believe in social justice and equality in future.

4. The negligence of major political parties to includes disability in Constitutional Assembly.
Nepali Congress, CPN (UML) and Maoists the major political parties who believed themselves as the representative of grass root level people, showed the sympathy at first but could not hold their promise at the end. None of them could prove themselves serious to the disability issues. This is the big drama played by major parties about the issues of selecting the disabled representative for making the new constitution for new Nepal. Although drama is short but the lesson to be learned by the disabled leader is long and question to be answered by the major political party who are claming to make new Nepal is big!
We know, right and contribution are two side of a coin. So, let’s start first about our contribution from 18 days civil movement. At time when even so called normal people could not dare to come out in road against King ruled government; disabled people started strike on the road. Physically we are weak, but we showed enough brave against crude security. Our friends were arrested. We did not care hunger nor did we care dry throat! It was regular routine for us to participate on every event. Because we always believe only in open sky of democracy social justices is possible. We played our role as the conscious citizen of the country BUT when time has arrived to claim our own right, the major political parties are trying to exclude disability sector systematically in the process of making the new constitution. We showed the consciousness of first class citizen but in turn they behave as second class citizen. We rode the other obstacles but we are on the way to defeating on most dangerous obstacle i.e ATTITUDE! Which is just guided by traditionally rotted intuitional approached to see the disability issues. In the view of the most of political parties’, disability issues are just the term related to the rehabilitation, services, institution and pensions. For them all disabled people are just patients who need life long care at institutions. Social inclusion and equal participation are only good topics to discuss in seminars and workshop! And our political rights may be good joke for them. The exclusion of disabled person in making constitution is the great evidence of this.
But now CIL Katmandu think it is time to ask major political party-What create a new Nepal? Is it achieved by felling pity towards people who are poor and oppressed or by poor and oppressed people recognizing their own strength to solve their own problems? What is our vision for New Nepal and the society in which we all are dreaming to live? Is it one in which the fittest, the strongest, those with the strongest self-interest, increase and rest merely survive? Where anybody who is ‘different’ is excluded and where there is worship of uniformity? Or is it a society in which diversity is welcomed and individuals are each valued for what they are? Sooner or latter disability community would ask the same question to the entire political leader in some occasion.
Although the major political parties excluded minority community -Nepal communist party (United) has really shown big heart and gave big social message having the great sense of inclusion by selecting deaf and transsexual into the constitution assembly by PR method. At the time of neglecting the disabled people by major political parties the representation of one deaf person named Mr. Raghav Bir Joshi has became focal point and hope of twenty million disabled people. Mr. Raghav is going to be the first deaf Member of Parliament in Asia. But could he deserve to raise the issues of all type of disability?
CIL Katmandu does not believe only that raising the question to every issue would be the part of our responsibility. It said that when we point a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing at you! So, it is also time to review our strategies and learn from lesions from the incident.
Where is the strength of our more than 300 DPOs who claim themselves agent of change? Where is our so called disabled leader? What are we doing and how are we doing? Isn’t it right time to review our strategy? If we even could not able to participate to write our own constitution is there any weight to bark about to sign the UN treaty? This is only small list of question to ourselves which in turn ask same questions by our next generation to every one of us.
The negligence of major political parties to include disabled people in constitutional assembly is the symbol that how hard our future path for social justices and equality to change the traditionally rotted institutionalize mind of society. It is also the good opportunity to review the strategy of disability movement in Nepal. The umbrella organization like NFDN and its leader are still in great confusion that 7 hours hunger strike ended with 7 glass juices with 7 minutes sweet words of Parchand could make a path for CA?! If it would be true he would already have selected disabled as they had already promised. The path is not as easy as it look. CIL Katmandu believes that there is no choice to create diplomatic pressure as well as movement with the help of all the member organization. For this the leadership should show the courageous to invite all members’ organizations to join hand on hand for struggle not to lose the historic chance to write our right in constitution. CIL Katmandu believes in unity. For us the old slogan, ‘Nothing about us without us’ is just valid today as when it was first coined.

5. Advocacy
CIL Kathmandu is making regular advocacy to the various national and international agencies to protect and to promote the rights of Persons with Disabilities in Nepal. It also making regular action to achieve the goals of organization too.
i) OHCHR: CIL Kathmandu, according to the action plan of organization, made regular contacts with the representatives of OHCHR-Nepal. CIL Kathmandu is requesting OHCHR to address the issues of PWDs in national and international wide. It also requesting to support in the translation of HUMAN RIGHT, Yes ! Manual tool kit in Nepali language. OHCHR is very much positive towards it.

ii) Government of Nepal: CIL Kathmandu is making regular meetings with the staffs of National Planning Commission, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Finance and other agencies to make the policy and programs on Independent Living Concept. CIL Kathmandu is demanding them to allocate the national and local budgets for the welfare of PWDs and the budget to promote the IL concept in nationwide.

iii) Political Parties: CIL Kathmandu is making regular advocacy with the political parties to address the issues of PWDs in prior. It is demanding them for the representation of PWDs in Constitution Assembly and assure the fundamental rights as well as human rights of PWDs in CA.

Activity Report from Philippines for March 2008

Activity Report from Philippines for March 2008
(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on April 22, 2008)

DATE: April 22, 2008
TIME: 8:00 PM to 10: PM

ATTENDANCE:
Mr. Abner Manlapaz , LHI
Mr. Edwin de Villa , SCI Foundation
Dr. Enrique ‘Ike’ Ampo, HACI DE ORO
Ms. Teresa ‘Tess’ Chua, HACI Cebu

1. Activity Report
(1) Activity Report by Ike for HACI de Oro.
(a) HACI de Oro submitted three names for the Internship Program.
(b) Regular Radio Program for updates, issues and concerns on Persons with Disability 9PWDs) every Sunday now moved to a new time slot from 5:00pm to 5:30pm.
(c) Lions Club, a civic organization, and Oro Habitat for Humanity in partnership with the City Government launched the Housing Program for PWDs that provides lot for persons with disabilities. The PWDs were in full force and had a brief sweat equity by passing over piles of hallow blocks on April 5, 2008 at 9am
(d) The City Federation of PWDs in our City which I am the President, gave a letter to the Mayor’s Office for possible lot donation for our IL Center. We still have to get response from the Mayor’s Office. The infrastructure funds will come from the 2 Congressmen of our city.
(e) Monitoring of the Accessibility Law Implementation for new buildings and public transport is conducted regularly.
(f) On March 19,2008, I visited a new friend who has SCI for two years now. His house is located in the municipality of Salay, Misamis Oriental that is 2-1/2hours away from Cagayan de Oro City. My PA, Joel Pabia accompanied me in this visit.
- He newly married to his girl friend before the accident happened. He used to be a fire fighter and now doing office work at their Fire Department. He is living near his work place.
- I showed him the CD of APCD and stories of PWDs in Thailand undergoing IL Program. He was curious to find out how do I attend to my personal needs such as put on my clothes, shoes and others. In his case, he is always assisted either by his wife or mother.

Interaction:
Abner: Ike, did you show him how you put on your clothes, shoes and etc.?
Ike: I showed him how I wear my shoes. He said he can not cross his legs and I told him that he can do it. Its just that he gained weight.
Abner: That’s nice for him to learn from you.
Ike: I described to him how I put on my clothes.
Abner: Sometimes, they need to see how it is being done more than describing it to them so that they will have the idea
Ike: He watched intensely on how I made my transfer from my wheelchair to the car. I also shared with him how I urinate because I notice he is using diaper.

(2) Activity Report by Edwin of SCI Foundation.
(a) Our negotiation with Local Government Unit (LGU) somehow paid off, we have a local legislation adopting the Republic Act (R.A. 7277) The Accessibility Law and support for Office of Person with Disability Affairs (OPDA). Please check the attached files.
(b) Though we will be under the supervision of the government, we will be able to provide services of an IL center through OPDA. We can still be a movement and act as a separate organization if necessary.

(3) Activity Report by Tess of HACI CEBU.
(a) We did not have activities outside HACI members. HACI Cebu is undergoing sad experiences these days. Atty. Gaboya, one of the co founder of HACI had a stroke in February, and he is paralyzed. We introduced PA to his wife in order to assist Atty. Gaboya when he is being discharged from the hospital.
(b) We lost a member 2 weeks ago, he is a quadriplegic, due to frailty of health.
(c) We have 2 members diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.
(d) HACI CEBU will continue to strengthen its activities even after the dissolution process. Meantime, we will lodged ourselves with the Avila foundation. They will be the custodian of our funds, Cebu IL team will have the decision on the funds. We have to write Letter of Intent to the Avila Foundation to formalize it.
(e) We will continue to evaluate the Cebu IL Team as we continue our activities and if we think we are ready to take the big step. We will put up a Center.

(4) Activity Report by Abner of LHI.
(a) In March, 2006 Life Haven joined the workshop organized by DOH to formulate the National Health Program for PWDs. IL Peer Counseling is recognized by DOH, in fact, when they distributed their guidelines for formulating the program, Peer Counseling is within the framework. Many participants showed support to IL philosophy, such as peer counseling and personal assistant (support system). We are also pushing for mandatory issuance of philhealth card for all Persons with disability and increase its coverage.
(b) Life Haven is also invited by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for the Transportation Accessibility Summit, which was held last March. HACI also attended this summit. Today, Abner was informed that this coming march, the plan will be finalized based on the output of the summit. The DOTC will invite LHI again for the final plan.
(c) Cristoffel Blind Mission (CBM), a non government organization, is very interested with our Peer Counseling Program. As a show of support, Dr. Istvan invited me to the Healthy Mind Summit 2008 held on April 21, 2008 at SMX Convention Ceter. Dr. Istvan is the head of the Community Mental Health Program of CBM. They would like to increase cooperation with us. The Philippine Psychiatric Association is pushing for a Mental Health Act which was supported by Secretary Duque of Department of Health (DOH). It is alarming to note that 32% of Filipinos suffer from some form of mental disorder, according to DOH research study conducted in 2006.
(e) Abner went to Department of foreign Affair’s office (DFA) today and attended the Sub-Committee of International disability Caucus (IDN) under the office of National Council on Disability’s Affair (NCDA) regarding the CRPD. The President ratified the CRPD thru an Executive Order and United Nation accepted it. Philippines is the 23rd country to ratify it. On May 12, UN office in New York will be having a celebration for the landmark convention. Philippines is planning to join the celebration by gathering a large assembly and invite the President in the celebration so we could express our appreciation for her commitment to the PWD sector.
(f) The PWD group is planning to have a march or walk to create impact and some suggested that groups of PWDs from provinces join us in this celebration on May 12.
(g) The I.D. for the 20% discount was already finalized. Issuance of this I.D. can come from NCDA, LGU (Mayor, Barangay). I think the I.D. form can be downloaded from the website of NCDA for easier reproduction. It has to be signed by the City Mayor or municipality mayor. Please remember there is limit for purchases on grocery items and no limit for transportation, movie houses, motels and medicines. That means the PWDs must have a booklet to monitor the purchases of his grocery items. We can copy the booklet which the senior citizens are using.

2. Upcoming Training:
Report from Edwin.
Human Care Association (HCA) has approved on the request of HACI Cebu and HACI de Oro for additional personal assistant of 1 each. HCA is interested with Bayview Park Hotel, they will confirm it within the week.
The first quotation we received for the venue and accommodation is P396,000.00. I was able to talk with a travel agency whose offer for the same venue is at a lower price, it is something like P365,000.00. Under that circumstance, we are thinking of asking HCA if we can add trainee but I have to confirm whether price on meals are same.

Interaction:
Abner: Edwin please check if we get to have a complimentary room for the secretariat.

3. Other Matters:
(1) Internship program.
Who sent their application for the internship program?
- Ike of HACI de oro sent 3 applications including himself.
- Abner applied for the internship program for the reason that the original applicants backed out due to the duration of the internship and their counterpart on the expenses to be incurred.
- The only HACI Cebu member who is qualified for the internship program is Johnny because he is the only member who is below 40.

Since there are no other matters, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.

Minutes taken by: Teresa ‘Tess’ Chua

Activity Report from Beautiful Gate Foundation, Malaysia

Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled
Independent Living Activities Report for January/February 2008

January 3
Hospital Visitation
In University Hospital, Spinal injury due to road accident last November
She is now taking a rehabilitation program in the hospital to strengthen her arm, and for daily activities training. Follow up by Ivy Pua, peer counselor of Beautiful Gate via providing peer counseling.

January 7-31
Collaborate with TV station (NTV7)
To create awareness on ability of disabled persons and independent living of PWDs in Malaysia / To change public’s mind set towards PWDs from receiver to contributor.

January 1 - February 14
Promote Chinese New Year & Valentine Hamper Project
Create Job opportunity to assist PWDs moving towards economic independent

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/14/central/19961634&sec=central

February 15
Received call from Registrar of Society said that certificate of “Society of Independent For The Disabled Selangor” is ready for collection. Committee member of IL Selangor consists of 7 persons, 100% PWDs.Plan to rent a house to be used as IL Centre selangor.
From now onward Society of IL Selangor become a wing of BGF to implement IL.

Report from Nepal – CIL Kathmandu

The Constitution Assembly Election has hold on 10th April, 2008 after a long decade of People’s war and 19 days of Peoples Movement in Nepal. The results of the Constitution Assembly election have been pouring in from various parts of the country indicating a clear majority of the Communist Party Nepal (Maoists). On the other hand, most of the top political parties i.e.; Communist Party Nepal (UML) and Nepali Congress (NC) have experienced a humiliating defeat. There might be some reasons behind this,

First, and the foremost, what it depicts to a large extent is that the people have been fed up with the obsolete political discourse of the top parties Communist Party Nepal (UML) and Nepali Congress (NC). They were aspiring of a real change in the country for a long time.

Secondly, the people have expressed moral support to the decade-long Maoist war as the only means to abolish the monarchy by root from the country once and for all.

Thirdly, as the CPN (UML) and the NC argued, the amazing success of the Maoists is due to people’s desire for peace, which they thought could be achieved only by ending the insurgency as the Maoists were threatening to start armed rebellion all over again.

Whatever the reason behind the victory, the people have put all the responsibilities on the Maoists’ shoulder. Fulfillment of all aspirations of the voters seems to be a big challenge for the Maoists, as they are said to be native in statesmanship.

The Maoist leadership should pay heed to people’s aspiration and implement all the programs proposed in their manifesto. The people have given a chance to the CPN Maoist who repeatedly claimed that they would give them a roadmap for development and success. So that they should wisely utilize this opportunity and provide sustainable ground for all Nepalese irrespective of parties, castes and creed, sex and gender, Persons with Disabilities they belong to- to prosper, succeed and smile at both individual and social levels.

Krishna Gautam
CIL Kathmandu

Activity Report from Philippines for March 2008

(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on March 10, 2008)

HACI – Cebu
HACI is undergoing the dissolution process. There will be board meeting tomorrow. I cannot give you much at this time. On Wednesday, we will have IL meeting to discuss on how do you carry the IL in the future after HACI’s dissolution. HACI IL team will meet on Wednesday, March 12. Johnny and I will make a follow up visit with Therese and Nelbert (both SCI) whom we visited last year. We will find out if our Cebu Velez General hospital will allow us to have an office inside their campus after the international convention this March 27 to 29. Their contact, Dr. Jorgen Lim is still busy on their convention. The Cebu IL Team is not yet resolved whether they will form a new organization or will attach themselves to existing organization.
(Tess Chua and Johnny Cacanindin)

HACI – Cagayan De Oro
We just had a successful IL and PC one-day seminar here with the help of mam TESS. I had given my report and financial expenses, pictures to HUMAN CARE. We had an audience with our Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno fora lot since our Cong. Rufus Rodriguez promise for the infra but the Gov. declined our request…we will look for another donor will be our next move. This is the construction of an Independent Living Center-our version of OSCA. We donated a wheelchair form the 7th day Adventist to a gunshot SCI patient at the German Doctors’. The housing program of Habitat for PWDs will be launched this April. That’s all for now.
(Ike Ampo)

Life Haven & SCI Foundation
We (SCIF & LHI) are still looking for funds to conduct another peer counseling workshop. The original plan is to do the seminar workshop this March, however, due to budget constraints, we will move it to another date if we can raise the necessary funds. We visited a CP person (a quadriplegic on wheelchair who can barely move his limbs) in jail last March 4, 2008. He is in prison for about 5 years already for raping a young girl. They vehemently deny the accusation despite the court of appeal reaffirms the decision of the lower court. The case is now in the Supreme Court. It is being handled by the Department of Justice and was referred to the Public Attorney’s Office. We visited him to let him know that there are group of persons with disabilities who cares and empathize for him. We also wanted to see his condition inside the prison. He was so happy to see us and he narrated his story to the group. I met with Dr. Istvan Patkai and Violeta Bayato of CBM, they are in-charge of CBM’s Community Mental Health Program. I found out that they are now doing a lot of awareness campaign to help persons with mental illnesses including those with epilepsy. Information disseminated are substitute low-cost medicine, how to treat people with this kind of disability, etc. The program is geared towards community support, thus, making the community aware of their condition and therefore making them to respond better with their needs. Dr. Istvan is interested with what we are doing in the IL movement, particularly peer counseling among other services and activities we are doing. In the end, we can work together to bring this benefits to people with mental illnesses. They recognize us as a cross-disability group and they are very happy to know this.
(Edwin De Villa and Abner Manlapaz)