National Special Talent Exhibition of Persons with Disabilities

January 18, 2008 ~ 4:32 am | 1 Comment

National Special Talent Exhibition of Persons with Disabilities
( Disability- Different life style)
December 3rd 2007
Islamabad

Project of

SPECIAL TALENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
A Cross Disability Organization
353-C, Street 30, G-6/2- Islamabad
Tell: +92-51-2278453
SMS: 0345-5911723
www.step.org.pk, www.ircd.net.pk

Acknowledgment
It was a dream to assemble all major disability stakeholders at one place with an objective to share experiences and challenges through showcasing their efforts for the dignified life of Persons with Disabilities living in marginalized economic circumstances and to include them in the mainstream. Realization of the dream was not possible with out vigorous struggle of STEP team, dynamic volunteers and all those organizations that came forward to support financially and technically.

We acknowledge the contribution of these organizations for strengthening the disability movement in Pakistan and particularly ignition the series of talent exhibitions in the country, through supporting this 2nd National Talent Exhibition & Seminar “Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities” Islamabad:

It was organized with collaboration of…
 Handicap International
 Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA)
 National Institute for Handicapped (NIHd)
 Sightsavers International (SSI)
 Milestone
 Helping Hand
 Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF)

Special Talent exhibition was organized to promote the talent of Persons with Disabilities and to bridge the communication gap between haves and haves not. Talent exhibitions have been a tradition of STEP. We have been organizing these exhibitions since year 2000 and until year 2006 more than 3000 PWDs have been somehow associated with these talent expositions.

In addition to significant to the exhibition, a seminar was organized with a theme “Decent work for Persons with Disabilities”. It is the contribution of individuals, organizations, government and PWDs themselves towards the development in disability movement. Every organization worked a lot on its level in the empowerment of PWDs. Every organization started to work at grassroots level with great zeal and dedication for same objectives, “Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities”. Disability leaders who contributed their personal efforts and sacrificed for the sustainability of disability movement till the end of their lives like Dr. Salma Maqbool (Late, PFFB), Ms.Neham Rehman (Milestone), Mr. Shafique Abbassi (STEP), these people’s efforts can not be forgotten in the history of disability movement.

Need for Self-Help Initiatives of Persons with Disabilities

Disabled people face a multitude of barriers that limited their access to Education, Employment, housing transportation, health care, rehabilitation and recreation. Disabled people are among the poorest of the poor. According to World Bank estimates, one in five of the world’s poorest people are disabled, and many of them live in low and middle-income groups. Lack of information about the opportunities and services available for persons with disabilities within the country and in rest of the world has forced them to be confined in their houses. On the other hand due to inadequate awareness in the society person with disabilities are not being accepted as useful human resources in the economic in the economic development.

Magnificent Outcome
The event was aimed to promote the efforts of Persons with Disabilities for their rights and contribution of all those organizations that have supported the disability movement in Pakistan at the same time it was an opportunity to rejoice one day of life for all.

It was attended by approximately one thousand Persons with Disabilities where all disability holders exhibit their products and services in 40 stalls including famous food courts, handicraft of Pakistan, Assistive devices and entertainers. Through mass media advertisements and pre-issued passes more than 3000 thousand people visited the event, at the same time it was an opportunity to enjoy the life for those people who have never ventured out in their lives due their disability and environmental barriers.
The ongoing struggle by people with disabilities to gain full citizenship is an important part of our Pakistani society. The disability rights movement shares many similarities with other civil rights struggles by those who have been denied equality, independence, autonomy, and full access to society.
Methodology and Implementation
Leading Persons with Disabilities of STEP having trainings from Japan and Thailand in the fields of Independent Living, Information and Communication Technology and Leadership were including the organizing committee who met regularly to finalize the program, participants list, and other arrangements. First meeting held on 24th September 2007, at Damn-e-Koh accessible sit out, and discussed our idea with a group of volunteers from different universities who were willing to contribute their time.

During the entire preparation representatives of STEP had meeting with Government departments, International NGOs, NGOs, Disabled Peoples’ Organizations (DPOs), business concerns and Multinational companies to get them involved in this unique activity and to sensitize them about the significance of inclusion of disabled persons in their system.

Collaboration with Government, NGOs, INGOs & DPOs
It was a great trial to organize a joint venture under with collaboration of government, NGOs, INGOs, DPOs and all disability stakeholders. Handicap International is the first organization which not only provided its services but also contacted and motivated government bodies and other organizations to organize a joint event. First meeting was held at Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA)’s office where all organizations including ERRA, Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP), Handicap International, Milestone, Helping Hand , Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), decided to organize a Seminar, Exhibition and Walk on December 3rd (International Day of Disabled Persons) 2007 under a same theme “A voice of our own” at National Institute for Handicapped NIHd Islamabad.

Summary of the Activity
 110 out of city participants and exhibitor arrived on the evening at Youth Hostel Islamabad on 2nd December.
 Exhibition & Seminar was inaugurated by Lt General Nadeem Ahmed, Deputy Chairman ERRA.
 Attended by approximately one thousand Persons with Disabilities from all over the country.
 Launch of UN Convention for the rights of Persons with Disabilities in Urdu translation by STEP. Pakistan is one of few countries who translated the convention in their native language.
 Twenty shields were distributed on behalf of organizations and PWDs individually for their extra ordinary efforts in disability movement.
 Disability stakeholders and commercial organizations exhibit their products and services in 45 stalls including famous food courts, handicraft of Pakistan, assistive devices and entertainers.
 Peaceful walk, for the rights of PWDs was conducted and participated by Disability Stakeholders, DPOs and Persons with disabilities themselves.
 40 modern design wheel chairs, crutches other assistive devices were distributed among most deserving Persons with Disabilities.
 Full coverage and live transmission for electronic & print media.
 Dignitaries, Diplomats and Celebrities visited the festival in different timings and interacted with the exhibitors.
 Memorable musical evening by Basit Subhani, Gul and Usman (famous national singers). They made the evening classic for the PWDs by their beautiful songs.

INDEPENDENT LIVING & PEER COUNSELING WORKSHOP 2007

January 18, 2008 ~ 4:25 am | No Comments

INDEPENDENT LIVING & PEER COUNSELING WORKSHOP 2007

Organised by: Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled
Sponsored by: Toyota Foundation Grant

Date: October 22-25, 2007
Time: 09.30am-4.00pm
Venue: Beautiful Gate Foundation Klang Centre

Objectives:
1. To introduce concept of Independent Living & Peer Counseling to disabled staffs and trainees of Beautiful Gate Centres.
2. To equip leaders of Beautiful Gate Centres and trainees with skill of Peer Counseling.
3. To prepare all disabled staff to implement Independent Living program in Beautiful Gate Centres
4. To equip trainees for them to introduce concept of independent living to their community.

Programme:

Date & Time Topics Resource Person
Day 1
09:30-09:40 Welcoming Speech & Situation of Persons With Disabilities in Malaysia Siew Chin
09:40-09:50 Opening Remark Kenji Kuno
09:50-10:00 Opening Speech by VIP Dato Song Kee Chai
10:00-10:30 Refreshment & Press Conference
10:30-11:00 Ice Breaking / Good & New Ming Lai
11:00-12:30 History & Concepts of Independent Living Movement Hee
12:30-01:30 Lunch
01:30-02:30 What Is Peer-Counseling 1 (History, Purpose & Methods) Thomas & Seow
02:30-03:00 What I have learned today? Fiona
Day 2
09:30-10:00 Good & New Fiona
10:00-11:00 What Is Peer-Counseling 2 (Agreement: Role of Counselor & Client) Seow & Ming Lai
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:15 What Is Peer-Counseling 3 (Human Nature) Ming Lai & Seow
12:15-01:30 Lunch
01:30-02:30 What Is Peer-Counseling 4 (Discharge Emotion & Role-Playing) Hee & Siew Chin
02:30-03:00 What I have learned today? Wan Zhi
Day 3
09:30-10:00 Good & New Wan Zhi
10:00-11:00 What Is Peer-Counseling 5 (What is Disabilities?) Hee
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:15 What Is Peer-Counseling 6 (Pattern & Intervention) Siew Chin & Ming Lai
12:15-01:30 Lunch
01:30-02:30 What Is Peer-Counseling 7 (Support Group) Thomas & Seow
02:30-03:00 What I have learned today? Ming Lai
Day 4
09:30-10:00 Good & New Ming Lai
10:00-11:00 What is Independent Living Program? Siew Chin & Hee
11:00-11:15 Break
11:15-12:15 Role-Playing Seow
12:15-01:30 Lunch
01:30-02:30 Appreciation Thomas
02:30-03:00 Conclusion & What I have learned in this workshop? Siew Chin & Hee
03:30-04:00 Closing Ceremony

Working Committee:

Advisor : Kenji Kuno, Sia Siew Chin
Organising Chairman : Hee Yong Wah
Secretary : Thomas Yeoh Kee Soon
Treasurer : Low Mee Li
Committee Members : Seow Boon Chan, Chan Ming Lai, Lee Yew Hoe, Ow Wai Seng

Participants:

Resourse Person: 5
Hee Yong Wah, Seow Boon Chan, Sia Siew Chin, Thomas Yeoh Kee Soon, Chan Ming Lai

Refresher: 2
New Trainees: 13

Comments by Organising Chairman:
New trainees are very impress with the concept of Independent Living and Peer Counseling. They are very keen to know more about it. They asked for further training in order for them to start Independent Living Program and Peer Counseling services in other Beautiful Gate centres. For those trainees who are not BGF staffs, they show their interest in take part in Independent living Program help in Petaling Jaya Centre in November.