Activity Report from Nepal

Activity Report from Nepal

Independent Living Center for PWDs Kathmandu, Nepal

After the Great April movement the country is now in the restructuring process through Constitution Assembly (CA). The election of CA has been completed and enters into the process of making new constitution for new republic Nepal. In the present CA seems tiring on drafting the several thematic issues. IL Center, DPOs and other several groups and communities are making regular advocacy and lobby to ensure their rights as a fundamental rights in the constitution. Persons with Disabilities and their organizations are also making advocacy to ensure their special rights in the new constitution of Nepal.
Similarly, Nepal government has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. The ratification demonstrated the government’s commitment to protect and promote the human rights and dignity of Persons with Disabilities. The rights of PWDs mentioned in the convention will be reflected in the national legal frame work as well as the new constitution of Nepal. It is believed that the ratification of this convention further supports the work of many organizations and human rights defenders engaged with the issue of disability and provides an important tool to respect and protect the human rights and inherent dignity of PWDs.
CIL-Kathmandu has been working basically in policy advocacy for increasing the participation of PWDs in the decision making process, peer counseling to the disabled persons, personal assistant services (PAS), independent living program (ILP) in terms of training on daily living skills etc.

Current activity of CIL-Kathmandu:
1. Has been running “Monthly Independent Living Discussion Program” in the collaboration of Action Aid Nepal since 30th March 2007.
Key Activities:
* Sensitization on disability and Independent Living to various stakeholders such as professionals, civil society, DPOs, NGOs, INGOs, Government authorities, Media, Parents, Politicians, etc. One day in a month

2. Has been running program on “Promotion and Development of Independent Living Concept in Nepal” in the collaboration of Mainstream Association Japan since 2006.
Key Activities
* Network Expansion of CIL
* Information Dissemination and Referral Activities
* Personal Assistant Service
* Administrative support

3. Has been running “Promotion and Protection of rights of PWDs through Advocacy and Independent Living activities” in the collaboration of Ministry of Women, Children and social Welfare since 2007.
Key Activities
* Advocacy and lobbying (meetings, delegation, interactions, group campaign etc.) with stakeholders in the current issues raised by CIL
* Peer counseling to build self confident and minimize the inferiority complex
* Practical knowledge to disabled people on daily living skill on the framework of Independent Living Program.
* Accessibility program such as study and interventions
* Implementation of Independent Living Experience Program in Kathmandu
* Trainings to PWDs on Independent Living in regional level

4. Has been running “Attendants’ Production and disability awareness programs for university students” in the collaboration of APNIL since 2009
Key Activities
* Orientation for the students at colleges and university
* Interviewed of the Potential Candidates
* Attendants Training
* Mobilization of the Attendants

5. Has been running “Equalization of PWDs through Accessibility” in the collaboration of Australian Embassy since 2010
Key Activities
* Barrier free check on the public places at Kathmandu
* Construction of slopes and ramps
* Advocacy

Some Important outputs observed as the result of CIL’s work:
There are some very good achievements which have really supported to promote the disability rights in Nepal. A regular, joint and hard effort of disabled people and their self help organizations are the key reasons behind this achievements and CIL-Kathmandu is always in decisive and important role to lead this joint movement since its establishment. In last three years we have observed some good achievements in policy and practices of government for promoting the rights of disabled people; are listed below;
* The contribution of PWDs in the great Peoples’ Movement of 2006 has been highly valued by political parties, civil society and the international communities as well. CIL-Kathmandu has played leading role to make visible PWDs in the peoples’ movement from the side of civil society.
* Nepal government has signed and ratified UNCRPD.
* Because of the regular campaign carried out by CIL-Kathmandu for barrier free environment some of the government buildings have been accommodated with wheelchair ramps. Similarly, some District Administration Offices, District Development Offices in some districts, Banks, some other public buildings, parks and other newly constructed building have also made wheel chair ramps in the main entrance of the building.
* Nepal government has made new policy on the disability identity card. There is provision of 4 grades on disability. 1. Red Disability Identity Card for Profound disability, 2) Blue Disability Identity Card for Severe Disability, 3) Yellow Disability Identity Card for Moderate Disability and 4) White Disability Identity Card for Mild Disability.
* Central Government of Nepal has allocated Disability Allowances Rs 1000 per month for Persons having Profound Disabilities and increased Rs 300 for Severe disabilities.
* Government of Nepal has announced 100% tax free for those specially accommodated scooters which are used as need of disabled people for their private mobility.
* Local Government of Nepal (district development committee) has brought the provision to be allocated 1 to 5% part of total district’s budget for the development of disabled people, of Local Self Governance Act in practice in various districts.
* There is 45% discount in the fare of public transport and 50% discount in air fare in domestic flight for PWDs.
* Central Government of Nepal has allocated Rs 109, 00,000/- to work for the rights promotion and betterment of disabled people in the budget. The amount is largest found ever allocated for disabled people in the history. National Budget of Nepal has addressed the activities of CIL- Kathamdnu and allocated Rs 10,50,000/ 13,125 US$ annually fund which would be used in following areas:
– Advocacy
– Peer counseling
– Independent living programs and
– Barrier free campaigning
* The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2006 has addressed need of inclusion of PWDs in the state mechanisms and policy making level as well.
* Because of the regular interventions of CIL-Kathmandu the Constitution Assembly Directories has ensured the provisions of sign language interpreter for deaf CA member and Personal Assistant for wheelchair user CA member representing to CA. It is also good to recall here that two persons from disabled community Mr. Raghabir Joshi (deaf person) and Ms. Indira Gurung (physically disabled) have been nominated as CA member. Similarly the directory has also ensured the provisions to participate two disabled people in the main committee to be formed for constitution drafting.
* In organizational level CIL-Kathmandu has established 9 IL Centers in different parts of Nepal. They are launching the IL activities.

Activity Report from Malaysia

Activity Report from Malaysia

Society of Independent Living Selangor
Of Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled
Report & Activities 2009

A. ACTIVITIES

1. Hospital & Home Visitation & Peer Counseling

(Name) (Disabilities) (Caused) (Peer Counselor)
(A) Amputee Industrial Accident Hee Yong Wah
(B) Spinal Injury Industrial Accident Hee Yong Wah
(C) Spinal Injury Traffic Accident Hee Yong Wah
(D) Cerebral Palsy — Seow Boon Chan
(E) Spinal Injury Industrial Accident Hee Yong Wah
(F) Cerebral Palsy — Chan Meng Lai
(G) Spinal Injury Traffic Accident Hee Yong Wah
(H) Spinal Injury Traffic Accident Seow Boon Chan
(I) Spinal Injury Traffic Accident Hee Yong Wah
(J) Spinal Injury Traffic Accident Hee Yong Wah
(K) Spinal Injury Traffic Accident Thomas Yeoh

2. Attending Meetings
May 19: LIFT LAUNCHING CEREMONY in Subang Jaya KTM Commuter train station. KTM Commuter train is upgrading all of their stations to make it disabled friendly.
Nov 26: Petaling Jaya City Council Technical Working Committee Meeting
Dec 19: Malaysia Council for Rehabilitation “Disabilities Issues Workshop”

3. Volunteer training
April 19: organised Telematch with disabled for volunteers
May 1-3: organised Be Angel Campaign : Volunteer Training Camp

4. Received Visitors
Feb 25: Visitation from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) senior representative in Malaysia, Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto.
Aug 21: Visitation from students of Help University College
Aug 24: Students from Department of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Japan

5. IL Seminars, Workshops, Advocacy event
Feb 28: giving talk on IL for staffs from CBR centre of Social Welfare Department.
March 30: organised IL seminar for PWDs in Kuching, Sarawak = 22persons
April 4: organized IL seminar for PWDs in Sibu, Sarawak = 31 persons
September 17: Conduct Access Audit for building of Menara Sunway
October 29: organized “One Malaysia” Convoy by Disabled Press Conference & soft launch, officiated by YB Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Minister of Woman, Family and Social Development.
December 6: organized event “One Malaysia–Convoy by Disabled from Times Square to KLCC”, to highlight the needs of friendly environment and transport. A total of 380 disabled people and volunteers took part. The event flag off by Director General of Welfare Department Dato” Meme Rashid, and closing ceremony officiated by YB Heng Seai Kie, Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Arts.
(Reported in Malay Mail

http://www.mmail.com.my/content/21005-enabled-disabled)

6. Outdoor Activities
Purpose: to build up self confidence of trainees.
27/6/2009 Visit to KL Tower & KLCC Skybridge
26/7/2009 Visit to KL Birds Park
29/8/2009 Visit KLCC Aquaria
21/9/2009 A day trip to Seremban
26/9/2009 KL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2009
24/10/2009 Mini sport for OKU 2009, sponsored by Ministry of Youth & Sport

7. Fund Raising Activities
August 3-15: organised Project Ryders Cycling For Charity from KL to Langkawi, jointly organized with students from Help University, raised RM 4120
it was highlighted in http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/6/education/4649877&sec=education

B. INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM
Received Funding of RM 14,000 from Welfare Department to run IL Program.
Details of Trainers:
(No) (Name) (Gender) (Disabilities)
1 Hee Yong Wah Male Quadriplegic
2 Seow Boon Chan Male Quadriplegic
3 Yeoh Kee Soon Male Muscular Dystrophy
4 Chan Ming Lai Male Cerebral Palsy

Result of trainees group I:
Class: Every Wednesday, 2pm-4pm
Topic:
1. Identity Establishment
2. Goal Setting
3. Family Relationship & relationship in working place
4. Cooking & Marketing

Result of trainees group II :
Class: Every Thursday, 10am-12pm
Topic:
1. Identity Establishment
2. Family Relationship & relationship in working place
3. Cooking & Marketing
4. Social Integration & Information

Activity Report from Philippines

Activity Report from Philippines

Activity Report of Life Haven
APNIL Meeting (January 7, 2010)

Life Haven was very busy last year on conducting seminars and workshops. PAVIC, an organization of parents of visually impaired children invited Life Haven last September, 2009 to talk about IL in their Advocacy & Leadership Training Workshop. For the first time, the parents listened to the philosophy of IL and how it can empower persons with disabilities and its benefit to the family of persons with disabilities.

Mr. Hisao Chiba of Nippon Foundation visited Life Haven last October, 2009 to learn more on each othersf programs and services. We talked about the mission of Nippon Foundation in the Asian region and the support they can extend to Asian DPOs. During this month, we also conducted a short peer counseling workshop for persons with disabilities in Valenzuela.

Last November 2009, we conducted an IL Orientation Seminar for National Council on Disability Affairs to enlighten the agency about the IL movement. The participants exhibited interest on the subject presented and enthusiasm during the discussion. During the seminar, we noted two points of interest. First, the IL philosophy was not fully understood at the beginning. However, questions raised during the presentation clarified the misunderstanding. Secondly, Personal Assistant was discussed profoundly from hiring, training and the roles and responsibilities of user and the personal assistant. Life Haven assisted Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) project of JICA & NCDA. In collaboration with JICA, NCDA and ADPI, we introduced Peer Counseling to persons with disabilities in New Lucena, Iloilo. Thanks to Ms. Siew Chin of Beautiful Gate Foundation, she help convince the NHE team to utilize people from IL movement to empower persons with disabilities in their project area. Resource Persons of this workshop were Mr. Mark Espesor and other ADPI team and Mr. Abner Manlapaz. At first, we observed that most of the participants were diffident and abashed. As the organizers continue to observe the participants, we noted the changes that happened to them. Participants are more participative and smiling very often as compared on the first day that we met them.

On the last month of 2009, two more workshops were conducted. Both workshops are in the southern part of Philippines, in Mindanao. One workshop which is also under the NHE project of JICA and NCDA was held in Cagayan De Oro for persons with disabilities of Opol. Resource persons of this workshop were Dr. Ike Ampo and the HACI CDO IL team and Mr. Abner Manlapaz. The participants shown enthusiasm and were very lively during the workshop. Thanks to the team of resource speakers from HACI CDO IL team who are all so lively and interesting as the workshop is conducted in the local dialect. Another Peer Counseling Workshop, which was funded and organized by the Department of Social Welfare Office (DSWD) of Region XII thru Ms. Grace Balaro (the focal person of PWDs in Region XII) was held in Polomolok, South Cotabato. The Representative of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC?PWD Sector) Mr. Ricardo Castillon submitted the proposal to the focal person of Region XII to conduct peer counseling in their region. Ms. Balaro (the focal person), was inspired by the proposal and worked hard to get the budget to conduct peer counseling in their region. This is the first peer counseling workshop initiated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The resource persons are Mr. Abner Manlapaz and Dr. Jun Bernandino. There are 14 participants from different places in Region XII, most of whom are group leaders. Towards the end of the three-day workshop there are encouraging feedbacks from the IL newbies. Ms. Grace Balaro, visitors from the area and from the local Government unit, and the participants themselves expressed their interest to have another workshop to learn more and improve their skills in conducting peer counseling. They are already even thinking of having a Trainor’s Training Seminar to make it possible for the Independent Living Movement to establish a foothold in Mindanao.

On another matter, we still continuously advocate to the City Engineering Office of Valenzuela to ensure implementation of accessibility in the built environment. Hopefully, the government will seriously implement the accessibility law.

Life Haven also received great news from Human Care Association that funds support to rent office for the center was approved. The funds which came from Toyota Foundation includes support for the salaries of staffs and personal assistant for selected persons with severe disabilities who wish to live independently.

Activity Report by Mr. Edwin De Villa

Our proposed ordinance to establish the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office was approved last November 16, 2009 by the Sangguniang Bayan of San Juan, Batangas. Through this office I can now guarantee at least 1 Intensive Independent Living Workshop annually in our jurisdiction.

Last December 6, 2009, as part of the celebration of the province wide Ala-Eh festival and in relation to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, The Provincial Social Welfare of Batangas conducted a forum on the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We were briefly able to present the history and philosophy of Independent Living and the PSWD office and other Social Welfare Development officers from the towns of neighboring provinces expressed their interest in conducting an IL workshop for the members of the Provincial Federation of Persons With Disabilities.

Friends and colleagues initiated a support group for Persons with Disabilities driving their own vehicles. It is currently based in Cavite. They aim to assist anyone interested in driving to secure their license, registration and possible conversion. Members are encouraged to practice self choice, self determination and self responsibility. Some of them have heard of IL though never attended any workshop yet. With enough time and resources we are planning to hold a workshop in IL for this group as they plan to adopt the philosophy of IL in their own lives.

I believe that these events will strengthen the presence of the IL movement in region 4A especially in the provinces of Quezon, Batangas and Cavite.