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.

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

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)

- Report of SCI Foundation by Edwin de Villa
The success of the recent Independent Living and Peer Counseling training conducted by Life Haven in partnership with SCI Foundation boosted the initiatives of persons with disabilities in the City of Santa Rosa, Province of Laguna. Three citizens with disabilities from the city of Santa Rosa who received the training, wholeheartedly embraced the concept and philosophy of IL. As a result, the three trainees are helping Edwin to initiate and to start a group in Santa Rosa that would be recognized by the LGU and will be part of the City Social Welfare Department’s initiative to form a Federation of PWD groups within the community.
This coming March 14 – 19, SCI Foundation intend to conduct another Independent Living and Peer Counseling training at The Richville Hotel, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Target participants will be from Tagaytay City, Province of Cavite and Metro Manila.

Interactions:
Question: Who will fund the Independent Living and Peer Counseling Seminar workshop on March 14-19? (Ike)
Answer: We are looking for sponsors from government offices and private companies. (Edwin)

- Report of HACI de oro by Dr. Ike Anpo
1. HACI Cagayan De Oro is finalizing the preparation for the Independent Living Program and Peer Counseling Training and Workshop with close coordination with Tess of HACI Cebu. It will be held on February 21, 2008.
2. Mr. Renan Abas, an SCI individual with cervical level joined their fellowship with Canadian Missionaries. Ike is inviting Renan to attend on February 21 ILP/PC Training and Workshop.
3. Ike helped a friend who suffered spinal cord injury due to gun shot wound 2 months ago to avail of a wheelchair from the 7th Day Adventist (a Religious organization).
4. Usual Radio program every Sunday with new time slot from 5:00 to 5:30 pm.

- Report of HACI Cebu by Teresa “Tess” O. Chua
1. HACI is in the process of Dissolution. They had meeting with their partner, the Redemptorist Fathers and HACI IL team members, 4 out of 9 HACI IL team members were present. Present were Johnny, Dario, Gigi and Tess.
2. Redemptorist Fathers will continue their support to the IL movement in Cebu. They are now thinking whether they will form a new organization for IL Team or they will attach to one of the existing organizations for IL or other organization that will adopt IL program. Nonetheless, they are exploring the idea of inviting PARM doctor to be part of the new association or organization. Everything is sketchy at this time but the IL activities continue.
3. At this time, they have submitted ILP material to Dr. Velez of Cebu Velez General Hospital with the hope that they will have an office inside their compound to make them more visible to the community. Velez Hospital caters to Class BCD.
4. Tess hopes to have more time on ILP starting March as she have tendered her resignation to work as part time accountant. She is looking forward to learn from each other.
5. Tess and Irah visited an 8 year old boy, a banker friend of Tess referred him to the group. The group wanted to refer the boy to Leliani Fund. He was contracted with Meningitis when he was 4 months old. He underwent surgery when he was 8 months old to have a tube connected to drain the fluid from his brain. His father takes care of him since then. Irah is now working her way to document his case so the group can make referral to other organization who can help him.

- Report of Life Haven by Abner Manlapaz
1. On January 13-17, Life Haven and SCI Foundation conducted the IL peer counseling seminar workshop in Jalajala, Rizal. It was funded by DOH thru NAPC-PWD. Participants came from Nueva Ecija, Sta. Rosa, Rizal, Batangas and National Capital Region (NCR). The workshop generates positive feedback from the participants. Increased activities are expected from their areas especially that each of the 3 provinces intends to replicate the seminar in their place.
2. SCI Foundation & Life Haven is looking for funds to conduct another peer counseling workshop this come March, 2008.
3. The Sub-committee on Independent Living under the National Anti-Poverty Commission – Persons with Disabilities Sector (NAPC-PWD) is writing a report about the IL movement in the Philippines. I hope that your organization can provide some reports which have been successful from the past years.

Interactions:
- Tess and Johnny expressed their intention to send their testimony and activity report to include in the reports being prepared by the Sub-committee on IL of NAPC-PWD. They expressed how their life was change since they attended their first IL seminar.
- Abner reported the updates in APNIL meeting. Discussed were the activities and agreements in Global IL Network, updates on IL movement in Thailand which Shoji reported during his visit in Nakhonpathom last December 2007. Abner also informed the group that APNIL website is now very informative. The website will be linked to other IL networks from around the world. Local websites of APNIL members shall also be linked to APNIL. Abner encourage the group to send to APNIL their website as this is good promotions for all.

HCA Plan to conduct seminar in the Philippines anytime around early June. They wanted to know what Philippines need so HCA could prepare to increase Philippines capacity. Peer counseling, IL Program or Personal Assistant service are example that Philippines might be interested. The group could not decide at the moment and suggested that the group will set a meeting with Shoji to assist on the assessment of the group as to what is needed by Philippines to increase the capacity.

Beautiful Gate Foundation’s Proposal:
Beautiful gate foundation of Malaysia is proposing for partnership to hold here in the Philippines one of their performance tour. They are 28 persons (performers and necessary staffs) in the tour and seeking assistance for accommodation and domestic transportation. The proposal is still being translated from local language to English. Once finished, they will send us the copy for our reference. Partner organization can raise funds thru their performance.
Ike requested for a video clips showing their performances.
All agreed to discuss this matter further after receiving enough information regarding the performance tour.

The Latter Day Saints thru AKAP-PINOY will be donating wheelchairs across the country. Requirements are social case study and picture of the recipient. It is expected to arrive sometime March this year.
Ike would like to follow-up on the 2nd hand wheelchairs and accessible vehicle from Japan.

Abner informed the group about the home-based work opportunity. Requirements are: 1) Must be a person with disability; 2) proficient in English; and 3) can use internet effectively. Interested applicants should send their complete name, mailing address, email address, and telephone numbers.

Minutes were kindly taken by Tess Chua.

Organized by: Independent Living Centre Katmandu
Sponsored by: Toyota Grant Foundation
Date: 2nd December 2007
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Place: Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. (Lalitpur District Development Committee, District Public Health Office Lalitpur, District Administration Office Lalitpur, Ministry of Local Development and National Human Right Commission)

Total Participants: 135 PWDs including volunteers, journalists, human right activists, and civil societies

Objectives:
• To appeal on the rights, dignity and independent living lives of PWDs socially, economically, politically, physically and culturally in the every part of state.
• To conduct the advocacy, lobbing and pressure to make the men made infrastructure disabled friendly.
• To make accessible in each and every public buildings, government buildings, public parks and toilets, roads etc

Program Schedule:
(1) 10 AM to 11 AM. Press Conference
Lalitpur District Development Committee Office Hall / 150 participants
Speakers: Mr. Krishna Gautam,Ms. Indira Shrestha, and other participants
(2) 11 AM to 12 AM. Barrier Free Campaign
Lalitpur District Development Committee Office / 135 participants
Speakers: Mr. Krishna Gautam, Mr.Dhrubahari Neupane, Ms. Susila Poudel, and other participants
(3) 1 PM to 1:30 PM. Barrier Free Campaign
District Public Health Office, Lalitpur / 135 participants
Speakers: Mr. Krishna Gautam, Mr. Bhoj Raj Shrestha, Mr. Tek Bdr Gurung, Ms. Susila Poudel, and other participants.
(4) 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Barrier free Campaign
District Administration Committee, Lalitpur / 135 participants
Speakers: Mr. Bhoj Raj Shrestha, Mr. Krishna Gautam, Ms. Susila Poudel and other participants
(5) 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Barrier free Campaign
Ministry of Local Development / 135 participants
Speakers: Mr. Bhoj Raj Shrestha, Mr. Krishna Gautam, Mr. Dhrubahari Neupane, and other participants
(6) 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Barrier free Campaign
National Human Right Commission, Lalitpur / 135 participants
Speakers: Mr. Krishna Gautam, Mr. Bhoj Raj Shrestha, Ms. Anjana KC, Mr. Dhrubahari Neupane and other participants

Brief Description:
Independent Living Centre Kathmandu (CIL- Kathmandu) conducted a barrier free campaign program on “Fundamental Rights, Human Rights, and Barrier free Society” for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nepal. More than 135 PWDs attend the campaign. “The state is unable to guarantee the fundamental rights and human rights of PWDs in equal manners in compare to the others,” they said. The campaign activists further added that many PWDs are not able to exercise the right to education, right to health, right to employment and right to live independently in chosen community. Bhoj Raj Shrestha, member of CIL Kathmandu said, “The purpose of this programme is to guarantee the full integration of disability into all government’s programmed and develop the recognition of the rights and responsibilities of PWDs”. Krishna Gautam, General Secretary of CIL said, “Independent Living Philosophy empowers PWDs to take control of their own lives, to live with dignity in their chosen community, to make decisions about own lives and speak for themselves”.

The women participants Sushila Poudel and Anjana KC said that PWDs are the poorest and most marginalized members of their community and state has to take action to overcome their poverty and achieve their civil, political, social, and economic rights. They claimed it is the prejudice that denies the opportunities to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence and to make effective use of the resources that they may already have. “We are often made invisible by society so that state has to support us in designing and delivering our humanitarian responses,” they urged.

The program had begun with the press conference at Lalitpur. The organizer team announced program in front of the journalists, civil societies, and participants.

Press Conference
Independent Living Center Kathmandu had organized the Press Conference on 2nd December 2007 at Lalitpur District Development Committee Hall. The press statement was released by the Program Officer Mrs. Indira Shrestha of Women Development Lalitpur. She requested media and the civil societies to come forward to create mass awareness against the negative attitude towards the persons with disabilities. She said that the theme of the 16th International Disability Day is ‘Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities’. “The persons with disabilities are the citizens of this country and inseparable part of the society. So, it’s our sacred responsibility to ensure their equal rights, equal opportunities and the right to live with dignity.”

Secretary General Krishna Gautam called upon government, national and International organizations to come up with meaningful program for providing proper education, training and working environment to the persons with disabilities to improve their lifestyle. He also argued Nepal government to sign and to ratify the ‘UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ CRPD as soon as possible. He added that CRPD is the dream of PWDs. It should bring into the practices.

There were 150 participants including journalists, civil societies, and Persons with Disabilities.

After the Press Conference, the Campaign had been begin

1. Office of Lalitpur Development Committee
At first, the participants went to Office of Lalitpur Development Committee where Mr. Dhrubahari Neupane, the member of CIL urged Local District Officer that physical infrastructure should be favorable to PWDs. He further urged that inclusive laws should be needed for equal rights and opportunities for disabilities. “PWDs are to be seen as full citizens with all rights and responsibilities. But they do not have access to resources and opportunities so that specific measures are necessary to ensure their full inclusion and participation,” he said. Moreover, the participants agreed that state should focus and incorporate disability issue into their current programmes as a high priority. “The policy and programs of the District Development Committee has not properly addressed the issues of disability so that it is urgent necessity to amend the policies and programs”, said Krishna Gautam. He further raised the issues of proportional representation of PWDs and barrier free environment in the district.

After considering the views of the participants, Local District Officer said that the policy and programs of the district will make inclusive and will promote barrier free environment in the district. Other participants in the campaign appealed to the Officer as:
• To create psychological and physical barrier free environment.
• To create an inclusive society in which PWDs are guaranteed the same rights as non-disabled people with full participations

2. District Public Health Office
Bhoj Raj Shrestha said that the office has to create the enabling environment that provides PWDs to live their lives independently. Krishna Gautam, Secretary General of CIL Kathmandu, suggested the office has to make disabled friendly infrastructure and to construct new provision for health services and employment to the PWDs. He further added “The state should focus PWDs when it releases the budget. The officer answered that the present conditions is the cause of low budget and lack of awareness regarding PWDs. “As long with the awareness, the socio-economic support as well as the barrier free environment will increase,” Officer answered.

3. Office of District Administration Lalitpur
Chief District Officer (CDO), Ram Prasad Shrestha emphasized that the state has to focus PWDs in its planning. State’s policy should guarantee the barrier free environment, focus the necessity of classification of PWDs and allocate the budget to the disabilities organizations on the basis of their works. Similarly, CDO demanded that state should encourage discussion of gender relevant issues and support the PWDs in the state’s policy to develop their potentiality.
The activists appealed to the Officer as:
• To provide equal access to necessary resources for PWDs
• To achieve positive change in PWDs’ lives and help the communities’ development
• To increase their capacity to change attitudes within their communities, raising awareness of the needs and potential strength of PWDs
• To share information with disabilities activists, specially about ways of removing barriers to PWDs’ participation in society

4. Ministry of Local Development
The activists appealed to the ministry of Physical and Planning as:
• To promote barrier free environment regarding physical infrastructure.
• To promote the system to create an environment in which PWDs and administrative could share experiences and exchange idea freely regarding the development planning.
• To construct the rules and regulations that help to increase the barrier free environment among the physical constructions and planning
• To allocate the budget for the PWDs to live independently in the chosen community.
• To implement the Disability Allowances addressed by the Nepal Government in it budget speech 2007.

5. Office of National Human Right Commission
• Mr. Krishna Gautam, Secretary General, of CIL Kathmandu explains the objectives of the Campaign and started to say that Disability is the issue of Human Right. He noted that National Human Right Commission is giving more priority to the ongoing political crises rather than the discrimination of the civil citizens and Persons with Disabilities. He added that most of the Children with Disabilities are still inside the house. They have no opportunities to go school, no assertive devices, no proper care due to this they are dying within short periods. Most of the PWDs depended on their parents and have no job guarantee. Government has no provisions to support their daily living. Bhoj Raj Shrestha said that PWDs are looking the social, economical, physical, political, and cultural rights so that National Human Right Commission should give attention towards the issues of PWDs. “Government should guarantee the fundamental rights and should protect human rights of PWDs. Similarly, government should make proper act to make the infrastructure disability friendly”. Another participant Miss. Anjana K.C. “Our parents has invested a lot of money and their time for our education hoping for our bright future but after education we do not have opportunities to get job or any other services”. In reply, representatives of National Human Right Commission said that the campaign retreat and will take seriously the issues of PWDs. They said that NHRC is making wide discussion to sign and to ratify the UN Convention from Nepal. After ratify, the strong act should be amendment. They made commitment to work together with PWDs to assure the fundamental rights and human rights of PWDs as well.

November 5
Home visitation to Taiping (northern part of Malaysia)
Visit a spinal injury person. Bed ridden for 5 years.
Action taken: brought him to Hospital in KL for his health problem and attended a rehabilitation course to strengthen his arm, and for daily activities training. He is now still in hospital for his diabetic treatment. Follow up by Hee Yong Wah via providing peer counseling.

November 7
Meeting with Residents Association in SS2 in order to get their support in providing a friendly environment for PWDs to live independently in the community of SS2.
Sia Siew Chin was elected as committee member of Residents Association of SS2, become medium between SS2 Residents Association and PWDs in SS2.

November 17
Jointly organized parade by PWDs at Muar together with Society of Love Independent Living for PWDs Muar. About 50 PWDs take part. Submitted memorandum to State Assembly Man of Muar.

November 23
Produce DVD about story of a PWD who live independently.
This DVD will be distributed to hospital to encourage those newly disabled persons.

December 3
Radio broadcast about International Day of PWDs.
It is an hour program. I mentioned about obstacles that prevented PWDs to live an independent life and appeal public & government to eliminate the obstacles.

December 6, 13, 20, 27
Weekly IL program
3pm-5pm, 9 pwds attended.

One of the young leader from Japan (Mainstream Association) Mr. DAI OKITA is here at CIL Kathmandu for 2 months. CIL Kathmandu is going to organize Independent Living Training in Nepal. Shafiq and Akmal from Pakistan will attend the training.

Nepal Government is going to held Constitution Assembly Election on April 10. Persons with disabilities are demanding the government and political parties for the immediate action which include representation of PWDs in legislative body to be formed to promulgate the constitution, reservation of seats for constituent assembly election, and inclusion of appropriate paragraphs and wordings in the interim constitution.

Human Care Association (HCA) organized peer-counseling intensive course from Sep 30 to Oct 2 in 2007 at Tokyo Tama Sports Center for the Disabled. Nine persons with disabilities including not only persons with physical disabilities but also persons with intellectual or psychiatric disabilities participated into the course.

Since some participants had never taken peer-counseling, we were careful to help them understand the meaning of peer-counseling through actual practice.

We started the course with relation building for ice-breaking. Participants and course leaders took a time to know each other and tried to make cozy atmosphere for next two days. We spent rest of the day for themes such as “purpose and agreement of peer-counseling” and “roles of counselor and client”.

On the second day, we conducted “nature of human beings,” “discharge of emotion,” and “meaning of disability.” Each participant closely looked into his/her own feeling through sessions and Think and Listen about each significant theme. Participants had opportunities to speak about bitter experiences in the society. They listened each other and shared feelings as “peers.”

In the evening, we had a party, which is indispensable part of the course for further communication among participants and course leaders. We made some groups and give performance, such as, skit, game and quiz.

On the last day, we conducted “relation between ILP and peer-counseling” and “role-playing” for understanding concrete methods to support independent living of persons with disabilities.

At the beginning of the course, we worried of our health conditions because we had to bear 3 days at different living environment. However, each of us could maintain good health condition with mutual support and communication of necessary information about own disabilities and illness for participation into the course.

We wish experiences and relationship gained through the course will be meaningful for participants’ daily life.
(Yoshihiro Mitsuoka)

- HACI Cebu by Patrick Cacanidin Jr.

December 29, 2007, Tess Chua and Johnny Cacanindin visited NL, 35 years old, a computer engineer, married with three children and had a vehicular accident on December 19, 2006. He has had Spinal cord injury and now a quadriplegic.

We have a meeting scheduled next week to talk about having an IL office in Cebu Velez General Hospital.

Last December 9, 2007, HACI had a general meeting and majority of their members proposed to dissolve HACI. However, those who are involved in IL are intact and intend to continue our activities

- HACI De Oro by Dr. Ike Anpo

We requested COA (Commission on Audit) to sponsor the venue of the proposed IL and PC training but unfortunately denied for the facilities would have been occupied then. The scheduled IL and PC orientation was rescheduled to be conducted this January since the funds and the venue were not available at the time. HCA sent the money order last December 20 and we received confirmation from Postal Office yesterday (Jan 4, 2007) that the funds have arrived. We have coordinated with Ms. Tess Chua for the activity to be conducted on January 24, 2008 and expect an attendance of 20 persons more or less.

We do a regular promotion of IL and PC program through a radio show at RMN – DCXX every Sunday, 2:30 – 3:00pm called “Kumusta Ka, Igsoon” (How are you, my friend). The program solely tackles issues, concerns and updates of Persons With Disability. We are also promoting the continuous registration of PWDS

We held Christmas parties for children with disabilities with STAC (Stimulation and Theraputic Activity Center project) – German Doctors sponsored by the MASONS and other parties with local and national offices.

Three days ago (Jan 2) a 9y.o. child with SCI level T4 due to gunshot was referred to us and now undergoing rehab at the STAC and I think he needs a body brace. We also referred him to an Adventist NGO who gives wheelchair to indigent PWDS. The Country Manager of German Doctors’, Mr. Dietmar Schug, informed me also of a 34yo. male who is now with SCI due to gunshot also and he promised to set a meeting for us

- Life Haven Inc. by Abner Manlapaz
We managed to prepare and submit a project proposal for Panibagong Paraan 2008. We are also preparing for the upcoming IL Peer Counseling Seminar Workshop to be held at Jalajala, Rizal this January 12-17, 2008. This seminar workshop is funded thru NAPC-PWD by DOH

- SCIF by Edwin de Villa

We will be joining the IL PC training conducted by LHI this Jan 12 -18.

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.