According to the United Nations, out of the over 6.5 billion human population across the globe, 10 per cent are with one form of disability or the other. Also people with disabilities account for roughly 20 per cent of those living in poverty in developing countries. Worldwide, they suffer high rate of unemployment and often lack access to adequate education and healthcare while in many societies, there are simply no provisions made for this group and they end up living in isolation, disconnected from their own communities.
In Nigeria, over three million out of the estimated 150 million population are faced with hearing disability.
To appreciate and make them part of society, the United Nations General Assembly in 1982 declared December 3 of every year as World Disability Day. The 2010 edition has the theme; "Keeping the Promise: Mainstreaming Disability in the Millennium Development Goals towards 2015 and Beyond". In commemoration of the day last Week, the Lagos State Government through Office of Youth and Social Development gathered people with disabilities in the state to join their counterparts worldwide to mark the day. Produces of persons living with disabilities were on display just as musical talents were showcased.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Social Development, Dr Dolapo Badru assured that plans were underway to put ramps in every public place so that people on wheelchairs can access and go about their daily business without hindrance. He described the theme as timely saying that the "MDGs provide the best available framework for fulfilling the promise by world leaders at the summit in 2000 to spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from abject poverty and dehumanizing condition of extreme poverty."
The SA said that government was responsive to the yearnings of the people and would not relent in its efforts to provide the basic necessities of life that will make life better for people with disabilities. He stressed that the day provided opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full and for equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities.
"This year's celebration presents another opportunity to make a renewed commitment to the principles of dignity and justice, equal opportunity, and to make sure that convention on the rights of persons with disabilities is implemented. Today is here for everyone to celebrate our mutual humanity and to remind us of the need to include the issues of disabilities as the world is working hard towards the achievement of the MDGs," he noted.
Head of Service, Adesegun Ogunlewe urged every human being; lead or the led, male or female, able or disabled to apply the three fundamental principles proffered by the Department of International Development (DFID) whenever the issues of persons with disabilities are considered. These he said include; do not harm, address discrimination and proactively promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all human activities.
"We appeal to political leaders and parties to be ready and willing to accommodate persons with disabilities who have necessary qualifications and abilities to serve their communities," he pleaded."It needs be emphasized that the sustenance of equality of rights and opportunities in all our plans, programmes and policies will serve as a stepping stool to inclusion; and by extension bring about the dawn of greater attainments, creativity and productivity for persons with disabilities," Ogunlewe represented by Oluseyi Weno stated.Earlier, President, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Okikiade Adeyemi urged the federal and state governments to include persons with disabilities in their schemes even as he called on his members to register and vote for leaders that would advance their course in the 2011 general elections.
Adeyemi also solicited for use of sign-language and Braille on television to enable the hearing and virtually impaired have access to information and happenings around them.
"Since we all detest street begging and other anti-social behavours, it then becomes very necessary and crucial that the governments consider and provide persons with disabilities with necessary means of livelihood for survival," he maintained.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
International day of Persons with Disabilities - Peshawar
On 2nd December 2010 SPDA (Special Persons Development Association) has organized a Seminar regarding “World Disable Day” 03rd December 2010. The seminar was held in the PMC (Peshawar Medical College Peshawar ) in collaboration with Peshawar Medical College Dr. Iftikhar Director Peshawar Medical College Peshawar Peshawar Medical College
The seminar was started by the recitation of the Holy Quran. After the recitation the SPDA General Secretary Mr. Ihsan Ullah Daudzai has given presentation to all the participants regarding Special Persons. He appreciated the efforts of the college staff and its administration for their cooperation. He said that Disability is not in the Special Persons but it is in our environment which has created different barriers for us. He also showed the documentary program of the Special Persons to the participants. Dr. Farhat Malik said that approximately 10 % of Pakistan
Dr. Iftikhar (Director Peshawar Medical College Pakistan
At the end the prizes were given by the SPDA President among different representatives. The News Reporters has given full coverage to the Seminar and highlighted the problems of Special Persons in the Newspapers.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
IDPD, 3rd December observed in Bhutan
We observed the International Day
for the Persons With Disabilities on 3rd December
involving Secretaries of some ministries and agencies;
representatives from business community; persons in and
around the capital city from with different background of
disabilities; Representatives from International Agencies
and NGOs; schools and institutes having children with
special needs of capital, nearby district, general
hospital; etc. The theme was: "Keeping the promise:
Mainstreaming Disability in the MDG's towards 2015: and
beyond".
We had the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan as the
Chief Guest and he delivered a speech encouraging the
participation of disabilities in the society,
socio-economic development, electoral processes in the
country and others.
We are very happy to inform you that on the Day, the
secretariat of Civil Service Organization Authority (CSOA)
and the Secretary of Home Affairs informed us that our
proposal for registration of Disabled Persons Association
is accepted and the certificate for NGO will be awarded on
20th December. Our Association will be known as Disable
Persons Association of Bhutan (DPAB).
We applauded the news and now looking forward for the day
of certificate. We also feel that we have great
responsibilities vested on our initiative and would
fulfill our mission one day. We will seek necessary help
and guidance from you whenever necessary.
With warm regards.
Sincerely
(Pema Chhogyel)
Special Education
Ministry of Education
Thimphu, Bhutan.
for the Persons With Disabilities on 3rd December
involving Secretaries of some ministries and agencies;
representatives from business community; persons in and
around the capital city from with different background of
disabilities; Representatives from International Agencies
and NGOs; schools and institutes having children with
special needs of capital, nearby district, general
hospital; etc. The theme was: "Keeping the promise:
Mainstreaming Disability in the MDG's towards 2015: and
beyond".
We had the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan as the
Chief Guest and he delivered a speech encouraging the
participation of disabilities in the society,
socio-economic development, electoral processes in the
country and others.
We are very happy to inform you that on the Day, the
secretariat of Civil Service Organization Authority (CSOA)
and the Secretary of Home Affairs informed us that our
proposal for registration of Disabled Persons Association
is accepted and the certificate for NGO will be awarded on
20th December. Our Association will be known as Disable
Persons Association of Bhutan (DPAB).
We applauded the news and now looking forward for the day
of certificate. We also feel that we have great
responsibilities vested on our initiative and would
fulfill our mission one day. We will seek necessary help
and guidance from you whenever necessary.
With warm regards.
Sincerely
(Pema Chhogyel)
Special Education
Ministry of Education
Thimphu, Bhutan.
Campaign on the international day of people with disabilities
We organized a campaign on the 3rd of December- International day of people with disabilities. Many other organizations, officials, students and mass media joined us on that day.
I am sending some photos of that day.
Regards
--
KARINE GRIGORYAN
President and executive director of
"Agate" center for women with special needs NGO
Baghramyan 29
Gyumri 3106
Shirak region
Armenia
Tel: 374-312-412-54
Mobile: 374-94-83-21-94
www.agatengo.am
Email: karine@agatengo.am
info@agatengo.am
Rally on World Disability Day - Multan
Society for Special Persons (SSP) took out Rally on 3rd December World International Disabled Day. The rally was started on Multan Press club. Large number of persons with disabilities (PWDs) participated in this rally and different local NGOs. In Rally Pwds said that they dedicated their International day to flood affected brothers and sisters. They addressed a message of Peace, Health, and brotherhood to the whole world. In that time they serve flowers to the surrounding community. The news channel “GEO, SAAMA, EXPRESS and DUNIYA coveraged it Live. In this occasion Media also interviewed the messages of PWDs about World Disability day. Zahida Hameed Qureshi, Asif Iqbal, Yasir Hameed.Sazia Ameen, and Others addressed in this occasion.
--
Zahida Hameed Qureshi,
SPO, Multan
President
Society for Special Persons
Multan
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Editorial: Attitude towards the differently-abled - Bangladesh
THE International Day of Persons with Disabilities last Friday went by in Bangladesh with very little in the way of promoting more understanding of disability issues. The day is observed globally, obviously to sensitize the public and mobilize support for the dignity and well-being of people who are ‘handicapped’ in one way or the other due to various congenital or acquired abnormalities. But though a national policy for the handicapped, drafted two decades ago (1990-91), exists, not much is noticeable to indicate that attitudes towards the ‘differently-abled’ have improved -- apart from a few reserved seats on some public buses.
Decision makers are by and large found to be still quite indifferent and their unique situation is often the last to be considered in the annual budgets and developmental plans. This official apathy is compounded by widespread prejudice and lack of job opportunities. Thus the handicapped have to battle not only their physical disabilities but also the gross insensitivities around them in their struggle to live respectable lives. Pity is not what the handicapped need if they are to be empowered and integrated with the mainstream society. But except for those in the upper strata of society, most of Bangladesh’s disabled end up in really pitiable situations. Most have no access to education, employment and health care. This must be remedied sooner rather than later, in the enlightened national-interest of Bangladesh.
Social workers dealing with the special challenges of handicapped people believe there can be no headway unless the government and society ramp up their mental attitude, in empathy with the disabled. They recommend, first and foremost, paying attention to the person rather than his/her condition during communication, and keeping in mind that physically disabled does not necessarily mean mentally disabled as well. This is not to say that the mentally challenged are not entitled to better behaviour from the more forunated sections of the population. Indeed, educational institutions and all kinds of media ought to be instructed to use sensitization messages designed to welcome the handicapped into mainstream life. There are countless stories of the latent talents of the differently-abled being expressed in miraculous ways and these should be disseminated to help the obtuse members of the public become empathetic.
It may be mentioned here that the much used IQ or intelligence quotient, popularised in the early 20th century as the only yardstick to measure people’s intelligence -- the rational, mathematical kind -- has long been proven inadequate by a more enlightened approach to the rich variety of differently-abled human beings in this world. Neuroscientists and psychologist had amassed enough evidence by the turn of the century to establish that emotional intelligence (EQ) and spiritual intelligence(SQ) are equally, if not more, important for human beings to function at the optimum level. When the areas that control EQ and SQ are healthy, people are found to be sensitive, and able to reach the depths of their own as well as other people’s feelings, explaining ‘the full complexity of human intelligence’ and ‘the vast richness of the human soul and imagination.’
There are of course miles to go before society in Bangladesh is ready to give the sublime and the sacred potential within everyone -- abled and disabled alike -- a chance to be expressed. But without people’s intelligence in general evolving in that direction, justice can hardly be done to the differently-abled in this country.
Decision makers are by and large found to be still quite indifferent and their unique situation is often the last to be considered in the annual budgets and developmental plans. This official apathy is compounded by widespread prejudice and lack of job opportunities. Thus the handicapped have to battle not only their physical disabilities but also the gross insensitivities around them in their struggle to live respectable lives. Pity is not what the handicapped need if they are to be empowered and integrated with the mainstream society. But except for those in the upper strata of society, most of Bangladesh’s disabled end up in really pitiable situations. Most have no access to education, employment and health care. This must be remedied sooner rather than later, in the enlightened national-interest of Bangladesh.
Social workers dealing with the special challenges of handicapped people believe there can be no headway unless the government and society ramp up their mental attitude, in empathy with the disabled. They recommend, first and foremost, paying attention to the person rather than his/her condition during communication, and keeping in mind that physically disabled does not necessarily mean mentally disabled as well. This is not to say that the mentally challenged are not entitled to better behaviour from the more forunated sections of the population. Indeed, educational institutions and all kinds of media ought to be instructed to use sensitization messages designed to welcome the handicapped into mainstream life. There are countless stories of the latent talents of the differently-abled being expressed in miraculous ways and these should be disseminated to help the obtuse members of the public become empathetic.
It may be mentioned here that the much used IQ or intelligence quotient, popularised in the early 20th century as the only yardstick to measure people’s intelligence -- the rational, mathematical kind -- has long been proven inadequate by a more enlightened approach to the rich variety of differently-abled human beings in this world. Neuroscientists and psychologist had amassed enough evidence by the turn of the century to establish that emotional intelligence (EQ) and spiritual intelligence(SQ) are equally, if not more, important for human beings to function at the optimum level. When the areas that control EQ and SQ are healthy, people are found to be sensitive, and able to reach the depths of their own as well as other people’s feelings, explaining ‘the full complexity of human intelligence’ and ‘the vast richness of the human soul and imagination.’
There are of course miles to go before society in Bangladesh is ready to give the sublime and the sacred potential within everyone -- abled and disabled alike -- a chance to be expressed. But without people’s intelligence in general evolving in that direction, justice can hardly be done to the differently-abled in this country.
Presidential Proclamation--International Day of Persons with Disabilities
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 03, 2010
Presidential Proclamation--International Day of Persons with Disabilities
America stands in solidarity with the growing number of nations around the world that have committed themselves to ending unequal treatment of persons with disabilities. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we acknowledge the contributions of women and men with disabilities around the world, and we recognize our charge to ensure that all individuals can enjoy full inclusion and participation in our societies.
My Administration is continuing to protect and promote human rights, fair opportunity, and equal access for people with disabilities. Last year, the United States became a proud signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first new human rights treaty of the 21st century. Like our laws in the United States, this treaty urges equal protection and equal benefit of the law for all persons with disabilities, and it reaffirms the inherent dignity, worth, and independence of the 650 million individuals with disabilities worldwide. To advance our international work in this area, my Administration has named a Special Advisor for International Disability Rights at the Department of State. My Administration also continues to support the efforts of the World Intellectual Property Organization to facilitate and increase access to literary, artistic, and scientific materials for persons with disabilities. With our partners around the globe, we can affirm the rights of individuals with disabilities to live independently if they choose, free from the fear of discrimination, stigma, or economic insecurity.
In acknowledging the progress of the past year, we also reflect upon important milestones in America's civil rights struggle for people with disabilities. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 35th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These historic, bipartisan civil rights laws were clarion calls for equal access for and an end to discrimination against persons with disabilities, and they have paved the way for countless Americans with disabilities to share their talents and strengthen our communities.
We have made progress, but still have a great distance to journey before every person living with a disability can benefit from the same access and protections, in the United States and abroad. As we celebrate International Day of Persons with Disabilities, let us reinvigorate our commitment to eradicate barriers and ensure equal opportunity for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA
, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 3, 2010, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.
, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 3, 2010, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I call on all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)