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  • Jumat, 09 April 2010

    WBU E-BULLETIN VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2, March 2010

    WBU E-BULLETIN
    VOLUME 4, ISSUE 2
    March 2010

    CONTACT US AT:
    World Blind Union
    1929 Bayview Avenue
    Toronto Ontario Canada M4G 3E8
    Telephone: 1-416-486-9698
    Fax: 1-416-486-8107
    Email: info@wbuoffice.org
    Website: www.worldblindunion.org


    TABLE OF CONTENTS

    CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE E-BULLETIN 3
    FROM THE PRESIDENT 3
    WELCOME TO SARAH SMITH 4
    DISABILITY RIGHTS FUND 5
    ESREF ARMAGAN, INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PAINTER
    AND SUPPORTER OF THE WBU 8
    REMEMBERING PÄR HÄGERMALM 8
    ANNOUNCEMENTS 9
    UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON HUMAN RIGHTS SRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN INCLUDES PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 9
    ESPERANTO LANGUAGE COURSE AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PLANNED 9
    MAINSTREAMING ICTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 10
    ELECTRIC CARS ARE TOO QUIET; JAPAN MANDATES BUILT-IN SOUNDS TO ALERT PEDESTRIANS 10
    GOOGLE EUROPE OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS
    WITH DISABILITIES 11
    WBU-AP REGIONAL SEMINAR ON MASSAGE IN SOUTH KOREA 11
    WORLD BRAILLE CONFERENCE PLANNED FOR 2011 12
    WBU APPOINTS REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE ON ISO
    TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 12
    KICKI NORDSTROM APPOINTED TO WORLD BANK GPDD COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES 13
    RESOURCES 13
    WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR BLIND MASSEURS 13
    DISABILITY LAW HANDBOOK AVAILABLE 13
    ACCESSIBLE ASTRONOMY: TOUCHING THE NIGHT SKY 13
    JOIN INCLUSIVE PLANET - SHARE INFORMATION ON A NEW ONLINE PLATTFORM 14
    PROCEEDINGS OF DAISY2009 CONFERENCE NOW AVAILABLE 14
    NEWS FROM THE REGIONS 14
    AFRICA 14
    HIGHLIGHTS FROM AFUB ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2009 14
    ASIA 16
    WORKSHOP ON CRPD HELD IN JORDAN 16
    LEGAL LITERACY WORKSHOP FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
    WOMEN IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN 16
    IISE CALLS FOR APLLICATIONS FOR ITS 2011 COURSE 17
    COMBAT UNDER TRYING CONDITIONS 17
    LACK OF SPECIALISTS FORCES LOW VISION CLINIC
    TO CLOSE IN SAUDI ARABIA 18
    WBU ASIA PACIFIC REGION 19
    ENSURING AND PROMOTING ACCESS TO INFORMATION THROUGH DAISY 19
    HONG KONG MARATHON 2010 – BLIND RUNNERS PARTICIPATED SUCCESSFULLY 19
    DANIDA CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE 19
    AUSTRALIAN KIDS SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE 20
    EUROPE 21
    ACCESS TO DIGITAL TV IN SPAIN 21
    BLIND LAWYERS ESTABLISH A NEW LAW FIRM IN GERMANY 21
    PICTURES IN MY MIND PROJECT – YOUTH IN PROGRESS WORKSHOP IN LATVIA 22
    MAKING THE UN CONVENTION WORK FOR VISUALLY
    IMPAIRED WOMEN 22
    WHITE SHADOWS - A PHOTOGRAPHS EXHIBITITION
    ABOUT ALBINOS IN TANZANIA 23
    ZAGREB TRAINING BRINGS DAISY PRODUCTION TO CROATIA 23
    NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN 23
    THE CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (CCB) RAISES
    FUNDS FOR HAITI 23
    AFB PRESS PUBLISHES THE SECOND EDITION OF FOUNDATIONS OF LOW VISION 24
    WBU OFFICERS 24
    REGIONAL PRESIDENTS 24
    WBU STAFF 25


    CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE E-BULLETIN
    Contributions are welcome to the E-Bulletin. We thank those of you who have been providing us with content for the E-bulletins and encourage contributions from all regions. Our next deadline for content submission will be Monday, May 3rd 2010 for our May 2010 issue of the E-bulletin. We will accept submissions in English, French and Spanish, preferably in electronic format.

    FROM THE PRESIDENT
    By Maryanne Diamond

    Welcome to the second issue of our e-bulletin for 2010.

    Following the terrible disaster in Haiti, we have been working with ICEVI and IAPB through the Vision Alliance to find a way we can assist people in Haiti who are blind rebuild their lives and organisation. We are planning to have a consultant visit Haiti to work with the locals to determine the situation of education and rehabilitation services. At the same time, a consultant will determine the situation and the needs of eye health programs. A number of members have collected funds or wish to make a donation to Haiti. WBU is happy to hold these funds and work with the local organisation to determine its best use.

    Our treaty with WIPO continues to make good progress. The Ambassador of Mexico based in Geneva has expressed interest in assisting with our work, which is excellent to assist us gain support at the Ambassador level.

    It is pleasing that there are 80 countries that have ratified the CRPD. As a result, the Committee will increase from 12 to 18 members later this year. I was pleased to be present at the opening of the 3rd meeting of the Committee and witness Ron McCallum from Australia take on the role of chair. I understand the meeting went well with the committee adopting its working methods and rules of procedure.

    On behalf of the WBU family, I would like to congratulate Larry Campbell, President of ICEVI, on his latest achievement. Larry has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Salus University for his contribution at the international level in the area of disability. Larry will retire later this year from ICEVI but this is a well deserved recognition for the contribution he has made to education at the international level over many years.

    In November this year, we will hold our only face to face meeting of the Executive in Melbourne, Australia. The Officers will meet in Buenos Aries during March and the Francophone General Assembly will take place in Montreal during May. ICEVI will hold its General Assembly in Bangkok during August. We will keep you updated on the outcomes of all of these events and others we participate in as part of our work.

    I trust you will enjoy the range of articles we have included in this issue.

    WELCOME TO SARAH SMITH
    We would like to take this opportunity to welcome and introduce you to Ms. Sarah Smith, who will be joining our WBU staff on Tuesday April 6th as Manager of Fund Development & Communications. As you are aware, during the past year, we benefited from the services of Sarah Godwin, a fundraising consultant who was supported on our behalf by the RNIB to work for us five days per month to help us develop our fund development program. Sarah developed some excellent proposals and researched a number of Foundations and Trusts where we submitted these proposals. Based on the good work that Sarah Godwin did for us and the need to develop our own capacity internally to generate resources from external sources, the Officers decided to establish a part time fundraising position in the 2010 budget. This decision was supported by a contribution from RNIB that redeployed the funds they had set aside for the external consultant to help with the costs of our own fundraiser. Upon review of the applications and the realization that many candidates had strengths in communications as well, and given our realization that we need additional help to develop and maintain our website and other communications tools, the Officers agreed to expand the position to make it full time and include the communications component.

    The result of all of that is that Sarah Smith will be joining our team in early April. Sarah has a tremendous background in the not-for-profit sector, having worked for both very large and small charities in both the United States and Canada as a fundraiser. You will also be interested to know that Sarah began her career working with persons who are Deafblind and is familiar with braille, American Sign Language and the two hand manual sign used by Deafblind persons. She has also been involved in developing international development projects with USAID when she lived in New York. The combination of fundraising experience, international development and work with blind and Deafblind persons makes Sarah ideally suited to assume these responsibilities for the WBU. Sarah also has a working knowledge of French, Hebrew, American Sign and the two hand sign language system.

    Please join me in welcoming Sarah to the WBU team. You will be able to reach Sarah through the WBU office. Her direct email address is: sarah.smith@wbuoffice.org.

    We also want to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the RNIB’s whose support over the past year has enabled us to establish a good foundation on which to build our fundraising program.

    DISABILITY RIGHTS FUND
    By William Rowland

    The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) is a collaboration bringing together disability activists and donors to advance the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). DRF supports disabled peoples organizations (DPOs) in the Global South and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union in promoting the human rights of persons with physical, sensory, psychosocial, and intellectual disabilities. Involving both donors and persons with disabilities in its governance, DRF empowers DPOs around the world to participate in the implementation and monitoring mechanisms mandated by the CRPD.

    DRF had its origin in conversations between philanthropic staff and the disability community during Ad Hoc Committee meetings leading up to the CRPD. Recognizing the potential impact of a human rights framework on the largest minority group in the world – persons with disabilities who are an estimated 650 million people, or ten percent of the world’s population – donor representatives conceptualized the Fund as a response to the window of opportunity opened up by the CRPD.

    With input from donor representatives, other intermediary grantmakers, and the international disability community, a Framework for the Fund – detailing mission, scope, governance structure, and expected outcomes – was finalized in December 2007. The Fund’s overarching goal was defined as advancement of the CRPD in the Global South and Eastern Europe/former Soviet Union and its main strategy would be to support DPOs at country level via modest, advocacy-directed grants.
    The Fund’s unique structure includes a Global Advisory Panel of twelve members, the majority of whom are persons with disabilities from the Global South and Eastern Europe, which makes grantmaking recommendations, and a Steering Committee composed of donor representatives and four of the advisers, which finalizes grantmaking strategy and guidelines, makes final recommendations of grantees, and has oversight of the Fund. This structure, which places people with disabilities in powerful roles within DRF, has been key to the establishment of the Fund as an innovative grantmaking vehicle operating in concert with the disability movement’s slogan, “nothing about us without us”.
    The belief among donors that persons with disabilities belong in the realm of health or welfare and not in the realm of rights is persistent. Building a common platform between donors and persons with disabilities via the vehicle of the Fund is therefore essential. Explaining why disability is a rights issue is critical, while enabling persons with disabilities to understand and utilize human rights approaches is also key to advancing the Convention.
    DRF’s first year of grantmaking was launched in June 2008 with an open request for proposals (RFP) targeted at organizations in seven countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: Ghana, Namibia, Uganda, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru. These countries were selected based on two main criteria: evidence of ‘political will’ to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities (including but not exclusive to ratification of the CRPD), and existence of a vibrant and diverse disability movement. Altogether 33 grants were made for a total of $800,000. Recipients of funding included a Ugandan organization of lawyers with disabilities, an emergent Peruvian group of people with psychosocial disabilities, and a grassroots network in Bangladesh of women-led DPOs.
    In 2009, DRF had two grantmaking rounds. The first round, announced in February, was directed at new countries - India, Mexico, and Ukraine. The second round, announced in July, involved the original seven target countries, enabling current grantees to gain a possible second year of support, as well as expanding support to new grantees. In addition to this, funding was opened up to Pacific Island countries. Over the course of the year, the Fund made 82 one-year grants to organizations in fourteen countries (India, Mexico, Ukraine; Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru; Ghana, Namibia, Uganda; Bangladesh; and four Pacific Island Countries), totalling $1,933,050. These grants supported CRPD skills-building, local rights advocacy, and national-level CRPD promotion, implementation, and monitoring by DPO-led coalitions.
    The first grantmaking round of 2010, targeting India, Mexico, Ukraine, and new country Indonesia, has just been announced. There are two levels of funding: (1) Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 directed at single organizations or partnerships which enhance organizational inclusiveness and capacity to implement the CRPD or working on projects arising from specific CRPD articles at the local level; and (2) Grants ranging from $30,000 to $70,000 directed at national coalitions working on ratification, harmonization of legislation with the CRPD, or shadow reporting. These separate funding streams allow DRF to reach out to diverse constituencies within the disability community: smaller, emergent or marginalized sectors, as well as well-established, national-level initiatives.
    Beneficiaries from DRF grants over the past two years include several blind and Deafblind groups of which the following are examples:
     An organization of Deafblind persons in Uganda working in coalition with other marginalized sectors of the disability community to raise their voices within the larger disability community;
     An emergent Nicaraguan organization of Deafblind persons;
     An organization of blind persons in the Matagalpa region of Nicaragua which is working via a cross-disability process to strengthen the Municipal Commission of Persons with Disabilities; and
     A national umbrella organization of blind people in Peru which utilized the smallest possible grant from DRF ($5,000) to transcribe the CRPD into braille for dissemination throughout their country.
    Just as “the CRPD has expressive value because it signals the global community’s recognition that persons with disabilities have equal dignity, autonomy, and worth”, the existence of the DRF signals to donors and civil society that the struggles of people with disabilities are human rights struggles worthy of human rights funding.

    DRF is currently supported by a founding anonymous donor, Aepoch Fund, American Jewish World Service, AusAID, DFID, the Open Society Institute, and The Sigrid Rausing Trust. DRF welcomes your questions and communications. You may write to us at info@disabilityrightsfund.org.

    ESREF ARMAGAN, INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PAINTER AND SUPPORTER OF THE WBU
    The story of Esref Armagan, a blind painter from Turkey, who has become internationally known for his artistic genius, is being written by author Rachelle Burk, from the United States.

    Born in Istanbul, Turkey and blind from birth, Esref did not have the opportunity to receive formal education, but rather, through the encouragement of his father became self-educated. From the age of twelve, Esref has been painting recognizable objects using tactile representations as his guide. Today, Esref is internationally recognized for his skill as a painter and in fact is considered to be unique as a blind person in his ability to represent three point perspective. His skill was considered so unique, that some questioned whether or not he was actually blind and he underwent a number of scientific research tests to verify that he is indeed totally blind from birth and that he does possess this unique ability.

    Esref’s story became known internationally when he became the subject of a Discovery Channel documentary that was subsequently aired internationally. Recently, Esref donated one of his paintings through a charity auction house in Europe, requesting that the proceeds be donated to the World Blind Union. The painting, of a Volvo car, was auctioned on E-Bay and subsequently purchased by a Volvo car dealership in Quebec Canada. The WBU received $3,050 as the proceeds from this auction.

    The World Blind Union would like to express its congratulations to Esref on his success and its appreciation to him for his most generous contribution to our work.

    We will let you know when Esref’s story is published. For further information about Esref, his life and paintings, please visit his website at: www.armagan.com

    REMEMBERING PÄR HÄGERMALM
    By Kicki Nordstrom

    It is with sincere regret that we inform you that Pär Hägermalm, an honorary life member of the WBU, passed away the 6 of February 2010.

    Pär Hägermalm was very involved with the Swedish Association of Visually Impaired (SRF), and he was instrumental in developing the organisation to what it has become today. It was Pär who was the key person behind the establishment of the Almåsa Course Centre at SRF; it was Pär who started up SHIA, which is the disability movement organisation for support to developing countries. Pär was also the one who, together with the SRF President at that time, Charles Hedkvist, established The Braille and talking book library in early 1950’s which today is one of the biggest libraries for the blind in the world. In addition, Pär started a number of eye care hospitals for prevention of avoidable blindness. He established the SRF Foundation and he was active and supportive of SRF until his last breath. He was 89 when he passed away!

    All blind and visually impaired persons in Sweden and internationally, are grateful, thankful and feel deep respect for the work Pär had undertaken to create a better life for blind and visually impaired persons around the world.


    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON HUMAN RIGHTS SRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN INCLUDES PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
    The Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights’ (OHCHR) Strategic Management Plan 2010-2011 articulates OHCHR’s priorities, expected accomplishments and strategies for the biennium. It references persons with disabilities in initiatives that address discrimination, gender-based violence, capacity building and advocacy. To read the plan, which is only available in PDF, please go to: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/SMP2010-2011.pdf

    ESPERANTO LANGUAGE COURSE AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE PLANNED
    The International Association of Esperanto Teachers, ILEI, has organized an international Esperanto study week in Slovakia, Piestany, and 80 km from the capital Bratislava. This is a great opportunity to learn Esperanto in the morning, attend various leisure activities, excursions, social evenings and to get acquainted with Slovakian culture and that of other participating countries.

    Costs: Registration fee until March 30th 40EUROS, until April 30th 50EUROS, after May 1st 60EUROS. Accommodations including meals range from 152 to 176 EUROS. Further details about the arrangements including registration sheet are available in English on the following site http://en.lernu.net/pri_/renkontighoj/SES/.
    The Austrian Esperanto Association of the Blind, ALBE, will host the Esperanto congress of Ligo Internacia de Blindaj Esperantistoj (LIBE) from 10 to 15 July, immediately after the study week in Slovakia. The participation fee including program, accommodation, meals and excursions is 340 EURO. Registration and payment of half of the fee is due by 30 April. For information and registration materials, please contact Mr. Harald Rader, Paracelsusstr. e-mail harald.rader@aon.at

    MAINSTREAMING ICTS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
    An expert group of approximate 30 individuals representing NGOs, the private and academic sectors, ITU (International telecommunication Union), UNESCO, and G3ICT (Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs), met February 22, 23 in Paris, to discuss how to support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

    Working groups have been established in the following areas:
     Making UNESCO ICT accessible
     Supporting Member States in making education ICT accessible
     Information and Knowledge Access Ecosystem (Web, Broadcasting, Publishing, Language Accessibility Tools)
     Mobilizing resources and international co-operation

    ELECTRIC CARS ARE TOO QUIET; JAPAN MANDATES BUILT-IN SOUNDS TO ALERT PEDESTRIANS
    The Japanese government is drawing up legislation to make a new generation of electric cars speak, beep or even mimic the sound of galloping horses or running water.

    The introduction of hybrid and electric cars, which make very little noise, has raised concerns of an increase in accidents involving pedestrians - particularly the very young, the elderly and visually impaired persons.

    A ministry of transport panel is working on guidelines for a minimum noise level for such vehicles and has invited ideas from the public for a standard warning noise -- prompting suggestions for automated verbal warnings, the sound of an indicator ticking or even horses' hooves.

    GOOGLE EUROPE OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
    Google has recently announced that it will be providing scholarships and networking retreats for computer science students with disabilities. This scholarship aims to help dismantle barriers that keep students with disabilities from entering the computing field, encourage them to excel in their studies and become active role models and leaders in creating technology.

    Multiple scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates' academic performance and demonstrated passion for computer science. A group of Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD students will be chosen from the applicant pool. Applications will be reviewed by a committee of researchers and engineers. The scholarship recipients will each receive a 7,000 Euros (or equivalent) scholarship for the 2010/2011 academic year.


    WBU-AP REGIONAL SEMINAR ON MASSAGE IN SOUTH KOREA
    The Korean Blind Union is pleased to announce that the 10th WBU Asia Pacific Regional Seminar on Massage will take place from May 3rd to May 6th, 2010, at the Seoul Olympic Parktel in Seoul, South Korea. This conference offers a great opportunity for blind massage teaching professionals, operators of massage centers, and blind masseurs to discuss and share ideas on new massage techniques and theories, new applications, and related training and employment for the blind.

    The Korea Blind Union is honoured to be appointed by the WBU Asia Pacific Regional Massage Commission to be the host of this Regional Massage Seminar. For general information about the Conference, or to get a tentative programme, call for papers and the registration form, please contact the Korean Blind Union at: kblindunion@chol.com

    WORLD BRAILLE CONFERENCE PLANNED FOR 2011
    A World Braille Conference, entitled BRAILLE21 is being planned for September 26 to October 2, 2011 by the WBU World Braille Council in partnership with the German Central Library for the Blind.
    More information about the conference can be found at:
    www.braille21.net

    WBU APPOINTS REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE ON ISO TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
    The WBU has appointed Barbara Martin, Director of Technical Affairs office for European Union with ONCE, as our representative on an ISO (International Standards Organization) Committee dealing with accessibility for persons with disabilities.

    The Committee: ISO/TC159(Ergonomics)/AGAD (Advisory Group for Accessible Design) has as its aims:
    1) Coordination and collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities and the elderly
    2) Coordination and collaboration in ISO (in TC173 and other TCs)
    3) Strategy development for AD Standardization

    ISO has the system of 'liaison' to cooperate with other organizations and reflect their opinions on standards. They therefore requested from the WBU the establishment of a 'liaison' between WBU and AGAD. Some of the issues to be addressed include:
    1) Using methods of Braille signage in public facilities
    2) Using methods of Braille signage on consumer products
    3) Methods of displaying tactile guide maps
    4) Shape, color, and arrangement of toilet operating equipment and appliances in public rest rooms
    5) Design principles of pictorial symbols for communication support
    6) Accessible meetings
    7) Acoustic signals in public areas

    We sincerely thank Barbara and ONCE for her agreement to represent the WBU on this important committee.

    KICKI NORDSTROM APPOINTED TO WORLD BANK GPDD COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES
    Kicki Nordstrom a Past President of the WBU and former Chair of the WBU Women’s Committee was appointed by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) to represent them on the World Bank GPDD (Global Program on Disability & Development) Community of Practice for Women with Disabilities. The Community of Practice, organized by GPDD, brings together experts from a variety of sectors to share information, expertise and best practice in order to develop a body of knowledge related to development issues for women with disabilities. Congratulations and thanks to Kicki on being selected for this work.

    RESOURCES
    WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR BLIND MASSEURS
    A new website has recently been launched to promote massage as a profession among blind persons and to share important information of use to blind masseurs. The website is available in English and Chinese and is fully accessible.
    Please visit the website at: www.blindmassageintl.com
    DISABILITY LAW HANDBOOK AVAILABLE
    The National Network of Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Centers has announced the release of the new edition of the Disability Law Handbook. Free copies may be downloaded in English and Spanish in PDF format only by following links at http://www.southwestada.org/html/publications/dlh/index.html

    ACCESSIBLE ASTRONOMY: TOUCHING THE NIGHT SKY
    The stunning images provided by space-and ground-based telescopes are visual wonders. But now, visually impaired astronomic enthusiasts can also enjoy those images thanks to the work of Noreen Grice. For 25 years, Grice has been working to make sure astronomy is accessible for everyone, including those who are blind or have low vision as well as those who have impaired hearing. She has created a series of books and other products that are designed to bring the universe to everyone.

    Grice's five astronomy books are accessible with text in both print and braille along with pictures that are touchable. Using tactile overlays of line drawings of stars, planets, comets, and other objects, real pictures come to life for the visually impaired, but they can also be shared by sighted people.
    For more information, visit the website for Grice's company on:
    www.youcandoastronomy.com

    JOIN INCLUSIVE PLANET - SHARE INFORMATION ON A NEW ONLINE PLATTFORM
    Inclusiveplanet.com is an online platform that enables persons with visual impairments to connect with each other, share accessible content and build conversations and communities. The portal offers user file sharing, making new friends, and participating in discussions. Resource channels such as English literature, computer science, social science, and sheet music are providing further accessible information. Over 2200 members from 76 different countries have come together to attempt to make this an inclusive planet.

    To learn more about the network, please visit the official website at:
    www.inclusiveplanet.com

    PROCEEDINGS OF DAISY2009 CONFERENCE NOW AVAILABLE
    The German Central Library for the Blind is very pleased to announce the release of the proceedings of the DAISY 2009 Conference held in Germany in September 2009.
    All materials can be found at: www.daisy2009.de

    NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
    AFRICA
    HIGHLIGHTS FROM AFUB ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2009
    The following is extracted from the Executive Summary of the AFUB Annual Report from 2009 and highlights programs and activities carried out during the year. This report is anchored on the 2009 action plan adopted by the board in Cairo, Egypt in March 2009. Over 80% of the action plan was realised through Secretariat’s administrative and coordination activities executed in the year under review.

    In Gender and Youth Development Programme, funded by SRF and SSI, 130 visually impaired youth from eight countries (Ghana, The Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda) received training on Human Rights and Access to Social Justice, with a special reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

    Leadership training seminar for blind women was conducted in Burkina Faso.

    In the Human Rights Programme, funded by SRF, a Human Rights preplanning project was launched in July, with the purpose of developing a Human Rights project proposal application, to submit to SHIA for funding in 2010.

    In Education and Braille Literacy Programme, funded by WBF, a project was launched in Swaziland and Niger in the month of August, with the aim of increasing access of visually impaired children in those countries to education.

    In HIV&AIDS Awareness and Training Programme, funded by CNIB, 100 visually impaired men and women received training as HIV&AIDS Peer Educators. These were from Benin, Eritrea, Liberia and Mali (25 in each country). The trained Peer Educators reached a total of 1,705 grassroots visually impaired persons (1,015 female and 690 men) with information on HIV&AIDS.

    In building leadership capacity of AFUB member organisations, a leadership training seminar, funded by NABP was conducted in Cape Verde in the month of July.

    In the Membership Liaison and Data Management Department, member organisations were contacted regularly on different issues; over 35 documents (reports, training materials and newsletters) were translated to French and English for the purpose of meeting language needs of AFUB member organizations/associations. In the Accounting Department, monthly and quarterly financial reports were prepared and submitted to respective partners according to the partnership agreements between AFUB and its development partners.

    Five issues of newsletters were published and distributed to member organizations and other stakeholders in accessible formats and languages. These included AFUBNEWS – two issues, Women Voices – two issues, and Youth Beat – one issue.

    ASIA
    WORKSHOP ON CRPD HELD IN JORDAN
    A comprehensive two day advocacy workshop on various aspects of the CRPD was held in Amman, Jordan on 19-20 December, 2009 under the auspices of the Asian Blind Union. The event was organized by Friendship Association of the Blind, Jordan. Approximately 64 participants from ten Middle East countries took part in this workshop and discussed ways to ensure speedy implementation of the Convention in the countries of the Middle East. In depth presentations were made on the contents of the UNCRPD, its present status in the Middle East region, the implications of the Convention, and the responsibilities of the NGOs to ensure its effective implementation, and the ways to involve the visually impaired at the grass roots’ levels in this process. Effective monitoring mechanisms at the national as well as the international levels were also discussed.

    One of the most striking dimensions of this workshop was the wide range of participation not just in terms of numbers, but also, and perhaps more important, in respect of the representation from various sectors. In addition to the representatives of the ABU affiliates, a number of other important NGOs of the region such as the Handicapped International also took part. Also, important personalities from the administrative and political sectors of Jordan were present during the workshop. These included: representatives of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, Jordan; Prince Ra’ad Bin Zeid of Jordan who showed a keen interest in the deliberations of the workshop; and Ms. Hala Latof, Minister for Social Development.

    LEGAL LITERACY WORKSHOP FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED WOMEN IN QUETTA, PAKISTAN
    A legal literacy workshop for visually impaired women took place on the 5th and 6th, October, 2009. 38 women participated in this event which was hosted by the Pakistan Association of the Blind in Quetta, Pakistan. The following main issues were on the agenda for consideration:
     Legal rights of blind and partial sighted women
     Education and employment
     UN Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities
     Effective participation of visually impaired women in decision-making processes

    As a result of the discussion, a final statement paper with recommendations was submitted by the delegates. One of the central claims calls for more representation of visually impaired women in local and national legislative bodies. Another demand focuses on resource and facility building such as vocational centers.

    IISE CALLS FOR APLLICATIONS FOR ITS 2011 COURSE
    The International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) is seeking highly motivated and committed candidates for its one-year scholarship-based program starting in 2011 in Kerala, India. Applicants have to be twenty-two years or older and should speak, read and write English. Deadline for applications for the 2011 course is the 30th of May, 2010. Taught by international experts in the field of management and social entrepreneurship, IISE empowers visionaries who are blind or partially sighted to set up projects across the world that address the needs of the underprivileged. IISE participants are challenged to become individuals whose skills, integrity and leadership qualities prepare them to become effective and distinguished social entrepreneurs in their communities and in the world. Leadership, management, public speaking and fund raising are some of the skills participants will learn. This hands-on program includes an internship which provides practical real-world experience.

    Further information about requirements, the application process and application form as well as details of the curriculum can be found under: http://www.bwb-iise.org/
    E-mail contact for general inquiries: BrailleWB@gmx.net

    COMBAT UNDER TRYING CONDITIONS
    Excerpted from ABU Newsletter, Progress

    It is well known that during past years, Afghanistan has undergone difficult times. The conditions have, no doubt affected the developmental work in the visual impairment sector there. In this backdrop, the efforts made by Afghanistan Association of the Blind to help hundreds of visually impaired persons belonging to that country, are all the more appreciable.

    Among its other activities, AAB works with 380 visually impaired students, many of them living in refugee camps. While these students study in regular schools, the plus curriculum skills, which are so vital for their overall development, are not imparted in these schools. In order to fill this gap, the Asian Blind Union, through AAB conducted two practical orientation courses in October, 2009.

    The first of these courses was a three day training workshop in the use of Braille and basic mathematical equipments such as Taylor Frame. The course was conducted in the hostel of the Afghan Association of the Blind which is located in Peshawar. 15 participants, among these 7 females, took part and received useful training in the use of basic English, Pashto and Farsi Braille as well as in performing basic arithmetical functions on Taylor Frame. The Participants found this training very helpful to further their education.

    The second orientation programme was held in Jalalabad and was of 15 days’ duration. It focused on teaching mobility and personal grooming to 20 visually impaired persons among which 5 were women. In the first week of the Programme training without white cane was provided. The emphasis was on enhancing the self-confidence and independence of the participating VI persons. In addition, they were taught personal grooming manners. The second week of the programme was devoted to training with white cane and on instilling motivation in the participants.

    The evaluation carried out at the end of this orientation demonstrated that the practical training imparted in this mobility training programme was deeply appreciated by the participants. There was a visible sense of enthusiasm and self-confidence in them after having learnt the mobility skills. The event also coincided with the White Cane Day which falls on 15th October every year.

    LACK OF SPECIALISTS FORCES LOW VISION CLINIC TO CLOSE IN SAUDI ARABIA
    The only low vision clinic in Saudi Arabia has been closed since last month because there is no trained optometrist or ophthalmologist to help run it. The clinic’s most recent incumbent, an optometrist, was there for the last two years, but recently left after receiving a better job offer elsewhere.

    Mohammad Tawfiq Bellow, founder and general manager of Ebsar Foundation which runs the clinic, said that getting the right person is not easy as specialists with the appropriate training tend to prefer to work in hospitals because of better benefits and financial security.

    Formed with the help of US-based Lighthouse International, Ebsar Foundation is one of the only four centres in the Eastern Mediterranean region which provide dedicated low vision services.

    WBU ASIA PACIFIC REGION
    ENSURING AND PROMOTING ACCESS TO INFORMATION THROUGH DAISY
    An International Symposium, hosted by the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD) brought together approximately 140 people in Tokyo on February 19 to learn about the latest DAISY developments and about EPUB, the emerging de-facto standard for commercial e-publishing. Participants came from a wide spectrum of organizations. The keynote speech by Hiroshi Kawamura, President of the DAISY Consortium, provided an overview of DAISY implementation in Japan. A highlight was the announcement of the revised Japanese copyright law on January 1, 2010. This long awaited change has greatly improved the reading environment for people with vision loss.

    HONG KONG MARATHON 2010 – BLIND RUNNERS PARTICIPATED SUCCESSFULLY
    26 blind marathon runners, supported by The Hong Kong Blind Sports Association, have participated recently in the Standard Chartered HK Marathon on 28 February, 2010. All of them achieved remarkable scores: Six runners completed the entire marathon. The fastest runner, Mr. Ho Wing Luen, finished in 4 hours 38 minutes, followed by Liu King Tsang who needed 4 hours and 41 minutes for the whole distance. The Galant Ng, our Director, and Ms. Alsa Kwok finished the run within 5 hours. Another 6 participants joined the half marathon, while 14 mastered the 10 kilometre distance.

    DANIDA CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE
    DANIDA (the development aid agency of the Danish government) which funds a Capacity Building Project managed by the Danish Association of the Blind has been underway in the Asia Pacific Region, mainly in Mongolia and Lao PDR. The project focuses on the following main issues:
     Increasing capacity building in terms of advocacy and lobbying
     Establishment of women's wings
     Increasing the capacity of WBUAP as a regional structure

    A number of activities have been undertaken within the projects: these have included Leadership Training seminars, research projects addressing blind and visually impaired women in Mongolia and Laos, and the implementation of a women's forum in both countries.

    These activities have resulted in some positive results for the organizations: strengthened structures, public awareness, and representation. The number of members in both organizations rose, and new branches were established all over the region. In particular, the women's forum brought enormous changes to the blind and partially sighted women; some of whom are now developing leadership skills.

    In addition, a number of Small Scale Projects were undertaken. Some of the most successful Small Scale Projects included:
     MNFB (Mongolian National Federation of the Blind) established several additional branches in its provinces.
     MNFB set up information centers and libraries.
     MNFB organized a workshop highlighting fundraising, organizational management, advocacy, and lobbying issues.
     LAB (Lao Association of the Blind) hosted a large event on 2008 with over 200 persons participating in a White Cane Day event.
     LAB purchased musical instruments, trained their members, and formed a musical group.
     LAB succeeded in providing its own media broadcast.

    AUSTRALIAN KIDS SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE
    During the Sight Day on February 26, 2010, school kids across Australia raised funds to help improve the vision of other school kids and older people in communities across the globe.

    In 2009, thanks partly to our school kids’ support, the International Centre for Eye care Education (ICEE) was able to increase eye care accessibility by opening locally staffed Vision Centres across the globe, with four Vision Centres in Sri Lanka, three Vision Centres in Papua New Guinea, one Vision Centre in Darwin, Cambodia and Mongolia and several more Vision Centres in Africa including Uganda, while expanding an Australian Aboriginal Vision programme that stretches from NSW to the Northern Territory.

    The International Centre for Eye Education (ICEE) CEO Professor Brien Holden said the message is uncomplicated – good vision allows children to learn at school and adults to provide for their families. “Unfortunately, many people in low socioeconomic groups cannot afford corrective measures like a pair of glasses,” Professor Holden said.

    The funds raised by the school kids will be used by the ICEE to continue development of access to eye care in developing communities around the world.
    To find out more about the day and the project, please go to:
    www.sunniesforsight.org

    EUROPE
    ACCESS TO DIGITAL TV IN SPAIN
    On the 3rd of December 2009, the Spanish Prime Minister, Mr. José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, announced that accessible digital television decoders for the blind and severely partially sighted people will be available very soon. A software prototype was officially presented that, on a DTT decoder, enables people with blindness or severe visual impairment to have access to the configuration of the decoder itself as well as to the information provided by TV channels. It also allows users to record and manage the Parental Control settings on the decoder. All this is possible due to the implementation of a speech engine for individuals with blindness or severe visual impairment, and to the option to modify the font size, colours, and contrasts of the texts displayed on the TV screen.

    It has been a long road to this solution, which will be finally consolidated in a few weeks when the decoders are released on the market and reach their final customers. Several companies have committed to implementing this solution into their products within a short time frame and they are already working on it.

    For further information contact:
    http://www.once.es/new/otras-webs/english and cidat@once.es

    BLIND LAWYERS ESTABLISH A NEW LAW FIRM IN GERMANY
    With a starting capital of 30,000 Euro the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted (DBSV) and the German Association of Blind and Partially Sighted Students and Professionals (DVBS) have teamed together to launch the new RbM law firm based in Marburg. The acronym stands for "Rights of Disabled People". The law firm provides legal advice for blind and partially sighted people and defends their rights in the field of social legislation and administrative law. Germany has a blind population of 150,000 people. 40,000 of these are affiliated with DBSV while DVBS counts 1,400 members. Registered members of either of these organisations enjoy legal protection by the RbM since last year.

    There is a great need for legal advice in Germany. In 2009 the law firm had 270 cases. It is anticipated that this year this number will rise to 400 cases. 60 per cent of all claims filed target the national health insurance for, amongst other reasons, failing to ensure a sufficient level of mobility training and equipment. RbM plans to open further branches in Hamburg and Munich to ensure a nationwide legal service.

    PICTURES IN MY MIND PROJECT – YOUTH IN PROGRESS WORKSHOP IN LATVIA
    From the 3rd to the 12th of July 2010, 'Youth in Progress', Latvia will be hosting the 'Pictures in My Mind' project. The aim of this project is to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between young people in Europe with and without visual impairment. Participants from different countries will take part in activities designed to foster new relationships and compare and share experiences. One of these activities will be 'Shot Session of Sounds' in which participants will design and produce their own visual and sound materials used to create a photo-film for diffusion to a wider audience. Besides this event, other workshops in fields such as photography, dancing and tactile painting will be offered during the meeting.
    For more information contact: YOUTH IN PROGRESS
    Dace Kruste, dkruste@gmail.com

    MAKING THE UN CONVENTION WORK FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED WOMEN
    The Pancyprian Organisation of the Blind, in cooperation with the EBU Women's Steering Group, is organising a seminar from the 25-28 of March 2010 in Larnaca, Cyprus, on the theme of ´Making the UN convention work for visually impaired women´.

    The seminar represents a unique opportunity to discuss important topics and strategies on implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, especially focusing on issues and priorities for women with visual impairment. Among others, the following topics will be discussed within the presentations, workshops and round table:
     Life-long learning and vocational training
     Financial independence and employment
     Health and safety

    For more information contact Maria Kyriacou at:
    E-mail: pot@logos.cy.net

    WHITE SHADOWS - A PHOTOGRAPHS EXHIBITITION ABOUT ALBINOS IN TANZANIA
    Photographs of special personal moments and events in the life of the visually impaired persons were displayed to the public in March 2010 at the Gallery of Windows in the Azrieli Center, Tel Aviv. The expo was sponsored by The Center for the Blind in Israel.

    A special feature of the exhibit included photographs by Israeli photographer and journalist Mr. Liron Shimoni who visited Tanzania, where he witnessed the difficult lives of persons with Albinism living there. The opening of the exhibition took place on March 2nd, 2010. Ms. Ronit Hershkovitz, Honorary Consul of Tanzania in Israel, joined the ceremony as a guest.

    A short film about the project can be watched at:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/lironshimoni

    ZAGREB TRAINING BRINGS DAISY PRODUCTION TO CROATIA
    Five days of training in DAISY book production were recently conducted at the Croatian Library for the Blind by Prashant Ranjan Verma, a Training and Technical Support Consultant for the DAISY Consortium. The Croatian Library for the Blind is a governmental institution under the Ministry of Culture, and it is an Associate Member of the DAISY Consortium.

    NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
    THE CANADIAN COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND (CCB) RAISES FUNDS FOR HAITI
    The CCB will raise funds under its “Kitchens of the World™ cookbook program in the wake of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti, in an effort to aid in much needed assistance to the Haitian Society for the Blind and to people with vision loss in Haiti.

    Haiti is a featured country in the cookbook and a special Haiti Relief page has been set up on the CCB website at:
    http://www.ccbnational.net/cookbook/Haiti.html

    AFB PRESS PUBLISHES THE SECOND EDITION OF FOUNDATIONS OF LOW VISION
    Foundations of Low Vision: Clinical and Functional Perspectives, the groundbreaking text that highlighted the importance of the functional reality of low vision, has been updated and expanded in a new second edition that has just been released by the American Foundation for the Blind.

    First published in 1996, this major resource advanced the understanding of the functional as well as clinical implications of low vision and contributed to the expansion of services based on the individual’s actual abilities, rather than on clinical measurements that conveyed only one dimension of an individual’s needs.
    AFB Press will also release the third edition of Foundations of Orientation and Mobility in the summer of 2010.

    Foundations of Low Vision can be ordered on the AFB Press online bookstore at www.afb.org/store

    WBU OFFICERS
    Ms. Maryanne Diamond, President
    maryanne.diamond@visionaustralia.org
    Mr. Arnt Holte, 1st Vice President
    arnt.holte@blindeforbundet.no
    Ms. Frances Candiru, 2nd Vice President
    aiykko@gmail.com
    Mr. Enrique Pérez, Secretary General
    umc@once.es
    Mr. A. K. Mittal, Treasurer
    akmittal@rediffmail.com
    Dr. William Rowland, Immediate Past President
    rowland@sancb.org.za

    REGIONAL PRESIDENTS
    AFRICA (AFUB)
    Mr. Mohammed Ez-zaoui
    med.ezzaoui@gmail.com
    ASIA (ABU)
    Mr. Ahmad Mohammed Mousa Allouzi
    fabjo@index.com.jo
    ASIA PACIFIC (WBU-AP)
    Mr. Chuji Sashida
    sashida.chuji@jeed.or.jp
    EUROPE (EBU)
    Lord Colin Low
    Colin.Low@rnib.org.uk
    LATIN AMERICA (ULAC)
    Dr. Guillermo Moreno
    dr_guillermo_moreno@hotmail.com
    NORTH AMERICA/CARIBBEAN (WBU-NA/C)
    Mr. Carl Augusto
    caugusto@afb.net
    WBU STAFF
    Dr. Penny Hartin, Chief Executive Officer
    penny.hartin@wbuoffice.org
    Ms. Ianina Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant
    ianina.rodriguez@wbuoffice.org

    1 Komentar:

    Blogger MedicalWhistleblower mengatakan...

    Historically persons with disabilities have been marginalized, stigmatized and deprived of opportunities and freedoms afforded to individuals without disabilities; and the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus a landmark treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It was signed by the President of the United States on July 30, 2009 and needs to be ratified by the US Congress to be the law of the land. Please help grassroots efforts to support the ratification of the CRPD by Congress.

    http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ratify-un-treaty-human-rights-of-the-disabled-disabled-crpdwith-disabilities

    9 April 2010 pukul 22.14  

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