May 1st, 2012 WBU e-Notice

Here is our e-notice, listing current news and events. Be sure to send us your own stories and updates to include in this notice: Marianne.mcquillan@wbuoffice.org

 A new study shows that cell replacement may cure one form of blindness. A study done in the UK using mice may lead to further trials in the future to replace damaged rods in the eyes with healthy ones. Read more: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/243302/cell-replacement-may-cure-blindness.html

 Complications from diabetes blinds one person a week in Ireland. http://www.thejournal.ie/one-person-with-diabetes-goes-blind-each-week-in-ireland-diabetes-action-425549-Apr2012/

 In recognition of International Guide Dog Day, blind people in Japan marched in Tokyo to protest stores that still ban guide dogs: http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/04/27/blind-people-march-in-tokyo-to-protest-guide-dog-discrimination/

 A major research breakthrough for Age-Related macular Degeneration. Scientists at Trinity College in Dublin have found that part of the immune system may be responsible for triggering AMD. Read more: http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120410/9474/blindness-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd-therapy.htm

 New options for the blind to pay their taxi fares in New York City: http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/04/18/officials-introduce-taxi-payment-service-for-blind-people/

 The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has issued a draft report on the study of violence against women and girls with disabilities. It can be accessed by following this link: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/women/.

 The fifth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) will be held from September 12 to 14, 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Prior to the convening of the Conference, a Civil Society CRPD Forum will be organized on September 11th, by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) with a view to engage NGOs (non-government organizations) and DPOs (disabled persons organizations) in discussions to promote coordinated civil society involvement in preparation for the High-level meeting of the General Assembly on disability and development to be held later. The Global Partnership for Disability and Development (GPDD) will also convene a Development Partners Forum in conjunction with the conference. More information is posted at: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?navid=46&pid=1595

Some of this year’s conference notices and links:

May 6 to 10: the 5th General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille (ICEB) is taking place in Gauteng, South Africa: for details go to: http://iceb.org/

September 17 to 21 - The 13th International conference on Mobility and Transport for Elderly and disabled persons will take place in New Delhi, India. http://www.transed2012.in/

September 17 to 20: IAPB 9th General Assembly, in Hyderabad, India. (IAPB = International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness; a Vision Alliance partner) For details go to: http://9ga.iapb.org/

November 8 & 9: AFUB 7th General Assembly, Bangkok, Thailand just before the WBU event, see below. (AFUB = African Union of the Blind – is one of the WBU’s 6 global regions)

November 10 to 18: WBU/ICEVI General Assemblies - Bangkok, Thailand. The event website to register and read more about the various activities: www.wbu-icevi2012.org (ICEVI = International Council for the Education of people with Visual Impairment; a Vision Alliance partner)

November 26 to 28: Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) 1st World Congress, to be held in Agra, India. To learn more link here: http://www.cbrglobal.org/