Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:06:35 +0530 Subject: September 2009 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin From: advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com To: ad...@cbrforum.in CBR Forum E-News Bulletin – A Compilation of News, Information and Updates September 2009 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying – in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and enhance the potential to exercise these rights. Compiled by: C. Mahesh, Advocacy Coordinator advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com A: INDIA A: INDIA – BREAKING NEWS Amendments proposed in the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 - DRAFT/ 04.9.09 Ministry of Social Justice has posted the "Proposed Amendments in the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995" on their website for your comments by 15th Oct 2009. What you can do by this deadline? 1. Hold further meetings and consultations regarding the proposed amendments at a local level. 2. Send your comments/ views/ suggestion to Secretary, Social Welfare Department (refer to the website given below for the names of the Secretaries of in your State) For further details visit http://www.socialjustice.nic.in/draftpwdact.html RTE Bill to include all categories of disabilities Just a month after it was passed by Parliament, the Right to Education (RTE) Act is set to be amended to include all categories of differently-abled children in its ambit. The move comes after an intervention by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) following protests from disabled rights groups. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rte-bill-to-include-all-categories-of-disabilities/519678/ 'Disability Act should conform to UN model' At a conference of state welfare ministers, Singh said India lagged in adopting the correct - human rights - approach on the subject. He said the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 1995 would be "comprehensively" amended to conform to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), enforced in May 2008. India is a UNCRPD signatory. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60632§ionid=4&secid=&Itemid=1&issueid=122 Disabilities Act to be amended NEW DELHI: The social justice ministry is moving ahead with its plan to amend the persons with disabilities act to bring it in conformity with the UN Convention. The issue dominated the conference of state social justice ministers, where another plan to simplify the procedures for issue of disability certificate was also discussed at length. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Disabilities-Act-to-be-amended/articleshow/4988564.cms PM inaugurates State Welfare Ministers’ Conference The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, inaugurated State Welfare Ministers’ conference in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Singh stressed upon the need to step up monitoring and implementation of key welfare schemes which target the weaker sections. The Prime Minister urged the National Institute of Design to encourage the design of everyday appliances and instruments that cater to the needs of people with various disabilities. http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=52425 Persons with disabilities are valuable human resource: India Press Trust of India / United Nations September 3, 2009, 11:53 IST Stating that persons with disabilities are a valuable human resource, India today told a UN meet that it was committed to ensure that they not only enjoy their rights, but also are provided opportunities to lead their life to their fullest potential. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/personsdisabilitiesvaluable-human-resource-india/72521/on Allow wheelchairs inside Jagannath temple BHUBANESWAR: Activists fighting for rights of the physically-challenged on Saturday demanded that wheelchairs be allowed inside the Jagannath temple like it is in other pilgrimages of the country. Priests do not allow people on wheelchairs or with crutches inside the temple as they believe that such equipment are impure. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bhubaneswar/Allow-wheelchairs-inside-Jagannath-temple-/articleshow/5004169.cms Puri temple to allow people in wheelchairs Bhubaneswar, Sep 15 (IANS) The Jagannath temple in Puri, one of the most revered Hindu shrines, has decided to open its doors to wheelchair-bound devotees, an official said. But the temple authorities have taken no decision on building ramps for the wheelchairs. http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20090915/812/tnl-puri-temple-to-allow-people-in-wheel.html Village shuns India rape victim By Amarnath Tewary, Muzaffarpur, Bihar At 21 years of age, Shabina Khatun has been married, allegedly raped by a relative, deserted by her husband and in-laws and ostracised by her community. The plight of the deaf girl in the northern Indian state of Bihar mirrors the treatment meted out to women by the state and society. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5172296.stm Plight of India's mentally ill The deaths of 28 mentally ill patients in the Indian town of Ervadi have raised concern over the conditions in which these patients are kept. The BBC's Jill McGivering visited Ervadi and found that there are still disturbing questions to be asked. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/1484323.stm Silent suffering of India's mentally ill Reports from the scene of the Tamil Nadu tragedy paint a depressing picture of mentally ill patients living in cramped conditions and routinely chained as a means of restraint. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1476245.stm University for the Disabled, the first university of its kind LUCKNOW: In a bid to usher in a ray of hope among physically challenged in the state, Dr Shakuntala Misra Rehabilitation University for the Disabled, the first university of its kind was on Friday inaugurated here. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/lucknow/Rehabilitation-University-for-Disabled-inaugurated/articleshow/4972425.cms Mayawati Names University After Satish Chandra Mishra’s Mother Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati, named a new university for the physically challenged after the mother of her party’s General Secretary Satish Chandra Misra. http://www.india-server.com/news/mayawati-names-university-after-satish-11887.html Rehabilitation institute for handicapped inaugurated LUCKNOW: Dr Shakuntala Mishra Rehabilitation University for differently-abled persons was formally inaugurated on Friday by chief minister Mayawati. The first of its kind institution in Asia, the university will train students to help them become self-reliant. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/lucknow/Rehabilitation-institute-for-handicapped-inaugurated/articleshow/4974128.cms Banks pocketing funds meant for disabled NEW DELHI: Banks and financial institutions have been pocketing an estimated Rs 724 crore annually by rounding up interest tax collections since 1993 despite a Supreme Court directive in 2004 that this money be used for creating a fund for implementation of the Disabilities Act to benefit disabled persons. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Banks-pocketing-funds-meant-for-disabled/articleshow/4973187.cms Converge plan for twin job schemes New Delhi, Aug. 28: The government is planning to “converge” the execution of its biggest village vote catcher with another key employment scheme recently restructured, keeping its focus on making poor rural households into effective self-help groups. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090829/jsp/nation/story_11424610.jsp 'Indian Teachers Still not Trained to Tackle Dyslexia' New Delhi, Sep 5 (IANS): Until 10 years ago, India was not dealing with learning disabilities like dyslexia in school. While the picture has changed somewhat in Delhi, other states have made little progress even now, says teacher-writer Meenakshi Dave. http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=65148 Activists pitch for rights of disabled ahead of polls PUNE: As the assembly elections draw near, social organisations in the city have prepared a proposal for the welfare of the physically- disabled, women, children and senior citizens, to be sent to the various political parties. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/pune/Activists-pitch-for-rights-of-disabled-ahead-of-polls/articleshow/4952300.cms Woes worsen with disability in family PARBAT, Aug 31 - Bal Bahadur Pariyar and his wife Kaushila have a tale of misery to share. Their five daughters are disabled. Every single day is a struggle for this family from a small hamlet of Pasyaar at Ranipaani VDC-6 in Parbat district. http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=212331 Hotels to become differently-abled friendly In line with international best practices in the hotel industry, the government has now made it mandatory for all hotels to become differently abled-friendly. http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/aug/05/india-hotels-to-become-disabled-friendly.htm New website to help disabled find a match The president of the Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust (TNHFCT) says they'd received a number of similar appeals from well-educated, working professionals, both male and female, who were disabled and could not find spouses and so came up with the idea of a swayamvaram and a matrimonial website for the community. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chennai/New-website-to-help-disabled-find-a-match/articleshow/5020257.cms Indian websites flout guidelines for the disabled But government’s draft National Policy for Electronic Accessibility offers some hope. Last month, Deepak Kumar (name changed on request), a visually-impaired businessman, logged on to check out for some information on the newly-created Rajya Sabha website. http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/indian-websites-flout-guidelines-fordisabled/369762/ No provision for disabled in online CAT NEW DELHI: With CAT being conducted online for the first time this year, the differently-abled are feeling left out. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/No-provision-for-disabled-in-online-CAT/articleshow/4992161.cms ATM machines to become disable-friendly soon NEW DELHI: Electronic devices like ATM machines that have made our lives easier are likely to become accessible to disabled people too. The information technology ministry has approved a draft on National Policy on Electronic Accessibility prepared by an NGO and will submit it to the central government for approval. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Banking/ATM-machines-to-become-disable-friendly-soon/articleshow/4945993.cms I want people to remember me as a friend: Naseer Khan Life is complicated for many, but easy for those who instead of complaining about what they don’t have try to make the best of whatever they have for achieving their aim. One such admirable person is the visually challenged Naseer Khan, whose debut release ‘Shadow’ is touted to be a different kind of cinema. http://www.zeenews.com/zeeexclusive/2009-08-24/557507news.html Bollywood embraces disability in quest for realism Three major upcoming films are portraying a central character with a disability or illness, marking a shift away from fantasy to treating more contemporary themes. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5geR6XNIbi7_67hr1a7jC0X2aw5eg NGO help for the disabled - Chariot campaign kicks off Jamshedpur, Aug. 26: Parents Association of Mentally Handicapped of Jamshedpur (PAMHJ) today launched a campaign to popularise the newly introduced Sahyogi scheme in the city. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090827/jsp/jharkhand/story_11414505.jsp Now, books at the doorstep of senior citizens, disabled CHANDIGARH: There is cheer for senior citizens and disabled in Chandigarh who are fond of reading books and magazines. UT administration has decided to take the library to the doorsteps of senior citizens who are fond of reading but cannot visit libraries owing to the age factor or physical deformity. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chandigarh/Now-books-at-the-doorstep-of-senior-citizens-disabled/articleshow/4984002.cms Handicapped ex-Armyman on cycling expedition in city JAIPUR: Ex-rifleman Prabhjeet Singh (4 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), a handicapped soldier, has undertaken an all-India cycling expedition since January 19, 2009, to spread the message that Nothing is impossible'. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/jaipur/Handicapped-ex-Armyman-on-cycling-expedition-in-city/articleshow/5024543.cms First in country, databank of persons with disabilities CHANDIGARH: In a first of its kind initiative in the country, the department of psychiatry at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, plans to create a databank of all persons suffering from disabilities, mental as well as physical, residing in the city and peripheral areas in one year’s time. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chandigarh/First-in-country-databank-of-persons-with-disabilities/articleshow/5044737.cms Second Paralympic National table tennis championship Bangalore, Aug 25, DHNS: Nir Bahadur Gurang of Mahsrashtra defeated Pydi Ramu of Karnataka 11-8, 11-2 to win the Class TT 2 and 3 (wheelchair) title in the men’s section of the second Paralympic National table tennis championship at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Tuesday. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/21475/gurang-too-good-ramu-title.html A1: INDIA – Disability and Law Delhi HC directs Centre to amend its insurance rules for disabled The Delhi High Court directed the Central government to reconsider its postal insurance rules and to treat the persons with disability at par with other people. http://www.indlawnews.com/NewsDisplay.aspx?5e78589d-8b00-4956-a6a7-e909db83e511 Should deaf drive? Centre says yes; HC to take call http://epaper.hindustantimes.com//artMailDisp.aspx?article=21_09_2009_003_005&typ=1&pub=47 Hearing impaired youth drives forward in new lane Early this year, 25-year-old Rajat Sachdeva applied for a learner’s driving license. It was rejected outright — simply because he is hard of hearing. Sachdeva did not give up. He moved the Delhi High Court to take up the cause for others like him. Almost one in every ten people in India suffers from hearing impairment. http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/hearing-impaired-youth-drives-forward-in-new-lane/519636/ SC no to stay HC order on post-reservation for disabled New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay a Delhi High Court order directing the Centre to provide job reservation of posts in government offices for persons with disabilities and asked it to place before it the data about vacant seats since 1996. http://www.zeenews.com/news559839.html A2: INDIA Debates on Disability and Motherhood SC has upheld the dignity of mentally retarded By Preethi Mathais This judgment must be celebrated and upheld as a fair delivery of justice. For it has not only recognised the basic human rights of the mentally retarded girl, it has also recognised the inherent right to life of the unborn child. http://www.deccanherald.com/content/20748/sc-has-upheld-dignity-mentally.html Contested motherhood Can the State order an intellectually-disabled person to have an abortion even though she wants to have the baby? A look at some of the issues regarding sexuality and disability… http://www.hindu.com/mag/2009/08/30/stories/2009083050180400.htm Abortion law's grey zone: retarded mothers The SC recently ruled that a 19-year-old Chandigarh-based mentally retarded girl must be allowed to carry on her pregnancy that was caused by sexual assault. The verdict throws open more questions than it answers, writes Kamayani Bali Mahabal. http://www.indiatogether.org/2009/aug/wom-mtpcase.htm Should a Woman with the Mental Age of Nine Bear a Child? In India, a disabled girl-child is usually at the receiving end of a lot of contempt and neglect. Women with disabilities have been consistently denied their rights. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court (SC) of India recently allowed a 19-year-old mentally challenged orphan girl to carry on with a pregnancy resulting from a sexual assault. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling had earlier ordered medical termination of pregnancy (MTP). http://hyd-news.blogspot.com/2009/08/should-woman-with-mental-age-of-nine.html Mental illness and maternity The Supreme Court recently allowed a 19-year-old mentally challenged orphan to keep her pregnancy from a sexual assault. Should a woman with the mental age of nine be allowed to give birth and raise a child, wonders Kamayani Bali Mahabal http://www.deccanherald.com/content/18369/mental-illness-maternity.html Indian woman fights for 'rape' baby The story of a pregnant teenager has been making the headlines in India. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8222689.stm A3: INDIA – Disability and Railways Passengers looted, one person shot Four persons armed with pistols and rifles boarded the train at Khusroopur railway station, near Bakhtiarpur and went on a looting spree in the bogie for disabled persons, the sources said. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Passengers-looted-one-person-shot/H1-Article1-450854.aspx Disabled persons block rail tracks at Patna Junction Patna: Enraged over the robbery in a reserved bogie for the disabled in Danapur-Howrah Express on Saturday night, several handicapped persons, including kids, today staged demonstration at the Patna Junction, demanding adequate security while travelling in Bihar. http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_disabled-persons-block-rail-tracks-at-patna-junction_1288225 Disabled persons block rail tracks in Patna Patna: Several differently-abled persons including children in wheelchairs today demonstrated on a busy rail track at the Patna junction station putting their lives at risk from passing trains. http://www.zeenews.com/news561520.html Disabled protest seat reservation in the Railways Members of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Handicapped Association on Tuesday held a protest demonstration in front of the War Memorial in support of their demands. They wanted disabled-friendly railway coaches and said that the conversion of unreserved disabled-friendly coaches into reserved ones was not adequate. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chennai/Disabled-protest-seat-reservation-in-the-Railways/articleshow/4961280.cms Good response to special coach for disabled on long distance trains CHENNAI: Southern Railway has received good response to the reserved accomodation provided for disabled travellers in the special compartment near the guard's cabin on long-distance trains. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Chennai/Good-response-to-special-coach-for-disabled-on-long-distance-trains/articleshow/4946683.cms Battery-operated cars at Rly stations for disabled NEW DELHI: Extending a helping hand to disabled and elderly passengers, Railways have decided to operate battery-operated cars for them at major stations. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/09281091.htm Patna Jn to be developed as disabled-friendly station PATNA: Patna Junction has been selected to be developed as a disabled-friendly station of the Indian Railways. The railways has plans to provide more special facilities for the physically challenged persons at all major stations across the country. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Patna/Patna-Jn-to-be-developed-as-disabled-friendly-station/articleshow/4948897.cms B: INTERNATIONAL NEWS UNCRPD - Second session of the Conference of States Parties: 2 to 4 September 2009 The second session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be held on 2 September 2009 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and September 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at United Nations Headquarters in New York. http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1479#pgme Persons with mental disabilities should be assisted but not deprived of their individual human rights Individuals with mental health or intellectual disabilities have been discriminated, stigmatised and repressed even in recent years. Their mere existence has been seen as a problem and they have sometimes been hidden away in remote institutions or in the backrooms of family homes. They have been treated as non-persons whose decisions are meaningless. http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/Viewpoints/default_en.asp A selfless heart that stood up for the disabled Nicky Chapman, 1961-2009 LADY CHAPMAN, known as Nicky, was a metre tall but a giant among campaigners for disabled people. Her death, at 48, deprives the House of Lords of one of its most distinctive ''people's peers'', who made good use of her five years at Westminster. http://www.smh.com.au/national/obituaries/a-selfless-heart-that-stood-up-for-the-disabled-20090909-fhim.html Disabled man dies weeks after landmark court case An Australian man who just five weeks ago won a landmark court case allowing him to refuse food and water has died from a chest infection. Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/disabled-man-dies-weeks-after-landmark-court-case-14502326.html#ixzz0RikgEpR8 Don't call him handicapped. Don't call him disabled. Just call him a person. Scott Renner, 42, snapped his spinal cord in August of 1992 when he dived into four feet of water, paralyzing him from the neck down. http://www.auburnvillager.com/story.html?1253207840032176 Separate counters for women, disabled at Ramzan bazaars RAWALPINDI: Separate counters for women, old and disable citizens have been set up at Ramazan bazaars, said Nasir Ali Shah, Town Municipal Officer on Saturday. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C09%5C06%5Cstory_6-9-2009_pg11_10 $4.5M malpractice settlement reached for disabled boy A Nova Scotia hospital and the parents of a severely disabled child have reached a $4.5-million settlement over a medical malpractice suit. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/09/03/ns-saulnier-lawsuit.html Deaflympics provides fair opportunities for the disabled: organizer Taipei, Sept. 5 (CNA) The Deaflympics 2009 set to open later Saturday in Taipei will provide fair opportunities for each person's value to shine through, an organizer of the sports event has said in a TV show. http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=1049609&lang=eng_news&cate_img=49.jpg&cate_rss=news_Society_TAIWAN Disabled sailor achieves record Disabled yachtswoman Hilary Lister has become the first female quadriplegic to sail solo around Britain. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8230851.stm Disabled man makes parachute jump A northern Saskatchewan man with cerebral palsy who once walked on crutches from La Ronge to Regina commemorated that feat on the weekend with a parachute jump from 3,000 metres. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/08/31/disabled-man-jump.html Woman refused disability benefits - in case amputated leg "gets better" A diabetic woman whose badly-infected leg was amputated has been refused disability benefits - in case it "got better". http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/08/29/are-you-pulling-my-leg-115875-21632605/ Talking TV technology to bridge the disability divide Co-developed by Ocean Blue Software and the U.K.'s Royal National Institute of Blind People, the world's first talking digital TV system offers enhanced information accessibility and ease of use via two complementary approaches. http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10323442-1.html Carer abused disabled patients as young as six A CARER has been found guilty of deprivation of liberty and assault charges against mentally disabled patients as young as six http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26025488-12377,00.html Educators unhappy that students with disabilities no longer must pass Exit Exam Educators are calling the agreement to suspend the high school exit exam as a graduation requirement for students with disabilities a disservice to the students' education http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13264686 Target Stores Sued for Disability Discrimination EEOC Says Retail Giant Failed to Reasonably Accommodate Employee With Intellectual Disability and Cerebral Palsy http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/37256/ First disabled senate member dies while on overseas trip KUALA LUMPUR: The country’s first disabled senator, Prof Datuk Dr Ismail Md Salleh (pic), died on a flight from China to Singapore. He was 61. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/28/nation/4608116&sec=nation GK opens village for persons with disabilities MANILA – Gawad Kalinga (GK) has officially launched The Village of Hope in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. But unlike many other GK villages across the country, this new village is exclusively made for Persons with Disabilities. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/features/08/26/09/gk-opens-village-persons-disabilities C: RESOURCES – Newsletter, Publication,Journal, Guideline,Website The World Network of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry - Implementation Manual for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Click on the following link for more details http://wnusp.rafus.dk/crpd.html Empowering people with disability DISABILITY AND SOCIETY — A Reader: Edited by Renu Addlaka, Stuart Blume, Patrick Devlieger, Osamu Nagase, Myriam Winance; Orient BlackSwan, 1/24, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi-110002. http://www.hindu.com/br/2009/09/08/stories/2009090850021200.htm For previous editions of e-news visit www.cbrforum.in/news.htm Kindly email advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com for - Contributing news/ events to this E-news bulletin - To unsubscribe this E-news Bulletin Disclaimer: This e-news is a collation of articles/ news from national and international sources. The contents of the same do not necessarily represent the views of CBR Forum. -- C. Mahesh Advocacy Coordinator CBR Forum 14, CK Garden, St. Thomas Town Post Wheeler Road Extension Bangalore - 560 084 Tel - 080- 2549 7387 or 2549 7388 advocacy.cbrfo...@gmail.com ad...@cbrforum.in www.cbrforum.in "The issue is not the absence of equal rights but the inability to exercise them" "When Policies weaken, Rights must be strengthened" _________________________________________________________________ Stay updated! Add Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace & Hi5 friends to your Windows Live network instantly. Add Now! http://profile.live.com/webactivities/?mkt=en-in To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
