Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:56:48 +0530 Subject: April 2013 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin From: [email protected] To:
CBR Forum E-News Bulletin – A Compilation of News, Information and Updates April 2013 - CBR Forum - E- News Bulletin First issue: Oct 2007, Current Issue No. #68 Networking, Advocacy and Lobbying – in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and enhance the potential to exercise these rights. Compiled by: Elsa Biju [email protected] A: INDIA A1: ACTS/ POLICY/ PROGRAMMES Govt extends relief for martyrs, disabled jawans There is a provision of giving Rs 10 lakh assistance to widows/dependents of officers and personnel who are domiciles of Madhya Pradesh after their martyrdom. Similarly, Rs 10 lakh assistance is given to totally incapacitated officers and employees, Rs 5 lakh for 50% disability and Rs 2.50 lakh for partial disability. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-04-18/bhopal/38646051_1_2-50-lakh-war-widows-5-lakh Centre to table Rights bill in Parliament soon: Selja Kozhikode: Government would shortly table the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill in Parliament, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Kumari Selja on Saturday said. Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Composite Regional Centre for Personal with disabilities, the first centre to come up in South India, at nearby Vellimadukunnu, Selja said it would be beneficial for people suffering from various mental and physical disabilities once the bill was passed by Parliament. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/centre-to-table-rights-bill-in-parliament-soon-selja_841892.html A2: EDUCATION Assistive technology to help students with vision disabilities in exams CHENNAI, INDIA: In 2006, Satvir, a student with vision disabilities, became the first in the country to take the board exams using a Braille-enabled assistive software. He had developed the system himself. However, what should have been a turning point in the lives of hundreds of students with similar disabilities turned out to be a one-off case. Now, seven years later, the Central Board of Secondary Exams has decided to allow students to use assistive software to take board exams. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/30/assistive-technology-to-help-students-with-vision-disabilities-in-exams/ Odisha Govt to continue free uniform scheme for disabled students Report by India Education bureau, Bhubaneswar: The state government on Saturday decided to continue the provision of free uniforms to students with disability studying in special schools and initiate steps for providing travel concessions to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the urban areas. http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=21952 Kids with disabilities shouldn't be asked certificates for admission, exam: NCERT New Delhi: No child with disability should be asked to produce certificates either for admission, examination, getting support for facilities or scholarships as far as possible, NCERT has suggested. It has also said that there should be exemption from the fee component in schools for children with disabilities whether studying in government or government-aided schools. The premier education body which conducted a study in 27 states to evaluate the implementation of the centrally- sponsored scheme of Inclusive Education of the Disabled at the Secondary Stage (IEDSS) regretted that getting a disability certificate from the medical board is "sometimes a nightmare" for parents of children with disabilities. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/kids-with-disabilities-shouldn-t-be-asked-certificates-for-admission-exam-ncert_839586.html A3: HEALTH A2: EDU A4: LIVELIHOOD/ EMPLOYMENT A5: ACCESS Indian invents smartphone for people with vision disabilities AHMEDABAD: People with vision disabilities will soon be able to read SMS and emails on their smartphones. Innovator Sumit Dagar, whose company is being incubated at the Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship(CIIE) based on the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A ) campus, has developed the unique device. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/21/indian-invents-smartphone-for-people-with-vision-disabilities/ A6: DISCRIMINATION/ APATHY People with disabilities face daily challenges to access ATM in India COIMBATORE: Despite the Tamil Nadu urban local bodies rules and Reserve Bank of India laying down norms for accessible ATM for people with disabilities across the state have not yet had the benefit of the norms. Across the state echoes the demand for accessible ATM to address their disability. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/22/people-with-disabilities-face-daily-challenges-to-access-atm-in-india/ Investment issues of the physically challenged While there are job opportunities for the visually impaired, they can't invest or insure without help The Securities and Exchange Board of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority allow for purchase of insurance and investment products by the visually impaired or disabled persons. But Companies are yet to tune themselves accordingly. For instance, even the basic requirement -- forms or documents that are Braille-supported -- are not available either for insurance or mutual fund-related products. http://www.business-standard.com/article/pf/investment-issues-of-the-physically-challenged-113040200534_1.html Air India Put Disabled Passengers Through Needless Misery The sighting of scores of disabled passengers left waiting for assistance after disembarking Air India flights has become part of the daily routine at major airports served by India's flag carrier. The reason why vulnerable passengers are left waiting without assistance for up to one hour is that the airline does not send assistance requests to airports. http://www.reducedmobility.eu/20130424304/The-News/air-india-put-disabled-passengers-through-needless-misery.html A7: EXCELLENCE B: INTERNATIONAL NEWS B1: ACTS/POLICY/PROGRAMMES Manitoba government introduces legislation to remove barriers for persons with disabilities The government of Manitoba has introduced new legislation that would help governments, private-sector businesses and advocacy groups work together to make more places and services barrier free in Manitoba, with the goal of a fully accessible province, Family Services and Labour Minister Jennifer Howard, minister responsible for persons with disabilities, has announced. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/26/manitoba-government-introduces-legislation-to-remove-barriers-for-persons-with-disabilities/ Government allocated $34 million to improve lives of persons with disabilities JAMAICA: The Government has allocated $34 million to continue its social intervention programmes, geared towards improving the lives of persons with disabilities. This is outlined in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/18/government-allocated-34-million-to-improve-lives-of-persons-with-disabilities/ B2: EDUCATION Computer game could improve sight of children with vision disabilities UK: Children with disabilities could benefit from a revolutionary new computer game being developed by a team of neuroscientists and game designers. Academics from the University of Lincoln, UK, are working with WESC, one of the UK’s most respected specialist schools for children with vision disabilities, to create and evaluate a new ‘visual search rehabilitation game’. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/29/computer-game-could-improve-sight-of-children-with-vision-disabilities/ MouthStick Stylus makes touch screen devices accessible for people with disabilities NASHVILLE, TN: Griffin Technology introducs the Griffin MouthStick Stylus. Engineered for people with motor disabilities, to provide manipulation of both touchscreens and buttons, Griffin’s MouthStick Stylus is designed to provide comfort, stability and control while being held in the mouth. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/26/mouthstick-stylus-makes-touchscreen-devices-accessible-for-people-with-disabilities/ B3:HEALTH B4: LIVELIHOOD/ EMPLOYMENT Government of Canada helps people with disabilities in Greater Toronto Area gain job skills AJAX, ONTARIO: The Government of Canada will help people with disabilities in the Greater Toronto Area develop the skills they need to find jobs, announced Chris Alexander, Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development on April 18. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/19/government-of-canada-helps-people-with-disabilities-in-greater-toronto-area-gain-job-skills/ B5: ACCESS Nepal to make public places accessible for persons with disabilities KATHMANDU: The government today issued directives to make public places accessible for persons with disabilities. The directives developed and issued by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has defined government buildings, hospitals, universities, organizations, religious sites, recreational places, public roads, pavements, parking areas, play grounds, conference halls as ‘public places’. Business complexes opened for public, residential buildings, hotels and restaurants, and banks have also been categorized as ‘public places’.The public means of communications like television channels and radio stations have also been directed to compulsorily represent persons with various physical disabilities. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/30/nepal-to-make-public-places-accessible-for-persons-with-disabilities/ Japan to introduce Smartphone app for people with vision disabilities to read currency TOKYO: Japan will be releasing a free smartphone app that can read the denomination of money for people who are blind and low vision. The new app can help people with vision disabilities to identify Japanese currency. After taking a photograph of a bank note, the app will inform the holder via sound whether it is a ¥5,000 or a ¥10,000 bill. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/29/japan-to-introduce-smartphone-app-for-people-with-vision-disabilities-to-read-currency/ Students create phone apps and devices for persons with disabilities Lindsay, a 23-year-old Somerville resident and researcher at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, is a coffee lover. She has a Keurig brewer, which allows her to make a wide variety of hot and cold beverages at the touch of a button. However, Lindsay, who is blind, has trouble using the machine’s touch-screen controls. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/23/students-create-phone-apps-and-devices-for-persons-with-disabilities/ B6: DISCRIMINATION/ APATHY B7: EXCELLENCE C: RESOURCES – Newsletter, Publication, Journal, Study, Website UNESCO Global Report: opening new avenues for empowerment: ICTs to access information and knowledge for persons with disabilities Building on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this Global Report addresses strong recommendations to all stakeholders – from decision-makers to educators, civil society and industry – on how concretely to advance the rights of people with disabilities. These recommendations draw on extensive research and consultations. Studies launched in five regions have allowed UNESCO to understand more clearly the conditions and challenges faced by persons with disabilities around the world. Download the UNESCO Global Report. Source: UNESCO http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/24/unesco-global-report-opening-new-avenues-for-empowerment-icts-to-access-information-and-knowledge-for-persons-with-disabilities/ Special Issue of Disability Studies Journal Released on 18 April 2013 Combined special issue of the International Journal of Disability Studies , on Disability, Barrier Free Campus and Higher Education in India was released the Union Minister of Human Resource Development, M.M Pallam Raju on 18 April 2013. http://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/special-issue-of-disability-studies-journal-released-on-18-april-2013-1366636667-1 D: ANNOUNCEMENTS Bangalore University offers sign language diploma BANGALORE, INDIA: A diploma course in Indian Sign Language Interpreters is in the offing at Bangalore University from the following academic year 2013-14. The course is being offered to enable inclusiveness of hearing-impaired into the mainstream. It will be facilitated by Dr S R Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and Hearing. Falling under the Department of Psychology, it is being looked at as an initiative that will fill the large gap between the number of sign language interpreters and people with hearing disabilities in the country. http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2013/04/24/bangalore-university-offers-sign-language-diploma/ Ph.D. ENTRANCE TEST IN SPECIAL EDUCATION 2013 University of Mumbai vide letter NO : Th./ICD/2013-14/LP8 dated 5th April 2013 has recognised AYJNIHH as a Research Centre to enroll 20 students for Ph.D. degree in the subject of Special Education from the academic year 2013 onwards. For details regarding eligibility , PET exam, enrollment , kindly refer the website of University of Mumbai and follow the guidelines of VCD. http://ayjnihh.nic.in/news.asp Scheme for providing Employment to PWDs in the Private Sector - Incentives to the Employers Salient Features of the Scheme - Total Outlay: Rs.1800 crore for the 11th Five Year Plan Sector covered: Private Sector Jobs to be created: 1 lakh per annum Salary limit: Employees with disabilities, with monthly wage up to Rs.25000/- per month are covered Incentives: Payment by Government of the employer's contribution to the Employees Provident Fund and Employees State Insurance for the first three years. The administrative charges of 1.1% of the wages of the employees covered under the Employees Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions (EPF&MP) Act will continue to be paid by the employer. http://ayjnihh.nic.in/news.asp Kindly email [email protected] 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. "The issue is not the absence of equal rights but the inability to exercise them" "When Policies weaken, Rights must be strengthened" “To claim one’s rights and ignore one’s duties or only half fulfill them is like building a house with one hand and tearing it down with the other” -- With Best Regards, Elsa Biju CBR Forum 14, C.K. 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