Non-Handicapping Environment Training
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability towards the Promotion of a Non-handicapping Environment for PWDs
APCD organized the third Regional Training Course for Trainers on the Promotion of a Non-Handicapping Environment for PWDs in Bangkok, Thailand from 25 February to 11 March 2003 in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), UNESCAP and the Government of Thailand through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to promote equalization of opportunities for PWDs
Field visited at RVSD
Building a Non-Handicapping Environment for PWDs is significant for APCD since the objectives of APCD are to promote the empowerment of PWDs and a barrier-free society for all countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
APCD organized the third Regional Training Course for Trainers on the Promotion of a Non-Handicapping Environment for PWDs in Bangkok, Thailand from 25 February to 11 March 2003 in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), UNESCAP and the Government of Thailand through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to promote equalization of opportunities for PWDs.
Thirty persons from nine countries, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Lao People′s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated in this training course. The target group of this training course was architects, engineers, urban planners, public transport planners, Government officials, non-governmental representatives on disability-related issues, and representatives of self-help organizations of PWDs.
The first objective of the training course was for participants to become trainers, promoters and resource persons concerning a non-handicapping environment, universal design, and a barrier-free society in their respective countries. The second was to link and network participants to promote a non-handicapping environment in their respective countries as well as in the Asia-Pacific region.
Access Survey and Field Visitation
The training course included presentations by experts promoting and designing non-handicapping environments, simulation exercises to facilitate awareness of cross disabilities, access surveys and field visits. The participants did access surveys of areas related to shopping, education, recreation, transportation and religion to determine accessibility for persons with cross disabilities. Field visits were made to rural and urban schools to compare accessibility services; to the new underground train system under construction in Bangkok to observe accessible features and to Pattaya City to observe a tourist site regarding accessibility. Participants were eager to learn in all areas of the training.
Prior to the training most participants who already had basic knowledge of a "non-handicapping environment" commented that such an environment for PWDs would provide access to infrastructures and public transportation not only for PWDs but elderly persons and the well-being of many other users, and hasten their integration into mainstream society to promote independence, and self-reliance.
Universal Design
After completing the training, participants stated studying the Universal design was very helpful. Having learned about the Universal design, they were able to identify problems and propose recommendations for improvement when doing the access audits. Everyone benefits from a barrier-free society.
Impression of Non-Handicapping Environment Training
By Mr.Yoshihiko Kawauchi, Resource Person
Photo of Mr.Yoshihiko Kawauc
I was able to participate in the latter half of the "Promotion of a Non-Handicapping Environment" from 3-12 March 2003.The keen interest and motivation of the participants impressed me very much.
Participants were quick to understand the concepts presented by the resource persons and what issues needed to be focused on.
Certainly participants had to deal with issues differently in their respective countries. The resource persons presented several examples so participants could recognize there is more than one way to implement the universal design to meet the needs of society.
On the last day, the participants knowledge and understanding of "Promoting a Non-Handicapping Environment" gained from the training was apparent when each person shared the activities they planned to do on retiring to their countries.
I feel these would be merit in continuing this program if persons are eager to improve their societies′ participation.
Outcome of the training
On returning to their respective countries, participants stated they will
- Promote awareness of the universal design,
- Enforce a design concept on building applications,
- Help to incorporate a non-handicapping environment in state housing projects, and
- Building a network with Governmental and Non-governmental Organizations to share skills and implement plans.
Participants felt PWDS can be empowered by:
- Giving them equal access to education, employment, transportation, etc, integrating and being visible in the community,
- Advocating a non-handicapping environment to concerned organizations and individuals, and
- Working with disability-related organizations to formulate plans/laws on accessibility for PWDS and make proposals to governments.
On the closing day of the training, 11 March 2003 participants prepared the "Bangkok Statement 2003 on the Promotion of a Non-handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities." The Statement encourages Governments in the UNESCAP region to collaborate with Non-governmental Organizations to promote the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action, especially in regards to access to build environments and public transport.
Agenda for Action: Accessibility
Field visited at Samsennok School
The Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 recommended measures to improve access to public buildings for persons with disabilities (PWDs) by promoting a "Non-Handicapping Environment for People with Disabilities". "Accessibility: Environment and Public Transport" is a priority area of the New Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons: Biwako Millennium Framework for Action: Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for PWDs in Asia and the Pacific.
Definition and Background
A "handicapping environment" as stated by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) means the buildings, roads, and pedestrian path-ways including public transport and communication systems which are all components of a built environment. Barriers from these components, not only affect PWDs but elderly persons and the well-being of many other users.
PWDs and a diverse group of people in society have the right to move about freely in a safe physical environment without any obstacles. Everyone benefits from a built environment that meets the safety standards, convenience and usability of PWDs.
