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] [ Top ] The Second Southeast Asian Paragames, also called the ASEAN Paragames were held from 21 to 27 December 2003 in Hanoi, Viet Nam at the National Stadium, Quan Ngua Sports Palace and the Hanoi Competition House. The theme was "Solidarity for a World of Peace." This event was comprised of 5 types of sports for athletes with disabilities; athletics, weightlifting, table tennis, badminton, and swimming.
Mr. Nguyen Trong Hy, Vice-Chairman of the National Sports and Physical Training Committee stated at the opening ceremony "The Paragames are a chance for the disabled athletes in ASEAN countries to enhance their friendship and solidarity, and exchange experiences." The game aimed to create an opportunity for the quality of their skills and lives. "The Golden Goat" was the mascot of the 2nd ASEAN Paragames since the year 2003 was considered to be the Quy Mui Lunar year or the Golden Goat year.
Seven hundred and fifteen athletes were divided into 5 categories according to their disabilities such as paralysis, wheelchair bound, visually impaired, cerebral palsy, and mentally retarded. Countries that participated were Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Viet Nam. Three hundred and twelve gold medals were awarded to the athletes during this 7 day event which showed the sport ability and unity of PWD within the ASEAN countries. The 3rd ASEAN Paragames are scheduled for the Philippines in 2005.
Fifty members of the Performing Arts Troupe of the Chinese Disabled Persons Federation performed across the United States in September 2003. The performance of the Chinese Disabled Performing Arts Troupe founded in 1986, includes poetry presented in sign language, piano solos, Beijing opera, instrumental ensembles, acrobatics by amputees, dancers with hearing impairments, and a grand finale with a conductor with an intellectual disability. The troupe performance has received high acclaim by the global community.
(For further information: www.disabilityworld.org)
Two magazines., "Insight" and "Double Yum" are the only Braille periodicals produced for the blind in the Philippines . Insight Magazine, written for blind adults is sent out six times a year to 600 braille subscribers and 100 cassette tape subscribers. This periodical features stories and testimonies of blind Filipinos, plus articles of interest about blind people living in other countries. Other sections include tips and techniques for living with blindness, news about the latest technology for the blind, and articles about employed persons with visual impairments. Each article is written in English and Tagalog, as well as the Cebuano, Hiliganyon, and Iiocano dialects.
Double Yum, a biweekly Braille children's reader is sent out to 600 blind children and to classes for blind children throughout the country. This periodical contains short stories for children, poems, and articles by blind children in the Philippines.
(For further information: www.blind.org.ph)
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in collaboration with the Disabled Peoples' International Asia Pacific Region (DPIAP) and DPI Nepal will support the Capacity Building Training Seminar for Persons with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region (CBTS) to be held in Nepal from 13-17 February 2004.
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