APCD Mission Report
Mission to the People's Republic of China
China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF)
The Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) mission team undertook a mission to the People's Republic of China from 14 - 17 July 2004. The APCD team identified the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF) as the focal point organization.
The mission also visited the China Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRC), the Beijing Disabled Persons' Rehabilitation Services and Guidance Center, the Beijing Fengtai Rehabilitation Center for Intellectually Disabled Persons and Jobs Placement Center for Blind Persons and the Beijing Disabled Persons Family. All the mentioned organizations are under the umbrella of the Beijing Federation of CDPF.
China Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRC)
CDPF is acting as the Government Ministry on Disability. CDPF has 31 disabled persons' federations at the provincial level, 780 disabled persons' federations at the prefectural level, 2,413 disabled persons' federations at the county level, and 53,537 disabled persons' federations at the township level. CPDF's National Office is responsible for policy-making proposals, laws & legislation concerning disability and international relations at all levels to implement projects and activities such as rehabilitation hospitals, vocational training centers, sheltered workshops, integrated education and sports programs for persons with disabilities and other public relations.
In brief, the number of persons with disabilities from the total Chinese population is approximately 5%. CDPF also has a Medical Rehabilitation Center with a comprehensive program, including medical rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, and a rehabilitation college to train professionals.
Mission to the Kingdom of Bhutan
Institute of Traditional Medicine Services (ITMS)
A mission to the Kingdom of Bhutan was undertaken by APCD from 22-26 August 2004. Official visits were made to the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources, the Medical Education Division of the Ministry of Health, the Department of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education (develop the national education strategy, called "The Vision 2020" and promotes inclusive education).
The mission also visited the following disability-related organizations:
Ministry of Labour and Human Resources
- Physiotherapy Department, Jigme Dorgi Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, which is a Center for physiotherapy in Bhutan providing free services with sufficient equipment.
- Center for Special Children-Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Disabled, which is a non-profit organization aiming to mainstream persons with disabilities in society. Activities provided enhance the independent livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities, but especially focuses on children and youth through vocational skills' training.
- Institute of Traditional Medicine Services (ITMS) promotes a traditional system of medicine and preserves the unique culture and tradition related to medical practice. ITMS provides job opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Institute.
- Changangkha Lower Secondary School applies inclusive education and ensures that children with special needs have access to basic education.
- Gidakom Hospital is planning to be a resource and provide rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.
- Paro District Hospital promotes community-based rehabilitation projects.
- Deaf Education Unit is an inclusive school for hearing impaired students.
Mission to the Republic of the Philippines
From 14-18 September 2004, APCD sent a mission to Manila and Cebu. APCD identified the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the focal point organization with the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) as the direct connecting organization.
Department of Social Welfare and Development
In addition, the mission team visited the National Computer Center (NCC) and acknowledged that NCC is ready to promote information and communication technology for persons with disabilities in the Philippines.
The APCD mission team also visited several non-governmental organizations of/for persons with disabilities. The Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf Foundation (MCCID) offers a computer course for the hearing impaired aimed at assisting the hearing impaired in getting a better chance to compete for employment, education, and other opportunities.The Aphasia Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. is a non-profit organization that aims to provide assistance, information and support to people with aphasia, their families and caregivers. The NOVA Foundation for Differently Abled Persons, Inc. is a private organization promoting the full participation, total access, economic and social integration of persons with disabilities to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities by assisting them to identify and reach their career goals. Resources for the Blind provide various valuable programs for visually impaired persons with a focus on children with visual impairments. Handicap International - Philippines provides rehabilitation and inclusive activities for persons with disabilities and supports the "Hilwai", a boat set up to provide mobile rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities who have no access to rehabilitation services on the islands starting in the Visayan Region. The Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment for the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) provides computer training courses for visually impaired persons.
IL Members in Cebu
APCD visited the Kabalikat ng Malayang Philipino (KAMPI), which is the National Federation of Organizations of/ for Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines. Also, the APCD mission met with the Director-General Regional & Sustainable Development Department and representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss collaboration on disability-related issues in the Asia-Pacific region especially on poverty alleviation and information exchange.
Interviews to follow-up and monitor former participants of APCD's training were also conducted by the APCD Human Resources Development (HRD) team. The HRD team also visited potential Independent Living (IL) Centers in Cebu.
