Publication > Newsletter > 10th Newsletter > International Day of Disabled Persons 2004

International Day of Disabled Persons 2004

Afghanistan

Nearly 500 persons with disabilities, who are rights advocates in Kabul joined a procession demanding more inclusion in Afghan society. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported a number of problems that Afghans face are to strive to reconstruct their buildings and rebuild their infrastructure. From this, a report called for a public information campaign to highlight the contributions persons with disabilities can make to their country, the needs to improve accessibility, social and health services, education, and incentive programs to encourage employers to hire persons with disabilities.
(The Star Online: http://thestar.com.my)

Bangladesh

A total of 88 organizations participated in a fair and at the Dhanmondi Ground to observe the day organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare in collaboration with the National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD). The Prime Minister opened the fair by releasing pigeons and balloons. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia stated that persons with disabilities can be transformed into human resources through proper training. She assured people that a taskforce would be formed in coordination with 14 Ministries and led by the Prime Minister to soon undertake a national plan for the welfare of disabled persons. The Prime Minister stated that proper guidance, education, training and management by the government have helped persons with disabilities win awards at various international events.

China

In China, where one-third of the 30 million people, who live below the poverty line have disabilities, the government used the occasion to announce changes to its 1990 disability law. The changes, which were not detailed in the news, reportedly would strengthen rights of persons with disabilities to education, employment, information access, and recreation.
(source: www.inclusiondaily.com)

Fiji

The observance of the day was held at the Fiji Vocational Training Center. The event started with a welcome speech by Ms. Angeline Chand, President, Fiji Disabled Peoples Association followed by presentations on "Fiji Human Rights Commission, What is happening with the Disability Action Act?", "Fiji Disabled Peoples' Association Advocacy Team-Progress towards Implementing the Disability Action Plan", and by the "Fiji Association of the Deaf", "Spinal Injury Association of Fiji", "Psychiatric Survivor Association of Fiji", "United Blind Persons of Fiji", and the "Fiji National Council on Disabled Persons. The UBP Vision Band closed the event.

India

As part of the IDD, 90 physically challenged children performed in the "Ramayana on Wheels" role play from 1-7 December 2004. The play was organized by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and sponsored by the Indian Oil Corporation, Tata Steel, and SAIL. Along with this event, a photo and art exhibition by physically challenged people was held at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Also, there was a play on the goddess Durga at the Shri Ram Centre for Art and Culture.

India's President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam announced that the government is working on a "Speech Applet" to provide a website interface for blind Internet users, which can be downloaded from the president's website. A major event was organized for the India Gate, with 10,000 people participating. NCPEDP negotiated with music bands and artists with disabilities to make this a truly memorable event.

W.D.D's theme of inclusion expressed through the medium of Arts and Culture highlighted the creative, artistic and intellectual potential of disabled people. NCPEDP in association with Indian Oil Limited will present the first of its kind, National Arts Ability Festival organized by the Asia Pacific Therapeutic Theatre featuring students with disabilities beginning with a week long photo and art exhibition from December 1 at Ajanta Arts Gallery showing artworks by disabled children from around the country. Previous A.P.T.T. productions featuring disabled actors and dancers from India and abroad will also be featured in the photo exhibition.

The main attraction of the festival, included two special performances by Indian epics, Ramayana-on-wheels and Devi-The Ultimate Power. The performances choreographed by renowned classical dancer and theatre veteran, Sayed Salahuddin Pasha, will feature disabled children from various special schools in Delhi. The President gave patronage to disability groups.

Malaysia

Malaysia had a unique celebration at the Kuala Lumpur's Berjaya Times Square where hundreds of supporters of Malaysian persons with disabilities and government representatives including Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development, came for a half day of events that concluded with lunch. Wheelchair and hearing impaired dancers enthralled the audience. Special awards were given out to outstanding persons with disabilities to recognize their personal achievements. For this occasion, members of the corporate section made an effort and took initiatives to make the buildings barrier-free for persons with disabilities.
(The Star Online: http://thestar.com.my)

Pakistan

In Islamabad, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz renewed his government's "commitment and resolve" to "build the country as one of the most favorable and truly accessible, caring and integrated communities for the disabled".

The Society for Disabled Women (SDW) is working to uplift women with disabilities in the rural and urban areas of Faisalabad and Toba districts. SDW organized IDD celebrations for the members and children. More than 60 members, women with disabilities gathered for a program at St. Joseph Hall Malkhan Wala Faisalabad. It was decorated with banners regarding persons with disabilities' human rights issues. The local non-governmental organizations and the community were invited to participate in the celebrations. The program started with prayers for the development of women with disabilities. School girls performed a cultural dance.

Nepal

Although Nepal has observed IDD for 13 years, the formalities of the Government and NGO sector were limited to Kathmandu until 3 years ago when most of the 75 district headquarters had a formal program and rally. Disability is still not a priority for most partners in development who do not participate in the celebration. The Minister of Women, Child, and Social Welfare was the chairperson of the celebration committee in Kathmandu and the District Administration officers were chair persons at the district level. DPI-Nepal was in the vice-chair position of the celebration committee, but did not participate in the program. Handicap International and Action Aid Nepal supported the program. There was no new announcement by the government much awaited by persons with disabilities. Participants in the rally in Kathmandu were: the Band of Nepal Police, school children, foreign volunteers, and most of the disability organizations from Kathmandu. This year there were three different rallies in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts. Previously, there was one single rally in Kathmandu valley including Bhaktapur and Lalitpur. The formal program after the rally, organized by Disabled Relief Fund was addressed by the Minister of Women, Child, and Social Welfare-Mrs. Astha Laxmi Shakya. The Minister distributed free assistive devices and wheelchairs to persons with disabilities, which were provided by the Disabled Relief Fund, a government wing serving persons with disabilities. Prizes for the best student graduating from school and college, and the best disabled teachers of the year were also awarded.

Thailand

The government has pledged to promote the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities; Social Development and Human Security Minister, Sora-at Klinpratoom declared that equal access to public facilities, and participation in societal activities of persons with disabilities will be supported. Mr. Sora-at made the remarks in his speech marking the 2004 International Day of Disabled Persons that "the Thai Government has observed and paid attention to this over the past 10 years, showing that that Thai authorities continued to care persons with disabilities in the country." The Minister pledged that the government would also promote public awareness and recognition of equal opportunities in all areas and the human dignity of persons with disabilities. "The government will accelerate the registration of the remaining 600,000 persons with disabilities in the near future", Mr. Sora-at said. (Source: Thailand News Agency)

Persons with disabilities in Thailand and the general public were all welcomed at the Disabled Persons' Day Fair held on 13 November 2004. The National Council on Social Welfare of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King organized the 40th Disabled Persons' Day Fair at Suan Amporn, Bangkok to mark the auspicious occasion of the 72nd Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen and to provide a good opportunity for persons with disabilities from across the country and the general public to meet one another.

The Cook Islands

The Cook Islands Program started with a week of TV interviews on the Cook Islands TV from 29 November - 3 December 2004. The subjects talked were about building accessibility, Council achievements, progress achieved in schools, the Segregation Act, educational policy achievements, transportation, development programs and acknowledging donors for funding, other kinds of assistance and the National Achievement for National Policy, special assistance and the government program on policy.

Vanuatu

The head of the Pacific Operations Centre for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Nikenike Vurobaravu, joined the President of Vanuatu and other dignitaries at the Disability Centre in Port Villa, in congratulating people with disability, their families, and supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for raising awareness and promoting the rights of people with disabilities. Mr. Vurobaravu presented congratulations to the government for its disability policy, particularly education. He clearly stated that "The new national policy together with other initiatives to mainstream disability issues in areas like education will ensure that people with disabilities are considered equally and given equal opportunity."

In Santo, the day started at 5.00 pm. at Unity Park. Nelly Caleb, Head of the Women with Disabilities Committee led the candle-lit celebration at the Park.
(Reference: Port Villa Press; www.news.vu)

Viet Nam

Beauty in Diversity 2004 : This was a joint celebration in honor of World AIDS Day (1 December), International Day of Disability (3 December), and the International Volunteer Day (5 December). The day is dedicated to recognizing the diverse range of individuals living with or affected by disability, HIV/AIDS, together with the wide-range of individuals that volunteer their time and energy to contribute to their community's needs. The celebration took place at the Reunification Park. The event began with opening remarks from Jordan Ryan, the UNDP Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam, followed by fun, educational and entertaining activities as well as information booths, additional games and delicious refreshments. It was an opportunity for the public to approach various groups, and for nongovernmental organizations to network and collaborate with like-minded community members.

Child Vision

Child Vision, Association for Parents with Disabled Children (APDC) and Disability Club Members celebrated the International Day of Disabled Persons on 30 November 2004. They acknowledged the rights of children and that all children deserve to be treated equally regardless of sex, race, and ability.

Disabled Peoples' International

Ms. Venus M. Illagan, Chairperson of the Disabled Peoples' International stated that "December 3 must serve as a reminder that we are all humans with equal rights that must be recognized and respected regardless of our disabilities. Let us engage our governments and encourage them to support the ongoing work for an international disability convention at the United Nations, which we hope will serve as an instrument to make a dent in the lives of 600 million people with disabilities around the world."

UNESCAP

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific celebrated the day with speeches, an exhibition, a forum by members of the community and documentary screenings at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the day, "Nothing About Us Without Us: Ensuring Access to Information and Communication Technologies" was anchored in the principle of participation by and for persons with disabilities. The program began with the delivery of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's message by the Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Ms. Keiko Okaido followed by an exhibition and panel discussion involving regional representatives, including Thailand's blind and hearing impaired communities, and the screening of four UN documentaries. The Exhibition represented members of the Thailand Association of the Blind, Disabled People's International Asia-Pacific, the National Association of Deaf-Thailand, the SAORI Creative Center, International Labor Organization (ILO), the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability, and the UNESCAP.

United Nations

The 2004 IDD focused on the active involvement of persons with disabilities in the planning of strategies and policies that affect their lives. The motto "Nothing About Us Without Us" relies on this principle of participation, and has been used by Disabled Peoples' Organizations as part of the global movement to achieve full participation and equalization of opportunities for, by and with persons with disabilities. The active involvement of persons with disabilities in the ongoing elaboration of a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities has proved to be an excellent example of how the principle of full participation can be put into practice and how it can contribute to the development of truly inclusive societies, in which all voices are heard and persons with disabilities can help shape a better world for all.

Observance of the Day offered an opportunity to foster changes in attitudes towards persons with disabilities and eliminate barriers to their full participation in all aspects of life.