Publication > Newsletter > Newsletter 20 > Summary of the Best Practices by APCD Focal Points and Associate Organizations

Summary of the Best Practices by APCD Focal Points and Associate Organizations

Pacific Disability Forum (PDF)
Mr. Setareki S. Macanawai, Chief Executive Officer
APCD Resource Person

Mr. Satareki Seru Macanawai, Pacific Disability Forum PDF, a regional non-governmental organization born in Nadi, Fiji in 2002 is currently working with national DPOs in 10 countries of the Pacific sub-region and plans to extend its coverage to the remaining 12 countries and territories of the region.

Key Fields Collaborated with APCD:

Since PDF recognizes the important role and valuable assistance of APCD especially in disability development in the region, it has become an Associate Member of APCD with the development of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities as a top priority. Evidence of this partnership was the participation of PDF through its Chief Executive Officer as a resource person in the CBSHOD Pacific subregional training seminar that was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from 12-16 February 2007.

Future Collaboration with APCD to Further Facilitate the Disability Movement in the Pacific:

First, there is a real opportunity for close collaboration between the two parties in organizing training programmes which APCD plans to conduct in the Pacific Subregion. Similarly, PDF can assist APCD in identifying suitable candidates from this subregion to participate in these training programmes which APCD organizes. Secondly, PDF can partner with APCD and other United Nations agencies to better inform and strengthen disability organizations in the delivery of their services. Finally, APCD can utilize capable resource persons from the Pacific to facilitate in appropriate training programmes it conducts in Asia and the Pacific region, as well as draw on these valuable resources to introduce or strengthen the disability movement in other Pacific countries.

Expected Roles of APCD and Possible Contribution from PDF:

APCD's follow-up mechanisms must be in place to ensure that trainees are using the skills, knowledge and experience gained from their training programmes. A review of existing training programmes offered by APCD is necessary to ensure that they are relevant and reflect the training needs of the sector in this region. APCD could also focus its resources on conducting disability-related research in the region.

Promotion of Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities Arch. Jaime G. Silva
APCD Ex-training Participant
Chairperson, Committee on Accessibility, United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)
Vice-Chairperson for NGO Sub-Committee on Accessibility and Telecommunications,
National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP)

Collaboration with APCD:

Mr. Jaime G. Silva, Chairperson, UAP The Philippines is very fortunate to have seven (7) Filipinos, three of whom are officials of the UAP, who participated in APCD's Regional Training Course for Trainers on the Non-handicapping Environment held in Bangkok from 2000 - 2004. After the training, various activities have been undertaken in line with the promotion of a non-handicapping environment (NHE) such as continuous monitoring of government and private establishments for public use, access talkshops, access audits and other advocacy activities not only in the urban but in the rural areas as well to reach the grassroots level.

One of the major initiatives through the NCWDP as APCD's Focal Point in the Philippines, was the successful Training of Trainers on the Promotion of a Non-Handicapping Environment (NHE) for Persons with Disabilities from March 1-4, 2005; it was organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Philippines and United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and, APCD.

In 2006, a follow-up activity called the National Consultative Workshop on the Promotion of a Non-Handicapping Environment for Persons with Disabilities was conducted through NCWDP with JICA Philippines, UAP and APCD. The National Workshop aimed to assess the extent participants of the training in March 2005.

Collaboration/Partnership Project for the Next Five Years:

The Philippine Government through the NCWDP and its partners like the UAP has envisaged a five-year pro-poor project entitled "Towards a Barrier-Free and Rights-Based Philippines: Creation of a Non-Handicapping Environment for Filipinos with Disabilities in the Rural Areas." This project will bridge the gap between PWDs in urbanized centers and rural areas in terms of access to services. This will be another partnership/collaboration between and among NCWDP, UAP, JICA and APCD.

Philippine Vision with APCD Support

The Council recognizes the significant role, support and commitment of APCD to assist Filipinos with disabilities towards their empowerment through the promotion/creation of a non-handicapping environment. We strongly believe that with the continued collaboration with APCD, our country will achieve its vision of an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based Philippine Society for our brothers and sisters with disabilities as enunciated in the BIWAKO Millennium Framework of Action and translated into the National Plan of Action for the Philippine Decade for Persons with Disabilities.

Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)
A Cross Disability Organization
Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President
APCD Resource Person

Mr. Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President, STEP STEP was conceived and launched in 1997 by Persons with Disabilities with the prime objective to raise their voice at all levels, initiated from the grassroots to state and International levels.

Collaboration with APCD and UNESCAP:

The disability movement in Pakistan is accelerating and the rights of PWDs are getting recognition. A good number of PWDs from STEP have attended trainings from APCD and JICA, have been employed in mainstream organizations, received higher training and are playing active roles in society.

Major Accomplishments of STEP in Collaboration with APCD:

Accelerated Disability Movement in the Country In April 2004, an APCD mission team attended and supported the National Training Seminar on Disability organized by STEP with 20 PWDs participanting from all over the country. The inaugural session was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education and 150 stakeholders. It was the first meeting of PWDs of Pakistan with the APCD team; the Disability Movement was rejuvenated after this assembly.

First Ever Accessible Website for Persons with Visual Impairments

One participant from STEP attended the Web-based Information Networking Training held by APCD and developed the First Ever Accessible Website in Pakistan for Persons with Visual Impairments.
(www.step.org.pk)

Interaction of DPOs with Government and International Organizations

In 2005, APCD supported the implementation of a Regional Training Seminar on Capacity Building of Self-Help Organizations of PWDs (CBSHOD) in Pakistan in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, JICA Pakistan and World Bank Pakistan, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Contribution/Response to the Earthquake

An earthquake jolted the whole country on a large scale on October 8, 2005 resulting in many persons becoming disabled. A team from STEP focused on PWDs in the affected areas since disabled persons are the last to be rescued in any disaster.

Capital Independent Living Center

Two members of STEP established an ILC after attending training at APCD. They pioneered the concept of IL and motivated a large group of severely disabled persons in Islamabad. An IL team attended a three day session in Lahore too with a JICA expert. After all these efforts the word "IL" has not only become a buzz word but the heart beat of all PWDs in Pakistan, particularly for those who were confined in their houses since birth. To all these efforts, we have given the name of Capital Independent Living Center (CILC).

Future Collaboration with APCD:

APCD could increase the number of trainees and conduct frequent refresher programs. We intend to conduct trainings on a larger scale in Pakistan and invite APCD resource persons.

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