5.2 Profile of Non-governmental Organizations of/ for Persons with Disabilities

The First National Leadership Seminar for Persons with Disabilities in Myanmar was held in February 2002, which was the impetus for the formation of the Disabled People Organization of Myanmar. DPI was a major sponsor of the seminar along with the Nippon Foundation. The organization was formed and a constitution was approved. DPO (Myanmar) is hoping to add more members during the 2004 year with the aim of promoting the quality of life for persons with disabilities and their dignity in society by enabling them to take their own responsibility without being a burden to the nation and to the community.

Eden Handicap Service Center was established in 2000 with the aid of the Embassy of Japan and others. The aim of the Center is to provide services for children with disabilities while providing opportunities for their right of survival and development. The Center aids children with disabilities under 18 years old with both physical and mental impairments.

The Fellowship was established in 1975 with 14 blind persons for the purpose of organizing the blind to serve their needs and advance their cause through their own active participation in social welfare programs of the state. The Fellowship is a member of the World Blind Union.

The Association was established in 1996 with 124 members in order to fill the need for a representative organization at the national level. The Association aims at cultivating and fostering the blind with increased momentum while promoting their rights in society. Membership currently totals 200.

The Council is carrying out rehabilitation programs for persons with disabilities as well as providing positive social action and development programs. The Council of Churches contains 13 member churches. The differently Able Program was established in 1997 in order to carry out the Council's activities for PWDs.

The Zion Disabled Womenﾒs Development Centre was established in 1998 by a disabled women and provides women the opportunity to earn a wage who are trained and then manufacture wooden toys. The toys are approved by UNICEF for its Early Childhood Development Program.

Operates the Vocational Centre for the Physically Handicapped in Yangon in conjunction with the Department of Social Welfare. The Center provides training courses in hairstyling and tailoring. Courses are 3.5 months in duration which upon completion, AAR provides financial or equipment loans for graduates to open their own business.

The goal of World Visionﾒs initiatives for handicapped persons is to improve the well-being, opportunities and status of these persons within their own communities of Myanmar. Programs of prevention, rehabilitation and vocational and skill training are provided.