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] [ ] [ ] An International Conference on Accessible Tourism (ICAT) was organized from 22-24 November 2007 to promote accessible tourism in the region as a way to enhance the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights -based Society for Persons with Disabilities (BMF), Biwako Plus Five and the Plan of Action for Sustainable Tourism Development in Asia and the Pacific (Phase II 2006-2012) focusing on access to built environments, public transportation and, training and employment including self-employment. The Bangkok Recommendations from the International Conference on Accessible Tourism were adopted.
Please check www.dpiap.org/index.html for more detail.
Source: DPI-AP
Ministers of ASEAN, China, the Republic of Korea and Japan released a joint statement at the conclusion of the 2nd ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting for Social Welfare and Development in Ha Noi. Following is the text of the joint statement regarding ".Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Development":
"We discussed the theme, "Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Development: Lessons and Actions for the Future" and emphasized the importance of mainstreaming disability issues as an integral part of promoting sustainable development, particularly with regard to the Millennium Development Goals.
"We reaffirmed the priorities set out in the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Plan of Action on building a community of caring societies in ASEAN with attention to measures that would reduce the social risks faced by the elderly and persons with disabilities, to increase the effective participation of women, families, civil society and the private sector in eradicating poverty and social welfare issues, and raise the standard of living of marginalized and disadvantaged groups."
"We appreciated that this calls for consolidated efforts in cooperation between ASEAN Member Countries and the Plus Three Countries in all aspects of social welfare and development, stressing the importance of removing all barriers that had previously hindered the full participation of persons with disabilities in society."
Please check www.aseansec.org/21227.htm for more detail.
Source: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
The Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association (DPA) got the first runner-up award for the seventh RRRT Pacific Human Rights Awards on 10 December 2007 for seeking structural change in the face of widespread prejudice. Andonia Piau-Lynch, National Coordinator of DPA, said this award will go a very long way in helping us here in Vanuatu to continue to push for the human rights of persons with disabilities as well as human rights of all people here.
Source:Andonia Piau-Lynch, National Coordinator, Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association
The first Seminar on Disability Equality Training (DET) was organized by Confident Disabled Welfare Association (CDWA), member of Sindh Disability Forum (SDF) on 18 December 2007 at Khairpur, north of Karachi. About two hundred delegates from all walks of life attended the Seminar. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani was a resource person. The Seminar covered the introduction to DET, poverty issues, the gender issue, a rights-based approach, a barrier-free environment, CBR, IL, disaster management, vulnerability in disability, etc.
Source: Ghulam Nabi Nizamani, DPI AP
Please check www.awdhk-conf.org/home.html or email women@awdhk-conf.org for more details.
Source: Association of Women with Disabilities Hong Kong
Please check www.autism-india.org or email actionforautism@gmail.com for more details.
Source: Action For Autism (AFA)
Please check www.bpksbd.org or email seminar@bpksbd.org for more details.
Source: Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity
Please check www.nfowd.com/APDF.htm or email nfowd@bdmail.netfor more details.
Source:Dr. Nafeesur Rahman, Director of National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD)
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