Observance

International Day of Disabled Persons 2006

3 December 2006

United Nations

"E-Accessibility"

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 1982. How the Day may be observed Involve: Observance of the Day provides opportunities for participation by all interested communities - governmental, non-governmental and the private sector - to focus upon catalytic and innovative measures to further implement international norms and standards related to persons with disabilities. Schools, universities and similar institutions can make particular contributions with regard to promoting greater interest and awareness among interested parties of the social, cultural, economic, civil and political rights of persons with disabilities. Organize: Hold forums, public discussions and information campaigns in support of the Day focusing on disability issues and trends and ways and means by which persons with disabilities and their families are pursuing independent life styles, sustainable livelihoods and financial security. Celebrate: Plan and organize performances everywhere to showcase - and celebrate - the contributions by persons with disabilities to the societies in which they live and convene exchanges and dialogues focusing on the rich and varied skills, interests and aspirations of persons with disabilities. Take Action: A major focus of the Day is practical action to further implement international norms and standards concerning persons with disabilities and to further their participation in social life and development on the basis of equality. The media have especially important contributions to make in support of the observance of the Day - and throughout the year - regarding appropriate presentation of progress and obstacles implementing disability-sensitive policies, programmes and projects and to promote public awareness of the contributions by persons with disabilities.

RNC is the UK leading college of further education for people with sight loss

22/02/05

UK

THE ROYAL NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND

The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), Hereford, a specialist residential college of further education and training for people (16+) who are blind or partially sighted, has been confirmed as number one of its kind in the country after receiving a glowing testimonial from education watchdogs Ofsted and ALI, describing RNC as an “Outstanding college providing high quality education and training where students’ individual needs are very well met”. The inspection identified among the Colleges many strengths: - Very good teaching and learning. “The quality of teaching is significantly above that found within the Further Education sector” - Very good achievement by most students - Excellent range of specialist resources - Outstanding support for students’ individual needs - Outstanding leadership and strategic management - RNC has become one of the few colleges (mainstream and specialist) to be described as “outstanding” (the top grade) for its overall performance in leadership and management. - Very good promotion of equality of opportunity and diversity. These key strengths heavily outweighed the 3 areas the inspectors feel RNC needs to focus on, namely: teaching accommodation for some curriculum areas, the use of additional resources in some teaching sessions and access to external work placement for some students.

cf@rncb.ac.uk

Expert Group Meeting

Meeting of Regional and International Organizations in support of the Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities, 2004 - 2013

2 - 4 August 2004

United Nations House, Beirut -Lebanon.

co-organized by UN-ESCWA, the United Nations Office of the Special Rapporteur on Disability, the Technical Secretariat of the League of Arab States, and the Arab Organization of Disabled People.

The Meeting aimed at developing capacity- building in the Arab countries in areas of policy, programmes, and planning concerning the materialization of the 'Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities'; and at developing a unified position towards the preparation of an Arab Plan of Action to support the implementation of the Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities, taking into consideration Arab countries current achievements and situations. The meeting also aimed at: increasing awareness of the concerned officials concerning strengthening the implementation of the Arab Decade in line with the Standard Rules; enhancing the implementation of the Standard Rules in development programmes, along with providing the required technical support for the adoption of the Standard Rules; highlighting the constructive and essential role assumed by the relevant NGOs in building, developing and implementing the national plans; drawing the attention of international organizations to prioritize disability within their regional programmes; ensuring the inclusion of the concepts and philosophy of the Standard Rules within Arab national plans of action on disability issues, as well as utilizing those concepts as guidelines for applications; linking the Arab Decade initiative to the international efforts and experiences that have been practiced in other regions of the World.

The Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Assad Diab, attended the Opening and gave an Opening Speech. The EGM covered a session to discuss the Draft International Convention on Disability that is currently being discussed within the United Nations Ad Hoc Specialized Committee jointly with the working group representing member states and specialized organizations at the international level. The EGM also discussed a unified position towards addressing the obstacle issues in the Draft Convention that was discussed in New York during the period 23 August – 4 September 2004. The Meeting concluded in presenting a draft final report that included decisions to support the implementation of the Arab Decade of Persons with Disabilities, and to support the International Convention on Disability. In this respect, the participants agreed to organize a conference during 2005 for the preparation of an Arab plan of action to observe the implementation of the Arab Decade.

Expert Group Meeting (EGM)

Regional EGM on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Persons with Disabilities.

25 - 26 May 2004

United Nations House, Beirut -Lebanon.

Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

The basic goal of the EGM is to further the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities in the Arab countries by promoting accessibility to reasonable ICT.

The EGM was patronized by the Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Assaad Diab. Around 130 participants attended the EGM representing Arab Governments, Arab NGOs, specialized private sector companies, international and regional institutions, international and Arab experts, UN bodies and participants with visual and hearing impairments. The EGM concluded with a number of recommendations, including a vision that reflects a futuristic strategy to support utilizing ICT for persons with disabilities with reasonable adaptation.

Workshop

Information Technology for the Employment of Blind Persons

6 - 8 May 2004

Amman – Jordan

Friendship Association of the Blind in cooperation with the Asian Blind Union.

Experts and specialized personnel in the field of information and technology participated in the Workshop, representing countries of the Middle East region. Core topics of the Workshop covered the following issues: 1. Obstacles of employment of blind persons. 2. Impact of technology on the quality of life of blind persons. 3. Impact of modern technology on the education and employment of blind persons. 4. Relevant recommandations were adopted by the Worshop.