TWGDC - Seventh Session, 31 December 2003 Bangkok

The seventh session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns (TWG-DC) was opened by the Chief, Population and Social Integration, Emerging Social Issue Division, Mr. Jerrold Huguet. In his opening statement, Mr. Huguet thanked participants for their attendance regardless of an extremely busy period and he expressed his deep appreciated for their commitment to further the implementation of the goals of the BMF.
Mr. Huguet stated that our most significant activities in this year (2003) focused on the process towards the elaboration of an international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. Immediately after the sixth session of TWG- DC was held in Bangkok in June 2003, the second session of the Ad Hoc Committee on an International Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities was held in New York. The second session was attended by a representative of UNESCAP, and many of ESCAP region’s experts (including TWG-DC members) acting in their different capacities. The outcomes were extremely positive. Overwhelming consensus was reached on elaborating a new (8th) international human rights treaty and a decision was made to establish a Working Group to prepare a draft convention text.

In view of the decision taken by the second Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate such a treaty, UNESCAP organized a follow-up regional workshop in October 2003 to begin the process of elaborating draft text for the proposed elements of the convention. The outcome was the Bangkok Draft: Proposed Elements of a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention.

The last ESCAP meeting in this series for this year was held in Beijing, 4-7 November 2003, jointly hosted by UNESCAP and the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF). This meeting was specifically designed for high-ranking public officials who are decision-makers in sectors important to persons with disabilities but was also attended by distinguished leaders of civil society as observers. The highlight of the meeting was the unanimous adoption of the “Beijing Declaration”. On 20th November 2003 the Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, Mr.Kim Hak-Su, submitted both the Bangkok Draft and the Beijing Declaration to the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, His Excellency Mr. Luis Gallegos Chiriboga of Ecuador. These documents will form a part of the regional input to the Working Group which will meet in New York in January 2004.

Mr. Huguet stated that we reached the end of the first year of the second Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012) and several countries of the region have already initiated development of national action plans towards the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India.

He concluded his speech by announcing that on 3 December UNESCAP would host a celebration of the International Day of Disabled Persons at UNCC. The theme for this year is “A voice of our own”, a theme in keeping with the first and second priority areas of the BMF. He hoped that many of the participants would stay to join ESCAP team for this event.

The seventh session of the TWG-DC was by chaired by Mr. Frank Hall-Bentick, a member of the Executive Committee of the newly formed regional network of NGOs, the Asia-Pacific Disability Forum (APDF).
Representatives of three governments, UNESCAP, two specialized agencies and twenty non-governmental organizations participated in the Meeting, a total of 55 participants. The list of participants is attached as Annex I.

II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The TWG-DC adopted the following agenda.

A. Meetings of Task Forces
a. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
b. Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities (EFA)
c. Employment
d. Timor Leste and Afghanistan
e. Self-help Organizations (SHOs)
f. Women with disabilities (WWD)
g. International Convention to Protect and Promote the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities

B. Plenary session

1. Welcome statement of Mr. Jerrold Huguet, Chief, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues
2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the sixth session of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-Related Concerns, 5-6 June 2002.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
4. Task Force action reports
5. Reports of specific action plans towards implementation of the BMF to December 2004 (APDF, UNESCAP, APCD, DPI/AP, Inclusion International.)
6. UNESCAP Report on 59th Commission session and regional meetings on an International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, held in Bangkok in August and October, and in Beijing in November 2003.
7. Other matters

III. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE SIXTH SESSION OF THE TWG-DC

The minutes of the sixth session of the TWGDC, held at Bangkok on3 June 2003, were adopted with minor changes (please find the attached amended version of the minutes of the sixth session)

IV. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

There was no matter arising form the minutes of the sixth session after the minor amendments.

V. AGENDA ITEM 10: TASK FORCE ACTION REPORTS

Brief reports were presented from the seven Task Forces listed in the agenda. Full Task Force reports are presented in the Annex II.

a. Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

The task force reported about the update on WSIS and its potential contribution to persons with disabilities. It was reported by Ms. Nomura. After the last meeting, several preparatory meetings were held and the Paragraph 20b was included in the draft Declaration of Principles after the meeting of the preparatory committee was held in July 2003; however the paragraph was deleted during the PREPCOM 3 meeting that took place in September 2003, not due to any opposition but for the sake of shortening the document.

With the hard work done by the disability focal point in the civil society bureau of WSIS and strong campaign among disability communities around the world, the concept of universal design, assistive technologies and web accessibility standard and other references to the needs and requirements of persons with disabilities was included in several paragraphs of the draft Declaration of Principals and draft Plan of Actions on November 14 (please refer to the relevant paragraphs of the WSIS draft in the Annex III). The final statements will be decided by the high-level preparatory meeting from 5-6 of December. During the WSIS meeting a Global Disability Forum will be held on 10 December 2003 as a summit event.

As a comment about the WSIS, the hard work done by Monthian and Hiroshi was recognized, but great concern about the enforcement of the Declaration of Principles and the Plan of Action and very limited representation of disabled persons at the related meetings. The TWG-DC hopes that it will be a good opportunity to make world leaders aware of importance of ICT for persons with disabilities and have the disability-related recommendation implemented actively by including disability issues and needs in the mainstream document which will be endorsed and signed by those leaders at the WSIS.

The ICT task force suggested that UNESCAP support and publish a study conducted by the ICT Task Force of TWG-DC on the achievement of ICT areas in the Asian and Pacific countries in accordance with the BMF priority area F. ICT Task Force members agreed that there should be a clear follow-up mechanism of the Task Force concerning the drafting of the proposed study.

b. Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities (EFA).
The Task Force reported that several members of TF EFA participated in the UNESCO Launch of the United Nations Literacy Decade, 8 September 2003, at IMPACT Arena Muangtonthani. At the event, Khun Panomwan Boontem presented her experiences in achieving literacy and the obstacles faced by young deaf persons in getting an education. Students from schools for the physically handicapped and school for the blind entertained delegates during the cultural performance in the evening.

Members of TF EFA also participated in the UNESCO Institute of Education (UIE) CONFINTEA V Mid-term review Conference, held from 6-11 September in Bangkok. This conference focused on adult and non-formal education. A week-end Workshop was held to discuss progress in thematic areas. In 1997 in Hamburg the needs of persons with disabilities had not been addressed at all. Recommendations on education for persons with disabilities were generated and presented to the main Conference. These were finally incorporated into the Call for Action and Accountability, and the Final Report, after some strenuous advocacy and objection to inadequate initial representation of the recommendations made.

The 5th National EFA Coordinators Meeting was held by UNESCO on 10-12 September 2003. TF EFA members participated actively in this meeting and presented the serious situation of children and youth with disabilities concerning their extremely limited access to education, and the importance of including them in national EFA plans. The education targets of the BMF were presented, with strategies for achieving them.

A presentation of the achievements of the first Asian and Pacific Decade in the area of education was made at the Rehabilitation International Regional Africa Conference held in Durban, South Africa, 28 September to 2 October 2003. As part of this conference there was a working group and presentations on the ICF for Children (discussed by Dr Pupulin at the June meeting of TF EFA). There was opportunity to exchange information with persons working in the Africa Decade for Disabled Persons, and to advocate to the Oslo Secretariat of the new Flagship on “Education for All and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Towards Inclusion”, to consider establishing a regional working group on the Flagship in the Asian and Pacific Region. Additional advocacy had been made by Olof Sandkull, UNESCO Bangkok Office to UNESCO, Paris Headquarters.

TF EFA was indirectly represented at the Steering Committee Meeting of the Flagship, held in Kampala, Uganda, 14-15 November 2003. As a result of the strong activity in the Asian and Pacific region on issues concerning the education of children and youth with disabilities, the Ad Hoc Working Group for Asia and the Pacific region was established, and it was agreed in principle that there should be a Working Group established in each UNESCO region of the world. Civil society as well as Governments will need to work hard with UNESCO to define and achieve the goals of the regional Flagship Working Group. Draft Terms of Reference were presented but need refining. It is hoped that TF EFA will be actively engaged with the Flagship within the region.

Additional Working Groups formed included:
· Ad Hoc Working Group on Education for All Plans
· Ad Hoc Working Group on Statistics and Indicators
· Ad Hoc Working Group on Capacity Building

c. Employment.
Ms. Debra Perry (ILO) explained about some confusion arising out of the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Task Force, the Chairman provided clarification of ILO Convention 159.

She explained that ILO Conventions are only ratified, not signed, making them different from UN Conventions. She elaborated that the system for ratifying ILO Conventions are different as compared to other UN Conventions. They are not signed but at the point of ratification the country is obliged to meet the conditions of the Convention. ILO Conventions do not allow for reservations, therefore, those countries that ratify do so accepting the Convention in its entirety.

She explained that the Convention has both policy and action measures. It requires that ratifying countries have a policy for vocational rehabilitation that is based on equal treatment and equal opportunity for workers with disabilities as compared to regular workers and that it includes measures for employment promotion in the open workplace. Special measures that are introduced to enhance the process are not to be seen as discriminatory in respect of other workers. She further explained that the policy and implementing actions must address all disability groups, women and men and urban and rural areas. There are also measures related to ensuring that countries have trained staff to implement the policy and actions. Ms. Perry advised that more than 70 countries have ratified Convention 159 worldwide and among them 7 in this region (ILO definition of the region): Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The Task Force focused on action-oriented follow up activities including (i) a practically oriented one-day Workshop that will be staged in November-December 2004, (ii) establishment of a Working Group to plan and stage the Workshop, with Debra Perry as the Convener and (iii) resuscitation of the list-serve that was created but not utilized in June 2003

The Task Force reported that there was discussion about the work of the Education Task Force and where vocational training and education fits in. Does it fall through the cracks of this Task Force and the Education Task Force? It was agreed that this is a legitimate issue and as such will be followed up by the Chairman, who will approach the Chair of the Education Task Force to discuss.

It was reported that there has recently been work undertaken on legislative measures and their efficacy. It was affirmed that legislation had been weak on eliminating discrimination but stronger on affirmative action. It was agreed that this is an area that will require further attention in the future.

Finally, the task force informed the participants of its decision of expanding its mandate to cover the issue of poverty alleviation (BMF goal No. 7) with special emphasis on small business enterprises (self-employment, access to micro-credit, etc.).

d. Timor Leste and Afghanistan.
(Timor Leste)

A national workshop on CBR will be held in Dili from 19 to 20 January, as a follow up to the above-mentioned workshops in 2001. The purpose of this workshop is to empower persons with disabilities and building up their capacity. The RI Asian and Pacific Regional Committee will contribute US$ 10,000 for organization of this workshop. RI representative from Hong Kong-China, together with a team of UN ESCAP, are going to attend this workshop as key resource persons. During the Workshop, Timor Leste will be the 44th signatory country to the proclamation of the Asian and Pacific Decade, and there will be a ceremony for signing with presence of two ESCAP representatives, in its capital Dili, on 19 January 2004.

In August 2004, DPI is organizing a national leadership training course in Timor Leste and around 30 persons will be empowered through this project.

(Afghanistan)

In September 2003, UNESCAP send a mission to Kabul on formulation of a comprehensive national policy on disability issues, upon request from the Government of Afghanistan, Ministry of the Martyrs and the Disabled (MMD).

Kay Nagata went to Kabul and worked together with a team headed by a special adviser for the Minister, H.E. Mr. Wardak, namely Dr. Majid (who left the country at the end of October 2003). The Ministry organized the first national workshop on national policy, held in October 2003, in Kabul. Representatives (mainly persons with disabilities) from all provinces of the country attended this two day meeting in October, and they developed the comprehensive national disability policy in Afghanistan (available on UNESCAP home page).

The outcome document was officially submitted to the Minister and a follow up to this workshop is urgently required in order to enhance the process of issuing the final version of the comprehensive policy as the country’s official policy. The policy outline (draft) is similar to the BMF in terms of priority, but among 7 priority areas of the BMF, particular emphasis was given to (i) rehabilitation, (ii) inclusive education and (iii) employment of persons with disabilities.

e. Self-help Organizations (SHOs).
The TF Coordinator reported that the BIWAKO Millennium Framework (BMF) for Action adopted in the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting in Otsu, Japan in October 2002, had been officially adopted in the 59th Commission Session of the UN ESCAP on 4 September 2003.

The TF Coordinator shared an experience of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) to organize The 1st National Leadership Training for Persons with Disabilities in Afghanistan in Kabul, August 2003 in order to facilitate them to form a national assembly of PWD. He had observed that due to past prolonged wars, many Afghanistan people had been still struggling for their own day-to-day survival and seemed less interested in issues indirect to his/her daily living or own interest. Although DPI found significance in organizing such training, it was very challenging and required relevant follow-up in a long run. However, immediate action to support PWDs in Afghanistan should be emphasized on rehabilitation and welfare.

f. Women with disabilities (WWD).

This was the second meeting of the TF on WWD, a new issue and among the most important targets of the BMF (because it had suffered from neglect for so long). The Task Force reported that the first national workshop on WWDs Leadership Training Seminar was organized by DPI Thailand in collaboration with governmental organizations on 13-14 November 2003 in Bangkok. Twenty young women leaders with cross disability were trained at Rachanukul Institute to develop and strengthen their empowerment, and promote self-help organizations they represented. The report focused on planned follow-up activities of the Task Force including (i) establishment of a wider WWDs network of Task Force by linkage between PWDs and gender organizations through the Gender Section of UNESCAP. (ii) making a strong effort to make WWD issues as a policy of UNIFEM and (iii) follow- up to and study of the action plans and country reports on WWDs issues of DPOs in Asian and Pacific and other regions.

An issue of effective coordination and collaboration between the TF of WWD and TF of SHOs was raised, and it was agreed that an independent Task Force of WWD should remain; however, the ESCAP Secretariat was encouraged to ensure the most appropriate logistics to enable TF-WWD and TW-SHO members to participate in both Task Force meetings, consecutively in a same meeting room.

g. International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.
The Task Force reported that the Bangkok Draft and the Beijing Declaration were already submitted to the Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee with a copy to the United Nations Special Rappoteur on Disability Issues of the Commission on Social Development and the UN DESA New York. It also reported that the General Assembly Third Committee endorsed the decision of the 2nd Ad Hoc Committee about the Working Group. The first session of the Working Group is to be held 5-16 Jan 2004 in New York. Ad Hoc Committee will be held twice in 2004 (May and August 2004) and the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in each government delegation is encouraged.

The Task Force shared with the participants the following observations:

Ø Many PWDs were a part of government delegations, yet most were neither active nor discouraged to express their views. Active participation is called for.

Ø Beijing Seminar was a significant step ahead to affirm human rights convention on disability.

Ø China and India are preparing a draft on a proposed convention respectively. When ESCAP has a copy, it will be uploaded on the web site.

Ø Philippines officially endorsed the Bangkok Draft.

Ø We should stick to basic principles of human rights convention on disability, but we should be tactful and flexible to persuade governments.

For further details, please find the minutes of the Task Force in the Annex.

VI. Reports of specific action plans towards implementation of the BMF to December 2004
(APDF, UNESCAP, APCD, DPI/AP, Inclusion International)

APDF

Mr. Shoji Nakanishi (vice chairperson of APDF) introduced the following main objectives of Asia Pacific Disability Form (APDF) whose first General Assembly had been held in Singapore on 26-28 November 2003 and the Constitution of APDF was drafted and endorsed;

· To promote, participate in and evaluate the implementation of BMF
· To promote and work towards the creation and adoption of a UN Convention on the
· To promote self-help organizations;
· To ensure the paradigm shift from a charity-based approach to a rights based approach;
· To generate public awareness and to advocated issues concerning individuals with disabilities.

The APDF developed an outcome document entitled “Resolutions of the Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF) Inaugural Meeting and Conference 2003: the Singapore Declaration”.

The TWG-DC members belonging to NGOs were encouraged to apply for the APDF membership. The APDF will convene a major regional Conference once every 2 years with a host country from the region on a rotation basis, and between such Conferences, a series of the Executive Committee meetings will be held. The first Executive Committee Meeting of the APDF will be hosted by the UN ESCAP, and will be held in Bangkok (UNCC) on 14 June 2004 prior to the 8th session of TWG-DC (15-16 June 2004).

The Chairperson of the APDF is Ms. Judy Wee (Singapore) for the current 2 year term and the initial Secretariat of the APDF will be in Tokyo (Prof. Ryosuke Matsui/Ms. Etsuko Ueno, JSRPD).

To promote the effective implementation of the BMF targets and goals, several task force groups such as a task force on women and disability, a task force on research, a task force on convention, etc. were formed.

UNESCAP

The UNESCAP Secretariat reported the 4 key strategic areas of the BMF for 2004 and 2005, which are (i) disability statistics and monitoring of the implementation of the BMF (regional meeting on monitoring the implementation, to be held in Bangkok in October 2004), (ii) rights-based approach (a few follow-up activities to the International Convention, twice a year), and (iii) development of a national plan of action (a meeting on national policy on disabilities, to be held in 2005). Among 7 sectoral priority targets, the focus of 2004 will be poverty alleviation, and ESCAP planed a project of 10-day field visit cum seminar on poverty alleviation will be organized by the UN ESCAP, hosted by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (latter half of 2004, in China).

UNESCAP is soon publishing new publication highlightening success stories of PWG in the region, entitled “Focus on Ability, Cerebrate Diversity: Highlights of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002”.

APCD

A representative from the APCD reported the 3 key areas of APCD activities, namely networking and collaboration, human resources development and information support including accessible ICT for disabled users. The human resource development (HRD) wing of ACPD focuses on empowerment of PWDs through promotion of independent living (IL), community-based rehabilitation (CBR) and capacity building of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities. The networking covers working together with various partners such as PWDs, SHOs, NGOs, UN bodies and agencies, etc., including strengthening south-south cooperation among different regions. Information support includes promotion of information accessibility, web-site, and publishing of country profiles and quarterly newsletter of APCD.

DPI/AP

A representative of the DPI/AP briefed about planned activities during 2004.

January – December 2004

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Action Plan of DPI Asia/Pacific

National activity
26-30 Jan 04 IL Conference and Training Workshop in Thailand
May 04 Follow up Capacity Building of SHO in Cambodia
August 04 The 1st National Leadership Training for PWDs in Timor Leste
March Visiting and Wheelchair Assistance to Lao Disabled People Association

Regional activity
13-17 Feb 04 Regional Capacity Building Training Seminar in Nepal
April 04 The 3rd Regional Leadership Training of WWDs in Indonesia

International/Regional Cooperation
June 04 Attending 8th TWGDC
Attending APDF Executive Meeting

Inter-regional Collaboration
8-13 Dec 03 Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Disabled People in Southern Africa
Dec 04 Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Disabled People in Southern Africa (Proposed)

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Inclusion International

The ongoing Parent Empowerment Programme in the Pacific and Indonesia has made a good progress particularly with SHO groups in Samoa and Kiribati. A new project on disability survey in Tonga was commenced, so right now 10 countries are covered under the survey project. The most significant aspect of the work has been the strengthening of contact and collaboration with governments. In August 2003, at the annual Congress of Prime Ministers of the South Pacific, disability issues were on the agenda for the first time, directly as a result of representation to their government by a SHO in Vanuatu. A comprehensive report was prepared and submitted to the assembled leaders and the final communiqué contained a statement of concerns of PWD.

Participation from the Pacific in the October ESCAP workshop on the Convention (held in Bangkok) and the ESCAP Seminar on the Convention (held in Beijing) indicated a strong commitment of PWDs in the Pacific region in the process toward the International Convention. II is most pleased to find that a representative of persons with intellectual disability, Mr. Robert Martine (Inclusion International, New Zealand) is selected to be a member of the Working Group commissioned under the Ac Hoc Committee.

There will be a form on women with disabilities and a general form in Fiji next week. II will continue to be actively support SHOs, parents and PWDs.

Volunteers for reporting during the 8th session

It was agreed that in the 8th session of TWG-DC (June 2004) Ms. Debra Perry will brief about ILO plan of actions, and Bill Brohier will brief about planned activities of ICEVI and CBM.

VII. UNESCAP Report on 59th Commission session and regionalmeetings on an International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, held in Bangkok in August and October,
and in Beijing in November 2003

There was no report under this agenda as the relevant issues were already covered in the previous sections.

VIII. OTHER MATTERS

Date of eighth session of TWGDC. Agreement was reached that this would be scheduled for 15-16 June 2004, immediately after the first session of the Executive Committee Meeting of the APDF (Bangkok). ESCAP will host the APDF Executive Committee session at UNCC Bangkok on 14 June 2004.

APDF. It was agreed that APDF will choose a logo for the second Decade for UNESCAP’s adoption, and the selection process should be finalized before the end of 2004.

UNESCAP Decade home page addresses. JSRPD reported that they would cooperate to disseminate BMF and the secretariat suggested that JSRPD should link to BMF.

Web page addresses: Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 (First Decade)
http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/decade/index.asp

New (Second) Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Person, 2003-2012 and BMF
http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/index.asp

Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns

ESCAP own home page on TWG-DC
http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/disability/thematic/index.asp

JSRPD page on TWG-DC
http://www.dinf.ne.jp

APDF On-line Forum
http://www.worldenable.net/bangkok2003/online.htm
(Group password: ESCAPEGM)

TWGDC expressed their appreciation of the chair and co-chair.

ANNEX I: List of Participants

HONG KONG, CHINA

Mr Stephen Pang, Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Government Secretariat, 20/F., Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong, China, Tel: (852)29738180, Fax: (852)2543 0486, Email: cforr@hwb.gen.gov.hk, hwbcfr@hwb.gov.hk, sklpang@hwfb.gov.hk

JAPAN
Ms Mayuri Hirata, Special Assistant to the Permanent Representative of Japan to ESCAP, Embassy of Japan

THAILAND
Mr Pat Watanasin, Social Worker, Office of the Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok

___________________________

SPECIALIZED AGENCIES AND RELATED ORGANIZATIONS

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Mr Wim Polman, Rural Development officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok

International Labour Organization (ILO) Ms Debra Perry, Senior Specialist in Vocational Rehabilitation for the Asia and Pacific Region, EASMAT, United Nations Building, 10th Floor, P.O. Box 2-349, Bangkok 10200, Tel: (662) 288-1792
E-mail: perry@ilo.org

__________________

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

Action on Disability and Development (ADD)
Mr Mosharraf Hossain, Action on Disability and Development (ADD), Bangladesh, Tel: (880-2) 89862554; e-mail: mosharraf@sirciusbb.com

Asia and Pacific Disability Forum (APDF)/Rehabilitation International (RI)
Ms Etsuko Ueno, Hon. Secretary to the RI, Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific, c/o Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD), 1-22-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-0052, Japan, Tel: 81-3-5273-0601, Fax: 81-3-5273-1523, Email: eueno@dinf.ne.jp

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)

Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) (cont’d) Ms Saranpat Anumatrajkij, Director, APCD, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email: info@apcdproject.org

Mr Akiie Ninomiya, APCD-JICA Chief Adviser, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email: info@apcdproject.org

Ms Naoko Ito, APCD-JICA Expert on HRD, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email: info@apcdproject.org

Mr Hisao Chiba, APCD-JICA Expert on ICT, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email: info@apcdproject.org

Ms Lasapan Toomsawasdi, ICT Chief, APCD, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email: info@apcdproject.org

Ms Wandee Sirikan, Project Assistant, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email:info@apcdproject.org

Ms Rattana Duangrapruen, Project Assistant, APCD, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email:info@apcdproject.org

Ms Suwapa Prasitwises, APCD, 1st Floor, 60th Anniversary Building, 255 Rajvithi Road, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel: 66-2-247-2619, Fax: 66-2-247-2375, Email: info@apcdproject.org

Australian Council of Rehabilitation Organizations on Disability (ACROD)
Mr Bryan Thomas Woodford, Chief Executive Officer, Yooralla, 244 Finders Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia and President, ACROD, Tel: (03)9209 4041, Mobile: 0419 885 046, Fax: (03) 9654 6269, Email: ceo@yooralla.com.au

Mr Jason McKey, Managing Director, Job Placement Limited, 24 Blackwood Road, Woodridge, Qld 4114, P.O. Box 825, Woodridge, Qld 4114, Australia
Tel: 07 3 808 5838, Fax: 07 3 808 1493
E-mail: jason@jobplacement.com.au ,jasonmckey@hotmail.com

Cambodia Disabled Person Organization (CDPO)
Mr Ma Samith, 3 Street 55, Chactomuk, Daum Phen, Tel: (855-23) 213882; (885-23)213882, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Email: cdilo1122@hotmail.com

Christoffel-Blindenmission (CBM/SEAPRO)
Mr William Brohier, Regional Adviser, Education of Visually Impaired Persons, 37, Jesselton Crescent, 10450, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 60-4-229-0933, Mobile: 01-2498433, Fax: 60-4-228 9357, Email: brohier@pc.jaring.myor brillbrohier@hotmail.com

Disability Australia
Mr Frank Hall-Bentick, International Representative, Disability Australia, Victoria

Ms Annette Emery, Assistant to Mr Frank Hall-Bentick

Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI)

Mr Shoji Nakanishi, Regional Chairperson, DPI-Asia Pacific, c/o 4-14-1-1 Myojincho, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192-0046 Japan, Fax: 81-426-46-4876, Email: Yukin@din.or.jp

Lt. Col. Topong Kulkhanchit, Regional Development Officer, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, 325 Bondstreet Road, Bangpood, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand Tel: 66-2-984-1007, Fax: 66-2-984-1008, Mobile: 01 5581902, Email: dpiapro@loxinfo.co.th

Mr Sirichai Phipsuk, Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI), Nonthaburi, Thailand

Ms Prapanrat Kochasena, Project Assistant, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, 325 Bondstreet Road, Bangpood, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand Tel: 66-2-984-1007, Fax: 66-2-984-1008, Email: mailtoprapanrat@dpiap.org

Ms Supattraporn Tanatikom, DPI Asia Pacific Regional Office, 325 Bondstreet Road, Bangpood, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand Tel: 66-2-984-1007, Fax: 66-2-984-1008, Nonthaburi, Thailand, Email: sarahmai@ksc.th.com or dpiap@loxinfo.co.th

Ms Arunee Limmanee, Teacher, Rachasuda College, Email: shalm@mucc.mahidol.ac.th

Ms Sumalee Nathiranjanalab, DPI, Tel: 01-933935, Email: sumaleent@yahoo.com

Disabled Peoples International for Pakistan (DPIP)
Mr Muhammad Ali Rafigue, Secretary General and Chairman Sports Committee (APD) Alliance of the Physically Disabled Faisalabad Pakistan and Coordinator of Disabled Peoples International for Pakistan, # 506-A Goni Street. Al-Mustafa Mazil Tariq Road, Muhammad Pura, Faisalabad, Pakistan, Tel (office): 0092-41-621163/0092-41-600159, Mobile: 0300-8653563, Fax on call 0092-41-646163, email: baboo@fsd.paknet.com.pk or baboo6363@hotmail.com

Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind (FEPB) Mr Pecharat Techavachara, President, Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind (FEPB), 2218/86 Chan Road, Chongnontri Yannawa, Bangkok 10120, Tel: (662)6780763-8, Fax: (662) 6780765, Email: fepb@internetksc.th.com

Ms Amphorn Tecavachara, FEPB, Bangkok

Handicap International (HI) Ms Edith Van Wijngaarden, Rehabilitation Department Coordinator, Handicap International, Belgium, Tel: (855 (0)12 651-228. Email: ib.REHAB_DPT@online.com.kh

Hilton/Perkins Program (HPP) Mr J. Kirk Horton, Regional Representative, HPP, c/o Bangkok School or the Blind, 420 Rajvithi Road, Bangkok, Tel: (01)909-4252

Inclusion International Mr Graham Bryce McKinstry, Legal Consultant, Inclusion International, 46 Sixteenth Avenue, Tauranga, New Zealand, Tel: +64-7-578-7362, Mobile: +64-25753 342, Email: g-b-mck@wave.co.nz

Mr Donald Wills, Immediate Past President, Inclusion International, and International Disability Alliance, G. Donald Wills
7-277 Tamaki Drive,Kohimarama,
Auckland,1005, New Zealand,
Tel/Fax +64 9 5286658, Email: donwillsnz@hotmail.com

Inter-American Development Bank, USA Ms Kaori Shirosawa, Project Coordinator, Inter-American Development Bank, 1300 New York Avenue, NW, Stop B-1060, Washington, DC 20577, Tel: 202-623-1318, Fax: 202-312-4153, Email: kaoris@iadb.org

Japanese Society for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (JSRPD)
Ms Misako Nomura, Deputy Director, Information Center, 22-2, 1-Chome, Toyama Shinjuki-ku,, Tokyo 162-0052, Japan, Tel: 81-3-5909 8280, Fax: 81-3-5909 8284, Email: nomura@dinf.ne.jp

Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Mr Kim Yong Chol, Executive Director, Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled, Tel: 850-2-381-7073, Fax: 850-2-381-7680, Email: kasdmoon@yahoo.com

Mr Kim Mun Chol, Executive Exchange Secretary, Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled, Tel: 850-2-381-7073, Fax: 850-2-381-7680, Email: kasdmoon@yahoo.com

Parents Association of the Intellectually Impaired Ms Phoranee Louineau, President, Parents Association of the Intellectually Impaired, Bangkok

People with Disability Australia Incorporated

Mr Phillip French, People with Disability Australia Incorporated, PO Box 666, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012, Tel: 02 9319-6622, Fax: 02 9318 1372, Email: SarniaS@pwd.org.au

Thai Association of the Blind (TAB) Mr Monthian Buntan, Director, Technology, International Relations and Human Resource Development, Thai Blind People’s Foundation, 85/1-2 Soi Boonyoo, Dindaeng Road, Samsen Nai, Phyathai, Bangkok 10400, Tel: (66-2) 246-2287 Fax: 66-2-8895308 Mobile 01 870 0783, E-mail: mbuntan@tab.or.th

The Roi-Et Education and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind
Mr Sathapon Mongkholsrisawat, President, The Roi-Et Education and Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, 49 Moo 10 Ban Santisuk Rachakandamneon Road, PO Box 99 Muang, Roi-Et 45000, Thailand, Tel: 043-512989, Fax: 043-512988, Mobile: 01-5441515, Email: sathapon@cscoms.com, or forblind101@hotmail.com

SECRETARIAT

Mr Kim Hak-Su Executive Secretary

Ms Keiko Okaido Deputy Executive Secretary

Mr S. Thampi Principal Officer

Mr Daewan Choi Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary and Secretary of the Commission
______________

Ms Thelma Kay Chief, Emerging Social Issues Division

Mr Jerrold W. Huguet Chief, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division

Ms Kay Nagata Social Affairs Officer, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division

Ms Aiko Akiyama Project Expert on Disability, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division

Ms Penelope Price Consultant, Population and Social Integration Section, Emerging Social Issues Division

______________

Ms Keiko Okaido Officer-in-Charge, a.i., Administrative Services Division

Mr Christian de Sutters Chief, Conference Services Section, Administrative Services Division

______________

Mr David Lazarus Chief, United Nations Information Services

______________

Annex II (a)

Agenda item 1 a) Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

1 December 2003
09:30-10:30
United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok

MINUTES

Chaired by Mr. Monthian Buntan, TAB

Agenda
1. Opening
2. Self-introduction by all participants
3. Adoption of minutes of the previous meeting
4. Discussion and adoption of the meeting agenda
5. Reports on the current situation and progress
5.1 From the Chairman
5.2 From the participants
6. Follow-ups from the previous meeting
6.1 Update on WSIS and its potential contribution to persons with disabilities
6.2 Further discussion on how to promote implementation of ICT accessibility in the accordance with the BMF.
6.3 Recommendation for the ICT accessibility in the process of drafting an International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities..
7. ICT accessibility standard at international level (W3C, ISO, ITU, etc)
8. Adjourn

1. Opening
The Chairman welcomed the participants.

2. Self-introduction by all participants
They introduced themselves. (See the attached list of participants.)

3. Adoption of minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting was adopted

4. Discussion and adoption of the meeting agenda
The agenda was adopted.

5. Reports on the current situation and progress

5.1 From the Chairman
The Chairman gave a repot on the following events.

(1) The WSIS
It will be held from December 10 to 12 in Geneva as its first phase and the Second phase will be held in Tunis, Tunisia in 2005. More details will be given the agenda 6.1.

(2) Accessibility Standard Conference to be held next January in Japan with the purpose to work on ISO accessibility standard. More information will be given later Ms. Nomura after getting from its website.

(3) Regional World Assembly of World Blind Union in Asia and the Pacific
It was held in Singapore from 15-20 of November and the final statement was announced with reference to promote ICT through the BMF and the WSIS. The final recommendations of the conference on barrier-free accessibility for the blind were adopted and will be circulated once some minor amendment, during the final session, has been added.

5.2 From the participants

Mr. Chiba reported about the web-based Net working workshop which was held for two weeks last July and organized by APCD in collaboration with UNESCAP and National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Thailand with the aim to provide the training of producing an accessible homepage. Twenty-two people from twenty-two countries were invited in this workshop.

Ms. Lasapan, information officer of APCD described the current activities of APCD from April 2003 to September 2003, such as publication of “Empowerment “ APCD Newsletter 3 an 4, updating their website and contact data of the related organization and people, and producing the data of country profile in the Asian and Pacific areas.

Ms Nomura from Japan reported "Forum on ICTs & Gender: Optimizing Opportunities", which was held in Kuala Lumpur from 20-23.of august. It was hosted by the Government of Malaysia with various partners including UNESCAP. This forum contributed to the process of drafting the statement of the WSIS with about 300 participants from all regions, representing governments, civil society organizations and the private sector. Very few representatives attended this forum from disability community, but the disability awareness was Included in the statement. More details are available at website HYPERLINK "http://www.globalknowledge.org"www.globalknowledge.org

Mr. Hossain from Bangladesh reported the increasing awareness of ICT for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh and the use of ICT at the grass-root level. He himself attended the preparatory meeting for the WSIS in Japan invited by the Asia Development Bank. His organization, Action on Disability and Development organized a meeting with ministers of ICT in Bangladesh to raise this issue and its report will be released as a country report at the WSIS.

Mr. Polman from FAO reported the two ways approach. Mainstreaming of disability issue is capacity building of small farmers and landless including people with disabilities for the development of primary agricultural cooperatives and small business enterprises. FAO provided technical support to the Thai Government to enhance entrepreneurship for many woman groups including disabled people in their supported activities. It sponsors a regional network which represents in 11 Asian countries over 3 million agriculture cooperative members including disabled people. FAO strengthens capacity building of primary agricultural cooperatives through this network. FAO will organize a regional expert meeting about the use of ICT in agriculture cooperatives possibly in Delhi or Bangalore, India next March.

Monthian reported the launch of DAISY for ALL Project initiated by the DAISY Consortium with a grant from the Nippon Foundation. The project consists of DAISY Software Production and open source development. The related trainers’ training is successfully conducted in Thailand and India as its first focal points. Additional thirty four developing countries will be targeted for this project within the next four years.

6. Follow-ups from the previous meeting

6.1 Update on WSIS and its potential contribution to persons with disabilities
It was reported from Monthian. After the last meeting, several preparatory meeting was held and Paragraph 20b(*) was included in the draft Declaration of Principles from since the intersessional meeting of the preparatory committee in July, but such paragraph was deleted during the prepcom 3 meeting in September, not because of any opposition but for the sake of shortening the document. With the hard work done by the disability focal point in the civil society bureau of WSIS and strong campaign among disability communities around the world, with good support from several government delegations, such as Thailand, New Zealand, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, etc., the concept of universal design, assistive technologies and web accessibility standard and other references to the needs and requirements of persons with disabilities was included in several paragraphs of the draft Declaration of Principals and draft Plan of Actions on November 14. The final statements will be decided by the high-level preparatory meeting from 5-6 of December. During the WSIS meeting Global Disability Forum will be held as the summit event.

As a comment about the WSIS, the hard work done by Monthian and Hiroshi was highly evaluated, but great concern about the enforcement of Declaration of Principles and Plan of actions and few representation of disabled people at the related meeting. However all participants agreed it will be a good opportunity to make world leaders aware of importance of ICT for persons with disabilities and have the disability-related recommendation implement actively by putting disability issues in the mainstream documents which will be approved and signed by those leaders at the WSIS.

* Paragraph 20b: Specific needs and requirements of all stakeholders, such as those with disabilities must be considered in ICT development. Accessibility and inclusiveness of ICTs is best done at an early stage of design, development and production, so that the Information Society is to become the society for all, at minimum cost

6.2 Further discussion on how to promote implementation of ICT accessibility in the accordance with the BMF.
The meeting acknowledged that during the last Asian and Pacific Decade of disabled persons, there was too little attention to the implementation of ICT accessibility despite its importance. Therefore the ICT task force meeting suggested that UNESCAP conduct a survey related to the achievement of ICT areas in the Asian and Pacific countries in accordance with the BMF priority area F. It was also decided that the initial drafting of the survey will be done by APCD and Monthian and ICT Task force would recommend it to the UN ESCAP as a guideline. ICT Task Force members all agreed that there should be a clear follow up mechanism.

6.3 Recommendation for the ICT accessibility in the process of drafting an International Convention to Promote and Protect the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.
During the last meeting the following recommendation about the convention came up from this Task Force meeting,

At the very end of the convention, there should be a sentence which states “This convention shall be translated and disseminated in Languages and formats which are accessible to people with disabilities.”

This recommendation was included in the draft recommendation from the Bangkok Meeting in June 2003. In addition the draft decision of the Ad-hoc Meeting of the Convention held in New York included this recommendation proposed by the Thai Government.

7. ICT accessibility standard at international level (W3C, ISO, ITU, etc)
This will be discussed at the next meeting because of time constraints.

8. Adjourn: the meeting adjourned at 10:45 AM

A list of Participants

1. Mr. Monthian Buntan, Thailand Association of the Blind, Thailand

2. Ms. Akiko Akiyama, ESCAP

3. Mr. Laspan Toomsawasdi, APCD

4. Mr. Hisao Chiba, APCD

5. Mr. Pecharat Techavachara, Foundation for the Employment Promotion of the Blind

6. Mr. Mosharraf Hossain, Action on Disability and Development

7. Mr. Wim Polman, FAO

8. Mr. Kim Yong Chol, Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled (KASD)

9. Mr. Kim Mun Chol, Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled (KASD)

10 Ms Misako Nomura, Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities

Annex II (b)

Agenda item 1 b) Education for All Children and Youth with Disabilities

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

1 December 2003
United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok

MINUTES

I. OPENING OF THE MEETING

1. The sixth session of the Task Force on Education for all Children and Youth with Disabilities was opened by Ms Penny Price and chaired by Mr Bill Brohier. The session was attended by 18 members, including 1 government representatives, and representatives of UNESCAP, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

A. Adoption of the Agenda

2. The following agenda was adopted:

Welcome and self-introductions

Report of TF EFA activities.

UNESCO Flagship – what will it do in the Asian and Pacific region?
Participant reports on action to implement Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) education targets.
Report on EGM on an international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, held in Bangkok, 2-4 June 2003.
Other Matters

B. Report of TF EFA activities

1. Penny Price and Bill Brohier attended the SRF/TWG on EFA on 16th June 2003. They advocated for the rights and concerns of children and youth with disabilities to be included in all initiatives undertaken by agencies represented and received a very positive response from several of the UNESCO Flagship programmes, particularly the Flagships on Monitoring and evaluation, Rural Education and Non-formal education.

Possible areas for collaboration on the implementation of the BMF were presented

2. Discussions were held with UNICEF advocating for the inclusion of disability issues in their meeting of regional Education advisers, and other activities.

3. Several members of TF EFA participated in the UNESCO Launch of the United Nations Literacy Decade, 8 September 2003, at IMPACT Arena Muangtonthani. Khun Panomwan Boontem presented her experiences in achieving literacy and the obstacles faced by young deaf persons in getting an education. Students from schools for the physically handicapped and school for the blind entertained delegates during the cultural performance in the evening.

4. Members of TF EFA also participated in the UNESCO Institute of Education (UIE) CONFINTEA V Mid-term review Conference, held from 6-11 September in Bangkok. This conference focused on adult and non-formal education. A week-end Workshop was held to discuss progress in thematic areas. In 1997 in Hamburg the needs of persons with disabilities had not been addressed at all. Recommendations on education for persons with disabilities were generated and presented to the main Conference. These were finally incorporated into the Call for Action and Accountability, and the Final Report, after some strenuous advocacy and objection to inadequate initial representation of the recommendations made.

5. The 5th National EFA Coordinators Meeting was held by UNESCO on 10-12 September 2003. TF EFA members participated actively in this meeting and presented the serious situation of children and youth with disabilities concerning their extremely limited access to education, and the importance of including them in national EFA plans. The education targets of the BMF were presented, with strategies for achieving them.

6. A presentation of the achievements of the first Asian and Pacific Decade in the area of education was made at the Rehabilitation International Regional Africa Conference held in Durban, South Africa, 28 September to 2 October 2003. As part of this conference there was a working group and presentations on the ICF for Children (discussed by Dr Pupulin at the June meeting of TF EFA). There was opportunity to exchange information with persons working in the Africa Decade for Disabled Persons, and to advocate to the Oslo Secretariat of the new Flagship on “Education for All and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Towards Inclusion”, to consider establishing a regional working group on the Flagship in the Asian and Pacific Region. Additional advocacy had been made by Olof Sandkull, UNESCO Bangkok Office to UNESCO, Paris Headquarters.

7. TF EFA was indirectly represented at the Steering Committee Meeting of the Flagship, held in Kampala, Uganda, 14-15 November 2003. As a result of the strong activity in the Asian and Pacific region on issues concerning the education of children and youth with disabilities, the Ad Hoc Working Group for Asia and the Pacific region was established, and it was agreed in principle that there should be a Working Group established in each UNESCO region of the world. Civil society as well as Governments will need to work hard with UNESCO to define and achieve the goals of the regional Flagship Working Group. Draft Terms of Reference were presented but need refining. It is hoped that TF EFA will be actively engaged with the Flagship within the region.

Additional Working Groups formed included:

Ad Hoc Working Group on Education for All Plans
Ad Hoc Working Group on Statistics and Indicators
Ad Hoc Working Group on Capacity Building

C. UNESCO Flagship on the Rights to Education of Persons with Disabilities:Towards Inclusion– what will it do in the Asian and Pacific region?

A report of the major issues discussed and decisions made at the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Flagship was presented. Membership included the Oslo Secretariat, UNESCO, Paris Secretariat, all IDA members, World Bank, Ministries of Education for Uganda (African region) and Laos PDR (AP region), NICEF, WHO, OECD, UN Special Rapporteur and donor agencies. Funding for the Flagship has been secured for 2004-2005, through Norwegian Government and UNESCO

Action Plan will be formulated for two year period. Global coverage of the Flagship would be achieved by forming Working Groups in each region Goals, purpose, terminology and definitions must be clarified.

Concern for children with ‘invisible disabilities’.

Information Unit and website for the Flagship Newsletters and Flash News mechanism Important to develop partnerships for inclusion of disability concerns in all other UNESCO Flagships, particularly Flagship on teacher education. Flagship to engage in process towards elaboration of a UN Convention for persons with disabilities.

Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) had been developed for the following Working Groups:
Ad Hoc Working Group on Education for All Plans
Ad Hoc Working Group on Statistics and Indicators
Ad Hoc Working Group on Capacity Building
Ad Hoc Working Group for Asia and Pacific region

Flagship could play a critical role in research.

It was noted with regret that Olof Sandkull, UNESCO Bangkok, was unable to attend the meeting.

D. Participant reports and on action to implement Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) education targets.

Mr Don Wills of Inclusion International reported on discussions held with UNICEF in New York, where UNICEF reaffirmed their commitment to children with disabilities, and requested information to be reported if this was not occurring at regional level.

Mr Graham McKinstry of Inclusion International reported on the very successful work that has been undertaken in some Pacific Island Countries (PICs), by means of individual surveys which result in a data base which can be and is being used multi-sectorally in planning and programme implementation, particularly in the area of education in the Cook islands and Samoa. Surveys have been undertaken or are planned in 10 of 14 PICs. Children with disabilities are increasingly being included in regular schools, with teacher training provided to mainstream teachers to provide them with the skills necessary to teach a diverse range of abilities.

Mr Phillip French of People with Disabilities, Australia, reported on developments in Australia concerning the adoption of Education Standards.

Mr Sathapon of Roi-ET Education and rehabilitation Center for the Blind reported on an innovative approach at grassroots level to reduce barriers and negative attitudes faced by children with disabilities. A community initiated rehabilitation model had been introduced with the formation of self-help groups in two provinces.

Mr Shoji Nakanashi, Chair DPI/AP, reported limited progress towards inclusive education in Japan. He stated that in view of the time-bound targets of BMF it was essential for the international disability community to be active on the issue of education for children with disabilities. A regional meeting could be held to benefit specific target countries.

Mr Frank Hall-Bentick, Disability Australia, endorsed Mr Nakanashi’s emphasis on education and a broad movement towards inclusive education as no other strategy would be able to ensure access for all children with disabilities, particularly those in rural and remote areas. Pragmatic strategies need to be developed and implemented to attain the BMF goals.

Mr Bill Brohier, CBM-SEAPRO and ICEVI, reported that inclusion of blind children was taking place in Inner Mongolia.

E. Report on progress towards an international Convention for Persons with Disabilities.
Reference was made to the three meetings held by UNESCAP during 2003; the development of Bangkok recommendations and the Bangkok Draft. This process would be on-going and it would be important for Task Force members to provide input.

F. Other matters
No issues were raised under this item.

Recommendations:

1. TF EFA should look at the text of the Bangkok Draft and any new text that emerges after the meeting in New York in January 2004. This item should be placed on the agenda for the first Task Force meeting in 2004.

2. TF EFA should invite the Director of UNICEF, Bangkok, to address the next task force meeting, in 2004.

3. TF EFA should work closely with the focal point for the Flagship in the UNESCO Bangkok office, and should generate ideas and strategies for the effective implementation of the Flagship in the Asian and Pacific region.

List of TF EFA members who attended the meeting on 1 December 2003:

Name Organization E-mail
Frank Hall-Bentick Disability Australia frankhb@connexus.net.au
Brian Woodford ACROD ceo@yoorala.com.au
Jason McKey ACROD Jason@jobplacement.com.au
Phillip French PWD, Australia phillipf@pwd.org.au
MA SA Mith CDPO /DPI abc@online.com.kh
Edith van Wijngaarden Handicap International Hib.REHAB_DPT@online.com.kh
Shoji Nakanishi DPI-AP, Japan humancare@nifty.com
Etsuko Ueno JSRPD, / APDF Japan eueno@dinf.ne.jp
Steven Pang Hong Kong Government, China sklpang@hwfb.gov.hk
Don Wills Inclusion International, NZ donwillsnz@hotmail.com
Graham Mckinstry Inclusion International, NZ g-b-mck@wave.co.nz
Bill Brohier CBM-SEAPRO and ICEVI brohier@pc.jaring.my
Kaori Shirosawa Inter-American Development Bank kaoris@iadb.org
Poranee Louineau Parents’ Association,
Bangkok Wandeech@web.com
Satapon Mongkolsrisawat Roi Et Education and Rehab Centre, Thailand sataphon@cscoms.com
Penny Price UNESCAP, Thailand penelopej2000@yahoo.com
Kirk Horton Hilton/Perkins Programme
Thailand panna@mozart.inet.co.th
Rinthan Lattanan Parents Association, Intellectually impaired

Annex II (c)

Agenda item 1 c) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

1 December 2003
United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok

MINUTES

The Chairman, Ms Debra Perry, welcomed all present and introductions were made (see appendix for list of all attendees).

Mr Bryan Woodford volunteered to be the Minute-taker.

The Chairman noted that several of those present were attending their first Task Force meeting. Some were attending their second meeting. A few had been to several sessions. It was agreed that the lack of a stable membership had hindered the Task Force’s progress.

The Chairman presented an informal agenda:

1. Introduction
2. Clarification of Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Review of the Biwako Millennium Framework (BMF) as it relates to vocational rehabilitation and employment
4. ILO Activities
5. List Server
6. Where to go from here?
7. Other Items
7.1 Link between Education taskforce and Employment taskforce

This agenda was adopted.

Noting some confusion arising out of the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Task Force, the Chairman provided clarification of ILO Convention 159. She explained that ILO Conventions are only ratified, not signed, making them different from UN Conventions. She elaborated that the system for ratifying ILO Conventions are different as compared to other UN Conventions. They are not signed but at the point of ratification the country is obliged to meet the conditions of the Convention. ILO Conventions do not allow for reservations, therefore, those countries that ratify do so accepting the Convention in its entirety.

She explained that the Convention has both policy and action measures. It requires that ratifying countries have a policy for vocational rehabilitation that is based on equal treatment and equal opportunity for workers with disabilities as compared to regular workers and that it includes measures for employment promotion in the open workplace. Special measures that are introduced to enhance the process are not to be seen as discriminatory in respect of other workers. She further explained that the policy and implementing actions must address all disability groups, women and men and urban and rural areas. There are also measures related to ensuring that countries have trained staff to implement the policy and actions. The Chairman advised that more than 70 countries have ratified Convention 159 worldwide and 7 in this region: Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Philippines. This is actually a high ratification rate for a Convention that is not considered one of the ILO core Conventions.

The Chairman suggested that the BMF should now provide the focus for the immediate and on-going work of the Task Force. It was confirmed that there had been no recent amendments to the BMF.

Noting that the BMF was specific in respect of employment, the Chairman reminded the Task Force that the BMF had three vocational targets:

Target 10: That at least 30% of the signatories will ratify ILO Convention 159 by 2012.

Target 11: By 2012, at least 30% of all vocational training programs in signatory countries will be inclusive of persons with disabilities and provide appropriate support and job placement or business development opportunities for them.

Target 12: By 2010, reliable data that measures the employment and self-employment employment rates of persons with disabilities will exist in all countries.

The Chairman advised that in respect of Target 11, the percentage is currently abysmally low and, moreover, that in respect of Target 12, only a very limited number of countries collect the required data.

Discussion took place on the current situation in a number of countries in the region and it was agreed that even in the most developed countries in the Asia Pacific, there is some way to go.

Referring to the very recent ILO publication “Moving Forward – toward decent work for people with disabilities”, the Chairman observed that the book responded to the BMF’s Action Statement 11 (“Regional organisations, including those of persons with disabilities, in collaboration with national governments and international agencies, should develop mechanisms for the collection and dissemination of information related to good practices in all aspects of training and employment, especially those that reflect regional and cultural needs.”)

The Chairman reported that the book had arisen out of the work of the Task Force. The Group, however, noted that the Chairman had provided the driving force and warmly congratulated her on her accomplishment.

Discussion took place with the following points being noted:

In January 2003, the ILO had convened a special meeting to introduce the BMF to regional Governments, Trade Unions and Employers. Employer groups had been particularly well represented.

The ILO in Geneva has just published substantial data about employment from around the world. The Chairman has not yet had a chance to assess this data.

A view was put that regional Governments need to be encouraged to provide specialised vocational assistance and support to people with disabilities.

A suggestion was also made that the proposed UN International Convention on Persons with Disabilities needs to be beefed up in respect of vocational training.

Business enterprise schemes (self-employment initiatives) should be more widely promoted. Some people in Thailand are trying to form a regional network to encourage good practice in this regard. The Task Force strongly endorsed this approach.

The Chairman posed the question “Where to from here?” and a number of actions were agreed:

Work from hereon in needs to be practical, not theoretical.

Expertise exists in the region. It needs to be identified and made available where it is required.

There has to be a more concentrated focus on training.

Access to micro-credit must remain a key goal.

Income generation is part of the Task Force’s purview.

The Task Force needs to find sources of funds to promote its work.

IT WAS AGREED

that a practically oriented one-day Workshop will be staged in November-December 2004;

to establish a Working Group to plan and stage the Workshop, with Debra Perry as the Convenor. Other members:

Mosharreaf Hossain (Bangladesh)
Jason McKey (Australia)
Kay Nagata (UN ESCAP)
Wim Polman (FAO)
Sathapon (Thailand)
Bryan Woodford (Australia)

to resuscitate the list-serve that was created but not utilised in June 2003 (Jason McKey to action);

that the focus of the Workshop in the morning will be on practical issues that have worked. However, we do not want a series of self-congratulatory papers from organisations covering old ground;

that a key intent of the Workshop will be to engage with Employers and Government as employers;

that the Working Group will make a special attempt to create interest on the part of multi-national corporations – Bata, IBM and Coco-Cola were mentioned as exemplars;

that the Workshop will also look at the further development of self-employment opportunities (this could form part of the morning session). Particular attention is to be given to rural areas.

that Kay Nagata and Debra Perry will separately and jointly explore access to funding to

facilitate the Workshop, and
assist in meeting the expenses of NGO staff with expertise who are able to offer assistance to others in the region.

that a legacy of the Workshop must be robust, resilient networks that produce outcomes.

There was discussion about the work of the Education Task Force and where vocational training and education fits in. Does it fall through the cracks of this Task Force and the Education Task Force?

It was agreed that this is a legitimate issue and as such will be followed up by the Chairman, who will approach the Chair of the Education Task Force to discuss.

It was noted, in conclusion, that there has recently been work undertaken on legislative measures and their efficacy. It was affirmed that legislation had been weak on eliminating discrimination but stronger on affirmative action. It was agreed that this is an area that will require further attention in the future.

The next meeting of the Task Force expected to be in June 2004, but to be confirmed.

List of Participants
Task Force for Employment

Name Organization E-mail
Kay Nagata UNESCAP nagata@un.org
Jason Mckey ACROD LTD Jason@jobplacement.com.au
Bryan Woodford ACROD ceo@yoorally.com.au
G.Donald Wills Inclusion International donwillsnz@hotmail.com
Pecharat Pechavachara President, Foundation for the employment promotion of the blind
Sathapon Mingkolsrisawat Rot-ET Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind Sathapon@cscoms.com
Ma Samith Board. CD PO/DPI Cambodia abc@omline.com.kn
Stephen K.L. Pang Hong Kong Government sklpang@hustb.gov.hk
Kim Yong Chol
Kim Mun Chol KASD form DPR Korea kasdmoon@yahoo.com

Wim Polman FAO Rural Development Officer Bangkok wim.polman@fao.org
Phillip French People with Disability Australia phillipf@pwd.org.au
Graham McKinstry Inclusion International g-b-mck@wave.co.nz
William G Brohier CBM-SEAPRO&ICEUL brohier@pc.jarding.my
Mosharereaf Hossain ADD-Bangladesh mosharereaf@sireiusbb.com
Frank Hall-Bentick Disability Australia frankhb@connexus.net.au
Monthian Buntan Thailand Assoc of Blind mbuntan@tab.or.th
Debara Perry ILO Bangkok Perry@ilo.org

Annex II(d)

Agenda item 1 d) Women with Disabilities

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES

1 December 2003
11:00-12:30
United Nations Conference Centre
Room H
Bangkok

MINUTES

Chaired by Ms. Supattraporn Tanatikom, DPI A/P, Thailand
Co-chaired by Ms. Arunee Limmanee, Mahidol University,Thailand

Agenda

1. Opening
2. Introduction of participants
3. Adoption of minutes of the previous meeting
4. Reports on current WWDs situation from participants
4.1 From the chairperson
4.2 From each participant
5. Discussion and comment on the following areas:
5.1 What is the action required to achieve targets in BMF?
5.2 The inclusion of WWDs in the new international convention on the rights of PWDs
6. Action Plan for 2004
6.1 What are the activities of Task Force members in 2004?
7. Recommendation

1. Opening

Chairperson welcomed all participants and was so glad to have twelve other new participants. However, she expressed her regrets that only one former Task Force member attended the meeting.

2. Introduce of participant

(See*List of Participants)

3. Adoption of Minutes of the previous meeting

Chairperson asked the participants to discuss and then put in their comments to the former minutes and they agreed with unanimity not to change the last minutes.

4. Reports on current WWDs situation from participants

4.1 From the chairperson

1. Thailand National Council of Social Welfare promoted WWDs to be in the inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society according the theme of BMF.

The Council released public posters featuring women with cross disability together men with disabilities and two Thai popular singers distributed to governmental organizations and agencies, NGOs, DPOs, and international organizations in the country. This national project was an early step to meet the implementation of the paradigm shift from a charity-based approach to a rights-based approach by which the society should break through attitudinal barrier towards PWDs, including WWDs who are multiply disadvantaged and marginalized but they are well able to contribute to the society.

2. The first even national workshop on WWDs Leadership Training Seminar was organized by DPI Thailand in collaboration with governmental organizations on November 13-14, 2003 in Bangkok. Twenty young women leaders with cross disability were trained at Rachanukul Institute to develop and strengthen their empowerment, and promote national self-help organizations they are represented.

4.2 From each participant

Thailand

Miss Phoranee Louineau, the president of WWDs attending WWDs Leadership Training Seminar mentioned the outcome of the Seminar in which the speakers pointing out to their capacity building, self-worthy, and leader skills like psychology for leader and proposal writing.

She reported that WWDs realized that they need to be more confident and have learnt how to work as a group as well as to cooperate with other groups. They knew how to make a plan in details. WWDs also learnt to help others, not only ask others for help and during two-day workshop WWDs underscored their human rights in the mainstream, including the right to development.

Other countries:

There was not any country report from other participants.

5. Discussion and comment on the following areas:

5.1 What is the action required to achieve targets in BMF?

We reminded the participants of their activities to reach three targets of BMF as in the paper disseminated before the meeting.

During this discussion we clarified the first target of BMF. We did highlight the role of WWDs to some women having disabled children on how they should take action in order to WWDs issues will be recognized by Governments. Then Governments should be aware of anti-discrimination against WWDs and must have measures to safeguard the rights of WWDs. For two other targets, WWDs can see the actions guideline from the paper addressing the action required to achieve targets in BMF. They must take action seriously and actively so as for attaining BMF targets accomplishment by 2005.

A participant cried out the presence of WWDs in the Task Force meeting so that the input will be directly from WWDs themselves. For this matter, we insisted that TWGDC is a Regional Coordination Mechanism under UN system. There are several TWGs on several specific issues. NGOs have joined TWGDC on voluntary-based and self-funded. This is the reason why PWDs and their organizations have rarely seen.

5.2 The inclusion of WWDs in the new international convention on the rights of WWDs

All participants did not attend WWDs workshop organized by UNESCAP on August 18-22 and October 13, 2003 at UNCC in Bangkok. Therefore, we requested them to learn from the final report handed via e-mail before the meeting and informed them that the workshop emphasized on the inclusion of WWDs issues in the process of elaboration on an international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of PWDs. The outcome of the final report will be significant contribution to a New International Convention for PWDs drafted by Ad-Hoc Committee in New York.

6. Action Plan for 2004

6.1 What are the activities of Task Force members in 2004?
- Establish wider WWDs network of Task Force by linkage between PWDs organizations through Gender Section of UNESCAP.
- Make a strong effort to put WWDs issues as a policy of UNIFEM.
- Follow up and study the action plans and country reports on WWDs issues of DPOs in Asian and Pacific and other regions.

7. Recommendation

DPI A/P
Generating awareness of WWDs issues in the region is not enough. Furthermore, UNIFEM must include WWDs into their policy. Also,Task Force can link with participants in Regional Training Workshop on the Inclusion of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Mainstream, on June 16-23, 2001, Phitsanulok, Thailand.

Besides, the cooperation between women in different groups such as women experienced problems like domestic violence and peer counseling program for PWDs is another access to increase WWDs network.

Disability Australia

Gender perspective should be focused. Also, Pacific Disability Forum will be held on December 6-8 and WWDs in Oceania countries and Task Force can link two sub-regions together and expand the network.

ESCAP
Task Force can study more about WWDs issues from country reports and counter reports of NGOs about CEDAW.

RI A/P
More WWDs’groups from Asia Pacific Disability Forum met in Singapore last October will be introduced to Task Force.

No any other matters. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

List of Participants

No. Name Organization Tax/Fax E-mail
1 Ms. Edith Van Wynqauden Handicap International
(Cambodia) 855 012 651 228 Wb.REHAB_DPT@anhne.com.kh

2 Ms. Phoranee Louineau Parents’ Association of the Intellectually Impaired, Thailand 662-7221554
661-6340141
F. 662-3224433
3 Ms. Rinthan Lattanan Parents’ Association of the Intellectually Impaired, Thailand 661-8590021
F. 662-7193513

4 Ms. Arunee Limmanee Ratchasuda College
Mahidol University, Thailand 662-8895315
F. 662-7193513
shalm@mahidol.ac.th

5 Mr. Shoji Nakanishi DPI 813-426-46-4877
F. 813-426-46-4876 yukin@din.or.jp

6 Ms. Kaori Shirosawa Japan Program
Inter-America Development Bank (202) 623-1318 kaoris@iadb.org
7 Mr. Muhammad Ali Rafiq DPI-Pakistan
0092-41 621263 baboo6363@hotmail.com
8 Mr. Topong Kulkhanchit DPI Asia Pacific
661 5581902 rdo@dpiap.org
9 Ms. Penny Price UNESCAP Disability Australia 61-8-92916275 penelopej2000@yahoo.com
10 Ms. Sumalee Nathikanjanalab DPI-Thailand
661-9303935 sumaleent@yahoo.com
11 Ms. Aiko Akiyama ESCAP
662-2882315 akiyama@un.org
12 Ms. Prapanrat Kochasena DPI Asia Pacific
662-9841007 prapanrat@dpiap.org
13 Ms. Etsuko Ueno RI A/P 813-5273-0601
F. 813-5273-1523 eueno@dinf.ne.jp

Annex II (e)

Agenda item 1 e) Self-help Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (SHOs)

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (SHOs)

1 December 2003
United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok

MINUTES

1. OPENING OF THE MEETING

1. The Coordinator for the TF Meeting on SHO, Mr. Topong Kulkhanchit, Regional Development Officer of the Asia-Pacific Office, Disabled Peoples’ International, introduced himself, and asked all the participants to introduce themselves. In the TF Meeting, 22 people participated. [See the ANNEX 1]

2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND DRAFT MINUETS OF THE PREVIOUS TF MEETING

2. The TF Meeting adopted the following agenda:
1) Introduction of Participants
2) Adoption of Draft Minuets of the TWGDC 6th Session TF on SHO of PWD
3) Report on Self-help Movement for June – December 2003
1. Report from the TF Coordinator
2. Report from TF Meeting Participants
4) Specific Action Plans towards Implementation of BMF to December 2004
5) Recommendations to the TWGDC Seventh Session
6) Other matters

3. The Coordinator asked participants, especially ones participated in the previous TF Meeting, to check the provided Draft Minutes. [See the ANNEX 2]

4. A representative from the Roi-et Center of the Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand corrected a wording in the last sentence of the Minutes Article 8; a wording “SHO” to be changed to “LOCAL SHO”.

5. The Meeting approved the Minutes, with positive comments from a representative from Inclusive International Asia-Pacific Region.

3. REPORT ON SELF-HELP MOVEMENT FOR JUNE-DECEMBER 2003

? Report from the TF Coordinator

6. The TF Coordinator reported that the BIWAKO Millennium Framework (BMF) for Action adopted in the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting in Otsu, Japan in October 2002, had been officially adopted in the 59th Commission Session of the UN ESCAP on September 4, 2003.

7. The TF Coordinator shared an experience of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) to organize The 1st National Leadership Training for Persons with Disabilities in Afghanistan in Kabul, August 2003 in order to facilitate them to form a national assembly of PWD. He had observed that due to past prolonged wars, many Afghanistan people had been still struggling for their own day-to-day survival and seemed less interested in issues indirect to his/her daily living or own interest. Although DPI found significance in organizing such a training, it was very challenging and required relevant follow-up in a long run. However, immediate action to support PWDs in Afghanistan should be emphasized on rehabilitation and welfare.

8. A representative from Action on Disability and Development (ADD) Bangladesh commented that grass-roots self-help groups should be founded in the initial stage of the SHO development, and then these self-help groups should form SHO at the district as well as national level.

9. As for the above comments, while fully respecting self-help movement of PWD at the grass-roots level, the TF Coordinator showed his concern that Afghanistan might be left out from an international community on disability if they would wait for a national SHO of PWD to be formed from hundreds of self-help groups.

10. A representative from the World Blind Union (WBU) Asia-Pacific brought a question about which model of SHO development should be applied in the case of Afghanistan. He raised some examples of models such as “Consumer Model” (originated from Civil Rights Movement) developed in western industrialized countries and “Alumni Model” (graduates from disability special schools to form their groups) common in Thailand.

11. The TF Coordinator concluded that firstly Afghanistan PWD would need to be aware of common issues among PWD, and then motivated to work together to overcome these common issues with their collective power.

12. The TF Coordinator introduced the following main objectives of Asia Pacific Disability Form (APDF) whose first General Assembly had been held in Singapore for November 26 – 28, 2003 ;
- to promote , participate in and evaluate the implementation of BMF
- to promote and work towards the creation and adoption of a UN Convention on the Rights of PWD.

The TF members belonging to NGOs were encouraged to apply for APDF members.

? Report from TF Meeting Participants
13. Representatives from the Human Resource Development (HRD) Division of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) reported the summary of Training Workshop on Capacity Building for SHO of PWD held in Bangkok for September 10- 20, 2003. [See the ANNEX 3]

The characteristics of the Training Workshops were that:

1) Most of resource persons were leaders with disabilities who had practical experiences to develop/manage SHO of PWD in their own countries
2) Disability and poverty issues were clearly articulated, and roles of SHO in poverty alleviation and mainstreaming social development were discussed
3) Young potential national leaders with disabilities from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, who tended to be urban elites, were trained to be fully aware of importance and motivated to work with PWD at the grass-roots level.

14. The representative from ADD Bangladesh stressed that SHO itself was not an aim but a tool for “social change”. He added that the roles of disabled persons’ organizations in developing countries should be further clarified; for example, one of the roles would be to advocate towards mainstream development.

15. Representatives of APCD introduced a project for self-help groups of rural persons with disabilities, organized by “Commitments”, an Indian local NGO in Andhra Pradesh. A recent APCD mission to India identified that the project of “Commitments”, which was aimed at building of participatory, self-managed groups among rural poor and the disabled as vehicles of their self-reliance, socio-economic progress and self-respect, would be one of the best practices concerning SHO in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region

16. The representative from ADD Bangladesh briefly shared its project to develop grass-roots self-help groups of PWD, as he had been also trained by a same trainer who had worked for the above mentioned “Commitments” project. Through his experience, he was convinced that self-help groups/organizations of PWD at different level (e.g., national, district, village etc.) would be equally important since each level group/organization had different issues/targets to be advocated/achieved. Yet, he stressed that a national SHO of PWD would become solid if it had consisted of grass-roots self-help groups of PWD.

17. A representative of People with Disability Australia, a cross-disability organization with more than 60 % staff members having various disabilities, introduced 3 relevant projects such as 1) a project for Australian Aborigines with disabilities to equip with advocacy skills, 2) a project for persons with HIV/AIDS to improve their domestic and poverty issues trough formation of their self-help groups, and 3) a project to collaborate with the Pacific Disability Forum in enhancing advocacy skills of Pacific islanders with disabilities.

18. A representative from Thailand Parent Association of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities warned that people with intellectual disabilities were often forgotten in a whole disability movement. She recommended that a new center should be established for Thai persons with intellectual disabilities who lost their parents to stay and receive vocational training for their self-reliance.

19. The TF Coordinator supported the above mentioned efforts of parents associations by citing Target 1 concerning SHO of PWD in BMF that Governments should take steps to ensure the formation of parents associations at local levels by the year 2005 and federate them at the national level by year 2010.

20. A representative from Korean Association for Supporting the Disabled (KASD) in North Korea, which had been established about 3 yeas ago, currently with 20 full-time staff including 1 person with disability, stated its current situation of PWD. Due to a recent national disaster and economic crisis, PWD in North Korea had been left in a very sever socio-economic condition. In this context, SHO of PWD had become more important to North Korean PWD and they would like to learn more about the concept of SHO of PWD etc. He thanked for this opportunity, the TWGDC TF, enabling him and his colleagues to learn further about SHO of PWD.

21. A representative from Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO) reported the progress on the CDPO’s structural reform. CDPO with more than 1500 members recently renewed its board members, policies, strategies etc. In addition, currently the first national law to protect the rights of Cambodian PWD has been under consideration.

22. A representative from Disabled Peoples’ International Pakistan (DPIP) briefly introduced its organization, which had also gone through a structural reform recently.

23. The representative of the WBU Asia-Pacific asked the Meeting participants to support the disability-related concepts such as “universal design” and “assistive devices” (Paragraph 22) to be included in the draft declaration of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), which would be held in Geneva in the second week of December, 2003.

4. SPECIFIC ACTION PLANS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF BMF TO DECEMBER 2004

24. The TF Coordinator asked the meeting participants to consider specific action plans for this TF to implement till December 2004, based on the following Targets and Actions mentioned in BMF. Due to time constrains of the meeting, each participant was requested to submit a paper about proposed action plans.
---------------------
2. Targets
Target 1. Governments, international funding agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should, by 2004, establish policies with the requisite resource allocations to support the development and formation of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities in all areas, and with a specific focus on slum and rural dwellers. Governments should take steps to ensure the formation of parents associations at local levels by the year 2005 and federate them at the national level by year 2010.
Target 2. Governments and civil society organizations should, by 2005, fully include organizations of persons with disabilities in their decision-making processes involving planning and programme implementation which directly and indirectly affect their lives.
3. Action required to achieve targets
1. Governments should implement measures under the direction of the national coordination committee on disability to increase the level of consultations between self-help organizations of persons with disabilities and diverse sectoral ministries, as well as with civil society and the private sector. These measures should include training of persons with disabilities, including women with disabilities, on how to participate effectively in the various decision-making processes. Governments should establish guidelines for the conduct of consultations and the process should be periodically reviewed and evaluated by representatives of self-help organizations of persons with diverse disabilities.
2. Governments should establish a policy review panel within the national coordination committee on disability consisting of representatives of persons with diverse disabilities. The panel should review all policies and their implementation which directly or indirectly affect persons with disabilities.
3. Governments should take action to increase the representation of persons with disabilities in all areas of public life, including government, at all levels from national to local, as well as the legislature and judicial bodies. This should be promoted by means of affirmative action and anti-discrimination legislation.
4. Self-help organizations should develop programmes for capacity-building to empower their members, including youth and women with disabilities, to take consultative and leadership roles in the community at large as well as in their own organizations and enable them to serve as trainers in the development of leadership and management skills of members of self-help organizations.
5. National self-help organizations of diverse disability groups should develop mechanisms to engage rural persons with disabilities in self-help organizations for mutual support, advocacy and referral to programmes and services, and to collaborate actively with rural and urban development NGOs and Government in rural development initiatives.
6. International funding agencies and NGOs should give high priority in their development policies to providing funding and technical assistance to promote and strengthen self-help organizations of persons with disabilities.

PROVISIONAL
SHO TF’S SPECIFIC ACTION PLANS IN ALIGNMENT WITH BMF
January – December 2004

Expected Date Proposed Actions TF Member Org to Propose
Mar ’04

Throughout
’04

Sept ’04 ? Relevant BMF Article: to ensure the formation of parents associations at local levels and federate them at the national level.
ACTION => to facilitate/encourage persons with intellectual disabilities and their parents to form/develop their self-help groups/associations through a APCD Human Rights Seminar

? Relevant BMF Article: to fully include organizations of persons with disabilities in the process of decision-making which directly and indirectly affect their lives
ACTION => to study/encourage best practices in developing countries, which fully include representatives of SHO of PWD in relevant policy-making at the national/provincial level.

? Relevant BMF Article: to support the development and formation of self-help organizations of persons with disabilities with a specific focus on slum and rural dwellers
ACTION => to train young leaders with disabilities to understand and work for SHO of marginalized PWD such as ones in slum and rural areas through a APCD SHO Training course
APCD HRD
Action Plan of DPI Asia/Pacific
National activity
26-30 Jan 04 IL Conference and Training Workshop in Thailand
May 04 Follow up Capacity Building of SHO in Cambodia
August 04 The 1st National Leadership Training for PWDs in Timor Leste
March Visiting and Wheelchair Assistance to Lao Disabled People Association
Regional activity
13-17 Feb 04 Regional Capacity Building Training Seminar in Nepal
April 04 The 3rd Regional Leadership Training of WWDs in Indonesia
International/Regional Cooperation
May 04 Attending 8th TWGDC
Attending APDF Executive Meeting
Inter-regional Collaboration
8-13 Dec 03 Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Disabled People in Southern Africa
Dec 04 Mainstreaming and Empowerment of Disabled People in Southern Africa (Proposed)

List of Participants

No. Name Position and Organization E-mail
1 Mr. Topong Kulkhanchit DPI Asia/Pacific rdo@dpiap.org
2 Ms. Naoko Ito JICA Expert for HRD, Asia - Pacific Development on Disability (APCD) ito@apcdproject.org
3 Ms Suwapa Prasitwises HRD Officer, APCD suwapa@apcdproject.org
4 Ms.Lasapan Toomsawasdi ICT,APCD lasapan@apcdproject.org
5 Mr.Graham McKinstry Inclusion International g-b-mck@wave.co.nz
6 Mr.Phillip French People with Disability Australia phillipf@pwd.org.au
7 Mr.Kim Yong Chol KASD, DPR Korea kasdmoon@yahoo.com
8 Mr.Kim Mun Chol KASD, DPR Korea kasdmoon@yahoo.com
9 Mr.Sathapon Mongkolssuisawat Roi-Et Education and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind sathopon@cscoms.com
10 Mr. MA Samith Board Member, CDPO/DPI Cambodia abc@online.com.kh
11 Ms.Edith van Wijngaarden Rehabilitation Coordinator, Handicap International lib.rehap_dpt@online.com.kh
12 Ms.Sumalee Nathikanjanalab DPI-Thailand sumaleet@yahoo.com
13 Ms.Rinthan Lattanan Parents Association of the Intellecutally Imparied
14 Ms.Phoranee Louineau Parents Association of the Intellecutally Imparied
15 Mr. Mosharereaf Hossain ADD mosharereaf@sireiusbb.com
16 Mr.Montain Bonton TAB mbuntan@tab.or.th
17 Mr. Mohammed Ali-Fafir DPIP baboo@fsd-palmnet-com.pic
18 Kaori Shirosawa JapanProgram/IDB kaoris@iadb.org
19 Ms.Aiko Akiyama UNESCAP akiyama@un.org
20 Mr.Shoji Nakanishi DPI-Asia Pacific yukin@din.or.jp
21 Ms.Supattraporn Tanatikom DPI Asia Pacific sarahmai@ksc.th.com
22 Ms.Papanrat kochasena DPI Asia Pacific papanrat@dpiap.org

Annex II (f)
Agenda item 1 f) Timor Leste and Afghanistan

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON TIMOR LESTE AND AFGHANISTAN

1 December 2003
United Nations Conference Centre
Bangkok

MINUTES

TWG-DC Taskforce on Timor Leste and Afghanistan
(TWG-DC 7th session, 1 December 2003, UNCC, Bangkok)

Chaired by Ms Kay Nagata

The taskforce was attended by several participants; including DPI and RI (see the list of participants).

Timor Leste

1. In January 2004, Timor Leste will be the 44th signatory country to the proclamation of the Asian and Pacific Decade, and there will be a ceremony for signing with presence of two ESCAP representatives, in its capital Dili, on 19 January 2004.

2. Concerning RI projects in Timor Leste, one national workshop in Dili and four local workshops in difference provinces were held in East Timor in 2001 with support of Hong Kong –China and the RI Asian and Pacific Committee. The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness on disability issues and to support the process of formulating national policy on disability-related matters. The Asian Trust Fund (Hong Kong) funded US$ 10,000 for organization these workshops and Dr. Joseph Kwok of Hong Kong- China attended the national workshop as a main resource person.

3. After the workshops, a national survey funded by RI was carried out, and according to the survey, the number of persons with disabilities in the country is 11,571 which is around 1.5 % of the total population. The main category of persons with disabilities is physical (41%).

4. The local NGO which initiated and implemented these projects in collaboration with the unit of social services of the Government is KATILOSA.

5. In early 2004 (January), the matching contribution of US$ 10,000 by RI to the above mentioned project in 2001 will be disbursed. A national workshop on CBR will be held in Dili from 19 to 20 January, as a follow up to the above-mentioned workshops in 2001. The purpose of this workshop is to empower persons with disabilities and building up their capacity. The RI Asian and Pacific Regional Committee will contribute US$ 10,000 for organization of this workshop. RI representative from Hong Kong-China, together with a team of UN ESCAP, are going to attend this workshop as key resource persons.

6. Dr. Hnadojo of CBRDTC in Solo, Indonesia was contacted and committed the support from CBRDTC and will send an expert to the workshop to provide substantive inputs to the workshop in a local language (Bahasa Indonesia) as the organization has a long experience in conducting CBR projects. At the local side, both Katilosa and the Government are hosting this workshop. Australia might support the workshop, as well.

7. Hong Kong China and Japan (JSRPD) may consider initiating a new joint operational project as follow-up to the outcome of this workshop in January, in 2004. Hong Kong China will be able to mobilize the Asia Trust Fund for a small scale project if Japanese side could raise their own matching fund to initiate a multi-sector CBR activity under technical cooperation support. UNESCAP may also consider facilitating mobilization of external resources for this purpose, too.

8. In August 2004, DPI is organizing a national leadership training course in Timor Leste and around 30 persons will be empowered through this project.

9. CBM has already initiated a project on mental health and the organization is continuously interested in work on disability matters, particularly education for all categories of persons with disabilities in the country.

10. Ms. Rani, DPI Indonesia and the vice chairperson of DPI South East Asia Region will translate a technical manual of “How to observe the International Day of Disabled Persons” in Bahasa Indonesia.

Afghanistan

11. In September 2003, UNESCAP send a mission to Kabul on formulation of a comprehensive national policy on disability issues, upon request from the Government of Afghanistan, Ministry of the Martyrs and the Disabled (MMD).

12. Kay Nagata went to Kabul and worked together with a team headed by a special adviser for the Minister, H.E. Mr. Wardak, namely Dr. Majid (who left the country at the end of October 2003). They approached the bilateral funding agency, Italian Cooperation and mobilized some 6,000 USDLS for organization of the first national workshop on national policy, held in October 2003, in Kabul. Representatives (mainly persons with disabilities) from all provinces of the country attended this two-day meeting in October, and they developed the comprehensive national disability policy in Afghanistan (see attached paper).

13. The paper was officially submitted to the Minister and a follow up to this workshop is urgently required in order to enhance the process of issuing the final version of the comprehensive policy as the country’s official policy. The policy outline (draft) is similar to the BMF in terms of priority, but among 7 priority areas of the BMF, particular emphasis was given to (i) rehabilitation, (ii) inclusive education and (iii) employment of persons with disabilities.

14. So far only two local NGOs (a group of mainly physically disabled persons, NADA, and the group of deaf persons are registered) with MMD. Two organizations, a group of disabled women, and a group of blind persons are pending for registration.

15. During the mission, small-scale seed money (individual contributions) of US$ 1, 200 was raised and donated to the group of Afghan disabled women. They started a small project on literacy training for themselves. They are encouraged to register their group through MMD or possibly the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

16. The Government of Japan showed their keen interest in funding a small project from its grass-roots fund (pipeline project) for this women’s group. An international NGO for blind persons, IAM, is helping them in submitting a project document.

17. During the mission, a visit to the constitution drafting committee was made, and it was ensured that a few paragraphs on human rights of and non-discrimination against persons with disabilities, the martyrs and widows of the martyrs in one rounded up category will be included.

18. The priority of national disability concerns is welfare of the martyrs, and other victims of the war, and there is a serious concern about categories, such as disabled women, people with congenital disabilities, and persons with mental disabilities, in the future.

19. There is a need to support formation of more self-help groups, representing different categories of persons with disabilities, with better gender and ethnic balance in the country.

20. The first election will be held in August 2004, and the process of drafting the new constitution will be finalized prior to that date.

21. DPI may invite a representative from Afghanistan, to attend a regional leadership training course to be held in Nepal, and nomination will be requested through MMD (not NADA).

22. DPI organized, in collaboration with NADA, MMD and the Rehabilitation International, in August 2003, a national leadership training course, and around 30 people attended this course. 20 people were funded by DPI, and 10 people were funded by EC, with representation of 8 disabled women, 2 deaf persons, and 3 blind persons, and mainly physically disabled persons.

23. ILO is most likely to appoint a gender/disability focal point in 2004. ILO has an ongoing on employment and vocational training, integrating PWD.

List of Participants
Task Force on East Timor and Afghanistan

Name Organization E-mail
William G. Brohier CBM-SEAPRO brohier@pc.jaring.my
Frank Hall Bentick Disability Australia frankhb@connexus.net.au
Shoji Nakanishi DPI yukin@din.or.jp
Kay Nagata UNESCAP nagata@un.org
Etsuko Ueno RI Asian and Pacific, APDF eueno@dinf.ne.jp
Debra Perry ILO, Bangkok perry@ilo.org and perry@loxinfo.co.th

Annex II (g)
A genda item (g) Proposed International Convention on Persons with Disabilities

TWGDC7/TFEDUC/MINUTES
1 December 2003

ENGLISH ONLY

UNITED NATIONS
REGIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
THEMATIC WORKING GROUP ON DISABILITY-RELATED CONCERNS
TASK FORCE ON PROPOSED INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

1 December 2003
15:00-16:30
United Nations Conference Centre
Room F
Bangkok

MINUTES

I. OPENING OF THE MEETING

Agenda
1. Welcome and self introductions
2. Adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting
3. Discussion and adoption of the meeting agenda
4. Report of activities on a proposed international convention after June 2003 till now, and near future
1) From coordinators
2) From participants
5. Implementations of Convention-related strategies in the BMF
6. Discussions
7. Strategies
8. Others
9. Adjourn

Agenda 1, 2, 3

Co coordinators (Aiko, Monthian, Shoji) introduced themselves. Minutes from the previous meeting and the agenda were approved. If any addition/correction needed to be made, participant was required to communicate with the co coordinators later (within seven days after the meeting.

The task force had about 18 participants.

Agenda 4
Reports of activities on a proposed international convention after June 2003 till now, and near future.

Coordinators and participants made the following reports.

1) The 2nd Ad Hoc Committee on Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of Rights and Dignities of Persons with Disabilities,
* The committee was not a place for negotiation of a text but for discussions on different types of convention, definitions of disability, discrimination, access etc.
* The Bangkok Recommendations were highly acclaimed for its comprehensive coverage of issues and rights, principles.
* In the end, there was an unanimous agreement to establish a proposed convention and the Working Group (27 from GO, 12 from NGO, 1 from NHRI) mechanism to compile existing inputs was decided.
* China, India, South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Lebanon from Asia Block and New Zealand from Western European Block were selected as Go members.

2) UNESCAP Women and Disability Workshop in August and October produced the Statement of Recommendations.

* Mainstreaming gender perspectives in to a proposed convention was a highlight of this document.

3) UNESCAP Regional Workshop towards a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities in October

* It was participated by 100 experts (disability NGOs, Human rights commissions and NGOs) and government representatives. It produced the Bangkok Draft. It is a fully-fledged human rights treaty, building on existing treaties, specifically tailoring into situations of persons with all disabilities. Definitions of disability, discrimination, reasonable accommodations, universal design are included. Rights of accessibility are included in the civil/political section of the draft.

4) UNESCAP/CDPF Regional Seminar on an International Convention on Disability in November

* Governments gathered and adopted the Beijing Declaration.
It was important because the participating governments showed support on comprehensive human rights treaty covering all of civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights.

5) The Bangkok Draft and the Beijing Declaration were submitted to the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee as well as a special rappoteur on Commission on Social Development.

6) General Assembly Third Committee Report
* It affirms the decision of the 2nd Ad Hoc Committee on the Working Group.
* The Working Group is to be held 5-16 Jan. Ad Hoc Committee will be held two times in 2004.
* Inclusion of persons with disabilities in government delegation is encouraged.

7) The following observations on the above-mentioned meetings were shared.
* Many PWDs were part of government delegations, yet most were not either active enough or not encouraged to express their views. Active participation is called for.
* Beijing Seminar was a significant step ahead to affirm human rights convention on disability.
* China and India are preparing a draft on a proposed convention respectively. When ESCAP has a copy, it will be uploaded on the web site.
* Philippines officially endorsed the Bangkok Draft.
* We should stick to basic principles of human rights convention on disability, but we should be tactful and flexible to persuade governments

8) In Australia, series of seminars have been held on the topic. Its government plans of a proposal for the working group yet NGO consultation has not been done. Other seminars are planed in 2004.

9) In Japan, NGO/GO study sessions have been held to understand issues on a proposed convention. No national draft known at this point.

10) In Thailand, a seminar will be held 15 December to reaffirm and strengthen Thailand’s position in several related issues. However, no separate draft is planned.

The following observations were shared

· Biwako Millennium Framework has strategies that calls for Governments inclusion of PWD in the elaborating process towards a convention. These should be brought attentions to the minds of governments.

Agenda 5, 6, 7
Co coordinators brought “Suggestions for future actions task force members can promote and implement” and the discussions took place and the decisions were made based on them.

Suggested action
1) Task force members report on the issues and proceedings of the Working Group in NY in January on daily basis.

v Create a TF list-serve.
v Assign a note-taker and reporter from the TF

Decided-----à
ü Task force members subscribe an existing Yahoo list-serve on a convention and receive a daily report from Monthian. Land Mine Survivors Network, and other NGOs plan to produce a daily report. Monthian needs to be linked with them.
ü ESCAP finds out whether observers are allowed. Can somebody from the task force go as observer? One potential candidate raised his hand from Bangladesh. Monthian needs to be linked with New York NGOs.
ü Coordination with Anuradha, and Venus as well is needed
Suggested action
2) Bring awareness and deepen understanding on an international convention at a national level

v Hold seminars with government focal points about a proposed convention in relationship to existing treaties (CRC, CEDAW).
v Persuade governments about 3rd Ad Hoc Committee
v To include PWD in a delegation as active players

v Hold study groups amongst PWD themselves to enhance knowledge and understanding on different human rights instruments.
Decided-----à
ü Australia and Japan will share their experiences of study sessions with the members. Phillip, Etusko, Shoji will be responsible for sending info to Aiko.
ü Try to integrate convention issues in any disability-related seminars etc.,

3) Integrate disability perspective, into country reporting mechanism on existing human rights treaties, reflecting views by and facts on persons with disabilities.

· Find out deadlines for country reports submission
· Find out issues from previous reports and Commission’s responses
· Find out who produces counter reports and integrate disability perspectives.
Decided-----à
ü Australia will share their experiences of counter report at the next meeting.
ü Aiko will share info on deadlines for country reports at the next meeting.

The following observations were made.
1) BMF are indivisible from convention process both from human rights and development perspectives. Fully utilizing the BMF in the process should not be neglected.
2) Accessibility of the web at DESA, Monthian will address the issue at the working group.
3) Mainstreaming disability perspective in development scheme (Helsinki conference on development)
4) What do we do about on-line discussion?

Thread: TWG-DC Forum pass word escapegm
Decided-----à escap on-line forum is difficult to use. Go back to the suggestion 1 to utilize the list serve.

A list of participants for a task force on international convention on disability

Name Organization E-mail
1. Mr Moshamaf Hossain ADD moshammaf@siriusbb.com
2. Ms Phoranee Louineau Parents’ Association of the Intellectually Impaired
3. Ms Rinthan Lattanan Parents’ Association of the Intellectually Impaired
4. Ms Edith van Wijngaarden Handicap International in Cambodia Hib.rehab_dpt@online.com.kh
5. Ma Samith CDPO/DPI in Cambodia abc@online.com.kh
6. Ms Etsuki Ueno RI A/P/APDF eueno@dinf.nejp
7. Mr Nicholas Howen OHCHR Ohchr-bangkok@un.org
8. Ms Kaori Shirosawa Japan Programme/IDB kaoris@iadb.org
9. Ms Sumalee Nathikanyanalab DPI sumaleent@yahoo.com
10. Mr Frank Hall-Bentick Disasbility Austraia frankhb@connexus.net.au
11. Mr Phillip French People with Disability Australia phillipf@pwd.org.au
12. Mr Graham McKinstry Inclusion International g-b-mck@wave.co.nz
13. Mr Shoji Nakanishi DPI humancare@nifty.com

14. Mr Monthian Buntan
15. Aiko Akiyama UNESCAP akiyama@un.org

Annex III: World Summit on Information Society (WSIS)

WSIS relevant paragraphs

Latest text of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) draft declaration of principles and draft plan of actions, which contains disability-inclusive content, appears as follows:

1. Draft declaration of principles:
“11. In building the Information Society, we shall pay particular attention to the special needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups of society, including migrants, internally displaced persons and refugees, unemployed and under-privileged people, minorities and nomadic people. We shall also recognize the special needs of older persons and persons with disabilities”.
“22. The sharing and strengthening of global knowledge for development can be enhanced by removing barriers to equitable access to information for economic, social, political, health, cultural, educational, and scientific activities and by facilitating access to public domain information, including by universal design and the use of assistive technologies”.

“27. The use of ICTs in all stages of education, training and human resource development should be promoted, taking into account the special needs of persons with disabilities and disadvantaged and vulnerable groups”.

“50. The creation, dissemination and preservation of content in diverse languages and formats must be accorded high priority in building an inclusive Information Society, paying particular attention to the diversity of supply of creative work and due recognition of the rights of authors and artists. It is essential to promote the production of and accessibility to all content—educational, scientific, cultural or recreational—in diverse languages and formats. The development of local content suited to domestic or regional needs will encourage social and economic development and will stimulate participation of all stakeholders, including people living in rural, remote and marginal areas”.

2. Draft plan of actions:

“10.
e) In the context of national e-strategies, address the special requirements of older people, persons with disabilities, children, especially marginalized children and other disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including by appropriate educational administrative and legislative measures to ensure their full inclusion in the Information Society.
f) Encourage the design and production of ICT equipment and services so that everyone, has easy and affordable access to them including older people, persons with disabilities, children, especially marginalized children, and other disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, and promote the development of technologies, applications, and content suited to their needs, guided by the Universal Design principle and further enhanced by the use of assistive technologies”.

“11.
c) Promote research and development to facilitate accessibility of ICTs for all, including disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable groups”.
“20.
c) Promote teleworking to allow citizens, particularly in the developing countries, LDCs, and small economies, to live in their societies and work anywhere, and to increase employment opportunities for women, and for those with disabilities. In promoting teleworking, special attention should be given to strategies promoting job creation and the retention of the skilled working force”.
“24.
i) Nurture the local capacity for the creation and distribution of software in local languages, as well as content that is relevant to different segments of population, including non-literate, persons with disabilities, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups especially in developing countries and countries with economies in transition”.
“29.
e) Develop and launch a website on best practices and success stories, based on a compilation of contributions from all stakeholders, in a concise, accessible and compelling format, following the internationally-recognised web accessibility standards. The website could be periodically updated and turned into a permanent experience-sharing exercise”.

Note: the text, as shown in several paragraphs of these two documents, did not come from heaven, but from hard work of PWDs and our supporters. Let us make sure that our needs and requirements will be kept in these global mainstream documents by encouraging all governments to support our initiatives from principles to practices.

Best regards,

Monthian Buntan

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