DPI e-update - August 24th, 2007 |
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Our 7th World Assembly in Korea is rapidly approaching. Scheduled for 5-8 September 2007, the event promises to bring together hundreds of delegates to discuss the Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. For more updates please go to http://dpiwa.net/eu/index.asp Those delegates in attendance who are presenting papers are asked to submit electronic copies of their full papers in English to DPI for inclusion in the DPI World Assembly, Korea Proceedings. Once edited, they will be translated into our official languages for distribution. We also invite you to share your photos of the event. Mail both to Cassandra at info@dpi.org After the World Assembly, as Editor of Disability International, I will also be looking for human interest stories. Upcoming themes include Indigenous Peoples and the Convention, as well as Disability and the Arts. We invite you to share your photographs and stories on these topics, especially as they relate to your international experiences in Korea. Mail to Cassandra at info@dpi.org Thank you for responding with your conference presentations and information. On a sombre note, around the world this week are reports of natural disasters that have killed thousands of people and displaced many more. An earthquake in Ica, Peru has resulted in the death of more than 500 people; in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, massive flooding has resulted in the loss of more than 220 lives, with hundreds of families losing their homes. In South Asia, heavy monsoon rains have taken a heavy toll on families and children in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. For reports on UNICEF’s work in these areas go to What happens to persons with disabilities under such circumstances? The reality is that persons with disabilities are not taken into account in the building of relief shelters, the delivery of emergency medical aid, and the distribution of emergency provisions. Of late, this is supported by members of the Orissa Disabled Forum in India: “Some people can move to more secure places like schools and government centres during heavy rains, but disabled people are often left behind," states Umesh Purohit, Youth Service Centre. “Emergency food kits are supplied without utensils or firewood, which disabled people cannot find. How do we collect firewood amid this chaos?" asks Pravin, another worker. Read more at http://www.disabilityindia.com/html/news.html#floods Research also demonstrates that persons with disabilities fare worse than persons without disabilities during times of emergency disaster. http://omega.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/cfichten/abIceStormExperiencesFT.pdf The Disability Funders Network gives voice to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in any emergency planning or rebuilding activities. http://www.disabilityfunders.org/epdr-guidance.html The Center for an Accessible Society lists seven key principles to guide disaster relief involving persons with disabilities. These include effective communications, collaboration, and preparedness. For more information go to Conferences Techshare is holding a Conference in London, England 4-5 October 2007. Techshare highlights the role of technology in the everyday life of people with disabilities, looking not only at the web but also software, mobiles, standards, compliance and much more. For information go to http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/public_rnib004057.hcsp Inter-Action is holding a “Ways of Seeing” Conference and Art Exhibition 17-23 September 2007 in Milton Keynes, England. Exhibits include a series of commissions in collaboration with persons who are visually impaired, provoking and informing debate about access to venues and services. For information on speakers and to book a seat go to http://www.interactionmk.org.uk/ The Commonwealth Disabled Peoples Conference 2007 will take place 14-17 November in Kampala, Uganda. Governments and Non-Government Organizations will unite under the theme “Transforming Commonwealth Societies to Achieve Political, Economic and Human Development.” For more information, email Robert Nkwangu at bobnkwangu@yahoo.com |
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