EAST WIND
Official Newsletter of
the World Blind Union-Asia Pacific
No. 11
Contents of this issue:
From the Editor
The 11th
World Blind Union
Volunteers
Sensitisation Programme
New
Blindness and Low Vision Peer Support Group in
The Incheon Strategy
Danida Project Update
WBUAP Website fn Full Gear
Coming Up
Contact Details
FROM THE EDITOR
If I remember correctly, the current team of editorial sent altogether 7
East Wind issues to the world. I was often way behind schedule, and although
there are times when piles of works were waiting for me in my desktop PC at
home, they cannot be any excuse: I said I will do so I should do all I can to
do what must be done. Sincere apologies once again for all my
delays.
It seems, though, that the name gEast Windh has become something we share
with all our friends around the Region. I often hear people say gEast Windh
whenever there is some remarkable event, or whenever we have new initiatives. I
hope that it will become even more indispensable part of us all in the Asia
Pacific Region— something we start from and something we come back to.
Thank you all who have been supporting our common platform, by
contributing, by reading, by promoting, by sharing within your organization, by
posting on to different websites.
This will be the last East Wind for the current quadrennium. After
November, I might still be around editing, or someone new might come in, the
future is yet to see. One thing for sure, that our East Wind will continue
blowing proudly around the world.
Michiko Tabata:
Editor-in-Chief
Editorial Committee:
Ivan Ho Tuch Choy
Kevin Murfitt
Kim Mok
THE 11TH WORLD BLIND UNION
Zhu Gang
Chair, Regional
Massage Commission
After
more than one-yearfs preparing, the 11th World Blind Union Asia-Pacific Regional Massage Seminar is held successfully on May in
The
subject of the Seminar is gMassage for better health!h.
In accordance with the former convention, this Seminar lasted for four days
included registration, country report, paper exchange and workshop etc. The
whole Seminar goes smoothly in a pleasant and orderly atmosphere which was
benefited by the hardworking of stuffs from Malaysia Committee and the good
organization from the authorized well-known local international affairs and public
relations. The quantity of foreign participates is the top in this Seminar
compare with previous Seminar, and it was also achieved strong support from
Malaysia Government. The entire conference was adopted with 5 languages
included Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean and Thai for simultaneous
interpretation. Meanwhile, the committee built a specialist website for this
Seminar, it provided conference registration, information downloading and
updating. This achieved the interoperability of information
and facilitate the participating members with good reflection.
During
Seminar, paper exchange was launched around those subjects, such as gRecognition and Regulatory for BVI
Massageh, gBVI
Massage Techniques for specific medical conditionsh, gRebranding BVI Massage towards
Entrepreneurshiph and gWay forward : International Collaboration for
Advancementh. At the country report section, Participants
introduced the latest developments of blind massage
industry in their region/country and deepen
mutual understanding between each member.
On the
afternoon of 4th May, there come to the workshop exchange. The
Committee set up some specialist area for
Discussed by the Board of Director Meeting,
Mr. Zhu Gang from China Hunan Yeahcome Health Care
Ltd., Co was nominated as the Chairman of World Blind Union Asia-Pacific
Regional Massage Commission again and obtained
unanimously. Datof Dr Hsiung Kwo Yeun
from
When globalization deepens increasingly,
international exchanges and cooperation is particularly important. The World
Blind Union 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Massage Seminar turns out to
be fruitful. Following the successes of the g2011 Asia Pacific Regional Blind
Medical Massage Instructors' International Training Programh, the trainees
response good, thus, our Commission members proposal to continue this type of
international training courses to meet the needs of more blind masseurs. On
other hand, we consider to carry out gtour trainingh in various countries, that
means to organize those senior massage specialists from each countries/areas
with interesting subject which leading by the Massage Commission. And suggest
compiling some relatively uniform massage materials, for a better guide to the
blind training. In addition, considering establish the criterion for the
Asia-Pacific regional blind massage and promote the development of Asia Pacific
blind massage enterprise, to select the best demonstration of blind massage
shop in the region, helping them to further regulate the standards under the
premise of its certification and award of the gAsia-Pacific Massage
demonstration shop of WBUAP Regional Massage Commissionh.
The above ideas are all unanimously support and
look forward to create relationships of equality further based on massage
seminar, friendship and solidarity, and a harmonious society, to encourage the
majority of blind self-improvement, and strive to improve themselves, and give
full play to their enthusiasm and creativity force, with the able-bodied people
to work together to create a happy life and bright future belongs to us all!
******
VOLUNTEERS SENSITISATION PROGRAMME
Wong
Yoon Loong
Regional
Communications Coordinator
The Malaysian Sports and Recreation Council
for Persons with Disabilities designed and carried out the Volunteers Sensitisation Programme
throughout
There were a
total of 7 programmes with each programme
attended by about 100 volunteers who are Community-Based Rehabilitation
workers, special education teachers and social workers in their mid-twenties
and thirties. The programme covers topics such as:
· The unique characteristics of each category of disabilities
· Tips on interacting with persons with disabilities
· Access to public facilities based on the principles of universal
design
· Malaysian Disabilities Act
· Sports development for persons with disabilities.
This programme is entirely designed and carried out by persons
with disabilities supported by their non-disabled friends. We hope to extend
this programme to include volunteers/staff of other
Government Agencies/Departments in the future. Our hope is to develop a pool of
volunteers who are able to assist and support persons with disabilities in
their daily lives.
******
NEW
BLINDNESS AND LOW VISION PEER SUPPORT GROUP IN
Kevin Murfitt
Willie Sablan, a
blind person who lost his sight recently, has been assisted by Disabled Persons
Association Vanuatu (DPAV) to form a blind and low vision
group in
Willie and his group are
wanting assistance with screenreaders and
other international peer support so I have linked them up with the www.wbuap.org
web site and will provide them with NVDA software etc.
A short note from Nelly Caleb, Executive
Officer of Disabled Persons Association Vanuatu:
eWillie Sablan who
is the chair of this BPA is the head of a newly formed theater group which was
established 10. June 2011 last year right after the 3 days training on CRPD in Port
They do advocacy awareness on CRPD articles
through dramas, theater in schools and communities, itfs an eye opener
to the public, main actors are Willie Sablan
(vision impaired) and Silverio (low Vision) DPA would
like to thank AUSAID for assisting in their advocacy awareness. Thank you to
Wan Smol Bag for assisting them to stand on their
own,
******
THE INCHEON STRATEGY
Ivan Ho Tuck Choy
UNESCAP, comprising around 53 Member States in the Asia-Pacific Region,
confirmed on 23 May 2012 the proclamation of a new Asian and Pacific Decade for
Persons with Disabilities for the period from 2013 to 2022 through the adoption
of a historic resolution. The resolution was sponsored by the Government of the
Republic of South Korea and co-sponsored by the Governments of Australia,
Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Solomon Islands and
Thailand, was unanimously passed.
If everything goes according to plan, there will be a High-Level
Intergovernmental Meeting (HLIGM) on the final review of the Asian and Pacific
Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, convened by UNESCAP from 29 October to 2
November 2012 in Incheon,
The development of the draft Incheon Strategy was
derived from the experiences in the implementation of two consecutive Asian and
Pacific Decades of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002 and 2003-2012, as well as the
historic adoption by the United Nations in 2006 of the Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities. The drafting of the Incheon
Strategy benefited from the inputs of governments, disabled people's organisations and other key stakeholders. It drew from the
feedback obtained through regional forums, including the Committee on Social
Development at its second session (Bangkok, 19-21 October 2010), and the
Regional Stakeholders Consultation for the HLIGM on the Final Review of the
Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012, (Bangkok, 14-16
December 2011).
When the draft of the Incheon Strategy was
released after the 14-16 Bangkok Meeting, some of the
15 Civil Society Organisations (CSO's) recognised by UNESCAP felt that their in-puts were not
adequately incorporated into the document. Consequently, the 15 CSO's were
invited by Rehabilitation International AP to go to
The draft of the Incheon Strategy at this
Preparatory Meeting was again revised with additions and subtractions by the
Governments and CSO's. At the intervention of Sen. Monthian Buntan who led the
Thai Government delegation at the Preparatory HLIGM, the 15 CSO's will again
have the last opportunity to have their views heard before the adoption at the
October meeting.
Similar to the Millennium Development Goals, the Incheon
goals, targets and indicators are time bound for accelerating implementation by
focusing particular attention on the achievements of a set of priority goals
and targets during the course of the new decade, 2013-2022, as well as
facilitating the measurement of progress to be attained by
1. Reduce poverty and enhance work and employment
prospects.
2. Promote participation in political processes and
decision-making.
3. Enhance access to the physical environment, public
transportation, knowledge and information and communication.
4. Strengthen social protection.
5. Expand early intervention and education of children
with disabilities.
6. Ensure gender equality and women's empowerment.
7. Ensure disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction.
8. Improve disability data reliability and comparability.
9. Accelerate the ratification and implementation of the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and harmonisation
of national legislation with the Convention.
10. Advance sub-regional, regional and inter-regional
Co-operation.
******
DANIDA PROJECT UPDATE
Michiko Tabata
Here is another update of the DANIDA/ WBUAP Capacity Building Project going
on with the Mongolian National Federation of the Blind and the Lao Association
of the Blind, from the beginning of the year 2012.
·
Training of trainers
for Orientation & Mobility training: As part of the social empowerment
activities, MNFB and LAB hosted the Training of Trainers of Orientation and
Mobility training. MNFB welcomed Professor Steve LeGrove
from
·
LAB succeeded in
officially registering their new branches in the provinces of Champassak and Xiengkhouang.
·
MNFB branches have
been conducting various unique activities within the framework of the Small
Scale Fund, such as making TV series showing the needs of the blind people in
the province that were broadcast on local TV, and capacity development program
for local branch management.
·
There have been a
number of other training seminars and workshops, including a workshop training
on CRPD and training on organizational development for new chapters of LAB; and
the Business Development Seminar, fundraising training and national advocacy
training by MNFB.
·
The two organizations
are working hard to strengthen financial sustainability. MNFB started
production work of audio books for sale. LAB called for donations at public
celebration events.
·
The two organizations
are increasing their exposure to the general public. LAB has been leading the
way in organizing public celebration events involving government officials.
MNFB organized its first Sun Cup Award, in which the general public was
involved in the process of award receivers and the whole activity was aimed at
the promotion of humanitarian activities.
·
There have been 2
monitoring visits so far from the project coordination side: to LAB in January and
to MNFB in August- September. The visits covered meetings with leaders of local
provincial chapters of the two organizations, and provided excellent and
precious opportunities to meet them and learn their ideas, needs and
challenges.
******
WBUAP WEBSITE IN FULL
GEAR
With the fund from the DANIDA/WBUAP
Capacity Building Project, we now have the website of our region running in its
full gear. The website has sections on CRPD, information on funding
opportunities, news and upcoming events, as well as basic information about our
region such as constitution and the Board and Policy Council members. The
website also has a very useful function of gSubscribe to Postsh, which enables
you to receive e-mail notices whenever there is a new posting simply by entering
your e-mail address. Visit the website now and join us at: http://wbuap.org. We are looking forward to your
active participation!
******
COMING UPc..
THE 8TH
WBU GENERAL ASSEMBLY
On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee,
it is my great pleasure to extend a warm invitation to you, your colleagues,
and your family to join The World Blind Union 8th General Assembly: WBU GA,
International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment General
Assembly: ICEVI GA to be held here in Bangkok, Thailand on November 8-18, 2012.
During the event you will experience not only
the update knowledge and technology you will also be provided International
Blind Music Festival every evening during November 12-15, 2012 at Benjasiri park where is next to Imperial Queen's Park
hotel, the event venue.
This stage will be for international and
local blind musicians. The venue will be opened for the public. For who are
interested to be one of the musicians please feel free to contact
wbu.icevi@gmail.com within July 15, 2012 would be appreciated.
And we are collecting the blind story in
various aspects and will be broadcasted through TV program during July until
December. The stories from abroad are also welcomed.
Regarding the side events, many organizations
both from local and abroad will arrange their own dinner and activity in the
evening of November 12-15, 2012 and will be on first come first serve basis for
the limited seats. Please follow up the program on our event's website www.wbu-icevi2012.org
and also please note that our online registration is until September 30,
2012 only.
We look forward to welcoming all of you.
Senator Monthian Buntan
First
Chairman of Local organizing committee
for the WBU-ICEVI 2012
******
We Are Waiting for Your Contributions!!
Send in your writingscreports, essays, poems, commentary, just about
anything, that you might want to share with your friends and colleagues in the
Region.
Your Donations Is Always Welcome!!
Help us make a difference of what it means to be blind. Your donations will
help our international blindness movement in particular from our friends in
less economically privileged circumstances.
Your generous contribution is very much appreciated. Please note that,
following the election of our new Treasurer, we have our new USD account in
Please direct your payment to:
National Australia Bank
Bank Address:
BSB: 083-004
Account Number: WBUAPUSD01
Swift Code: NATAAU3303M
Name: World Blind Union –
******
CONTACT DETAILS
President, WBUAP
Datof Sabalatnam Kulasegaran
E-mail: ncftb@po.jaring.my
National
Council for the Blind,
94B Jalan Tun Sambanthan
50470
Editorial:
Michiko Tabata
E-mail: tabacchi@par.odn.ne.jp
National Committee of Welfare for the Blind in
E-mail: ncwbj@mbm.nifty.com
2-18-2 Nishi-Waseda,
Shinjuku,
Secretary General:
Ivan Ho Tuck Choy
E-mail: ncftb@po.jaring.my
National
Council for the Blind,
94B Jalan Tun Sambanthan
50470
Michiko Tabata
Pacific-Oceania Sub-Region
Kevin Murfitt
E-mail: Kevin.murfitt@visionaustralia.org
Datof Sabalatnam Kulasegaran