Got the final poster design of “A MI PATRIA,” – 5 poems, 5 films [x 4 languages=20 presentations] in one film, interpreted in Filipino Sign Language by Deaf performers, and read in English, Spanish and Filipino by professors largely from the U.P. College of Arts and Letters.
Produced by Miryad Visyon in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies. Direction and Editing: Miranamedina
RIZALPABETO exhibit opened yesterday night at 6pm. The exhibit features Vim Nadera’s poems and artworks by Elmer Borlongan about Rizal. It will be held at the Manila Contemporary, 2314 Pasong Tamo Ext. in Makati City. Rizalpabeto is a project of The Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development. Contact Tel 8447328 for more information.
The 2012 International Day of Persons with Disabilities will be observed on 3 December 2012. The theme will be “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”. The United Nations has invited communities to focus on aspects of society and development, including, but not limited to, removing barriers to education, employment, transportation, travel and tourism or sport, across all societal groups.
Themes for previous years:
For more information, go to:
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1597
New buildings in Singapore will soon be required to go beyond creating a barrier-free environment, and be fitted with universal design features. This is aimed at making buildings more accessible and user-friendly for visitors of all ages and needs.
It started with ramps and barrier-free walkways for wheelchair users and the less mobile. Now, the Building and Construction Authority wants buildings to cater to the needs of all users. It is currently reviewing the accessibility code for new buildings and those undergoing major renovation works, to make it mandatory to include universal design features. This could include providing nursing rooms, family car park lots and wider corridors.
The review is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Many buildings now come equipped with handicapped toilets. Such toilets are retrofitted with grab bars and have enough space for a wheelchair. But it is not just what is inside that counts. Good design means that the entrance to the toilet should also be accessible, and even the location of the toilet is important. Professor Keith Bright, Emeritus Professor for Inclusive Environments at University of Reading, said: “Those are the next challenges for Singapore, not just to remove physical barriers, but…there are other factors that affect people’s lives. For example, if you have to get assistance wherever you go, it might be accessible, but it removes sometimes the dignity or the independence.”
Accessibility in buildings has improved over the years, following concerted efforts by the government to push for a barrier-free environment. Almost all public buildings now have an accessible entrance, easy-to-navigate first floor, and handicapped toilet on the first floor. And nearly nine in 10 buildings along Singapore’s premier shopping belt, Orchard Road, have achieved basic accessibility. But many existing private buildings remain a challenge for the less mobile. Private buildings owners cite high costs and disruption as key obstacles. Dr John Keung, CEO of the Building and Construction Authority, said: “We are talking to the industry, talking to building owners that while these are real concerns – cost and impact on operation – we also need to look from a longer-term perspective. If you make a building more accessible, it can also widen your catch of customers.”
To date, just S$6 million has been disbursed from the S$40 million Accessibility Fund, set up to help private building owners defray part of the cost. Another S$2.5 million worth of grants is being processed. The Accessibility Fund was started in 2007, and pays for up to 80 per cent of the cost for providing basic accessibility features to existing private buildings. The fund has now been extended till 2016, to encourage more private building owners to come on board. [From Rolling Rains Report]
De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS) invites you to “Building Bridges, Creating Opportunities 2012: The 1st PWD Employers Conference” on May 2, 2012 Wednesday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Angelo King International Center Hotel, corner Arellano and Estrada Sts, Manila.
The conference will among others:
1) Discuss the Philippine government’s mandate, incentives and benefits given to companies employing Persons With Disability (PWD);
2) Examine government’s initiatives in creating an inclusive working environment;
3) Review on the significance and merits of having PWD in a company’s workforce;
4) Share on best practices in creating a diverse workforce, accessible and barrier-free working environment; the challenges they have encountered; how they addressed it and the essential elements in creating diverse yet united work force.
You may contact The Center for Partnership and Development team through Mr. Sherlo Reyes and Ms. Giselle Montero for more information:
Tel Number: (02) 526.7441 loc 239 / Fax Number: (02) 400.5406
Mobile Number: 0917.869.8231
Email Addresses: deaf.partnerships@benilde.edu.ph
“BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH”? I honestly do not know that there is such a celebration until today when I surfed the internet for some other information…
Anyway, there will be a Free Lecture and Speech Assessment/Evaluations on May 12, 2012 from 8:00-5:00 pm to be held at Baguio Pines City Lion’s Club, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City in celebration of Better Hearing and Speech Month. Please register at 446-6121 or +63917-811-9032. [Source: free-lecture-and-speech-assessmentevaluations]
Members of the ASEAN Autism Network support the upcoming 2nd Southeast Asian and 12th National Conference on Autism on April 28 and 29, 2012 Saturday and Sunday witht heme “LIVING WITH AUTISM: Hope@Home” at Crown Plaza Manila Galleria, OrtigasAve. corner ADB Avenue, Quezon City.
ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) serves as a platform for autism-related family support groups of each Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member country to collaborate, cooperate, coordinate and unite in developing strategies and intervention programs that will be non-discriminatory in support of families, including those economically challenged. More importantly, the extended family structure on which the ASEAN community is based will remain the core of any developmental program and strategies.[To read the full article of ASP Board Secretary Ms. Tiffany Tan, click by-tiffany-tan-aspboard-secretary.html]
For more information re the conference, you may call ASP at telephone numbers (02) 926 6941, (02) 929 8447, mobile numbers (0917) 556 2075, (0923) 638 3771 or email aspnc2012@gmail.com.
A public service announcement featuring “Glee” star Jane Lynch decrying use of the word “retard” is being honored for its fearless take on the issue. The ad in support of the “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign is one of four winners of the YouTube-backed DoGooder Nonprofit Video Awards in the “Fearless Video” category, besting over 1,000 entrants for the title.
Dubbed “Not Acceptable,” the PSA includes Lynch alongside her “Glee” co-star Lauren Potter, who has Down syndrome. The two liken use of the r-word to other derogatory terms like “nigger” and “fag.” “The r-word is the same as every minority slur. Treat it that way and don’t use it,” says Lynch in the PSA, which debuted last spring with spots on network and cable television. [To read the full article "R-Word PSA Receives YouTube Award by Shaun Heasley, click 15413]
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“Not Acceptable” is a powerful and compelling 30 second public service announcement which gives voice to a variety of diverse communities each of whom expresses that it is not acceptable to call them by what were once common words, but are now recognized as offensive slurs. It culminates in actress and self-advocate Lauren Potter from “Glee” stating that it is not acceptable to use the word ‘retard’ and she and “Glee” co-star Jane Lynch make a call to action to stop using the word and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to make their pledge online at http://r-word.org.
The PSA was launched by the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign, an on-going initiative from Special Olympics and Best Buddies to eradicate the derogatory use of the word “retard(ed)” from everyday use and promote the inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Not Acceptable” was executive produced by Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti of New York based Apostle, and shot, produced and edited by Spot On Productions from City Island, NY.
The PSA is supported by several national advocacy organization including the Anti-Defamation League, Special Olympics, Best Buddies, GLAAD, The Hispanic Federation, National Puerto Rican Coalition, The Asian-American Foundation, AbilityPath.org and the NAACP.
