The Culture Fashion show, titled “Welcoming 2012: Culture Fashion Show of Persons with Disabilities”, was jointly organized by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), Monthly Pakistan Special, Embers and Shahzads Designs on December 29, 2011 in National Library Islamabad. Empowering Youth for Peace and Development (EYPAD) project aims to develop peace, tolerance, knowledge in the youth by encouraging exchange of ideas through different means of communications, like the internet, photography and video films etc., to build bridges for solidarity and brotherhood on the local and international level. Walk ReportDecember 3, 2011 IslamabadTo mark the International Day of Persons with
Disabilities 2011, a symbolic solidarity walk was organized by Special Talent
Exchange Program (STEP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) on December 3, 2011 near Iqra University Islamabad.
Person with different spheres of life addressed the participants of walk, Dr. Kozue kay Nagata representative of (UNESCO) in her addressed she said that disabled persons are highly talented agents for social transformation .As a member of the international community, the Government of Pakistan’s action to ratify the CRPD is a significant step forward; however, there are still many measures to be taken, including the formulation of legislation/act on anti-discrimination. Mr. Muhammad Atif Sheikh, President STEP also addressed, in his addressed he said disability and poverty are intertwined. In fact, the qualitative evident suggests that disabled people are significantly poor in developing countries, and more so than non-disabled counterpart. Many people with disabilities are denied education or jobs, the disorder may require chronic health care and these in turn drain the scarce household resources. "Unless disabled people are brought into the development mainstream, it will be impossible to cut poverty in half by 2015 or to give every girl and boy the chance to achieve a primary education by the same date which are key among the Millennium Development Goals agreed to by more than 180 world leaders at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000." Ms. Lucie Dechifre from Handicap International appreciated the effort and ensured that in disaster affected areas of Pakistan disabled persons will be involved in the processes of rebuilding the infrastructure and all kinds of development interventions. Observance of the Day globally provides opportunities for participation by all stakeholders – Governments, the UN system, civil society and organizations of persons with disabilities – to focus on issues related to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in development, both as beneficiaries and agents. 600 persons with disabilities, people from all spheres of society, representatives of Government, International development organizations, representatives of UN agencies joined the event. Among the other partners such as Sightsavers, Handicap International, British Council, Telenor Pakistan, Iqra University, YFP (Youth for Peace) and Sayya Association supported the walk. . A memorandum from the participants urging the representation of disabled persons at policy making level and requesting the reforms for inclusive education was handed over to Ministry of Law and Justice followed by the launching of a nationwide ‘Ramp Campaign’. International Leadership Conference of PWD's 2011Special Talent Exchange program has organized this conference for disabled people from all over the world for an inclusive society and accessibility and mobility. It is been held in Serena hotel Islamabad from 3rd Oct 2011 to 5th Oct 2011 to promote the ratification of UNCRPD and to empower them with Leadership. Welcome speech was delivered by Peter Hill GM Serena. He mentioned that from the past few years Hotels has been taking initiatives for changes. And they still need a lot to do to support the disability. National Consultation on Implementation of Convention
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Attended by various important figures, such as revered disability experts, UNESCO representatives, members of different national and international NGOs and persons with disabilities themselves, the Consultation had aimed to review the status of Access of Persons with disabilities to Education (article 24 of UNCRPD), Information and Communication Technology (article 9 of UNCRPD) and Mainstreaming of women with disabilities in development (article 6 on UNCRPD).
Talking to the gathering, Dr Kozue Kay Nagata, Director UNESCO said that she is hopeful about the outcomes of the consultation and expects it to bring a marked change at the policy level.
After presentations from noted government, UNESCO, DPI, STEP and CADD, the participants were divided into five groups and discussions were held on Gender Mainstreaming and Women with Disabilities; Inclusive Education; Literacy, Right to Education & Barrier-Free Communication and Information; Barrier for implementation of UNCRPD; and Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) supported by WHO, UNESCO and ILO. The event culminated with a representative from each group presenting about the solutions they had come up with.
With a globalization and dozens of international languages is use, we have our own limits on how fast we can learn different languages and communicate fluently with others. "Sign Language" can help us communicate with any person with limited language skills.
Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) brought Professional Sign Language Course for all those who wish to learn sign language - out of necessity or interest. Beginning from August 17th and ending on August 18th, Professional Sign Language Course aimed to transcend the barriers of communication between the disabled persons and the society by becoming their voice, at a very nominal registration fee. Conducted by trained professionals from the field, the two day course was held at STEP office, from 10am to 2pm.
Home Based Job Opportunities Created for Persons with Disabilities in Pakistan
The training was conducted by STEP in collaboration with Brightspyre at Assistive Technology Center established at National Institute of Special Education with partnership of Telenor Pakistan, Sightsavers and STEP. All participants signed an agreement at the end of the training and started home based digital jobs.
Launching the "Make the Right Real" Campaign, Pakistan, 26-31 January 2011.
The local and international stakeholders working for the
rights of physical-challenged persons Saturday announced the implementation of
Third Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled persons starting from 2013 – 2022 as
Pakistan ratified the UN convention on rights of Persons with disabilities
(UNCRPD) on January 26.
The local and international stakeholders working for the rights of physical-challenged persons Saturday announced the implementation of Third Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled persons starting from 2013 – 2022 as Pakistan ratified the UN convention on rights of Persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) on January 26.
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The government of Pakistan has agreed and endorsed the establishment of “South Asian Disability Forum (SADF)” that will network various DPOs and NGOs in South Asia, representing all disabilities, to address a regional point of view in South Asia.
The decision was taken at the end of the Regional Leadership Conference for Persons with Disability jointly organized by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in close collaboration with Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education, Asia-Pacific Development Centre of Disability (APCD), Sightsavers, Telenor Pakistan and British Council Pakistan. More than 150 representatives with disabilities from the Pakistan and south Asian countries participated in the conference.
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More pictures from the event
Workshop on Promoting Electoral Access, November 26, 2010.
On November 26, 2009, the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) convened a Workshop on Promoting Electoral Access: Participation of Persons with Disabilities in the Electoral Process, in Islamabad.- Establishing a National Forum of Persons with Disabilities on the Electoral Process;
- Reform of the electoral law;
- Reform of policies, election regulations and procedures;
- Hiring of persons with disabilities by the Election Commission of Pakistan;
- Awareness training for ECP staff;
- Election observation by persons with disabilities;
- Civic and voter education outreach; and
- Inclusion of disability issues in the platforms of political parties and candidates.
One priority of the National Forum would be to ensure that the election law fully protects and promotes the rights of persons with disabilities. Understanding that the Election Commission of Pakistan and others are working toward electoral reform, it is critical to include electoral participation for persons with disabilities on the reform agenda.
National WheelChair Cricket tournament, 2010, Concluded Successfully.
Bahria University awards Scholarships and Jobs to Disabled Persons February 02, 2010.
STEP achieved another landmark in its on going endeavors for the persons with disabilities when Vice Admiral (retd) M. Haroon, Rector Bahria University, announced jobs and scholarships for PWDs in Bahria university at any level of studies.
This was announced at the occasion of Disability Equality Training held at Leadership Centre, Bahria University on January 14, 2010 under the project of American Institute for Research (AIR). President STEP, Mr. Atif Sheikh, and Bahria University Rector, Vice Admiral (retd) M. Haroon agreed on providing ample facilities to the disabled people in Bahria University.
As a follow up of this commitment, a Board at
Bahria University approved the appointment of Mr. Abdul Manan, physically
disabled, in Statistics department of the University. Another Wheelchair user
graduate, Abrar Hussain has been offered the position of teaching assistant at
University. Ali Shabbar who is visually impaired, has been offered to continue
his research degree in Supply Chain Management. Head of Leadership Development
Centre, Mr. Junaid Kiyani pledged his unconditional support for the PWDs who
are competent and interested in higher education at Bahria University,
Islamabad.
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National Meeting of Disabled Persons Organizations
January 15-16, 2010.
"Nothing about us without us" was the slogan of consultation exercise facilitated by Handicap International on January 15-16, 2010 at hotel Crown Plaza Islamabad. Government of Pakistan, development organizations and self-help organizations of persons with disabilities all over the country are contributing in the rehabilitation, empowerment and mainstreaming of disabled persons since early 80s but a dire need has always been felt to have a national podium with shared goal. With the prime objective of carving a common agenda the meeting was called.
With the introduction of organizations a warm up facilitation organized for DPOs representatives for better understanding working as network. Next day a brain storming session started how to strengthen National level mechanism of DPOs in Pakistan. After an extensive discussion all representatives agreed to launch a “Campaign for Implementation of National Plan of Action (GOP) 2010-2012” launched. Five those targets selected from NPA were common among all.
1. Accessibility
2. Women with Disabilities
3. Political Rights and Inclusion
4. Inclusive Education
5. Accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
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Launch of a Video Documentary by STEP
"Beyond the Voice of Our Own".
"Beyond the Voice of Our Own".
A video documentary on endeavourers of STEP produced by NISTE (National Institute of Science and Technical Education) under the Story based Knowledge Management Project of APCD Thailand (Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability), was launched in conjunction with observance of International White Cane safety Day
on October 14, 2009 in Islamabad. The event held at Auditorium of Pakistan National Council of Arts was attended by about 500 people from all walks of life including representatives of disabled peoples organizations, development sector, government, universities and media.
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Leadership Conference of Persons with Disabilities 2009.
A declaration calling for the ratification of United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was endorsed at the National Leadership Conference for Persons with Disabilities. Held at the National Institute for Special Education (NISE) from 12-14 Aug 2009, the conference was organized by Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in partnership with Telenor Pakistan’s flagship corporate initiative “Khuddar Pakistan.”
The conference witnessed an unprecedented attendance of 50 Disabled Persons Organizations, key leaders from the disability rights movement, state officials, disability advisors, volunteers as well as Telenor Pakistan management.
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Making the MDGs Inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world.
This article is an attempt to outline the significance of collaboration of among stakeholders to achieve an inclusive society, which is not achievable without strapping integration of internationals instruments for human development such as Millennium Development Goals and United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The trajectory of efforts of Disabled Peoples’ Organizations at state and international level has proved that MDGs can be achieved if persons with disabilities are included in development initiatives. This year on International Day of Persons with Disabilities all stakeholders need to join hands for making MDGs inclusive.
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