Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP)

Summary Article 7 - Children with Disabilities STEP and Children Society (UK) conducted a seminar focusing on Child rights. Youth related projects conducted by STEP along with British Council and Volunteer Services Organization were highlighted. Hayles Nicholls, a representative from Children Society discussed The Buddying Project being executed in the UK, where a person with disability is paired with a companion. In the session, the possibility of the Buddying Project in Pakistan was being experienced. Picture of Session on volunteering for Children with Disabilities 2012 Hayley Nicholls Picture of Session on volunteering for Children with Disabilities 2012 Hayley Nicholls Picture…

Celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011: A Step Towards InclusivitySymbolic Solidarity Walk in IslamabadTo mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2011, a symbolic solidarity walk was organized by the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on December 3, 2011, near Iqra University, Islamabad.Key Addresses Highlighting InclusivityDr. Kozue Kay Nagata’s AddressDr. Kozue Kay Nagata, a representative of UNESCO, emphasized the immense potential of disabled persons as agents of social transformation. She praised Pakistan’s ratification of the CRPD as a significant milestone but stressed the need for further actions,…

In July last year country's northwest region was the worst hit with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan experiencing 'once-in-a-century' rains. This has developed into one of the worst natural disasters any country has faced in recent years. United Nations estimates more than 21 million people have been injured or are homeless as a result of the flooding. That's more than the combined total of the individuals affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. It's really quite difficult to comprehend the scale of this flood. As the important mitigation efforts of…

OverviewThe National Wheelchair Cricket Tournament, a groundbreaking event, was organized by the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in collaboration with SAAYA Association, Pakistan Youth Alliance, and Milestone Society for Special Persons. This landmark tournament brought together wheelchair users from across Pakistan to showcase their talents and promote inclusivity in sports.Participating TeamsEight teams of wheelchair users from various cities of Pakistan participated in the tournament. The competition fostered a spirit of camaraderie and showcased the exceptional talents of the athletes, emphasizing the importance of accessibility in sports.SponsorsThe tournament was generously sponsored by several esteemed organizations, including: SAMAA TV, Nestle Pakistan, Telenor Pakistan,…

Summary 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.

Leadership Conference of Persons with Disabilities 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.

Introduction: In 2009, STEP (Special Talent Exchange Program) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Telenor Pakistan to collaborate on the Khuddar Pakistan initiative. Khuddar Pakistan, Telenor's flagship corporate responsibility program, aims to improve the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs) by addressing the challenges they face and promoting their inclusion in society. Objectives of Khuddar Pakistan: Raise Awareness: Telenor seeks to change public perceptions about the abilities of persons with disabilities by raising awareness and highlighting their potential contributions to society. Technology Development: The initiative aims to develop technologies that enable persons with disabilities to actively participate in various…