http://cat.oneworld.net/article/archive/1449 ca_ES http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160527/1/1449 UN Secretary General has described the adoption of Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as 'a new dawn'. Though the Convention does not enlist new rights for the estimated 650 million disabled persons worldwide, it certainly paves the way for abolition of discriminatory laws and better implementation of existing rights. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160472/1/1449 Freelance journalist and social activist Swagat Thorat in western India publishes a fortnightly called Sparshgyaan in local language for the visually impaired. In view of the limited availability of literature in Braille, this can be described as commendable effort. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160278/1/1449 A discussion paper by WaterAid, Creating user-friendly water and sanitation services for the disabled, takes a look at the social, technical, financial and policy barriers faced by the disabled in meeting water and sanitation needs in Nepal. The document recommends designing proper technologies to facilitate their access to basic services. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/159873/1/1449 Bowing to the demands of people with disabilities in India, Karnataka’s Election Commission has decided to build ramps at all polling booths and provide Braille-equipped voting machines in the upcoming assembly elections. But this is the fulfillment of just one demand out of many. http://fi.oneworld.net/link/gotolink/addhit/83010 Turkin hallituksen ja Kurdistanin työväenpuolueen PKK:n sissien väliset taistelut jättävät jälkeensä tuhansia vammautuneita kurdeja, joilla ei useinkaan ole muuta vaihtoehtoa kuin hakeutua Eurooppaan. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158862/1/1449 Punarbhava, a new interactive website for the disabled, is a one-stop cyber shop for information, aids, appliances, research and employment. The portal was recently launched at the Indian capital, along with the release of a new screen reader software for the blind. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158325/1/1449 There are approximately 60 million persons with disabilities in India. Most of them are poor, living in rural areas. It is pity that only 1.5% of them are the beneficiaries of various poverty alleviation and welfare schemes. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/157876/1/1449 Even after the ban on its use, the hazardous impact of pesticide Endosulfan sprayed in cashew plantations in Kerala, continues to affect the communities. The state government's relief package of Rs 5 million and other schemes have proved inadequate to rehabilitate the victims. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/157413/1/1449 Sharayu Precision is a Pune-based company in western India that believes in providing the first opportunity of employment to those who are physically or mentally challenged. Its founder Subhash Chuttar has been honoured with prestigious Hellen Keller Award for his contribution to the cause. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/157077/1/1449 Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) have killed and maimed hundreds of people in Afghanistan in 2007, says the UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan. These explosive remnants of war left behind by various military factions during the 90s continue to endanger the lives of civilians. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/156373/1/1449 Only a fraction of the millions of children with disabilities in Bangladesh are able to get basic education, owing to government’s apparent indifference in ensuring their educational rights. However, the country's social welfare secretary says all that may change soon. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/156197/1/1449 For visually challenged people in western Indian state of Maharashtra, the life will become much easier with the setting up of a special resource centre in Pune. The centre will provide them 100 different services and equipment under one roof like medical treatment, walking sticks, audio calculators, braille watches, computer software, etc. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/155977/1/1449 For decades the Jaipur Foot – not only in India where it is made but also in many other countries – has helped people living a normal life despite losing their limbs. It is now being further improved by using new technology and material. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/155917/1/1449 The right to decent work of persons with disabilities, a new report by ILO calls for renewed efforts to support people with disabilities in the world of work. Many among approximately 470 million disabled persons of employable age often face disproportionate levels of poverty and unemployment. http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/155810/1/1449 To mark the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons on December 3, a two-day event, ‘Abilities Mela’, was held in Indian capital New Delhi to showcase the skills and talents of people suffering from variety of disabilities. Organised by National Trust and supported by major corporate groups, the event also had a job fair to provide them with opportunities for work.