Topong Kulkhanchit of Disabled People's International is a tireless advocate for justice. His travels through Asia are extensive. He was one of tne of the organizers of the 2004 Taipei conference on accessible travel and the 2006 international conference on peace through tourism in Thailand. He is the lead organizer for the 2007 follow-up to the Taipei conference to be held in Phuket, Thailand.
Below Topong circulates an open letter to his colleagues in Vietnam urging adoption of Universal Design, as incorporated in numerous UN and regional documents, in upcoming infrastructure and major public works projects.
Dear All Friends in Vietnam,Posted by rollingrains at July 31, 2006 12:13 AMSorry if my message is considered intervention your internal affairs. I've read some Thai newspapers which have been impressed by the rapid and stable development of Vietnam in comparation with stagnated Thailand. My message here is not about politics and economics but relevant to the disability movement.
I've spoken and written about progress of disability development in Vietnam several times particularly about self-help organizations, training and employment, enthusiasm to study English, etc. I've been positively impressed in Vietnam, too, as from my commitment from engaging with self-help movement in your country since 1999 as regional development officer of DPI Asia-Pacific.
I'm quite sure that most of you, GOs, NGOs, DPOs, are aware of BMF which prioritizes SHOs (1), WWDs(2), Accessibility (5,6). Concerning several mega-projects which are mostly related to infrastructure such as construction of buildings, mass transit systems; it is still happening in several countries that accessibility features are neglected. The newly "Barrier-full" Suvarnabhum Intern'l Airport in Thailand is the most obvious witness of negligence of Thai government in spite of continuous follow-up from disability-related sectors. Tomorrow (Tuesday 1st August), the cabinet will again approve 3 new lines of mass transit system which are again designed without full awareness of accessibility. The Minister promised to the disability movement on Nov 26, 2005 in front of the Min. of Transportation that drafting TOR and design would be carried out in consultation with DPOs but he failed to keep his promise.
I don't know exactly what has been wrong with disability movement in Thailand. SHOs have been playing their roles. The Govt. has been informed. Intern'l and regional instruments are in place. National policy and legislation are in place. Leaders of disabled people had been appointed as disability advisors to the Govt. Series of letters have been submitted to related governmentt agencies both from internal and external DPOs to remind and offer free consultation. Demonstrations were held times to times. Contacts with funding agencies have been done, Japan Bank for Intern'l Cooperation (JBIC) for instance.
I'd like to share the lessons with all of my friends and don't want to see the similar mistakes to be repeated in your country. Please cautiously consider steps to be taken according to your context in connection with UN World Program of Action, UN Standard Rules, BMF etc. especially coming ICRDP.
Tan San Nhat Intern'l Airport is nearly completed extension while the new international airport in Long Thanh will be next. A new terminal at Noi Bai Intern'l Airport is under-construction. The airport in Quang Nam will be improved. New suspension bridges will be constructed in Rach Mieu, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Phu My. Big habours will be constructed in Thi Vai, Dung Quat and Tien Sa. the first subway system between HCMC-Dong Nai will be constructed soon. Several new highways, bridges, railways will be improved or new constructed. In addition, new public transportation systems are considered in Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang. 22 other airports will be improved and upgraded nationwide. The tourism industry is well promoted by the government, as well. Why not "Tourism for All"?
This is your challenge!!!
ESCAP is under its way to evaluate mid-decade achievement of BMF. BMF+5 meeting has just been held recently and will be held again in October 2006. High-Level Intergovernmental Meetings will be held next year to approve BMF+5.
This is your challenge!!! This is our challenge!!!
I'm strongly believe that PWDs regardless of their economic, educational level will never achieve full participation and equality without accessible environment or barrier-free society.
Best wishes.
Topong KulkhanchitRegional Development Officer
Disabled Peoples’ International Asia Pacific Region
325 Bondstreet Rd., Muangthong Thani, Pakkred, Nonthaburi 11120 THAILAND
Tel/Fax 66-2984-1007, 66-2984-1008 Mobile: 01-558-1902
E-mail: rdo@dpiap.org