Rolling Rains Report:

La Declaración de Río: Diseño Universal para un Desarrollo Inclusive y Sostenible

La Declaracion de Rio en español.

LA DECLARACIÓN DE RÍO:

“DISEÑO UNIVERSAL
PARA UN DESARROLLO INCLUSIVO Y SOSTENIBLE”

Reunidas y reunidos en Río de Janeiro, Brasil, el 12 de diciembre del 2004, en el marco de la Conferencia Internacional sobre Diseño Universal “Diseñando para el Siglo XXI”, profesionales, representantes de ONG y de distintos sectores de la sociedad civil, de universidades, funcionarios y funcionarias de instituciones estatales, de organismos internacionales y multilaterales, provenientes de diversos países de América Latina, convenimos la siguiente declaración:

1) El propósito del diseño universal es atender las necesidades y viabilizar la participación social y el acceso a los bienes y servicios a una mayor gama de usuarios, contribuyendo a la inclusión de las personas que están impedidas de interactuar en la sociedad y a su desarrollo. Ejemplos de estos grupos excluídos son: las personas pobres, personas marginadas por su condición cultural, o étnica, personas com distintos tipos de discapacidad permanente o temporal, personas muy obesas, mujeres gestantes, personas muy altas o muy bajas, incluyendo niñas y niños, y otras, que por distintas razones, son también excluídas de la participación social.

2) Entendemos el diseño universal como generador de ambientes, servicios, programas y tecnologías accesibles, utilizables equitativamente, en forma segura y autónoma por todas las personas –en la mayor extensión posible– sin que tengan que ser adaptados o readaptados específicamente, en virtud de los siete principios que lo sustentan, a saber:

· Uso equiparable (para personas con distintas capacidades),
· Uso flexible (con amplio rango de preferencias y habilidades),
· Simple e intuitivo (fácil de entender),
· Información perceptible (comunica eficazmente la información necesaria),
· Tolerante al error (que reduce riesgos o acciones involuntarias),
· De poca exigencia de esfuerzo físico y
· Tamaño y espacio para el acceso y el uso.

3) Reconocemos el valor del concepto emergente de desarrollo inclusivo, en tanto busca expandir la visión de desarrollo, reconoce la diversidad como aspecto fundamental del proceso de desarrollo socio-económico y humano, reivindica la contribución de cada ser humano al proceso de desarrollo y en vez de impulsar políticas y acciones aisladas, promueve una estrategia integrada en beneficio de las personas y de la sociedad como un todo. El desarrollo Inclusivo constituye una herramienta eficaz para la superación de la exclusión social prevaleciente en el mundo y, consecuentemente, para avanzar en la erradicación de la pobreza.

4) Concebimos el desarrollo humano sostenible como una forma productiva de entender las políticas sociales considerando los vínculos entre crecimiento económico, distribución equitativa de los beneficios del crecimiento y convivencia armónica con el medio ambiente.

5) Consideramos que la situación de pobreza y exclusión social afecta a millones de personas en todo el mundo, impide el desarrollo humano y el disfrute de una vida digna y con calidad, y que en América Latina y El Caribe esta situación afecta a casi mitad de su población. Asimismo estamos convencidos y convencidas de que esta situación de exclusión y pobreza, lo mismo que la inequidad, las enfermedades, la inseguridad, la contaminación y la degradación ambiental y el diseño inadecuado son peligros públicos que afectan a muchas personas y amenazan a todas.

6) En este contexto de dominio de la exclusión en el desarrollo, nos planteamos los siguientes retos y desafíos:

a. ¿Cómo aplicar los principios del Diseño Universal cuando hay personas cuya principal preocupación no es el “mañana” sino la incertidumbre de la siguiente comida … o que carecen de vivienda y de la más básica asistencia en salud?
b. ¿Cómo hacer consistentes tales principios con el hecho de que para la mayoría de la población mundial no exixten los conceptos de “estándares básicos”, “códigos de edificación”, “regulaciones”.
c. En tal marco, ¿Qué sentido real tienen servicios como “el baño”, “la cocina”, “el vestíbulo”, “la rampa”, “la iluminación”, “la acústica”?
d. Y sobre todo, ¿Cómo añadimos calidad de vida aplicando el Diseño Universal?

7) Subrayamos que la aplicación en el presente de un diseño inadecuado de programas, servicios e infraestructura, genera inaccesiblidad y perpetúa condiciones de exclusión hacia el futuro. En este sentido, consideramos inaceptable que se sigan diseñando y construyendo barreras de diferente naturaleza, haciendo uso de recursos públicos.

8) Coincidimos en que el diseño universal debe convertirse en un componente imprescindible dentro de las politicas y acciones que promueven el desarrollo para que éste alcance un carácter verdaderamente inclusivo y contribuya, eficazmente, a la reducción de la pobreza en el mundo.

9) Coincidimos, igualmente, que para avanzar hacia un diseño universal para un desarrollo inclusivo sostenible, toda nueva actuación debe:
a. ser planificada equilibrando aspectos legales, de derechos, económicos, tecnológicos y culturales locales,
b. atender necesidades auténticas de la comunidad,
c. contar con la participación de las personas interesadas,
d. incorporar los criterios del diseño universal, para evitar que las inversiones generen costos adicionales de adaptaciones necesarias em el futuro,
e. usar materiales y tecnologías disponibles en el lugar, con el costo más bajo posible,
f. planificar su mantenimiento con medios locales y
g. propiciar la capacitación orientada a potenciar la aplicación técnica cada vez más extendida del diseño universal.

10) Estamos convencidos y convencidas de que, para lograr que el diseño universal se convierta en un instrumento al servicio del desarrollo inclusivo, es necesario que todos los actores involucrados en estos temas (Estados y gobiernos, sector privado, medios de comunicación, sociedad civil: ONG, Universidades, profesionales, organismos internacionales y regionales) cunplan activamente sus roles, por lo que consideramos que se deben de impulsar las siguientes líneas de acción:

· Que los Gobiernos orienten sus esfuerzos en función de dotarse de instrumental jurídico que haga que el diseño universal se aplique sostenidamente y que sea un componente transversal dentro de los planes nacionales de desarrollo y de las políticas públicas.

· Que el sector privado sea estimulado a aplicar el diseño universal en el diseño de productos, espacios y servicios, y que este tema se convierta en un tema de interés público.

· Que las Universidades promuevan el diseño universal en la formación de las profesiones relacionadas o afines con este concepto e impulsen la investigación que posibilite la expansión, la aplicación y el desarrollo del diseño universal.

· Que los y las profesionales relacionados con el diseño universal presten asistencia técnica para lograr su más eficaz y eficiente aplicación, orientada al desarrollo y la inclusión social.

· Que las organizaciones que en el presente están más concientes de la necesidad del diseño universal asuman el compromiso de diseminar el concepto en otros sectores de la sociedad civil y cunplan un activo rol de vigilancia social para que se avance sostenidamente en accesibilidad e inclusión por medio de su aplicación efectiva.

· Que los organismos internacionales y regionales desarrollen el instrumental jurídico com el respaldo de normas técnicas internacionales y regionales que promuevan la aplicación sostenible del diseño universal al servicio del desarrollo inclusivo.

· Que los organismos multilaterales de crédito conviertan al diseño universal en un tema del desarrollo, promuevan su avance, aplicación práctica, investigación y difusión aportando recursos económicos y lo consideren como una norma básica para la elaboracion de proyectos y requisito para la aprobación de empréstitos a los países.

11) Pensamos que todos los esfuerzos y acciones que se realicen en este sentido, serán más fuertes y eficaces, si avanzamos en una agenda común sobre diseño universal y desarrollo inclusivo y construimos alianzas entre los diversos sectores y actores involucrados. Asimismo es necesario la creación de redes promotoras de estos temas, que contribuyan en su diseminación y debate constructivo, que potencien los distintos esfuerzos.

12) Finalmente afirmamos que estamos profundamente persuadidas y persuadidos de que si trabajamos en la construcción de un mundo guiado por los principios del Diseño Universal y el Desarrollo Inclusivo, éste será un mundo mejor, más pacífico, más habitable, más equitativo e, inexorablemente, con mejor calidad de vida.

Río de Janeiro, 12 de diciembre del 2004.

turismo

Carta do Rio: Desenho Universal para um Desenvolvimento Inclusivo e Sustentavel - Portuguese version

Prezados amigos,

É com prazer que enviamos a vocês, arquivos contendo a CARTA DO RIO, em Português e Espanhol. A Carta é o resultado do Fórum de Planejamento Estratégico para a América Latina, realizado no Rio de Janeiro, durante a Conferência Internacional Sobre Desenho Universal: Projetando Para o Século 21

O Fórum foi realizado no CIAD - Centro Integrado de Apoio à Pessoa com
Deficiência, no Rio de Janeiro, em 12 de dezembro de 2004, através da
colaboração da Prefeitura da Cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Vida
Independente do Rio de Janeiro, Adaptive Environments de Boston e o
Programa Global das Nações Unidas para Portadores de Deficiências.
Estiveram reunidos profissionais e especialistas nacionais e
internacionais das áreas de arquitetura, engenharia, políticas públicas,
e lideranças dos movimentos de pessoas com deficiência.

Os debates do Fórum levaram à redação conjunta da CARTA DO RIO, que
prosseguiu via internet, com a colaboração de 46 participantes de
diversos países da América Latina. Finalmente hoje, 25 de Janeiro de
2005, chegou-se ao texto final, que respeita fielmente os debates do
FORUM e as linhas gerais aprovadas.

Agradecemos a participação de todos os que contribuíram para este
documento. Esperamos que seja bastante divulgado e que se torne um instrumento facilitador das ações de integração do desenho universal no desenvolvimento e nas políticas.

Verônica Camisão
Leda de Azevedo
Coordenadora do Fórum
Presidente da FUNLAR

CARTA DO RIO

“DESENHO UNIVERSAL PARA UM DESENVOLVIMENTO INCLUSIVO E SUSTENTÁVEL.”

Reunidas e reunidos no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, em 12 de dezembro de 2004, na Conferência Internacional sobre Desenho Universal “Projetando para o Século XXI”, profissionais, representantes de ONG e de diversos setores da sociedade civil, de universidades, funcionários e funcionárias de instituições estatais, de organismos internacionais e multilaterais, provenientes de diversos países da América Latina, concordamos com a seguinte declaração:

1. O propósito do desenho universal é atender às necessidades e viabilizar a participação social e o acesso aos bens e serviços a maior gama possível de usuários, contribuindo para a inclusão das pessoas que estão impedidas de interagir na sociedade e para o seu desenvolvimento. Exemplos destes grupos excluídos são: as pessoas pobres, as pessoas marginalizadas por sua condição cultural, racial, étnica, pessoas com diferentes tipos de deficiência, pessoas muito obesas e mulheres grávidas, , pessoas muito altas ou muito baixas, inclusive crianças, e outras, que por diferentes razões são também excluídas da participação social.

2. Concebemos o Desenho Universal como gerador de ambientes, serviços, programas e tecnologias acessíveis, utilizáveis eqüitativamente, de forma segura e autônoma por todas as pessoas – na maior extensão possível – sem que tenham que ser adaptados ou readaptados especificamente, em virtude dos sete princípios que o sustentam, a saber:

· Uso equiparável (para pessoas com diferentes capacidades);
· Uso flexível (com leque amplo de preferências e habilidades);
· Simples e intuitivo (fácil de entender);
· Informação perceptível (comunica eficazmente a informação necessária)
· Tolerante ao erro (que diminui riscos de ações involuntárias);
· Com pouca exigência de esforço físico e
· Tamanho e espaço para o acesso e o uso.

3. Reconhecemos o valor do conceito emergente de Desenvolvimento Inclusivo, que tenta expandir a visão de desenvolvimento, reconhece a diversidade como aspecto fundamental do processo de desenvolvimento sócio-econômico e humano, reivindica a contribuição de cada ser humano para o processo de desenvolvimento e, em vez de implantar políticas e ações isoladas, promove uma estratégia integrada em benefício das pessoas e da sociedade como um todo. O Desenvolvimento Inclusivo é uma ferramenta eficaz para a superação da exclusão social que prevalece no mundo e, conseqüentemente, para se conseguir avançar na erradicação da pobreza.

4. Concebemos o desenvolvimento humano sustentável como uma forma produtiva de entender as políticas sociais, considerando os vínculos entre crescimento econômico, distribuição eqüitativa dos benefícios do crescimento e convivência harmoniosa com o meio ambiente.

5. Consideramos que a situação de pobreza e exclusão social atinge milhões de pessoas no mundo todo, impede o desenvolvimento humano e uma existência digna e com qualidade – e que na América Latina e no Caribe esta situação atinge mais da metade de sua população. Estamos também convencidas e convencidos de que esta situação de exclusão e pobreza, bem como a desigualdade, as doenças, a insegurança, a contaminação e a degradação ambiental e o desenho inadequado são perigos públicos, que afetam muitas pessoas e ameaçam a todas.

6. Neste contexto de domínio do desenvolvimento pela exclusão, propomos os seguintes desafios:

· Como aplicar os princípios do Desenho Universal quando existem pessoas cuja principal preocupação não é o “amanhã”, mas a incerteza quanto à próxima refeição ... ou que não têm moradia ou a mais básica assistência de saúde?
· Como tornar tais princípios consistentes com o fato de que para a maioria da população mundial não existem os conceitos de “padrões básicos”, “códigos de edificação”, “regulamentações”?
· Nesta situação, que sentido real têm serviços como “o banheiro”, “a cozinha”, “o vestíbulo”, “a rampa”, “a iluminação”, “a acústica”?
· E, principalmente, como acrescentar qualidade de vida aplicando o Desenho Universal?

7. Salientamos que a aplicação no presente de um desenho inadequado de programas, serviços e infraestrutura gera inacessibilidade e perpetua condições de exclusão para o futuro. Consideramos inaceitável que recursos públicos continuem sendo utilizados para a construção de qualquer tipo de barreira.

8. Concordamos que o Desenho Universal deve se transformar num componente imprescindível das políticas e ações que promovem o desenvolvimento, para que este atinja um caráter verdadeiramente inclusivo e contribua eficazmente para a redução da pobreza no mundo.

9. Concordamos também, que para avançar na direção de um Desenho Universal para um Desenvolvimento Inclusivo Sustentável, toda nova ação terá de:

· ser planificada, equilibrando aspectos legais, de direitos, econômicos, tecnológicos e culturais locais;
· atender necessidades autênticas da comunidade;
· contar com a participação dos interessados;
· incorporar os critérios do Desenho Universal, para evitar que os investimentos gerem custos extras para adaptações necessárias no futuro;
· aplicar materiais e tecnologias disponíveis no local, ao mais baixo custo possível;
· planejar a manutenção com os meios locais e
· proporcionar capacitação adequada para permitir a aplicação técnica cada vez mais extensa do desenho universal.

10. Estamos convencidas e convencidos de que para conseguir que o Desenho Universal se transforme num instrumento a serviço do Desenvolvimento Inclusivo, é necessário que todos os atores envolvidos nestes temas (Estados e governos, setor privado, sociedade civil, organizações da sociedade civil, universidades, profissionais e organismos internacionais e regionais) desempenhem ativamente seus papéis e considerando que devem seguir as seguintes linhas de ação:

· Que os governos desenvolvam esforços para conseguir instrumentos jurídicos que façam com que o Desenho Universal seja aplicado permanentemente e que este seja um componente transversal nos planos nacionais de desenvolvimento e nas políticas públicas.

· Que o setor privado seja atraído para a aplicação do Desenho Universal no desenho de produtos e serviços, que este tema se transforme num assunto de interesse público.

· Que as universidades promovam o Desenho Universal na formação das profissões relacionadas ou afins a este conceito incentivando pesquisas que permitam a expansão, a aplicação e o desenvolvimento do Desenho Universal.

· Que os profissionais diretamente relacionados com o Desenho Universal forneçam orientação técnica para conseguir sua aplicação mais eficaz e eficiente, voltada para o desenvolvimento e a inclusão social.

· Que as organizações, no momento mais conscientes da necessidade do Desenho Universal, contribuam para disseminar o conceito em outros setores da sociedade civil e exerçam um papel ativo de vigilância social para que se avance permanentemente na acessibilidade e inclusão através de sua aplicação efetiva.

· Que os organismos internacionais e regionais avancem no instrumental jurídico com suporte de normas técnicas internacionais e regionais, que promovam a aplicação sustentável do Desenho Universal a serviço do Desenvolvimento Inclusivo.

· Que os organismos multilaterais de crédito transformem o Desenho Universal num tema do desenvolvimento, promovam seu avanço, sua aplicação prática, pesquisa e difusão com recursos econômicos e o adotem como uma norma básica para a elaboração de projetos, e como um requisito para a aprovação de empréstimos aos países.

11. Pensamos que todos os esforços e ações realizados neste sentido serão mais fortes e eficazes se avançarmos numa agenda comum sobre o Desenho Universal e o Desenvolvimento Inclusivo e construirmos alianças e parcerias entre os diferentes setores e atores envolvidos. Mas continua necessária a criação de redes promotoras destes temas, que contribuam para sua disseminação e debate construtivo, para potencializar os diferentes esforços.

12. Finalmente afirmamos que estamos profundamente convencidas e convencidos de que se trabalharmos na construção de um mundo guiado pelos princípios do Desenho Universal e do Desenvolvimento Inclusivo, este será um mundo melhor, mais pacífico, mais habitável, mais eqüitativo e, inexoravelmente, com melhor qualidade de vida.

Rio de Janeiro, 12 de dezembro de 2004.

Green Globe 21

Universal design and sustainable development converged at the Latin American Strategy Session on Universal Design in Rio de Janeiro. Inclusive Destination Development stands to benefit from the clarified vision and future action plans.

A key industry resource in sustainable tourism development is Green Globe 21

Chronology of Disability Rights Movements

For a bief outline of highlights from various disability rights movements:

The Silver Tsunami

What's the Silver Tsunami?

Silver tsunami: Seattle architect William Kreager uses this term to describe the tidal wave of baby boomers about to impact the housing market. The population of baby boomers will grow by 75 per cent by 2010.

Source:

Your Guide to the Latest New Home Lingo
by Tracey Hanes

2004 Rio Declaration on Sustainable Social Development, Disability & Ageing

C.J. Walsh of Sustainable Design International was a keynote speaker at Designing foir the 21st century III in Rio de Janeiro this past December. His address and a paradigm-shifting document known as the 2004 Rio Declaration on Sustainable Social Development, Disability & Ageing are now available through his web site.

Some specific objectives for the 2004 Rio Declaration were as follows ...

To present a 2nd Generation Definition of Sustainable Development which is more acceptable to the Developing World

To restore primacy to the Social Aspects of Sustainable Development
and particularly the ethical values of Social Justice, Solidarity and Inclusion-for-All

To embed the concept of the 'Person' in Sustainable Development rather than the fleeting reference to 'People' which too often results in Disadvantaged, Vulnerable and Indigenous Groups being left behind

To signal one of the main challenges of Sustainable Development ahead - which will be to establish a framework of horizontal co-ordination at the many institutional levels and between the many actors and end users in the human environment.

Adopted in December 2004, at the Brazil Designing for the 21st Century III Conference, the Rio Declaration consists of a Preamble, 10 Principles and 5 Appendices; its central concern involves People with Activity Limitations.

Proposed Rule to Restructure and Update Non-discrimination Rules Pertaining to Air Travel

For those interested in the proposed changes to the US regulations concerning air travel and people with disabilities, here is an important addition to Subpart K:

Subpart K—Complaints and Enforcement Procedures
Section 382.151 What Are the Requirements for Providing Complaints Resolution Officials?

This section is based on current § 382.65 (a)(1)–(4). We propose an important addition to the current language.

In any situation in which a person raises a disability-related issue, and a carrier’s personnel do not resolve the issue immediately to the customer’s satisfaction, the carrier’s personnel must immediately inform the customer of the right to contact a Complaints Resolution Official (CRO). Frequently, passengers do not know that CROs exist and that they can be a resource to solve discrimination or accessibility problems.

We believe it should be the airline’s responsibility to make passengers aware of this resource when a passenger’s disability-related concern has not been addressed to the customer’s satisfaction by the carrier’s staff. A web site, phone reservation system, or contractor must also provide this same information when such a problem arises. To ensure that passengers have the necessary tools at their disposal to resolve issues, the airlines in this situation would also have to provide the Department’s tollfree airline accessibility hot line number. This number is available only for calls made from the U.S.

The current and proposed regulations require carriers to make CRO service available at all times when the carrier is operating at the airport. In some cases, a carrier may have only a few flights a week to a given airport. The carrier may staff its station at that airport only around the times that these flights are arriving or departing. In such a case, CRO service would only be required during those periods.

Source:

64375 Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 213 / Thursday, November 4, 2004 / Proposed Rules

Ed Roberts Postdoctoral Fellowship in Disability Studies

This week the Call for Applications went out for UC Berekely's Ed Roberts Postdoctoral Fellowship in Disability Studies

Complete informationn is below.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS -- Due: March 4. 2005

Professors Susan Schweik and Fred Collignon (Co-Directors)
Fellowship Period: September 2005- May 2006

We are pleased to announce open applications for our postdoctoral program
funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
(H133P020009). The goal of this program is to train postdoctoral and
professional scholars, in any discipline, to be leaders in disability
studies and rehabilitation research and mentorship. Based at the
University of California, Berkeley, a San Francisco Bay Area Consortium of
universities, research institutes, and disability agencies will recruit
people with advanced professional degrees who want to broaden their
theoretical outlook and their disability research methodological skills.
We will fund three full-time, nine-month, residential Ed Roberts
Postdoctoral Fellowships a year. The Stipend is $30,000, paid monthly.
Fellows must have health insurance or purchase it from the university.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

(1) Research Mentorship and Seminar: We will work to match each Fellow
with a faculty Mentor, and each Fellow will also participate as a Mentor
for a matched undergraduate or graduate disability studies student Mentee.
In addition to a bi-monthly San Francisco Bay-area-wide Colloquium,
Fellows will attend a structured, weekly seminar in which Fellows will
each present twice.

(2) Classroom Training: Fellows will also attend at least one class,
either in the fall or spring semester, chosen from among the offerings of
the Consortium partners. Each Fellow will also have the opportunity to
take part in teaching at Berkeley by delivering guest lectures and
participating in other special events in the DiSC curriculum.

(3) Research Internship: Fellows will complete a structured Research
Internship (approximately 20% time for one semester) with one of a group
of agencies forming the “Ed Roberts Campus” or other local organizations
focused on disability or related issues. Each Fellow will work directly
with staff on ongoing agency projects.

(4) Independent Research: Fellows will also conduct their own
research, appropriate to their discipline, with an emphasis on using new
skills. We will assist Fellows in identifying funding to pursue disability
studies and rehabilitation research and publication opportunities after
the conclusion of the Fellowship.

(5) Dissemination: Our Dissemination Project includes peer reviewed
and collaborative publication, professional presentations, and
dissemination to the disability community, to practitioners, and to policy
makers.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility: All requirements for a Ph.D., MD, JD, or equivalent degree
complete by 9/1/05. There are no restrictions on discipline, age,
citizenship, or years since final degree. However, we have a strong
preference for people who are within 5 years of their degree or who are
new to disability studies.

Review Schedule: Please notify us by email as soon as possible that you
intend to apply and then submit a full application in hard copy and by
email on or before March 4, 2005.

Application Structure

(1) Cover Letter: Prepare a letter with your full contact information
including where we can reach you March 2005 on for a possible interview.

(2) Curriculum Vitae: Current please.

(3) References: Include names and full contact information for 2
references including their email and where and how we can reach them by
telephone in February-March 2005.

(4) A Written Fellowship Plan: Approximately five pages double-spaced. The Plan should address each of the five Program Components described above. Please include:

Research Mentorship and Seminar: We encourage you to think about the knowledge and skills you would like in a Mentor and to explore
possible fit with UCB faculty. Also please address the types of students
with whom you would like to form a Mentorship relationship. Applicants
should initiate contact with potential Mentors during the application
process. Contact our Academic Coordinator for more information or help
identifying potential Mentors (Devva@earthlink.net).

Classroom Training: What types of classes would you like to attend
and what kinds of lecturing or teaching experience would you like to have?
We suggest you browse the Berkeley class schedules

Research Internship: At what type of agency would you like an
Internship? We encourage you to explore the many specific agencies in the
area, most of which have a web presence.

Independent Research: Describe in detail your independent research
project including your problem, thesis, or theoretical statement, research
methods, analytical methods, and other details appropriate to your discipline.

Dissemination: Describe your publication or other product plan
including articles, books, presentations, production projects, or other
dissemination products appropriate to your disciple and research goals.

(5) Writing Sample: An article length sample of your best work. Choose
something that demonstrates your theoretical, methodological, and/or
analytical approach.

Please be as specific as possible and emphasize your Independent Research.
We encourage you to look at the Ed Roberts and Disability Studies at CAL,
the University of California, Berkeley, and other Bay Area schools’ and
disability related organizations’ websites. We are happy to correspond
with you by email (devva@earthlink.net) about these issues prior to your
application submission.

Please submit all materials in hard copy by mail and in electronic format
on a disk by mail or by email attachment to Devva Kasnitz at
devva@earthlink.net and drdevva@aol.com and 316 Wurster Hall #1870 - University of California, Berkeley - Berkeley CA 94720-1870

"A Recovery Plus"

United Nations Secretary General Annanon, on a recent visit to the Maldives, said he was impressed by the effectiveness of the recovery work there and that the UN would work with its partners to help in reconstruction. “We also hope that in rebuilding what has been destroyed, one would not just replace what existed but try and improve on it, if you wish a recovery plus,” reports eTurboNews.

And we hope this "plus" is grounded in Universal Design.

In the same article, the Maldives High Commissioner to the UK, Hassan Sobir, gave encouraging news for tourists: 64 of 87 resorts are back in full operation. He said,

“People ask, is it safe to travel to the Maldives? Of course, it is. The damage to the resorts was very limited but media reports always emphasise the bad effects, and we must get the message across that Maldives is not a basket case,” said Mr. Sobir. “This is the best time to go, for two reasons: you will get more personal attention as none of the resorts is over-booked and because in this way you will help the relief effort in the long-term by providing work for our people.”

For those with the means to take up Mr. Sobir's offer, this sounds like a wonderful time to contribute to the rebuilding of the Maldives in any of the ways suggested in Tsunamis, Fist Aid and Imagination:

Tsunamis, Fist Aid and Imagination: Part I

Tsunamis, Fist Aid and Imagination: Part II

Tsunamis, Fist Aid and Imagination: Part III

Source:

ETurboNews
eTN Exclusive: Maldives Call for Trade, Aid
http://www.travelwirenews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000028/002827.htm

Travel with a Purpose @ MIUSA

Visit Mobility International USA's (MIUSA) web site if you are 18 to 24 years old, have a disability, and interested in foreign travel.

Again this year, MIUSA presents an exciting opportunity to expand your world through their "Travel with a Purpose" leadership program funded by The New York Community Trust DeWitt Wallace/Youth Travel Enrichment Fund.

For more information:

Travel Stories from MIUSA
http://www.miusa.org/publications/stories/

Travel with a Purpose
http://www.miusa.org/exchange/japan_summer_2005

Anthony Thanasayan @ Wheel Power

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA--The following three paragraphs are excerpts from the latest by The Star's "Wheel Power" columnist Anthony Thanasayan (Source: Inclusion Daily Express)

THE tsunami tragedy of Dec. 26 last month continues to make a deep impact in many of our lives. Some of you wrote to Wheel Power to ask if I had come across accounts of how disabled people in the affected areas were surviving the trauma and devastation caused by the killer tides. Inclusion Daily Express (IDE), an international disability rights news service from Spokane, Washington, reported last week that relief agencies in Galle in Sri Lanka are already at work and doing their best to help people with disabilities struck by the tsunamis.

IDE's editor Dave Reynolds wrote that worldwide humanitarian groups have started to pour aid into the Indian Ocean nations that were affected by the disaster. News stories of people with disabilities, he continued, particularly children caught without warning in the devastating tidal waves have been posted from Australia to California and from Thailand to Sri Lanka.

I came across the good and remarkable work done by the British-based Handicap International (HI) organisation through the Internet (http://www.handicap-international.org.uk). HI has set up a 24-hour emergency programme to help especially Sri Lankan victims of the tsunami focusing on displaced people, individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities as well as vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women and elderly people.

Entire article:"Heroic efforts in saving disabled victims" (The Star)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/05/red/0113b.htm

Curiouser and curiouser!

“Curiouser and curiouser!” cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English). I wonder if she had been reading the same things that I have been.

As I compose a contribution to the International Institute for Peace through Tourism Third African Conference (February 6 - 11, 2005, Lusaka, Zambia) I see that US commandos have been secretly "touring" Iran & Pakistan with the (equally secret) authorization of George Bush.

A curiously convoluted approach to peace the latter.

And Now for Something Completely Different...

For more than you really wanted to know about pubs in the UK read an update on the new campaign "Free 2 Pee" at:

http://www.free2pee.org.uk/

Update on Ryan Air Discrimination Case in UK

In an important legal decision for the courts found both Ryanair and Stansted Airport responsible for providing a free wheelchair service to disabled travellers. The ruling affects every British airport and airline and establishes equality of service as a standard.

For the full story read:
http://www.drc-gb.org/newsroom/newsdetails.asp?id=773§ion=1

World Toilet Summit in Beijing

An article on China's preparation for the next Paralympics. (Just for the record, the editor of the Rolling Rains Report did not make up the name of this conference.)

Beijing Builds 1,000 'Non-Obstacle" Restrooms
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
November 17, 2004

BEIJING, CHINA--The Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday that Beijing now has nearly 1,000 "non-obstacle" public restrooms.

Non-obstacle restrooms are accessible to people with disabilities, seniors, pregnant women, and parents with young children.

Liang Guangsheng, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Administration Committee, told the fourth World Toilet Summit that it is important for the city to recognize the needs of these groups as it readies for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

There were only 20 non-obstacle toilets in the city during the 1980s, according to the Committee.

"The design of public toilets should cater more on the human need and feelings instead of the style and appearance," Liang added.

Yu Changjiang, director general of the Beijing Tourism Bureau, said: "It is possible to make people enjoy using public toilets."

In August, Xinhua reported that Beijing, with a total population estimated at 14 million, had set up 32 parking lots reserved for motorcyclists and car drivers with physical disabilities. Authorities of the Beijing Municipal Traffic Administration said they plan to establish more such parking spaces around the city in anticipation of the Olympics and Paralympics.

---
Source:

INCLUSION DAILY EXPRESS
International Disability Rights News Service
http://www.InclusionDaily.com

Multilingual Keyword Directory

Wheel the World has posted the start of a very helpful inclusive travel Keyword Index. Take a look at Language Tools off the main page.

Give this worthwhile project your support. Send them keywords in all the languages you know. Write:

tips@wheeltheworld.net

http://www.wheeltheworld.net/general/language.html

Tsunamis, First Aid, and Imagination - III

But some of do work in the travel industry of the tsunami-affected region or have responsibility for planning and development in the region. Here are a few stimulants to the imagination that might prove vauable in the coming weeks:

Keep in mind that the 42 million Americans with disabilities are only one national market and a tiny portion of the global market of aging Boomers who are experiencing diminishing capacities and who are positively disposed to returning to this region as tourists.

Build a 21st century infrastructure that meets and exceeds the comforts your market increasingly builds into their own homes through such design concepts as Visitability (US), Guestability (Australia), Trans-generational housing, Lifespan housing, and Aging-in-place.

Examine both the spirit and the specifications of legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as minimal specifications for reconstruction.

Adopt Universal Design principles in order to make inclusion of all invisible – even stylish.

Consult with experts in these fields early in the design and reconstruction process by contacting international organizations such as Adaptive Environments, Keroul, and the World Institute on Disability. Rely as well on the local expertise of disability groups in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Tsunamis, First Aid, and Imagination - II

What can travel professionals do to encourage the 8% - 10% of the travel market who have disabilities to keep patronizing the unaffected regions of the Indian Ocean? What can you do to act on the WTO's observation that "The affected countries need tourism now, more than ever?"

If you are a travel retailer serving clients with disabilities:

Research the region for quality information on the current state of tourist resources. Making a special point of interviewing your clients once they return home initiates you into the most powerful marketing channel for travelers with disabilities – their word-of-mouth network.

Make known your skills and experience in serving travelers with disabilities along with you knowledge of the region. Reinforce your message by making the travel and lodging information sought by this market easily available on your web site.

Advocate for the inclusion of your clientele with disabilities as you book with suppliers or interact with those responsible for rebuilding the region.

World Tourism Organization Sends the Right Message

I am writing an article for Suite 101.com on overcoming the trauma of the Indian Ocean tsunami. The World Tourism Organization is providing a good example of integrity and leadership from within the tourism indistry.

The World Tourism Organisation is holding an emergency session of its
executive council in Phuket on January 31-February 1.

The WTO said they decided on Phuket to demonstrate the solidarity and support of the entire international tourism community to the affected countries.

The WTO said that the impact of the tsunami could turn into a double disaster if misconception about the impact of the tsunami caused tourists to avoid countries in the region and that it is important to understand that the
affected areas represent only limited parts of the coastal areas of the
involved countries. The vast majority of tourist destinations remain
totally untouched and are fully operational, including Bangkok,
Chiangmai, Goa, and Bali.

The affected countries need tourism now, more than ever.

From:

The Daily ARTA, Jaanuary 7, 2005

Tsunamis, First Aid, and Imagination - I

They say that truth is the first casualty of war.

It may be that imagination is one of the first casualties in natural disasters. What is it like to have your world turned upside down by cataclysm like the December 26 tsunami?

Humans are remarkable in their resiliency and stories of inspiration have come from the post-tsunami efforts. Even so, the onset of shock after trauma can dull the capacity to envision and deaden the hope of those who survive.

Remarkably, disaster such as the recent tsunami in the Indian Ocean basin can also immobilize the imagination of others at a distance – those who may have the resources to provide assistance.

Few of us are disaster relief specialists of even business people with a direct connection to the region and thus an influence on its reconstruction. But I was exercising my imagination -- in a kind of first aid response to keep from being overcome by the immensity of the devastation -- and thought of these actions for those of us with disabilities who have the leisure to travel:

Exercise your choice as consumer to rebuild the tourist economy by returning to the region.

Make use of the word-of-mouth referral network among travelers with disabilities to circulate timely, accurate information about your experience in the region.

Remember “Nothing about us without us!” and use the expertise you have developed by traveling with your own disability to offer suggestions to improve service while in the region. Quality input has a good chance of having regional impact now.

Anthony Tussler @ Accessible Home Exchange

The Independent Living Institute runs the "Accessible Vacation Home Exchange for People with Disabilities" (Accessible Home Exchange).

Anthony Tussler, currently of the World Institute on Disability, writes on his experience using the Exchange in Wheelchair Ease: The Internet, England, & My Summer Vacation

His article originally appeared at Disability World www.disabilityworld.org

Inclusive Destination Development and Tsunami Relief

Today the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) circulated an invitation to its members to participate in a survey and/or answer the following questions:

Is there anything that you believe the world tourism community should be doing immediately to respond to the current situation

Is there anything that you believe the world tourism community should be doing in the medium term (12 months) to respond to future disasters.

Here is the answer I submitted.

Geoffrey Lipman, President
International Council of Tourism Partners
president@tourismpartners.org

January 4, 2005

Dear Geoffrey,

Thank you for the opportunity to respond on the topic of post-tsunami relief and development.

My contribution is regarding the long-term response.

The aspect of response that I am qualified to speak to requires action at the macro level of policy and planning even at this early stage. It arises from the concept “Universal Design” and can be summarized in the phrase “inclusive [destination] development.” The objective is to do what we can to see that good design – design that does not exclude – becomes the new tradition of the rebuilt Indian Ocean basin.

As someone paralyzed at age 17 and now with more than 32 years traveling via wheelchair, I have tried to alert others to where we are all destined to go through the natural processes of aging – toward diminishment of our capacities long before the completion of our goals or extinction of our desires.

For decades those of us in my situation (i.e. an early-analogue-to-aging) have used the language of civil rights to insert ourselves into the marketplace – and fought hard to throw off the burden of other’s pity so that we could participate freely once we were there. Recently, we have been even more articulate in making the business case for inclusion. Many in the industry now understand the economic implications in the market of travelers with disabilities, of the aging populations in tourism destinations such as India, and of tourist exporters such as the US and Japan.

I have been active in bringing seminal works on the topic to the attention of the industry. These are works such as Simon Darcy’s travel behavior study “From Anxiety to Access” and Eric Lipp’s study of the market value of US travelers with disabilities. Recently, the opportunities to speak have been numerous as awareness mushrooms: Australia’s first national conference on travel and disability by NICAN in Perth, September 2004; Brazil’s first national conference on travel and disability by Instituto Pestallozzi, in Canela, November 2004, Adaptive Design’s first international mini-congress on Universal Design and the Travel Industry in Rio de Janeiro, December, 2004 and Shizuoka University’s Universal Design Conference, later in December, 2004.

Recently I spoke with the senior staff of the World Institute on Disability in a strategy discussion on the growth of the travel and hospitality industry’s interest in our community. That organization is central in development of the universal design and accessibility criteria used in the rebuilding of Afghanistan and Iraq.

We see a parallel opportunity in the tsunami-stricken region for culturally appropriate development and dissemination of, education around, and technical assistance on implementing the principles of universal design. We have seen numerous examples where even the existence of a few model developments using universal design have spurring innovative voluntary adoption as well as the facilitation of the social participation of all – regardless of differences in capacity brought on by birth, aging, or trauma such as will be the case with some survivors of the tsunami.

I would like to propose the inclusion of this perspective in the governmental, NGO, and industry conversations around long-term redevelopment and capacitization in the region. In that regard I would consider it an honor to contribute as would my colleagues.

Dr. Scott Rains
Resident Scholar
Center for Cultural Studies
UC Santa Cruz

http://www.RollingRains.com

ICTP Revamp in Response to Indian Ocean Crisis

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) has announced a restructuring in response in order to support Millennium Development Goals, WTO's Code of Ethics and the Tourism Crisis Response

From ICTP:

We have decided to revamp the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) to provide a more effective forum for international co-operation in crisis response – as well as to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the World Tourism Organization's (WTO-OMT's) Global Code of Ethics.

As a first step, ICTP will try to ensure the rapid and widespread dissemination of accurate news and other information that can contribute to providing a clear picture of this and any other future crises, thereby contributing to allaying tourists' and industry concerns and easing, to some degree, the impact of such crises on future tourism demand. We are delighted to do this in collaboration with WTO-OMT and hope to draw support from other industry bodies. We are pleased, for example, to have reached an agreement already with the Pacific Asia Travel Association to work with us on this initiative.

The newly revamped ICTP will ... support and contribute to developing initiatives in areas such as:

Public/private partnership for development

Poverty reduction

Fair tourism trade

Triple bottom-line sustainability

Tourism as an instrument for peace

Tourism education and training

Enhanced security and travel facilitation

Disaster relief

ICPT will also hold 'think tanks' and will undertake research in all these critical areas.

Any individual or organization directly or indirectly involved in Travel & Tourism – whether from the public or private sector – can become a member of ICTP. Members are asked to commit to the UN Millennium Development Goals ( www.un.org/millenniumgoals ) and WTO-OMT's Global Code of Ethics ( www.world-tourism.org/code_ethics/eng.html ), as well as promoting sustainable and responsible tourism.

Our first public event will be held at ITB in Berlin in March, when we will hold an open session on the theme of Response to the Crisis, based on our first ICTP Report on the issue and on the findings of our online survey being launched this week.

Thomas J Steinmetz
Chairman
chairman@tourismpartners.org

Geoffrey Lipman
President
president@tourismpartners.org

Visit our website: www.tourismpartners.org

Posted by rollingrains at 04:38 PM | TrackBack

Northwest Airlines and ADA Suit

By Dave Reynolds,
From Inclusion Daily Express
January 4, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA--Northwest Airlines Corporation agreed last Thursday to pay a total of $510,000 to 28 people to settle allegations that it discriminated against people with seizure disorders and insulin-dependant diabetes.

According to a joint statement from the airline and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed the suit, Northwest also agreed to evaluate the ability of individual applicants to safely perform key functions of cleaning and equipment jobs at airport ramps.

The EEOC suit was filed in April 2001, alleging that Northwest had a "blanket exclusionary policy" under which the company withdrew job offers it had made to applicants based entirely on their medical conditions.

"When someone came to them with diabetes or epilepsy, they were spotted as a potential risk, even if their condition was very well controlled," Laurie Vasichek, the EEOC's lead attorney on the case, told the Pioneer Press.

Northwest, the nation's fourth-largest air carrier, has consistently denied the allegations. The company said in the statement that it decided to settle the suit to avoid further legal action.

"This lawsuit was an important reminder to employers that the ADA requires that they give individualized assessments to their employees with disabilities to determine whether they could perform their jobs with or without reasonable accommodation," said Chester Bailey, District Director of the EEOC's Milwaukee District Office.

The EEOC is responsible for enforcing elements of Title I of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act -- which covers discrimination in the workplace -- along with other federal laws.

Related:
Disability Discrimination (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
http://www.eeoc.gov/types/ada.html

eTurbo News and Disater Recovery

eTN and ICTP have established a website: www.tourismpartners.org/relief , which currently provides a comprehensive round-up of urgent news messages relating to the Indian Ocean disaster. This website is being updated throughout the day and night.

From a press release:

eTurboNews (eTN) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) in crisis communications for the global travel industry.

eTurboNews is a respected provider of news and information for the global travel industry and has developed systems for rapid communications using Internet technology. eTC is a world leader in the co-ordination and distribution of urgent information specifically for the travel industry, concerned with the safety and welfare of tourists and business travellers around the world.

eTurboNews has a global network of writers and researchers who can provide reports of events that affect world travel and has developed an Internet-based system for rapid distribution of news and information. eTurbo Communications
headquartered in Haleiwa, Hawaii, and with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Jakarta, Indonesia and Berlin, Germany provides crisis strategic PR planning, direction management and media services for the travel industry.

"We at eTurboNews and eTurbo Communications (eTC) are pleased and privileged to have been appointed a partner with the World Tourism Organisation in crisis communications," said eTN publisher, Thomas Steinmetz.

eTN has 212,000 readers related to the travel industry worldwide including more than 4000 journalists. The International Council of Tourism Partners, part of the eTN family of travel-related communications, has more than 1200 members worldwide. eTurbo Communications (ETC) President, Mel Webster noted "We are pleased to be able to assist the World Tourism Organisation in providing timely, accurate information on a global basis."

"eTN goes beyond conventional news gathering methods and the public media outlets and makes use of our extensive network of readers for the supply of on-the-spot information," said Thomas Steinmetz.

"We look forward to working closely with WTO and other global travel and tourism bodies, including PATA and the WTTC, and offer leadership and co-operation in the distribution of reliable and timely information for the travel industry, especially at times of crisis such as we have seen this week in the Indian Ocean region, as we have in other times of crisis such as the earthquakes in Bam, Iran and in Turkey and the bombing in Madrid," said Thomas Steinmetz.

"Accurate information and its effective distribution can be the key to saving lives."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information please contact Mel Webster at +1310-354-7650 or Thomas Steinmetz +1-808-536-1100

Jean-Yves Prodel @ JYP Consulting

A call for photos.

Jean-Yves Prodel of JYP Consulting in France is looking for photographs of curb cuts from around the world. He will prepare a presentation for distribution to feature various solutions. Email him with photos at:

jy.prodel@jyp-design.com

JYPdesign consulting

Jean-Yves PRODEL

1145 rue Victor Hugo 60750 Choisy au Bac – France

Tel.(33) (0)3 44 85 69 56 – mobile (33) (0)6 13 53 13 54

eMail : jy.prodel@jyp-design.com

Web. www.jyp-design.com

WTO & Tsunami Disaster Relief

Message by
Francesco Frangialli, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the relatives and friends of the victims of this terrible tragedy. And to the nations who are battling with the effects and aftermath of the earthquakes and tidal waves.

It is particularly tragic that yet again the Asia Pacific region is the target of such pain and suffering. At a time when the region's tourism economies have been recovering so dynamically from past crises.

WTO will actively collaborate and assist in the immediate response and bring our systems into play to help where it is needed. We are well aware of the pivotal work of PATA to provide leadership for regional recovery from past disasters and we will engage with them and with others in the global tourism family.

We will bring into play the considerable expertise acquired in the response to the almost continuous disaster situations around the world in recent years - natural and man made, as well as the crisis management tools developed to help tourism administrations act with speed and efficiency.

We will also convene an early meeting of our Recovery Committee to respond to the current crisis and to look at strategic options. This in conjunction with members in the region, PATA and other concerned organizations.

Even more immediately we will combine forces with eTurboNews and its International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) to augment the excellent instant information and support system they have put in place. For some time we have been exploring possible ways and means to build on WTO's global tourism activity and eTurboNews global communications role. This tragedy has been the catalyst. Going forward we will work together to provide a mechanism for information exchange and support.

World Tourism Organization
Capitán Haya 42
28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel (34) 91 567 81 00
Fax (34) 91 571 37 33