Asia-Pacific

Nearly a year after unveiling the world’s first robotic legs for wheelchair users, Auckland company Rex Bionics has sold it’s first pair to New Zealand paralympian. Dave MacCalman, who sustained a spinal cord injury diving into a river while in the United States on a basketball scholarship has taken his first steps in more than… Continue Reading »

Jakarta, Indonesia: The Central Jakarta Administration is about to spend Rp 1.7 billion to provide pedestrian for disabled people. The lane will be constructed in September along 800 meters and 203 meters of wide. Central Jakarta Head of Public Works Agency Indrastuty Okita said the lane construction is city administration concern to disabled people. “It… Continue Reading »

Tokyo, Japan: The universal design principles incorporated into the passenger areas at Haneda Airport’s new international terminal have been acclaimed as world class and can serve as a blueprint for integrated “barrier-free” facilities in similar facilities around the world. So much thought has gone into the design of the airport, which serves Tokyo, that it… Continue Reading »

Jakarta, Indonesia: Beni Kusuma continues to drive despite a stroke that paralyzed him 20 years ago. He says that Jakarta discriminates against disabled people behind the wheel. Beni criticized top administration officials on Monday for not designating parking spots for disabled people. “Many public buildings have no special parking areas for disabled people. Whereas those… Continue Reading »

Chandigarh, India: Life is not easy for disabled people in Chandigarh, moreso if they plan to move around the city as they face several roadblocks everywhere. Whether it is enjoying the beauty of the parks or going out for shopping or simply commuting on their own, disabled people find it difficult to carry out even… Continue Reading »

A Chinese website portal was launched Tuesday to provide the country’s nearly 83 million disabled people with better access to information services. Sponsored by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (CDPF), the website, www.cdpsn.org.cn, is the country’s first national-level online portal specializing in serving the disabled. Besides publishing information regarding job offers, long-distance education and government… Continue Reading »

JAIPUR, India: Cricket may have won today at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS) and people had the best of their times, but for 25-year-old cricket fan Somya Dawar, it was a disappointing day. She had valid passes but could not watch the match as the stands were not “equipped” and did not have ramps for her… Continue Reading »

Jetstar is facing more criticism of its wheelchair policy after it refused to fly some of New Zealand’s top disabled athletes. Paralympics New Zealand was told only two out of a team of eight of its athletes were allowed on board a Jetstar-operated Qantas flight from Darwin in May, regardless of whether they needed assistance… Continue Reading »

Taipei: President Ma Ying-jeou on Tuesday praised the strides Taiwan has made in developing a barrier-free environment to promote accessible tourism but acknowledged that more needs to be done. Speaking at the 4th International Conference on Accessible Tourism in Taipei, Ma said Taiwan was working to create an environment where the physically challenged, senior citizens,… Continue Reading »

Mar 30: The Fiji National Council for Disabled Persons is looking into having discussions with government for the provision of more accessible buses in the future. Executive Director Dr Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa said a certain category of disability especially disabled people confined to wheelchairs will not benefit from the free bus fare initiatives due to non-accessibility.… Continue Reading »