Misc.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has published its findings on Estonia, which it examined during its latest session. The Committee recognised steps taken by Estonia to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which it ratified in 2012. It noted the State party’s important… Continue Reading »

UNITED STATES: It looks like artificial intelligence and robotics might be on the verge of automating yet another job. A team of scientists from the University of California, Berkeley has developed a four-legged robodog to safely guide the visually impaired, a New Scientist report explains. In a study published March 26, the researchers showed that… Continue Reading »

In a win for inclusion, a reproductive health publication for women with disabilities has been published in Braille for the visually impaired. “A matter of importance: your reproductive health and reproductive rights”, which is also available on audio disc, provides women with disabilities information on sexual and reproductive health, including… Continue Reading »

CANADA: The Government of Canada continues to take important and decisive action to ensure that all Canadians are supported during the COVID-19 pandemic. We know Canadians living with disabilities are facing significant challenges during this difficult time and that long-standing barriers to inclusion have been heightened. As we work together to restart the… Continue Reading »

UAE: The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), in coordination and cooperation with the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO), has launched an initiative to provide medication instruction labels in Braille to help visually impaired patients and the blind read them without seeking help. The initiative is part of… Continue Reading »

The European Space Agency says it wants to recruit someone with a disability as part of its call for new astronauts. Esa will be accepting applications in March to fill four-to-six vacancies in its astro corps but it wants this draft process to be as inclusive as possible. The search for a… Continue Reading »

SYRIA: This guidance note provides an overview of the risks that persons with disabilities face in the COVID-19 response regarding accessing humanitarian services and proposes actions to address these risks within the CCCM response specifically. This note draws on the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action,… Continue Reading »

CANADA: In collaboration with ARCH Disability Centre, TRU with the help of the University of Windsor will pursue a new research project on the effects of COVID-19. TRU’s Dr. Ruby Dhand, a professor in the Faculty of Law, has partnered with Dr. Dipesh Prema, a TRU chemistry professor, and Dr. Tess… Continue Reading »

SOUTH AFRICA: The Health Systems Trust’s annual health review has been released. The 300-page document focuses on the challenges peoples with disabilities face when accessing healthcare services. Health24 has summarised some of the most important points of the report: A transformative approach to disability awareness driven by persons with disabilities The report says… Continue Reading »

PERU: Texts adapted to the braille system will be delivered this year, reported the Ministry of Education. During 2020, the Ministry of Education, through the Directorate of Special Basic Education (DEBE), produced more than 1,100 accessible audios and about 500 educational materials adapted to the Braille system for girls, boys,… Continue Reading »