E-news for Week ending 22 August 2008

Welcome to Disabled Peoples International’s (DPI) E-news. Please continue to send your activities, conference information, and publications news to Dr. Cassandra Phillips at info@dpi.org. This week has been one of controversy, resulting in the bringing together of disparate or dissimilar communities.

What’s in a word?

Last week, the release of the new Ben Stiller film titled Tropic Thunder is facing protests and a boycott by people with disabilities for its repeated use of the word "retard." The film's controversial premiere coincided this week with the launch of a new campaign by Special Olympics, along with a coalition of national disability organizations, to get people to stop the demeaning use of the "R-word."

Hearing the “R-word” on the movie screen--and in real life—“makes me feel less than a human being," says 23-year-old Fred Joh, who has cerebral palsy, at a New York City protest of the movie.  

"Our choice of language frames how we think about others. It is time to respect and value people with intellectual disabilities” exclaim members of “R-word.org”, where over 4,000 people have already pledged to help eliminate the demeaning use of the “R-word” altogether.

Tropic Thunder’s producer, Ben Stiller, stresses that the movie is a satire and that protesters are making too much fuss. All this attention, unfortunately, will increase box office takings.  

To read the article in full, go to http://us.oneworld.net/article/081408-r-word-campaign-targets-hollywood-blockbuster

To read more from persons with disabilities, go to http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/01/once-upon-a-time/

To sign the petition, go to http://www.r-word.org/

DPI believes that the words people use reinforce negative stereotypes of persons with disabilities. Ignorance perpetuates abuse which, at the extreme, results in severe ill treatment of persons with disabilities worldwide. This is exposed in the work of Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI).

MDRI  Refuses to Give up on Abuses in Paraguay

On 13 August 2008, Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) and the Center for Justice in International Law (CEJIL) filed a successful appeal to stop egregious abuses being perpetrated against people at the Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Paraguay.

In a petition filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), MDRI described a pattern of abuse, including four unexplained deaths, numerous complaints of sexual abuse and horrific physical abuse, including a castration, all within the past six months.

On 29 July, the IACHR called on the Paraguayan Government to take immediate action to protect the lives of all those detained at the facility and to report back to them on measures taken to prevent future abuses.

In 2003, the IACHR approved MDRI and CEJIL’s request for immediate intervention at the same hospital following the discovery of children, diagnosed with autism, locked in cages for years. On the heels of this intervention, the Paraguayan government signed an agreement with MDRI and CEJIL to gradually deinstitutionalize its mental health system while expanding the services and supports available in the community.

“Paraguay’s mental health system continues to systematically violate the rights of persons who use its services,” said Alison A. Hillman, Director of MDRI’s Americas Programs. “We anticipate that the Inter-American Commission’s intervention will bring added pressure on the government to address the root causes of these abuses and fulfill their commitments to fully integrate persons with disabilities into the community.”

For more on MDRI, go to http://www.mdri.org/

A Movie that Celebrates Autism in Philippines

Made within a span of two-and-a-half years, the movie titled Alyana traces the history of autism in the Philippines dating back to the 1970s when awareness about autism was barely negligent. It shows the real day-to-day struggles of persons with autism, their families, and those involved in their lives.

The filmmaker, Ms. Mirana Medina, takes the audience along with her on a journey to find out more about autism, starting with the life of her grand niece, Alyana, who has autism.

Congratulations to the Autism Society Philippines for raising awareness on Autism in schools and in the region. Information about the film and the society available at http://www.autismsocietyph.org/gpage4.html

New Website to Access Videos on Disability

“WebbyTalents.com” is the name of a new website designed to break down barriers for persons with disabilities. The site, which can be navigated in French and English, borrows popular YouTube features, including video ratings and comments.

Based out of Montreal, Canada, it currently showcases videos from Canada, USA, UK, France and Brazil.

To read about the launch, go to http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=92f2e0b3-1203-453c-b675-7b9af7951c90

To visit the new website, go to http://www.webbytalents.com/

Stakeholder Meeting in Asia Pacific (AP) Region

DPI/AP was invited to join a Stakeholder Consultation meeting and dinner with parliamentary secretary Mr. Bob McMullan on a Disability Strategy for the Australian Government's Overseas Aid Program on 11 August 2008. The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of development reach those who are most excluded, particularly adults, women and children with disabilities.

However, mainstreaming cannot be effective unless at the same time measures are taken to

1. Provide basic rehabilitation, including assistive devices, aids and equipment for persons with various disabilities.

2. Build capacity at a grassroots level by helping organization of persons with disabilities to develop life skills, employment and advocacy training.

To read the Disability Strategy document in detail, please go to http://www.dpiap.org/home.html

Job Opening at MIUSA, Oregon, USA

Mobility International USA (MIUSA), a national nonprofit organization founded in 1981 in Eugene, Oregon promotes the human rights of people with disabilities through international exchange and international development. MIUSA is seeking a Project Manager with excellent international development, leadership, interpersonal, project management, writing and training skills to manage the

USAID-sponsored Building an Inclusive Development Community project.

To read full job description and more on MIUSA, go to http://www.miusa.org/newsitems/jobdescription/view?searchterm=job+

Invitation to Attend Conference in Scotland

“The International Conference on Dementia” will take place in the University of Stirling, Scotland 1-3 September 2008. It targets persons who support people with dementia, with a background in medicine, health services or education. Of significance will be the input of people with dementia and their caregivers. Program available at http://www.dsdc.stir.ac.uk/programme.asp?tab=65&id=15

To book a place, go to http://dementiashop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=32

New Appointment at RehaMed International

RehaMed International (RMI), a leading manufacturer of high-quality adaptive products for people with disabilities, has announced the appointment of Tom Saldarelli  as Chief Operating Officer.  Formerly of Paragon Aquatics, Tom is a well-respected veteran of the aquatics industry and brings over 30 years experience and expertise to the RehaMed team. More on RMI at http://www.grouprmt.com/index.php