Tag Archives: #2021

ACCESS FOR ALL AT HOROWPOTHANA PRADESHIYA SABHA

The team from EFC led by #Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse #disabilities did an disability #accessibility checking to give recommendations at Horwpothana Pradeshiya Sabha in Anuradhapura district, in North Central Province in November 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Horwpothana Pradeshiya Sabha access for all. 

CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

Two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Horowpothana Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Horowpothana Pradeshiya Sabha and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists.

It is part of the European Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of local government authorities to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

Together with the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) Project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), implemented this project on Disability accessibility audit and enhancing the capacity of technical officers in the local government structure.

The EFC, with an overall vision statement to promote social harmony through productive employment, is implementing several proactive measures to encourage its members to hire people with disabilities.

The EFC is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 700 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it was the first Organisation to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers. The EFC, with funding from the ILO, developed the Employers’ Network on Disability to facilitate employment and training opportunities in the Private Sector for disabled jobseekers, which was officially launched in the year 1999. It has a membership of 700 plus Companies.

Formed in 1929, it was the first Organisation to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers.  

Nameboard
Nameboard
Team Members
Team Members
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
In front of the building
In front of the building
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
In front of the building
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000521211893


VICLIS2021 – LIBRARY ACCESS FOR ALL

Sri Lanka Technological Campus hosted its first-ever virtual international conference on Library and Information Science (VICLIS2021) in collaboration with the department of library and information science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, National Science Library, and Resource Centre of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, and the Department of Library and Information Science University of Kerala, India. The conference was held in August 2021, under the theme of ‘Challenges of Library and Information Science Profession in New Normal Context.

The VICLIS2021 aimed to bring together the Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals, researchers, and LIS students to exchange and share their experiences and research findings on all aspects of Library Science. This free conference also provided a premier interdisciplinary platform for 104 research presenters from over 10 countries to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Library Science.

The chief guest of the event was Mrs.Christine Mackenzie, the President of the International Federation of Library Association and Institution, IFLA. Keynote speeches were delivered by Prof.Anne Goulding, Professor of Library and Information Management, School of Information Management, Victoria University, New Zealand and Dr.Raymond Pun, President of the Asia Pacific American Librarians Association, APALA.

The Founder President and the CEO of the SLTC stated in his welcome address that the VICLIS2021 is a landmark event hosted by SLTC as this is the very first conference on Library and Information Science organized by a Non-State Higher Educational Institutions in Sri Lanka.

There were nine (9) technical sessions conducted under nine (9) timely sub-themes at the conference. Over 350 participants from 17 countries have participated in the conference.

Ms. Manique Gunaratne conducted the session on “Library access for persons with disabilities”.

Conducting the Session
Conducting the Session
Manique on Screen
Manique on Screen
Conducting the Session

Conducting the Session
Lighting the Virtual Oil Lamp
Lighting the Virtual Oil Lamp
Conducting the Session

Conducting the Session

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Administrative Vice President – Internet Society Sri Lanka Chapter

ACCESS FOR ALL AT PADAVIYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

The “Disability Accessibility”  project implemented by The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre is a part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU).

The team from EFC led by #Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Padaviya Pradeshiya Sabha in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in December 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Padaviya Pradeshiya Sabha access for all.

CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

Two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Padaviya Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Padaviya Pradeshiya Sabha and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists.

It is part of the European Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of local government authorities to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

Together with the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) Project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), implemented this project on Disability accessibility audit and enhancing the capacity of technical officers in the local government structures.

The EFC, with an overall vision statement to promote social harmony through productive employment, is implementing several proactive measures to encourage its members to hire people with disabilities.

The EFC is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 700 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it was the first Organisation to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers. The EFC, with funding from the ILO, developed the Employers’ Network on Disability to facilitate employment and training opportunities in the Private Sector for disabled jobseekers, which was officially launched in the year 1999. It has a membership of 700 plus Companies. 

Audit Team Members
Audit Team Members
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Manique in front of the PS
Manique in front of the PS
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion

(Honoured, Deshabandu) Manique Gunaratne

SENSITISING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON PREVENTION OF CANCER

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre conducted a sensitise programme for persons with diverse #disabilities on “Prevention of Cancer” in September 2021. Dr. Janaki Widanapathirana conducted the session to make awareness among persons with disabilities because health is equally important for persons with disabilities as well.

Session with Sign-language Interpretation
Session with Sign-language Interpretation
Participants for the Session
Participants for the Session
Resource Person conducting the Session
Resource Person conducting the Session
Participants for the Session
Participants for the Session
Participants for the Session
Participants for the Session

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000521211893

ACCESS FOR ALL AT IPOLAGAMA PRADESHIYA SABHA

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (#UNDP) and the European Union (EU) took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. This project is part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU).

The team from EFC led by #Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Ipolagama Pradeshiya Sabha in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in December 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Epolagama Pradeshiya Sabha access for all.

CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

2 Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Ipolagama Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Epolagama Pradeshiya Sabha and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists.

It is part of the European Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of local government authorities to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

Together with the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) Project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), implemented this project on Disability accessibility audit and enhancing the capacity of technical officers in the local government structure.

The EFC, with an overall vision statement to promote social harmony through productive employment, is implementing several proactive measures to encourage its members to hire people with disabilities.

The EFC is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 700 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it was the first Organisation to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers. The EFC, with funding from the ILO, developed the Employers’ Network on Disability to facilitate employment and training opportunities in the Private Sector for disabled jobseekers, which was officially launched in the year 1999. 

Ipalogama PS Nameboard
Ipalogama PS Nameboard
Group Photograph
Group Photograph
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Ipologama PS Main Office Entrance
Ipologama PS Main Office Entrance
Ipologama PS Main Office Entrance
Ipologama PS Main Office Entrance
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
LinkedIn : linkedin.com/in/manique-gunaratne-34722519

ACCESS FOR ALL AT RAJANGANAYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

Disability accessibility initiatives greatly support to bring a change to create an inclusive approach.

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (*UNDP) and  the European Union (EU) took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability #Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. This project is part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU).

The team from EFC led by #Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in December 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha access for all.

CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.

Two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists.

It is part of the European Union’s STRIDE (Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation, and Inclusive Democratic Engagement) programme focused on strengthening the capacities of local government authorities to be inclusive, responsive, and accountable, and improve service delivery.

Together with the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) Project of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), implemented this project on Disability accessibility audit and enhancing the capacity of technical officers in the local government structure.

The EFC, with an overall vision statement to promote social harmony through productive employment, is implementing several proactive measures to encourage its members to hire people with disabilities.

The EFC is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 700 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it was the first Organisation to register under the Trade Unions Ordinance and is the principal Trade Union representing employers. 

Rajanganaya PS Nameboard
Rajanganaya PS Nameboard
Team Members
Team Members
Advocacy Discussion
Advocacy Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Products made by a persons with a disability
Products made by a persons with a disability
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Discussion with sign language interpretation
Advocacy Discussion with sign language interpretation
Advocacy Discussion Head Table
Advocacy Discussion Head Table
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Discussion with sign language interpretation
Advocacy Discussion with sign language interpretation
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000521211893

ACCESS FOR ALL AT GALNAWA PRADESHIYA SABHA

The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Galnawa Pradeshiya Sabha, in Anuradhapura district,  in North Central Province in December 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Galnawa Pradeshiya Sabha access for all.

2 Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Galnawa Pradeshiya Sabha and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Pradeshiya Sabha on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists. People with disabilities are more likely than the general population to suffer anxiety, discomfort, and animosity. To a significant measure, such attitudes arise from a lack of understanding of disability and what it’s like to live in a world with individuals who do not share that experience. Therefore, this initiative greatly supported to bring a change to create an inclusive approach.

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and  the European Union (EU) took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka. This project is part of an initiative supported under the Capacity Development of Local Governments (CDLG) project implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka with the financial assistance of the European Union (EU).

Galnawa Nameboard
Galnawa Nameboard
Team Members
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Galnawa Public Library
Galnawa Public Library
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
CISCO International Trainer for I T E (Information Technology Essentials) and CCNA (Cisco Computer Network Associates)

VISION IMPAIRED PERSONS ARE SUPPORTED WITH BRAILLE PAPERS AND WHITE CANES

Vision impaired persons use the white cane as an eye. The sense of touch is felt by the tip of the white cane and thereby through sense they find their way. During the Second World War large number of soldiers became vision impaired. During that period Mr. Richard E. Hoover invented the white cane to rehabilitate the soldiers. Since then the white cane is used around the world as an assistive device for vision impaired persons.

In 1969 The International Federation of the Blind which is now known as the World Blind Union had its annual general meeting at Galle Face Hotel in Sri Lanka. At that meeting it was decided to declare 15 October as the International White cane Day. Since then each year on 15 October the International White Cane Day is celebrated around the world.

The white cane is divided into three parts.
01. The grip
The grip is the top part of the white cane and it is made out of rubber so that it is shock proof.
02. The Shaft
The shaft is the middle part of the white cane which is made out of one inch aluminum pipe.
03. The Tip
Bottom part of the white cane is called the tip which is made out of nylon rod.

Using the White Cane
Using the White Cane

The colour of the white cane is white because it can be seen at a longer distance for sighted persons. 6 inches from the bottom of the white cane is coloured in red to indicate that it is a blind person. 18 inches from the bottom is coloured in red in order to indicate that it is used by a deaf blind person. The weight of a white cane is 230 to 280g.

A white cane helps a vision impaired person to go to the destination he wants independently, safely and with the minimum period of time. When a vision impaired person takes a white cane into his hand, he or she should decide where am I? where should I go and how I am going. Gate pattern is very important to walk with the white cane, which consist of body balance and the walk pattern. When you keep the left leg forward the tip of the white cane should touch the right edge of the body width. There are technics for ascending, descending, walk through narrow ways, gliding, find gateways, walk through payments, crossing the road etc.  It is very important a vision impaired person to be independent with a white cane. Otherwise they will become double dependent.

Braille papers are important for vision impaired persons to write Braille in a Braille slate and in the Braille Writer. It is a thick paper which assist to write Braille which will last a long period of time.

Braille Papers & White Cane
Braille Papers & White Cane

The Inner Wheel Club of Colombo together with The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre donated Braille papers and white canes for vision impaired persons in October 2021 to mark the International White Cane day.

Logos of the Sponsors
Logos of the Sponsors
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Participants on Screen
Participants on Screen
Logo of the Sponsor
Logo of the Sponsor
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Conducting the Programme
Conducting the Programme
Packs to be dispatched to Vision Impaired Persons
Packs to be dispatched to Vision Impaired Persons
Conducting the Programme
Conducting the Programme
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Conducting the Programme
Conducting the Programme
Packs to be dispatched to Vision Impaired Persons
Packs to be dispatched to Vision Impaired Persons
Participants on Screen
Participants on Screen
Packs to be dispatched to Vision Impaired Persons
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Beneficiary of a white cane and Braille papers
Participants on Screen
Participants on Screen
Session in Progress
Session in Progress
Session in Progress
Session in Progress
Banner
Banner

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Advisory Board Member – 18+ Alliance for Care Leavers (SOS Children’s Village)

ACCESS FOR ALL AT WORLD FOOD PROBRAMME

People with disabilities are more likely to experience anxiety, discomfort, and hostility than the general population. To a large extent, such attitude stems from ignorance about disability and what it’s like living in a world with people who do not share that same experience.

Manique Gunaratne and the team from The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre conducted and disability accessibility Audit at the UN World Food Programme Office in November 2021.  The audit’s technical objective was to provide feedback and recommendations to The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on how to provide a barrier-free, safe environment for people with disabilities to access their services.

The requirement for the Accessibility Audit was to make the UN World Food Programme Office in Sri Lanka premises accessible to include persons with disabilities in all their programmes and create an inclusive workplace.

Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Team Members
Team Members
Team Members
Team Members
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Team Members
Team Members
Accessibility Checking

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Steering Committee Member – International Labour Organisation Global Business Disability Network