The Sri Lanka Deaf Rehabilitation Organization’s annual Christmas and New Year celebration was held for the 20th time at the Public Library Auditorium, Colombo in December 2022. The celebration was held in a grand manner with the participation of all the members and their families of the organization scattered all over the island and a group of special guests and invitees With the aim of raising the educational level of the hearing impaired children and the children of hearing impaired parents. The most unique aspect of this event was distribution of Gift parcel sets including school books, equipment and uniforms were given to all the children to start the new year with a smiling face. Ms. Manique Gunaratne, Ms. Harini Padmasiri, Ms. Geethika Sinhabahu, Ms. Rusiri De Silva and Mr. Windika Jayasinghe donated school books, stationary and other items required for these hearing impaired children to attend school to make the right to education for persons with #disability a reality.
Distributing packs to hearing impaired children.Distributing packs to hearing impaired children.Handing over the school books to the Secretary of the organization.Lighting the oil lampGift PacksStage ViewManique with a ParticipantDistributing packs to hearing impaired childrenDistributing packs to hearing impaired children Participants
Sri Lanka Vanithabimana 2022 Grand Finale was Held at BMICH coinciding with International Women’s Day, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). In March 2022. The Vanithabimana initiative introduced by NDB Bank in partnership with Sirasa News 1st, has become a platform for Sri Lankan female achievers who are fast breaking new ground. The platform is a national level program that has empowered and recognized female achievers across different sectors who directly or in directly contribute to the Sri Lankan economy.
One of the main aims of the program was to
get women to participate in the modern marketplace and to encourage and
facilitate their entry to it. The program also takes steps towards appreciating
and felicitating those women who actively contribute to the economy and
society.
The Grand Finale recognized the winners selected at a national level from the two main categories, namely the Provincial sector ( which included Entrepreneurship (small scale), Entrepreneurship (micro scale), Entrepreneurship (upcoming), Young leader, Environmental Management, Sports, Volunteer Services, Innovation, Literature and Education Services) and the Corporate & Professional Sector ( which covers sectors such as Human Resources, Financial Management, Sales and Marketing, Legal, State sector, Information Technology, Tourism, Art, Sports and Entrepreneurship). In addition, the Most Popular Woman in Sri Lanka award (selected based on SMS nominations from the general public) and the “Once in a Lifetime” Appreciation Award to 5 eminent veteran female personalities was presented at the event.
Manique Gunaratne was among the five finalists in the Information & Communication (ICT) category competing with persons with non-disabilities.
Presenting AwardsGroup DanceAt the AudienceParticipantsParticipantsIn front of the Flags In front of the Building
At the Red Carpet
In front of the FlagsIn front of the BMICH FountainIn front of Vanithabhimana BannerIn front of the BuildingIn front of the BuildingIn front of the BuildingAt the BMICHAt the BMICHAt the BMICHAt the BMICHAt the BMICHIn front of Vanithabhimana Banner
Negative attitudes towards persons with disabilities 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, 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 Nochchiyagama Pradeshiya Sabha Library in Anuradhapura district, in North Central Province in December 2021 to give recommendations on how to make the Nochchiyagama Pradeshiya Sabha Library access for all and provided audio and e-books in May 2022 to make the Library Accessible for vision impaired persons.
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 Nochchiyagama Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Nochchiyagama 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.
Handing over the audio and e-books to the LibraryInstalling the screen reader to the computerDiscussion with the AuthoritiesDiscussion with the AuthoritiesChecking audio and e-books in the computerDiscussion with the AuthoritiesReading E-booksDiscussion with the AuthoritiesTeam Members
Manique Gunaratne is engaged in inclusion of persons with #disabilities in the Lighting Digital Capacity Building Drive and regional development initiatives of ICTA for the citizen empowerment and youth sector. With the critical foundational work completed and multiple initiatives ongoing; ICTA plans to facilitate the adoption and rolling-out initiatives island-wide with a Regional Development Drive.
The ICTA hosted a Stakeholder Engagement Forum at the Information & Technology Agency (ICTA) Auditorium in December 2022 for Citizen Capacity Building as part of the Lighting Digital National Forum. This offers a space for retrospect, the exchange of success stories, knowledge, problems, lessons learned, technological innovation, and other issues related to Citizen capacity building on digital transformation, the identification, and improvement of key initiatives for 2023, and the exploration of potential partner collaborations.
Lighting Digital BannerManique with the ParticipantsManique with the ParticipantsManique with the ParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipantsParticipants
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 andCapacity 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 Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha, in Polonnaruwa district, in North Central Province in January 2022 to give recommendations on how to make the Dimbulagala 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 Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Dimbulagala
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.
Dimbulagala Pradeshiya SabhaGroup PhotographManique at the PSChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionManique at the PSChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group Discussion
MANIQUE GUNARATNE The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, 385 J3 Old Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
Celebrating the International Day of Women is very important for women with disability to just as a woman but also a woman with a disability. It is a day that the entire world recognizes the plight of women and the efforts that have been channeled towards achieving gender equality. The 2022 theme for International Women’s Day was ‘Gender Equality for a Sustainable Tomorrow’ with the campaign #BreakTheBias. This theme speaks volumes to the challenges that women face and the immense potential that can be unlocked if we created a society that supports women empowerment and equality.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day it is also very critical for us to acknowledge different realities for different populations of women. One of this population is women and girls with disabilities who face compounded vulnerabilities in the society for being of a female sex and also for having a disability. These vulnerabilities tend to increase depending on the social and economic factors. It’s for these reasons that girls and women with disability should be involved in the commemoration of Women’s Day and the fight for gender equity and equality.
Girls with disability can be involved in the celebrations of the International Women’s Day through self-advocacy to create awareness on the challenges and barriers they face and recommend solutions to those challenges. Self-advocacy is a very practical concept when it comes to raising awareness on disability issues as persons with disabilities are the experts of their different life experiences and empowering them to do self-advocacy is one of the right things to do.
Manique Gunaratne spoke on importance of including women with disability on International Day for Women at a program at Yarl TV in March 2022.
At Yarl TVAt Yarl TVAt Yarl TVAt Yarl TVAt Yarl TVAt Yarl TVSpeaking at the programmeSpeaking at the programmeSpeaking at the programmeAt Yarl TV Speaking at the programme Speaking at the programme
MANIQUE GUNARATNE BOARD MEMBER NAVAJEEVANA REHABILITATION
Two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Madirigiriya Pradeshiya Sabha with persons with disabilities belonging to Madirigiriya 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).
The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did an disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Madirigiriya Pradeshiya Sabha, in Polonnaruwa district, in North Central Province in January 2022 to give recommendations on how to make the Madirigiriya 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.
Medirigiya PS NameboardTeam MembersManique in front of the main gateAdvocacy group discussionAdvocacy group discussionAccessibility CheckingAccessibility CheckingAdvocacy group discussionAccessibility CheckingAccessibility CheckingAdvocacy group discussionAccessibility CheckingAccessibility CheckingAccessibility CheckingHanding over a Braille calendar to a vision impaired personAccessibility CheckingAccessibility Checking
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Manager – Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon
Manique Gunaratne was a speaker at the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC)54, Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APRIGF) 2022, Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) 2022 conferences held at the Grand Hytte Hotel in Singapore in September 2022.
The events were organised by APNIC, the Regional Internet Registry for the Asia Pacific, in conjunction with APRIGF and APSIG.
The combined event was a summit comprising training workshops and conference sessions and which attracted hundreds of delegates and speakers from around the world. The technical workshops provided participants with hands-on training to build and manage Internet infrastructure. The conferences included technical sessions on topics such as IPv6, networking and security, Internet governance discussions, as well as community-driven Special Interest Group meetings on Internet numbers policy and Internet cooperation.
Manique Gunaratne conducted sessions on “Inclusion of persons with disabilities in the ICT Job Sector”, “Accessibility, Diversity and the Digital Divide”, “Digital accessibility and connectivity for disabled students in higher education during COVID-19”,“Strengthening the Disability Voice in Internet governance” and “Inclusion and Tech”.
APRIGF – Manique with participantsAPRIGF – Manique in the panel
APRIGF – Manique presenting
APRIGF – Manique in the panelAPRIGF – Manique presentingAPRIGF – Manique in the panelAPRIGF – Manique in the panelAPRIGF – Manique in the panel
APRIGF – Manique presenting
APSIG – Manique in the panelAPSIG – Manique in the panel APSIG – Manique in the panelAPSIG – Manique in the panel
APSIG – Resource persons
APSIG – Resource personsAPSIG – at the conference
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Vice Chair Person – South Asian Disability Forum
The University of Colombo conducted a series of trainings on Disability Awareness and Sensitization under the Faculty of Arts – AHEAD grant and implemented in collaboration with Centre for Disability Research Education and Practice (CEDREP) and the Staff Development Centre (SDC), University of Colombo for the non-academic staff in February 2022.
Ms. Manique Gunaratne conducted the sessions on how to provide: Diversity of disability – varied lived realities of persons with disabilities, The role of inclusive technology and assistive devices, Inclusive language and terminology & Building a respectful and inclusive university community by interaction, assistance, disability accommodation and socialization.
ParticipantsGaining experience of a vision impaired personDisability etiquettes sessionDisability etiquettes sessionDisability etiquettes sessionDisability etiquettes sessionDisability etiquettes sessionSession in progressSession in progressActivity on experiencing a life of a person without both handsSession in progressDisability etiquettes sessionSession in progressSession in progressActivity on experiencing a life of a vision impaired person
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Member of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities
