Tag Archives: #EFC

ACCESS FOR ALL AT HOROWPOTHANA PRADESHIYA SABHA

May 16, 2023 Manique

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.

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

Specialised Training

BUILDING A RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE UNIVERSITY AT UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

May 5, 2023 Manique

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 academic staff in March 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.

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Tel. – 0094117801801

Conferences, Rights of Persons with Disabilities

EXCLUSION TO INCLUSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

April 12, 2023 Manique

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre together with the Internet Society Sri Lanka Chapter and the Accessibility Standing Group of the Global Internet Society organised a webinar on “Exclusion to Inclusion” in December 2022, by respecting the culture, language and diversity of disability in being equally treated in the digital space.

The importance of this webinar was effective participation by persons with disability in relevant decision-making processes based on the recognition of the disability movement’s mission: Nothing about us without us.

We, disability leaders in Sri Lanka agree that we advocate for:

The ratification and implementation of international instruments such as the

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Marrakech Treaty and the Sustainable Development Goals (as related to persons with disability) in our country.

The commitment by Governments to make ICT and the digital environment in our country accessible for persons with disability by formulating and implementing legislation and regulation in accordance with the international instruments. This includes making e-government services accessible adhering to the current version of W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. This commitment should be enforced by the governments with designated trained staff as well as reasonable financial resources. Furthermore, research and development in accessible technology be supported for low cost availability of digital products to persons with disability.

Making educational facilities and curriculum at all levels accessible through an equal delivery mechanism. Developing and delivering university courses on digital accessibility.

Providing an enabling environment facilitated by accessible digital resources in the public and private sector for creating employment opportunities for people with disability.

Businesses and the private sector making their online services accessible and adhering to the current version of W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

International donor agencies and IGOs providing accessible technologies, both hardware and software, to people with disability in their developing country programs. This includes training in the effective and safe use of the Internet.

Internet organisations welcoming people with disability in their deliberations and making their programs and communications accessible. Concurrently, people with disability will build knowledge to proactively and productively participate.

The accessibility of communication, advertisement and public messaging through the provision of alternate formats.

The most significant aspect of this webinar was that all resource persons were persons with disabilities making the nothing about us without us concept a reality. Ms. Manique Gunaratne (vision impaired), Ms. Gunela Astbrink, Mr. Chamod Ruwanga (vision impaired), Mr. Udara Gnanaratne (partially sighted), Ms. Chani Jayathilake (physical disability), Mr. Thusitha Rangana (hearing impaired) and Ms. Nandani Wijeratnam spoke on digital rights of persons with diverse disabilities.

Digital Inclusion - Shared PowerPoint — **Digital Inclusion – Shared PowerPoint**

Resource Person - Ms. Gunela Astbrink — **Resource Person – Ms. Gunela Astbrink**

Resource Person - Ms. Manique Gunaratne — **Resource Person – Ms. Manique Gunaratne**

Resource Person - Mr. Udara Gnanaratne — **Resource Person – Mr. Udara Gnanaratne**

Resource Person - Mr. Thusitha Rangana — **Resource Person – Mr. Thusitha Rangana**

Resource Person - Ms. Nandani Wijeratnam — **Resource Person – Ms. Nandani Wijeratnam**

Resource Person - Ms. Chani Jayathilake — **Resource Person – Ms. Chani Jayathilake**

Resource Person - Mr. Chamod Ruwanga — **Resource Person – Mr. Chamod Ruwanga**

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

Accessibility

ACCESS FOR ALL AT PADAVIYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

March 20, 2023 Manique

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.

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.

(Honoured, Deshabandu) Manique Gunaratne

Rights of Persons with Disabilities

SENSITISING PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ON PREVENTION OF CANCER

March 6, 2023 Manique

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**

**Resource Person conducting the Session**

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

Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Vision Impaired Persons

EFC RELEASES BRAILLE AND LARGE PRINT POCKET CALENDARS FOR 2023

March 6, 2023 Manique

It is the time of the year when many look for calendars for the newly dawned year, either for personal use or as a gift. Visually impaired and low-vision people can now find a readable calendar of their own. The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre offers free pocket Braille and large print calendars every year.

“It is very important for vision impaired persons to expand their Braille-reading skills. The only method to evaluate the literacy rate of vision impaired persons is Braille. “Literacy is so important. There are talking devices, but there is nothing quite like the written word. It is so important for blind children and adults to learn to read, just as it is important for sighted people to read. EFC Braille calendars are an absolute must for any blind adult or child on the go. They are fast, easy to use, efficient and a real necessity today.

The EFC Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities removes barriers, creates solutions and expands possibilities, so that the visually-impaired can achieve their full potential.

The Braille calendars are distributed free among EFC trainees and other vision impaired persons in all corners of the country.

**Presenting the first Braille calendar to the Director General of EFC**

**Handing over a calendar to a vision impaired person**

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
WhatsApp: 0094779571918

Accessibility

ACCESS FOR ALL AT IPOLAGAMA PRADESHIYA SABHA

March 6, 2023 Manique

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.

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

Accessibility

ACCESS FOR ALL AT RAJANGANAYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

February 25, 2023 Manique

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.

**Products made by a persons with a disability**

**Advocacy Discussion with sign language interpretation**

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

Employment for Persons with Disabilities, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURS WITH DISABILITIES

February 19, 2023 Manique

Deshika is a young woman who enjoys music, especially singing; cross-stitching, and hanging out with her friends. She also happens to have a learning disability. She loves to express herself through sewing, handicrafts, and with her mother’s encouragement, is full of ideas for new products. She is a passionate learner who has passed her O/Level English and continues to study IT, music, and sewing online. Deshika’s creative pursuits have given her a big confidence boost! Please contact 0777598861 to place orders.

Dilanthi is an independent and enterprising young woman. She has wide artistic interests, particularly, art, theatre, cooking and handicrafts. She has lived with a visual impairment since the age of 10 and has adapted to her new sensory world with dignity and resilience. While her change in circumstances initially led to a period of isolation, she was able to regain her confidence and indomitable spirit through her creative endeavors. She loves culinary adventures and often cooks for/ with her mother. She is full of initiative and a source of great strength to her family. Please contact 0771845811 to place orders.

Suramya and Arjuna are a formidable mother- son team. When Suramya found out that her son has Autism, she started learning cross stitching to teach her son. Arjuna took to it with gusto! Over the years Arjuna has become a highly skilled craftsman, and the team has made great strides together. The pair now sell their products and provide guidance for other families of children with disabilities to develop and sell their own handicrafts.

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre promotes entrepreneurs with disabilities to make them independent in life. For further details, please contact Manique Gunaratne on 0779571918 or maniqueg@empfed.lk

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Web: www.employers.lk

Rights of Persons with Disabilities

LIGHTING DIGITAL CAPACITY

January 31, 2023 Manique

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.

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Mobile – 0094779571918