Tag Archives: #PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

ACCESS FOR ALL AT DIMBULAGALA PRADESHIYA SABHA

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 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 Sabha
Dimbulagala Pradeshiya Sabha
Group Photograph
Group Photograph
Manique at the PS
Manique at the PS
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
Manique at the PS
Manique at the PS
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon,
385 J3 Old Kotte Road,
Rajagiriya,
Sri Lanka.

ACCESS FOR ALL AT MADIRIGIRIYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

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 Nameboard
Medirigiya PS Nameboard
Team Members
Team Members
Manique in front of the main gate
Manique in front of the main gate
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Accessibility checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility checking
Accessibility Checking
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Advocacy group discussion
Advocacy group discussion
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
Handing over a Braille calendar to a vision impaired person
Handing over a Braille calendar to a vision impaired person
 Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking
 Accessibility Checking
Accessibility Checking

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Manager – Specialised Training and Disability Resource Centre of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon

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)

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

ACCESS FOR ALL AT ELAHERA PRADESHIYA SABHA

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. As a result, in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), the Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka.

The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities did disability accessibility checking to give recommendations at Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha, in Polonnaruwa district,  in North Central Province in January 2022 to give recommendations on how to make the Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha access for all. Two Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Elehara 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.

Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha (Nameboard)
Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha (Nameboard)
Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha
Elahera Pradeshiya Sabha
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Team Members
Team Members
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Advocacy Meeting
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Blog: http://efcnetworkondisability.employers.lk/

ACCESS FOR ALL AT MADAWACHCHIYA PRADESHIYA SABHA

In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU) and the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC), the Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre took the initiative to implement a project to provide recommendations on Disability Accessibility and Capacity Building of Local Government Authorities in Sri Lanka.

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

Two Advocacy Group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Madawachchiya 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 exist. 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 bringing a change to create an inclusive approach.

Madawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha (Nameboard)
Madawachchiya Pradeshiya Sabha (Nameboard)
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Advocacy Group Discussion
Advocacy Group Discussion
Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
Team Members
Team Members
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility
 Checking Accessibility
Checking Accessibility

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMBhDQ516xwVr86zKLM1HUw

DISABILITY LEADERSHIP IN DIGITAL RIGHTS AND INTERNET GOVERNANCE

Ms. Manique Gunaratne was a Resource Person at the “Capacity Building for People With Disabilities in Internet Governance” organised by the Asia-Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) in Dacca, Bangladesh in June 2022. The programme was held at the Imprean Hotel in Bangladesh. APSIG, founded in 2015, is the premier regional initiative that imparts capacity building in Internet Governance in the Asia-Pacific region. Annual editions of APSIG enable Internet Governance practitioners; especially the organisers of national Schools on Internet Governance (SIGs) and national Internet Governance Forums (IGFs)-to enhance their capacity through lectures and presentations by international experts and through discussions. The present consultation is a special initiative targeted at Persons with Disabilities, with the objective of developing leadership within the communities and enabling them to participate in global, regional, and national Internet governance initiatives.

The “Disability Leadership in Digital Rights and Internet Governance” participants were from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. At the first Disability Leadership Training Workshop in Digital Rights and Internet Governance meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh June 2022 agreed on the following:

  • Expressing our appreciation to the organisers: the Asia Pacific School of Internet Governance in partnership with the Internet Society Accessibility Standing Group, the local host, the Bangladesh Chapter of the Internet Society and the support of Article 19 and the APNIC Foundation.
  • Respecting the culture, language and diversity of disability in being equally treated in the digital space.
    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, as disability leaders in South Asia agree that we advocate for:

  1. The ratification and implementation of international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Marrakech Treaty and the Sustainable Development Goals (as related to persons with disability) in our region.
  2. The commitment by Governments to make ICT and the digital environment in our countries 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 and 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 the low-cost availability of digital products to persons with disability.
  3. Making educational facilities and curriculum at all levels accessible through an equal delivery mechanism. Developing and delivering university courses on digital accessibility.
  4. Providing an enabling environment facilitated by accessible digital resources in the public and private sector for creating employment opportunities for people with disability.
  5. Businesses and the private sector making their online services accessible and adhering to the current version of W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
  6. International donor agencies and IGOs provide 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.
  7. Internet organisations welcome people with disability in their deliberations and make their programs and communications accessible. Concurrently, people with disability will build knowledge to proactively and productively participate.
  8. The accessibility of communication, advertisement and public messaging through the provision of alternate formats.
Day 01 - Group Photograph
Day 01 – Group Photograph
Day 01 - Listening to a Session
Day 01 – Listening to a Session
Day 02 - At the conference
Day 02 – At the conference
Day 02 - Conducting a Session
Day 02 – Conducting a Session
Day 03 - Participants
Day 03 – Participants
Day 03 - Group Photograph
Day 03 – Group Photograph
 Day 03 - Group Photograph with all Participants
Day 03 – Group Photograph with all Participants
 Day 03 - Group Photograph
Day 03 – Group Photograph
 Day 03 - Participants
Day 03 – Participants
Day 03 - Resource Person conducting a Session
Day 03 – Resource Person conducting a Session
Day 03 - Resource Persons with the Banner
Day 03 – Resource Persons with the Banner
 Day 03 - Participants
Day 03 – Participants
Day 03 - Receiving the Certificate
Day 03 – Receiving the Certificate
 Day 03 - Resource Persons near the Banner
Day 03 – Resource Persons near the Banner
Day 03 - Conducting a Session
Day 03 – Conducting a Session
Day 03 - Near the Bannerv
Day 03 – Near the Banner
 Day 03 - Near the Banner
Day 03 – Near the Banner
Day 04 - Group Photograph
Day 04 – Group Photograph
Day 04 - Group Photograph
Day 04 – Group Photograph

MANIQUE GUNARATNE
Tel. – 0094117801801