The Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Designers, invited Manique Gunaratne to speak at the World Interiors Day 2022 Programme at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in May 2022.
Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Designers is the apex body and the national organization for Interior Design in Sri Lanka. Founded by a group of interior designers as the Association of Interior Designers in 1984, it was incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1998 as the Sri Lanka Institute of Interior Designers (SLIID). The members consist of MSc. holders to Diplomates and Students in Interior Design.
The International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers Day falls on May 28, 2022. The theme for the year is “Pride of the Past – An Incentive for the Future”. In keeping with this theme, the goal is to build an awareness of disabilities people face from birth and during unexpected situations, and the need to address this issue as designers, through the concept of “Design for All”.
In other words, trying to find the answers to the present crisis in the country through innovative universal designs which would benefit each one of us in the long run.
Manique Gunaratne spoke on:
Principles of universal design: Equitable use; Flexibility in use; Simple and Intuitive Use. Perceptible Information. Tolerance for Error. Low Physical Effort. Size and Space for Approach and Use.
Examples of universal design
A briefing about laws and regulations.
Conducting the session
Conducting the session
Conducting the session
Conducting the session
Participants
Participants
Participants
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Committee Member – SPRINT Committee of Family Planning Association
The Disability Accessibility Training programmes include persons with diverse disabilities, ways in which their physical and emotional well-being are fulfilled and legal aspects of accessibility to the built environment.
The objective of the initiative is to develop the capacity of local #authorities and raise awareness among technical officers, officials in the decision-making process, Engineers, Architects, and Officials in the Planning Divisions. It is expected that this intervention will ensure that people with disabilities can access all public buildings and make use of the facilities inside those buildings as Regulations are intended to be accomplished.
The team from EFC led by Manique Gunaratne which included persons with diverse disabilities conducted the Badulla 1 training workshop at the Bandarawela Rest House in Badulla district, in Uva Province in October 2022.
The project is a 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 is the representative employers’ Organisation in Sri Lanka on social issues. It has a membership of 680 plus member Companies. Formed in 1929, it was the first organization 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.
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).
Disability inclusion is one of the key strategic priorities for UNDP Sri Lanka in keeping with the commitment of UNDP globally and the new initiatives of disability inclusion strategy and their commitment to leave no one behind.
The importance of this workshop was that all resource persons were persons with disabilities. Manique Gunaratne conducted the session on “Technical specifications on accessibility” and Anil Seneviratne conducted the session on “law and access”. People with physical disabilities, hearing impaired persons and vision impaired persons spoke on the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and possible solutions.
Participants with non-disabilities got the opportunity to experience using a wheelchair, walking with a white cane, walking blind folded, wearing socks and shoes without using hands and communicating in sign language.
These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) have designed a series of awareness programmes to conduct in selected 12 districts to make the technical, senior staff and members of the Local Government Authorities to sensitize on accessibility for Persons with Disabilities.
Unlike most state government institutions, Local Governments are multi-functional, with extensive responsibilities and activities across property, community, and human service areas and, in addition, have the capacity to make policy level decisions at the local level.
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MANIQUE GUNARATNE Country Representative – World Disability and Rehabilitation Professionals’ Association (WDRPA)
The Specialized Training and Disability Resource Centre of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon is pleased to inform you that we are undertaking assignments with regards to the preparation of communication materials such as Leaflets, Brochures, Flyers, Notices etc. in Braille, Large-print, audio, accessible e-copies, and sign language in all three languages at a nominal fee.
Access to public information is a basic human right. For corporates, by making such information and communication about your products and services available for your customers or employees with diverse disabilities in accessible formats will be an impactful exercise.
Manique Gunaratne prepared a publication of the Department of Census & Statistics in Sinhala, Tamil and in English Braille to be distributed among vision impaired persons in all corners of Sri Lanka.
Braille PublicationBraille PrintingBraille ReadingReadingBraille ReadingBraille Braille Publication Handing over the Braille publication
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 Organization 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.
The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work. The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country.
These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank. Disability inclusion is one of the key strategic priorities for UNDP Sri Lanka in keeping with the commitment of UNDP globally and the new initiatives of disability inclusion strategy and their commitment to leave no one behind.
A disability accessibility audit and the advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Nallur 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 at the Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha in Jaffna district in Northern Province in April 2022.
UNDP acknowledges the fact that disability is a crosscutting issue which needs a multi-stakeholder intervention including local government authorities. Local Governments play a vital role in the lives of people with disabilities because of their broad mandate.
Checking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy group discussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy group discussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy group discussionAdvocacy group discussionChecking AccessibilityTeam MembersAdvocacy group discussion
MANIQUE GUNARATNE The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, 385 J3 Old Kotte Road, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka.
The Specialized Training and Disability Resource Centre of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon is pleased to inform you that we are undertaking assignments with regard to the preparation of communication materials such as Leaflets, Brochures, Flyers, Notices etc. in Braille, Large print, audio, accessible e-copies, and sign-language in all three languages at a nominal fee.
Access to public information is a basic human right. For corporates, by making such information and communication about your products and services available for your customers or employees with diverse disabilities in #accessible formats will be an impactful exercise.
Manique Gunaratne prepared A leaflet on “Sexual and Reproductive Health” published by the Family Planning Association in accessible formats to be distributed among persons with disabilities in all corners of Sri Lanka in March 2023.
Braille ReadingBraille ReadingBraille printingHanding over the Braille materials
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Vice Chairperson – South Asian Disability Forum
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 organization 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.
The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work. The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country.
These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank. Disability inclusion is one of the key strategic priorities for UNDP Sri Lanka in keeping with the commitment of UNDP globally and the new initiatives of disability inclusion strategy and their commitment to leave no one behind.
A disability accessibility audit and advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Mannar Urban Council, and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Urban Council on how to have an inclusive approach when providing services which already exists at the Mannar Urban Council in Mannar district in Northern Province in April 2022. UNDP acknowledges the fact that disability is a crosscutting issue which needs a multi-stakeholder intervention including local government authorities.
Mannar Urban Council NameboardTeam MembersAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityMannar Urban CouncilAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionManiqueChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group Discussion
A disability accessibility audit and a advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Palagala 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 at the Palagala Pradeshiya Sabha in Anuradhapura district in North Central Province in December 2021.
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 organization 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.
The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work.
The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country. These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank.
Disability inclusion is one of the key strategic priorities for UNDP Sri Lanka in keeping with the commitment of UNDP globally and the new initiatives of disability inclusion strategy and their commitment to leave no one behind.
Palagala PS NameboardAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy Group DiscussionManique in the GardenAdvocacy Group DiscussionPalagala PS
The team led by Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre did a Disability #Accessibility #Audit to give recommendations to the Vavuniya South Tamil Pradeshiya Sabha in Vavuniya district in Northern Province of Sri Lanka in March 2022. The advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Vavuniya South Tamil 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.
The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work.
The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country.
These efforts are supported by the European Union, and the World Bank.
Team MembersChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy DiscussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy DiscussionChecking AccessibilityChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy DiscussionChecking AccessibilityManique in front of the PSChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy DiscussionChecking AccessibilityAdvocacy DiscussionAdvocacy DiscussionHanding over Braille Calendar
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Board Member Navajeevana Rehabilitation
UNDP CDLG is a four-year project (2020-2023) targeting the Eastern, Northern, North-Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka.
A Disability Accessibility Audit and two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Polonnaruwa Municipal Council in Polonnaruwa district in North Central Province in Sri Lanka in January 2022. The team was led by Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & Disability Resource Centre. The advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Polonnaruwa Municipal Council and staff members (persons with non-disabilities) of the Municipal Council 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 organization 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. The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work.
Polonnaruwa MC NameboardGroup PhotographChecking Accessibility Explaining accessibility recommendations Manique in front of the MC Advocacy Group DiscussionChecking Accessibility Advocacy Group DiscussionChecking Accessibility Advocacy Group DiscussionChecking Accessibility Advocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking Accessibility Checking Accessibility Advocacy Group Discussion
A Disability Accessibility Audit and two Advocacy Group discussions were held at the Kakirawa Pradeshiya Sabha in Anuradhapura district in North Central Province in Sri Lanka in December 2021. The team was led by Ms. Manique Gunaratne of The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, Specialised Training & #Disability Resource Centre. The advocacy group discussions were held with persons with disabilities belonging to Kakirawa 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. The object of forming the Network is to link the business community and the organizations dealing with disability issues to facilitate mainstreaming its work. The Capacity Development for Local Governments (CDLG) Project of UNDP Sri Lanka is part of larger efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to strengthen the local governance system in the country.
Kekirawa Pradeshiya Sabha NameboardGroup PhotographChecking Accessibility Checking Accessibility Advocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking Accessibility Checking Accessibility Advocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group DiscussionChecking Accessibility Advocacy Group DiscussionAdvocacy Group Discussion
MANIQUE GUNARATNE Core Founder – Lanka School on Internet Governance
