Blind can write exam to become Judge, rules Spain's General Council of Judiciary

Please refer to my earlier blog entry dated 01st June 2009  titled Can a Blind / Visually Impaired Person work as a Judge / Magistrate ? This was subsequently also posted on 06 June 2009, more than 5 years ago at Changemakers.com titled How can a blind / visually impaired person work as a Judge?

Delighted to learn that after a protracted battle, the Spanish Court has ruled in the favour of a visually impaired law graduate Mr. Pérez Castellanos’ restoring his equal right to become a Judge like his fellow law graduates.

An online petition on Change.org collected more than 100,000 signatures in support of Pérez Castellanos’ legal struggle.

Photo Courtesy Change.org

Here is the news published in The Local:

Blind man wins battle to become judge

Published: 14 May 2014 11:49 GMT+02:00

Spanish legal authorities have ruled in favour of a blind 23-year-old law graduate who called for people with his disability to be allowed to become judges.

“Can a blind person like me carry out the work duties of a magistrate?” was the question sent by Gabriel Pérez Castellanos to the official body days after completing his Law degree in July 2013.

Ten months on and several adjournments later, Pérez Castellanos finally got the response he was hoping for.

Spain’s General Council of the Judiciary ruled unanimously on Tuesday that blind people can access state entrance exams to qualify as judges even though their job responsibilities may have to be adapted to suitable cases.

According to the report, evidence used in court that "can only be assessed with one’s eyesight" is limited and "not enough to completely rule out blind people from a career in the judiciary".

"I'm very happy, of course," the young man told The Local.

Having scored 7.9 in his Law degree (equivalent to a First Class Honours degree in the UK), Pérez Castellanos is now completing a Master’s degree at Garrigues, Spain's biggest law firm.

"The plan is to focus on labour law," he said of his future plans.

And while the budding lawyer admitted it would be more difficult for a blind  person to be a judge — as would be the case for many professions — he thought none of the challenges were insurmountable. 

"The main task of judges is to make decisions based on their knowledge of the law," he said.

Pérez Castellanos told the Local doesn't view himself as a spokespeson for blind people but admits he had been amazed, and delighted, by the repsonse to his situation. 

Online petition website Change.org collected more than 100,000 signatures in support of Pérez Castellanos' legal struggle.

Brazil, France, Peru and the UK already employ blind judges as stipulated in the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Source: The Local

100 % FDI in Disability Sector advocated

Dear Colleagues,

In the recent budget 2014-15 announced by the Indian Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitely, following items relates to disability subject:

• National institute of Universal Design will be set up.

• A national level institute on Mental Health Rehabilitation will be set up.

• Centre for Disability Sport will be set up.

• 15 New Braille Presses will be established.

• 10 existing Braille Press will be improved.

• The ADIP scheme of MSJE to include contemporary equipment & assistive devices

• Currency notes that facilitate access for people with visual impairment will be launched.

A California-based Pranav Desai, Indian-American activist in the disability sector has advocated (as per the below report by PTI) 100% FDI in the Disability Sector to manufacture products for entire world's population with disabilities. The Jaipur Foot has already been a great success in war torn Afghanistan and several African countries. This seems to be a good idea while there is so much of talk about FDI in retail and even in defence sectors. This will not only enhance training & job opportunities for the youth including those with disabilities but also in general will create a favourable environment in favour of an inclusive community where there is no dearth of funds on the rehabilitation, education, training and vocational opportunities for those living with disabilities.

Here is the report:

Budget 2014: India should allow 100 per cent FDI in disability sector

PTI Jul 10, 2014, 12.12PM IST

WASHINGTON: India should tap the mega economic opportunity in the disability sector by allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment in it to manufacture products for the specially-abled population, an influential Indian-American activist has said.

"While newly-elected Indian government has promised to help specially-abled people of India, it should also look at potential untapped mega economic opportunity as well by allowing 100 per cent FDI in this sector to manufacture products for entire world's Specially abled population," California-based Pranav Desai, Indian-American activist in the disability sector told PTI.

With growing focus on human rights and United Nations push through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the world body estimates that there are about one billion people.

As such disabilities across the globe has become a huge market opportunity for disabled friendly, assistive technology products and services, Desai argued, adding that new Indian government needs to tap this huge market by coming out with policies that would attract global manufacturers to set up their factories in India.

"India can also produce speech therapist (all types of trainers for special education) to cater to its domestic needs as well global needs by offering degree and diploma courses by establishing colleges for Special Needs education," he said.

Desai, who was afflicted with polio at the age of four, reached to the position of vice president of a top global IT company.

He is actively engaged in promoting education and mobility by working with NGOs (Blind People Association, The Society for Physically Handicapped and VDIS for Mentally retarded).

Desai, who would be in India this month meeting leaders of the new Indian Government, on the disability issue, asserted that it time for India to catch up with the rest of the world in the disability sector.

Source: Economic Times

KickStart - Accessible Taxis available in Bangalore now at regular rate

Dear Colleagues,

This news in Times of India regarding an initiative KickStart by our colleague and friend Ms. Vidhya Ramasubban is a welcome step for promoting inclusive tourism as well as inclusive mobility in the South Indian city of Bangalore!

Great initiative after your Ladakh project Ms. Ramasubban!

These cabs put the differently abled on the fast track

Sruthy Susan Ullas, TNN | Jun 30, 2014, 01.50AM IST

BANGALORE: Deepa Maski, 28, wheels herself with ease into her office in Electronics City, a stone's throw from her home. Her powered wheelchair is good enough to take her to her workplace every day. But a movie at iMax, Koramangala, becomes impossible without someone's help.

Mobility being a major concern, the project lead with HCL tried stopping several BMTC Volvos and telling the drivers about the ramps available in those vehicles. Surprisingly, many didn't know such a facility existed, and even if they did, they were clueless about how to operate them. Her movie-watching was, therefore, restricted to videos and downloads. But once she found Kickstart cabs, things started looking better.

Today, the disabled-friendly cab service ensures Deepa doesn't find herself stranded. A regular at family functions and social gatherings, she now looks forward to watching movies on the large screen.

KickStart, an initiative by Vidhya Ramasubban, offers cabs that are modified to be wheelchair friendly. Like any other cab service, it offers point-to-point drops, airport drops, outstation and local hire. The cost is almost in the same range.

KickStart has three cars to choose from — The front seat of the Swift Dzire is like an office swivel chair, which can move in and out of the car, allowing the customer to use it like a normal office chair. Then there's the Wagon R with a ramp, which aids the user to get their wheelchair in. The front seat of the modified Toyota Liva is remote controlled, and can jut out of the car to pick the customer from any place.

"Most of the differently abled people and senior citizens are home-bound as they don't have transport to move about. This cab service is changing their lives," explains Vidhya, who has a masters degree in social work, and has been working for the differently abled for close to 15 years.

Ask Rama Chari, a consultant, how convenient the service is for her 80-year-old mother, and she says: "My mother uses a wheelchair which doesn't fit into a car's boot. So every time we'd go somewhere, we had no option but to tie the wheelchair atop the car. The very cumbersome process would put her off and she would avoid travelling. This new cab service has helped her regain mobility. In fact, she even got her wheelchair repaired from Mobility India all by herself," says Rama.

The cab drivers are sensitized to the customers' requirements, helping them in and out of the car. "I am deaf. So every time a cab reaches my home, the driver texts me saying he is waiting outside. No call is made," explains a customer.

From a 10-year-old girl who goes to school in the cab to a 70-year-old who is hospital-bound, customer profiles vary. "We even get calls from clinics. They say many of their patients drop out as they are unable to commute. Most of our clients are senior citizens and differently abled who travel to hospitals or on personal work," says Vidhya.

KickStart cabs have caught the attention of other cities too. In fact, Vidhya soon plans to expand the service both in the city and beyond. The organization hopes to get another 10 cars in the next one year. Vidhya also plans to recruit women and transgenders as drivers to empower them.

Source: Times of India

India becomes first country to ratify Marrakesh Treaty - first step towards access to published works to print disabled

Dear colleagues,

India has become the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually-impaired or print disabled. This treaty would  go a long way towards establishing equal rights and opportunities for education and employment for persons with print disabilities.

Like any other international treaty/ convention, it will come into force the day the 20th country ratifies it. So far, 79 World Intellectual Property Organisation member states have signed the treaty, however they are yet to ratify it. The treaty ratified by India on June 30,  2014 will facilitate import of accessible format copies from member states by authorised entities in India such as educational institutions, libraries, etc. serving the needs of visually-impaired persons.

"The development will also facilitate translation of imported accessible format copies and export of accessible format copies in Indian languages," said the statement issued by Ministry of HRD on the subject. The Indian Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, is reportedly already in harmony with the Marrakesh Treaty.

Here is a related news from OutlookIndia

India Takes Global Lead in Empowering the Blind to Read

भारत मर्राकेश समझौते को समर्थन देने वाला पहला देश बना

JULY 2, 2014

पत्र सूचना कार्यालय
भारत सरकार
मानव संसाधन विकास मंत्रालय

02-जुलाई-2014 15:09 IST

मर्राकेश समझौता नेत्रहीनों के लिए प्रकाशित कार्यों तक पहुंच सुलभ कराने में होगा सहायक

भारत 30 जून, 2014 को नेत्रहीनों, दृष्टि बाधित व्यक्तियों के लिए प्रकाशित पुस्तकों/कार्यों तक पहुंच सुलभ कराने में मदद से जुड़े मर्राकेश समझौते को समर्थन देने वाला पहला देश बन गया है। अभी तक विश्व बौद्धिक संपदा संगठन (डब्ल्यूआईपीओ) के 79 सदस्य देशों ने इस समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर किए हैं। 20 देशों द्वारा इस समझौते को समर्थन दिए जाने के बाद मर्राकेश समझौता लागू हो जाएगा। 

संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ में भारत के स्थायी प्रतिनिधि श्री दिलीप सिन्हा ने डब्ल्यूआईपीओ के मुख्यालय में एससीसीआर (कॉपीराइट एवं संबंधित अधिकारों पर स्थायी समिति) के 28वें सत्र के दौरान आयोजित एक समारोह में डब्ल्यूआईपीओ के महानिदेशक श्री फ्रांसिस गुर्रे को समर्थन पत्र सुपुर्द किया। 

मर्राकेश समझौते का मुख्य लक्ष्य नेत्रहीनों, दृष्टि बाधित व्यक्तियों के लाभ के लिए अनिवार्य सीमाओं और अपवादों के एक संकलन का निर्माण करना है। यह अनुबंधकारी पार्टियों द्वारा राष्ट्रीय विधि प्रावधानों के अनुपालन से ब्रेल जैसे स्वीकृत रुपों में प्रकाशित कार्यों के पुनर्निर्माण, वितरण तथा उपलब्धता सुनिश्चित कराने के जरिए किताबों की भीषण कमी की समस्या को दूर करने में सहायक होगा। साथ ही, यह समझौता ऐसे संगठनों, जो उनकी सेवा करते हैं, को इन पुस्तकों के विभिन्न देशों में आदान प्रदान की अनुमति भी देगा। जैसे ही मर्राकेश समझौता लागू हो जाएगा, यह भारत में लाखों नेत्रहीनों और दृष्टि बाधित व्‍यक्तियों के लिए प्रकाशित पुस्‍तकों तक पहुंच सुलभ करा देगा। यह उनके लिए शिक्षा और रोजगार के अवसरों तथा समान अधिकारों को सुनिश्चित कराने में भी मददगार साबित होगा। 

यह समझौता दृष्टिहीनों के लाभ के लिए काम करने वाले शैक्षिक संस्थानों, पुस्तकालयों जैसे भारत के अधिकृत संगठनों द्वारा सदस्य देशों से सुलभ फॉरमेट प्रतियों के आयात में भी सहायक साबित होगा। यह समझौता भारतीय भाषाओं में सुलभ फॉरमेट के आयातित प्रतियों के अनुवाद तथा सुलभ फॉरमेट प्रतियों के निर्यात में भी मददगार साबित होगा। भारतीय कॉपीराइट (संशोधन) एक्ट, 2012 मर्राकेश समझौते के अनुरुप है। 

Source: I Care India

An App to help locate disabled friendly buildings & facilities in cities

Dear Friends,

This one looks really interesting. I am aware that many cities in the world particular in the western countries do provide such a service. In Indian context, we have had access guides that helped people with reduced mobility to go around. However, an app for the android based smart phones is an in thing since this can be patronised by a large number of user-groups who frequently go out and commute.

Perhaps we could also introduce Accessibility Ratings for the Buildings which could readily hint people about the level of accessibility in the particular building. Here is the news item from The Mint on the initiative by the Maharashtra Govt.

Mapping disabled-friendly buildings and facilities

Leveraging Google Maps, Accessible Places categorizes places based on services such as banks, ATMs, etc. 

Arundhati Ramanathan

Mumbai: It would solve so many of my problems if I knew which places were disabled-friendly,” said Asha Sinha, a 52-year-old whose leg was afflicted by polio. 

Sinha, who lives in the Mumbai suburb of Andheri, uses an electric wheelchair to get around. However, her movements are limited to her home, since most outdoor places do not have any support structures like ramps for easy access. “Every time I step out, I need two people to accompany me to lift the wheelchair,” she says. 

The Maharashtra government may have a solution for Sinha and 26.8 million more people with disabilities in the country, according to the 2011 census. The government’s directorate of information technology launched a mobile phone application called Accessible Places in February, where users can locate disabled-friendly places in the state. 

The idea for the app comes from the Persons With Disabilities Act, 2012 (PWD Act), which emphasizes on equality and non-discrimination which extends to all disability categories. 

“The disabled should enjoy the freedom and liberty to move to places they wish within the jurisdiction of the state or country. The government of Maharashtra is focused on promoting the rights of persons with physical disabilities through a range of social welfare approaches,” says the directorate. 

Leveraging Google Maps, the app, which is still in early stages of development, categorizes places based on services such as banks, ATMs, libraries, hospitals, schools, parking, heritage sites, metro stations, railway stations, restaurants and parks. 

Users can search for a location by selecting the type of service and the application shows all the places in that category on the map which accommodates the special needs of people. 

Accessible Places is a crowd-sourced app, which means its accuracy and coverage depend heavily on the users updating the information. 

Users can also add photos of places while adding information to make it more user-friendly. 

For example, Mumbai’s Ghatkopar metro station carries the disabled-friendly stamp on it on the app’s map. A picture uploaded by a user shows textured tiles intended to give a good grip to those using wheelchairs. It also says the station has an elevator wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and has a ramp from road level up to the elevator, enabling easy access. 

“Very few places are disabled-friendly in India,” says Janaki Pillai, director of operations at Ability Foundation, a non-governmental organization working for empowerment, integration and rights of people with disabilities. “However, we are seeing a more conscious effort, especially from the newer buildings, to make them more inclusive.”

A first-of-its kind initiative from a state government, the app is available on all Android devices. iOS and Windows Mobile versions are also on the cards. It is free for use and does not need registration. 

“The app is one of the means by which we are extending support for sustainable and inclusive growth of the differently-abled persons and ensure they can visit places of their needs and those are accessible easily by the means of technology,” the directorate said. 

The organization believes that technology will help address crucial needs of the differently-abled. “People are now highly engaged with technology with the help of their smart phones. And mobile apps cater to every need and every aspect of life.”

The number of smartphone users in India was 51 million last year, which is expected to more than double to 104 million in 2014, according to the fourth edition of consultancy Deloitte’s estimates for the technology, media and telecommunications in India.

Mahaonline Ltd, a four-year-old joint venture between the state government and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd funded the app development. 

Mahaonline focuses on facilitating e-enablement and delivery of citizen-centric services.

Only a few disabled-friendly places are mapped at present, but the government hopes to map almost all state facilities soon and then nationwide infrastructure. 

The government is looking for proactive initiative from regional areas as well. It is also insisting that all departments and private organizations create provisions for the disabled in any new infrastructure or facility being set up. More disabled-friendly places will make the application richer and more useful.

“Though the impact of the initiative is not visible as of now, the Maharashtra government will make deliberate efforts for more mature and sustainable use of technology to the advantage of physically- challenged people,” the directorate said.

The government also hopes this application will be a catalyst to change the mindset of other governments and the people at large to address the basic needs of this section. 

“Fruits of the labour in terms of infrastructure changes and creation of a huge database where physically challenged persons can browse for accessible places will be visible in the near future,” said the directorate.

“This app is a great beginning,” said Pillai of Ability Foundation. “And the disabled will have a vested interest to make it better.”

Mint has a strategic partnership with Digital Empowerment Foundation, which hosts the mBillionth Awards.

Source: The Mint