"SCI Life" Addresses Disability Rights Around the Globe
By Lex Frieden and Laurel Richards, ILRU Program
An upcoming issue of SCI Life focuses on disability rights from an international perspective. The journal, a publication of the Spinal Cord Injury Association, will provide a snapshot of efforts which are taking place around the world to protect the rights of people with disabilities and to increase opportunities for them to live independently, become employed, and contribute as full members of their communities.
This issue consists of three distinct sections, all of which deal with some aspect of international disability. The first section addresses the issueís theme of "advocating for disability rights, independent living, and inclusion--a worldwide movement." It includes:
An Immediate Need
U.N. Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities--Provided in this article is the background, justification, and prospects for an U.N. Convention to protect the rights of all people with disabilities in the world. I see this as the most important and most challenging goal before us, and, it will take considerable effort on all of our parts to make it happen.
Diversity & Disability Rights: A Call for Inclusion & Universal Cooperation
The author notes that people with disabilities have been successful in gaining official recognition that we make up 10 percent of the worldís population. Now, she says, our challenge is to convince society that we are an irreplaceable part of the 100 percent. She also comments about what she sees as a lack of solidarity and collaboration within the disability movement.
International Disability Aid & Funding: Competition & Secularism Vs. Understanding & Solidarity
Concern with competition among various disability groups is continued in this article. The author considers the "mutual wariness and uneasy dance steps" which occurs among groups from developed and less developed countries and describes Dutch and Flemish-led efforts to overcome this cautiousness and to establish a basis for understanding and cooperation.
Disability Rights: Bioethics & People with Disabilities
Described in this article is what was surely a fascinating meeting on bioethics as related to disability issues--and the absolute need to include people with disabilities in such discussions. As the author observes, usually people with disabilities "are physically absent but always present as objects of bioethical concern." Ways to obtain additional information, subscribe to listservs, and participate in on-line discussions on this volatile subject are provided.
The second section of this journal includes articles on disability-related technology, from an international perspective. These articles include:
International Web Sites Relating to Assistive Technology & Universal Design
This article covers exactly what the title says--Web sites being operated from around the world which address assistive technology and universal design matters. The author provides the Web site title, its address, and a brief description of what each site covers.
Wheelchair Cushions & Pressure Distribution: Taking Measurements Outside of the Clinical Setting
The author describes a portable computer-based device which can be used in a personís home to measure pressure distribution on various wheelchair seats and cushions. He also discusses the implications of this technology for reducing incidence of pressure sores and attendant severe medical complications for disabled people--particularly those living in rural areas.
The Cult of the Tandem Bike / Wheelchair Duet
Whereas the previous article covers a subject about which people who use wheelchairs (and pretty much only they--and occupational therapists) are enthusiastic, this article is even more specialized in appeal. It has been included because it reports on a wide-ranging social phenomenon--extreme keenness for unorthodox transportation devices--the learning of which will almost certainly enrich all of our lives. Also, a number of us may decide that we want to have one of these neat things for ourselves.
Children & Youth: Internet Resources on Toys for Children with Disabilities
Now for something completely different--toys. The author has included three categories of Web sites: ones which cover building or adapting toys, ones with information about public resources for toys, and ones with information about commercial sites for toys. Web sites are annotated, and addresses are provided--but not, alas, the all-important contact information for Santa.
The journalís third section provides a global roundup of disability rights policies taking place in various countries around the world--Japan, India, South Africa, Great Britain, Vietnam, Russia, United States, European Union, New Zealand, and Australia, among others.
Content for this issue of SCI Life was drawn from among disability rights-focused articles in Disability World. As you know, as a Web-zine, Disability World is available only on line. This issue of SCI Life provides a venue by which a few selections from the large reservoir of past Disability World articles can be made available in print form to a new audience. It also provides an opportunity to bring to your attention excellent articles which you may not have seen when originally published.
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