International News briefly
Compiled & edited by Jennifer Geagan (Jennifer@wid.org)
Egypt's Rebuilt Bibliotheca Alexandrina Includes Library for Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors and Researchers
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, now the largest library in the Middle East and Africa and originally founded over 2000 years ago, just reopened after many centuries as an integrated cultural complex, with libraries, museums, exhibition areas, educational centers and an international conference center.
As part of the library complex, UNESCO is establishing a special section within the library for blind and visually impaired visitors and researchers. Using specialized hardware and software components, The Taha Hussein Library offers materials appear on computer screens in Braille or using a special audio program. Library users will be able to browse through the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog), select the material they need, deposit it on a scanner connected to a workstation, and either read it in Braille or listen to it. The website for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and The Taha Hussein Library will be in Arabic, English and French, and located at http://www.bibalex.gov.eg/.
Towards the Arab Decade of Disabled People
The Arab Organization of Disabled People with the Arab League is developing a proposal for the Arab Decade of Disabled People 2003-2012 and hopes to have it passed and adopted by the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs and the United Nations. The Arab decade would begin as the Asia Pacific decade ends. Africa's decade began in 1999. For information about the Arab Organization of Disabled People or the Arab Decade of Disabled People 2003-2012, contact the AODP Main Office at PO Box 113-5157 Hamra, Beruit Lebanon; Tel/Fax: 9611738296/7; Email: aodpb@hotmail.com.
Disabled Judge Applicants in Thailand Judged by Appearance and Denied Opportunity
Amnesty International reported earlier this year that two disabled people applying to be judges in Thailand were turned down by a Thai judicial commission because they look "weak." Both vow to fight the decision and reapply next year.
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