I. WEBINAR VIDEO AND TRANSCRIPT
Please click here for the VDO
Please click here to access the full transcript of the document.
II. SUMMARY OF SPEAKER INTERVENTIONS
Opening remarks
• Mr. Kaveh Zahedi, Deputy Executive Secretary, ESCAP
Keynote address
• Ms. Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General on Disability and Accessibility
Video
• “Leave Us Not Behind” [VDO]
Panellist Interventions
• H.E. Ms. Zhang Haidi, Chairperson of the China Disabled Persons’ Federation and President of Rehabilitation International
• Mr. Masahito Kawamori, Co-chair of the Focus Group on Media Accessibility, International Telecommunication Union
• Mr. Stephen Sui, Senior Expert and former Secretary of Labour and Welfare, Government of Hong Kong, China
• Ms. Anjlee Agarwal, Executive Director if Samarthyam and Member of the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI)-CSO Standing Committee, India
• Ms. Valerie Julliand, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Nepal
Discussant Interventions
• Ms. Afamasaga Faauiga Mulitalo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Women, Community & Social Development, Samoa
• Mr. Victor Pineda, President of World ENALBED, Co-Chair Cities for All Global Platform, and Founding Member, G20 Smart Cities Alliance
• Ms. Lee Sin Yi, President of Singapore Physiotherapy Association
• Ms. Ng Lai Thin, Project Officer of the National Early Childhood Intervention Council, Malaysia
• Mr. Nazmul Bari, Director of the Centre for Disability in Development, Bangladesh
• Ms. Angeline Chand, Team Leader (Programmes) for the Pacific Disability Forum, Fiji
• Ms. Georgia Dominik, Social Affairs Officer, Disability Team of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, United Nations
• Ms. Dipawali Sharma, Deafway Project Officer of the Nawalparasi Association of the Deaf, Nepal
Closing reflections
• Mr. Monthian Buntan, Senator of the Parliament of Thailand and Member of United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and ESCAP Champion for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022
III. CASE STUDIES AND OTHER RESOURCES
The resources on this page have been collated by ESCAP following a call for case studies and other resources on protecting and empowering persons with disabilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of the follow-up for the webinar. The views and content contained within the resources do not belong to, and are not endorsed by, ESCAP.
Case studies
Good Practices from the CBM India Trust
Submitted by: Thakur Dhariyal, CBM India Trust, Advisor Disability, CBM India Trust, Former State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Dy. Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, GoI
A list of good practices from the CBM India Trust in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Good practices from the Government of Thailand
Submitted by: Woranut On-ubol, Government of Thailand, Foreign Affairs Division of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security of Thailand
These measures were introduced by the Government of Thailand, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to ensure the good quality of life of persons with disabilities and that no one is left behind, under the themes of: Financial Aid, Training courses for persons with disabilities, a Community project “We will not leave one another” and MSDHS Volunteers specifically for persons with disabilities.
Case studies of leaders of organisations of persons with disabilities in India
Submitted by: Anjlee Agarwal, Founder & Executive Director of Samarthyam
Samarthyam organisation have collected 15 case studies from fives states, following the experiences of leaders organisations of persons with disablities who are also women with disabilities.
| Case 1 | Case 2 | Case 3 | Case 4 | Case 5 |
| Case 6 | Case 7 | Case 8 | Case 9 | Case 10 |
| Case 11 | Case 12 | Case 13 | Case 14 | Case 15 |
Policy briefs and opinion pieces
The great transformation: Future cities and emerging trends for inclusive urban resilience
Submitted by: Victor Pineda, President, World Enabled, Co-Chair Cities for All Global Platform, and Founding Member, G20 Smart Cities Alliance
The article by Victor Pineda explores the question of, 'How can cities be accessible, inclusive and resilient in the “new normal”?' and identifies emerging trends that can impact inclusion. Mr. Pineda also gives recommendations and declared actions, as well as an outline of his webinar series focusing on cities and COVID-19.
Policy brief: the fulfilment the rights of persons with disabilties during the COVID-19 crisis
Submitted by: Barka Henry, Leonard Cheshire, Regional Manager, South Asia, East Asia & Pacific Regional Office, Leonard Cheshire
This international policy briefing by Leonard Cheshire focuses on mitigating the global impact of COVID-19 whilst fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities. The policy briefing includes recommendations, background, policy areas, opportunities, data collection and contacts.
Will it be the “white smoke” from the 10 billion Cash transfer to disabled Kenyans? An article by Paul Mugambi and Dr Siyat.
Submitted by: Paul Mugambi, Public Policy Diversity and Inclusion Expert
This article by Paul Mugambi includes a background of the situation in Kenya, along with the legal framework and facts for consideration. Mr. Mugambi suggests a COVID-19 rescue plan and long-term solutions.
Why social isolation is a Greek term to disabled Kenyans
Submitted by: Paul Mugambi, Public Policy Diversity and Inclusion Expert
Paul Mugambi offers observations and suggestions about the effects of COVID-19 on lives of Kenyans who have disabilities or chronic illness whose needs are not considered during the COVID-19 crisis. His article also includes questions for consideration.
Why disabled Kenyans are pregnant in COVID-19
Submitted by: Paul Mugambi, Public Policy Diversity and Inclusion Expert
This article by Paul Mugambi encourages disability-inclusive policies in Kenya. Mr.Mugambi outlines the background of the present situation and identifies considerations, challenges and suggestions for future improvement.
The catastrophe of being blind and disabled in the era of COVID-19 and “lessons for Policy makers!”
Submitted by: Paul Mugambi, Public Policy Diversity and Inclusion Expert
This article by Paul Mugambi outlines the background of persons with disabilities in Kenya and looks at the role of the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The article expresses views on the effects of COVID-19 on the lives of persons with disabilities, including the impact of isolation and the effect of the virus on employment.
Will the “disabled” Kenyans cry foul after being left in Coronavirus conversations?
Submitted by: Paul Mugambi, Public Policy Diversity and Inclusion Expert
This article by Paul Mugambi outlines the available facts on persons with disabilities in relation to crisis management and COVID-19, as well as the lessons learnt from previous disease outbreaks. The article looks at the roles of the disability sector, including legal obligations, training and the needs of Kenyans with disabilities.