'After the Road Accident': A novel with difference

A unique publication ‘After the Road Accident’ has been published this month by Akota Prokash. It’s an exceptional novel that focuses on the tragic incidences of a road accident and its inevitable consequences on a person's life on the context of our socio-economic and cultural reality. This novel was written by Akash Pradip, BHPI Lecturer of CRP.

Writer of this novel tried to portray the life of a man and his sufferings who was a victim of an accident. The writer has his experiences of observing many problems as well as road accidents on the way. He witnessed how an accident brings tragic changes in a person's life. So, he felt an urge doing things to make some changes in this common scenario of our day to day reality. He mentions in his foreword "The thought of bringing change always hanged around my mind. It is this thought which finally insisted me to write a novel that can move my nation".

This publication is unique in a sense that where lots of tragic and painful consequences of road accidents aren't focused in the literary works of our renowned writers and poets, there ‘Akash Prodip’ has broken that tradition. Through this novel the writer tried to bring those facts forward to make others understand the issue. He also pointed out the relevant stakeholders who can play vital roles in bringing this change. AWDP Bangladesh will be strongly stood for this change to be taken place. AWDP wishes for a wider circulation of this novel and felicitates the writer for his noble work.

This novel is available at Ekushe Book Fair and at CRP.
Contact E-mail: after_accident1@yahoo.com

DPOs and PWDs' Self-help Issues discussed in the Commonwealth Conference

In December 2006, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was adopted in the UN General Assembly. Following this historic achievement, disability organisations are working to ensure that the governments ratify the Convention, and most importantly to see that all governments implement the changes needed to ensure that persons with disabilities have full and equal enjoyment of human rights. The Commonwealth Foundation through its Disabled Peoples Forum and LCD through its work in 52 countries are working towards ratification of UNCRPD in all Commonwealth countries. As part of this initiative, a “Regional Conference on Disability in Commonwealth Asia”, was held at Bangalore (India) from 6th to 8th December 2008. 33 representatives from Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, UK and Sri Lanka attended the conference. AWDP Secretary and Coordinator Md. Mahbubul Ashraf attended the conference as an invited resource person from Bangladesh among others.

People with disabilities self-help endeavours drawn attention of the audience with utmost importantce, as an effective means of empowerment of PWDs in this region.

AWDP Secretary and Coordinator Md. Mahbubul Ashraf has made a compresensive presentation on 'endeavors of Self-Help Groups and DPOs in Bangladesh'. He highlighted that the SHGs/DPOs have united people with disabilities and have increased their self-confidence and esteem in his presentation. He mentioned, because of these groups, today, disabled persons have a vision for a better future with dignity and rights.

Vacancy for Project Manager
National Grassroots Disabled Organization-(NGDO) invites application for recruitment to the position of Project Manager under the project titled “Strengthening capacity and networking of DPOs in moving forward to implementing CRPD”.

Disability Quota Mentioned: None

Encouragement:
Women & persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Deadline for Application: 28 February 2009

Major Responsibility:
Development of Project Proposal, Program Planning, implementation, documentation and reporting. Networking with other development agencies and organizations.

Educational Requirements: Masters or equivalent

Experience Required: 3 to 4 years

Additional Requirements: Good understanding on disability issues and UNCRPD; positive attitude towards working with disabled people; fluency in Bangla and English; Computer Literacy.

Job Location: Dhaka, Head Office (includes field visit)

Salary: Up to 15000/- as per competence of the applicant.

Duration of the job: One year (expandable on satisfactory performance)

Instructions to Apply:
Applications alongwith with CV, two pp sized photographs and attested copies of academic certificates should be sent to the President, NGDO, House # 56, Road # 11, Block C, Banani, Dhaka 1213 or email to aktar_ngdo@yahoo.com by February 28, 2009

For a Bangla ToR of the Job you can mail to aktar_ngdo@yahoo.com or to awdpbd@gmail.com

Job opportunity in CDD

Center for Disability and Development CDD is going to recruit a team of staff for its Food Security for Ultra Poor project located at Gaibandha District, Bangladesh.

Deadline for Application: 17 February 2009

Disability Quota Mentioned: None for any position

Encouragement: Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Coordinator – Disability (one)
Job Responsibility: Coordinate program implementation, monitoring,
documentation, reporting and budget control.
Educational Requirements: Masters or equivalent
Experience Required: Minimum 5 year(s)
Additional Job Requirements: 5 years experience on disability issues
Salary: 30000/-

Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (one)
Job Responsibility: Design project monitoring guideline and analyze data and prepare reports.
Educational Requirements: Masters or equivalent
Experience Required: Minimum 2 year(s)
Additional Job Requirements: 2 years experience in project monitoring
Salary: 22000/-

Trainer - Disability (one)
Job Responsibility: Capacity building of consortium partners staff on inclusive development and follow-up.
Educational Requirements: Masters or equivalent
Experience Required: Minimum 3 year(s)
Additional Job Requirements: 3 years experience as trainer
Salary: 22000/

Physiotherapist (four)
Job Responsibility: Assess the persons with disabilities & provide Physiotherapy.
Educational Requirements: Graduation in Physiotherapy
Experience Required: None
Salary: 20000/

Occupational Therapist (two)
Job Responsibility: Assess the persons with disabilities & provide occupational therapy
Educational Requirements: Graduation in related discipline
Experience Required: None
Salary: 20000/

Speech & Language Therapist (two)
Job Responsibility: Assess the persons with disabilities & speech & language therapy.
Educational Requirements: Graduation in related discipline
Experience Required: None
Salary: 20000/

Assistive Device Professional (one)
Job Responsibility: Assess AD requirements for persons with disability and follow-up.
Educational Requirements: Graduation in related discipline
Experience Required: None
Salary: 20000/

Admin cum Accounts Officer (one)
Job Responsibility: Admin and Accounts management for the project.
Educational Requirements: Masters in Accounting/ Finance or CA course completed.
Experience Required: None
Salary: 14000/

Disability Agent (five)
Job Responsibility: Assess persons with disabilities and provide basic therapy services.
Educational Requirements: Not mentioned
Experience Required: None
Additional Job Requirements: Experienced on providing primary therapy
Salary: 8000/

Instructions to Apply:
Apply with CV, a photograph, mentioning the position applied for to the Executive Director, CDD, D-55/3, Talbag, Sava, Dhaka-1340 or email to cdd@bangla.net by February 17, 2009

Disability doesn’t limit one’s success

Potentials of a person cannot be limited by his or her disability. Rather it blooms up with special ability many a times. Antora Ahmed, a woman with physical disability and Treasurer of AWDP-Bangladesh is such an instance among people with disabilities, especially the more vulnerable women with disabilities around us. On 10 February 2009 Antora secured the position of Asst. Vice-President of Arab Bangladesh Bank, one of the most reputed and large private Bank of the country.

Antora has been striving hard for her dignity and independence by working with AB Bank since last 18 years. 1n 1990 she got her job at AB Bank to a very small position of 'Assistant' even after getting her Post Graduation Degree from Rajshahi University. Since then she had to struggle hard to protect the job, the only means of her independence and dignity by her sincerity and hard work. And, over the last 18 years she was promoted five times to reach to this position. So far, Antora is only PWD who could reach up to this level in any Govt. or Private Bank in Bangladesh.

Antora's struggle was solely of her own and of her family. The driving force behind her success was her determination, sincerity and hard work. There was no role of any agency or organization during the most difficult days of her striving. But she wasn't frustrated. Her learning form the real life experiences motivated her to contribute for other PWDs through her own organization AWDP-Bangladesh. She is a Founding Member of AWDP and has been contributing to make some difference since 1996.

AWDP Executive Council on behalf of all its members and friends felicitates Antora for her encouraging achievement and wishes for her good health and further success.

*****

Words of Appreciation....

Thanks for sharing us such a great news! Congratulations to Antora Apa on her success. To me, its not just a success, its a victory over the tyranny of the non-disabled ideology of the society. We salute you Antora Apa!
In solidarity!

Mahbub Kabir

Director
Leonard Cheshire Disability and Development Bangladesh (LCDDB)

*********

Thanks for the exclusive news on Antora Appa, Treaurer AWDP.
Special Congratulations to her for her Success. I pray for her as if may Allah her live long. I hope for that time when she will be in the top position of AB Bank as a WWD in Bangladesh. And also she will contribute in disability sector by her own capacity.

At last, I salute her because she has broken negative attitude among the decision makers, planers and other in the Civil Socity as a WWD of Bangladesh.

Best Regards

Azmal Hosen Mamun
Freelance Development Journalist &
a person with low vision from Bangladesh

****************

I believe such good news would inspire persons with disabilities to be confident enough to their potential. It is not only inspiring for the persons with disabilities rather it’s a challenge to the myth that disabled people are not capable to work and hope potential employer would also consider employing persons with disabilities. We would like to convey our sincere gratitude to her work and contribution to the disability movement.

Antora Apa, our heartiest congratulations to you and we pray for her sound health. We wish to see you securing top position in banking sector.

This information should be shared to other potential employers.

Mozammel Haque

Acting Country Director

ADD Bangladesh

********

Congratulations for your grand success Antara Apa. I personally feel proud for your success. I wish your success.

Moniruzzaman Khan
Joint Secretary, AWDP-Bangladesh
& Managing Trustee, BDDT

*******

Having learnt from AWDP-Bangladesh that you have promoted to the post of Assistant Vice-President in your Bank, I would like to extend my hearty thank and congratulation to you.

Wish you all the best

M.Osman Khaled
Chairman, Society of the Deaf & Sign Language User &
Ex-Vice-President, Bangladesh National Federation of the Deaf

******

Congratulation Antora Apa.
Wishing for your good health and further success.

Saira Ameer

Vice President, AWDP-Bangladesh

& BCC Officer, BCCP, Dhaka, Bangladesh

****

Congratulations Dear Antora Apa!

Its a great success for you, your family, for every woman with disabilities and for all of us.

We are proud of you.

Go ahead...

I think the news of Antora Apa need to be disseminated among the mainstream women rights movement, who are severely discriminatory towards the rights of of women with disabilities.

Md. Zahidul Kabir
Coordinator & Team Leader, Programs NFOWD

*****************

My greetings and best wishes for Antora Apa. We are feeling inspired and confident by knowing such achievements of one of our scholar friend.

GREAT CONGRATUALATIONS to ANTORA APA.

Jannatul Ferdous Ivy
Development Activist &
Human Rights Promoter, ADD-Bangladesh

**************

Congratulations to Antora from SARPV-Bangladesh and also thanks to Ashraf to keep going on.

Shahidul Haque
Executive Director

SARPV-Bangladesh

*****************

Dear Antora apa, Congratulations on your promotion! I hope you all the success for the future. It is a great achievement for you and an inspiration for us, PWDs

Roxana Sherif
Development Activist
(A woman with disability from Bangladesh)

*********

My greetings to Antora Apa.

Great achievement for all of us.

Nahid Mahmud
Sydney, Australia
Former Vice President, AWDP-Bangladesh

************

Greetings from NCDW! You will be an example of our society on behalf of disabled women as well as it will give us an enthusiasm to go ahead in our future life.

Disabled people, specially disabled women are neglected in our society. But society will break her misdemeanor to seeing like man of you & everyone will say disabled people can do every thing if surroundings are upbeat.

Umme Kulsum Ranjona
President, NCDW

***************

Dear Antora Apa, We are also proud and congratulate to you, you are secured the position of Assistant Vice-President of Arab Bangladesh Bank, Also holding the respected position of Treasurer in AWDP. Best regards,

Md Sherajul Islam (Swapan)
Executive Director
Society for Awareness and Development of Disabled (SADD)
**************
Dear Sister Antora,
Warmest congratulations!

I am very proud of you. You and I both know the term “disability” means because we both are sufferers. I am a profound deaf man living in the United States as your native and you are my sister who is struggling in our country, despite barricades.

By virtue of faith, hard work and going to extra mile, you set a milestone for our country. I am greeting you, honoring you from the heartland of the United States for your very best.

Brother Khaled, brother Ashraf, and brother Mamun are the surja santans (golden sons) of our country. I wonder to know their tireless efforts for the welfare & rights of the people with disabilities in our country!

People with disabilities should not be neglected anymore. It is our moral duty and responsibility to recognize them nationally and annually. Introducing Bangladesh National Able Award will be a real honor and a very fine example for them.

Warm wishes,

Iftu Ahmed
Aurora, IL USA

*********
Dear Antora and Ashraf,
Everyone at CRP wishes to extend their warmest congratulations to you, Antora on the great success you have achieved in your bank. You should feel very proud indeed. Very well done.
Thank you so much, Ashraf for kindly giving us this great news.

Best wishes,

Valerie Taylor
Founder and Coordinator
Center For Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP)

************

Congratulation to Antara apa for her Success. I salute her.
I wish every success of her life.

Best Regard

Md Anwar Hossain Hazari
ChairmanPratibandi Kallayan Society(pks)

**************

Thanks for sharing this great news. Really Antora apa is a role model for PWDs. As she is in a higher position hope she will create some opportunity for others. Wish a healthy and successful life to Antora apa. Regards.

Jolly Kowser

Deveopment Activist on Disability and Rights

(A woman with late Blindness)

***********

Dear Ashraf bhai, Thanks for shearing this news.
Congratulations! Antora apa for your great success .We all are proud to hear this news .
Wish you good luck. Thanks

Nazrana Yeasmin Hira
Program manager (Rights)
Manusher Jonno Foundation

**********
Ms. Antora Ahmed,
Assistant Vice PresidentAB Bank Ltd. & Treasurer AWDP

Dear Antora, Heartiest Congratulation for your professional recognition and commendableachievement.We all feel proud for your success. We all pray for your sound health and competent professionalism.

Finally, you have made the history by serving in the Banking sector inBangladesh with your disability. Thanking you and wishing your best of luck.

Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury
Managing Director
Jatiyo Protibondhi Unnayan Foundation
********

Launching Ceremony of Ivy’s Publications!

A Launching Ceremony of two publications
‘Shopno Nirman Proyash’ and ‘Ahmed Sofa: Oporahner Surjo’ written by Jannatul Ferdous Ivy was held on 8 February 2009 at Alliance Francaise Auditorium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

This couple of publications was ever first publications of Jannat Ivy who is a woman with physical disability (severely fire burnt by an accident) and a development activist in Bangladesh. She has been working to promote rights and dignity of people with disabilities through a disability organization, Action on Disability and Development (ADD).

A significant number of participants including writers, academicians, development activists, civil society representatives, friends and well wishers attended this auspicious event. Dr. Salimullah Khan, Cynthya Walsh from ADD UK, Dr. Ahmed Kamal, Fahmida Monju Majid and Mrs. Lailatul Ferdous spoke on the occasion as special and invited guests while Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, the former Advisor of the Council of Caretaker Government of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest.

The first publication is the compilation of Jannat’s own life story. This is a bi-lingual publication in Bangla and English and the second one is a compilation of eminent writer and educationalist Ahmed Sofa’s short knows stories in Bangla

The author mentioned in her foreword that generally we cannot accept any accident happening to our day-to-day incidents. Then we think that life has been meaningless or it has lost all potentials. She (author) also does not desire any accident to be taken place or it makes a pause in the rhythm of life. But what rhythm was about to finish in her life it did not kill her, rather it stored all her lively attitudes to replenish her life again. And, her family was the source of her strength. She also mentions that thousands of our ordinary middle-class families inherit similar attitudes - they trust people and they are deceived; but they do not forget their simplicities, their dream-------and, it gives firmness to their dreams come true.

AWDP-Bangladesh highly appreciates Ivy for her literary endeavors. Ivy’s endeavors will light the way to many of our potential men and women with disabilities to come forward with their literary contributions and to expose real abilities and competencies towards building a knowledge-based society. AWDP conveys best wishes to the author and a wide circulation of her publications.

Article on Language Movement in perspective

Today Bangla ranks fifth or sixth among the most spoken languages in the world. Nearly 230 million people speak Bangla. Banlgadesh recognized as an independent, sovereign country in the world since 1971 and Bangla is the official language of our beloved Bangladesh.

On September 24, 1974, Bangladesh became a member of the United Nations and Bangabandhu was the first to address the UN General Assembly in Bangla.

February 21 observed every year in Bangladesh to commemorate the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952. On November 17, 1999 it was declared by the UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day for observance globally.

All those things were made possible by the greatest sacrifice of our Language Martyrs who remain as the symbol of our national pride.

Here is a very informative and interesting article on our Language Movement, written by our beloved Iftu Bhai, a person with Hearing Disability from US and a good friend of AWDP-Bangladesh. The writer has reiterated many known and unknown facts about the glorious movement in this article.

Please go through the article at:

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=58151

And share your opinion with the writer and others.

Career Opportunity for Disabled People!

BanglaLink, a leading Mobile Phone Company in Bangladesh invites applications from deserving candidates for the position of "Careline Officer" for its customer support/call center division.

This position is open exclusively for men and women with hearing and physical disability.

Job Responsibility:
To provide highest quality of service to the customers over the phone; keep abreast with the latest information w.r.t the products, policies and procedures of the company in order to handle customer queries and complaints effectively and efficiently; to provide feedback to the Team Leader on issues and challenges w.r.t his/her job and suggest solutions; Perform other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirement:
Graduate from any Government and UGC approved University with good academic records.

Additional Requirement and Competencies:
· Team Work: Display a good-natured, cooperative and positive personality;
· Decision Making/Problem Solving: Assess options and implications in order to identify solutions. Help the team to achieve win-win situation by demonstrate effective negotiation skill;
· Drive and Initiative: Do things proactively under minimal supervision and take result-oriented actions;
· Flexibility and Adaptability: Open to modify behavior and decisions according to changed circumstances;
· Planning and Organizing: Develop project plan and implement them successfully, under supervision. Act as an efficient multitasked professional and a competent time manager;
· Effective Communication: Convey messages clearly to others, verbally, and in writing to meet different business needs;
· Customer Focus: Understand and help the team meet clients’ needs;
· Cooperation: Be pleasant with others on the job;
· Reliability: Be responsible and fulfill obligations;
· Service Orientation: Be sensitive to others` needs;
· Self Control: Maintain composure in very difficult situations.

Job Location: Dhaka

Apply Instructions:
Applicants should send their CVs to recruitment@banglalinkgsm.com mentioning the type of their disability. Or to: Banglalink, Tigers` Den, Plo 4, SW (H) Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Application Deadline is February 12, 2009

Human Rights Training for Young Leaders

The UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights at the University of Connecticut invites applications for the fifth annual International Leadership Programme: A Global Intergenerational Forum, to be held August 1 - 9, 2009 in Storrs, Connecticut.

The Forum seeks to empower young leaders by involving them in finding solutions to emerging human rights problems, and nurturing individuals to be effective leaders in the field of human rights.

Young people between the ages of 18-30, with community service experience, and with demonstrated ability to work on solutions to human rights problems, should apply.

Conference will be held in English only. Fluency in English is required. Applicants will be selected based on the strength of their application essay, demonstrated commitment to human rights (practical/hands-on experience), potential impact on the individual and their potential contribution to the Forum, regional and gender representation.

Application Requirements for 2009: Fluency in English is required. forum will be held in English only. In order to be considered for admission to the International Leadership Programme, please submit the following:
1. A completed and signed application form
(Aavailable at: http://www.unescochair.uconn.edu/regformfored4.htm)
2. Letter of intent (please attach as word, pdf, or text document)
3. Curriculum Vita/Resume (please attach as word, pdf, or text document)
4. Names and contact information for three professional references

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. ALL applications must be submitted electronically or via facsimile to unescochair@uconn.edu /fax: 860.486.2545

For Additional Information regarding the application deadline/registration, program content, special needs requirements, or housing, please call the UNESCO Chair Office at 860-486-0647 or email to unescochair@uconn.edu.

Hope for Viewers with Hearing & Speech Disability

The government of Bnagladesh has decided to bridge information gap with people with Hearing & Speech Impairment by the promotion of sign language interpretation through Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels in the country. It has created a big hope for Viewers with Hearing & Speech Impairment to be brought under National Electonic Media coverage as other citizens of the country.

The honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wazed has signed this decision on 25 January 2009 and has publicly declared while inaugurating the month long Ekushe Book fair at Bangla Academy court yard, at Dhaka on 1 February 2009.

A long held urge of the viewers with hearing & Speech impairment is expected to be met through this declaration of the honorable Prime Minister. In this regard, Disability Section of the Ministry of Social Welfare has circulated a letter dated 27.01.2009, to the Ministry of Information and other relevant stakeholders for execution of this decision.

Association for the Welfare of the Disabled People (AWDP)-Bangladesh congratulates the honorable Prime Minister for this decision, Ministry of Social Welfare and other relevant governmental authorities, Disability Activists and other Civil Society representatives who have made it done through their relentless advocacy and motivation.

AWDP draws kind attention of all concerns to the letter of the Ministry of Social Welfare where it mentions for sign language interpretation of important news. We think If selection of important news is done the full benefit of this decision may not go in favour of viewers with Hearing and Speech disability. Because, we have observed fortnightly special news bulletin with sign language interpretation in BTV which given important information to viewers with Hearing and Speech disability but couldn't make them update with day to day information and issues. Thus, our earnest request to the relevant authorities to telecast at least one National News daily through sign language interpretation without making any selection of importance.