Economic empoweremnt seminar's report by Akram Muhammad

make the right real

A seminar report on

Organized by

Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) and Danishkadah Supported by

TSML and HBFC

make the right real

Background: The seminar idea emerged from the Incheon strategy goal 1 “Reduce poverty and enhance work and employment prospects” , disability friendly policies of Tuwairqi Steels Mills Limited (TSML) under leadership of Mr. Zaigham Adil Rizvi and efforts of personal efforts of Mr. Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi’s on economic empowerment of persons with disabilities . Observing these efforts Danishkadah presented a seminar proposal to appreciate those who are doing good work for economic empowerment of persons with disabilities and to inspire and encourage others to follows. With hopes to bring more opportunities for PWDs in employment and self employment. After discussing with a Mr. Irfan president of peer organization Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) a seminar on the said topic was planed on 3rd December on international day of persons with disabilities but due to some reasons organized on 29th December by Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) and Danishkadah with support of and Tuwairqi Steels Mills Limited (TSML) and House Building Finance Cooperation (HBFCL). The following pages give brief report of the seminar and some related information on the topic.

make the right real

Program Detail:

Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all 3rd December International Day of Persons with Disabilities a seminar on

Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Date: Sunday December 29, 2013

Venue: Auditorium of National Museum of Pakistan

Program order; 1

Recitation from Holly Quran

Mr. Zeeshan

Welcome note

Ms. Shahida PAD Women wing

An introduction of International Day of Persons with Disabilities and UN CRPD clause 27.

Mr. Irfan Mumtaz President PAD

Economic empowerment of PWDs and its impact, CRPD to Incheon strategy.

Mr. Muhammad Akram President Danishkadah

Voice from PWDs who has been empowered Employees with disabilities

Management experience Working with employee’s with disabilities

A message on social and economic empowerment

Recommendations on economic empowerment

Signatures of all guests on recommendations

Brief comments of guests of honors

President of seminar

Mr. Zaigham Adil Rizvi Director Projects—TSML

Speech of chief guest

Ms. Sharmeela Farooqi Minister Culture

“Economic Empowerment Award” distribution

Note of thanks

Group Photo

make the right real

Mr. Zaigham Mahmmod Chief patron PAD

Ms. Shazia Gulzar Danishkadah Women wing

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Program Summary: Date Time Venue Day Chief Guests

Stage Secretary

29THDecember, 2013 4:00 – 6:30 pm Auditorium of National Museum of Pakistan. SUNDAY Miss. SharmilaFarooqi Minister of Culture and Tourism Mr. Zaigham Adil Rizvi Country Head/Director Projects, Tuwarqui Steel Mills Dr. SairaBano Manager Administration & PR of Kalia Group Ms. Anam Naqvi President—PTI Disability wing Mr. Pervaiz Iqbal Mughal General Manager HR and TD, TSML Mr.Rehan Allah Wala President of Super Technologies Incorporation Mr.Shahnawaz National Coordinator of Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Network Pakistan Mr. Aqeel-ur-Rehman Mrs.FazlaShamim Mr. Amir Arif

Photographer

Mr. Anil

President of Seminar Guests of Honor

Interpreter

Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) and DanishKadah organized a Seminar on “Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disability”on 29thDecember 2013 at National Museum of Pakistan. Miss. Shamila Farooqi – Minister of Culture and Tourism was invited as Chief Guest whereas Mr. Zaigham Adil Rizvi – Country Head / Director Projects of Tuwarqui Steel Mills was invited as President of the seminar and Dr. Saira Bano - Manager Administration & PR of Kalia Group, Ms. Anam Naqvi—President PTI Disability Wing, Mr. Pervaiz Mughal – General Manager HR and TD of TSML, Mr. Rehan Allah wala – President of Super Technologies Incorporation and Mr. Shahnawaz – National Coordinator of Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Network Pakistan were invited as Guests of Honour. Besides guest around 200 people attended in this seminar.

make the right real

Recitation of Holly Quran: At start Mr. Zeeshan who is deaf did Tilawat-e-Quran

Welcome Note:

Ms. Shahida PAD womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wing welcome all the participants, guests

and Chief Guest .

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Key note speakers: Mr.IrfanMumtaz â&#x20AC;&#x201C; President Pakistan Association of the Deaf presented a presentation. He thanked to all guests especially Chief Guest. He gave a brief introduction of PAD including its goals and objectives. Then he briefly explained the history about International day for Person with Disability and the actions which are taken for their empowerment. He also highlighted the steps which are necessary for their empowerment. After that he enlightened the purpose to recognize the seminar. Then he explained the achievements of PAD by showing the new sign language books which are ready for printing. He showed the commitment to prepare all sign language books of primary level. At last he thanked to program sponsors i.e. Tuwarqui Steel Mills and House Building Finance Company Ltd. He also thanked to president of Danishkadah Mr. Akram for such a great idea for organizing such a marvelous event.

make the right real

Key note speakers: Mr. Akram – President of Danishkadah gave a brief presentation in which he introduced Incheon Strategy as an strategy to implementation of United National Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He said that Danishkadah had honor to be part of the development of this strategy for the new decade (2013—2022) with slogan to make the right real. He said today’s economic empowerment seminar is in connection with the goal 1 of Incheon strategy. Then he briefly shared how empowering a person with disability bring positive impact on his / her family and whole society. He also shared some good publications of International Labor Organization (ILO) on the topic and a project of British Council on job attachment of slow learning youth. He presented Mr. Zaigham as an inspirational personality on economic empowerment of PWDs and said I am observing his efforts since many years. Other too can do! Only need it so to raise awareness so those who are sitting at higher position in corporate sector can contribute in economic empowerment. He said that I am not introducing Danishkadah here you all can take the story book of Danishkadah which is one good knowledge management tool to introduce Danishkadah’s history. He thanked all guest and participants and made an apology to physically challenged and wheelchair users participants, due to inaccessibility of the auditorium. He said that as you made effort to come and bear the pain due to inaccessibility, this will helps in making the society accessible for all.

make the right real

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 27 Work and employment : 1. States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities. States Parties shall safeguard and promote the realization of the right to work, including for those who acquire a disability during the course of employment, by taking appropriate steps, including through legislation, to, inter alia: a) Prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability with regard to all matters concerning all forms of employment, including conditions of recruitment, hiring and employment, continuance of employment, career advancement and safe and healthy working conditions; b) Protect the rights of persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, to just and favourable conditions of work, including equal opportunities and equal remuneration for work of equal value, safe and healthy working conditions, including protection from harassment, and the redress of grievances; c) Ensure that persons with disabilities are able to exercise their labour and trade union rights on an equal basis with others; d) Enable persons with disabilities to have effective access to general technical and vocational guidance programmes, placement services and vocational and continuing training; e) Promote employment opportunities and career advancement for persons with disabilities in the labour market, as well as assistance in finding, obtaining, maintaining and returning to employment; f) Promote opportunities for self-employment, entrepreneurship, the development of cooperatives and starting one's own business; g) Employ persons with disabilities in the public sector; h) Promote the employment of persons with disabilities in the private sector through appropriate policies and measures, which may include affirmative action programmes, incentives and other measures; i) Ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided to persons with disabilities in the workplace; j) Promote the acquisition by persons with disabilities of work experience in the open labour market; k) Promote vocational and professional rehabilitation, job retention and return-towork programmes for persons with disabilities. 2. States Parties shall ensure that persons with disabilities are not held in slavery or in servitude, and are protected, on an equal basis with others, from forced or compulsory labour. Urdu translation can be found at UNCRPD-Urdu/

make the right real

http://www.danishkadah.org.pk/usefulDocuments/

make the right real

Incheon Strategy: Incheon strategy is a 10 years (2013-2022) strategy with 10 goals to push the implementation of CRPD. The goal 1 is related to economic empowermentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Reduce poverty and enhance work and employment prospects. Detail can be found at the followings links; Abstract http://www.unescap.org/publications/detail.asp?id=1523

Complete strategy with 10 goals in .PDF format http://www.unescap.org/sdd/publications/IncheonStrategy/Incheon-Strategy.pdf

make the right real

Comments from employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with disabilities: After that few individuals having different disabilities came and explained about their employment and life. First Mr. Imran an employee with deafness said that he is employed at Tuwarqui Steel Mills since 6 years, and here I am having good earning which enabled me to support my aged parents and my family with 3 kids. Secondly Mr. Syed Amin Ahmed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Vice President of PAD came and thanked to Mr. Zaigham who supported him to get job at HBFC as Web Master. Third Mr. Ehsaan shared his experience he said he worked at other company there he faced problem and management was not disability friendly and salary was low and had no opportunity to have promotion despite I my skills in IT. Then when I applied in TSML I was accepted due to my skills in IT, here I feel much comfort and dignity and having equality opportunity to get promoted. He thanked to all guests. He also thanked to Tuwarqui Steel Mills for his job. Lastly Mr. Atif who has physically disability said that for economic empowerment firstly we have to persuade the mindset of common man that they should except that we are as perfect as others because even after doing MBA whenever I went for interview the interviewer reject me just because of my disability. They never see that if a person manage to do MBA than he can do job as well. But not all fingers are equal I got the job in Tuwairqi Steel Mills, and I am doing here a respectable job Note due to shortage of time other employees with disability could not share there experience. Mr. Amin(Deaf)

Mr. Ehsan (deaf)

Mr. Atif (Physical disability)

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Mr. Imran (Deaf)

make the right real

Comments of representative of TSML: Mr. Pervez Iqbal Mughal, Senior General Manager, HRD, TSML, said that he is feeling proud to attend this Seminar which is supporting the cause of empowering persons with disability. He excused that their CEO, Mr. Zaigham Adil Rizvi though he was very eager and passionate to attend this Seminar, could not come due to his busy travelling schedule. He said that his organization is not only very committed to the Quota of jobs for PWDs, but also, at TSML, we have also set Norms about taking care of their self-esteem. He said that as a Society, all of us must support such noble causes. He said sadly that there are many organizations in Pakistan that don't care for this job Quota set by the Government. He said that 2% Quota is just nothing for any organization. He said that there is need to set Values for these persons. He requested to Ms. Sharmila Farooqi who was Chief Guest of this function to make efforts to get implemented this Quota at least in all organizations working in Sindh. At last, he thanked to Mr. Irfan and Mr. Akram for organizing such a great event.

make the right real

An Special Message from Mr. Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi: After that Mr. Ghazanfar son of Mr. Zaigham Mahmood read the message of his father. He said that since long he found his father engage with PWDs and striving for the rights of the PWDs. First Mr. Zaigham thanked to Mr.Irfan and Mr.Akram for organizing such lovely event. He said that since beginning HBFC and TSML is committed for the quota of job for PWDs. Only there are few organizations obeying this rule. He gave some recommendations for economic and social empowerment of PWDs, as follows. 1. Federal and Provincial Government should ensure the implementation of 2% job quota for PWDs. 2. A definition of PWDs should announce on government level so that no one can misuse it. 3. Government should issue special cards for PWDs showing the nature of disability. 4. PWDs should be given medical, education and financial support according to their disability. 5. Problems of PWDs should be highlighted through TV program and seminars. At last he prayed that Allah may give him more power to support PWDs. Note: his full messages is given on next page

make the right real

‫‪make the right real‬‬

‫‪An Special Message from Mr. Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi:‬‬ ‫ب‬

‫ہ‪a‬اﷲ‪a‬ا رح ن‪a‬ا رح م‬

‫ب‪a a‬پ ‪ a‬ں‪a‬ج اب‪ a‬ر ان‪ a‬تاز‪ a‬در‪a‬پا تان‪a‬ا و ‪a‬ا ن‪a‬آف‪a‬دع‪a‬ڈ ۔ف‪a‬‬ ‫اور‪aa‬ج اب‪a‬ا رم‪ a‬احب‪ aa‬با ‪ a‬در‪a‬دا ش‪ a‬دہ‪ a‬ا‪ a‬ر ہ‪a‬ادا‪ a‬ر ۔ا‪a‬۔۔چ۔ا ۔ت۔ا‪a‬۔ ۔وں‪a،‬‬ ‫ج وں‪a a‬اپ ‪ a‬ات وں ‪ a‬اتھ‪ a‬ل‪ a‬ر‪a‬اس‪a‬خوب ورت‪ aa‬ت ر ب‪ a‬ا‪a‬ا ت ام‪ a‬۔ا‪a‬‬ ‫۔ اور‪a‬اس‪a‬ت ر ب‪a a a‬دن‪a‬رات‪ a‬ام ر ‪a‬پر‪ a‬ں‪a‬آ ف‪a‬ا ن‪ a،‬ا ر‪a‬۔ ۔ارف‪a‬‬ ‫اور‪ a‬ا ہ‪a‬ب ن‪a‬اور‪a‬پ ‪a‬اے‪a‬ڈی‪ a a‬ات وں‪ a‬ا‪a‬ب ‪ a‬ر‪ a‬زار‪ a‬وں۔‪a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪a‬‬ ‫‪ a‬ں‪ a‬ہ‪a‬ت ر ب‪a‬ا ور ‪a‬ا ٹ ل‪a‬اور‪ a‬اوس‪a‬ب ڈ گ‪ a‬ا س‪ a‬ار پور ن‪a‬۔ ۔ ‪a‬‬ ‫‪ a‬ا ‪a‬خود‪ a‬ختاری‪a a‬‬ ‫ت اون‪ a a‬د‪a a‬جار ‪ a‬۔‪a‬ا ور ‪a‬ا ٹ ل‪a‬اور‪a‬ا چ‪a‬ب ‪a‬ا ف‪a a‬پا تان‪a a‬ان‪a‬چ د‪a‬اداروں‪ a‬ں‪ a a‬ں‪a‬‬ ‫‪a‬ا دا ات‪ a‬۔‪ a‬و‪a‬۔۔پ۔ا ۔ت۔ان‪a‬‬ ‫ج وں‪ a a‬روع‪a a a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪ a a‬ا ‪a‬بحا ‪a a a‬‬ ‫ں‪a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪ a a a‬ز ت‪ a‬ا‪a‬دو‪ a‬د‪ a‬وٹہ‪ a‬رر‪ a a‬ر‪ a‬ت ‪a a‬چ د‪a‬ادارے‪a a‬ا ‪ a‬۔ں‪a‬‬ ‫ج وں‪a a‬اس‪a‬پر‪ a‬ل‪ a‬ا‪ a‬۔‪aa‬ا ور ‪a‬ا ٹ ل‪a‬اور‪a‬ا چ‪a‬ب ‪a‬ا ف‪a a‬ان‪ a‬ں‪ a‬ر‪ a‬ر ت‪ a‬ں۔‬ ‫ہ‪a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪a‬۔ ۔و‪a‬۔ ۔ ز ۔ت‪a‬۔ ۔ ۔ں‪a‬‬ ‫ں‪a‬پا تان‪ a‬ں‪a a‬اداروں‪ a‬ا‪ a‬ربراہ‪a‬ر ا‪ a‬وں‪a‬اور‪ a‬وں‪a‬اور‪a‬‬ ‫ان‪a‬اور‪ a‬ن‪ a a‬ہ‪ a‬تا‪ a‬وں‪a a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪ a‬ام‪a،‬جذبہ‪a‬اور‪ a‬ن‪a‬‬ ‫حو ہ‪a‬ا زا ‪ a a‬۔‪ a‬ں‪a‬ب ت‪a‬ا‬ ‫‪ a‬رح‪ a‬م‪ a‬ں‪ a‬ں۔‪aa‬اس‪ a‬و ‪ a a‬ا بت‪ a a‬ں‪a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪ a a‬اج ‪a‬‬ ‫ں‪a‬د ر‪a‬ا راد‪a a‬‬ ‫اور‪ a‬ا ‪a‬بحا ‪a a a‬چ د‪a‬تجاو ز‪a‬پ ش‪ a‬ر ا‪a‬چا تا‪ a‬وں۔‬ ‫‪.1‬‬

‫ر زی‪a‬اور‪ a‬وبا ‪a‬ح و ت ں‪ a‬وری‪ a‬ور‪a‬پر‪a‬اس‪a‬بات‪ a‬ا‪a‬ا ت ام‪ a‬ر ں‪ a‬ہ‪a‬ت ام‪ a‬ر اری‪a‬و ر‪ a‬۔ر ۔اری‪a‬۔۔اداروں‪a‬‬ ‫ں‪a‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪ a‬و‪ a2a‬د‪ a‬وٹہ‪ a a‬ا ق‪ a‬ز ت‪a‬دی‪a‬جا ۔‬

‫‪ .2‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪a a‬ا ک‪a‬وا ح‪a‬ت ر ف‪ (definition of disability)a‬ر اری‪a‬‬ ‫۔‬ ‫تا ہ‪a‬اس‪ a‬وٹہ‪ a‬ا‪ a‬ط‪a‬ا ت ال‪ a‬ہ‪ a‬ا‪a‬جا‬

‫ح‪a‬پر‪ a‬ر‪a‬۔دی‪a‬۔ج۔ا ۔ ‪a‬‬

‫‪.3‬‬

‫ذور‪a‬ا راد‪a a a‬ح و ت‪ a a‬ت د‪a‬ادارے‪a‬خ و ‪ a‬ارڈ‪a‬جاری‪ a‬ر ں‪a‬جن‪a‬پر‪a‬ان‪a a‬ڈس‪a‬ا ب۔ ۔ ۔ٹ۔ ‪a‬‬ ‫ٹ‪ a a‬ابق‪ a‬ٹ ری‪a‬اف‪a‬ڈس‪a‬ا ب ٹ ‪a‬درج‪a a‬جا ۔‬ ‫رٹ‬

‫‪.4‬‬

‫م‪ a‬۔ں‪a‬۔ ۔ا ۔ ‪a‬۔۔ا ۔ا ۔ت‪a‬۔۔اور‪a‬‬

‫ذور‪a‬ا راد‪ a‬و‪a‬ان‪a a‬ڈس‪a‬ا ب ٹ ‪ a‬ٹ ری‪a‬‬ ‫و ت ں‪ a‬را م‪a a‬جا ں۔‬

‫‪ a‬ابق‪a‬‬

‫ج‪ a‬ا جہ‪a‬اور‪a‬ت‬

‫‪ .5‬ٹ ‪a‬وی‪a a‬پرو را وں‪ a‬ں‪a‬ت ام‪aa‬ا راد‪a‬با م‪ a‬ذوری‪ )a‬ا ت ‪a،a‬ج ا ‪a،‬ب ری‪a،a‬ذ‬ ‫ا ل‪ a‬و‪a‬اجا ر‪ a‬ا‪a‬جا ‪a‬تا ہ‪ a‬ا رہ‪a،‬آ ‪a‬بڑھ‪ a‬ر‪a‬ان‪ a a‬اتھ‪a‬ت اون‪ a‬رے۔‬ ‫آخر‪ a‬ں‪a‬اﷲ‪a‬ت ا ‪a‬‬ ‫ر ا ‪)a‬ا ن(‬

‫‪make the right real‬‬

‫‪a‬د ا‪ a‬رتا‪ a‬وں‪ a‬ہ‪ a‬ج‬

‫‪ a‬ذور‪a‬ا راد‪a a‬خد ت‪a‬‬

‫‪make the right real‬‬

‫‪a‬‬

‫‪(a‬‬

‫‪a‬ز د ۔ ‪a‬۔ ۔ ‪a‬‬

‫‪aa‬ز ادہ‪ a‬وت‪a‬اور‪ a‬۔ ۔ت‪a‬۔ ۔ ۔ا‪a‬‬

‫‪make the right real‬‬

make the right real

Karachi Recommendations: Then the recommendation were presented by Mr. Aqeel. Before that Mr. Akram explained that we have developed some recommendations and these recommendations were shared with many organizations and the logos you are seeing on the recommendations are of those organizations who support these recommendations. Then chief guest and guest of honors s i n g e d t h e recommendations as token of support for t h e s e recommendations. The organizations supporting the recommendations by placing their logo on it were thanked. Note: read recommendations on the following page.

make the right real

Karachi Recommendations on Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities We, the representatives of persons with disabilities, disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) , other civil society organizations (CSOs), the Government of Sindh, and the business sector, over 100 persons, participated in the one day seminar on “Economic Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” in conjunction with this year’s theme Breaking the Barriers, Open the Doors, for Inclusive Society for All on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 3rd December 2013, at Auditorium of National Museum Pakistan, Karachi, organized by Pakistan Association of Deaf (PAD) and Danishkadah. Noting that the majority of persons with disabilities are subject to economic exclusion on a daily basis, which affects negatively their rights to access to equal opportunities because of unavailability of legislation to protect their rights and protect them from the discrimination; Emphasizing on Government of Pakistan to implement United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) that is ratified on 5th July 2011 by the government; Recognizing that United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is making the right real through Incheon Strategy (2013-2022) especially economic empowerment of persons with disabilities through its goal 01. “Reduce poverty & enhance work & employment prospects.” Hereby unanimously recommend as follows:

1. Government should ensure implementation of existing job quota for persons with disabilities according to employment and rehabilitation of disabled person ordinance 1981 with enhancing job quota from 2% to 5%

2. Companies should encourage hiring at least one leaders with disabilities who is devoting their lives in empowerment of persons with disabilities, as special employee, similar as companies hire sports persons. So the leader can continue contributing for the community development with peace of mind.

3. Companies should encourage designing special summer internship program for students with disabilities. Continue

make the right real

. . . . . .Continued

3. Companies should encourage designing special summer internship program for students with disabilities.

4. To improve communication access for employees who are deaf and depend on Sign Language (SL), companies should encourage at least two (02) of their existing employee to learn Sign Language by offering some monthly/annual SL allowance. Same may be offer to text interpreting.

5. Government should give some tax exemption to those companies who hired persons with disabilities more than the required by quota.

6. Companies not hiring PWD as per quota be imposed penalty of 2% extra tax. The amount so collected should be used exclusively on empowerment programs of PWD.

7. Govt. should announce annual special award certificate â&#x20AC;?economic empowerment awardâ&#x20AC;? for companies showing outstanding performance in hiring persons with disabilities and providing accessible environment to their employees and customers, at their premises.

8. Govt. should announce annual "employee of the year" award for employees with disabilities in govt. and private sectors, and encourage companies to nominate their outstanding employee with disabilities for this award.

9. To ensure the implementation of job quota and to enhance the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, a committee formation is recommended consisting leaders of persons with disabilities, well known people from corporate sector who have done good job in economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, and government representatives.

make the right real

Comments by Special Guest : Dr. Kausar Waqar (Director Pakistan Association of Inclusive Education) said that she is associated with Aga Khan University at department working for improvement of PWDs. She said that before economic empowerment which should focus on conditions i.e. social support and vocational trainings which make it possible. She appreciated the recommendation given by PAD and Danishkadah. She said that there is need to increase the acceptance at basic level. She thanked to Mr. Akram and all other organizers for organizing such a big event. Organizersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Note: Quality education and vocation skills are truly the base of economic empowerment, but things go parallel. On one hand it needs to improve the access to education for PWDs same time on other hand those PWDs who are looking for job or selfemployment should be given the chance. Otherwise interest in educating children with disability may be decrease.

make the right real

Comments Guest of Honors : Dr. SairaBano appreciated the efforts of Mr. Irfan Mumtaz and Mr.Akram for organizing such a gorgeous event. She also thanked to Miss. Sharmeela Farooqi for taking out some time from her busy schedule for PWDs. She said that Kalia Group is always in front for the support of PWDs. She said that she also has employees who are disabled. She admitted that the efforts for the empowerment of PWDs are very slow and there is need to do a lot. She promised that she is always stands with PWDs and available all the time. .

make the right real

Comments Guest of Honors : Miss. Anum Naqvi - President of PTI PWDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wing said she is blind from the age of 14 years. She said that for economic empowerment first this is self-esteem. She said Allah must bestow something extra to all disables. She quoted number of scientist name who are disable but they well known by their contributions. She motivated all PWDs that they can do everything and they have to struggle for their rights. She emphasized that all buildings should have ramp, all elevators should have brails, new and TV program should be in sign language. She said that all of these can achieve by unity of PWDs and support of all. She said that for the purpose PTI has establish a wing of PWDs. She said that PTI is a first political party in Pakistan raising his voice for the PWDs. She said that they have presented first policy of disability. She emphasized on the implementation of 2% employment quota. She requested for government support and said that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our right.

make the right real

Comments Guest of Honors : Dr. Shanawaz—National coordinator Community Base Inclusive Development Network (CBIDN) Pakistan, said that disability does not exist within person but it is exist in society. He address to Mr. Sharmeela and said that he came to this auditorium in the month of March at that time there were no ramp for physically challenged persons. He said that we requested to Mr. Bukhari to build ramp but unfortunately still there is no ramp. He requested to Ms. Shameela that as a culture minister she must take action in this regard. First he demanded to her that all buildings must be accessible for physically impaired persons. Secondly he demanded that for true implementation of Sindh government project “Education for All” all educational institution must be accessible. This accessibility should be in two terms i.e. accessibility to class room and accessibility to washroom. He said that she is an excellent spokesperson in People Party so she can speak on behalf of PWDs. He requested to her that she make efforts for the representation of PWDs both in the party and in provincial and National assemblies. Organizers' Note: The venue (auditorium of National Museum) is under ministry of culture of culture. We had requested for ramp before the event and they assured they will do something but they didn’t . Now due to this seminar Minister order a ramp and they built, see the following pages for more detail.

make the right real

Chief Guest Ms. Sharmila Farooqiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s : Ms.SharmeelaFarooqi thanked for the invitation. She said she love you all. She endorsed Mr. Shahnawaz that disability does not with in person having disability but it is in a person who cannot see your ability you have. She said she experienced that PWDs are hard worker and honest more than any other person. She quoted an example of person having physical disability,whom she gave a job in IT department during last government. She said she found him devoted and honest. She said that it is in the manifesto if Pakistan People Party that the quota for disable person should increase from 2% to 10%. She promised to build ramp at the auditorium of National Museum of Pakistan. She accepted that whether there is government organization or private sector there are no ramps. But now every new construction are trying to build ramp. She said that although she does not has any such power to print books but she promised to own printing of 1000 copies of PAD new sign language books â&#x20AC;&#x153;Azkar-e-Namaz. She invited all to attend the upcoming Sindh Book Festival. She motivated to all for making efforts for their rights.

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Award on economic Empowerment of Persons with disabilities : To token of appreciation Economic empowerment award was presented to those who are empowering persons with disabilities.

Group Photo at end of the seminar make the right real

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Note of Thanks : Ms. Sazia Gulzar thanked to all the participants, guest of honors and chief guest Ms. Sharmila Farooqi Minister Govt of sindh for taking time for the busy schedule and supporting the cause. Thanks to seminar supporters TSML and HBFC for their generous support. And also made excuse if we missed anyone. Note: Ms. Shazia is member Danishkadah and have post lingual deafness (deafend or late-deafened)

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Photo Album :

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Photo Album :

Showing love for persons with disabilities (in sign Language) Instructing for ramp construction to director National Museum

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An outcome : Besides the awareness raising, an immediate outcome was ramp at auditorium of National Museum. this was announced by the minister and she fulfilled her promise. During program she listen the complaint of inaccessibility and also observed the difficulties faced by the participants with physical disabilities. Above Photos before the ramp, below photosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of ramps Minister observed the barriers at her arrival, and listening the complaint about

inaccessibility due the steps at entrance of auditorium.

A BIG THANKS to MS. SHERMILA FAROOQI minister Govt. of Sindh for her contribution to

MAKE THE RIGHT REAL make the right real

make the right real

Pakistan Association of the Deaf Pakistan Association of the Deaf is a non-profit organization which began in 1987 to help and support deaf community in solving their problems. The role of PAD is to empower, educate and develop leadership skills in deaf community and promote S.H.O (self help organization concept) in them. We provide our services to the deaf community and only receive limited government funding and support, we rely heavily on the generosity of the community to help us continue to make a difference. Contact: : info@padeaf.org http://www.padeaf.org

Danishkadah is non-governmental and not for profit organization, founded by persons with disabilities. Danishkadah means a place to learn / where wisdom excels. Danishkadah concentrates on issues and solutions, it not an ordinary Disabled People Organization (DPO) to chant slogans, or protest without proposing solutions. Our approach is inclusive as we believe in inclusion and collaboration with all the segments of society, i.e. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), families, government, universities, media, corporate sector and general society. Without such collaboration, the ultimate goal of "accessible, barriers-free, and right base society" cannot be achieved. Our mission is to empower Persons with Disabilities so they can live better and independent lives. And our ultimate goal is "inclusive, barrier-free, and right based society " for all (Biwako Millennium framework - UNSCAPE) Contact: info@danishkadah.org.pk www.danishkadah.org.pk make the right real

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Tuwairqi Steel Mills Limited (TSML), is Pakistan’s first private-sector integrated environment-friendly steel manufacturing project of Al Tuwairqi Holding, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. TSML complex spreads over an area of 220 acres at Bin Qasim, Karachi, and employs the world’s most advanced DRI (Direct Reduction of Iron) technology based on the MIDREX process, owned by Kobe Steel of Japan. The plant, with the capacity to produce 1.28 million tons of high-quality DRI, has commenced production of DRI from Jan 2013. http://tuwairqi.com.pk

House Building Finance Company Limited (HBFCL), is Pakistan’s leading housing finance institution. Through its Head office in Karachi and a countrywide network of Regional, Zonal and Branch Offices, HBFCL is able to offer its’ services to clients in every part of the country.

Since its inception HBFCL has provided a range of housing finance products and services for nearly half a million housing units. Now, HBFCL is geared up to play a pivotal role in addressing the increasing housing shortage in the country, currently estimated to be in excess of 7.5 million housing units. http://www.hbfcl.com

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ZAIGHAM MAHMOOD RIZVI Expert Consultant-Housing and Housing Finance Chief Patron—Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) Chairman Sir Syed Deaf Association (SDA)

Mr. ZAIGHAM is a career development finance banker. He has served in many prestigious and frontline Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in Pakistan and abroad. Zaigham has been associated with Association of Development Finance Association of Asia & Pacific (ADFIAP) for over 20 years and was its Vice Chairman. His notable achievements include the successful turnaround of leading DFIs in Pakistan and in Gulf. Zaigham has played a key role of promoting Islamic Finance in Pakistan and has served as Founding Director on the Boards of Meezan Bank (a commercial bank), AlMeezan Asset Management Co. (a portfolio management entity), Dubai Islamic Bank and as Chairman of Takaful Pakistan (an Islamic Insurance Company). Zaigham was the founder of the Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan (MUFAP), and served as its Chairman for nearly 10 years. He also served on the Boards of different corporate entities and Banks. Zaigham was also the Founding Director of Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance (PICG). Over the years Zaigham has developed a passion for Low-Cost Affordable Housing for Economically Weaker Sections of the society. His direct experience in the field spreads over more than 25 countries in different geographical regions around the globe covering Africa, Middle-East, South-Asia, East-Asia and Pacific. He was also a part of Pro-Poor Housing Initiative taken by UN-ESCAP, and World Bank study on “Expanding Housing Finance to the Underserved in South-Asia”. He has served as an Expert Consultant on Housing and Housing Finance to the World Bank, IFC, UN-ESCAP, UN-HABITAT, CMHC of Canada, ShoreBank Int’l and other international agencies. Mr. Zaigham played a pioneering role in establishing Asia-Pacific Journal of Housing Finance (www.apuhf.info ) and is a member of its Advisory Boardand is the Secretary General.

Mr. Rizvi holds a Masters in Business Administration from USA, Masters in Economics and Chemical Engineering from Pakistan, and was a Fulbright Scholar of the US Government (1975 to 1977). His Certifications include “Executive Development Program” of ADFIAP, the “Director Education” program of PICG, Banking Diploma from Institute of Bankers Pakistan, and Diploma from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Pakistan. He is currently based in Washington.

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IRFAN MUMTAZ President—Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD)

Mr. Irfan born with leadership skill. He joined PAD as teenager and serve as office secretary, then became general secretary and finally in 2004 he became president of PAD. He has organized many seminar, workshop and meeting at provincial and national level. He also attended many international meetings and events include a youth camp in Japan. He developed passion to improve the quality of education for the deaf when he was in school. And he believe that developing Pakistan Sign language (PSL) will play the key role in improving the quality of education of deaf students. He played a key role as sign language expert in developing first 5 books of sign language at PAD, including the Urdu grammar in Signs which was the first and only book to introduce Urdu grammar in signs. After that there is long list of publications on PSL by PAD for which his passion and leadership played a key role. And his latest achievement is developing 4 new books on Islamic teaching in sign language with Arabic , English and Urdu translation. Being a natural leader he reshaped PAD and started lot of new projects which include deaf empowerment and education center, Interpreter service for the deaf, deaf empowerment community center, leadership and empowerment project for the deaf. He has devoted his life to “empower all deaf and development of sign language books for all level of deaf students by using all innovative and latest technology and techniques for enhancing deaf skills eventually enabling them to face challenges and avail every opportunity available. Following is the list of PSL books published by PAD under his leadership 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Number Writing Colouring Activity Book ICT Learning Tools on Safety Instruction for Flight Sindhi Basic Alphabets Sindhi Qaida Six Kalma Book Global Computer Sign Language Book 1 Urdu Qaida – 2nd Edition English Writing Capital Letters - 2nd Edition English Writing Small Letters Play Group (Math, English & Urdu) Islamiat Book -1 Askar-e-Namaz Islahat-e-Namaz ICT Learning Tools on Colours, Numbers, Kalma, Family Relations etc. He can be reached at irfan.mumtaz@padeaf.org

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MUHAMMAD AKRAM Found Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Danishkadah Secretaryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Asia Pacific Federation of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD)

Mr. Akram lost his hearing when he was teenager. He could not go to college because there was NO support available such as real-time captioning, in any educational institute in Pakistan He completed his bachelor degree in commerce with lot of efforts as private candidate. He fell in love with information technology in 1989 completed his diploma in computer science, did many certificate course including MCP, A+ Computa, Oracle. He Lived many yeas in isolation just having computer as a friend. In 2000 on suggestion of a foreign friend he started volunteering for organizations of persons with disabilities and supported many organization in Pakistan and abroad including Philippines, Indonesia, and USA. He played a key role in reshaping PAD during 2004-2008 as adviser and special projects coordinator. In 2005 he had opportunity to attend a training course of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) from their he entered in international arena of disability advocacy. He founded Danishkadah in 2006 and now it is more than 13 years he is playing his role as activities and advocate for disability. There is long list of activities he organized in Pakistan and abroad including workshops in Indonesia and Vietnam. His recent achievement is founding of Asia-Pacific Federation of Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD) with peers from 10 countries after 3 years efforts of networking in Asia-Pacific countries. More about him can be found at the following links; His personal story http://www.danishkadah.org.pk/aboutUs/akram/index.html Danishkadah story book http://www.apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/house-wisdom Dansihkadah book in video with SL http://vimeo.com/54216712 He can be reached at info@danishkadah.org.pk

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Launching of â&#x20AC;&#x153;make the right realâ&#x20AC;? at UN ESCAP headquarter in Bangkok Thailand

make the right real