Latest Updates (April 10)

Report on SDF's Election 2009 - 2011

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Call for SDF's membership : All Disabled People Organization (DPOs) working in Sindh are invited to join Sindh Disability Forum (SDF). You can fill the membership form online, then get it print and put your organization stamp. Then submit the form to Mr. Muhammad Akram (Election Committee) by hand or post to D-63,Block 8, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi.

Election Date will be announced soon after reviewing the membership forms. Please you have to pay Rs.500, annual membership fee, before or on the election Date. Otherwise you cannot cast your vote and may not allowed ot attend the meeting.

• Histroy:
• First Meeting Report (27th February 2005)
• Second Meeting Report (17th April 2005)
• Thrid meeting
• Participants' list of 1st, 2nd and 3rd meeting
• First Press conference (7th May 2005)
• Introduction
• bye lawys
• Membership
• SDF Activites
• Managing Committee

History:

Sindh Disability Forum (SDF) is an out come of initiatives taken for networking of Disabled People Organizations (DPOs). Mr. Muahmmad Akram of DANISHKADAH (formerly Helping-Hands) and Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani of ASHA introduced with each other through Internet and became net-friends and often discuss the issue of unity of DPOs. And one day they decide to call a meeting of all DPOs in Karachi. The first meeting was hosted by DANISHKADAH on 27th February 2005 at conference room of PIQC (Akram's office), in which many leaders from different DPO participated. And all agreed to form a united forum of DPOs of Sindh. On 17th April 2005 in the 2nd meeting at the same place participants agreed to form Sindh Disability Forum (SDF). participant nominated Akram as secretary of the forum, until the formalization of managing committee. This self help initiative of two persons with different disabilities and living far away laid a stone that proved its role in disability movement of Pakistan

First Meeting (27th February 2005)

Meeting date: 27th Feb 2005 Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: Conference Room of Pakistan Institute of Quality Control
Participants: See participants' list

The meeting started with recitation of Holy Quran.

Called around 14 organization and only 7 organizations participated;

1. All Sanghar Handicaped Association (ASHA)
2. Association for the Rehabilitation of Challenged People (ARCP)
3. Disabled Welfare Association (DWA)
4. Helping-Hands (DANISHKADAH)
5. Pakistan Association of Deaf (PAD)
6. Pakistan Association of Special People and their Families (PASPAF)
7. Pakistan Disabled Foundation (PDF)

All organizations introduced themselves in brief. Mr. Akram cleared the purpose of the meeting that all organizations are working individually now it is time of collaboration. If we will sit together and work together we will find more ways to achieve our goal. He invited suggestions for main problems of PWDs in Pakistan. Deaf Participants told that they have many problems but on the priority basis they have main problem of getting proper education and Jobs. Cross problem found out that all PWDs with cross disabilities have main problem of accessibility (transportation). All participants found that there is a need of collaboration on national level and they must have a real national organization of PWDs with cross disabilities.

Some suggestion also came in the meeting:

• Need to build an accurate database of NGOs working for PWDs
• Need to make a 'charter of demand', when designing this charter of demand we should understand ground facts. Impossible demands should not be included.
• Every one asking for money and job, for person with disability, but not trying to understand that they need to demonstrate skills and talent. Hiring unskilled and untalented person in any organizations is just putting a burden on these organizations. In past Govt. did this practice (hired untalented and extra employees) and Govt. sector firms showed a big loss that affect the entire nation.
• We need creative thinking to solve the problems, need to make a study of 'market trend' and try to equip PWDs with related skills (the skills that are in demand in market). We suggest a 'PWDs thinkers forum' having few representative from each type of disability that arrange regular meetings to bring some creative solutions for our problems and to contact with people from business sector / industrialists.
• It found that there is no clear and joint movement, some problems can be solved easily, for example footpaths have no ramps for wheelchair user, and it doesn't cost any thing to Govt. to make footpaths with ramps at each end. Why don't we call meeting with city Govt. and the builders to discuss this issue? Pedestrian bridge may cost some extra amount to have ramps with steps but still we can talk with city Govt. to arrange this as they are going to build many more pedestrian bridges it is the time to take their attention.
• For Deaf people in hotel room they need "bell with flash light" and this is not any expensive job. If there is association of hotels then we should arrange a meeting with them.
• Some people complaint that parents not love to their disabled children may be at some level it is true but individually whenever asked this question to any type of PWDs, they always said that their parents always try to help them at their best. Main problem is awareness, usually parents don't know what to do when they find they have a special child, many parents are totally illiterate. Another problem with poor parents is that they don't have enough time because some time both mother and father are struggling hard to earn enough money for food and shelter. Some parents afraid to send their deaf girls to school far from their home and kept them at home, unaware that it'll cause too much problem for their daughter in future. So we don't think it is that the parents dislike their special children and keep them away but its matter of knowledge, understanding how to deal with special children. Instead blaming parents to gain some 'pity' for PWDs we should try to educate parents and introduce concept of Independent Living.

After lunch break second session started. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani briefed about past and present of DPI Pakistan. Participants showed their full interest. It was decided in the meeting that:

• Meeting like this one should be held on regular basis.
• Next meeting may be held in the mid of the month of March 2005.
• First to organize all SHOs of PWDs in Sindh then include Baluchistan.
• It was observed that DPI Pakistan is delaying in membership process it was strongly demanded that Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani will collect all applications from Sindh for DPI Pakistan membership without any delay before CBSHOD will held in Pakistan.
• There is no need of another national level organization it will divide PWDs in Pakistan. If DPI Pakistan may not respond or delaying providing membership then it will be think for separate National level cross disabilities organization with consultation of other provinces.

Meeting ended with these observations and decisions that:

• None reached on time, it seems it is not good to arrange any meeting in first half of Sunday. We should change our habit and try to be punctual. We should prove better ourselves then so called able bodied.
• Called around 14 organization and only 5 organizations appears, we will try to bring more organizations in next meeting, for this we should try to build a accurate database of organizations of PWDs so we can contact all of them.
• It seems there is no Association for MR, but schools / institutes are working in urban area like Karachi, It was suggested those schools / institutes should join hands and form an association to discuss matters related to MR people, so this association can join DPI or any national forum so we will be able to understand the problems of MR people and can try to extend our help wherever possible.
• PWDs should represent their organization themselves, and should not send / bring 'non-disabled' people.
• Nothing will happen overnight, but if we make our path clear then it'll be easy to go fast. It suggest in next meeting, besides thinking about unity we should mark few easy steps to solve problems and put some effort to solve them as soon as possible, once we get success in this way we will gain courage, confidence and we can go for other problems.
• It was recommended that in next meeting all should bring suggestions for above point, these are things through that we can work to solve problems quickly and systematically. First problem lies with Govt. 2nd with public sector like hotels, transport, Int'l franchises etc. 3rd with among ourselves to respect each others point of view and nature of disability.

Photos from the first meeting;

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Second Meeting (17th April 2005)

Meeting date: 27th March 2005 Time: 2pm to 6pm
Venue: Conference Room of Pakistan Institute of Quality Control
Participants: See participants' list

In connection with previous meeting (on 27th Feb.) as agreed, a meeting of organization of PWDs held at same venue on 27th March 2005.

Meeting started with recitation of Holy Quran.

• Some more new organizations joined the meeting so everybody introduced himself or herself again.
• It seems we are going to form a good cross disability friendship circle.
• Mr. Ghulam Nabi Nizamani summarized the last meeting. He elaborated purpose of these meetings that we need collaboration among organizations of PWDs, Mainstream organizations, Governmental organizations and International organizations. Mr. Nizamani further told the house that another purpose of these meetings is that APCD is involved in development of PWDs so after regional CBSHOD, APCD is interested for organizing CBSHODs on National, provincial and district level so for using this tool we must be organized on all levels and a series of such meetings started from Karachi. After that he invited participants 1st who attended last meeting for their comments and after that invited new members for their comments.
• In comments Mr Irafan Mumtaz told the house that we will meet and meet again but some work may be done as we prove ourselves as practical people.
• Mr. Mobin suggested that this is time we name our group and draw action plan.
• Mr. Akram once again suggested that we should work in some arranged fashion and should think some creative solutions for our problems.
• Participants take active part in meeting show their interest to join hands for the cause. New participant Mr. Jaffar Shah asked about introduction of DPI and told that you don't think here we are few people; each of us is leading dozens of PWDs. You think hundreds of PWDs are participating and their future depends on their leaders so we must prove our selves. Mr. Ghulam Nabi again told the structure and effectiveness of DPI and National cross Disabilities Organization.
• Some participants suggest that first we should arrange ourselves at province level. Then we move on National level. Mr. Nizamani told that I am receiving positive responses from DPI Pakistan leaders. We first try to strengthen this our National platform if get no response then we will find out line of action. He distributed DPI Pakistan Membership forms among the organization. Mr. Mobin told that he has already submitted his membership form to DPI Pakistan
• Many other problems were discussed again (Job, 2% quota, Transportation problems, Education etc). It was suggested that in next meeting each participant will bring problems in written and possible solutions for those problems. Then work will start for one by one problem's solution.
• During talk besides others, 3 main problems pointed out as
• Mobility problem in buildings or public places. (Ramps, railings with stairs etc).
• Driving license for the deaf.
• Public transport problem.
• Mr. Akram Suggest that we should select one problem to work on in next meeting. Participants mutually selected "Driving License for the Deaf" and it was decided that Minister of Law, Government of Sindh, related people from traffic police should be invited in next meeting to talk on this issue with them.
• Finally it was decide to form a forum to keep meetings and to start doing some actual work. "Sindh Disabled Forum [Sindh Disability Forum](SDF)" accepted as a name of the forum.

Following decisions about the forum were taken;

• Organizing body of SDF (Yet to be finalized)
1. Mr. Mobin uddin (APRC)
2. Mr. Irfan Mumtaz (PAD)
3. Mr. Jaffar Shah (MMM)
4. Mr. Ghulam Nabi (ASHA)
5. Ms. Farzana Sualeh (IMF)
6. Ms. Kosar Salmani (PASPAF)
7. Mr. Javed Raees (DWA)
8. Representative (PDF) because PDF is busy in training workshop at Sawabi, NWFP.
9. Muhammad Akram (Volunteer Secretary)
• Logo will be designed for SDF
• Letter head will be designed
• A draft membership form will be designed
• Press Release will be issued for public awareness through which more organizations will be invited

Some announcements were made

1. Jaffar Shah announced hearing of his case would be conducted on 28 March 2005 at front of court of Law because of non-accessibility.
2. Mr. Javed Raees announced an inter-district meeting of PWD organizations of Sindh on 30 March 2005 at DWA office.
3. PAD announced deaf cricket matches between India and Karachi on 30 March at PDA Park and between India and Pakistan on 31 march 2005 at National Stadium Karachi
4. Ms Farzana announced free medical camp on 3rd April 2005.
5. Mr. Aslam announced free medical treatment facilities for all PWDs of and out side Karachi.
6. Mr. Jaffar Shah announced if any meeting may be held at his office, he will afford all expenses.
7. Mr. Irfan announced that next meeting can be arranged at PAD Park.

Group photos from the sencond meeting;

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Third Meeting

Participants' list of 1st, 2nd and 3rd meeting

Organizations' Name	Participants' Name
All Sanghar Handicap Association (ASHA)	Mr.Ghulam Nabi Nazamani gnn_sgr(AT)yahoo.com
Helping Hands (DANISHKADAH)	Mr.Muhammad Akram   info(AT)danishkadah.org.pk
Pakistan Association of the Deaf (PAD) 23/A, Block 6, PECHS, M-1 Shaheen Tower, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Khi. Tel# 4387150, Fax# 4387140 Email:pad(AT)cyber.net.pk	Mr. Irfan Mumtaz Mr. Amin Ahmed
Association for the Rehabilitation of Challenging People (ARCP) 408/677 Fatima Jinnah Colony, Jamshed Rd. No. a3 Karachi 74800 Tel # 4128867  Email: info@estanara.com.pk	Mr. Mobin ud din Ms. Fatima Jafri Mr. Qaseem
Disabled Welfare Association (DWA) No 40, Ground Floor, Al Amna Plaza, opposite Capri Cinema, M A Jinnah Road. Tel # 2785203 Email: d_welfare@yahoo.com	Mr. Javed Rais Mr. Babar Husain Mr. Mujahid Ali Shah
Pakistan Association of Special People and their Families (PASPAF) J-1/321 Korangi Township Karachi 74900 Tel: 92-21-503-0656	Ms.Kausar Salmani Kausar_salmani@yahoo.com
Pakistan Disabled Foundation (PDF) 3-D, 2/9, Ground First, Nazimabad, Karachi 74600 Tel: 92-21-668-1898 Fax: 92-21-668 1897 Email: pdf_pk@yahoo.com	Nr. Tariq Riaz Miss. Shakeela Yasmin
Apna Sahara Sahara street, Sector 783/15-A4, Buffer Zone, Karachi. Tel # 6932729 Email: apnasahara@yahoo.com	Mr. Jafar Shah Mr. Waseem Ahmed
Patient Welfare Association 6-S, Block 2, PECHS, Karachi Tel # 4553539	Dr. Aslam
Ahsan Memorial R-875, Block 16, Federal ‘B’ Area, Karachi Tel # 6811464	Ms. Farzana Saleh
Mirpur Khas Special Sports and Welfare Association Mehran Colony Khan road, House # 210, near Quba Masjid Tel # 320 5826229, 0320 4183694	Mr. Lal Muhammad Balouch
Sindh Disabled Welfare Association P.O. Bandhi, Disst: Nawbshah Tel # 0241 270091 Email: abidlashari@yahoo.com	Mr. Abid Hussain Lashari Mr. Nabi Bux Shar
akistan Association of Blind (PAB) 49, K.M.C. Market, 1st floor, Shedi village road, Leemarket, Karachi Tel # 2522700, 0333 2238858	Mr. Siraj Gaya Mr. Hanif Memon
Homophilya Patient Welfare Society	Syed Sakhawat Ali Abdul Rehman

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First Press conference (7th May 2005)

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