News and issues on the disabled 12 Nov 2024
Azmi Anuar
Contents
1. The Guardian UK - Blind woman denied benefits because she attended DWP interview with help of mother
2. The Logical Indian - Meet Bhavya Shah: The Blind Comedian Redefining Laughter on India's Got Latent
3. Isle of Man Today UK - The role of assistance dogs
4. Mother Jones USA - It shouldn't be this hard to vote when you're disabled
5. CTV News Canada - Blind hockey team faces off in Stayner
6. Hereford Times UK - Hereford's Chris McCausland leaves judges emotional with meaningful performance
7. BBC News UK - RNIB blind ambassador aiming high to make the world accessible
8. Odisha TV India - Man’s cutest proposal to his blind girlfriend is the best thing on internet today
9. Indy 100 - Blind veteran, 100, ‘felt 10 feet tall’ marching past Cenotaph for first time
10. Unesco - UNESCO releases Cambodia’s first information needs assessment for persons with disabilities
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1. The Guardian UK - Blind woman denied benefits because she attended DWP interview with help of mother9 Nov 2024
A blind woman with complex disabilities was refused benefits because she managed to travel to the interview with her mother’s help, she has told The Observer.
Charlotte Easton was assessed for another benefits claim in a phone call, and the Department for Work and Pensions then gave its decision by sending her a printed letter that she could not read.
Sense, a charity for disabled people, says these kinds of experiences are commonplace, after it conducted a survey of 1,001 people with complex disabilities, defined as those with two or more conditions such as a visual or hearing impairment or a learning disability.
The research found that 43% had been repeatedly contacted by the DWP in a format that did not meet their needs, even though they had previously told the department how they should be contacted.
More than half (51%) said they felt humiliated by going through the benefits process and 45% said it had made symptoms of the condition worse. Of those that did receive support, 51% said their benefits payments did not cover the extra costs they face from being disabled and more than a third were behind on the energy bills.
Easton is 40 and lives in Hertfordshire with her brother, who acts as her carer. She is blind and has a hearing impairment and was diagnosed with Pfeiffer syndrome, a genetic condition affecting her skull, and hydrocephalus. She cannot leave home without help and employers have not been interested in her, so she applied for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and had to travel to Archway in north London for her assessment.
“They asked how I got there,” she said. “My mum said we’d gone by train, and she’d had to guide me and make sure people didn’t bump into me and all those sorts of things.
“Because mum was able to get me there, they basically said that that, and the fact that I used to have dogs and let them in the garden, meant ‘you’re more than capable of working’.”
She was assessed for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a phone call and was accepted and given the decision in a printed letter that her mother had to read to her. She believes her mother told the DWP to contact her with braille letters or via email, which she can access with a screen reader.Easton said that having family and friends who could support her was important, but she did not want to be dependent on them all the time.
“It does frustrate me,” she said. “My mum tried to appeal against [the ESA decision] but nothing came of it. I said I couldn’t keep going through things like that. Much as life might be easier with the money, my life would be easier without the stress of trying to battle for it.”
She has been working with a communicator guide, who takes her out once a week. “She’s got me confident enough now that I won’t hold onto her – I’ll just hold my arm against her as we walk. I use my cane now which I never had the confidence to use before.” Easton recently discovered the existence of guide runners and now hopes to do a marathon. “I started last week and I was quite impressed because I didn’t fall over.”
Sense says the government should reform the benefits system to make it fully accessible, with an application process that is as simple as possible for disabled people and benefit rates that allow them to afford essentials.
Richard Kramer, Sense’s chief executive, said: “Our research has exposed serious flaws with the benefits system – which disabled people are paying the price for.“It is unacceptable that people with complex disabilities are feeling humiliated and scared, and having their condition deteriorate because of their benefits assessments.”
Several charities and disability campaigners have criticised the benefits system, saying that vulnerable claimants have been pushed into hardship after being refused help unfairly. In 2020, there was outcry after it emerged that Errol Graham, a severely mental ill man, died of starvation in 2018, eight months after his disability benefits were cut off.
In May, the Equality and Human Rights Commission launched an investigation into the DWP and successive secretaries of state, on suspicion they had broken equality law through their treatment of disabled people and those with severe mental illness.
The EHRC’s chair, Kisher Falkner, said at the time she was “extremely worried” and felt they needed “to take the strongest possible action”.
Last month Liz Kendall, the new work and pensions secretary, published 31 reports that she said had been suppressed by her Conservative predecessors, including one which showed that two thirds of benefits claimants with debts had been unable to buy food.
The work capability assessment, used to decide who gets ESA, is expected to be reformed or replaced in early 2025 as part of the government’s ambition to reduce the benefits bill. Campaigners are nervous about what that means. Under Rishi Sunak, the government consulted on changes to PIP that would mean the cash benefit was replaced with a voucher scheme or one-off grants and the new administration is examining the responses.
The DWP said it was unable to comment on Easton’s case since it had not been given enough details to investigate – Easton did not want to give her national insurance number to the department’s media team.
A spokesperson said: “Millions of people rely on our welfare system every year and it is vital that it can be accessed by all who need it.
“That’s why we will work closely with disabled people to reform the current system so that it provides the support they need.”
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2. The Logical Indian - Meet Bhavya Shah: The Blind Comedian Redefining Laughter on India's Got Latent9 Nov 2024
Bhavya Shah, a blind comedian, is making a significant impact on “India’s Got Latent,” using humour to challenge perceptions of disability. After losing his sight at 12, he excelled academically and graduated from Stanford University. His recent performance won acclaim from guest judge Deepak Kalal, boosting his visibility on social media. Bhavya’s journey exemplifies the importance of inclusivity in entertainment and how comedy can foster understanding and acceptance.
A Trailblazer in Comedy
Bhavya Shah’s inspiring journey is a testament to resilience. He lost his sight due to a degenerative condition at the age of 12 but transformed this challenge into a platform for empowerment. Attending Gopi Birla Memorial School in Mumbai, he became adept with assistive technology, achieving a remarkable 93.4% in his class 10 exams. “I touch type instead of writing,” he noted, highlighting how technology has been pivotal in his education. His recent stint on “India’s Got Latent” showcased his ability to connect with audiences through laughter, proving that humour can transcend barriers.Bhavya’s comedic style often draws from his personal experiences, allowing him to engage deeply with his audience. In one memorable performance, he shared a humorous take on navigating public spaces as a blind person, eliciting laughter while also raising awareness about the daily challenges faced by individuals with disabilities.
Background and Recent Achievements
Bhavya’s path was not without hurdles; he was the only blind student in his mainstream school, which fostered both resilience and advocacy skills. He later graduated with a Bachelor’s in Mathematical and Computational Science and a Master’s in Computer Science from Stanford University. His recent performance on “India’s Got Latent” not only showcased his comedic talent but also earned him praise from guest judge Deepak Kalal, who followed him on Instagram after the show—a significant endorsement that has amplified Bhavya’s reach and influence.
Beyond comedy, Bhavya is committed to advocating for inclusivity and representation of disabled individuals in media. He often expresses his desire to inspire others facing similar challenges, stating, “If I can make people laugh while sharing my story, then I am doing something right.” His performances have resonated particularly well with audiences who identify with his experiences, making him a role model for many.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we celebrate changemakers like Bhavya Shah who redefine societal norms and promote inclusivity. His story is a powerful reminder of how comedy can serve as a bridge for understanding diverse experiences. As we witness Bhavya’s rise in the entertainment industry, we must consider: how can we further support individuals with disabilities in pursuing their passions?
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3. Isle of Man Today UK - The role of assistance dogs9 Nov 2024
The definition of an ‘assistance dog’ is very clear in UK legislation and it falls within the remit of the Equality Act 2010.
Such a dog must be trained to either: guide a blind person; assist a deaf person; or support somebody who has a disability, such as epilepsy, that affects mobility, or another prescribed disability.
The Isle of Man’s Equality Act 2017 does not make specific reference to ‘assistance dogs’, but a person’s need to be accompanied by such a dog falls within the legal requirement for an organisation to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to accommodate a disability.
The legal situation around ‘therapy dogs’ is, however, much more blurred as a recent court case in England demonstrated.
A Leeds bailiff, Deborah Cullingford, who took her Yorkshire terrier to work with her has lost her case for discrimination after being told she was not entitled to have an ‘emotional support animal’ (ESA) at work.
Cullingford claimed that her dog helped her with the stress of the job and in her recovery from cancer, but she eventually resigned and accused her employers of disability discrimination.
The tribunal judge determined that her employers had the legal right to disallow a ‘therapy dog’ in the workplace, despite the dog’s positive impact on her owner’s mental health and wellbeing.
This was despite Cullingford’s GP supporting her case.
The status of a dog used for therapeutic purposes is given more credibility in America where these dogs have been registered for several decades – albeit in an unofficial, rather than legal, capacity.
An organisation called USA Service Dogs provides a registration process and defines an ‘emotional support dog’ as one that can ‘aid others who may suffer from general anxiety problems or during stressful events like airplane flights’.
It states that qualifying conditions are ‘anxiety disorders, panic attacks, social phobias or post-traumatic stress disorder’.
In the UK and the Isle of Man there is no formal, legal registration process for ‘therapy dogs’ or ESAs in general.
Organisations that aim to support the use of animals as therapeutic support, such as Support Dog UK & EU or the Psychiatric Service Dog Association, provide ESA identification packs (ID cards, bandanas, bibs, etc) for a fee; and they have their own registration service.
They also offer online training packages costing several hundred pounds each.
It is well documented and scientifically proven that animals can have positive therapeutic impact on humans, but the ‘industry’ surrounding ESAs is one that should be treated with caution, as should some people’s claims that their pets are ESAs.
Whilst ESAs do not require any special training, they should be of a particular disposition – namely, they should be companionable around people and they should have a strong bond with their owner.
In the case of dogs, they should be able to obey basic commands and have good recall skills.
Fearful, aggressive or easily stressed animals are not suited to being ESAs.
Labradors Daisy and Dexter are probably a bit too lively to be suited to a life of an ESA.
They are five and six years old, respectively, and full of energy.
Football is their favourite playtime game when they can show off their ball skills, and catch and retrieve all day long.
They are, quite simply, good fun to be around.
In terms of temperament, as opposed to physicality, these lovely dogs are ESA types – they’re good with children, other dogs, cats and out in public.
But they are a bonded pair and this is the only reason, as such ‘easy’ dogs, why they are still with us.
Taking on two medium-sized dogs is an extra consideration when it comes to space in the home and costs, not least any future veterinary or day care/boarding fees. They won’t be with us for long, though, and their forever home isn’t far away.
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4. Mother Jones USA - It shouldn't be this hard to vote when you're disabled9 Nov 2024
Disabled and chronically ill voters: What was your experience casting a ballot in person, either this week or in early voting?
Civil and voting rights protections like the Voting Rights Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act are supposed to protect disabled people’s right to vote in person, which means having the right accommodations: wheelchair-accessible entrances; lower voting booths; and chairs for people who have trouble standing for long periods. But polling stations often fall short, in both Democratic- and Republican-leaning areas.
Disabled and chronically ill voters: What was your experience casting a ballot in person, either this week or in early voting?@metraux_julia on voting access 👇 pic.twitter.com/D1Pck8tSmv
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) November 9, 2024
Disabled people don’t all have the same preferences—or needs—when it comes to voting. Some people with fatiguing conditions like Long Covid may prefer mail voting to conserve energy and minimize Covid exposure; some Blind people may prefer to vote in person in order to cast an unassisted ballot with an accessible voting machine.
As I wrote for Mother Jones in April:
Counties are responsible for choosing the locations where their residents vote. The right response to inaccessible voting locations is not to have fewer of them—polling place closures disproportionately impact voters of color—but to find more locations that are accessible. The Department of Justice also provides guidance on temporary solutions to make sure disabled people can vote, such as installing a ramp and keeping doors propped open…As of now, no state mandates that poll workers be trained in accommodating disabled voters.
What may be accessible to some disabled people may not be for others. That’s why it’s crucial to move towards more accessible options both in-person and by mail—mail-in voting with paper ballots isn’t accessible, for example, to people who are Blind and have low vision, the subject of a lawsuit filed in Wisconsin…arguing that disabled voters should be able to vote electronically.
If accessible voting—and disabled voters—were taken more seriously in America, more disabled people would take part in the electoral process. It’s that simple.
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5. CTV News Canada - Blind hockey team faces off in Stayner10 Nov 2024
Stayner Community Centre hosted an exhibition game of blind hockey Saturday afternoon, featuring a matchup between players and goaltenders who are fully blind.
The game featured more than 20 male and female players ranging from 16 to 85 years old from the Toronto Ice Owls, a hockey program for the visually impaired. Their mission was to make it known to the hundreds in attendance that people with visual impairments can still play Canada’s game.
“People are going to be blown away by how well some [of the players] can play this game,” said Randy Banks, a player for the Toronto Ice Owls. “There’s still a lot of people out there who don’t know about it so were trying to promote it to get children and youth that are visually impaired or blind into Canada’s game and get back onto the ice.”
The main adaptations are a larger puck with metal ball bearings rattling inside it and nets that are three feet tall instead of four feet tall.
Each team also had one sighted player who could only pass and was not allowed to score. They would have to make at least one pass after crossing the blueline and entering the opposing zone. Once that pass was completed, the referee on the ice would blow a high-pitched whistle, permitting the offensive team to attempt a shot on goal.
“We’re here because we love the game of hockey. Some of us grew up playing hockey and lost our eyesight due accidents or medical conditions, quite often had a big, long break and thought that we’d never play hockey again,” said David Brown, a goaltender for the Toronto Ice Owls. “With those adaptations, a lot of us have been able to play the game again that we love.”
The exhibition game was also a fundraiser with the goal of raising $10,000 to support Clearview Minor Hockey. Various memoriabilia got auctioned off in a silent auction.
The Ice Owls play every Sunday in Scarborough and are hoping to grow enough to be able support multiple teams.
The blind hockey season runs from the beginning of October until the end of March, ending with an international tournament that sees around 200 blind hockey players from various countries competing for a world title.
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6. Hereford Times UK - Hereford's Chris McCausland leaves judges emotional with meaningful performance10 Nov 2024
Comedian Chris McCausland left judges stunned and emotional this week, with an incredible performance.
Tonight (November 9) the comedian and his partner, Dianne Buswell took to the stage to perform a Couple's Choice routine to Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) by John Lennon.
The pair danced in glamorous white outfits, including a top hat. At the end of the routine, the pair embraced each other, with the crowds cheering behind them.
The duo were praised for a poignant black out moment in their couple’s choice dance that mimicked McCausland’s own experience as a blind person.
Craig Revel-Horwood complimented the pair, saying that one of the lifts was "absolutely spectacular".
The emotional compliments didn't end there, with Motsi Mabuse, saying that McCausland was "inspiring us all", and Anton Du Beke adding that he was "remarkable" and "inspirational".
Judge Shirley Ballas, whilst complimenting the pairs partnership and performance, said she was "getting emotional".
"You have no fear. You come out every week with your heart on your sleeve, and you give us 100%," she added.
The pair walked away with a combined score of 33.
In an emotional video shown before their performance, McCausland reflected on the past eight weeks of the show.
He explained he'd arrived on the show thinking it "could be a bit of a disaster" and that he'd surprised himself.
The comedian explained that when he gradually lost his eyesight in his 20s, he experienced "denial" and frustration, adding it became easier for him when he couldn't see anything.
When discussing his appearance on the show, he added that some people have no exposure to people with disabilities, and that its important to show viewers that more is possible than they might think.
McCausland, who is originally from Liverpool, previously lived in Hereford and attended the Royal National College for the Blind.
This year, he became Strictly's first blind contestant ever. When he lost his eyesight as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary condition, he changed careers from his previous job in web development to become a comedian.
He is known to television audiences for his role as Rudi in the CBeebies show Me Too, and regularly appears at comedy venues around the UK.
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7. BBC News UK - RNIB blind ambassador aiming high to make the world accessible10 Nov 2024
Claire Sisk says she is "aiming high" and wants to "make the world accessible", after being announced as the latest celebrity ambassador for the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
The TV presenter, online content creator and disability advocate, from Hertfordshire, said she was shocked when she was offered the role.
Because she thinks of herself as "dorky and outspoken", she did not think she fitted the mould but was delighted to accept.
She wants to give other people who have lost their sight "hope" and says although it "sucks, it's going to be OK, you can still live a fun and fulfilled life".
Claire, known as CanSeeCantSee on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, has gained hundreds of thousand of followers, after posting about her sight loss and experiences online.
At the age of 29, in 2009 ,she had two strokes which led to her losing her sight, and is now registered blind with less than 4% vision.
"My main aim is to give others hope.
"When you have that title [ambassador] I feel like you have a bit more of a voice.
"I'm on social media, so I have a platform, I have a voice, but when you start adding the fact that you're a charity ambassador you're going to be taken a little bit more seriously."
She hopes to use her platform to be able to talk to people who are going through similar issues, as she said that was not available to her 15 years ago.
"You're not given a handbook, not that we can read it, to tell you how to be blind."
But her message is "you can do this" and this is what led to her "accidentally" creating online content.
It started with a video of her crossing a road that was shared with someone who was losing their sight who told her to post it on social media to help others, which led to more content and to "bust and and break down those misconceptions that are out there that".
She says you can still use a phone, you can cross the road, you can walk down the street.
"We just do it a little bit differently and there's a bit more planning involved, but we can still live a life."
Vivienne Francis, the charity's chief social change officer, said: "We need to drive a new conversation around sight loss – and Claire has been at the forefront of this.
"Claire has an incredible way of engaging with people and raising awareness about the challenges blind and partially sighted people face by sharing her lived experience."
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8. Odisha TV India - Man’s cutest proposal to his blind girlfriend is the best thing on internet today10 Nov 2024
Social media is filled with millions of proposal videos. However, this particular video of a man proposing to his blind girlfriend at a restaurant is the best thing you will see on the internet today. The 16-second video has literally taken over social media with over 6.1M views on X and the numbers of views and likes are only increasing every minute.
The video starts with a man taking with his blind girlfriend on a dinner date. Assuming her food, the blind girl attempts to eat with her fork. However, the man takes away the fork from her hand and keeps her hand on the plate where he has beautifully written ‘Will you marry me?’ using Braille.
“Will you marry me? Oh, my god, are you serious? I can’t believe it. Wow, Oh my god,” the girl gets emotional and excited at the same time. She seems super excited and cannot contain her excitement. Meanwhile, the man takes out a ring and places her on the table before putting her hand on it.
He surprises his blind girlfriend with a braille
proposal.
pic.twitter.com/hkV4uOQRho
— The Red (@WomaninRedx) November 9, 2024
“Yes, yes,” the girl screams as the man puts the ring on her finger. Later, the lovely couple shares a warm hug with other guests at the restaurant clapping for them. The viral video has left netizens emotional.
“Really very beautiful girl, wonderful surprise woooo amazing 🤩🤩🤩,” shared a user while another user commented, “The real love always wins …”
A third user shared, “That's such a thoughtful and romantic gesture! Proposing with Braille shows a deep level of consideration and love, ensuring the moment is meaningful and personal to her. It’s a beautiful way to make her feel included and special.”
However, many pointed out that the video was scripted.
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9. Indy 100 - Blind veteran, 100, ‘felt 10 feet tall’ marching past Cenotaph for first time9 Nov 2024
A blind 100-year-old veteran has said he felt “10 feet tall” as he marched past the Cenotaph in London, taking part in the annual Remembrance Sunday service for the first time.
Michael Woods, from Dunstable in Bedfordshire, marched with more than 40 other blind veterans supported by the charity Blind Veterans UK.
The Second World War veteran joined the Royal Air Force after being called up for service in 1943, training as an aircraft mechanic.
Mr Woods said he was “so proud” to have “finally” marched in Whitehall, according to a release from the charity.
“What an amazing experience, I’ve never felt anything quite like it,” the veteran said.
“The crowds cheering for us as we made our way around made me feel 10 feet tall.
“I’m so proud to have finally marched here in my 100th year. It’s such an honour.
“And it was all the sweeter knowing that my wife and family were watching me on TV.”
Mr Woods served at RAF Coningsby and Skellingthorpe, both in Lincolnshire, where he was with 61 Squadron and working primarily on Lancaster bomber planes.
“As a mechanic, I wasn’t meant to be in the planes flying but used to do so quite often,” he said.
“It was illegal of course but I remember that the crew would always say that if the mechanic is happy to fly with us then he must be pretty confident in the plane.”
Mr Woods was sent to Palestine after the war, seeing out his service there and taking opportunities to explore the surrounding area, including driving to Egypt to tour the pyramids and Valley of the Kings.
He was discharged in 1947 with the rank of Leading Aircraftman.
He lost his sight later in life because of age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
“My sight started to go gradually because of the glaucoma at first but I remember having just driven back from the West Country, I got pneumonia and had to go to hospital and after that my vision had got a lot worse,” he said.
“I was driving until I was 94 but couldn’t do so after that. That’s the thing I missed the most. I’d driven since I was a young man in the RAF and it felt like I’d lost my independence.”
Mr Woods started receiving support from Blind Veterans UK in 2020.
“Joining Blind Veterans UK has been ever so helpful to me,” he said.
“Every month or so, we meet up as a group in the local area and all the staff are so helpful and kind.”
The charity’s chief executive, Adrian Bell, said he was “honoured” to march alongside Mr Woods and the rest of the contingent on Sunday.
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10. Unesco - UNESCO releases Cambodia’s first information needs assessment for persons with disabilities11 Nov 2024
Currently, around 15% of the global population, an estimated 1 billion people, live with some forms of disabilities. Given the growing life expectancies, medical advances and population growth, this number is increasing, making persons with disabilities (PwDs) the world’s largest minority and most disadvantaged group, who tends to experience discrimination and various barriers to inclusion.
Universal access to information is an internationally recognised human rights for all, including for persons with disabilities, as highlighted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Without accessible information and communications, a range of persons with different disabilities cannot effectively participate in, and benefit from public policies and programmes. This requires a dual collaborative approach where information seekers (demand side) to be equipped with evaluate the sources, methods and motives of information received, and to distinguish between facts and opinions, between truth and falsehood; and information providers (supple side) to take appropriate measures to remove barriers that hinder persons with disabilities’ access to information, on an equal basis.
UNESCO is committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities through a multifaceted approach across its fields of competence in education, the sciences, culture, and communication. Within its areas of mandate, UNESCO contributes to the implementation of the CRPD, particularly in relation to Article 9 on Accessibility; Article 21 Freedom of Expression and Access to Information; Article on 24 Education; Article 30 on Participation in Cultural Life, Recreation, Leisure and Sport; and Article 31 on International Cooperation.
Information for All – A needs-based and first-of-its-kind assessment in Cambodia
As a Member State that ratified the CRPD, Cambodia is committed to help promote the right to access information for persons with disabilities. To support its efforts, UNESCO, along with UNDP and OHCHR, has been implementing an UN Joint Project “Accelerating Disability Rights in Cambodia” funded by the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD).
As part of this Project, UNESCO, in collaboration with the Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), produced a report, Information Needs Assessment for Persons with Disabilities in Cambodia. It is a comprehensive and first of its kind assessment to analyse the current state of information accessibility among persons with different types and severity of disabilities in Cambodia. It captured different angles of the issues from the status of the legal framework to the progress of its implementation as well as the current accessible information, hindering factors that persons with disabilities faced, and other types of information that they needed.
Call to review and enact draft Law on Access to Information in line with Articles 9 and 21 of CRPD
Based on the findings, despite having legal documents and strategies related to persons with disabilities in Cambodia, there remained little content related to or dedicated to access to information for persons with disabilities. This mirrors the trend highlighted in UNESCO’s global report in 2022, where only 37 out of the 132 countries with Access to Information laws examined, explicitly refer to persons with disabilities and their rights to varying degrees. Effective accessibility criteria are missing from many existing legislative frameworks, or that implementation is hindered by factors such as inadequate awareness and training around the rights of persons with disabilities and insufficient funding.
The study identified four major modes of communication that persons with disabilities used to access different types of information in their daily lives: agents, mass media (hardware and digital platforms), events, and Information Education Communication (IEC) materials. There was not much difference in the mode of access to information between persons with disabilities and information providers.
Media’s critical role in promoting accessibility of information and public perception
Media coverage has a huge impact on public perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of all citizens, including persons with disabilities. It is to some extent rare for the media to include disability issues in their overall coverage and to provide content and access to their platforms in full compliance with information and web accessibility standards. When they do, the focus is on specific disability-related events, initiatives or programmes. In these cases, accessible media features are provided on an exceptional rather than standard basis. Persons with disabilities are still seen as "news figures" describing their situation, rather than as "information sources" who can provide timely information or expertise, contribute to the production of news stories and work in media institutions.
In Cambodia, the study found that, despite public appeals at the highest level to all public and private TV, radio stations and press agencies to continue making media services accessible to support the welfare of people with disabilities, especially by providing sign language translation and interpretation on TV channels, its effectiveness remain limited due to the lack of enforcement and resource constraints.
The study further recommended the media sector to use plain language and keep the content short and clear, focusing on conveying information efficiently. If possible, direct Khmer translations and explanations for any technical terms used should be provided. For all audio and video content, transcripts should be provided; while sign language interpreters and captions for videos and live broadcasts should be integrated.
UNESCO will continue to work closely with all media stakeholders and persons with disabilities to promote fair and unbiased coverage of disability and accessibility of media content and services, to promote freedom of expression, media development, and access to information for the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in public debate.
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This Google Group news service has been made possible by courtesy of the Society of the Blind in Malaysia