Congo paraplegic band rocks around the world
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- Documentary about disabled Congolese music group wins acclaim at Cannes Film Festival
- Three members of Staff Benda Bilili use a wheelchair and one uses crutches
- They used to earn a living on the streets of Kinshasa in DR Congo
- Debut album led to tour of Europe and they are now set to tour Japan
Cannes, France (CNN) — A group of disabled Congolese musicians could soon become a global sensation after an acclaimed documentary about the group was shown at the Cannes Film Festival.
The core members of Staff Benda Bilili are four musicians who suffered from polio as children. Three use wheelchairs, one is on crutches, and together they make heartfelt music that is winning fans far beyond their homeland.
With their soulful harmonies and hypnotic Congolese rumba beat, their music has been likened to Buena Vista Social Club. And like the Cuban group, Staff Benda Bilili is crossing over into the international mainstream.
They are about to embark on a grueling tour that will see them perform at venues and festivals all over Europe this summer, before touring Japan.
But their new-found fame is a far cry from years spent making a living on the streets of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It was in Kinshasa in 2004 that they met French filmmakers Florent de La Tullaye and Renaud Barret, who were in the city documenting its music scene.
The filmmakers fell in love with Staff Benda Bilili’s music and offered to pay for their recording sessions, before making a film about the group.
–Ricky Likadu, Staff Benda Bilili band leader
Barret told CNN, “The idea was to record an album, because they were like virtuosos [who were] completely ignored, and we had the feeling that they could die very easily, because everybody dies very easily in Kinshasa — which is not funny.
“We had to do the album first. We didn’t intend to do the movie, but we were filming them on a daily basis while doing the rehearsals, the ups and downs, and in 2006 we realized we had shot the inside story of complete outsiders trying to emerge in one of the most complicated and brutal cities in the world.”
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In return for their financial support the band offered the directors rare access to areas otherwise off-limits to foreigners, and became their protectors throughout the five years spent working on the project.
After a number of setbacks, including a fire that destroyed the shelter where they lived, Staff Benda Bilili’s first album “Tres Tres Fort” (“Very Very Strong”) was completed in 2009, to international acclaim.
The release was coupled with a European tour — the first time the members of the band had traveled abroad — that saw the group play to sellout venues across the continent.
Beyond its core members the group is made up of an acoustic rhythm section and the unique soloing talents of Roger Landu, who plays a one-string “electric lute” he designed and built himself from a tin can and a guitar string.
Roger was a 12-year-old living on the street when he was introduced to the band. His homemade instrument immediately left an impression on band-leader Ricky Likabu, who took the boy under his wing.
“He [Roger] was a street kid because he was sleeping on cardboard and begging for money with his instrument in the city market, being brutalized by older bad boys from the street or cops” said Barret.
“He was very fragile and he could have died very easily. So getting in touch with Benda Bilili he found a family. And he just stuck to them all the time, and we saw him grow and improve his instrument.
“You see him play and he’s like Hendrix with one string … it’s amazing.”
Now Barret and de La Tullaye’s movie, “Benda Bilili,” looks set to introduce the group to an even wider audience.
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“It has changed a great deal because now all of them have a house, and all their kids go to school,” said Barret. “They’re able to pay school fees for all their kids, which is a good thing.
“And they’re here, no pressure — to them it’s just normal. They warned us in 2004: ‘We’re going to be the most famous band in the world,’ and here they are. To them it couldn’t have been different.”
They may not be the most famous band in the world — yet — but they might be the most inspiring. And their inspirational message is now being heard by a global audience.
Likabu told CNN: “Our message to the world is: we want all handicapped people in the world to work.
“Don’t stay at home, don’t beg, no! I don’t look at the handicap, I look at what’s inside the head. And if the head works fine, they should work too.”
Reference Link
http://us.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/05/27/congo.group.benda.bilili.cannes/index.html
Courtesy
Cable News Network
Creating a new way of life
DDRO wants to promote entrepreneurship among differently-abled
Thanks to PMEGP:S. Ramakrishan of Pollachi has set up a travel agency, thanks to assistance from DDRO.
COIMBATORE: R. Sakthivel, 37, of Vellamadai, is busy with his sweet and savouries business. In addition he has a grocery store. And the income has given his family a sense of security and decent living.
A few years ago, however, the differently-abled was working at a savouries shop for a paltry Rs. 300 a month. He was struggling to make both ends meet. “Those days were difficult, for mine is a family of six,” he recalls. The change has come about because of the loan he got under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and the assistance he received from the District Disabled Rehabilitation Office ( DDRO) to set up the unit.
“I applied for a loan under the PMEGP and received Rs. 10 lakh for purchasing machines to prepare savouries and sweets.”
In getting the loan amount released, Mr. Sakthivel had to pay five per cent of the project cost as beneficiary’s contribution, which is where the DDRO came into picture. “I did not pay even my share because the State Government, through the DDRO, took care of my contribution owing to my special status.” District Disabled Rehabilitation Officer C. Jasmine says the Government pays beneficiaries’ contribution. “In the last financial year, the Coimbatore office has assisted three differently-abled entrepreneurs paying Rs. 64,000.” S. Ramakrishnan, also a beneficiary, has set up a travel agency in Pollachi. His father V.R. Sundaram says his worries about his son’s future have more or less been wiped out thanks to the PMEGP loan and the DDRO assistance. The visually challenged youth offers ticketing assistance for train and air travel. He operates computers with the help of a special software called, JAWS.
The third beneficiary Sumathy of Vellakinaru has set up an areca nut plate manufacturing unit.
Ms. Jasmine says the DDRO wants to promote entrepreneurship among differently-abled persons and the Government’s decision to pay the beneficiary contribution is a major step in that regard.
This one-time intervention will go a long way in helping the challenged people and also boosting their confidence, she adds.
Reference Link : http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/30/stories/2010053050420200.htm
Courtesy : The Hindu
IGI Airport-New Terminal-Accessible to persons with disabilities
NEW DELHI: To ensure that T3 is inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities several measures have been taken to make the terminal barrier free.
For instance there are no level changes for passengers flying out of Delhi. The departure drop off area, check in area, security clearance and immigration zones along with the gate hold areas are on a single level. Starting from the gate hold area to the passenger boarding bridges to the aircraft, access is through gently sloped ramps.
Similarly disembarkation from the aircraft, proceeding to immigration and baggage claim areas before exiting on to the taxi / bus boarding ramp are all laid out on the same level.
Specially marked drop off points along with tactile strips would guide passengers from the drop off area to the terminal. Strategically located help phones on the curb side would enable passengers to contact the DIAL help desk. At this help desk, passengers can contact their respective airlines for a reserved wheelchair service.
Special needs
A separate area would also be earmarked for passengers with special needs in the check-in hall. Some of the check-in desks and all information desks would have reduced counter top heights to make things easier for wheelchair passengers.
The width of the security check points and the passage ways through immigration would be designed for easy wheelchair access. Writing podiums of a reduced height would also be provided for completing the immigration forms. Within the terminal, the flight information screens would be at a suitable height for easy reading.
The DIAL help desk assistance facilities would also be extended to unaccompanied minors travelling via IGI airport.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/26/stories/2010042656950400.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Differently abled to donate organs
| Thank government for relaxing age for assistance and forming separate department |
A letter was handed over to Collector, carrying their signature, and expressing willingness to donate organs
— Photo: C. Venkatachalapathy
Expressing gratitude: Some members of the Cuddalore District Handicapped Persons’ Progressive Association who have offered to donate their organs .
CUDDALORE, India: Thanking the State government for age relaxation for assistance and for formation of a separate department for the differently abled persons, 17 members of the Cuddalore District Handicapped Persons’ Progressive Association have given in writing their consent to donate organs.
Association president P.K. Santhosh told The Hindu that he recently handed over a letter to Collector P. Seetharaman, which carried their signature and photographs, and expressed their willingness to donate organs.
Mr. Santhosh said that it was only a token gesture as about 200 of 1,500-member association were ready to follow suit. He said that not long ago, the differently abled were considered a liability on the family and society.
But, with a plethora of schemes launched for their welfare and financial assistance extended, they could lead a decent and dignified life. Moreover, the formation of a separate department for their sake would go a long way in improving their life and providing uplift.
Mr. Seetharaman said that he had instructed Joint Director of Health Services T. Jayaveerakumar to take follow-up action on the letter. Dr. Jayaveerakumar said that the formalities of filling in the prescribed forms had been initiated.
They could donate organs in two ways: in case of brain death following accidents multiple organs could be harvested; and, even while alive they could donate organs such as kidneys, he said.
Mr. Seetharaman further said that identity cards had been issued to all 27,163 differently abled persons in the district who were dominant in the Kattumannarkoil, Nallur, Vriddhachalam, Thittakudi and Mangalore blocks.
In 2009, the district administration had identified 2,591 differently abled persons above 45 years of age and with 80 per cent disability for monthly maintenance allowance of Rs. 500 each.
However, under the Indira Gandhi National Pension Scheme another 1,281 persons in the 18-64 age group were included for assistance. During 2009-10, financial assistance and aid implements worth over Rs. 2.71 crore was disbursed and for 2010-11 a sum of Rs. 2.08 crore would be released for their welfare.
Mr. Seetharaman also said that the number of special self-help groups consisting only differently abled persons would be raised from 167 to 467 by next year.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/17/stories/2010041750750300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
“Inclusion of disabled in Census a milestone”
Javed Abidi
CHENNAI, India: The inclusion of the disabled in the count in Census 2011 will be a significant milestone crossed for the disability rights advocacy movement of the country, Javed Abidi, founder, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, has said.
While the 2001 Census included a question about the disability issue, after much advocacy from the disability lobby, it was not comprehensive; there was insufficient training for enumerators and no awareness among the disabled. “It is unfortunate how it never occurred to independent India to count the disabled until 2001. It won’t be an exaggeration, therefore, to say that prior to that, we were merely shooting in the dark,” he told The Hindu.
When the Planning Commission sits down to allocate funds, they strictly go by the book. “If you do not have the figures to show them, the funds are not going to come through,” he added. After the 2001 Census, there were widespread complaints from across the country that the enumerators had not even asked the question.
Despite this, the figures reportedly pegged the percentage of disabled at 2.1, though it is estimated to be between four and five per cent of the total population, he said. “It is a big gain to get into the Census.
The cold statistics are so important. So, this time round, we started communicating with the Census Commission quite early.” Since they believed that the last Census had an incorrectly drafted question, the lobby sat down to a consultation in order to revise it.
The decision was unanimous to include seven categories into the definition of disabled: Seeing, Hearing and/or Speech; Movement; Mental Retardation, Mental Illness; Multiple; and Any Other. The recommendations had been forwarded to Census Commissioner C. Chandramouli. The document will come up for approval before the Technical Advisory Committee, which is scheduled to meet later this month. The NCPDEP and its partners were also invited to participate in the training of enumerators.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/17/stories/2010041763130700.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Two new schemes for children
| Kozhikode Corporation programmes to benefit the differently abled |
Ayurveda centre proposed in the city
Money from Poverty Social Fund and Plan funds
Kozhikode, India: The Kozhikode Corporation has decided to introduce two new schemes for children residing in the limits of the city.
One is Support to the Challenged (SUCHAl) and the other Ayurvedic Centre and Research Institute for Child and Adolescent Development (ARCADE). The first scheme will benefit around 300 differently-abled children. The project is aimed at overcoming their challenges and developing their skills for the future.
Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef said here on Thursday that funds would be mobilised from the Poverty Social Fund, a component of the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Programme (financed by the Asian Development Bank) and the Plan Fund allotted from the State government. A sum of Rs.23 lakh would be required for implementing the scheme, he said.
He said that parents of these children found it financially difficult to meet the needs of their wards. The scheme would help mitigate the suffering of parents to a great extent. An amount of Rs.15 lakh would be allocated this fiscal for providing scholarship to these children, Prof. Latheef said.
Training
Training would be given to children to develop their skills. Software in this regard was available in the market. Mobility scooters would be provided to physically-challenged children. A sum of Rs.20 lakh would be allotted for this scheme, he said.
The ARCADE scheme is drawn up to study the physical, mental and intellectual problems of children right from the primary age-group to adolescents and provide them with Ayurvedic treatment. A one-acre plot has been identified for the purpose at Nallalam on the outskirts of the city. The area which belonged to the Corporation has scope for further expansion activities.
Elaborating on the scheme, Prof. Latheef said the Ayurvedic centre would deal with epilepsy, behavioural problems and mental challenges faced by children. It would function as a multi-disciplinary research centre as well as provide treatment in physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychotherapy.
The Corporation had planned to involve several government agencies such as National Rural Health Mission, Department of Health Sciences, Department of Social Welfare and Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the project.
The civic body expected funding from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as well, he said.
The Deputy Mayor said K. Sreekumar of Kozhikode District Ayurveda Hospital had been entrusted with the task of preparing a project in this regard. A detailed project report would be submitted to the stake-holders via the State government.
Facilities
He said the Corporation would also consider a scheme to improve facilities at the existing Anganwadis and construct a few more for the benefit of children belonging to the economically backward communities. Already the budget had proposed a sum of Rs.2.20 crore for nutritional needs of children at Anganwadis this year.
Repairs would be carried out in a time-bound manner at 20 Anganwadis, another 20 would be upgraded as resource centres for women empowerment and four new Anganwadis would be constructed this fiscal, Prof. Latheef said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/16/stories/2010041652750300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Disabled youth on awareness mission
Nelson heading for Chennai
CLEARING DOUBTS: Collector T. Soundiah interacting with A. Nelson of Tirunelveli district in Tiruchi on Monday.
TIRUCHI, India: A differently-abled man from Tirunelveli district A. Nelson who has embarked on a journey in his tri-cycle since October creating awareness among public about HIV /AIDS met Collector T. Soundiah at the Collectorate here on Monday.
Twenty-six-year-old Nelson, a diploma holder in Cooperative Business, had started his 200-day campaign from Dindigul on October 21 last year.
He will conclude his campaign in Chennai.
An official press release here said at the Collectorate that Nelson spoke about HIV/ AIDS besides highlighting the role played by ‘Nambikkai Maiyams’ in clearing doubts about HIV/ AIDS.
The Collector appreciated the effort made by Nelson, the release added.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/06/stories/2010040658770200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
102 physically challenged persons get jobs at mela
DINDIGUL, India: For the first time, private companies offered jobs to 102 physically disabled persons and persons with developmental disorders through a mega job mela organised by the district administration here recently. Most of them joined duty in the respective companies on Saturday itself.
While one disabled got supervisory job in a spinning mill to check quality of yarn, another one joined as warden and yet other one became a legal adviser to a spinning mill. Thirteen persons joined duty as computer operators and rest of the recruits as industrial workers.
The job mela also provided opportunity and financial assistance to enterprising disabled to set up their own businesses.
Collector M Vallalar, who inaugurated the mela, said that disabled persons and persons with developmental disorders tend to have special skills in a particular field. Opportunity should be given to such persons. They were not weak, as perceived by many.
Disabled persons should not hesitate to grab an opportunity. Over 40,000, out of a total population of 20 lakhs in the district, had some developmental disorder or other. They could not expose their skills owing to lack of opportunity, he said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/29/stories/2010032953760300.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Inclusive education to become reality in Tirupur
Move to improve infrastructure in 124 schools
Special rams and disabled
child-friendly toilets
to be built
Tirupur, India: To ensure inclusive education, the Department of Education plans to improve infrastructure in 124 government, municipality/Corporation and government-aided schools in the district in a phased manner so as to provide a conducive learning environment for differently-abled children.
Official sources told ‘The Hindu’ that under the preliminary phase, architectural corrections of buildings would be taken up and educational materials as well as assistive devices supplied to differently-abled students in select 50 schools at an estimated outlay of Rs. 20 lakh.
The project cost was earmarked under the Centre-sponsored Inclusive Education of the Disabled at the Secondary Stage (IEDSS).
Sources said that special rams and disabled child-friendly toilets would be constructed at the schools covered under the scheme.
“The scheme will ensure that differently-abled students are given education along with the other students, instead of them being sent to special schools,” sources added. To attain the objectives, differently-abled students would be first classified on the basis of deformities like total blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, orthopedically challenged, cerebral palsy, autism and learning disabled.
Support
“This is to ensure that need-specific support devices, aids like crutches and hearing equipments can be distributed to the students and specialized tutors provided as per the requirement of the child,” education department officials said.
Awareness
For generating awareness about the scheme and train the teachers/special educators to deal with differently-abled children, special camps would be conducted in various parts of the districts.
“Even the parents of beneficiary children will be trained,” sources said.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/22/stories/2010032261020200.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
Applications invited from disabled persons for employment assistance
COIMBATORE, India: The Department of Employment and Training of the Government of Tamil Nadu has invited applications from all categories of the differently-abled persons to provide unemployment assistance.
A release says following a Government Order, unemployment assistance, which was hitherto available only to the visually challenged persons, is now available to persons with all types of disabilities.
The conditions they will have to fulfil to receive the aid: i) the person concerned should be physically disabled or hearing impaired or mentally challenged, have registered his qualification with an employment office and must be on waiting list for over a year; ii) he or she should be aged 40 years and above and if from Adi Dravidar and tribal communities, should be above 45 years; iii) his or her family’s annual income should not be above Rs. 50,000 and should not be employed either with the government or in private sector. Self-employed people are not eligible; iv) person applying should not be a full-time student of a school or college and must have stayed in Tamil Nadu at least for 15 years.
The release says the person should get a certificate from Revenue Department certifying their fulfilling the aforementioned conditions and present the same with application to the employment officer concerned.
Applicants with Class X qualification and below will get Rs. 300 a month; those with higher secondary qualification Rs. 375; graduates Rs. 450 for 10 years subject to other conditions.
At the end of every year, the beneficiary should declare in writing that he or she is not employed, the release says and asks people interested to approach the nearest employment office.
Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/13/stories/2010031352140600.htm
Courtesy
The Hindu
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