This Global Update includes summaries from Saudi Arabia, Ghana, and the United Kingdom.
SAUDI ARABIA:
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia hosts the Third International Conference on Disability and Rehabilitation, a global forum on disability from March 22 to 26. Crown Prince Sultan, who chairs the Sultan Charitable Foundation, sponsors the Conference. Two hundred and thirty free tickets are available to local and international delegates, and Saudi Arabian Airlines is the official air carrier of the conference. The Saudi Press Association says, “The conference will focus on worldwide scientific research conducted in areas related to disability and rehabilitation” that positively affect the lives of people with disabilities.
Read the full Story on Arab News: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=119535&d=24&m=2&y=2009&pix=kingdom.jpg&category=Kingdom
GHANA:
The Disability Network, Ghana’s primary disability group calls for President John E. Atta-Mills to “fulfill his promise of forming an all-inclusive government” by appointing at least one person with a disability to a Ministry position. Emmanuel Sackey, Communications Officer of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Alexander Kojo Tetteh, Executive Director of the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disabilities, and Charles Appiagyei, acting Executive Director of Action on Disability and Development (ADD) have joined the call for inclusion. The leaders note a high profile person with a disability will serve as a role model for other individuals and begin a process of more full inclusion for all people.
Read the full story on All Africa: http://allafrica.com/stories/200902270804.html
UNITED KINGDOM:
Cerrie Burnell, host of “Do and Discover” on the BBC's “Cbeebies” children’s television show is at the center of a disability-related controversy. Burnell was born with one of her arms foreshortened and has been the target focus of parent complaints. Parents are concerned that Burnell’s appearance will frighten their children and cause them sleepless nights. Fortunately, most public comments have been supportive of Cerrie Burnell, and Burnell herself says "It's brilliant that parents are able to use me as a way of talking about disability with their children and for children who are similarly disabled to see what really is possible in life".
Read full stories in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/25/disability-children and in the Eastbourne Herald: http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/Shock-at-complaints-over-TV.5021741.jp
14 comments:
Blog Week 7:
In the United Kingdom articles about Cerrie Burnell, I could not help but to be appalled at the negative attitudes that are still prevalent in our society today about people with disabilities. Burnell, who was born with one of her arms foreshortened, hosted a children’s show that sparked negative societal attitudes. Some of the parents that complained about Burnell hosting the children’s show stated that her appearance will frighten their children and cause them sleepless nights. Another parent stated that “There's a time and place for showing kids all the 'differences' that people can have, but nine in the morning in front of two-year-olds is NOT the place!" The negative societal attitudes toward disability that came to mind were: anxiety provoking, sociocultural conditioning, existential angst, aesthetic aversion, and media impact. People that are ignorant of disabilities see PWD and their disability as the most salient characteristic. These people who made negative comments are afraid of something they know nothing about and most likely their negative attitudes towards PWD came from their parents. What’s sad is these negative attitudes expressed by certain parents will be passed on to their children. The children will grow up feeling anxious because they never encountered a PWD and will pass on negative attitudes they learned from their parents. The media has the biggest influence on shaping societal attitudes about PWD. Sociocultural conditioning emphasizes body beautiful, existential angst reminds people of eventual death, aesthetic aversion is the desire to look upon beautiful things and not look at repulsive things. I agree with the statement made about these type of negative parental attitudes towards PWD in that these parents are “deliberately denying them this experience and guaranteeing instead that they'll be in for a massive shock when they come into contact with people who are different in some way, is passing on ignorance, imbuing children with adults' own fears and prejudices and poisoning young minds before they've barely even formed.” I also agree with another statement in the article that was well put: “The intolerance and prejudice of others creates far greater obstacles for those with disabilities than any physical differences they might possess, and being intolerant and prejudiced is probably the biggest disability of them all.” In another article, I agree with the statements: “This is again another instance of disability discrimination. Would these parents prefer that disabled people were hidden away in dark places? Cerrie is helping show our youngsters that we live in a beautiful and diverse world and that it is great." I believe that PWD need to be seen more often in the media and talk about their disabilities. The public needs to be educated about disabilities. This knowledge will help them to become more comfortable about seeing and being around PWD.
Diana F.
I believe it is wonderful to see the world coming together to address people with disabilities rights and I commemorate Cerrie Burnell for being in a program in United Kingdom. This will expose the children to not be so afraid and ignore any barriers to people with disabilities. In a way I am a little upset at how Burnell was getting criticism, but I am glad that she at least had the courage to be in a program setting that is being exposed to children. As for Ghana and Saudi Arabia, it is uplifting to see leaders coming together to converse about people with disabilities.
JudithW
I think this will give everyone a positive view of people with disabilities. This will also give those with disabilities a brighter view of the world. I believe this will also help children not to be afraid but to be informed. I’m glad that the world is changing little by little. I know that there are still many that have a negative view of people with disabilities but with time everyone views change, we can only hope that they view things in a better perspective.
~ Violet M ~
I guess because of the way the media portrays all the different countries I didn't think people with disabilities were at the top of their list of concerns. We always see the poverty and fighting side of things and forget that there are good people that live ther too. It's good to know that there are other countries contributing to helping people with disabilities.
It sad to know that parents would complain about a child with a disability because of the way she looks. I'm glad that she doesn't let it affect her and she holds her head up high. In situations like this parents need to talk to their children so that they understand what is going on not try to isolate the child with disabilities because they're child might get scared. That is so ridiculous.
It is nice to know that countries like Saudi Arabia, and Ghana are working for the benefit of people with disability that is very encouraging i hope the rest of the world will do the same.
Am really shocked about the negative attitudes in a country like the United Kingdom, people have such a little mind, these kids are going meet people with disability at some point in there life, so the earler the better ,these mothers should get over there own inabilities.
Anthonia .F
I think it is great that in Saudi Arabia there is a concern in people with disabilities. Many people have a disability and not enough research is made which helps them so its good that more concern on research and rehabilitation is being made. In Ghana i think it is a wonderful idea to have a person with a disability in appointed to a government chair. I think doing this will expose more people to other people with disabilities. Doing this will also encourage people with a disability to open up and know they are equal with everyone else. In the United Kingdom i think it is horrible that parents are referring to Carrie as if she were a monster just because she has a disability. No single person looks the same and no person should be judged on their appearance. There are people with disabilities everywhere and people must realize that they are no different and less human than a person without one. Priscilla F.
I think that it is a little ridiculous of parent in the UK complaining that a person with a disability may cause their children to lose sleep at night. I agree with Cerrie Burnell it will show children that no matter what you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
Shannon L.
Its great to see how the whole world is fighting for the rights of People with disabilities. I would never imagine that countries like Saudi Arabia are putting Disability on the top of their agendas. in Ghana, people are trying to include PWD in the government, which at first I thought was unecessary. Now i see the great impact that having a person with a disability in the government would have. Its a matter of understanding, knowing that they are out there and that they can do as many things as anybody else, not just being a role model for PWD but also exposing other people to them and help overcome the negative views of the world towards PWD.
I think it is pretty cool that people all over the world are fighting for rights for PWD. I never would of imagined that people in Saudi and Ghana would make this movement possible over there. This just shows us that when people put their minds together they can make wonderful things happen in our world.
-Francisco N-
I believe that what the Saudi Arabia Prince Sultan and the President John E. Atta-Mills from Ghana are doing is very good to the disability community. I believe that there should be more awareness not just here in the United States but internationally because it is essential that every one is educated when it comes to disability because I believe that not many people are aware. Unfortunately there are many people from UK that are not educated in disabilities, I believe that what the parents mentioned about Burnells' arm was wrong and rude. From my point of view these parents need to be more educated about people with disabilities. I am also glad to know that the conference will also focus in research related to disability and rehabilitation because it is a growing field and many are going to benefit from it.
Brenda Hernandez Case Management I
It is nice to know that countries like Saudi Arabia and Ghana are working for the benefit of people with disabilities; I hope the rest of the world will do the same. Unfortunately there are people from UK that are not educated in disabilities. In my opinion what the parents mentioned about Burnell’s arm was rude and not right, I believe these parents should be more educated and have more knowledge on the issue of disabilities.
DaphneJ.
i think it is good that the world is starting to come together to deal with people and their disabilities. there i still so much negativity towards people with disabilities presently and that is wrong.seeing the uk ghana and saudi work for these people is a positive thing and maybe will play as a instigator to other countries helping people with disabilities.
justin r.
I think this is so cool how the world actually comes together and puts aside differences for a real good cause. It is about time that other countries get on the ball and have the same feelings we do. Now as you can tell we aren't so great when it comes to being fair or right but if we do somethings right and influence other countries to treat people fairly then maybe in the long run we are doing a good job as a country.
Aaron G.
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