This is one of those crazy times when work piles up and any diversion from the tasks on hand seems like a criminal activity. I am working towards completing my masters thesis, due in two weeks, which should say it all.
There is an immense amount of stuff happening all around that is really pushing me to update my blog, such as India's latest (and a first of its kind) legislation against domestic violence, but sadly I will have to pile it up for later.
So adios for now, but expect updates soon...!
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
"Since she is still a lunatic, we have not sent a report"
The Indian Express has published a story of 73-year old Sarla, who has spent the last 43 years of her life at the Varanasi mental asylum, awaiting trial for murder until she was deemed fit to be presented in court.
Sarla, abandoned by her husband a few years after marriage, came to Allahabad to train as a nurse in 1961. She was arrested for the murder of a batchmate but was acquitted of the charge by a district court 2 years later. The district court at the time had held her mental health to be "precarious." However the state government challenged the verdict and insisted that Sarla be retried when "fit." Sent to the Varanasi asylum on being rearrested, a report on her mental health was due from the medical superintendant to the Allahabad High Court. That report has not reached the High Court for the last 43 years...
The reason given, "The HC wanted a report when she became normal. Since she is still a lunatic, we have not sent a report."
From a human rights perspective, I believe this is no longer an issue of whether the murder was even committed or not! This is a criminal violation of a person's basic human rights, on the excuse that they are considered mentally unstable. Every citizen should have an equal shot at justice, no matter what their disability or situation in life is. India has a very long way to go in recognizing people with mental health problems as individuals with rights equal to the rest of the population, as is witnessed in several acts including the Persons with Disabilities Act.
This is compounded by the justice system in the country, which needs some major reforms and philosophical rethink on several issues. Cases linger on for years, people sent to mental asylums frequently fall through the cracks and are forgotten, people are imprisoned for years before their case can even come up for hearing...so guilty or not, your freedom is snatched away.
Both the issues at stake are very important aspects of a country's protection of its citizens. There are many issues that come within these big umbrella concerns, the issue of guardianship, of legal counsel, of mental asylum functioning, among many others.
Sarla's case has been taken up by Ramesh Upadhyay, who's moved the National Human Rights Commission on her behalf. And despite the verdict, the 43 years that she has lost being labelled, restricted, and punished, will be gone forever.
Sarla, abandoned by her husband a few years after marriage, came to Allahabad to train as a nurse in 1961. She was arrested for the murder of a batchmate but was acquitted of the charge by a district court 2 years later. The district court at the time had held her mental health to be "precarious." However the state government challenged the verdict and insisted that Sarla be retried when "fit." Sent to the Varanasi asylum on being rearrested, a report on her mental health was due from the medical superintendant to the Allahabad High Court. That report has not reached the High Court for the last 43 years...
The reason given, "The HC wanted a report when she became normal. Since she is still a lunatic, we have not sent a report."
From a human rights perspective, I believe this is no longer an issue of whether the murder was even committed or not! This is a criminal violation of a person's basic human rights, on the excuse that they are considered mentally unstable. Every citizen should have an equal shot at justice, no matter what their disability or situation in life is. India has a very long way to go in recognizing people with mental health problems as individuals with rights equal to the rest of the population, as is witnessed in several acts including the Persons with Disabilities Act.
This is compounded by the justice system in the country, which needs some major reforms and philosophical rethink on several issues. Cases linger on for years, people sent to mental asylums frequently fall through the cracks and are forgotten, people are imprisoned for years before their case can even come up for hearing...so guilty or not, your freedom is snatched away.
Both the issues at stake are very important aspects of a country's protection of its citizens. There are many issues that come within these big umbrella concerns, the issue of guardianship, of legal counsel, of mental asylum functioning, among many others.
Sarla's case has been taken up by Ramesh Upadhyay, who's moved the National Human Rights Commission on her behalf. And despite the verdict, the 43 years that she has lost being labelled, restricted, and punished, will be gone forever.
Monday, September 11, 2006
How difficult is it to put "alt" tags?
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has allowed a lawsuit filed against Target's inaccessible website by a UC Berkeley student, who is blind, to go forward. This lawsuit is filed against Target by Bruce Sexton Jr. together with the National Federation of the Blind as a class action lawsuit.
Target's stand, that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is relevant only to their physical spaces has been rightly overuled by the presiding Judge Marilyn Hall Patel, who pointed out that the ADA prohibits discrimination for all "services and goods" provided by a public entity.
Being someone who has worked with accessibility issues, I understand that many websites designed to be as accessible as possible also come across roadblocks...but alt tags??? That's the issue of contention here...Target's website does not use alt tags properly throughout the website. They are missing at times, and incorrectly designated at others. Alt tags are one of the simplest, and most effective tools, to make a site navigable and understandable for people who cannot/do not see images. They are converted into suitable output by the assistive technology used by the concerned individual.
How difficult is it to employ alt tags in your website...and take those extra 3 seconds to make sure they read correctly? Not at all, this is plain indifference and negligence. Above all, Target's claim that their website doesn't need to be accessible shows just how much it values its customers with disabilities, or understands the real reasons behind accessibility.
To read a news article on this check out
Target's stand, that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is relevant only to their physical spaces has been rightly overuled by the presiding Judge Marilyn Hall Patel, who pointed out that the ADA prohibits discrimination for all "services and goods" provided by a public entity.
Being someone who has worked with accessibility issues, I understand that many websites designed to be as accessible as possible also come across roadblocks...but alt tags??? That's the issue of contention here...Target's website does not use alt tags properly throughout the website. They are missing at times, and incorrectly designated at others. Alt tags are one of the simplest, and most effective tools, to make a site navigable and understandable for people who cannot/do not see images. They are converted into suitable output by the assistive technology used by the concerned individual.
How difficult is it to employ alt tags in your website...and take those extra 3 seconds to make sure they read correctly? Not at all, this is plain indifference and negligence. Above all, Target's claim that their website doesn't need to be accessible shows just how much it values its customers with disabilities, or understands the real reasons behind accessibility.
To read a news article on this check out
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Changing mindsets through exposure
An email informed me of this website...it hosts a large collection of adapted athletics videos, very likely the only such resource freely available:
http://www.newdisability.com/interviewaaron.htm
Without advancing the idea of the "super-crip," I believe such videos can provide excellent material to break the standard stereotypes of "broken body, feeble mind, sub humans" variety. They challenge the very beliefs that people hold about disabilities, primarily about disability being the unsurmountable barrier that stops you from enjoying all the things "normal" people can enjoy.
It questions the images you conjure in your mind about a person with a disability and begs you to reconsider your notion of "those poor souls robbed of humanly pleasures." And most importantly it advises you to not limit the options people with disabilities have because of what "you think" they can and cannot do.
Awareness and exposure can go a long way in changing social beliefs, as many times we cannot think differently until we do see something that is different.
http://www.newdisability.com/interviewaaron.htm
Without advancing the idea of the "super-crip," I believe such videos can provide excellent material to break the standard stereotypes of "broken body, feeble mind, sub humans" variety. They challenge the very beliefs that people hold about disabilities, primarily about disability being the unsurmountable barrier that stops you from enjoying all the things "normal" people can enjoy.
It questions the images you conjure in your mind about a person with a disability and begs you to reconsider your notion of "those poor souls robbed of humanly pleasures." And most importantly it advises you to not limit the options people with disabilities have because of what "you think" they can and cannot do.
Awareness and exposure can go a long way in changing social beliefs, as many times we cannot think differently until we do see something that is different.
Friday, August 25, 2006
A commendable private initiative...in reality a State Government responsibility
A citizen has initiated an on-call "disabled friendly" cab service in the city of Mumbai. This is a much needed service that should ideally have been provided in various transportation services by the Maharashtra State Government. It is highly commendable that Mr.Arun Sabnis, who runs Mumbai's Gold Cab service, has conceived the idea of a public para-transit service for the city.
His initial fleet will consist of 20 modified Versas. Ferdinand J. Rodricks of Ferro Equip is working on the modification design supported by the Swedish Gothenberg Services. Indian Express has provided some details about the adaptations: "it has the middle seating removed to make way for a wheelchair lock-in arrangement and there’s a side ramp to enable it to enter. Other adjustments include internal space to seat three and work on the rear seat to accommodate luggage."
It took Mr.Sabnis two whole years to convince the "Maharashtra Government (RTO) about the need for such a service in Mumbai." Unfortunately this comes neither as a surprise nor a shock.
Mr.Sabnis aims to provide a 24 hour call center for bookings, which can also be made via sms and email. He plans to approach the Ministry for Aviation to start airport services and I wish him all possible luck in this endeavor. People with disabilities face an absolute lack of options when it comes to accessible transit services to and from the airport.
The Indian Express article covering this can be read at:
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=197244
His initial fleet will consist of 20 modified Versas. Ferdinand J. Rodricks of Ferro Equip is working on the modification design supported by the Swedish Gothenberg Services. Indian Express has provided some details about the adaptations: "it has the middle seating removed to make way for a wheelchair lock-in arrangement and there’s a side ramp to enable it to enter. Other adjustments include internal space to seat three and work on the rear seat to accommodate luggage."
It took Mr.Sabnis two whole years to convince the "Maharashtra Government (RTO) about the need for such a service in Mumbai." Unfortunately this comes neither as a surprise nor a shock.
Mr.Sabnis aims to provide a 24 hour call center for bookings, which can also be made via sms and email. He plans to approach the Ministry for Aviation to start airport services and I wish him all possible luck in this endeavor. People with disabilities face an absolute lack of options when it comes to accessible transit services to and from the airport.
The Indian Express article covering this can be read at:
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=197244
Embarrassing?...or a much-needed survey of the people in charge of making our HIV/AIDS programmes & policies?
A recent survey released by the Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh, exposes the lack of awareness, incorrect beliefs, and misinformation amongst India's Members of Parliament on the critical issue of HIV/AIDS. The Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development surveyed 157 lawmakers from the Lok Sabha (Lower house of Parliament) and 93 from the Rajya Sabha (Upper house of Parliament) on their knowledge of the spread and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
Some of the results of the survey are as follows:
- 64 percent believed the disease could be passed on by sharing clothes with an infected person
- 56 percent said the HIV virus could be transmitted by sharing food and cooking utensils with someone with the disease
- 40 percent said that there was a risk of transmission among people working alongside each other
- 22.8 percent thought the disease could be spread through toilets
- 25 percent of the politicians were unaware that sex with multiple partners increased the risk of transmitting the disease
- 25 percent were unaware that using a condom would decrease the risk of transmission
- Less than half knew that HIV could be transmitted through blood transfusion
While these figures are alarming when it comes to the very people in charge of policy making in the country, I admire the PMO for conducting this survey given the "taboo" topic of sex in the country. It critically highlights and underlines the need to educate our lawmakers about the realities surrounding HIV/AIDS. Given the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country, it is downright disgraceful to note that the members of Parliament are unaware of the basic characteristics of the virus and the resulting illness in such large numbers.
Dr.Singh in his speech, when releasing the report, said "I believe this brings together some very interesting and provocative material on the perceptions and approach of our elected representatives in a vital area of national policy." I agree!
You can read his speech at http://pmindia.nic.in/lspeech.asp?id=377
It is interesting that these results come in the wake of remarkable AIDS awareness campaigns through constructive use of posters, billboards, radio and television programming, newspapers, and hotlines.
News articles covering the story can be read at:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/24/news/aids.php
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1251342006
Some of the results of the survey are as follows:
- 64 percent believed the disease could be passed on by sharing clothes with an infected person
- 56 percent said the HIV virus could be transmitted by sharing food and cooking utensils with someone with the disease
- 40 percent said that there was a risk of transmission among people working alongside each other
- 22.8 percent thought the disease could be spread through toilets
- 25 percent of the politicians were unaware that sex with multiple partners increased the risk of transmitting the disease
- 25 percent were unaware that using a condom would decrease the risk of transmission
- Less than half knew that HIV could be transmitted through blood transfusion
While these figures are alarming when it comes to the very people in charge of policy making in the country, I admire the PMO for conducting this survey given the "taboo" topic of sex in the country. It critically highlights and underlines the need to educate our lawmakers about the realities surrounding HIV/AIDS. Given the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the country, it is downright disgraceful to note that the members of Parliament are unaware of the basic characteristics of the virus and the resulting illness in such large numbers.
Dr.Singh in his speech, when releasing the report, said "I believe this brings together some very interesting and provocative material on the perceptions and approach of our elected representatives in a vital area of national policy." I agree!
You can read his speech at http://pmindia.nic.in/lspeech.asp?id=377
It is interesting that these results come in the wake of remarkable AIDS awareness campaigns through constructive use of posters, billboards, radio and television programming, newspapers, and hotlines.
News articles covering the story can be read at:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/24/news/aids.php
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1251342006
Friday, August 18, 2006
Funding for increased media programming on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean
The Ford Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation are joining the Kaiser Family Foundation in providing monetary support of one milliom USD to the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS. Given the prevalence of stigma and homophobia in the Caribbean region, this partnership aims to contribute towards the media's goal of expanding AIDS programming.
The Carribean Partnership includes more than 30 television and radio companies spanned over 22 countries, and plans to integrate HIV-content across all program genres. The first year strategy includes:
1. A pan-Caribbean public service campaign
2. Original HIV-themed entertainment programming, such as soap operas
3. Programming workshops for writers, producers and on-air talent
4. Journalist trainings and briefings
5. Complementary information resources.
The Kaiser press release can be read at:
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/phip081606nr.cfm
Hopefully this program will achieve its aims. A well planned media initiative can go a long way in increasing awareness, educating the audience, and providing exposure to issues generally swept under the carpet. A lack of awareness can breed ignorance, prejudice, and social stigma all which can catalyze the spread of HIV/AIDS while obstructing prevention and treatment methods. In many cultures talking about anything in the periphery of sex is taboo and this becomes a big barrier towards increasing AIDS awareness.
A broad media initiative can broadcast information on a wide scale, through various channels, and in different formats to reach a variety of target audiences. If this programme is successful it can be used as an excellent example for other countries, and even if not its shortfalls can be studied and worked on.
The Carribean Partnership includes more than 30 television and radio companies spanned over 22 countries, and plans to integrate HIV-content across all program genres. The first year strategy includes:
1. A pan-Caribbean public service campaign
2. Original HIV-themed entertainment programming, such as soap operas
3. Programming workshops for writers, producers and on-air talent
4. Journalist trainings and briefings
5. Complementary information resources.
The Kaiser press release can be read at:
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/phip081606nr.cfm
Hopefully this program will achieve its aims. A well planned media initiative can go a long way in increasing awareness, educating the audience, and providing exposure to issues generally swept under the carpet. A lack of awareness can breed ignorance, prejudice, and social stigma all which can catalyze the spread of HIV/AIDS while obstructing prevention and treatment methods. In many cultures talking about anything in the periphery of sex is taboo and this becomes a big barrier towards increasing AIDS awareness.
A broad media initiative can broadcast information on a wide scale, through various channels, and in different formats to reach a variety of target audiences. If this programme is successful it can be used as an excellent example for other countries, and even if not its shortfalls can be studied and worked on.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Indian Government's rescue protocol for child trafficking victims
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has drawn up a protocol that will take a personalized, sympathetic, and sensitive approach towards the victims of child trafficking in India. Does this signal that we are finally shifting our attitudes towards looking at victims as "victims" and not "criminals," while the real criminals go scot-free?
This protocol covers important aspects such as maintaining the privacy of the victims, providing them with rehabilitative resources, and most importantly demands that rescue workers not manhandle or use abusive language with the rescued individuals. This is critical as the Indian society is well known for placing the blame on the very individuals forced into the sex industry. Also, someone in the Ministry has finally realized that well trained social workers are an essential component of the rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and towards that end has set aside provisions to maintain Child Welfare Officers at police stations. How far these measures will be realized is ofcourse a different story...
But the initiation of such protocols is a very positive step. Hopefully we will see this advance into protocols for sensitive treatment of rape victims by police and rescue personnel.
An Indian Express article covering this can be read at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/10765.html
This protocol covers important aspects such as maintaining the privacy of the victims, providing them with rehabilitative resources, and most importantly demands that rescue workers not manhandle or use abusive language with the rescued individuals. This is critical as the Indian society is well known for placing the blame on the very individuals forced into the sex industry. Also, someone in the Ministry has finally realized that well trained social workers are an essential component of the rescue and rehabilitation efforts, and towards that end has set aside provisions to maintain Child Welfare Officers at police stations. How far these measures will be realized is ofcourse a different story...
But the initiation of such protocols is a very positive step. Hopefully we will see this advance into protocols for sensitive treatment of rape victims by police and rescue personnel.
An Indian Express article covering this can be read at:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/10765.html
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