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What's New at GAATES
2008 Archive
A Serbian Success - "International Best Practices of Universal Design: A Global Review"
Article by Elyse Leffler and Marnie PetersThe publication International Best Practices of Universal Design: A Global Review, was first brought to the attention of Serbian urban planner Miodrag Pocuc during the 2008 Man and Environment conference hosted by the Serbian organization, The Centre "Living Upright".
Miodrag was so convinced of the usefulness of the information as a means to initiate change and improvements to accessibility legislation in his country, he offered to contribute to the study by adding the Serbian specifications, and translating the document into his national language.
Miodrag recently announced that the publication has finally been translated into Serbian after a long awaited process that did not come without many difficulties. Financial difficulties nearly stopped the publication from being translated into Serbian, but after nearly a year, and with the help of The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Serbia, the translation of the publication has finally been made a success.
The Serbian translation of International Best Practices of Universal Design: A Global Review is available on the GAATES site by following the Serbian (Srpski) link on the International Best Practices page, and will soon be available on The Centre "Living Upright" web site.
Miodrag continues working to promote the mission of The Centre "Living Upright", while working with cities and municipalities to promote the need for accessibility and raise the issue to a national level in Serbia. If you wish to contact Miodrag Pocuc, you can visit his web site or contact through email.
Announcements
A special award was presented to the GAATES Honourary Member, Sheika Jameela al Qasimi, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the lives of people with disabilities in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates and Internationally.
The GAATES Certificate presented to Sheika Jameela al Qasimi as a GAATES Honourary Member.
Her Highness Sheika Jameela Bint Mohammed Al Qassimi is the vice president of the Family Supreme Council in Sharjah, and Director General of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services provides care and rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.
Mr. Osama speaking at a podium, welcoming GAATES members to Sharjah City.
Mr. Osama welcomed GAATES to Sharjah City for our Annual General Meeting, where he was pleased to announce that GAATES has been selected as the international organization to work on and assist with the accessible development of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services.
Annual General Meeting
Posted: December 16, 2008
GAATES members attending the 2008 General Meeting in Sharjah in a group photo in front of the GAATES banner. Left to right: Bob Topping, Mukhtar Al Shibani, Safiya Al Shibani, Betty Dion, Paul Tubbe, Pauline Mantha, Ernie Tannis, Andres Balcazar, Chuck Letourneau
GAATES held its first Annual General Meeting on November 26 and 27, 2008 in the United Arab Emirates. The meeting was held at the Sharjah Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah. The meeting was sponsored by her Highness Sheikka Jameela Al Qasimi, the first Honourary Member of GAATES.
At the annual general meeting, the GAATES Executive and Board Members celebrated the events, successes and near misses of the organization's first official year.
GAATES President, Betty Dion announced that GAATES and DPI (Disabled Person's International) were currently negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding which will establish a collaborative working relationship between GAATES and DPI - the voice of people with disabilities around the world. DPI and GAATES will work together to promote the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and work together to build capacity around the implementation and monitoring of the UN Convention.
The Treasurer Bob Topping announced the creation of a GAATES Scholarship Fund and presented the financial statements for the organization.
Vice President Mukhtar Al Shibani stated that things are moving fast and firmly in the Arab region and there have been significant developments occurred following the Memorandums of Understanding that have been signed in the Gulf region.
GAATES welcomes the following new members to their Board of Directors:
Chuck Letourneau, Canada
Pauline Mantha, Brazil
Andres Balcazar de la Cruz, Mexico
Harold Snider, USA
Mukhtar Al Shibani and Betty Dion preparing to speak at a podium.
Several GAATES projects are underway, and several more collaborative agreements have been signed. GAATES concluded on a high note, with the development of a Strategic Plan. The team will continue to build the organization through increased membership and providing their services and sharing of expertise worldwide.
In conjunction with the AGM, GAATES President Betty Dion and Vice President Mukhtar Al Shibani gave series of presentations on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and accessibility of the built and virtual environments.
Announcement
GAATES presented Eduardo Alvarez with a special Award of Recognition in honour of his outstanding leadership in the creation of the first International Standard for Accessibility and Usability of the Built Environment (ISO TC59/SC16). Mr. Alvarez has demonstrated great leadership, perseverance, and determination in the development of the Accessibility Standard that will impact the lives of people with disabilities around the world. The award was presented on December 3rd, 2008, at The Bahrain Society of Engineers in the Kingdom of Bahrain, UAE, in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Persons with a Disability.
Eduardo Alvarez standing at the podium accepting his GAATES Award of Recognition
GAATES Award of Recognition presented to Eduardo Alvarez. A Green folder with the award plaque inside.
GAATES selected to participate in the United Nations DPI/NGO Conference celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights
Safiya Al Shibani, Mukhutar Al Shibani, Betty Dion hosting a workshop at the 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference
The 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference: "Reaffirming Human Rights for All" was held September 3-5, 2008 at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. GAATES presented a Midday Workshop entitled "Universal Design as a Human Right".
As the leading international NGO focusing on universal design and accessibility GAATES participated in discussions on the development of human rights for persons with disabilities. Youth delegate Safiya Al Shibani who works with students with disabilities in Saudi Arabia and Architect Mukhtar Al Shibani addressed the conference. GAATES President Betty Dion moderated a number of workshops including the Universal Design as a Human Right Workshop.
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