Posted by Shane Holten on Tue, Apr 23, 2013 @ 10:08 AM
Toolkit for Long Term Recovery "Haiti: Reconstruction for All"
The toolkit for Long Term Recovery "Haiti: Reconstruction for All" elaborated by the GPDD Working Group on Haiti Reconstruction is now available online.
The GPDD and allies are working together to raise awareness and contribute with useful information and tools in order to ensure that reconstruction efforts after Haiti earthquake involve people with disabilities during all stages and that all rebuilt and newly built infrastructure as well as medical, economic, educational and socio-economic services systems are fully accessible to and usable by people with disabilities .
The members of the GPDD Working Group on Haiti Reconstruction have been the leaders in this initiative. The goal of their efforts is to provide development partners, UN agencies, governments, and other stakeholders some useful and proactive planning strategies and tools to incorporate inclusive disaster recovery and reconstruction practices that benefit people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. The guidelines and recommendations contained in the Toolkit are the first outputs of the ongoing work of the GPDD Working Group on Haiti Reconstruction under the coordination of GPDD Secretariat.
Seven major thematic areas related to disability inclusive recovery and reconstruction were selected by the Working Group and developed as separate Power Point Presentations:
- Introduction [PDF]
- Physical Environment (Chapter 1) [PDF] | [PPT]
- Livelihood, Employment and Social Protection (Chapter 2) [PDF] | [PPT]
- Transportation and Communication (Chapter 3) [PDF] | [PPT]
- Education (Chapter 4) [PDF] | [PPT]
- Health (Chapter 5) [PDF] | [PPT]
- Capacity Building of Disabled People Organizations (DPOs) (Chapter 6) [PDF] | [PPT]
- Organizational and Operational Issues (Chapter 7) [PDF] | [PPT]
Although these seven topics are not comprehensive in regard to all aspects of including people with disabilities in recovery and reconstruction efforts, creating some useful expert-reviewed guidance documents in these areas could help to structure a more comprehensive approach to disaster management. In the Chapter devoted to Physical Environment there is basic information on the Haitian situation prior to and after the earthquake.
It is important to pay attention to slide-notes as many contain sources and other relevant information.
Posted by Shane Holten on Sat, Mar 16, 2013 @ 01:13 PM
2015 Pan Am/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village | Canary District
Canadian Architect
Dundee Kilmer Integrated Design Team: Joint Venture of architectsAlliance and Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects in association with Daoust Lestage Inc. and MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects
Unlike many international athletic games projects, which are purpose-built and then converted to other uses, the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village accelerates the build-out of a key site in the redevelopment of Toronto’s West Don Lands. Originally planned for completion in three phases over 12 years, the new 14.3-hectare downtown neighbourhood will be designed and built in less than three years. This new community, part of a broader development initiative for the city’s waterfront, is being undertaken by Infrastructure Ontario and Waterfront Toronto using a Design-Build-Finance procurement process.
Initially, the project will provide a home away from home for more than 10,000 athletes and officials participating in the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. Following the Games, the Village will convert into the Canary District, a sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood for people at all stages of life and income levels, including market and affordable housing, student housing for George Brown College, and a new YMCA community centre.
The site stands at the eastern edge of downtown Toronto on the 32-hectare West Don Lands, bordered by the Don River, King Street East, Parliament Street, and the rail line adjacent to the Gardiner Expressway. Front Street East, one of the city’s major arterials, extends through the site to terminate at the Don River Valley.
For the full article and more information, visit the website of Canadian Architect at the following link: http://awards.canadianarchitect.com/?portfolio=2015-pan-amparapan-american-games-athletes-village-canary-district
Posted by Shane Holten on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 08:32 AM
Since 1992, the United Nations has proclaimed December 3 of each year to be the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). These days are held each year with a different theme as a way to raise awareness and promote global disability issues. This year, building on the inclusive mainstreaming disability themes from 2009 and 2010, the theme is “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development” with various sub themes on issues such as including women, children, and youth with disabilities in development, barrier removal and inclusive development, and including a disability perspective in all aspects of development processes. In previous years, themes of the IDPD have included various other topics, including "E-Accessibility" and "Independent Living and Sustainable Livelihoods".
Events are being held to commemorate the IDPD at the UN Headquarters in New York City, including panel discussions and an accessibility film festival, and around the world as well. In Toronto, the City will be recognizing the IDPD by holding an event on December 8 at City Hall to present the Access Award, which is “given to a person, group or organization that has made a significant contribution towards improving access for people with disabilities in Toronto.”
Further information on the IDPD can be found at: http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1561
For more information on the City of Toronto's IDPD event and to RSVP, visit: http://www.toronto.ca/diversity/intl_day_disabilities.htm