SV: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Draft Statement for Sub-Committee B- Inclusion Issues

[Kicki Nordström]

Dear Elizabeth,

I am thankful to you for the explanation but let me spread even more light over this issue which seems to be so complicated sometimes.

The disability movement recognises the following groupings:
Sensory  disabilities (blind, deaf or deafblind persons)
Physical disabilities (all disabilities hindering fre mobility due to physical conditions)
Psycho-social disabilities  (what some call mental illness, and are counted up below)
Intellectual disabilities (persons with development disabilities) 

To this we could add other medical conditions also, like those with constant pain, diabetics, heart problems or similar conditions,. 

This give us 5 distinct groups which we should consider and not mix. All these groups face considerable  obstacles in our society and need particular recognitions . 

When it comes to  ICT there are some  more excluded than others, like those with sensory disabilities, but also other groups are not only discriminated against, but forgotten when designers and producers of hard and soft ware marketing their products and instead we have to lean on expencive applications, which many from developing countries never can afford to buy. 

Yours
Kicki



Kicki Nordström
World Blind Union
Immediate Past  President
c/o SRF Iris AB
122 88 Enskede
Sweden
Tel: +46 (0)8 399 000
Fax: +46 (0)8 725 99 20
Cell: +46 (0)70 766 18 19
E-mail: kino at iris,se

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Från: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] För Elizabeth Carll, PhD
Skickat: den 20 september 2005 19:11
Till: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Ämne: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Draft Statement for Sub-Committee B- Inclusion Issues

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Sylvia,

In my many posts I have indicated this is NOT SPECIFICALLY A REFERENCE TO DISABILITY, which is only one aspect of the possible outcome of mental illness.  The focus is on information for MENTAL HEALTH, which includes learning information about emotional well being, resilience, dealing with trauma, coping with stress, coping with illness, etc. all of which are not necessarily under the category of mental illness and disability.

Furthermore, it is included as such to PREVENT the SEPARATION of physical and mental health as it should be seen as a seamless service/issue.
Unfortunately in most countries, mental health is separated from physical health, and as a result services and insurance are arbitrary and discriminatory.  The US is a prime example of the failure of a seamless recognition and provision of resources.  Refusing to recognize this will not make it go away.

Not mentioning mental health will not eliminate perceived stigma by some re mental illness, only eliminate the possible allocation of resources.

Hope this helps clarify.

Elizabeth

Dr.  Elizabeth  Carll
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; UN NGO Committee on Mental  Health; Communications Coordination Committee  for the UN
Tel:  631-754-2424
Fax: 631-754-5032
ecarll at optonline.net

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org]On
Behalf Of Sylvia Caras
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 12:48 PM
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: RE: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Draft Statement for Sub-Committee B (for Tuesday afternoon)


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>the inclusion of the recognition of both physical and mental health 
>information.


We have this discussion again and again, but I will keep objecting to the separation of physical and mental, and I object to perpetuating the separation based on reference to prior documents.  Health is a seamless blend of biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual and vocational well being.  People who actually experience mood swings, fear, voices and visions are whole human beings and, whatever the intent, it fosters shaming, prejudice and discrimination to carve us out in this way.

Sylvia

Sylvia Caras, PhD
www.peoplewho.org




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