REMINDER: Officers, meeting Friday at 3pm, Carol Tatkon Center!

Important Dates:

• "Films for Thought" - Thursday March 10, Monday May 9 (Gattaca, Children
  of a Lesser God; rooms reserved)
• Spring semester Forum - April 18th. Goldwin Smith is full, so possibly in McGraw?
• Broader panel this time?
• Stacey made an informational CUDA brochure - we gave her feedback on it so
  she could present a beautiful one to the budget people.

Discussion: Disability Issues Around the World (Led by Sharon)

Uganda

• Strong presence of and advocacy for those with disabilities
• Civil strife there has left many with physical disabilities
• How are the "disabled" viewed as a political segment or active group?
• Are there separate voting blocks?
• There is need in US as well for more representation - quality of representation
• Question of "Separate But Equal"?
• Strong, cohesive political voice/message - Government can better respond
  Honduras
• By law, disabled persons cannot teach (Definition: Physically or mentally incapacitating condition for 6+ mos.)
• Why? - Public school teachers: averting cost to government
• Nicaragua
• Belize, rural area school: little attention paid; no opportunity given
• Brazil: Deaf schools mostly in city
• In US, federally funded deaf boarding schools are in decline Canada
• Those with disabilities cannot become citizens (Definition of disability?)
• Strain on financial resources - public/socialist healthcare system
• Illnesses, or disabilities? With stringent citizenship requirements, probably both
• Being productive members of society
• Providing opportunities and resources early on
• Leaders making efforts to accommodate can influence others What can we do? (Aside from just money)
• Actions in global community - US as role model
• Disabilities issues as tool of diplomacy
• Distribution of funding is problem: structure of caps, limits on work - hindering productivity? - Bureaucracy
• Better to have a system or nothing?
• Problems are with institutions - not taken care of, ignoring problems.
• Progress within system is still needed.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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