..Press Release................................ UNESCAP News Services

Date 29 November 2005
Press Release No: N/65/2005

UNESCAP ASKS MEDIA TO RECONSIDER DISABILITY STEREOTYPES

Annual observance of International Day of Disabled Persons set for 2 December

BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services) -- UNESCAP will ask the media to consider how it may be stereotyping people with disabilities as part of its annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons scheduled for 2 December at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok.

The Observance will include a half-day panel discussion on the topic, “Persons with Disabilities in the Media - towards Dispelling Stereotypes.” Panellists include Mr. Krissana Chairat, TV programmer for Thailand’s Channel 3, Mr. Lance Woodruff, Thai News Agency, Mr. Marwaan Macan-Marker, Inter Press Service, Mr. Torpong Selanon, Executive Committee of Thailand Association of the Blind, and UNESCAP disability experts.

The panel discussion will focus on role of various media -TV shows, films, radio programmes, newspapers, magazines, and literature - in portraying persons with disabilities. The discussion aims to present realities of media portrayal of persons with disabilities from both regional and global perceptions, and forward-looking efforts made by media to change negative perceptions of persons with disabilities.

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons promotes an understanding of disability issues and mobilizes support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme for this year is “Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development.”

The International Day of Disabled Persons 2005 coincides with the half-way point of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action Towards an Inclusive, Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (BMF), a UNESCAP initiative to encourage inclusive societies.

NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the International Day of Disabled Persons 2005 on Friday 2 December at 09:00 hrs at the UN Conference Centre, UNESCAP, Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok

For further information please contact:
Mr. David Lazarus, Chief, UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-69, Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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