The Disability Innovation Pre-Accelerator Lab which was held as a virtual event from 10th August to 26th August was successfully completed. LIRNEasia organized this event in collaboration with Vihara Innovations Network as part of our work on accessibility, PWDS (Persons With Disabilities) and use of ICT which is funded by the Ford Foundation. Pre-Accelerator’s journey began with 18 startups in the cohort on August 10th 2020. Team at Vihara planned the first phase to be discussion and learning oriented where multiple knowledge dissemination sessions and workshops were organized. These sessions were hosted in collaboration with individuals representing organizations like GSMA, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) , IIT Delhi, Center for Law and Policy Research (CLPR), Saksham, Handicare, DEOC, Rehabilitation Society Of The Visually Impaired organization, ARTILAB Foundation, Social Alpha, Noida Deaf Society, University College of Medical Science (New Delhi) and LIRNEAsia.
Abstract – The article highlights the essence of the safety-II paradigm and its potential for empowering People With Disabilities (PWDs) with adaptive capacity to face crises. Furthermore, the article recommends approaching safety-II through a community of practice involving PWDs, disabled persons organizations, public safety community, and all other relevant crisis management practitioners and researchers. The impact of disaster on a disabled person’s health is significant, including the number of People With Disability (PWD) deaths, injuries, diseases, and psychosocial problems. They are further effected with damage to their facilities and disruption to delivery of services to them over extended periods of time. Therefore, PWD safety in crises can be assured by empowering them, as well as their caregivers, family, and community that they largely depend on, with capacity to adapt in the time of crises.
Abstract – The article presents the necessary elements of universal design for a situational awareness platform. It builds on Endsley’s three level model and emergency data exchange standards. Thereby, the platform will lay the foundation for wide range of ICT-enabled tools that can customized to benefit each and every heterogeneous disabled persons groups. Individuals with disabilities are disproportionately affected in disaster, emergency, and conflict situations. One reason is the lack of access to comprehensible and appropriate risk information and means for crying for help to be rescued – we know that People With Disabilities (PWD) are 2 – 4 times more likely to die or suffer in a disaster relative to others.