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The International Deaf Day September 23, 2008 at Wat Batom Vaddey Park

The Disability Action Council [DAC] in partnership with the Mary knoll Deaf Development Program (DDP), the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO), Action on Disability and Development (ADD) and Epic Arts will host the International Deaf Day on September 23, 2008 in front of Wat Batom Vaddey Park (Batom Vaddey Pagoda). The program will begin at 7:30 am and run to 12:00 noon. H.E. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of MoSVY will graciously preside over the event. The Disability Action Council [DAC] in partnership with the Mary knoll Deaf Development Program (DDP), the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO), Action on Disability and Development (ADD) and Epic Arts will host the International Deaf Day on September 23, 2008 in front of Wat Batom Vaddey Park (Batom Vaddey Pagoda). The program will begin at 7:30 am and run to 12:00 noon. H.E. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of MoSVY will graciously preside over the event.

The aim of the International Deaf Day is to promote the rights and needs of deaf people and give participants the opportunity to meet each other, enjoy some recreation activities together and to share information amongst those working in the disability sector. The event is considered a very significant gathering for deaf awareness raising and the link between deaf people and the hearing world, the public and the community where they live.

The event will include a variety of arts performances, performed by deaf people – such as thanksgiving, Pursat Peacock dance, sack-jumping competition and the slow-bicycle ride competition, amongst others. Also, the program will include the opening remarks delivered by Mr. Thong Vinal, Executive Director of the DAC and Mr. Charlie Dittmeier’, Director of DDP, and will highlight the achievements of DDP, amongst others, over the past year.

The program will bring together about 350 participants from disability organizations, representatives of national and international organizations, government officials and officers, policy-makers and donors and funding agencies. The Disability Action Council is a Semi-Autonomous National Coordinating Body, established by the Government PRAKAS to coordinate the activity of organizations and relevant government ministries working in the disability and rehabilitation sector in October, 1997.

The Disability Action Council Secretariat:
Address: No. 86, St. 99, Sangkat Phsa Doeun Thkov,
Khan Chamcar Mon, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: 023 215 341; 023 218 797;
Fax: 023 214 722
E-mail: dac@dac.org.kh