Empowerment Cafe
Circa 2012 Content

This website was created in 2012. The aim of the site was stated as follows:
What is the Empowerment Cafe?
Information is one of the important tools to empower persons with disabilities and to create a barrier-free society. The Empowerment Cafe (E-Cafe) is a platform to promote information and knowledge exchange on disability and development in Asia and the Pacific. Different perspectives: sub-region (Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Pacific and East Asia) and persons with diverse disabilities, including persons with intellectual, learning and developmental disabilities, persons with autism are addressed at the E-Cafe.

Information on disability and development in the Asia and Pacific region was provided through APCD E-Cafe on a daily basis. Participating networks/organizations are as follows:

Community-based Rehabilitation Asia-Pacific Network (CBR AP Network)
South Asian Disability Forum (SADF)
Central Asian Disability Forum (CADF)
ASEAN Autism Network (AAN)
Asia-Pacific Federation of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD)
Thailand Council for Independent Living (TIL)
United ID Network Mekong Sub Region
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)

Needless to say this site served a valuable purpose. At some time in 2013 the domain's registration expired and the site disappeared from the web. The current owners of the site wanted to preserve some of the site's content which visitors will find below. Interestingly a recent search for Empowerment Cafe shows a facebook page with that name. It is not related to this 2012 site. Instead, Empowerment Cafe is now a federally funded program which is administered and funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The purpose of the program is to ensure that eligible children and adults who attend qualifying non-residential care facilities receive nutritious meals. The types of facilities that are eligible for Empowerment Café are: At-Risk Afterschool Programs: Afterschool care programs in low-income areas can participate, by providing free snacks & supper to school-aged children and youths.

So the name lives on with a different organization, but the purpose of helping people in need remains- just a different demographic.

As a maritime injury lawyer, disabilities come with the territory - I work every day with individuals whose lives have been dramatically altered by accidents at sea—clients who are often left with permanent disabilities and the daunting task of adjusting to a new reality. It’s a profession that demands both legal expertise and deep empathy. That's why discovering Disability-eCafe.net felt so personal and powerful.

This site, particularly in its original 2012-2016 incarnation as the Empowerment Café, exemplifies the kind of global awareness and community-based support that disabled individuals everywhere need. While my practice is based in the U.S., many of my clients are international seafarers who return home to nations in the Asia-Pacific region—exactly the demographic this platform served. Whether it's community-based rehabilitation in Southeast Asia or disability rights education in Central Asia, the E-Cafe recognized that information access and transnational advocacy are critical tools for empowerment.

I was especially moved by the inclusive scope of the site—addressing autism, intellectual disabilities, mobility limitations, and hearing impairments—with contributions from diverse organizations like the ASEAN Autism Network and the Asia-Pacific Federation of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened. This mirrors the multidisciplinary team approach we often take in helping clients pursue long-term medical support, vocational retraining, or adaptive housing.

Though the site went offline, I commend the effort to preserve its legacy and share its content. The values of dignity, representation, and cross-cultural solidarity reflected here are deeply aligned with how I advocate for my clients. Every person living with a disability—whether from birth or due to injury—deserves both justice and a path toward meaningful inclusion. Empowerment Café championed that vision.

It’s heartening to see this history remembered, and I hope future iterations will continue the work. Justin Taylor

Content from 2014 - 2016

A new iteration of the site appeared in 2014 called the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability. The site now included an e-Newsletter. as well as E-Cafe Delivery called Empowerment Cafe.

Background

The "Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)" is a regional center on disability and development. APCD was established in Bangkok, Thailand as a legacy of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, with the joint collaboration of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Royal Thai Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Government of Japan.

APCD was endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) as a regional cooperative base for its Biwako Millennium Framework for an inclusive society in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 2003-2012. ESCAP identified APCD as the regional center on disability for the Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real, 2013-2022.

In cooperation with more than 30 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, APCD is currently managed by the Foundation of Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD Foundation) under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1st ASEAN Autism Friendship Games, Laguna, Philippines, 15-16 January 2016

The Third ASEAN Autism Network (AAN) Congress kicked off with the First ASEAN Autism Friendship Games at the University of the Philippines Campus in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 15-16 January 2016. The event was graced by Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz (President, Autism Society Philippines), Mr. Malai Hj Abdullah bin Hj Malai Othman (Chairperson, ASEAN Autism Network), Mr. Hiroaki Uesugi (Director, The Japan Foundation, Manila), Mr. Noriaki Niwa (Chief Representative, Japan International Cooperation Agency Philippine Office), Hon. Procopio A. Alipon (Vice Mayor, Municipality of Los Baños, Laguna) representing Hon. Mayor Caesar Perez, and Ms. Carmen Reyes Zubiaga (Acting Executive Director, National Council on Disability Affairs of the Philippines). Over 350 persons with autism and their parents from nine ASEAN countries including Japan participated in various activities including track and field events, swimming, bowling, and cultural fellowship programs, among others. Apart from sports and recreational activities, a cultural program showcased the talents of persons with autism and their parents from ASEAN and Japan. The winners of the Games were presented and honored at the Angels Walk for Autism on 17 January 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, Philippines. Angels Walk for Autism, Manila, Philippines, 17 January 2016

The second major event of the Third AAN Congress was the Angels Walk for Autism led by Autism Society Philippines on 17 January 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Manila, Philippines. This year’s event drew more than 15,000 participants from all over the Philippines and other ASEAN countries. Special guests included H.E. Dr. A.K.P. Mochtan (Deputy Secretary General, Community and Corporate Affairs), Hon. Sonny Angara (Senator of the Republic of the Philippines), Mr. Akiie Ninomiya (Executive Director, APCD), Engr. Bien Mateo (Program Director, SM Cares) and Ms. Mona Magno-Veluz (President, ASP). With the theme ‘Onwards to an Autism-OK Philippines’, the event also featured various talents of persons with autism from the ASEAN region and announced the ASP Autism Angels Achievement Award 2016 recipients, as well as the formal turnover of the AAN chairmanship. The ASP Angels Walk for Autism is a Philippine-wide event. ASP chapters from all over the country held simultaneous walks in Davao, Iloilo, Naga, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban and Tagbilaran.

Marcus Wilnei, one of Mr. Aldolpho's proteges gained recognition for several major accomplishments, including a very successful business venture in which he and his partner, both graduates of the program, continue to operate in New York City. He migrated there to make use of his skills in cleaning fabrics, especially delicate handwoven carpets and rugs. With the help of Mr. Aldolpho, they created a website promoting a highly specialized rug care service focusing on persian and oriental carpets and wall hangings. His business has been recognized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Immigrant Focus Group. They've grown from one small delivery van to a fleet of 10 trucks serving the carpet cleaning needs in the most competitive market in the world, New York City. Marcus will attend and present next year's recipient of the Autism Angels Achievement Award.

4 KEY OUTCOMES

1. Persons with autism, their parents and supporters in the ASEAN region and Japan were provided with opportunities to participate in various autism-friendly activities in sports, leisure and recreation for the first time in Southeast Asia.

2. An initial guide on how to organize autism-friendly sports, leisure and recreation activities based on the Philippines' experience was shared with those from the Mekong sub-region namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam.

3. It was demonstrated that persons with autism are capable to actively participate in sports, leisure and recreation given the opportunity and appropriate support.

4. Positive relationships among persons with autism, parents and supporters across the ASEAN region and Japan were developed.

5. Understanding and acceptance of the different cultures of each country in Southeast Asia and Japan were promoted through a series of autism-related events.

6. The rights of persons with autism to participate in sports, leisure and recreation were realized as stipulated in Article 30 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

7. AAN members were inspired to come up with their own Autism Friendship Games and enhanced their Walk for Autism event.

~~~

LIST OF GROUP PARTICIPANTS

Society for the Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education
and Resources (SMARTER), Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia Intellectual Disability and Autism Network (CIDAN), Cambodia
Association for Autism (AfA), Lao PDR
Autism Foundation of Indonesia, Indonesia
National Autistic Society of Malaysia (NASOM), Malaysia
Myanmar Autism Association (MAA), Myanmar
The Association of Parents of Persons with Autism (AU Thai), Thailand
Vietnam Autism Network (VAN), Vietnam
Autism Society Japan (ASJ), Japan
Autism Society Philippines (ASP), Philippines
ASP National Office
ASP Laguna Chapter
ASP Bacoor, Cavite Chapter
ASP Carmona, Cavite Chapter
ASP Dasmariñas, Cavite Chapter
ASP Mandaluyong City Chapter
ASP Taguig City Chapter
ASP Diliman, Quezon City Chapter
ASP Parañaque City Chapter
Best Buddies, Philippines
Collaborators and Sponsors
Autism Society Philippines (ASP)
ASEAN Autism Network (AAN)
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)
Japan Foundation Asia Center
ASEAN Secretariat
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Philippines
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) of the Philippines
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) of Thailand
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF)
Municipality of Los Baños, Laguna
SM Cares
Autism Society Japan
The Royal Government of Thailand
National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA)
The Local Government of Mandaluyong City
The Local Government of Taguig City
The Local Government of Carmona, Cavite

Empowerment Cafe Weekly Bulletin 20-26 December 2014

WORLD: UN General Assembly adopts resolution on disability
http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=36

WORLD: Incheon Strategy to Make the Right Real for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific (Easy-to-understand version)
http://www.unescapsdd.org/publications/incheon-strategy-make-right-real-persons-disabilities

ESCAP produced an easy-to-understand version of the Incheon Strategy to "Make the Right Real" for Persons with Disabilities to reach out to wider public including persons with diverse disabilities. The easy-to-understand version provides the background of the Incheon Strategy and description of its Goals, Targets and Indicators in a simple language, and with illustrations drawn by a Thai deaf artist. The drafting of the easy-to-understand version involved persons with intellectual disabilities, their family members as well as the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability.

~~~~~

THAILAND: Free wheelchair friendly taxis from next year for people with disabilities and elderly: BMA
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Free-wheelchair-friendly-taxis-from-next-year

The disabled and the elderly will get to use wheelchair-accessible taxis for free from January 1 to September 30 as part of an initiative launched jointly by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Krungthep Thanakom Company Ltd. The initiative now has 30 taxis in service. "These taxis are available between 6am and 10pm," Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday, explaining that the service has expanded its fleet from 10 to 30 vehicles.
He went on to say that all taxi drivers had already passed their criminal-record checks and have been trained on how to handle the elderly.
The initiative was launched in 2012 and since December 5, 2012 up till September 30 this year, it had provided 8,970 rides.
Those requiring the service can call (02) 294 6524.

~~~~~

JAPAN: Japan Airlines JAL Conducts Trial of COMUOON
http://www.eturbonews.com/53763/japan-airlines-jal-conducts-trial-comuoon

Japan Airlines (JAL) decided to start a month-long trial of using table-top hearing support device, named "COMUOON," to improve its customer service at JAL Plaza Yurakucho, Tokyo, starting January 2015. COMUOON is a high-performance micro speaker unit which produces sounds or voices that even a moderate hearing-impaired people can hear without using a hearing aid. This innovative table-top hearing support device was developed by UNIVERSAL SOUND DESIGN Inc. (USD), which won the Grand Prix in the Fukuoka Global Venture Awards 2014 (*1). This is the first time that the airline conducts this trial for its customer service.

~~~~~

INDIA: Act against those not implementing disability quota: Parliamentary panel
http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/act-against-those-not-implementing-disability

UAE: Give disabled students access to education
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=/data/educationnation/2014/December

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NEW ZEALAND: Removing barriers for disabled people in 2014
https://www.national.org.nz/news/news/media-releases/detail/2014/12/22/removing-barriers

The release of the Annual Report on implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy highlights several significant achievements and gains for the disability community in 2014, says Minister for Disability Issues Nicky Wagner.
Achievements in the Report include:

Expansion of the Enabling Good Lives approach
New funding for New Zealand Sign Language
Approval of the Disability Action Plan 2014-18 and the new way in which Government works with Disabled People’s Organisations
The review into the accessibility of public buildings for disabled people
Examination on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

“Each of these achievements on their own represents a gain in removing barriers for disabled people, and ensuring they have good lives like all New Zealanders,” Ms Wagner says.

“But taken together, they provide an overall picture that New Zealand can be proud of.

“Enabling Good Lives is a new approach that gives disabled people and their families more choice and control over the support they receive. The approach has been demonstrated in Christchurch for just over a year and I’m pleased it has recently been expanded to the Waikato.

“New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is one of our official languages and is an important part of deaf people’s identity. This year the Government agreed to establish a NZSL Advisory Board and Fund to promote the language.

“I am also proud of the change in the way Government works in partnership with Disabled People’s Organisations as representatives of disabled people. This ensures the issues that matter to disabled people are reflected in the delivery of disability policy and disability services.

“I look forward to building on the good work achieved, and to make more positive change for disabled people and their families in 2015 and beyond,” Ms Wagner says.

~~~~~

JORDAN: Crown Prince launches ‘Hearing Without Borders’ initiative
http://jordantimes.com/crown-prince-launches-hearing-without-borders-initiative

AMMAN — HRH Crown Prince Hussein on Saturday launched the Hearing Without Borders initiative, which seeks to make Jordan free from hearing disabilities and help deaf children in the Kingdom.

At the launching ceremony, the Crown Prince said some 300 children in Jordan are born with hearing disabilities every year and they need help to be able to hear and speak. He added that the chance for these children to hear and speak normally is great if there is adequate medical intervention before they are six years old.

“The message upon which the Hashemites built this country is that the strength of Jordan is in its people. Each person has a voice and each one’s voice is heard. Together, through the Hearing Without Borders initiative, we can increase the number of voices heard to include those who were born deaf,” Crown Prince Hussein said at the event in the presence of Royal family members and senior officials and officers.

He added that Jordan is home to a pool of specialised experts in this field.

The Crown Prince also voiced appreciation for the Royal Medical Services, the Health Ministry and the King Abdullah I University Hospital for their partnership in the initiative.

He also thanked the Austrian company MED-EL for donating 30 cochlear implants for children in Jordan.

According to the initiative’s director, Sakher Fayez, approximately 172,000 children are born in Jordan every year. Two children in each one-thousand births have congenital hearing defects. Currently, there are approximately 19,000 deaf Jordanian citizens, he said at the event. Most of those who suffer from hearing disabilities cannot fully communicate and interact with the community although they have learned sign language, he added.

The cost of education and rehabilitation per person is JD6,000 per year. The cost of one cochlear implant and the subsequent rehabilitation process stands at JD16,000 and will allow the child to fully communicate with the community, according to Fayez.

The Hearing Without Borders initiative seeks to provide all support and assistance for the rehabilitation of deaf children who receive cochlear implants, to provide the needed language therapy and training for these children after their surgery and to create community awareness in the cause of deafness.

The plan also aims to establish rehabilitation centres in all areas of the Kingdom for children who receive cochlear implants to enhance their speech and pronunciation.

It also entails the training of rehabilitation specialists, along with parents of children who receive cochlear implants to help their children to speak, and includes conducting a survey to identify the cases of hearing disability and ways of treating these cases with the support of the public and private hospitals. It also features a mandatory screening of hearing at birth and adding the results to a regularly updated database.

Hearing Without Borders is seen as a continuation of efforts that started upon Royal directives in 2003. So far, according to officials, more than 500 children have benefited from these efforts, which were crowned Saturday with the launch of the new version of the programme.

Ziad Abu Sharia, a father of five and whose youngest son was born with a severe hearing disability was grateful. His son, Ammar, was born in 2001 and it was only in 2004 that he underwent a cochlear implant. “The cost of the operation was huge. I could not afford it at all. In the three years after his birth, we were not able to communicate with Ammar,” Abu Sharia told The Jordan Times.

Ammar underwent a surgery free of charge and is now communicating normally with people around him, the father said. Ammar is now a happy and normal 8th grader.

The Irbid resident said: “I do not feel different than others. I am good at school, I participate in activities and I have lots of friends with whom I spend leisure time.”

“I rely a lot on him. I send him to buy the groceries and he is more confident in himself now,” his mother said.

~~~~~

WORLD: People with Disabilities Earn 37% Less on Average
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/employment/earnings.php

AZERBAIJAN: Azerbaijan's War-Disabled Struggle to Access Home Care
https://iwpr.net/global-voices/azerbaijans-war-disabled-struggle-access-home-care

WORLD: Disabled man Nico Reed's death sparks call for legal aid at inquests
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-30575174

WORLD: Beyond the game: Stories of courage, determination and hope
http://blogs.icrc.org/new-delhi/2014/12/23/beyond-the-game-stories-of-courage-determination

WORLD: Obesity Now Being Recognized as a Disability
http://lastresistance.com/9162/breaking-obesity-now-recognized-disability

WORLD: Update-Patrick Speaks, 10 Weeks On | Unreported World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f31_UbCPq4

More Background on Disability-eCafe.net

Disability-eCafe.net, also known as the Empowerment Cafe, has played a distinctive role in the digital landscape of disability advocacy and information sharing, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. While the site itself has not received extensive coverage in mainstream Western media, its approach and mission reflect broader trends and needs within global disability communities. This article provides a detailed examination of Disability-eCafe.net, focusing on its history, features, audience, reputation, and cultural significance, drawing exclusively from sources outside the website itself or its preserved content.

History and Purpose

Disability-eCafe.net was established in the early 2010s, a period marked by growing international attention to disability rights, especially following the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and regional initiatives such as the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. The website’s primary objective was to empower persons with disabilities by facilitating access to information, resources, and community networks, with a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific region. It aimed to bridge gaps between organizations, advocates, and individuals across diverse countries and disability types, fostering a barrier-free society through digital means.

Platform Features and Content

Information Sharing and Knowledge Exchange

Disability-eCafe.net operated as a central hub for daily updates on disability and development, offering news, policy updates, event announcements, and best practices. It aggregated content from a network of regional organizations, including community-based rehabilitation networks, autism advocacy groups, and federations for the hard of hearing and deafened. This collaborative approach enabled the site to present a wide range of perspectives and experiences, from grassroots initiatives to international policy developments.

Audience and Reach

The primary audience for Disability-eCafe.net included:

Persons with disabilities and their families
Disability advocates and activists
Professionals in rehabilitation, education, and social services
Policymakers and government officials
Regional and international organizations working on disability issues

Given its Asia-Pacific focus, the site was particularly relevant to communities in Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Its English-language content and global disability news also attracted visitors from outside the region.

Community-Building

Disability-eCafe.net played a significant role in fostering a sense of community among people with disabilities and their allies. According to disability studies scholars, the formation of such communities-especially in the digital age-has been crucial for advancing rights, sharing strategies, and combating social isolation. Online platforms like Disability-eCafe.net have accelerated the growth of these communities, enabling individuals to connect across borders and impairment types.

Reviews and Reception

User and Advocate Perspectives

While direct user reviews of Disability-eCafe.net are scarce in mainstream media, the model it represents-an online, collaborative platform for disability information-has been widely praised in disability advocacy circles. Similar platforms have been lauded for:

Providing accessible, up-to-date information for people who may face barriers to traditional media or in-person events
Facilitating cross-cultural exchange and solidarity among disability communities
Amplifying the voices of people with disabilities, rather than relying solely on professionals or caregivers to speak on their behalf

The importance of such platforms is underscored by the ongoing struggle for disability rights and the need for accessible information, as highlighted in oral histories and advocacy organization reports.

Comparisons to Other Initiatives

Disability-eCafe.net can be compared to other innovative disability-focused projects, such as Tokyo’s “Barrier-Free” initiatives or the European Network on Independent Living, in its emphasis on accessibility, empowerment, and the sharing of lived experiences. Its regional focus set it apart, as it addressed the unique challenges and opportunities facing Asia-Pacific nations, where disability policy, cultural attitudes, and infrastructure can differ significantly from Western contexts.

Press and Media Coverage

Disability-eCafe.net itself has not been widely reported on in major international news outlets. However, its affiliated organizations and the broader movement for digital disability advocacy have received attention in regional press and academic publications. For example, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD), one of the site’s key partners, has been recognized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) for its role in promoting disability inclusion and the Biwako Millennium Framework.

Media coverage of disability issues in the region often highlights the importance of online platforms for raising awareness, disseminating information, and connecting marginalized groups. Reports on disability inclusion in Asia-Pacific countries frequently mention the need for accessible online resources and the value of regional collaboration-goals that Disability-eCafe.net embodied.

Cultural and Social Significance

Empowerment and Representation

Disability-eCafe.net’s most significant contribution may be its role in advancing the empowerment of people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. By prioritizing the perspectives of persons with disabilities themselves, the site aligned with the social model of disability, which emphasizes removing barriers and promoting participation rather than focusing solely on medical or charitable approaches.

Cross-Border Collaboration

The site’s collaborative model brought together diverse organizations and individuals, fostering cross-border dialogue and mutual support. This approach reflected a growing recognition that disability rights are a global issue, requiring both local action and international solidarity.

Influence on Policy and Practice

Although the direct impact of Disability-eCafe.net on policy is difficult to quantify, its existence contributed to a broader ecosystem of advocacy, information sharing, and capacity building. By highlighting best practices, policy developments, and grassroots initiatives, the site helped inform the work of advocates, service providers, and policymakers.

Details, Insights, and Examples

Content Diversity

Disability-eCafe.net’s content spanned a wide range of topics, including:

News on disability rights legislation and policy changes in various countries
Reports on community-based rehabilitation and inclusive education
Announcements of conferences, workshops, and training programs
Personal stories and case studies highlighting the experiences of people with disabilities
Resources for self-advocacy, employment, and independent living

Notable Collaborations

The site worked with numerous regional organizations, such as:

Community-based Rehabilitation Asia-Pacific Network (CBR AP Network)
South Asian Disability Forum (SADF)
Central Asian Disability Forum (CADF)
ASEAN Autism Network (AAN)
Asia-Pacific Federation of the Hard of Hearing and Deafened (APFHD)
Thailand Council for Independent Living (TIL)
United ID Network Mekong Sub Region
Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD)

These collaborations enhanced the site’s reach and relevance, ensuring that content reflected the needs and priorities of diverse disability communities.

Examples of Impact

While specific case studies directly attributed to Disability-eCafe.net are limited in public sources, similar platforms have been credited with:

Helping individuals access information about their rights and available services
Facilitating the organization of regional events, such as the ASEAN Autism Friendship Games and the Angels Walk for Autism
Supporting the development of national and regional disability strategies

Audience and Community

Demographics

The audience for Disability-eCafe.net was diverse, encompassing people with a wide range of disabilities, family members, advocates, professionals, and policymakers. The site’s regional focus made it particularly valuable for users in countries where disability resources were limited or fragmented.

Community Engagement

Through features such as newsletters, forums, and collaborative content, Disability-eCafe.net encouraged active participation and knowledge sharing. This engagement helped build a sense of solidarity and collective purpose among users, reinforcing the idea that disability advocacy is most effective when driven by those with lived experience.

Known For

Disability-eCafe.net became known for:

Its commitment to accessibility and inclusion
Its regional focus on Asia and the Pacific
Its collaborative approach, working with a wide range of organizations
Its role in promoting the social model of disability and the principles of the CRPD

Challenges and Legacy

Sustainability

Like many grassroots digital initiatives, Disability-eCafe.net faced challenges related to funding, staffing, and technological change. The site’s eventual disappearance from the web reflects the broader difficulties faced by advocacy platforms in maintaining long-term operations, especially in regions with limited resources.

Preservation and Influence

Despite its offline status, the values and practices pioneered by Disability-eCafe.net continue to influence disability advocacy in the region. Its collaborative, user-driven model has been adopted by newer platforms and organizations, ensuring that its legacy endures.

Disability-eCafe.net was more than just a website; it was a pioneering effort to create a barrier-free, inclusive, and empowered community for people with disabilities in the Asia-Pacific region. Through information sharing, collaboration, and a commitment to representation, the site contributed to the advancement of disability rights and the growth of a vibrant, cross-border advocacy movement. While its direct impact may be difficult to measure, its influence can be seen in the ongoing work of regional organizations, the increased visibility of disability issues, and the empowerment of individuals and communities throughout Asia and the Pacific.

Disability-eCafe.net

Empowerment CafeCirca 2012 Content

Popular Content

Content from 2014 - 2016

Background

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

LIST OF GROUP PARTICIPANTS

Empowerment Cafe Weekly Bulletin 20-26 December 2014

More Background on Disability-eCafe.net

History and Purpose

Platform Features and Content

Reviews and Reception

Press and Media Coverage

Cultural and Social Significance

Details, Insights, and Examples

Audience and Community

Known For

Challenges and Legacy

Empowerment Cafe
Circa 2012 Content