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jilipark cc What is the image that you conjure up when you hear the term “able-bodied”? It means a person who has, and is in full control of, all bodily organs. But not everyone is so lucky. An estimated 1.3 billion people out of the world population of eight billion experience significant disability. This represents 16 percent of the world’s population, or in simple terms, one in six of us. Life is indeed difficult for those born with some sort of disability or those who get disabled later in life through accidents, disease and other circumstances. At the same time, many disabled people have unique talents and skills (inborn or acquired) which sometimes exceed those of able-bodied persons. Sometimes, Nature itself lends a hand to those who lack one or more cognitive functions. For example, it is rather well-known that most blind people have exceptional hearing that helps them navigate the world around them with minimal help. Hence the politically correct term “differently-abled” for those who suffer from some sort of disability. Overall, though, life is difficult for those experiencing some sort of disability. Many persons with disabilities die up to 20 years earlier than those without disabilities. Persons with disabilities have twice the risk of developing conditions such as depression, asthma, diabetes, stroke, obesity or poor oral health. According to the United Nations (UN), health inequities arise from unfair conditions faced by persons with disabilities, including stigma, discrimination, poverty, exclusion from education and employment, and barriers faced in the health system itself. Just to give an example, even some hospitals do not have access ramps for wheelchairs. Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Sri Lanka’s first ever visually impaired MP The leadership of persons with disabilities is epitomised by the global disability rights movement’s slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us”. It connotes the basic requirements of participation, representation and inclusion and calls for persons with disabilities to actively shape the conditions of their lives. Promoting inclusive development One of the priorities of the global disability agenda is to advance the agency and leadership of persons with disabilities. In the past decades, persons with disabilities and organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) have already championed for the changes in their communities, and have been leading many of the community-led initiatives not only to advance their own rights, and wellbeing but also promoting inclusive development for instance enabling universal access to basic services by all; they have done so by taking both targeted and mainstreaming approaches to disability inclusion through, among others, consultation, data collection and analysis, and support with advocacy and accountability efforts. The observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 (IDPD 2024) on December 3 takes place against the backdrop of pivotal global developments, from the Summit of the Future to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development. These key global Summits will complement one another in providing a continuous roadmap toward disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development. By emphasising this complementarity, the theme chosen for the observance in 2024 aims to underscore the importance of leveraging the leadership of persons with disabilities to ensure disability-inclusive and sustainable peace and development for all. In this regard, a recent development in Sri Lanka bodes well. For the first time ever in Sri Lanka, a visually impaired person has become a Member of Parliament. This is a significant breakthrough, as he will be a beacon of hope for many other differently-abled persons to reach greater horizons in life. It is hoped that this will open the door to many more disabled persons to tread the same path. A disability should not be a liability to the person concerned or to the society. In other words, they can be productive and useful to society. One shortcoming we have witnessed in Sri Lanka is that many so-called “equal opportunity” employers are rather reluctant to recruit differently-abled persons. But there are many jobs that they can do with some training. For example, a visually impaired person can easily work as a telephone operator. A hearing impaired person can engage in clerical duties without any difficulty. Yet, only a few companies give them a chance. And it is extremely rare for a differently-abled person to become a company director or CEO here, though in other countries there are plenty of examples. Another bone of contention is the paucity or even outright lack of support services for the disabled community. Guide dogs for the legally blind are unheard of here, whereas it is very common abroad. Guide dogs are literally the eyes of visually impaired persons and allow them to live independently without having a permanent human guide. The Government or a charity (foreign funding is readily available) should begin a “training school” for guide dogs (the main breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Standard Poodles, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Boxers, Airedales, Collies and Doberman) in Sri Lanka, so that they can be allocated to visually impaired persons. Granted, maintaining a GR or BC is rather expensive, but again, a charity can step in. More books should be published in Braille and all equipment used by the blind should be allowed in duty and tax free. Another challenge The hearing impaired have another challenge – there are only around 10 professionally qualified sign language translators in the whole country. Only two channels employ sign language translators for news broadcasts, though Parliament proceedings are also shown with sign language interpretation. The country needs more real-time sign language interpreters. In the alternative, all TV programs should be subtitled in Sinhala and Tamil, as appropriate. All hearing aids and implants imports should be free of duties and taxes. Although all new buildings are supposed to be disabled-friendly, this is not always the case as we have observed in many instances. Many of them still do not have ramps for wheelchair access nor toilets designed for wheelchair users. While city planners have designed pebble effect sidewalks and crossings with audible signals for the visually impaired, such facilities have not been extended to most buildings. Even elevators are supposed to have tactile numbers for their benefit, but such lifts are few and far between. Also, there should be more outlets for making and selling prosthetics that benefit amputees, both congenital and accident cases. Again, all equipment for these persons should be free of import duties and taxes. Society has still not taken cognisance of silent disabilities, whereby a person may appear to be completely normal but is actually harbouring a disability within. Dementia is one such disability, of which even scientists know little about. The condition can, however, be really debilitating, not only for the patient but also for his or her family members. Some people may also be suffering inside from depression or other mental issues, which may take a heavy toll including suicide. It is best to seek counselling in such instances. Some physical diseases may also manifest as disabilities. Long Covid, a condition where some Covid-19 symptoms such as fatigue and joint pains last for a couple of years, can make a patient effectively bed-ridden. Then there are diseases that can gradually lead to permanent disability – a good example being Glaucoma, which can lead to blindness if not detected and treated early. Osteoporosis can be dangerous in the case of a fall. In fact, many disabilities can be prevented if preventive action and mindfulness are practised. It is no secret that many accidents happen in workplaces. Occupational Safety must be a priority for all workplaces, but especially so in the case of factories, construction sites and machinery operations. From helmets to boots to goggles, all safety precautions and protective wear regulations must be followed to avoid accidents. Motor accidents can also result in severe disabilities, mostly the loss of limbs. It is best to practice discipline while on the road, regardless of whether you are a motorist or a pedestrian. This can prevent most accidents. A disability may no longer be a lifetime sentence of suffering if technology has its way. If you remember TV serials such as Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman (well, I am a child of the 80s), they feature lead characters who have bionic or artificial implants that are way more powerful than natural organs such as eyes and hands. The hit movie Robocop featured a “dead” policeman who is brought back to life through such bionic implants. But this may be commonplace say, a decade or two from now. The biggest breakthroughs are reported from vision advancements targeted at the legally blind. Right now, “bionic” eyes work well only for those who have had sight previously, but solutions are on the way for those blind from birth or infancy. Some scientists have turned to Nature in the hunt for bionic vision. A team of engineers from the Center for Nanoparticle Research, Seoul National University, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, all in Korea, has developed a new type of artificial eye based on natural cat eyes. Latest research Meanwhile, results of the first clinical trial of Australia’s second-generation bionic eye have demonstrated ‘substantial improvement’ in four participants’ functional vision, daily activities and quality of life over a period of more than two and a half years. The bionic eye comprises an electrode array, designed by the Bionics Institute and the Center for Eye Research Australia, that is surgically implanted behind the eye. The electrode receives signals from a video camera mounted on glasses, which stimulate the patient’s retina. The camera converts images into electrical pulses delivered by the electrode array that activate retinal cells and create flashes of light called phosphenes to help patients detect edges, shapes and movement. Likewise, there are high hopes for those who have lost their limbs in accidents or even partially paralysed persons. Scientists have now realized that restoring full mobility for such persons means restoring the ability to sense touch and temperature, not just hold an object. However, many challenges remain because Somatosensation — the collection of senses that interpret touch, temperature, pain and body position — is dauntingly complex. Yet, rapid advances in prosthetics are likely to give a new lease of life for amputees and those who do not possess one or more limbs from birth. In fact, advanced exoskeletons could enable even totally paralysed persons to walk. The final, and perhaps the most controversial frontier in the battle against is gene editing in the womb itself. In other words, scientists are even now theoretically capable of identifying certain congenital diseases and defects in fetuses and rectifying some of them through gene editing techniques. But this is an ethical and moral minefield that many scientists do not want to venture into. It is indeed a moral dilemma, but what if gene editing can give a better life to a baby who would otherwise be deformed? Answering this question in the affirmative could give us a world without disabilities. Still, it is not an easy question to answer. Perhaps the future will bring better answers and better solutions to end all disabilities.

Rock Island continued its early season success with an 83-46 victory over the Chicago-based Bowen Boilermakers early Saturday afternoon on Day 2 of the Rock Island Thanksgiving Tournament. The Rocks shot 75 percent from the field in the first half and their defense caused 17 turnovers in a well-rounded performance. “We came out and I felt like we did do what we needed to do,” Rock Island head coach Marc Polite said. “We got off to a slow start, but once we settled down, we were able to get some distance.” Bowen is part of the Chicago Public Blue South Conference and finished last season second in the conference with a 21-11 record. However, the Boilermakers have now started the season 0-3. The Rocks pressured the Boilermakers early and often, forcing Bowen to cough up the ball 14 times in the first half with typical Rock Island fullcourt press. The stifling Rocks’ defense did not allow much breathing room for any Bowen offensive player. The Boilermakers solely relied on senior Rae’Qwon Rogers, who scored 17 of Bowen’s 27 first half points, mostly on one-on-one isolation play. Rogers only had two points after halftime. “Bowen is a tough cover,” Polite said. "Whenever a team like them has five guards that they can put on the floor that can dribble and are aggressive with the ball, it really tests our defensive principles. I thought we made some good adjustments after they got rolling in the first quarter.” Bowen took a narrow two-point lead (11-9) with just over four minutes left. The Rocks then turned up the intensity on the defensive side of the ball, ending the quarter on a 13-5 run. Rock Island also shot the ball at a blistering pace in the first quarter, nailing nine of their first 13 attempts, including three-point plays by juniors Avian Thomas and Lawson Zulu. “I felt like we came out strong,” Thomas said. “It was a little sloppy in the beginning, but we came together as a group and stuck with each other and still believed in each other throughout the game.” Thomas had 15 points, with Zulu leading all Rocks with 17 points. The Rocks continued their offensive dominance in the second quarter, ending the first half by converting their last nine shots. Eight of those were either transition layups on Bowen turnovers, or layups in the half-court offense off beautiful assists. “We finally got into a rhythm,” Polite said. “We are a rhythm-based team, and I thought we strung together some possessions that we were indicative of what we were trying to do on the offensive end. I felt like we had two or three stretches where we had some great offensive rhythm and moved the ball around.” “I feel like our aggressiveness leads to our offense,” Thomas added. "When we are hitting wide open shots, we are a tough team to beat.” The Rocks were comfortably ahead at halftime, leading 49-27, and ended the half on a 19-7 run. “That is a big testament to our offense,” Polite said. "I thought we moved the ball well. We have guys who are ball-tough. With teams like Bowen and Dyatt on Friday, they really get after you, and we have to be tough and strong with the basketball.” Rock Island had an amusing moment halfway through the third quarter. Senior Jae’Vion “Juice” Clark-Pugh split the Boilermaker defenders with a monstrous one-handed dunk. The problem was that the ball popped straight up, and Clark-Pugh used his off-hand to dunk the ball again while still hanging on the rim. “I did not think ‘Juice’ was going to grab the ball and put it back in,” Thomas said. “If he had let go, I think the ball would have gone in. But that made us all laugh, and that is what he brings to the team. He is an energetic, big, fun guy and we love him.” “Juice is an athletic kid,” Polite said of that moment. “I thought he played his best game thus far. He played a really complete game. I thought he finished well and played good defense and rebounded the ball well. For us to be successful this year, we are going to need some games like this from him.” Clark-Pugh had 15 points, with all his baskets coming from around the rim. It was not all good news for the Rocks. In the late stages of the third quarter, Rocks’ glue guy and senior Isaiss Duarte went for a layup, with the Rocks up 68-27. Duarte fell hard on his right wrist and was in obvious pain. He immediately went to the locker room with the Rock Island trainer and did not return. “Duarte has to get an X-ray and figure out what is going on,” Polite said. “I think initially, it maybe felt a little bit worse than what it was, but we are hoping to get positive.” Duarte had seven points before leaving with the injury. “’Zay’ is our energy guy,” Thomas said. “He brings in that defense and tenacity, and we are going to miss him. Hopefully, we can have him back by next week, and I think Deven Marshall is going to come in and fill that role. He has been playing really well in this tournament.” The Rocks closed the tournament with a game against Rockridge (2-1) on Saturday night. Details were not available at press time. A full story will be published on Monday. The Rockets fell in a hard-fought, defensive mid-afternoon game against Dyatt, 54-43 on Saturday. “We are a next-man-up. That has always been our philosophy,” Polite said. “We have other guys whare are going to have to step in to contribute and cover some of his stuff. Duarte does so much for us.” Thomas is greatly anticipating Saturday night’s game. “Rockridge is a tough opponent,” Thomas said. "If we play together as a team and throw the first punch like we have been doing over the past three games, we can get out early and run away with this game.” Sent weekly directly to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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Kenza Bryan and Attracta Mooney in Baku Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Countries at the United Nations climate summit in Baku struck a final deal on the broad rules to launch carbon trading markets, almost a decade after being first proposed. The agreement passed at the UN COP29 climate summit late on Saturday night will allow countries and companies to trade credits for cuts in carbon emissions to offset their carbon footprints. The carbon trading mechanism had first been formally sketched out in the 2015 Paris agreement on limiting climate change, as a way for polluters to pay for other countries to cut emissions on their behalf. But it has proved controversial over fears it will not result in the promised removal of carbon from the atmosphere. The head of delegation for a group of heavily forested countries, including Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kevin Conrad, said “properly regulated, markets can become a force for good, and start to reverse the market failures causing environmental and atmospheric destruction”. The birth of the market prompted cheers and standing ovations by UN negotiators in the first session of the final plenary, in a rare breakthrough at the summit that was otherwise on the verge of collapse. States and companies will be able to trade credits meant to represent one tonne of carbon dioxide saved or removed from the atmosphere, under mechanisms subject to loose oversight by the UN and designed to avoid double-counting of emissions cuts. The final agreement overcame a quarrel about a proposed UN registry for tracking the flow in emission claims, with the US forced to compromise on how much power this registry should have. Host country Azerbaijan made the issue of carbon emissions trading a priority, pushing successfully on the first day of the two-week summit for countries to adopt an initial element of the global market. In subsequent negotiations to settle the rules, it drove the participants to overcome their disagreements. This included on a series of trade-offs between requiring more rigorous accounting and easing the pathway to get the market off the ground, with a rule book on principles for how credits should be traded, counted and checked. Countries and companies took advantage of the prospective launch of the market by signing preliminary deals in recent weeks. Commodity trader Trafigura announced a “pilot” carbon project to help Mozambique develop carbon restoration projects. Some experts warned however that the new market could face many of the same greenwashing allegations that have plagued the existing unregulated trade in credits between companies. These have caused the voluntary credit markets to shrink from $1.4bn in 2022 to $1.1bn last year, based on MSCI Carbon Markets estimates. “The deal leaves a lot of trust in the hands of [countries] which is a problem because the rules themselves are not yet net zero [emissions] aligned,” said Injy Johnstone, a research fellow at the University of Oxford. The concerns were echoed by Isa Mulder of Carbon Market Watch, who said the “dangerously loose and opaque” deal enshrined a “free-for-all” approach. Some content could not load. Check your internet connection or browser settings. UN carbon market experts will continue to discuss which types of credits countries can buy. For example, some countries would like to sell credits linked to hypothetical CO2 that is not emitted, for example from protecting a forest, closing a coal mine or cooking on a stove using gas rather than wood as fuel, to cancel out real greenhouse gas emissions. These types of credits could ultimately lead to more CO2 entering the atmosphere, some experts say, in part because it could lessen the incentive for polluters to make plans to cut their underlying emissions. One negotiator described discussions as “very, very tough” before ultimately settling on a “buyer beware” approach which will rely mainly on transparency to shame countries which fall into bad practice. The money raised by carbon deals could help contribute to the climate finance needs of poorer countries, which economists estimated at $1.3tn a year. But others expressed caution about the solutions provided by carbon emissions trading. Brazil’s environment minister Marina Silva said it was not a “panacea” for boosting finance to developing countries. Where climate change meets business, markets and politics. Explore the FT’s coverage here . Are you curious about the FT’s environmental sustainability commitments? Find out more about our science-based targets here

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