Thursday November 6, 2008

Ideal class
WHEEL POWERBY ANTHONY THANASAYAN

RECENTLY I received flak from some parents of learning disabled (LD) children and young adults. They were upset with me for not giving my support as a disabled city councillor (MBPJ) to a centre in Petaling Jaya, where their children were studying.

The trouble is, the centre in question is a business set-up; it is not registered as a non-profit association with the Registrar of Societies, which should be the case.

As a disabled person, I would be the last to go against anything that would benefit the disabled.

Despite the apparent negativity of it all, I believe the issue has raised healthy debate over services provided to the disabled in our country.

Here is a brief checklist that Puan Sariah Amirin and I worked on, which will hopefully be a useful guide for anyone intending to work with people with LD.

Sariah is president of the Dyslexia Association of Malaysia. She also sits on the expert committee on disability in MBPJ.

Understand the basics: There is a wide range of learning disabilities that affect people from birth to adulthood. They encounter significant difficulties in their ability to listen, speak, read, write and reason like other people. However, with proper training, they can study in a regular school setting with a special education teacher. If given a chance, they can even hold jobs.

Know your target group and their needs: Never lump various types of LD groups together. Each category has specific needs. Teachers must possess special education qualifications. The ideal ratio is one teacher to four students.

A roomy environment is essential: Bungalows or corner lot double- or single-storey terraces are best. Children with behavioural issues like attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism can get very upset and claustrophobic with the way furniture is arranged. Thus centres should provide an open space where such children can go to calm down.

Where they study: Classrooms must be equipped with suitable eating areas, outdoor playground, gym (for physiotherapy) and clean and safe toilets. Special diets which are sugar-free or caffeine-free are a must for all LD children.

Further requirements: Students must be assessed for their chronological and mental age to enable proper grouping for effective education. An individual education plan should be structured. This should include the curriculum set by the Education Ministry’s Special Education Department.

In addition to academic achievements for highly-functioning LD students, daily living skills and behaviour management programmes are needed for those with moderate and profound disabilities. Vocational training geared towards job placements should be provided for those 16 and above.

Other prerequisites for setting up an LD centre include having medical professionals – from neurologists to speech therapists – to ensure holistic care for each child. A centre should be operated by a board of directors which includes at least one or more of such experts in the team.

All LD centres must conduct examinations to give every child the same opportunities as non-disabled students.

For more information, contact Puan Sariah Amirin (03-4025 5109).

Centre given three months to comply

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Centre given three months to comply

Sheila Sri Priya

Sariah Amirin (left) and Derek Fernandez

PETALING JAYA: Kiaros, a learning disability centre, has been given three months to submit supporting documents for operating in its current residential premises in SS1.

The decision was made by PJ City Council secretary Puasa Md. Taib during a meeting held between the council and the management of the centre for children with learning disabilities.

Sariah Amirin, President of Dyslexia Association of Malaysia, mentioned a list of criteria that a centre needs to meet before approval or accreditation is given.

Among the criteria are proper learning tools, a suitable evaluation system before and after joining the programme, a special doctor to attend to immediate needs of the children, smart partnership with NGOs or other welfare related departments.

The centre, which has been operating in the past eight years without any form of approval by the city council, was ordered to stop its operation.

Councillors Mak Khuin Weng, Tiew Way Keng and Derek Fernandez said that there may be not enough suitable centres for children with learning disabilities and urged Kiaros and the council to work closely and legalise matters soon.

The centre's head Rev. Rudy Lui said: "We want to abide by the law and will cooperate with the city council by providing proper documentation of the centre."Let's take it from here and work towards legalising this centre in the rightful manner."

We will compile our approval documents from the fire and health department and submit them to the council."

All Petaling Jaya Residents Association Coalition head Liew Wei Beng said: "We will assist the organisation and work closely with them. Parents who send their children to the centre have approached us and highlighted their plight.

"They are happy to send their children to the centre and are satisfied with the services offered."

Reaching Out Club of Sri KDU Secondary School donated Two Units of Motobikes

Reaching Out Club of Sri KDU Secondary School donated 2 units of Three Wheeler Motorbikes to Marry Franchis and Honasekaran from ILTC members Oct 21, 2008.

I as the President of ILTC would like to wish my heartful thanks to the Organizing Committees of this event. Keep up your good and meaningful work for the needys always

Below you can see some photo's of the cheerful event.

Reaching out

Sunday November 2, 2008

News Home > Education

Reaching out

FOR Marry Franchis and Honasekaran, Oct 21 will be forever etched in their memories as a momentous day because that morning, they were given motorbikes, courtesy of the Reaching Out Club of Sri KDU Secondary School (Sri KDU).

However, these were no ordinary machines – they were Honda EX-5 motorbikes modified for the use of the disabled and presented to the young men as a symbol of friendship.

Marry and Honasekaran are members of the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC), an organisation which aims to change the way people with disabilities view themselves as well as the way the community responds to their needs.

One of the bikes donated by Sri KDU Secondary School.

Honasekaran, 20, was involved in an accident four years ago which left him paralysed from the waist down.

Marry, 28, was born with cerebral palsy and is also a paraplegic.

What is admirable about these young men is their courage to face the challenges of life.

They are determined to be independent despite their disabilities and needed a vehicle to be more mobile.

Through a chance meeting with the founder of ILTC, the Reaching Out Club came up with the idea of raising funds to purchase the motorbikes for Marry and Honasekaran.

For more than six months, enthusiastic members organised various activities to raise funds to buy the bikes.

Parents, staff and students did their bit to make this commitment a reality and by October, had managed to raise a total of RM11,500.

The bikes were modified and sent to Puspakom for inspection and approval.

Marry and Honasekaran have plans to start a small business. They realise that the way forward is for them to take fuller control of their lives.

They have resolved to be independent and work hard to realise their potential.

A fine example

Thursday October 30, 2008

The Star - Wheel Power

A fine example
WHEEL POWERBY ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Well-organised event a model for future programmes.

I HAD a super time on Sunday. And apparently so did more than 30 other Malaysians with disabilities and their caregivers. We were all at the Sri Jugra Hall in Kuala Langat, Selangor, attending a Deepavali gathering hosted by the district council (MDKL).

I was there as the main speaker in my capacity as a disabled councillor for the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). There were two other speakers – Gurdip Kaur, the councillor with disability for the Selayang local council, and Francis Siva, a tetraplegic who is president of the self-help NGO called Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, Selangor.

We were invited to instil confidence among local residents, but as it turned out, we were the ones who were truly inspired. Kudos to Kuala Langat councillor Janarthani Arumugam who put the whole event together.

Here are some of the exemplary things that they achieved.

1. Excellent turnout: Only two invitees did not show up. The organisers were meticulous with their homework. Their personal visits to their guests weeks before the event to encourage them to attend paid off.

2. People with disabilities were the focus and priority: The majority of people in the hall were those with physical and developmental handicaps. The speeches highlighted the capabilities of Malaysians with handicaps.

3. The disabled were active participants: In addition to the three of us, the organisers picked a local disabled woman with muscular dystrophy to present a session. Even though her talk and video presentation lasted only a few minutes, I am glad that the MDKL thought that it was important to include her.

4. There was great sensitivity to the disabled: Even though there was a stage, the organisers conducted everything off the platform. Words such as “normal”, “unfortunate/fortunate”, and “tragedy” were not uttered as these are offensive to many handicapped people.

5. Caregivers and parents were recognised: The best part of the whole event for me was watching the smiles on the faces of the parents going up to the front to accept the RM50 Deepavali ang pows for their children.

Each of their children’s names was read out loud – and in full – as they were wheeled, carried or helped forward. The children also seemed excited, although some of them did not fully understand what was going on.

For many, this was an opportunity to meet other disabled persons. Realising that they are not alone in their struggles must be wonderful encouragement.

The able-bodied VIPs who were presenting the gifts made it a point to shake each recipient’s hand.

In addition, wheelchairs were given free to the needy. Those who didn’t have one were promised the next available wheelchair that was donated.

MDKL president Mohd Ahir Zawawi said he would look into getting a van for the disabled community in his district and work towards making the Sri Jugra Hall and other buildings accessible to the disabled.

At the event, I saw that there were many other things that the disabled still needed. These ranged from shoes to moisturising cream. They also need regular transportation to a government specialist.

For more information, call Janarthani at 016-436 2301 .

A fine example

On 26th October 2008 we (Ms. Rina, Mr. Anthony & Myself) were all at the Sri Jugra Hall in Kuala Langat, Selangor, attended a Deepavali gathering hosted by the district council (MDKL).

As below you can see a few photos of the event.