Gurdip wants more facilities for the handicapped

Friday, September 12, 2008

The Star - Metro

Gurdip wants more facilities for the handicapped
Story and photos by STUART MICHAEL

MY COUNCILLOR
Name: Gurdip Kaur Pritam Singh
Age: 47Status: Married with one daughter
NGO status: Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) secretary, cofounder of ILTC and a volunteer in Sungai Buloh Hospital.
Area of coverage: Zone 16 (Kampung Rawang Tin, Kampung Kuala Garing, Taman Sri Rawang, Taman Garing Jaya, Taman Sri Garing, Taman Garing, Taman Garing Utama, Taman Kota Emerald, Kampung Sungai Dua Tambahan, Taman Pelangi, Taman Belmas Johan and Taman Idaman).
Present residence and office: ILTC No 76, Taman Garing 48000, Rawang
Contact number: 03-60936292, 012- 6956786.

GURDIP Kaur Pritam Singh, is a well-known individual in fighting for disabled rights in Rawang.

And Gurdip, who is now the Selayang Municipal Council councillor, wants the Selayang constituency to be more disabled-friendly.

“First, we have to make the people and the council understand the problems of disabled people. Then, we can educate them,” she said.

“In Rawang, there are no public toilets for the disabled and that’s the reason many disabled people do not leave their houses.

“Banks, shopping malls and the public transport system should be disabled-friendly as it will help people like us to go around.
Enjoying their time: Gurdip and her husband, Francis Siva, enjoying a moment in their garden at the ILTC in Taman Garing, Rawang.

“I want to ensure the Rawang new town is disabled-friendly and urged the council not to give Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CF) to shopping malls, shops, post office and other public places if it is not equipped with facilities for the disabled, ’’ said Gurdip, who stays at Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Taman Garing.

Gurdip, 47, who is the ILTC secretary, is married to ILTC president Francis Siva and has a daughter, who also stays with them.

Gurdip is in charge of Zone 15 that covers Kampung Rawang Tin, Kampung Kuala Garing, Taman Sri Rawang, Taman Garing Jaya, Taman Sri Garing, Taman Garing, Taman Garing Utama, Taman Kota Emerald, Kampung Sungai Dua Tambahan, Taman Pelangi, Taman Belmas Johan and Taman Idaman in Rawang.

Since Gurdip is staying in Taman Garing, it is easy for her to handle matters near her area and does not need to be so mobile like the rest of the councillors.

“As a newly-elected councillor, I will meet the residents associations in my area and ask about the problems in their areas.

“Then, I will ensure that this matter is brought to the attention of the Selayang Municipal Council president Zainal Abidin Azim during the council meetings.

“Being a councillor is new to me, I am learning each day on how to solve issues and bring up matters.

“One thing for sure, I will do my best to see that people’s interest are taken care of and welcome anyone to seek my help,’’ said Gurdip.