Friday June 8, 2012

Disabled-friendly feature in PJ shortlisted for international award

By EDWARD R. HENRY
edward@thestar.com.my

WALK paths with tact tiles and ramps built around certain parts of Petaling Jaya aimed at creating a barrier-free environment, has been shortlisted as a semi-finalist for the Commonwealth Associa-tion for Public Administration and Management (Capam) Inter-national Innovation Awards.

Out of the 120 submissions for the award, PJ has been shortlisted as one of the semi-finalists. PJ’s people friendly project — A Barrier Free PJ: Lifting the Urban Disability Stigma — has captured the hearts of Capam judges. Forty countries are taking part in the awards.

PJ mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the council felt privileged to be selected as a semi-finalist and the entry was slotted under the Innovation in Citizen Engagement and Dialogue award category.

Capam president Paul Zahra from Malta will present the award in New Delhi, India, in September.

“We find physical barriers still preventing the disabled from participating and enjoying the benefits of living in the city.

“Our efforts are being seen as various parts of the city have been redesigned to make it accessible,” said Roslan.

Capam is an International Innovations Awards that celebrates the spirit of innovation in the public service by recognising organisations that have made significant contributions to improving governance and services in the public sector.

The award inspires and encourages innovators to improve public service governance, and the quality of life of residents and communities.

“PJ’s barrier-free environment project is the only entry from Malaysia and it competes with entries from established countries and organisations. PJ has made parks and public areas accessible to the physically-challenged and we feel that warrants our entry to be shortlisted,” said Roslan.

He added that PJ’s ongoing effort to create a barrier-free city “is the right thing to do.”

Meanwhile, PJ city councillor and distinguished fellow of the United States of America Hawaii University Anthony Thanasayan said he felt privileged and honoured by Capam’s submission.

“Being a wheelchair-bound person as a teenager living in PJ, the neighbourhood was my greatest foe at one time. I was a virtual prisoner in my home because of the lack of thought given by the municipal council then to me as a resident with special needs.

“I could not get into Taman Jaya park which is a few hundred metres from my home because of a locked gate and cobbled pavements,” he said.

Thanasayan added that now it was a different story.

“We have a special entrance for wheelchairs initiated by me that allow all handicapped people through. We have the country’s first universal design pavement that is also being made in poorer areas of PJ.

“I think, it is an incredible success story that any local government can offer and continue to help the disabled community.

“But now with the leadership of Roslan all that is changing,” he said.