Wheelchair Presentation Ceremony

Saturday, September 06, 2008

PRESENTATION OF WHEEL CHAIRS

Today, Wheelchair Presentation Ceremony organized by Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) had donated six (6) wheelchairs to ILTC at Dewan Berjaya, Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Club, Jalan Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.

On behalf of ILTC, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents towards a caring society.

Malaysia wins bid to host Paralympic assembly

Friday, September 5, 2008

The Star - News

Malaysia wins bid to host Paralympic assembly
By CELESTE FONG

BEIJING: Malaysia obtained eight votes against one to win the bid for hosting the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) world general assembly in Kuala Lumpur in November 2009.

Malaysian Paralympic Council president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin said nine elected IPC governing board members took part in the voting by secret ballot.

“Out of total 13 elected members, 12 attended but two – Malaysia and Denmark – had to go out while the president (Sir Philip Craven) chaired the meeting and could not vote,” he said yesterday.

“We got eight votes against one,” said Zainal, adding that the results were overwhelming and showed the governing board members recognised Malaysia’s contribution and capability.

Five countries in all had bid to be hosts.

Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who arrived in Beijing for the Paralympic Games yesterday, described winning the bid as an honour.

Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was expected to arrive in the Chinese capital today to attend the opening of the games at the National Stadium.

Our space

Thursday September 4, 2008



Our space
WHEEL POWERBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

The provision of special carpark lots for the disabled will benefit everyone.

OF ALL the Merdeka Day celebrations, this year’s was the most significant for me. Last Sunday, as I was listening to the radio at midnight, welcoming our 51st anniversary together with other listeners, I was suddenly overcome by emotion.

I found for the first time that as a disabled citizen, I am now able to rejoice with others in celebrating the true meaning of independence.

I’m referring to the 150 carpark lots for the disabled that Majlis Bandaran Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) will be providing all over the city. Work on the project starts this month and is expected to be completed before Christmas.

Many drivers with disabilities have contacted me to say that they can’t wait to test out MBPJ’s carpark for the disabled.

The city council will ensure that wheelchair users have ample space to get their wheelchairs in and out of their cars. A unique feature is that each parking lot comes with a shelter to protect drivers from the elements.

A hot sunny day can turn the car seat into a hot seat. This can cause blisters and sores for those with paralysed limbs. Because of the numbness, most of them will not realise that the seat is hot until the damage has been done. And when that happens, the situation is often irreversible.

Umbrellas are also useless for wheelchair users when it rains. Whilst an able-bodied person can zip into his car within seconds, the disabled will need at least 10 to 15 minutes to perform the same task. Time is needed to position wheelchairs before the driver swings himself into his car.

One wrong move can send the him or her crashing to the ground.

The overhead shelter will come in handy for caregivers too when they travel with their disabled children or parents. To use the special carparks, you need to get hold of MBPJ’s specially designed wheelchair logos. These will be available free of charge soon.

The disabled will have to produce their ID registration cards for the handicapped. For those who haven’t registered, now is a good time to do so.

Those who have yet to be recognised officially as disabled persons – for example, those with Parkinson’s disease or stroke – need only produce a letter from a government doctor or the society they are a member of, verifying their disability.

Providing these disabled-friendly structures is a positive start towards changing the lot of the disabled. Such facilities will encourage the disabled and their families to come out and participate in public life.

Disabled-friendly carparks will raise awareness that there are many disabled Malaysians among us, and we will move one step forward in creating, to use MBPJ’s theme: “A liveable society and dynamic city for all persons.”

Upset over allowance for the disabled

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

The Malay Mail

Upset over allowance for the disabled
September 02, 2008 Categories: News

Don't insult the less-fortunate with paltry allowances, the federal government was told yesterday.

Anthony Thanasayan, Petaling Jaya City Council’s first disabled councillor, found the 2009 budget unfriendly to persons of his ilk.

He said the RM150 per month allowance for the disabled showed the government’s apathy towards to the plight of the community.

“If a person is bedridden, he or she is likely to have bedsores.

The medication costs about RM500- RM1,000 a month. How are they going to survive on RM150?” he asked.

He said the community was also disappointed with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen because she obviously did not push for better allowances for them.

A group of disabled persons met the minister three months ago and asked for a minimum allowance of RM500.

“The allocation only shows that the government does not take us seriously,” he added.

When asked his view on the Persons of Disability Act that came into force last month, Thanasayan said that it wouldn’t be of much help to the disabled if the spirit of the Act was not enforced.

The Persons of Disability Act states the National Council for Persons with Disabilities may require relevant ministries, government agencies, bodies or organisations to submit reports to the council on steps, measures and actions required to be undertaken in complying with provisions of the Act.

The Act is non-punitive and, therefore, powerless to help the disabled.

“In reality, the Act is still holding on to the charity concept which relies on the kindness of society.

Why do the laws penalise those who discriminate against women and not us?” he asked.

He believed Malaysians still discriminated against the disabled. As councillor in charge of the disabled, he came across a developer of a condominium who wanted to build a ramp for an elderly disabled man living there.

However, the residents’ association of the condominium did not want the ramp built as they believed that it would spoil the ambiance of the place.

“If there was strict enforcement of the Persons of Disability Act, we could have taken legal action against the association. But now there is nothing we can do,” he said.

New comment on BREAKING NEWS - LATEST UP DATE

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "BREAKING NEWS - LATEST UP DATE":

I am very happy to learn that the CCM has intervened on your behalf.

The Council of Churches of Malaysia should be praised for taking a positive step in resolving a very serious problem affecting your society.

I pray that justice will be served to your organisation and whoever is responsible for any bad action will be heavily disciplined.

Keep up your good work at the ILTC and in your blog.

BREAKING NEWS - LATEST UP DATE

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Dear Folks,

BREAKING NEWS - LATEST UP DATE

Regarding Sia Siew Chin & Defamation Against ILTC..........

Dr. Herman Shastri from Council Church of Malaysia has finally invited ILTC President & Secretary for an urgent face to face meeting with Pastor Sia Siew Chin (Beautiful Gate) at CCM Office on 16th September 2008 at 11.00am.

ILTC HOPE FOR JUSTICE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

MORE UP DATES SOON......

MR. G. FRANCIS SIVA
PRESIDENT OF ILTC

Sunday, August 31, 2008

BADAN LATIHAN DAN HIDUP BERDIKARI, SELANGOR DAN WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR.
(INDEPENDENT LIVING AND TRAINING CENTRE,
SELANGOR AND WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR)

The 6th Annual General Meeting of the Independent Living & Training Centre, Rawang which was held on 24th of August 2008, at 10.30am, at Restoran Fook Sing (Halal Food) (Rawang) Sdn Bhd, 8-16 Jalan Setia Rawang 1, Taman Setia Batu 18, 48000 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

There were 86 members presented at the meeting.

During the meeting ILTC invited Special Guest:

1. Special Guest DSP Shanmugam Reddy
2. Guest Y.B. Tuan Anthony Thanasayan
3. Guest of Honour -

Y.B.. TAN HUI CHUAN
ON BEHALF OF Y.B. Gan Pei Nei - State Assemblyman for Rawang

Participated together...............

HAPPY MERDEKA – WITH OUT I AM NO BODY

Saturday, August 30, 2008

HAPPY MERDEKA – WITH OUT I AM NO BODY

Pensioners, the disabled want more benefits

Saturday August 30, 2008

The Star - News - Budget 2009

Pensioners, the disabled want more benefits

THE National Council of Senior Citizens Organisation Malaysia (Nacscom) president Datuk Lum Kin Tuck said that while the proposal to have a minimum RM720 monthly pension was good, it was still not enough to cope with the rising cost of living.

“While it will help pensioners who have been getting low pensions all along, I feel it should be slightly higher,” he said.

“I think people would be able to cope with the cost of living better if they had a minimum pension of RM900.”

Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled president Mah Hassan said he was happy with the Budget on three points: the RM150 allowance for disabled students, RM200 monthly incentive payment for teaching assistants in special education schools and a higher allowance for caregivers in Rumah Tunas Harapan.

“I must praise the Government for taking all these into consideration,” he said.

“However, on behalf of the disabled community, I must say I am disappointed with the RM150 allowance for the non-working disabled.”

Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva also shared his sentiments.

“At a pre-Budget consultation, we had asked for a RM500 allowance across the board for the disabled.

“What can you do with RM150? I'm very, very sad.

There are many severely-disabled people who have no opportunity to find work. How are they going to live on a mere RM150?” he said.

Budget 2009: RM150 allowance for the disabled 'not enough'

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The News Strait Times - NST Online

Budget 2009: RM150 allowance for the disabled 'not enough' The disabled are restricted by the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in the country.

KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled have described Budget 2009 as "insulting" and "terrible".

They said the RM150 monthly allowance for those unable to work is a pittance. Malaysian Animal-Assisted The-rapy for the Disabled and Elderly president Anthony Thanasayan said they had expected at least RM500 for all disabled people, irrespective of whether they were working.

"The amount is so little, you might as well not give it. Those bedridden and in wheelchairs require a lot of money for medical fees.

"A set of five bandages for pressure sores costs RM80 and it only lasts three days. How far will RM150 go?" Anthony asked.

Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva said it was disheartening that the budget failed to address mobility issues.

He stressed that disabled people were not lazy and wanted to be independent but they were restricted by the lack of disabled-friendly infrastructure in the country.

"How will we earn a decent living and be independent if a chunk of our salary goes towards transport?"

Anthony and Francis, however, agreed that the government's multi-pronged approach to combat poverty was a good start.

Associate Professor Dr Sulochana Nair, who is also director for the Centre of Poverty and Development Studies, Universiti Malaya, said there must be a "means-tested methodology" of reaching out to the target groups.

"We must be able to trace the aid to ensure that it reaches the right people."

For Centre for Orang Asli Concerns coordinator Colin Nicholas, the issue is "leakage" during the disbursement process.

He said the allocated sum had in the past gone into improving infrastructure and administration and not enhancing the quality of life.

The government has allocated RM160 million in assistance to Orang Asli under Budget 2009.

For pensioner Wong King Voon, 61, the RM70 increase in his pension to RM720 is too small.

"What can you do with an extra RM70? And despite the exemption for electricity bills payments of RM20 or less, I would still have to pay my electricity bill of about RM100 a month."

BN!BN!BN! Ayoooh!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

BN!BN!BN! Ayoooh!

What Happen? Dont pray pray!

ILTC COMMENTS

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

ILTC COMMENTS

Disabled in a dilemma over inconvenient travel environment

Today there was some issue highligted in the The Star - Metro

This is slightly a positive wake up sign by other disabled NGO's who have been sleeping for too long.

But in reality will it make a difference?

Will our Prime Minister include the demands in his Budget Speech on Friday?

It would have been better if the disabled group that organized the protest against the government had done so at least a month or two before Budget 2009.

This would have given enough time for our PM to make the necessary inclusion.

That is if Pak Lah had not already thought about it in the first place.

ILTC is tired of broken promises by our authorities and our needs as disabled Malaysians are still being ignored.

So far nothing has really changed. ILTC also had staged a public show of this approval eight months ago against the public transport system in the country.

Nothing has been done.

The "so-called" 'disabled friendly" buses by RapidKL are totally useless.

I honestly feel that, most disabled person cannot work because of poor access to public transport and buildings.

We need to go out and work and contribute to society, and not be dependent on charity.

ILTC is looking forward a reliable public transport service to the disabled community in Malaysia.

MR. Francis Siva
President of ILTC

_________________________________________________________________
Tuesday August 26, 2008

The Star Metro

Disabled in a dilemma over inconvenient travel environment
By BAVANI M

THERE is no mercy out there, declared by P. Parimala when asked to describe the efficiency of the transportation system in the Klang Valley.

Strong words indeed but then the 47-year-old tutor is speaking from her perspective as a disabled person.

Parimala has polio and walks with a limp. But six months ago, she fractured her back and had been wheelchair-bound since.

Not an easy life: Daily travelling using public transport seems to be a tedious affair for most disabled folks.

“I feel helpless and frustrated every time I take the local public transport to get around. I feel that the government doesn’t care for people like us,’’ she said.

According to Parimala, who lives in a DBKL flats in Pantai Dalam, everywhere and everything -- the lifts at her flats, the roads, the bus stops, the buses and the LRT -- were not disabled friendly.

“How am I going to retain my dignity and the right to live independently when everything around me is inaccessible to people with disabilities?’’ she asked.

K. Loganathan, a clerk with the Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, said that trying to cross a busy street was like a suicide mission for him.

“I’m afflicted with polio so I walk with a limp. Do you know how a simple exercise of trying to cross a road or even boarding the LRT at the peak hour can become the most scariest moment of my life?’’ he asked.

Mohd Fairuz, from the Malaysian Association of the Blind, said he wished that there was a system that allowed the blind to know when a bus would be arriving.

The 55-year-old said buses should incorporate an alarm system that could notify blind passengers like him when the door was closing and opening.

They want the government to do something about the poor state of the local public transport system which they say is unfriendly and completely inaccessible to the disabled community.

Some 50 BEAT members turned out at the Bangsar LRT station last Sunday to prove their point and to submit their wish list for the Federal Budget 2009.

Damai Disabled Persons Association vice-president V. Murugeswaran said when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi discovered how bad the public transport system was for the public, he should know that for the disabled people, it was much worse.

Murugeswaran said the public transport system should adopt the social inclusion principle where all planning, design, management and operations of public transport should be accessible, safe and usable.

“It should take into consideration and provide for equitable means for the disabled people to access employment, education, health, leisure and other social activities,” he said.
Murugeswaran said it was reported recently that only 50 disabled people applied for 10,000 jobs available in the public sector.

Women, Family and Community Development Minsiter Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen had called on the disabled community to be responsive to the job applications and said the government set a policy to reserve 1% or 10,000 jobs for the disabled in the public sector.

“I guarantee you if the government improved the public transport system and make it disabled- friendly than the response from the disabled would be overwhelming,’’ Murugeswaran said.
He said the disabled just wanted to live independently and with dignity.

Wish list for public transport system

IN line with the tabling of the Federal Budget 2009, the Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit Klang Valley (Transit) and the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport (BEAT) group have come up with a wish list to reinstate their concerns on the public transport system.

According to the two organisations, the system is still almost completely inaccessible and unfriendly to those who are blind, deaf, having learning difficulties, elderly and pregnant, young children and people with bicycle and infants in prams.

The two NGOs have proposed the following:

A National Public Transport Policy which is comprehensive, inclusive and people focused;
A public transport masterplan that incorporates the concepts and principles of universal design to accommodate the needs of all users, including the disabled;

A National Transport Commis-sion — a single regulatory body for land public transportation. At present, there are 13 agencies for the country which make it ineffective and uncoordinated;
Low Floor and Non Step Buses — a budget must be allocated that all new buses bought have low floor, non-step vehicles equipped with ramps, and audible announcements for the blind and clear sin- ages for the deaf.

Bus Stops and Bus Hubs — All new bus stops, and bus hubs must have connecting walkways, pavements, crossings, shelters, all ramps and change levels must be upgraded to the correct design and safety standards and must be barrier free;

Rail Transit — For the Kelana Jaya and Ampang Lines, the proposed extension must ensure that all universal design features such as lifts, tactile guides, audible stop announcements and clear signages. Money should also be allocated for an upgrade of the Ampang line which is inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Monorail — Budget allocations for the upgrade of all monorail stations, At present monorail is totally inaccessible to wheelchair users.

KTM Commuter — All new rail projects be made accessible, that includes access to the train stations, platforms and incorporate universal design features;

Taxis — There must be a minimum quota of accessible taxis — 20% target each year starting from 2009.

Door to Door Demand Responsive Accessible Transport Services — A fully integrated and accessible transport service for the disabled.

Mobility Allowance — Budget should make an allocation to provide mobility allowance of RM350 to each disabled person who is registered with the welfare department until such as time when the country’s transport system is 100% accessible.

Feeling the discrimination

Monday, August 25, 2008

The Malay Mail - News

Feeling the discrimination
By Anu Venugopal An Act of hope?

The Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 has been gazetted and came into force on July 7. This is the first rights-based legislation for people with disabilities (PWD).

With the enforcement of the Act, PWDs will be able to enjoy better public transport facilities, amenities and services.

So many promises made but so little achieved, say disabled groups.

The able-bodied take it for granted, but to the disabled, getting around Kuala Lumpur is a never-ending nightmare.

Through their eyes, the streets of KL are full of obstacles and risks — steep and high pavements, slippery tiles, overhead bridges with narrow steps, poor traffic and transport conditions... and the list goes on.

Promises by the government and public transport companies that amenities will be disabled-friendly are not being adhered to, say the physically challenged.

"The government promised wheelchair-friendly public transport, but it has not been provided. The situation has not improved one bit," said Christine Lee, coordinator for the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group.

The group is an informal coalition of NGOs representing the interests of people with varying disabilities.

It has been fighting for the rights of the disabled since 1994 but Lee says there has been little improvement to the infrastructure and public transport system in the Klang Valley.

"Out of 1,000 buses that were supposed to be disabled- friendly, only 100 buses can be accessed by the disabled. Even then, it is not easy for us to use these buses as it is just too difficult," said Lee.

"The ramps are too steep for people with wheelchairs to manoeuvre by themselves. Some bus drivers are kind enough to help out but if we are on our own, it is difficult.

"The disabled people in Malaysia are still facing barriers to being independent."

"We find it very difficult to move around on our own. There are barriers everywhere.

Pavements are too high for us to manoeuvre the wheelchair. Not many buses are disabled friendly. The ones that are 'disabled friendly' are not good enough."

Many of the disabled are disheartened with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen's remarks that the disabled cannot expect the ministry to knock on doors and offer them jobs,

"We want to work and be independent, but how can we when the infrastructure such as roads and transport system make it difficult for us to move around?" asked Lee.

She believes that one of the ways the government could improve infrastructure and amenities for the group would be to consult the disabled.

Public transport blues

Monday, August 25, 2008

The Malay Mail

Public transport blues Physically challenged P.Santakumari, 49 years old and wheelchair- bound, loves Malaysia but strongly feels that something has to be done about the disabled-unfriendly environment.

"It is very difficult for me to travel on my own. I need someone to help me move around every time I go out," she said.

"The bus ramps are too steep for me to go up on my own. It is very frustrating to take public transport in Kuala Lumpur."

She also feels that there is need for the public to be educated about disabled people. "They are impatient and inconsiderate of our situation and the daily struggles we have to face."

Santakumari hopes that the government will make buses accessible and make all public transport free for the physically challenged.

A disabled person from Rawang, who only wants to be known as Premila, also took KTM Komuter to task.

"The train service has only got worse since I first started using it six years ago,"she said.

"There are more people using the train now, especially after the increase in petrol price, but the number of coaches has not increased."

Joining the workforce

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Star - Lifestyle

Joining the workforce
WHEEL POWER WITH ANTHONY THANASAYAN

There’s more to the issue than simply providing employment for the disabled.

I READ in The Star last week that the problem of getting disabled persons to take up employment sadly continues to plague our society. It was revealed that despite there being 10,000 jobs openings for the handicapped, only 50 persons with disabilities had applied for them through the government.

The findings, I worry, might give the wrong impression about people with disabilities. Some might think that the disabled are unappreciative of the help that is being offered to them. Others may assume that they prefer to be unemployed – or, worse, are lazy.

All these assumptions cannot be further from the truth.

First, why would the disabled want to be unemployed when they have no source of income? Without financial independence, how would they be able to participate in all the wonderful things that most of us enjoy?

Being disabled is also an extremely costly affair. For example, long-lasting wheelchairs cost about RM5,000 while electric wheelchairs cost more than double that. (Batteries alone cost about RM1,000 and they need to be replaced every two years.)

Medical cushions, which most wheelchair users need in order to prevent potentially deadly pressure sores, cost about RM2,000. These need to be promptly replaced when they expire.

The disabled who were previously employed may be somewhat lucky. They can obtain such equipment from the Social Security Organisation.

But what about the majority of disabled persons who are unemployed?

Some might be able to get charitable organisations to sponsor these aids for them. But again, for the majority of disabled Malaysians, life is a perennial struggle.

It really does not have to be this way, but it is.

Finding jobs may be easier now thanks to the government’s latest efforts. But it is still virtually impossible to get to work.

A big chunk of one’s salary would often be swallowed up by transport costs. And after deducting the cost of travelling to and from work, what is left for the disabled worker to take home?

What if they are married or wish to get married? Or what if they now have to care for their elderly parents?

Would employers consider covering transport costs of disabled workers? Such a move would be a great help – at least until the day the handicapped in Malaysia can have full access to public transport.

It is for these and many other reasons that many disabled organisations are unanimously calling for a monthly allowance of RM500, at least, for all disabled Malaysians – whether they have jobs or not. The financial aid will be a godsend and offer immediate relief.

And what better time for such a gift for the handicapped than next month at our upcoming budget speech.

As for the job application forms offered by the government, it is certainly an encouraging move – one that the disabled community has been waiting for.

I am glad to see that special assistive devices like ramps to wheelchair-friendly car parks and even tactile guiding blocks (for the blind) are mentioned in the form.

However, I also think that there are other things that ought to be considered before we can expect success in this worthy effort.

One of them is to keep on disseminating the forms everywhere.

I have already received feedback from several disabled persons and their caregivers that they are unaware of these forms. Even in their recent visits to their nearest local welfare departments they drew only blank stares from the staff when they enquired about job opportunities.

And finally, let’s not forget that because our disabled have been shut out of society for so long, many lack not only training but also self-confidence.

It would be most unrealistic to expect such persons to rush out immediately for application forms. They will need a counsellor whom they can approach to give them the proper advice and encouragement.

And the best person to understand their needs would naturally be a disabled person himself, who should also coordinate this effort by the government. This way another job will be created.

The disabled person should rightfully be the person to head a special long-term task force to get our Malaysian disabled citizens employed.

After all, it is the human touch – delivered from someone who is able to empathise – which in the end will be far more effective than any piece of paper.

MBPJ sedia kemudahan untuk OKU

Friday, August 22, 2008

Sinar - Harian

MBPJ sedia kemudahan untuk OKU

PETALING JAYA - Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) akan menyediakan tempat khas untuk golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU) bagi memudahkan mereka meletakkan kenderaan mulai November ini.

Pengarah Jabatan Perancangan Pembangunan MBPJ, Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali berkata, sebanyak 150 tempat dikenal pasti dan akan dilengkapkan dengan bumbung sebagai keselesaan.

Setiap 150 tempat itu, MBPJ akan menyediakan dua petak khas untuk OKU,” katanya pada sidang media di sini.

Beliau berkata, selain membina tempat letak kereta berbumbung, MBPJ juga akan menaik taraf tandas dan jalan mesra OKU.

Katanya, sebagai permulaan, usaha itu akan dilakukan di Seksyen 52, manakala kawasan lain akan mendapat kemudahan berkenaan secara berperingkat.

Menurut Sharipah Marhaini, bagi memudahkan pemantauan, golongan dan penjaga OKU perlu memohon pelekat khas daripada MBPJ.

Langkah itu, katanya, bagi memudahkan MBPJ mengenal pasti golongan OKU dan mengelak kemudahan itu daripada disalahgunakan orang lain.

“Mereka yang didapati menyalah guna kemudahan itu akan dikenakan saman sebanyak RM300,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, MBPJ akan melaksanakan empat strategi dalam menyediakan kemudahan untuk OKU di Petaling Jaya. “

Antaranya mengubah suai bangunan sedia ada di Petaling Jaya bagi kemudahan mereka, selain mengubah suai bangunan Perpustakaan Komuniti dan ibu pejabat MBPJ.

“Strategi lain termasuk menyediakan kemudahan laluan khas di beberapa tempat, lampu isyarat berbunyi, laluan pejalan kaki dan penghadang,” katanya.

Di samping itu, menurut beliau, MBPJ juga akan mengadakan program kesedaran awam bersama penduduk mengenai kemudahan OKU.

Sementara itu, Ahli Majlis MBPJ yang juga OKU, Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan berkata, usaha itu hadiah kepada golongan berkenaan. “Ini adalah hadiah paling bermakna kepada OKU.

Ini menunjukkan MBPJ tidak meminggirkan golongan seperti kami,” katanya

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Dear Folks,

FLASH NEWS - LATEST UP DATE

Regarding Sia Siew Chin & Defamation Against ILTC..........
ON MONDAY WE HAVE MANAGED TO CALLED THE BISHOP'S SECRETARY MS. PAULINE.

DURING THE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH HER, SHE SAID THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO ARRANGE A MEETING BY THIS WEEK. ILTC HOPE FOR JUSTICE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

MORE UP DATES SOON......

MR. G. FRANCIS SIVA
PRESIDENT OF ILTC

Sheltered Disabled Car Parks At PJ

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Sheltered Disabled Car Parks at PJ - Malaysia Nanban

Rights of disabled people to be taken care of

Monday, August 18, 2008

Rights of disabled people to be taken care of
BY LOONG MENG YEE,

THE Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 has been gazetted and came into force on July 7. This is the first rights-based legislation for people with disabilities (PWD).

“With the enforcement of the Act, PWDs will be able to enjoy better public transport facilities, amenities and services.

“They will also have equal opportunities to health, education, information, communication and technology, habilitation and re-habilitation, improved employment opportunities as well as sports, leisure and cultural life,” said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

“At this point, it is too early for us to assess the effectiveness of the Act.

“Issues affecting the development and well-being of PWDs are cross- cutting, from rehabilitation to housing and social safety.

“Therefore, the responsibility to ensure the PWDs enjoy the rights enshrined in the Act has to be shared by all.

Fight for our rights: Dr Ng (fourth from right) and the rest of the team in the National Council for the People with Disabilities.

“The ministry and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities established under this Act will have to play a crucial role to address and bring foward issues affecting PWDs,” said Dr Ng at the first council meeting recently.

She added the council would oversee, co-ordinate and evaluate the implementation of the National Policy and National Plan for Action relating to PWDs.

Dr Ng said Malaysia had moved from charity-based to rights-based to address the issues affecting PWDs. The Department of Social Welfare was committed to the cause of ensuring full participation of PWDs into society.

“The department had introduced rights-based programmes such as Disability Equality Training and Independent Living to PWDs.

“Community-based rehabilitation is promoted and further strengthened to provide early intervention, rehabilitation and training for PWDs in their own community.

“So far, the welfare department supports 379 community-based rehabilitation centres, benefiting 12,000 PWDs,” said Dr Ng.

Until May, there were 229,325 PWDs registered with the Welfare Department.

This figure was way too low for the World Health Organisation estimate of between 5% and 10% of the population.

Going by that estimate, Malaysia should be registering 1.3 to 2.6 million PWDs. Dr Ng urged those who had not registered to do so.

Good news for the disabled

Monday August 18, 2008

The Star- Metro

Good news for the disabled
By JADE CHAN

THE PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will be allocating 150 covered parking bays for the disabled, and has begun identifying their locations around Petaling Jaya.

The parking spaces will be located at places like public parks, commercial centres, government offices, community halls, health centres, police stations, post offices and stadiums.

They will be covered and located at the area closest to the entrance of the buildings.

MBPJ Town Planning Department director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali said the council was committed to providing facilities for the disabled and had identified four strategies for this initiative back in 2002, including modifying the PJ Community Library and MBPJ building to have facilities like lifts and ramps, and having the Barrier Free City project in Section 52 and SS2 to provide facilities like tac tiles, accessible bus stops and ramps.

Accessibility for the disabled: Thanasayan gets some assistance from an MBPJ officer as he goes about to check on the sites where the 150 parking spaces for the disabled in PJ have been identified.

“To improve the Town Planning Department’s efforts, the MBPJ has taken the initiative to form the Technical Working Committee for the Disabled’s Facilities (Jawatankuasa Kerja Teknikal Bagi Kemudahan Kurang Upaya) in August 2006,” she said.

“The PJ mayor (Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman) has approved a policy whereby from Aug 1 onwards, all development plans will need to be approved by this committee before they are submitted to the one-stop centre committee, to ensure that the plans include facilities for the disabled.

“This policy affects plans for both government and private entities. The requirements include the provisions of ramps, toilets, lifts and parking spaces for the disabled.”

MBPJ councillor Anthony Thanasayan said the 150 parking spaces for the disabled would be shaded, provide ample room to manoeuvre around and were available at no charge.

“The MBPJ will issue their own stickers for the disabled and their caregivers to have access to these parking spaces.

“To apply for the sticker, they will have to submit either their disabled identification card issued by the government, or get a letter from a government hospital doctor.

“Those with Parkinson’s Disease or stroke can get a letter from their societies to apply for the sticker. Even those who are temporarily disabled can apply.”

Sharipah said: “The sticker will be issued free and we’ll open the applications in November.

“To ensure that we mean business, the council will issue a maximum of RM300 fine if people are found to have parked their vehicles in parking spaces for the disabled. No appeals will be given to reduce the fine.”

“We will also place a hotline signboard on the roofs of these parking spaces so the public can report such abuses if they spot them,” said Thanasayan.

Thanasayan plans to go with several of his disabled friends to all the sites identified to give his views and ensure the job is done correctly.

The modifications for the parking spaces for the disabled will begin in September and is scheduled to be ready in November.

Sharipah estimated that it would cost the MBPJ RM500,000 to build or modify facilities in the city to be disabled-friendly, including having ramps and extending the tac tiles.

Annual Allocation Recieved From JKMM

Saturday, August 16, 2008

ANNUAL ALLOCATION RECEIVED FROM JKMM

Last wednesday, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen contributed the annual allocation hand over to ILTC's Secretary Ms. Rina.

Have at least basic accessibility for the disabled

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Have at least basic accessibility for the disabledWith good education, full accessibility to facilities such as buildings and public transport; proper training and understanding employers, persons with disabilities can be an asset to the nation and should be integrated into, and participate in social, economic, political and cultural life in Malaysia.

Y.B. Tuan Anthony Thanasayan City Councillor for MBPJ invited the President of ILTC to a meeting with a field visit at MBPJ to identify the facilities towards disbled people, senior citizen and needys such as disabled friendly parkings, ramps, disabled friendly toilets and etc....

ILTC take this opportunity to thank PJ Councillors and PJ planning and development director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali for providing such as a good facilities towards a caring society for the disabled, senior citizen and others.ILTC hope that the other Municipal Council's will take this a good example to build disabled-friendly features in their town planning.

PJ to be disabled friendly from now on

Friday, August 15, 2008




PJ to be disabled friendly from now on
By Pauline Almeida August 15, 2008 Categories: Your Council.

As of this month, new buildings that need approval for construction have to meet the Technical Committee for the Facilities for the Disabled requirements — that they have lifts, ramps and toilets designed for people with special needs.

Though the committee’s request had been made two years ago, it is being given focus after some disabled members were elected as PJ councillors this year, including activist for the diabled, Anthony Sivabalan Thansayan.

"Back then (2006), nobody bothered. But now we are more serious, that new buildings have facilities for the disabled," said PJ planning and development director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali yesterday.

Sharipah said the requirements were in line with the local council’s Building By-Laws for the Disabled, therefore applications to put up new buildings would only be approved if they fulfil the obligations towards people with special needs.

To date, some 15 applications from developers and architects to put up offices and shoplots in Petaling Jaya are being vetted by this technical committee to ensure developers and architects incorporate disabled-friendly features in their layout plans.

"If they fail to adhere to our criteria, then the building owners will be required to amend building plans to get approval for construction," said Marhaini.

Covered car parks by Hari Raya
August 15, 2008 Categories: Your Council

SOME good news for the disabled in Petaling Jaya. From November, there will be 150 sheltered car parks at various public parking lots around Petaling Jaya for the use of the disabled and people with special needs.

The council will provide a logo for people with special needs and their care-givers that are valid for life.

Those suffering from temporary disabilities due to accidents or falls can apply for the logo for a certain period.

"They will be required to renew it on a monthly basis to ensure it is used for the right purpose," said Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan, a member of the council’s Technical Committee for the Facilities for the Disabled and the Elderly and a city councillor, who has agreed to use his councillor’s half-yearly allocation of RM50,000 towards addressing the needs of the disabled.

Only 50 out of 10,000 jobs snapped up by disabled

Friday August 15, 2008

The Star - Online

Only 50 out of 10,000 jobs snapped up by disabled
By NG CHENG YEEand NATALIE STONEHAM

KUALA LUMPUR: Only 50 disabled people have applied for the 10,000 jobs made available in the public sector, said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

“All kinds of jobs were available, from rank and file such as office boys to management level, but unfortunately, there have been few takers.

“The Government needed to find out why the disabled group had been reluctant to take up the jobs,” she said Thursday after chairing the first meeting of the National Council for People With Disabilities here.

The Government has set as a policy to reserve 1% or 10,000 jobs for the disabled in the public sector as a measure to integrate the disabled into mainstream society.

Dr Ng called on the disabled community to be responsive to the job applications. She said the Government would try its best to overcome obstacles that the disabled faced in the work place.

“They should not have the negative thinking but instead they should apply for the jobs first and let us know what obstacles they are going to face if they take up the jobs.

“If there are more people coming forward to apply for the jobs, we (the Government) might consider arranging the transport for them, including getting buses to go around Putrajaya,” she said.

“I have mentioned it many times in the newspaper about the vacancies available. You (disabled people) cannot just expect us to knock on your doors and inform you about the opportunities,” she said.

DOGATHON 2008

Monday, August 11, 2008

DOGATHON 2008

Bukit Ekspo, Universiti Putra Malaysia

10 ILTC members were specially invited to the Dogathon 2008 at Bukit Ekspo, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang by Petpositive President and Ahli Majlis MPPJ Mr. Anthony Thanasayan.

It was a meaning wonderful day because all the disabled members were given an opportunity to participated in the funfilled event.
It exposed to all types of dogs and dog owners to indulge in somthing out of the ordidnary.
The main highlight of the event is the DOGATHON Race where dogs and owners are required to run for 2.5 km in the early morning collness under the shaddy trees of UPM.

Other than the DOGATHON events there are are other events such as faster eating duo, Space Race, Space Idol, Alien Says, Res-UFO, Agility Jumpers and many more events.

We hope in future there will be more disabled person take part in this event and the organizing team will focus more on disbled friendly facilities.

Anyway it was a very successful event.

Comment From Anonymous

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Breaking News Part 3":

What? Sue you guys in wheelchairs? Come on! Where is the "turn the other cheek" teaching of Jesus Christ?

Mr Lee is a hypocrite of the first degree.

He is not fit to run Beautiful Gate with such an attitude.

Breaking News Part 3

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Breaking News - Part 3

Hi Folks

I regret to inform you all that today at 11.45am that I received a warning telephone call from Mr. Edward S. F. Lee, the Operation Manager of Beautiful Gate Foundation.

He demanded that I withdraw from this blog the following statement he made in the 3rd paragraph of our post yesterday which reads:

"During the discussion, Mr. Edward S. F. Lee honestly told us the truth about Pastor Sia and her team had involved in tarnishing and destroying the ILTC. He feel very sorry for what has happened towards ILTC."

Mr Lee is now denying his statement that Sia Siew Chin had admitted being involved in Kogilavany's police report against us.

He claimed in his own words that the ILTC was trying to make him a "sucker" in the issue.

He has even threatened a legal suit against our centre if we did not retract our statement.

With such an attitude, we at ILTC have totally lost our confidence in Mr Lee that he will be able to carry out an unbiased and fair investigation over the matter.

We have no choice but to doubt Mr Lee's sincerity in wanting to help us at all. He even told me on the phone that unless I withdrew the statement, the investigation will be ceased.

I pointed out to Mr Lee that if he is feeling upset by what is happening so far, imagine how WE FELT when such an scurrilous attack was launched against us by Sia who is supposed to be a pastor of a church, a communion distributor and an award-winner for the disabled.

So much for honour and religious sincerity!

Our only hope for justice is now in the hands of the Rev Hwa Yung, the honourable Bishop of the Methodist Church of Malaysia.

We expect to meet him in the next few days. We have requested for an urgent meeting to resolve this matter.

We understand that he is away at the moment and due to arrive in KL soon.

We will keep you all updated on the latest developments.

Thamk you,

Mr. G. Francis
President of ILTC

A Comment From Anonymous

Friday, August 08, 2008

Anonymous has left a new comment on our post "BREAKING NEWS PART 1":

I am shocked by all the latest developments in your blog regarding Beautiful Gate and your organisation.

As a regular contributor to B Gate, I will now reconsider any donations that I give to the organisation.

I am most shocked by Mr Lee's response to the issue. Rather than take action for B Gate's responsibility and apologise, he is trying to find fault with your comments.

This is most unchristian, to say the least.

A Comment From Readers

Friday, August 08, 2008

A Comment From Stanislaus Anthony stanislaus_8@hotmail.com

I am shocked that A pastor who runs a disable home finding fault on another disable home is this what a person close to god should do.

Pastor if i am not wrong you won the best disable person award and you should be a shinning example to all the other disable person, sad to say that as a pastor and an award winner you have made us the disable very shameful.

BREAKING NEWS PART - 2

Friday, August 08, 2008 - 2.25pm

BREAKING NEWS PART -2

LATEST UP DATE

WE HAVE CALLED THE BISHOP AND WAITING FOR HIS REPLY APPOINTMENT BY THIS AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

MORE UP DATES SOON......

MR. G. FRANCIS SIVA
PRESIDENT OF ILTC

Positive changes

Thursday August 7, 2008

The Star - Lifestyle

Positive changes
Wheel PowerBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

I AM pleased to report that I have successfully lasted more than a month as a councillor for Petaling Jaya, where I have lived for nearly four decades.

I must confess I was pretty edgy at first. Who wouldn’t be when one considers the kind of responsibilities such a task entails?

My first and daily challenge is in getting dressed for the various events organised by the PJ Municipal Council (MBPJ).

The dress code requires councillors to use lounge suits for official meetings, batik for dinner and social evenings, and casual attire for outdoor and sporting events.

Those with physical disabilities will know how painstaking this task can be. Paralysed legs are like concrete slabs when you have to lift them up and bend them to fit into your trousers.

Fortunately, my service dogs help to lighten the load. They do their bit by taking turns to tug at my clothes and fetch my shoes, along with other tasks.

I am also a very lucky councillor because the MBPJ disabled-friendly van arrives at my doorstep to fetch me to all the council meetings and functions I have to attend.

Getting in and out of my wheelchair and into a car can be exhausting, especially when there are no assistants. The van has a lift to lift my wheelchair into the vehicle.

During meetings, I have the privilege of being surrounded by VIPs eager to help me. Last week, I asked a gentleman to help bring a glass of water into our boardroom, only to realise shortly afterwards that he was a Member of Parliament.

In addition to taking care of my zone which is made up of Sections 6, 7, 9 and 52, I have requested to be in charge of two projects close to my heart.

They involve the disabled and animals, namely dogs. I will head a committee involving NGOs like the SPCA to promote responsible pet ownership (RPO) among PJ residents.

If everything goes well, both animal lovers, as well as those peeved by their presence because of irresponsible pet owners, can look forward to awareness campaigns on RPO.

Expect MBPJ to get tough on pet lovers who pay no regard to their neighbours’ complaints of the misbehaviour of their dogs, too.

In view of the therapeutic role that canines offer to the disabled and elderly, these folks can expect full licence waivers for their pets.

Disabled and elderly residents in Section 10 who have been barred access into Taman Jaya because of a locked gate that has been there for several years, will now be able to enter the park to enjoy the greenery and fresh air there, like other residents.

MBPJ’s landscape department will soon be adding two entrances for the disabled to access the park. Expect to see more disabled-friendly changes taking place in PJ in the near future. These include disabled-friendly car parks, accessible pavements, wheelchair-friendly toilets, registration of PJ residents with handicaps, hospital visits and even possible welfare aid.

Disabled faced with insurance dilemma

Tuesday, August 05, 2008




Disabled faced with insurance dilemma
By LOONG MENG YEE
DESPITE being healthy and financially stable with his own multimedia design firm, G. Danny, 34, is unable to get any medical insurance cover.

Over the phone, the sales agents are eager to sign him up, that is until they see that he is wheelchair- bound.

Danny is not alone in his predicament. Many other disabled people like him are unable to buy medical insurance as they are considered “high risk”.

“It is unfair. Apart from sitting in a wheelchair, I am perfectly healthy. I told the insurance agents I can produce medical reports certifying so, and that my cholesterol level was also low. But the agents do not want to sign me up,’’ he added.

Danny even tried to buy investment- linked insurance, but failed again.

The dilemma faced by the disabled in buying medical insurance was among the items on the agenda of a roundtable discussion at the 3rd Bakti-Mind Conference in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

Bakti (the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers) had set up the Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities (Bakti-Mind) project three years ago to empower and promote the quality of life of the disabled.

The 3rd Bakti-Mind project, themed Empowering persons with disabilities (PWD) through information provision and management, began on Thursday and will end today .

Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali is the conference adviser, the organising chairman is Toh Puan Dr Aishah Ong, with Datuk Noorhayathi Kamaluddin as secretary and Datin Seri Wendy Ong as treasurer.

Danny participated in the roundtable discussion and related his frustration to a group of people who included representatives from the Life Association of Insurance Malaysia (LIAM).

The LIAM representatives said the association was keen to find out the needs of the disabled.

Another round of talks is scheduled for November, and by then, Danny hoped LIAM could offer him some packages, instead of closing the door on him - yet again.