Visitors from Sapporo, Japan

Two weeks ago, a Japanese group from Sapporo visited ILTC and donated 4 unit of wheelchairs to the ILTC members.

On the day, we had shared our works at ILTC to the visitors and later we took them to a Tamil School near the centre. They also had an opportunity to learn our Malaysian culture.

Umpan roti samun OKU

31 Oktober 2009

Umpan roti samun OKU
Oleh Md Fuzi Abd Lateh

BUKTI…Gurdip (duduk kiri) dan beberapa rakan lain menunjukkan salinan laporan polis yang dibuat semalam.

RAWANG: Hanya berumpankan juadah sarapan pagi iaitu roti canai dan air minuman kotak, dua lelaki yang menyamar sebagai dermawan menyamun Rumah Badan Latihan dan Hidup Berdikari di Taman Garing di sini, pagi semalam.

Kejadian berlaku jam 10.30 pagi ketika mangsa yang juga setiausaha rumah itu, Gurdip Kaur @ Rina, 49, didatangi dua suspek yang menyamar sebagai pelawat dan ingin menderma makanan kepada mereka sebelum melarikan wang dan barangan berharga RM20,000.

Menurutnya, dia tidak menyangka suspek sebagai penjenayah kerana mereka bijak mempedayakannya dengan berpura-pura sebagai penderma.

Katanya, ketika kejadian, dia berada di rumah itu bersama seorang penghuni, Lawrence Joseph, 22, dan pelajar asing dari Universiti Jerman, Sussanne Neiro, 24, yang menjalani latihan bidang sains politik di negara ini.

“Mereka datang dua kali ke sini. Sebelum menyamun, mereka membawa sarapan iaitu roti canai, bungkusan roti dan air minuman kotak untuk didermakan kepada 15 penghuni di rumah ini.

“Kira-kira 10 minit kemudian, suspek datang semula dan kali ini mengugut akan mencederakan kami dengan parang tajam jika enggan menyerahkan wang tunai dan barangan berharga,” katanya ketika ditemui di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata, dia mengikut arahan suspek dengan menyerahkan wang RM10,000 hasil jualan kupon konsert amal rumah itu yang disimpan dalam laci pejabatnya.

Katanya, suspek turut merampas barangan kemas miliknya iaitu seutas rantai emas, sepasang subang emas, cincin dan sebuah komputer riba.

“Sebaik mendapat wang dan barangan berharga berkenaan, suspek melarikan diri dengan menaiki Proton Wira merah hati.“Saya kemudian menghubungi polis. Amat sedih, kami yang cacat anggota ini juga disamun mereka yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu,” katanya.

Gurdip berkata, kehilangan komputer riba miliknya cukup menyedihkan kerana banyak data dan laporan kegiatan pusat itu disimpan di dalamnya.

Sementara itu, Sussanne berkata, pengalaman ngeri berlaku kali pertama dalam hidupnya ketika berada di negara ini sukar dilupakan.

Katanya, golongan kurang upaya perlu dibantu dan bukannya disamun kerana mereka memerlukan pembelaan yang sepatutnya. “Saya takut mereka (penjenayah) guna parang ugut mangsa.

Kejadian begini memberi pengajaran kepada semua. Saya tidak anggap negara ini bahaya. Ini kerja orang tertentu saja.

“Saya gembira melayani orang cacat di pusat ini sejak melapor diri tiga hari lalu sehingga akhir Disember ini,” katanya.

Charity Muhibbah Cultural Concert (Sangeet Swagath) on 1st November 2009 at Plenary Hall KLCC Convention Centre

'It's based more on charity than justice'

2009/10/24

'It's based more on charity than justice' KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) is disappointed with the Budget announced yesterday.

Its president, Anthony Thanasayan, said the Budget was tailored more for able-bodied persons rather than the smaller group of handicapped who comprised 10 per cent of the country's 28-odd million population. Anthony, who is also the Petaling Jaya City Council councillor in charge of disabled persons, said, nonetheless, the 2010 Budget was far better than for 2009.

"The increase from RM50 to RM250 a month in allowance for disabled children is lauded.

However, we have been lobbying for RM300 a month as it will be more meaningful to cover expenses like medication, medical equipment and personal expenses.

"We are disappointed that the Budget is more charity than justice-based. Charity is handouts which appears to leave us out of the 1Malaysia concept.

Aren't we part of it?" Anthony said the allocation for infrastructure should have taken into account proper walkway pavements, elevators and toilets for the disabled and elderly.

"The pavements are not friendly for even the able-bodied. Many are uneven and have obstructions, such as potholes, lamp posts and signboards.

"We need universally-designed pavements that have safety features, like railings to prevent children from falling into the drains."

Anthony also said schools should have proper toilet facilities for disabled children.

He hoped the government would also consider providing free Internet service for the bed-ridden and physically handicapped.

Public transport still inaccessible to disabled

Public transport still inaccessible to disabled


Last week, I was involved in the access audit program for public transportation around Klang Valley.

The purpose of the access audit is to explore whether the public transports are accessible to everyone, especially the disabled people.

Three stations were chosen, namely KL Sentral, Masjid Jamek LRT station and the Kepong KTM station. The three stations were found difficult to access, especially for disabled people, the elderly and foreigners.

For blind people, there are no tactile blocks on the floor inside the building. Perhaps, there were tactile blocks outside building, but it was not built accordingly.

In addition, there were no Braille dots on the handrail and information board. These will cause them problems when not travelling with a caretaker.

Most importantly, the announcement does not show clearly the directions, thus they cannot find their way.

On the other hand, the ramp is not built according to standards for wheelchair users, some ramps are too steep and some ramps are too long. Gaps are found in between the platform; and the ramp is not built at the entrance but at the corner like the one in Masjid Jamek LRT station.

When looking for toilets, there is no clear signage. In fact, the cleaner takes the opportunity to rest and store their things in the disabled toilet units, and the wheelchair users cannot use the toilets. For deaf and dumb users, the stations' signage is not useful.

The colour used for the signage is too dim for them to see them properly. The other problem we found is that the staircases are not painted with contrasting colours and do not have handrails.

This is a disservice to the elderly and disabled.Foreigners will find the signage unhelpful and confusing. For instance, it is hard to understand how to make the switch from the LRT to monorails.

Most importantly, the able bodied often make unacceptable use of the disabled facilities. They take toilets and parking spaces allocated for the disabled and prevent the truly deserving from using them.

Meaningful Deepavali

Thursday October 22, 2009

Meaningful Deepavali
WHEEL POWERBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

It’s good to ponder over life’s many blessings, no matter what our circumstance.

THE recent Festival of Lights celebrations touched many hearts and lives. This was especially so for members of the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor.

R. Murugan. 35, has come a long way since he first stayed at the centre seven years ago.

Stricken with polio at the age of two, Murugan recalls what a struggle it was for him to grow up as a physically disabled person in his hometown in Port Dickson. He never went to school and could not afford a wheelchair.

Fortunately, he found an able-bodied woman who loved him and married him. The couple were struggling to make ends meet when they heard about ILTC and decided to make a trip to Rawang.

“We gave Murugan and his family some of the provisions donated to our centre,” said Francis Siva, 50, president of ILTC. “Later we helped him find a low-cost flat and got him a wheelchair.”
Murugan started a titbits stall to support his family. But because he did not apply for a licence, he soon found himself in trouble with the law when the local council raided his outfit.

But after dialogues with the council – together with the intervention of ILTC – Majlis Perbandaran Selayang built a special stall for him to continue his business.

Murugan is proud of his stall. “Although life is a constant struggle, I am able to send my kids to school and put food on the table, and that’s what matters,” he said.

K. Letchumy, 24, is one of the most talkative members at ILTC. However, she was never like that until she came to the centre six years ago.

Born with cerebral palsy, Letchumy spent her days alone in the family flat in Shah Alam, Selangor, when her mother went off to work in a factory and her siblings went to school.
One day, the family heard about ILTC on a radio programme, and contacted the centre.

Today, Letchumy is a different person. She not only helps to take calls at the centre but also cooks, sews and motivates newly disabled persons who visit the centre.

For the first time, Letchumy was able to bring home gifts for her family for Deepavali, through her hard-earned money, working at the centre.

S. Bathmawathy, 26, from Taman Bukit Rawang became paralysed after a surgery.

The single mother whose husband abandoned her after her paralysis, failed in her efforts to seek medical attention locally.

After seeing an orthopaedic specialist in India recommended by ILTC, she was referred to a specialist in Malaysia who performed surgery on her.

Miraculously, Bathmawathy could walk again after the surgery. She says she will never forget the support she got from ILTC during her difficult times. Bathmawathy, who is looking for a job, makes it a point to drop by the centre regularly to encourage other members.

She spent her Deepavali with her mum, recalling all the good things they were thankful for in life.

With the national budget around the corner, Francis says it is his Deepavali wish that the government will come up with an allocation of RM500 a month for all disabled persons in the country.

The ILTC is having a Charity Muhibbah Cultural Show on Nov 1 at the KLCC Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur to raise funds for a new training centre in Rawang. Tickets for the musical performance from India are priced at RM50 and RM100.

For details, please call 019-338 5959 (Francis) or 012-695 6786 (Rina).

Deepavali Greetings From President of Independent Living & Training Centre.

Deepavali Greetings From President of Independent Living & Training Centre.

Dear Friends, Wishing everyone a very happy diwali !!!!!!!
May this festival of light brings joy & happiness to you & your family.

From,
Mr. G. Francis Siva
President

Ms. Rina - Secretary of ILTC
Independent Living & Training Centre

Happy Diwali, The word "Diwali" is the corruption of the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" - Deepa meaning light and Avali, meaning a row. Diwali date changes every year as the day is calculated according to the position of the moon. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being . The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal.

DISABLED AND ELDERLY TO GET FREE DOG LICENSES IN S'GOR SOON

Courtesy from PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

DISABLED AND ELDERLY TO GET FREE DOG LICENSES IN S'GOR SOON

GOOD NEWS FOR PET OWNERS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE ELDERLY!
Local councils in Selangor State may very well give them free dog licenses in the near future.This was announced by YB Ronnie Liu, the Selangor State Executive Councillor at MBPJ's Dog Forum at the Petaling Jaya Library this morning. The response came from Liu after a unanimous call from about 300 hundred participants who included disabled persons who were blind and wheelchair-bound. "Discounts for the elderly and the handicapped are certainly something that the Selangor Government can easily afford," pointed out Dr Chandra Muzaffar, the forum's keynote speaker and adviser to Petpositive.
Other issues brought up by participants was the need to create dog-parks in Malaysia, revise the Animal Ordinance Act of 1953 and start a spay and neuter facility in PJ.

The End.

CHARITY MUHIBBAH CULTURAL CONCERT (SANGEET SWAGATH) 1ST NOVEMBER 2009 PLENARY HALL KLCC CONVENTION CENTRE

In Today's Tamil Nesan.

CHARITY MUHIBBAH CULTURAL CONCERT (SANGEET SWAGATH) 1ST NOVEMBER 2009 PLENARY HALL KLCC CONVENTION CENTRE.

YA Bhg. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor accepted our invitation to grace this function. The aim of this charity concert is to raise funds for ILTC.

Training disabled people for better jobs

Wednesday October 7, 2009

Training disabled people for better jobs

KUCHING: More disabled people will be gainfully employed with the setting up of an information communication technology (ICT) training centre for them, said Sarawak Social Development and Urbanisation Minister Datuk Seri William Mawan.

Highlighting the low employment rate among disabled people in the private sector, he called on employers to recruit those who acquire skills at the centre.

Speaking at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Yayasan Salam Malaysia and the Sarawak Blind Association and the launch of the ACCESS@SSBlind ICT Centre here, he said the state welcomed assistance from non-governmental organisations in training disabled people and organising social activities.

Yayasan Salam Malaysia is undertaking 10 initiatives worth RM300,000 in Sabah and Sarawak this year, including ICT centres at Samariang Batu and Kampung Bogag in Bau near here.

Bernama

PM invites public to give ideas for budget 2010 - www.1malaysia.com.my.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has invited Malaysians to give ideas and suggestions for the 2010 Budget that he will table in parliament on Oct 23.

Suggestions should be specific and focus on how we can move to become a high level income nation and also relate to the six NKRAs (National Key Result Areas),said in his blog www.1malaysia.com.my.

Joyous Raya

Thursday October 1, 2009


Joyous Raya

Three disabled persons were in the thick of things during the long festive break.

LAST week’s long Raya break had three of my disabled chums – all of them paralysed from the neck down – involved in a variety of activities.

My newest pal, Ahmad Daniel Sharani, had the wonderful opportunity of celebrating Aidilfitri with one of his relatives in Kuala Lumpur.

The 33-year-old, who lives in Petaling Jaya, had wanted to spend the night at this special relative’s home. The opportunity came on Raya’s eve when he was invited to his relative’s apartment.

As it turned out, Daniel and his family were not the only ones there. “Much to our surprise, there were other relatives – about 20 of us,” said Daniel. However, he was the only wheelchair-user in the group.

Despite the condominium being located on top of a hill, Daniel was pleased to be greeted by a wheelchair-friendly ramp in the building.

“The ramp leading into the condo was pretty good. It was smooth all the way with a gentle climb for wheelchairs,” he observed.

The bathroom in his relative’s apartment, however, was another story. Daniel was not able to get his wheelchair through the bathroom’s narrow entrance, making his stay a little difficult.

“But the inconvenience did not spoil the magic of watching Arsenal thrash Wigan 4-0. It was a double cause for celebration for me,” said Daniel who became disabled in February 1994.

A teenager then, Daniel was riding pillion with his best friend when a car came out of nowhere and crashed into them. His chum was killed instantly. Daniel became paralysed.

“I am disappointed to note the slow pace at which buildings are being made disabled-friendly.

The authorities concerned should hasten this and not give anymore excuses,” said Daniel, who works as a writer and part-time editor.

For Chong Tuck Meng who became paralysed after falling off a motorbike in 1982, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s open house was his first public Raya visit since his accident.

The disabled activist from Bentong, Pahang, who founded the country’s spinal cord injuries association called “Perwira K9 Malaysia”, called on the PM last Sunday.

“I was the only one in a wheelchair there, but I was thrilled to be part of the crowd that came to wish the PM Selamat Hari Raya,” said Chong, 47.

“It was a delight to see the older generation and visitors with walking problems not having to line up with the crowd. They were given special buggy rides to the entrance of the building.

“I was most delighted to be able to meet and shake the hands of many Cabinet Ministers at the do. Along with the ample food spread, goodie bags were also making their rounds.

It was a terrific outing for me. I hope that more disabled Malaysians will make themselves visible so that society will be more mindful of our existence and rights,” added Chong.

On a less cheery note, Francis Siva of the Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, Selangor, had to call off all his open house visits to attend to a resident at the centre who was hospitalised. The resident fell into a coma shortly after.

“The physically disabled are among the most vulnerable during emergency situations as what happened to our member.

Even though our resident remains in critical condition, it was fortunate that he was with us, and that we could rush him to the hospital,” said Francis who was crippled in a car accident 23 years ago.

According to Francis, 49, many physically disabled Malaysians are in the dark about their conditions and how to care for themselves.

“They lack transportation facilities to hospitals despite the availability of ambulances, and often seek treatment only when their situation becomes critical.

“Our Raya wish is to see more disabled persons being educated about health issues. We would like to see the Government allocate more funds towards the cost of medication.

“Even though the disabled are given free treatment at government hospitals and clinics, the reality is that they often have to pay for medication purchased from outside clinics as these drugs are not available in government hospitals. This is certainly not right,” added Francis.

Guidelines for toilets for the disabled

Wednesday September 30, 2009



Guidelines for toilets for the disabled
By TAN KARR WEI

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has come up with design guidelines for toilets meant for the disabled.

According to a statement issued by the MBPJ public relations department, the guidelines were prepared as a result of a site visit by the MBPJ Disabled Technical Committee to several old folk’s and handicapped children’s homes in Petaling Jaya.

The committee had discovered that the toilet facilities provided by many of these homes did not comply with the specifications set by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim).

Among the problems identified were that the size of the toilets were too small, there were no hand rails, the toilet bowls were too high or too low and some cubicles were not equipped with emergency alarms.

The MBPJ guidelines were drafted according to the exist­­ing Malaysian Standard (MS 1184 : 2002) - Code of Practice on Access for Disabled Persons to Public Buildings by Sirim, the Guidelines on Buildings Requirements For Disabled Persons and overseas design samples.
The design requirements for the toilets are:

• The size of the toilets should be at least 4.5 sq metres and the minimum size should be 2.13m by 2.13m;


• Toilet doors should be at least 900mm in width;


• Toilet seats should be 475mm from the floor;


• Wall mirror should be 1.15m from the floor and at a slant of between 5° and 10° (this requirement is not mentioned in the MS 1184 guideline)


• Hand rails by the toilet seat should be at 800mm from the floor and should be adjustable;


• Door handles must be 500m from the floor and the length of the handles should be 900m and fixed at the edge of the door;


• Emergency alarms must be fitted, with one emergency cord next to the toilet seat and one by the sink, an emergency siren and light beacon fitted inside of the toilet;


• Tissue holders should be next to the toilet seat, at a distance of 500mm

Erward Aims To Raise RM50,000 For Special Children's Home

September 25, 2009 16:52 PM

Erward Aims To Raise RM50,000 For Special Children's Home

By: Ramjit

SANDAKAN, Sept 25 (Bernama) Being physically challenged is not a hindrance for athlete Edward Taning from carving his name in the Malaysia Book of Records and raising fund for a special children's home.

Edward, who is partially paralysed, will undertake a project by walking 322 km backwards from here to Kota Kinabalu to collect RM500,000 for the Pusat Seri Mengasih Fund, which houses 130 special children.

The 48-year-old, who hails from Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, will start the feat tomorrow which is expected to take 15 days involving 15 stops through each district he passes.

Edward said he hoped to prove that his disabilities would not stop him from realising his dream.

"I aim to walk for 10 hours starting at 4am and complete between 26km to 30km each day," he said after his final training at Padang Bandaran, here on Friday.

Edward, who has undergone four months' of training for the feat, will be assisted by his manager, Dorinis Balantis.

The Sabah Ministry Of Community Development and Consumer Affairs is the sponsor of the project.In 1992, Edward set a record for walking for 61 hours, starting from Inanam to the peak of Mount Kinabalu.

BERNAMA

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION

Thursday, September 24, 2009

on behalf of all members, I express our sincere thanks and appreciation for your kind contribution of 16 tyres towards usage of the independent living & training centre.
We appreciate the promptness from Continental Sime Tyre PJ Sdn. Bhd. Kind regards and best wishes to all those who helped us.

Yours truly,

Mr. Francis Siva
President of ILTC

Community Based Practice Symposium 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Community Based Practice Symposium 2009: Rehabilitation in Malaysia at Auditorium 1 & 2, Plenary Hall and Lt 3132, Created By Monash University Sunway Campus.

Description: The 1-day symposium showcases the placement activities and health promotion projects carried out by the MBBS Year 2 students with community partners of Monash University Sunway Campus. They also had a panel discussion on Rehabilitation in Malaysia and exhibitions by the community agencies in creating awareness of their functions.

Organised By: School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

ILTC Wishes All Muslims Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

ILTC WISHING ALL MUSLIMS SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI…..MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN….

Tuesday September 15, 2009

MPK to tow or clamp cars parked at lots for the disabled
By CHRISTINA TAN

THE Klang Municipal Council (MPK) may clamp and tow cars to stop the misuse of parking bays marked for disabled people.

Council president Mislan Tugiu said many motorists still parked their vehicles at the spaces meant for the disabled despite knowing that this was an offence and they could be fined.

He said the council was studying more effective measures, such as clamping and towing, to curb errant motorists.

It is wrong for motorists to park in a space reserved for the disabled, he said.

Mislan said 3,436 summonses had been issued to motorists for parking at spaces meant for the disabled from January to August.

He said the clamping and towing measures were being studied and would be discussed at the council’s full board meeting soon.

Mislan also warned that the council would revoke the licences of traders found using the disabled parking lots.

The council had received complaints from several disabled groups that they could not use the space meant for them in several commercial areas as traders had occupied the lots.

Mislan said he had ordered his enforcement team to make spot checks to prevent irresponsible people from misusing facilities meant for the disabled.

“The disabled should also display the stikers on their cars for easier identification,” he said.

In a related development, Mislan said the council would form a committee to look into the welfare of the disabled people under the council’s jurisdiction.

He said the committee, to be chaired by him or the councillors, would find ways to improve facilities and infrastructure in the town for the disabled people.

Note: I am sharing what was shared with me

Note: I am sharing what was shared with me.

"இறைவன் மனிதனுக்குச் சொன்னது கீதை, மனிதன் இறைவனுக்குச் சொன்னது திருவாசகம், மனிதன் மனிதனுக்குச் சொன்னது திருக்குறள்"

Special stickers for the disabled in Selangor

Saturday September 12, 2009

Special stickers for the disabled in Selangor
By GEETHA KRISHNAN

SPECIAL stickers for the disabled, enabling them to park their vehicles for free in public car parks all over Selangor, can now be obtained from their respective local authorities.

The state government has printed 500 of these stickers for each local authority in the state.

It is issued free to those with various types of disabilities, nerve disorders, those with children with learning disabilities and those with a combination of several disabilities.

However, the blind and deaf do not qualify.

Kajang municipal councillor Lee Learn Eng clarified that the disabled could approach only one local authority for the special sticker and its validity would expire at the end of 2010.

“There are two types of stickers – one which can be displayed in vehicles, and the other, a mobile sticker for them to use if they intend to travel in other vehicles.

“The stickers have multi-coloured dots visible only under ultra-violet rays to prevent forgery,” he said at a press conference at Menara MPKj on Friday.

“To register for the stickers, we need a photocopy of the individual’s MyKad, OKU Card issued by the Welfare Department, driving licence and two passport-sized photographs.

“If the sticker is lost or misplaced, we will impose a RM30 fine and suspend the sticker privileges for three months,” he added.

Lee said the free parking facility was applicable only to the disabled and not their family members and friends.

Misuse of the stickers will result in the respective local authority issuing parking summonses.
So far, 10 of the special stickers have been issued by the MPKj.

Those intending to apply for the stickers are urged to visit the council’s Community Services Depart-ment on Level 6.

Also present at the press conference were councillors Ong Seng Peng and P. Narayanan.

Get the disabled involved in the scheme

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 09:22:00

‘Get the disabled involved in the scheme’

Submitted by amir azree

disabled Local

S. JEYARAJ, 31, a committee member of the Independent Living and Training Centre, is disabled and wheelchair bound due to an occupational injury.

The accident happened on Jan 3, 2006, when he was working as an engineering technician in Singapore. The incident dislocated his spinal bone and he became paralysed.

“This kind of programme is definitely welcome and will surely benefit the disabled. However such programmes are not something easily conducted and the organisation that runs it must take it seriously,” Jeyaraj said.

According to him, it is important to decide who will be the managers handling the programmes.

“I’m sure the programme will be more successful when the disabled people themselves are involved in running them. They must also carefully choose those who really need such programmes.”

Minister comes under fire for disabled mindset comment

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 09:13:00

Minister comes under fire for disabled mindset comment

Disabled never said they are not interested in work, says Petpositive on new Socso plan

G. Prakash

THANASAYAN: We are disappointed with the minister’s statementHUMAN Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam has come under fire for saying a new Social Security Organisation (Socso) plan will “help change the disabled people’s mindset so they do not to depend solely on their Socso disability pension”.

“We are disappointed with the statement,” Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) president Anthony Thanasayan said.

“We disabled people never said we are not interested to work, or that we only want to depend on the Socso disability pension. It’s hard for a normal person to look for a job... imagine what the disabled will have to go through,” he said.

Thanasayan said the Socso plan to launch the “Return to Work” rehabilitation programme for the disabled would not be an easy task to accomplish.

However, the minister is of the opinion that the programme would help disabled people regain some of their abilities and also retrain them for new employment opportunities upon recovery.

Added Thanasayan: “The working environment should be conducive for the disabled community. It should be disabled people friendly.”

Crime-on-wheelchair spree ended

Wednesday September 9, 2009



Crime-on-wheelchair spree ended
By WINNIE YEOH

GEORGE TOWN: Being wheelchair-bound was not a deterrent for a 27-year-old man who went on a crime spree, using a rock to smash the side windows of cars and stealing items in the vehicles.

He was caught red-handed at the parking lot of Bellisa Row in Pulau Tikus here at 3.45am on Monday following a tip-off from the public.

Police found in his possession a Kenwood CD player, an equaliser, two screwdrivers, a mobile phone, a charger and some cash.

Penang deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the man had broken into a Perodua Kelisa and a Proton Wira before he was arrested.

“We nabbed him on the spot following information from the public. We have confiscated the stolen goods and also his wheelchair.

“The man, who is single, receives RM150 monthly allowance from the Social Welfare Department. He lives with his sister in Tanjung Bungah,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

He said the suspect has records for two previous thefts.

The man has been remanded until today.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to seven years, a fine or both upon conviction.

Meaningful Merdeka

Thursday September 3, 2009

Meaningful Merdeka

WHEEL POWER
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

MERDEKA means different things to different people. Whilst many of my friends chose to celebrate with dinners and parties, I wanted to do something special to commemorate the occasion.

And so, there I was in my wheelchair last Sunday on the eve of our nation’s 52nd birthday, strolling along the pavement in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya.

It was very late at night and I was alone with my service dog Biman. I enjoyed the personal freedom. I had the freedom to go from one place to another on a 500m stretch of pavement that was recently constructed for wheelchairs and prams.

I was free to get somewhere without my car. I could go to a church, temple, park and a row of shops that were within the boundaries of the pavement.

This was the first Merdeka that I could do this as the disabled-friendly pathway was not in place last year.

As for my service dog, he provided me with the freedom of knowing that I was safe. No one would want to mess around with a large German Shepherd. Biman III is a fully-trained canine and he is a great help in pulling my wheelchair over the steep parts of the slopes.

As Biman and I stopped to soak in the cool of the evening, I couldn’t help feeling proud of the pavement which to my knowledge is the first of its kind in the country.

Called a universal design pavement, it is a pet project by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to create a barrier-free city for everyone. The pathway will ensure an obstruction-free passage for the disabled and the elderly.

To show how serious the MBPJ is in its disabled-friendly plans for the city, the heads of departments from the engineering and planning units joined me at the site last week.

We walked the length of the pathway and checked every nook and corner to ensure that there were no glitches in the design.

The pathway is scheduled to be launched on International Disabled Day in December.

The need to provide such disabled-friendly designs cannot be overemphasised as the population ages. Medical experts say that along with old age, disability is often inevitable.

Local councils across the country need to be forward thinking in their town planning and start including disabled-friendly facilities that have been stipulated in our building-by laws since a decade ago.

It is often the lack of facilities that make the handicapped a “burden” in our society.

I was shocked to receive a complaint by a leader of an NGO representing the disabled when they visited the Welfare Department in Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, last week.

The NGO which works with rural disabled people took two of its members to the office to apply for financial aid.

When they got there, they could not find any reserved parking for the disabled and had to park about 200m from the building.

The disabled-friendly toilet did not have a door; it only had a torn plastic curtain to serve as a screen. There were no grab bars or wash basin and soap.

When they complained to the person in charge, their concerns was not taken seriously. The excuse given was that the building does not belong to the Welfare Department.

Such attitudes only serve to dampen the Merdeka spirit.

MACC gets wildlife memos

Saturday August 29, 2009

MACC gets wildlife memos

By YENG AI CHUN
KUALA LUMPUR: A group of animal rights activists has submitted documents to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to back their allegations against the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

The documents allegedly show Perhilitan deputy director-general Misliah Mohamad Basir endorsing the renewal of special permits for convicted wildlife trafficker Anson Wong.

The endorsement later led to the approval of the special permits by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.

Paper trail: This letter about an application to export tigers is among the documents handed over to the MACC.

Malaysian Animal Rights Society president N. Surendran said the documents were dated 1998 to 2003 and were correspondence between Misliah, who was the then Penang Perhilitan director-general, with the head office in Kuala Lumpur.

“During that time, Wong was in prison in the United States for wildlife smuggling. How can the permits be renewed for a man who is in jail for wildlife smuggling?” asked Surendran as he showed the letters bearing Misliah’s signature to reporters.

“We believe the special permits were used as a cover to facilitate wildlife smuggling all over the world. It is embarrassing that Malaysia is helping Wong with his smuggling activities.”

He showed reporters a letter dated March 24, 1998 in which the ministry approved Wong’s request to have a tiger shipped to Higashi Tsukuba Utopia Zoological Garden in Japan.

The group checked and could not find any information on the zoo, and yet Wong now had permits from Perhilitan to keep two tigers.

Surendran called on the ministry to abolish the special permits.

Pet Positive president and PJ councillor Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan demanded that Misliah be sacked to restore confidence in Perhilitan.

On Aug 14, the group filed reports with the commission, urging it to probe allegations of Perhilitan’s link with Wong made by author Bryan Christy in his book The Lizard King.

On the same day, Misliah dismissed the group’s claims.

She said the signatures on the documents were forged and that Wong had complied with local laws and had the necessary licences.

The others who accompanied Surendran and Anthony were Malaysia Animal Welfare Society president Shenaaz Khan, SPCA Selangor chairman Christine Chin, Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva and two MPs – S. Manikavasagam (Kapar) and M. Manogaran (Teluk Intan).

Flash News: Malaysian First Disabled Senator Sudden Death

First Disabled Senator, Prof Datuk Dr Ismail Md Salleh, who is blind, created history in Malaysia when he became the first disabled person to be appointed a senator died on a flight from China to Singapore. He was 61.