Joyous news

Thursday June 17, 2010

Joyous news

LAST Saturday, MBPJ launched its “Facilities for the Urban Poor Programme” targeted at the poor, disabled, and elderly.

The event was held at a popular market next to the Jumhuriyah mosque in Taman Dato Harun. The VIP for the day, Taman Medan assemblyman Haniza Mohd Talha, arrived long before the people did.

About 150 people turned up. Talking to some of them later, I found out how excited they were about the special project. The disabled and the elderly were thrilled to learn about MBPJ’s wheelchair-friendly vans. They had no idea that the vehicles existed or that the handicapped could request for them free-of-charge.

“Thank God I don’t need to put up with cabbies who always complain when I have to take my invalid mother to the hospital,” said a female resident. “Cabbies not only make a fuss about wheelchairs but they also refuse to help me put it in the booth,” she explained, adding that with the special van and its hydraulic lift, her mother could easily be lifted into the vehicle without any problem.

I was reminded of the time I visited a 70-year-old man in a low-cost flat some weeks ago. A heart operation had left him semi-paralysed. He lay in bed all day while his elderly wife sold titbits outside their flat to make ends meet. He had trouble going to the toilet which was not designed for the handicapped. He had no wheelchair even though he had approached various charities for help.

I met another elderly woman with a similar predicament. A diabetic, she was unable to walk because of the wounds on her heels.

Fortunately for me, my fellow councillor Tang Fuie Koh offered to donate wheelchairs to the senior citizens.The wheelchairs were rushed to them. The reception we got when we arrived at their homes was heart-warming.

The elderly gentleman dropped what he was doing and got into the wheelchair. He was so excited and smiled non-stop.

The elderly lady was so happy that she burst into tears of joy. I heard later that she got out of her tiny apartment every now and then to enjoy some sun and fresh air.

Even though we received the sad news of her passing recently, we will never forget how a wheelchair made her last days so joyous. We realised how a simple act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life.

One of MBPJ’s projects is to fix the bathrooms of disabled and elderly persons, for free, if they are not wheelchair-friendly.

The day ended with the MBPJ team headed by Puan Sharipah Marhaini, head of planning, making a quick visit to the mosque next door.

We were pleased to find proper ramps in the building. However, there were no disabled-friendly toilets. We decided to install one each for the ladies and the gentlemen so that they can fulfil their religious obligations in greater comfort. We also identified a suitable parking spot for the handicapped. This will be constructed with an overhead shelter to protect users from the harsh elements.

Indeed, there were plenty of reasons that day for everyone to beam from ear to ear. From the looks of it, they will keep on smiling as the local council continues to push forward in its new vision for Petaling Jaya.

A thought for senior citizens and the disabled

Friday June 11, 2010

A thought for senior citizens and the disabled

SENIOR citizens and disabled persons can expect more efforts by the Government to increase job opportunities for them.

For the former, the Government will continue its 100% tax rebate on costs to retrain older persons to encourage greater employment opportunities.

This is in line with the projected increase of those aged above 60 from two million in 2009 to 3.4 million by 2020.

Under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP), the database on employment opportunities for older persons under Jobs Malaysia would be promoted more actively. Jobs Malaysia is an automated online job matching system provided by the Human Resources Ministry, launched on May 30 2002.

While day care centres for senior citizens, established in partnership with NGOs, would be expanded, access to healthcare would also continue to be improved through provision of free transport to hospitals and clinics by the Social Welfare Department.

As for the disabled, the Government will actively pursue its target of getting them 1% of the jobs in the civil service.

Existing programmes such as Job Coach would be broadened to assist the disabled in seeking and retaining positions in open employment through ICT programmes such as an electronic labour exchange system operated by the Labour Department.

Retired teacher Doreen Chan lauded the move to promote the employment of senior citizens.

“If given the opportunity, I don’t mind offering my services to the Government again as long as it is within my field,” said a 63-year-old who taught English at a primary school in Kuala Lumpur.

Responding to the initiatives for the disabled, Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan welcomed the targeted 1% disabled employment in the civil service.

“However, this target will not be reached unless office buildings are made disabled-friendly.”

Metta Hermitage Meditation Society Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan celebrated Vesak Day at Metta Forest Hermitage, Batu Arang, Selangor.

Last 28th May 2010 - Metta Hermitage Meditation Society Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan celebrated Vesak Day 2010 at Metta Forest Hermitage, Batu Arang, Selangor. The members from ILTC wishes many many thanks to Guru and Members of the Metta Hermitage and well wishers who generously donated towards ILTC for the Wesak 2010 celebrations.

Wesak Day 2010 Guruji giving his Wesak Day speech

Support for the needy
Vegetarian lunch

Dr. Choong opening the Mugalin Zendo Court

See more photos from Wesak Day 2010

Civil service lagging in employing the disabled

Tuesday June 15, 2010

Civil service lagging in employing the disabled

IPOH: Only six agencies have complied with a circular which stipulates that government agencies need to allocate 1% of its total workforce for the disabled.

Development of Persons with Dis-abilities department director Noraini Hashim said 581 disabled people had joined the civil service since the circular was issued in 2008.

Of these, 97 were employed by welfare departments in various states.

“There are various reasons why the agencies could not fulfil the 1% quota. One is that the type of job applied for by the disabled person did not meet the agency’s requirements,” she said after opening a seminar on building and public infrastructure for disabled persons.

There were also cases where the agencies felt the disabled person was not competent for the jobs.

State Economic Planning Unit director Datuk Abu Bakar Said, who represented Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, opened the one-day seminar.

Urging government department heads to take heed of the abilities of the disabled, Noraini said the department hoped 90% of the agencies would fill the 1% quota by 2012.

“It may be a tall order but we will work aggressively towards that,” she added.

Noraini said the private sector fared better when dealing with disabled people with over 17,000 having been employed.

To help mediate between disabled persons and prospective employers, the department has established a job coaching system.

“We hope to have a job coach for each state in the country,” she said, adding that five coaches were currently undergoing training in Japan.

PJ Mosque To Become Disabled-Friendly

Story courtesy by Petpositive

Monday, June 14, 2010

PJ Mosque To Become Disabled-Friendly

DATELINE MASJID JUMHURIYAH, TAMAN DATO HARUN:

Worshippers with disabilities as well as the elderly at the well-known mosque here will soon be able to fulfill their religious obligations with greater comfort.

The good news was revealed last Saturday. This was after a team of experts from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) visited the house of worship for Muslims to check on its disabled-friendly facilities.

The access-audit began from the point worshippers approached the building to how they would go inside.

Thanasayan thrilled by ramp at the front of the mosque

The group was led by the director of planning Puan Sharipah Marhaini and councillor Anthony SB Thanasayan.

"Although the present ramp into the mosque isn't a hundred percent perfect, most people will still be able to use it without much difficulty," observed a pleased Thanasayan after he and the team spent about 45 minutes assessing the building.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that the ramp was built at the main entrance of the mosque and not hidden away at the back as this adds on to the dignity of the disabled and elderly whose entrances must always be in front of the building," added Thanasayan who also serves as chairman of the disability expert team in the local council. Puan Sharipah tackled the carpark area to the mosque.

Assisted by Mr Francis Siva, a tetraplegic, from the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor who also sits in MBPJ's disability expert team, the director of planning managed to identify a suitable spot at the entrance of the mosque's compound to place the handicapped parking.

"Users with special needs will be protected from the elements to make life easier for them" - Sharipah

The promised to get it duly covered too, so as to protect users from the harsh elements such as the sun and rain.

However, the major addition to the mosque that day would be a handicapped-friendly restroom each for men and women.

"Instead of subjecting our target groups to share a toilet, a separate toilet for both sexes would further add to the dignity of the person," said Dr Melasutra Md Dali who is the councillor- in-charge of the area. Also present with her were fellow MBPJ councillors Encik Halimey Bin Abu Bakar from Zone 24 and R Selvarajan from Zone 14.

The visit to the mosque was part of a major outreach event by MBPJ last week to reach out to the poor, disabled and the elderly in Petaling Jaya.

It was initiated by the State Assemblyman for Taman Medan Haniza Mohd Talha.

The first-time effort will see MBPJ literally knocking on the doors of the poorest houses in PJ in an attempt to reach out to the most unfortunate communities.

The effort has drawn lots of praises from many quarters.

Note: Pictures courtesy from ILTC.

A dozen of Students (Diploma in Physiotheraph) from the College Of Allied Health Sciences (Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu)

A dozen of Students (Diploma in Physiotheraph) from the College Of Allied Health Sciences (Kolej Sains Kesihatan Bersekutu) Sg. Buloh, Selangor Darul Ehsan were underdoing their practical training in ILTC for two weeks.
The reasons of the training to learn more deeply as well as develop their skills of doing and able to carry out systhematic assessment skills, plan physioterapy program safety and effectively. President had describe the various roles with holistic manner of a physiotherapy in rehabilitation for quadriplegic. President have put together just a few of his past interesting testimonies at Hospital Kuala Lumpur ...

Just a quick note to update

Just a quick note to update

A true short story from the personal experience - A Memorable Journey

Wow! What a wonderful experience and services provided by Automobile Association of Malaysia

Last Sunday, we were about 10 people from ILTC went to Kuala Lumpur. Suddently our ILTC Van was breakdown at Ipoh Road at near Taman Wahyu, Batu Caves at 7.00pm and we were fear, panic, worried and stuck in the van.

We immediately managed to reach the AAM, Malaysia’s No: 1 emergency and breakdown assistance service provider and almost within 45 minutes they offered a very Excellence services last Sunday towards disabled person from ILTC.

We were delighted with their assistance on-the-spot of caring and deliver excellent service to a critical situation. We are very happy and most helpful by your AAM's friendly staff.

Thank you,

From,

G. Sivasangararao
President
Independent Living & Training Centre
48000 Rawang
Selangor Darul Ehsan.

As you can see, below some pictures.

TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS AT THE KLIA-LCCT

TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBILITY FOR DISABLED PASSENGERS AT THE KLIA-LCCT

Last week on 19th May 2010, we (advocators - Mr. Anthony Thanasayan, Mr. Anthony Leopold, Ms. Rina and Mr. Francis Siva) had a serious fruitful meeting with Mr. Moses Devanayagam, Director of Operations and Mr. Eddie Tan, Ground Operations at AirAsia Office, Level 1 LCCT, Sepang whereby to discuss for better mobility and comfort for the airline’s disabled passengers. In the meeting we had emphasized the issue of disabled passengers were physically carried by AirAsia’s ground staff to board the aircraft and how dangerous to carrying a disabled person up or down the flight of limited width plane stairs. During discussions Mr. Moses & Mr. Eddie have briefly explained about AirAsia Bhd and many other important related issues towards us. He also shares to us on providers of Ambulift Facility for Disabled Passengers at the low cost carrier terminal (LCCT) and up to four disabled passengers are allowed on a flight, and two of them can be quadriplegics due to safety reasons. According to him, installation of the facility still is in talks with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to provide free aerobridge use for disabled passengers at airports that do not have ambulifts.

At the same time, the AirAsia management already decided to waive RM12 charge for using the wheelchairs at the airport. I believe these issues have been resolved. However, we noticed that at LCCT Airports need to improve airport facilities and provide level walkways and designated car parks for the disabled.

We also had raised how ongoing training modules to assist disabled passengers training for the cabin crew and staff to give them a better understanding of “disability” issues.

After the meeting was ended we were given a tour of the AirAsia terminal.

Disappointed with Gombak District & Land officer Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad

Disappointed with Gombak District and Land officer Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad.


Below you can see a series of pictures showing of the meeting with Gombak District and Land officer Ahmad Zaharin Mohd Saad at Selayang Land office which was held on Friday, 3.00pm. (21/05/2010)

Shame On You Mr District Officer For Slamming A Quadriplegic!

Courtesy from PET+BLOGSPOT

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Shame On You Mr District Officer For Slamming A Quadriplegic!

aNt's aNgle: So it appears as if the Gombak district land office is fighting back now.

According to StarMetro, the district land officer is finding faults with Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) president Francis Siva over his so-called "aggressive approach" when he dropped by the building last week.

He is quoted by the newspapers as not only "wanted to show his power" but "protesting for his own personal reason."

It is so easy for insensitive non disabled people to quickly label the handicapped as trouble-causers, is it not? Particularly for people who refuse to be mollycoddled and insulted about their disabilities.

What kind of "power" does Francis wield, one wonders? Especially when you consider that he is paralysed from his neck down. He can't put on his clothes by himself and requires able-bodied people to carry him from his wheelchair to his bed and everywhere else.

If you ask me, if anyone deserves an award (such as a Datukship) it is Francis. It is simply amazing how this individual - who was an able-bodied person until an accident changed his life forever - has been helping other more disadvantaged persons than himself.

If Francis was only interested about his personal matter as the now, most dishonorable district officer put it, he would have done only just that. Instead he and his team went and checked out the entire facilities and found it to be a farce.

By that I mean, giving the impression that the disabled's needs have been taken care of when instead what they had done was simply appalling.

I wonder why it took as long as five years (this is when the 'disabled-friendly features' were installed) before they got to realise that women with disabilities had no access to the public toilet.

Did they expect them to wear diapers and somehow 'manage' every time someone came over to the the land office?

Would any able-bodied woman accept that for themselves?

What was also most unprofessional of the land officer was that he chose to disparage Francis even without meeting him first. He also did not bother to find out what had happened from the aggrieved party before the department decided to launch their attack against the ILTC.

Then of course, the most surprising thing. Francis and his team met up with the district officer on Friday. Apparently that meeting was more congenial.

According to Francis, the district officer denied saying anything negative about the ILTC - which was highlighted in Sinar by then. He is said to have expressed his regret over what had happened and said he wanted to do everything he can to make things right.

He even went on to the point of saying that action would be taken against the front-desk staff who mistreated them.

According to Francis, the district officer said that he would be giving up his car park for the handicapped.

Now this all looked very good until the report in The Star the next day.

So one can understand why the disabled community would view the district officer's statement as nothing but empty promises.

DO, shame on you for conducting the press conference against the ILTC. This is not the way forward neither is it the way to respond to issues of people with disabilities.

The Gombak Districk Office should come clean and apologise to Francis and his intrepid team of wheelchairs for launching a press conference against them.

This is the only way forward and the way to work together.

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