We were protested at Kuala Langat Local Council

12 disabled members from the Independent Living and Training centre (ILTC) and The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) we staged a strong protest in front of the Kuala Langat Local Council on Friday and led by ILTC President, G. Francis Siva, and secretary P. Rina Kaur. We (Disabled Groups) Were Protested Against The Killing And Murder Of Innocent Dogs By Kuala Langat Local Council (Majlis Daerah Kuala Langat) Who Acted In Haste And Unprofessionally. We were shocked and disappointed to hear about the nine dogs that were put to sleep by authorities last Sunday. We urge the Selangor Government and State Local Government Committee Chairman Ronnie Liu call for full investigation and want those responsible to be punished. During the meeting YDP Abdul Razak Jaafar from District Council said that, the dogs could not be controlled. Due to that, they had to put them down for the saftey of their staff.

The explaination were unacceptable and a case of murder. We demanded an explanation and expressed dissatisfaction over the action. We know that, Rottweilers are one of the best breeds in the world for the disabled person and loyalty

We also raised question that, why local council did not request help from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) when it carried out its exercise to handle the dog problem.

Finally, we went to met Kuala Langat Police Cheif Assistant Commissinoner Nordin Manan to verify the Local Council YDP Razak statement towards the blames Police issuing order to kill.

Nordin denies the statement.

Now we know that, who is the culprit !!!!!!!

It’s a very disappointed day for us at MDKL situation became worse after the press conference has been brought under some degree of pressure by unknown people and also the same thing happened in front of at the Kuala Langat Police Cheif Assistant Commissinoner Nordin Manan.

These shows no proper protection for the disabled in Malaysia.

CANINE CULLING: Local Council Blames Police But Police Denies Issuing Order To Kill

Courtesy from PETPOSITIVE

CANINE CULLING: Local Council Blames Police But Police Denies Issuing Order To Kill
Outraged by dog killing

LATEST UPDATE ON DISABLED PROTEST ON BANTING DOG KILLING:

(Pictures courtesy from ILTC)

A press conference held by Petpositive and the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) at the Kuala Langat District Council (MPKL) at ten this morning ended at 11am. A dozen members from both societies met the YDP Abdul Razak bin Jaafar to express their outrage at the killing of nine pedigree dogs belonging to two lawyers who are presently under criminal investigation in Banting, Selangor.

According to Francis Siva, the adviser of Petpositive and the president of ILTC the event was a huge success.

He said YDP had apologised to the group for the "mistakes made by the local council in the handling of the culling of the dogs."

Francis said that the YDP claimed that he had called the Department of Veterinary Services for help but their calls fell on deaf ears.

The YDP also told the group that it was the OCPD in the area who instructed that the dogs be killed.

However, Francis met the OCPD shortly after the press conference in the local police station and was told by the OCPD himself that he did no such thing and clarified that the police had no right to order the killing of the canines.

The press conference was covered by nearly a dozen news agencies including Bernama TV.

For more updates, stick with us. You can also visit www.iltcmalaysia.blogspot.com

Sharing and caring

Thursday September 16, 2010

Sharing and caring

Hari Raya open house is a wonderful way to celebrate the country’s cultural diversity.

OPEN house invitations to celebrate Aidilfitri proved to be an excellent opportunity for Malaysians to get to know each other better and rejoice in our cultural diversity.

Many of my friends took advantage of the holidays to go out with their families and friends to the many Hari Raya open houses around town. Others went by themselves.

Some Raya celebrants even offered transport for the disabled to attend their open houses.

At public events, the better prepared organisers made it a point to reserve disabled parking lots for handicapped drivers. They went so far as to meet the disabled at their cars and help them into their wheelchairs.

Effort was also made to ensure that the venues had disabled-friendly facilities in the restrooms as well as ramps into the building.

At the Selangor Mentri Besar’s do which I attended, the organisers provided special tables for disabled and elderly visitors. A waiter was on hand to help serve food to the special guests.

Well done to those who took the trouble to cater to special groups.

On another note, the nation’s 53rd birthday celebrations last month did not go down well with my friend Chong Tuck Meng from Bentong, Pahang.

This year was the first time the 49-year-old did not catch any live telecast of the parade from his home.

Chong has been using a wheelchair since a motor accident in 1982 left him paralysed from the neck down.

He recalled his very first Merdeka parade about 10 years ago in Kuala Lumpur.

He described it as one of his most memorable experiences, even though the crowd blocked his view and gave little consideration for his condition.

“Although our nation is now more than half a century old, there is still much to do in raising public awareness on the needs and rights of people with disabilities,” said Chong who serves as adviser for Perwira K9, an organisation for the physically disabled. “Whilst things are changing for the better for the disabled community in other countries, Malaysia has a lot of catching up to do in this area,” said Chong.

“Even in my hometown Bentong, I hardly see any changes for the disabled.”

Chong went on to say that he feels like a prisoner confined to his house. This is because the nearby shops and buildings are mostly inaccessible to wheelchairs.

“The Government, both at the local and Federal levels, should do everything in its power to correct these injustices so that people like me can lead a normal life.

“Because of the gross inaccessibility, the disabled community in Malaysia is among the most backward groups in society.”

“Remembering the disabled during festivities has its plus points as well as negative side,” cautioned Chong. “Festivities can inadvertently turn us into ‘victims’ of charity events, especially when they are over and we are forgotten for the rest of the year.

“People with disabilities should be remembered as often as possible and not only during special occasions.”

Chong also called for a change in mindset regarding the handicapped.

“TV programmes like the popular comedy drama series, Glee, and the blockbuster movie Avatar, feature characters with disabilities who carry a powerful message.

“When will our local TV shows and movies start portraying disabled characters positively? The only time we see disabled people now is during a tragedy, a disaster or in a tear-jerker.

We need to start viewing disability in a better light so that the rest of society will follow suit,” Chong concluded.

Charity Fund Raising 2010

Community Fund Raising Bazaar at First World Plaza (next to the Statue of Liberty) which was held on 4 – 8 September 2010

Participated Homes/Organization

1. Salaam Wanita
2. Pusat Majudiri Y for the Deaf
3. Malaysian Assocation of the Blind
4. Independent Living & Training Centre
5. Rumah Titian Kasih
6. Malaysian AIDS Council
7. United Voice
8. Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak- Kanak Cacat
9. Mouth & Foot Painting Sdn Bhd.

International Student from Singapore has been volunteer 5 days at ILTC to engage community service projects.

All students had a wonderful time in ILTC and it was a great experience for them.

Visitors from Hokkaido University of Education Hakodate Campus, Japan.

Visitors from Hokkaido University of Education Hakodate Campus, Japan.

On August 30, 2010: We had the opportunity to meet the Japanese foreign students from Japan visited ILTC and donated 2 unit of wheelchairs to the ILTC members Ms. Letchumy & Mr. Steven Shanthanam. Hokkaido University of Education located around Hokkaidō, Sapporo, Japan. It is a national, public university, administered by the government of Japan.
On the day, we had shared our works at ILTC to the Students.

We exchanged our meaningful thoughts of Nothing is impossible. They had a great time at the ILTC

To provide us more accessibility for the 450-metre pavement a disabled-friendly walkway along Jalan Gasing.

Sinar Harian - Isnin 13-9-2010

Disabled were treated to a sumptuous buka puasa buffet at the Hilton Hotel Petaling Jaya

Disabled were treated to a sumptuous buka puasa buffet at the Hilton Hotel Petaling Jaya recently.
More than 80 who are blind, Deaf, learning disabilities and with physically handicapped were treated like kings & queens and hosted the event by the Gapurna Group. There were also given Hari Raya cookies in conjunction with the festive season.The occasion was a first-ever Ramadan treat that was put together for members of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive.

Special day: Disabled having a good time at the Ramadan buffet

The event was the perfect opportunity for the management to touch the lives of disabled in the community.
They organised this buka puasa with us in the hope of spreading and sharing some festive cheer.

Mohd Imran Dato' Mohamad Salim (Director) said he hoped the disabled enjoyed the food and had a good time at the event. This is my first year hosting the event and I hope the tradition will continue in years ahead,” he said. We (ILTC) really appreciate the Gapurna Group generosity for indulging the disabled in a wonderful buka puasa. The disabled were so thrilled and touched to be invited to such a grand event.

LRT station upgrades completed by end 2011

Monday September 6, 2010

LRT station upgrades completed by end 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) has begun upgrading the Masjid Jamek, Hang Tuah and Titiwangsa light rail transit (LRT) stations to implement disabled-friendly features such as link bridges from the Kelana Jaya to Ampang LRT lines as well as lifts, ramps, toilets, chair lifts and elevators.

The upgrades are scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

Prasarana will be spending RM51 million to upgrade these three LRT stations to provide an integrated transportation system with improved connectivity, accessibility and convenience for travelers.

The initiative includes a six-storey parking lot at the Gombak LRT station with 1,260 bays and one level specifically allocated for women.

The parking lot will also feature a parking guidance system, closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras and a panic button system.

Once completed, the parking rate would be a fixed rate of RM3 per entry for LRT commuters. Until then, a temporary parking area with 300 bays is available for commuters during the construction period.

ILTC President turned up to voice out concerns of the disabled

ILTC President turned up to voice out concerns of the disabled. HUNDREDS of grassroots leaders turned up to have their say on the Selangor Blueprint during the community dialogues in the Selayang Municipal Council on last Friday. (September 3, 2010). More than 120 representatives of residents’ associations, NGOs, businessmen and other stakeholders voiced their prime concerns during the Selangor Blueprint dialogue organised by the State Economic Planning Unit (Upen). ILTC President were highlighted the problems of welfare of the disabled, Senior Ciziten, underprivileged in Selangor and inefficient public transportation. The moderators at the community dialogue compiling feedback from the public at the session held in Selayang. This blueprint was the first of such plans for Selangor that would map out development in the state for the next three years. The planning of the blueprint takes into account the views of various stakeholders.

The blueprint includes development planning for different sectors and economic activities in each area in Selangor.
All views will be taken into account and documented in the Selangor Blueprint 2011-2013.

This will enable the exco, state government and local councils to do some extensive planning.

The draft of the blueprint would be ready in October and presented at the state assembly in November.

The blueprint would be unveiled to the public in December.