Speedy Recovery With Good Health

Flash News

Carol is reported to have fallen off her wheelchair when the van made an emergency stop.Carol who suffered internal bleeding was rushed to the trauma ward on the fifth floor of PPUM where she is still in a coma.
CAROL with Y.B. Puan Rodziah Binti Ismail Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Tetap Kebajikan, Hal Ehwal Wanita, Sains, Teknologi Dan Inovasi. This Photo Taken on ILTC Organized “Charity Carnival Bazaar Food & Funfair 2009” and a Charity Show on Saturday, 4th July 2009 between 10.00am to 11.50pm at Sekolah Kebangsaan Rawang, Jalan Kuala Garing, 48000 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan

Due to that, on behalf of our organization, I (President) humbly praying for her successful operation and speedy recovery with good health.

Carol In Critical Condition

Courtesy from Petpositive

DATELINE KUALA LUMPUR

Carol In Critical ConditionPetpositive Member Carol Rasiah who has brittle bones, is fighting for her life at the Intensive Care Unit in University Hospital Medical Centre (PPUM).

The story was broken to us by another Petpositive Member Stanislaus Anthony from Petaling Jaya earlier this afternoon.

Carol who hails from Subang Jaya was reported to have been traveling in a wheelchair-friendly van called Mobility on Tuesday morning when the accident happened.

She is reported to have fallen off her wheelchair when the van made an emergency stop.

Carol who suffered internal bleeding was rushed to the trauma ward on the fifth floor of PPUM where she is still in a coma.

One visitor who saw Carol at the hospital yesterday described her condition as extremely serious. She didn't think that Carol would be able to pull through.

According to her, doctors were waiting to perform surgery on Carol but were being prevented from doing so because she was not in a stable condition.

However at least one Web Forum where Carol regularly chats was more optimistic and hopeful that Carol would recover from her ordeal.

Carol has taken part in several activities of Petpositive to date. They include attending our historic charity concert in June 2007, our Xmas party by Mid Valley Megamall and a special animal-assisted therapy session at the Selangor SPCA last year.

The last we saw Carol was at MBPJ's Dog Forum in PJ in October where she had also traveled in the Mobility Van."Despite being in a wheelchair for all her life, Carol is always cheerful," noted Lynda Merican, special coordinator for Petpositive. "

She would be present at some of the functions I attended and it was always great to bump into her," concluded Lynda, wishing her a speedy recovery.

Many in the disabled community have expressed shock at what had happened to Carol and have called for more improved safety measures for all vehicles that transport disabled and elderly persons.

This should include special training to drivers of special vehicles that transport vulnerable communities.Carol who lives behind The Summit in Subang is active on Facebook and is also a blogger.

Her address is http://blogsportcom-carol.blogspot.com/

"Promote paralympics’, says Najib

Friday November 20, 2009



‘Promote paralympics’, says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Voluntary organisations, the corporate sector and disabled athletes should work together to promote the paralympic movement, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysian sports leaders were playing significant roles in the Asean, Asian and world paralympic movement.Sticking together: Hong Kong athlete Yu Chui Yee accompanying Sidkova Marketa from the Czech Republic at the opening of the 14th International Paralympic Committee general assembly and conference in Kuala Lumpur Thursday.

“This is in recognition of Malaysia’s capabilities in championing the paralympic movement,” he said.

Asked whether Malaysia would host the Paralympic Games, he said that if the country were to do so, it would have to be chosen for the main Olympic Games, “which is a tall order”.

“It will not happen in the foreseeable future. You have to be a strong sports nation, make an impact and be a force to be reckoned with at the global level to be considered,” he said at the opening of the 14th International Paralym­pic Committee general assembly and conference here yesterday.

The United Nations estimates that there are about 500 million persons with disabilities in the world, the majority in developing countries, he said.

“The marginalisation of persons with disabilities is prevalent and in many countries there are few sports opportunities available to them,” Najib added.

On a brighter note, he said there had been increasing support for the participation of persons with disabilities over the past 20 years.

In line with the 1Malaysia concept of “People First, Performance Now”, Najib said it was important to provide opportunities for people from all walks of life, regardless of race, culture and religion.

Easy prey

Thursday November 12, 2009



Easy prey

WHEEL POWERBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

The disabled are targeted by criminals on the prowl.

CRIMINALS are coming up with more devious ways to rob unsuspecting victims. What is more troubling is that they have no qualms about targeting the disabled and the elderly.

Even charity-based centres meant to help such people are not spared. Residents of the self-help Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor, were among the latest victims of a broad daylight robbery.

A couple of men in their late 20s posing as potential donors made an unscheduled visit to the disabled residential home one morning. Upon discovering that there were only three persons in the centre at the time – a woman in a wheelchair, a young man with epilepsy and a foreign female volunteer – they yanked out a machete and demanded money.

The robbers relieved the victims at knife-point of cash and valuables. They then walked out calmly so as not to arouse suspicion. The police arrived soon after they were called.

Investigations to nab those responsible for the crime are under way.

“It is regrettable that the handicapped are becoming targets of criminals because we are considered easy prey,” said Francis Siva, president of the ILTC.

Francis, a tetraplegic, was not at the centre when the incident took place. By the time he rushed back, the thieves had long gone. “The disabled (and the elderly) are the most vulnerable to crime and we urge the authorities to prioritise our safety by stepping up measures to protect us,” he added.

Ironically, the president of the ILTC was at a special meeting with the police a couple of weeks earlier to discuss security issues for persons with disabilities.

The gathering which included representatives of the learning disabled. the Deaf and blind, was specially arranged by the Welfare Department in Kuala Lumpur.

The following were some of the main points which were raised with the law enforcement authorities. The blind are especially vulnerable to crime on the streets. Several cases were cited involving so-called “helpful” strangers who offered to help the blind cross the streets.

They either help themselves to the purses, handbags and other personal belongings of their victims right in the streets, or do so after helping them halfway across the street. Whilst the stunned and disoriented victim is left screaming in fear in the middle of the road, the thieves quickly make their disappearance. Cries of help have often fallen on deaf ears.

Massage parlours operated by the blind experience frequent break-ins during the weekends and on holidays. Imposters acting as law enforcement officers present an ID to the blind operators which they can’t verify for authenticity for obvious reasons. They then direct the workers into a room whilst they grab all the valuables and make a run for it.

Blind women are frequent victims of molestations whether it is on the street, in a crowded place or in the passageways of their flats. They find mysterious hands touching their privates. Some of the molestations are repeated regularly, often at the same venue.

Such abuse have occurred so frequently that the blind are terrified to go out of their houses, especially those living alone.

The blind are also frustrated when they are asked to describe their assailants’ identity. They claim that because they are unable to provide such details, their reports are not taken seriously. Report forms given to them to fill up are not in Braille.

The Deaf also face difficulty when dealing with police officers who are not trained in sign language. Hence, they are unable to take down the reports of the Deaf and carry out further investigations. The physically disabled complain that there are no disabled-friendly carparks at police stations. Some of them were asked to park outside the police stations and walk with their crutches all the way to the building.

Here are some of the suggestions made by the disabled groups:

> The crime fighting force should be better educated about the needs of the handicapped.

> Set up special hotlines for the disabled and the elderly so that they can get immediate response when they are in trouble.

> When the police make their rounds in the neighbourhood, they should take a special interest in homes where people with disabilities live, especially those who live alone.

OKU trauma diacu parang

Khamis 12-11-2009

OKU trauma diacu parang

RAWANG – Sungguh tidak berhari perut apabila orang kelainan upaya (OKU) turut dijadikan mangsa penjenayah, seperti yang berlaku ke atas kakitangan Badan Latihan dan Hidup Berdikari (ILTC), Taman Garing, di sini.

Setiausaha ILTC, P Gurdip Kaur @Rina, yang berdepan situasi cemas itu berkata, sehingga kini dia masih trauma dengan kejadian diacu parang dan dirompak pada 30 Oktober lalu.

Menurutnya, selain kesukaran melelapkan mata pada waktu malam, pusat ILTC nya kini sentiasa berkunci rapi dan dia sendiri sukar untuk bertemu dan bercakap dengan individu tidak dikenali.

“Saya fikir dalam keadaan sosial dan ekonomi sekarang, penjenayah tidak lagi mengambil peduli latar belakang mangsa.

Bagi mereka, indi-vidu lemah seperti kami ini lebih mudah diambil kesempatan. “Sekarang golongan seperti kami perlu lebih berhati-hati.

Selama ini jika orang hendak datang melawat dan sumbangkan apa-apa kita tidak menolak. Tetapi kini kami sering berasa curiga,” katanya.

Dia berkata demikian dalam lawatan Ahli Parlimen Selayang, William Leong Jee Keen; Setiausaha Politik Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Rawang, Azman Mohd Noor dan Ahli Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, susulan kejadian menimpanya.

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