Needs of the elderly

Thursday May 13, 2010

Needs of the elderly

Get ready to embrace an ageing population.

I WILL only be 50 years old this November, but I can’t help thinking about what life would be like in our society when we grow older.

I raised this up at three important meetings in three different places. The first was on my home ground at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) where I serve as councillor.

I brought up the issue of elderly persons’ needs at the monthly full board meeting which is attended by the mayor, all the councillors and heads of departments.

I raised this question: “Twenty-five years from now, will we as decision-makers, planners and engineers of our beloved city, be able to smile proudly when we look back at PJ, and say that we had done the needful during our tenure of service to make our environment liveable in order to accommodate us in our old age?

“Do we live and conduct ourselves with the full realisation that we are growing older each day and may one day require special people-friendly facilities? These include covered car parks to protect us from the elements, and toilets wide enough for our children or caregivers to provide some assistance for us.

“What about public parks? Will they continue to be designed only for the fit and young? Or will the outside environment include facilities which enable the elderly to go out and enjoy some fresh air, sunshine and green therapy?”

I was referring to a recent United Nations report that our country is likely to reach an ageing nation status by 2035 with the number of people above the age of 60 reaching 15% of the population.

Welfare Department deputy director-general (Operations) Halijah Yahaya confirmed that the UN statistics was proof that the percentage of ageing people in Malaysia was on the increase.

Incidentally, the United Nations categorises any country with 10% of its population above the age of 60 as an ageing nation.

Speaking at a seminar on caring society in Kuantan, Halijah concluded: “The Government should view seriously the ageing rate among the population because old people have their own requirements.”

I was delighted that no one in MBPJ tried to pretend that enough was being done at the policy level at the moment to include the needs of elderly persons.

Instead, everyone at the full board meeting gave their thumping support to the motion to start planning now so that the city will be ready to embrace more elderly people and their needs in the future.

A similar reaction was received from KTM Berhad in Rawang, Selangor, and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) in Putrajaya.

A group of us in wheelchairs were invited to the local train station to give our input on the present wheelchair-facilities. We found a number of areas where improvements could be made, for example, the toilet doors, uneven pavements and other areas that could pose a hazard to elderly passengers.

KTM Berhad took our suggestions positively and promised to make the necessary changes.

We also had a discussion with the train’s audit access team, and took the opportunity to stress to them the urgency of making the changes now.

At the MOT, we were delighted when Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat also gave the thumbs up to our suggestions. He told us that he himself knew exactly how we felt when he had to use a wheelchair temporarily.

During his meeting with many top guns from the airlines industry, he stressed that disabled and elderly persons should always receive top priority in their services.

The minister said that wheelchairs should be available free-of-charge at airports. He also urged airports to provide special transport vehicles such as ambulifts to carry disabled passengers into the aircraft where aerobridges were not available.

Airports should also consider Deaf passengers during emergencies, he said. Flashing light alarms should be provided at the airport – and even in the restrooms – to warn hearing-impaired passengers if there is a fire as they are unable to hear alarm sirens.

The minister also stressed the need for customer service staff in all airline companies to be trained in assisting disabled passengers.

“They must have some basic understanding of disabilities (and old age problems) and know exactly what to do to make such passengers’ travel comfortable,” added Ong.

One other issue that was raised at the MOT meeting last week was for airports to provide parking lots for the disabled at the entrance, instead of reserving these lots for VIPs.

Helping others is one of the greatest gifts you can give

Helping others is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Masterskill Student were doing their pratical at ILTC and make a difference in the centre — things happen because of volunteers. Giving back, you just see how important volunteering is and how much it helps you as well as the community. It gives you a sense that you’re doing something good.

Thums-up for the Plaza Masalam

Thumbs-up for the Plaza Masalam

Accessibility for the Disabled - I have noticed Two Accessible Parking spaces located just right next to enterence. Plaza Masalam is located near Tengku Ampuan Zabedah 9/19, Shah Alam near Kayangan.

Ponnai Virumbum.....

Naan Kaanum Ulangangal

Kanmaniye Kathal Enbathu

beautiful song... I feel like flying..
this is real music which touches the soul...
I realy lovE YOu for giving such a nice song

Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai

Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai

Ai Mere Bete

Beautiful song, Kishoreda, you will live in our hearts for ever

Selangor to set up advisory councils

Thursday May 6, 2010

Selangor to set up advisory councils
By ELAN PERUMAL
elan@thestar.com.my

ALL local authorities in Selangor will come under the scrutiny of advisory councils that will check the decisions they make.

The advisory councils are expected to function as independent bodies in the best interest of the people.

State local government committee chairman Ronnie Liu said 12 advisory councils would be created and they would be working very closely with the respective local authorities.

He said the move was aimed at improving the overall performance of the local authorities.

He said members of the advisory councils would comprise volunteers from NGOs and professionals.

“They will be intellects who have ideas about how the local authorities should effectively function. These people will represent the core group from the 10 municipal councils and two city council areas,’’ he told StarMetro in an interview.

Although they would not be involved in day-to-day operations and the decision-making process, Liu said their presence was expected to make a big impact on the functioning of the local councils.

He said the councils would be holding regular meetings with the local authorities where advise would be offered to the local authorities.

“The advistory councils do not have the authority to change decisions at their level but they can advise the councils to do so if they find that a particular decision on an issue was not appropriate.

“The council can advise the local authorities to make amendments when a particular decision had gone seriously wrong and is affecting the image of the local councils.

“They are supposed to be critical and make the local authorities know where they have gone wrong and what should be done to rectify mistakes,’’ he said.

Liu added that advice from the proposed councils could also be sought by the local authorities on issues that they were not so familiar or comfortable with.

He said the function of the advisory councils would be very unique and the local authorities and the ratepayers would be the biggest benefactors.

Liu said the state realised that the introduction of these councils was necessary in view of increasing public expectations on the performance of the local authorities.

“We feel that the local authorities can offer a much improved service to ratepayers and this proposal is aimed at lifting them to a different level.

“The state will continue to find ways to ensure that the people’s interest are protected at the local level and ensure that decisions made by the local authorities will benefit the public,’’ he added.

Meeting with YB. Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat

Yesterday, my fellow advocates Mr. Anthony Thanasayan, Mr. Anthony Stanley and I were invited for a meeting with the YB. Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is the Minister of Transport on discussion the facilities for the disabled at all airports in Malaysia. He was listening to our problems and he said yesterday there was still room for improvement in the facilities provided for the physically-challenged.

Transport Ministry Drawing Up Module To Help Physically Impaired At Airports

May 04, 2010 21:25 PM

Transport Ministry Drawing Up Module To Help Physically Impaired At Airports

PUTRAJAYA, May 4 (Bernama) -- The Transport Ministry is to help coordinate the drawing up of a training module to help the physically impaired at airports based on assistance and guidelines from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said Tuesday.

He said the ministry would look into the need to place more wheelchairs and other equipment at airports, including at aerobridges, to provide a more effective and efficient environment for the physically impaired.

The minister said airlines were given the option of using these equipment depending on several factors, among them their financial position.

"I will discuss with the airline operators but I have to know their problems, and what factors prohibited them from using the facilities," he said.

Ong said the time had come to provide standard procedures to handle the needs and wants of the physically impaired so that airline staff were adept at resolving problems associated with the physically impaired.

"We are moving in the direction where standard operating procedures (SOP) are necessary to handle the needs of the physically impaired. As such, the training module is very beneficial to help us attain a benchmark," he said.

"Staff, whether from Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAB) or airlines, should be adequately exposed to efforts to handle or entertain the physically impaired.

"This is a specialised field where not only experience but also knowledge is required," he said.

Ong said the government would ensure that the views and opinions of the physically impaired were evaluated and studied before the construction of any project, especially at airports and other public transportation terminals.

"The other day, when I went to look at the progress of work on the integrated public transportation terminal projects in Gombak and Bandar Tasik Selatan, I brought along representatives from the NGOs for the physically impaired to give their views and proposals on facilities for these special people," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Government to improve airport facilities for the disabled

Wednesday May 5, 2010

Government to improve airport facilities for the disabled
PUTRAJAYA: The Transport Ministry will take a “close look” at the facilities for the disabled at airports for improvements to be made.

Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said there was always room for improvement when it came to providing facilities and assistance to the disabled, adding that the training of airline staff and airport personnel in this area was also being planned.

The minister, who held a two-hour discussion with NGOs representing the disabled yesterday, said the Government was committed to providing facilities to every Malaysian.

“Several issues were raised during our discussion and I will see how, together with the relevant authorities, we can improve services at airports and that provided by airline companies.

“We have also taken their views into account and will consider them when we construct airports in the future.

“There is always room for improvement when it comes to providing facilities for the people, including the disabled,” he told reporters yesterday.

Also present were ministry officials and representatives from the Department of Civil Aviation, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and Firefly.

Ong said other matters raised were the availability of wheelchairs and ambulifts in airports and the use of aerobridges by airlines, which at present had a choice of whether to use the facility or not.

Lots for the disabled to trade at farmers’ market

Tuesday May 4, 2010

Lots for the disabled to trade at farmers’ market

JOHOR BARU: Disabled people who want to try their hands in business can apply for licences to trade at pasar tani nationwide.

Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama) chairman Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin said the organisation was planning to give those who were disabled a chance to learn about trading.

“The opening of special trading lots for them will be a good portal for the disabled to be more independent and make a living for themselves.

“By giving them a place to trade, they will also have the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship and trading,” he said.

Service first: Recipients of the Fama Long Service Award posing for a group photograph with Badruddin after the ceremony in Johor Baru.

He was speaking to pressmen after presenting the Fama Long Service Award, which recognises those who have been working in the organisation for between 20 and 30 years. The ceremony was held at a hotel here yesterday.

Badruddin also warned those who were using foreign labour in their businesses to stop doing so.

“Recently, one trader was caught using foreign labour while trading in one of the pasar tani and that is against the Fama contract.

“I advise those who are still using foreign help to stop at once because if caught, their licences will be revoked,” he said.

He encouraged traders to employ local workers to help them at their stalls at the pasar tani.

“This way, the workers can learn the ups and downs of the trade and hopefully one day, they themselves will have their own business too,” he said.

He disclosed that Fama aimed to increase the number of pasar tani in the country to 400.

“There are 364 pasar tani to-date with a total of 17,300 traders. We aim to open another 36 by the end of this year,” he said.

He added that the agency was targetting 20,000 people to be involved in pasar tani activities by the end of the year

Fundraising Activities for ILTC

OUR SPECIAL ONES which was held at the Mid Valley Mega Mall in Kuala Lumpur recently organized and presented by D’ Organiser (M) Sdn Bhd with one objective to promote an understanding of disability issues and to create public awareness by bringing forward the difficulties encountered by our special ones together bringing in the latest technology of products and aids.

MEMORANDUM OF PROTEST

TAN SRI MUSA HASSAN
KETUA POLIS NEGARA
POLIS DIRAJA MALAYSIA

Thursday, April 22, 2010

MEMORANDUM OF PROTEST

On 4.3.2010, Mr. Karuppannan S/O Veeramalai is wheelchair-bound was harshly assaulted and verbal attacked by KTMB Commuter Driver due to a verbal confrontation for disabled parking lot. He had made a police report at Subang Jaya (No. Report : Subang Jaya/001864/10) against KTMB Commuter Driver to get protection.

In fact, after the incident happened on March 4, the police have not got back to us. We want justice to be served.

There have been no action to be taken against attacker who treated the disabled unlawfully attacked since and this is unacceptable on human dignity and discrimination against a disabled person.

We Disabled community in Malaysia has always worked towards helping all disabled persons achieve independence and to lead a fulfilled and complete life. The Disabled have never asked for pity or sympathy. We only ask for equal opportunities to fully participate in the life of our nation, just like able-bodied citizens.

However, we the Disabled cannot and will not tolerate, in assaulted, insults and mockery directed or in directed at them; these kinds of behaviour are nothing but an attempt to isolate and relegate the disabled to the fringes of society.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, DEMAND:

A) TO CALL FOR SERIOUS ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE COMMUTER DRIVER AT STATION KTMB SUBANG JAYA FOR ATTACKING THE MR. KARUPPANNAN AND ALSO ATTEMPTING TO INJURE A DISABLED PERSON.

B) TO CALL UPON THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE TO INVESTIGATE AGAINST THE UNLAWFUL ACT OF THE KTMB OFFICERS AGAINST THE DISABLED.

C) TO DEMAND THAT THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL DISABLED PERSONS MUST BE RESPECTED AND PROTECTED, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE TO MAKE A LIVING AT ALL TIMES.

The disabled are targeted by criminals

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.

It is regrettable that the handicapped are becoming targets of criminals because we are considered easy prey,

Here are some of the suggestions made by the ILTC:

• 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.

ENDORSED BY:

1) INDEPENDENT LIVING & TRAINING CENTRE (ILTC)

2) MALAYSIAN ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY FOR THE DISABLED AND ELDERLY ASSOCIATION (Petpositive)

Handing over of Memorandum of Protest

ILTC disabled activist hand over a Memorandum of Protest to TAN SRI MUSA HASSAN, KETUA POLIS NEGARA on Thursday 22/04/2010 at 10.00am at the office Bukit Aman Police Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur.

The memorandum is pertaining to a violent against physical disabled person - unlawful attacked Mr. Karuppannan s/o Veeramalai (wheelchair bound) by KTMB commuter driver at station KTMB Subang Jaya.

Senior citizen injured by faulty escalator

Senior citizen injured by faulty escalator



A senior citizen fell at an escalator located in KOMTAR. He suffered a head injury. While investigating the cause of the accident, CJ Jimmy Leow found that the escalator hand rail was faulty. The hand rail stopped while the escalator was moving. A maintenance staff said that they have requested PDC to repair the said problem but the approval did not come. The maintenance staff mentioned that he submitted the request about 2 months ago. A shopper said that such accident has occurred several times. CJ Jimmy Leow contacted Ng Wei Aik, Adun Komtar to get some clarification. Ng said that he was told by another reporter of this incident, and he promised to look into this matter. Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist ... Read More... as told by another reporter of this incident, and he promised to look into this matter. Video by Jimmy Leow Beng Hock, Citizen Journalist

Article - Tamil Nesan

OKU MINTA KPN SIASAT KES LELAKI TENDANG KERUSI RODA

VIMARSANAM