Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2011

Dear Friends,

Wishing all of you a festive season filled with Loving wishes and beautiful thoughts.

Please take care and stay safe!

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year 2011

From, Mr. Francis Siva

THE WORLD'S VERY FIRST HIP HOP WHEELCHAIR DANCE GROUP

Auti Angel and Briana Walker combined their talents to create THE WORLD'S VERY FIRST HIP HOP WHEELCHAIR DANCE GROUP! They have been inspiring everyone ever since...to Dance Anyway!

Thursday December 23, 2010

Room for caring

Practising what you preach.

UNTIL I read the story of the nativity all over again recently, I never realised how much people with disabilities could relate to Christmas.

And it wasn’t until I went through each amazing account in the Bible that the hidden truth suddenly dawned on me – from the angel announcing the conception of the child to being turned away at the cramped inn and finally to the blessed birth in a humble manger.

Even baby Jesus – who is the reason for this glorious season – knew exactly what it felt like to be unwanted and have no place in society.

“No room at the inn” was what his distraught parents were told as they frantically looked for a place to birth him.

“No room”, “no access”, “no ramps” and “no disabled toilets” are common phrases Malaysians with physical handicaps still hear today.

And yet, many of us don’t even flinch a muscle when we stand up and declare that Malaysia is a caring society.

Some of these most uncaring and unfriendly buildings are, ironically, churches and other places of worship that are supposed to stand as pillars in a caring society.

Although they speak about the disabled and the elderly often, and preach to their congregation about the importance of “love” and “the need to think of others”, their actions and architecture often tell a totally different story.

I was talking to a member of the board of a local church only last week about adding a wheelchair ramp and a disabled-friendly toilet when her response took me by surprise.

“Oh ye of little faith,” she said, as if quoting a passage directly from the holy book.

“You don’t need to use a wheelchair. Just come to our church and we’ll pray over you and you will walk again.

“You’ll become one of us, and then there will be no need for ramps or disabled toilets, Hallelujah!”

Years ago, another lady who was an elder in the local church which I used to go to told me the same thing.

She was the epitome of health, and anyone who got sick rushed to see her so that she could pray over them. Even those with permanent disabilities and terminal illnesses sought her prayers as they believed they would be healed.

We eventually lost contact, but out of the blue, I got a call from her.

Speaking to me on the other end of the telephone line was a totally different person. I hardly recognised her.

Her voice was weak and frail. It was clear that she was also extremely depressed.

And then she made the most astonishing revelation.

She told me that she – now in her 60s – was a disabled person, too.

She was told by a doctor that she had Parkinson’s disease.

In fact, the medical specialist had told her that she had had the insidious condition for several years but she was not aware of it.

Her first reaction, she said, was to reject it. She prayed, fasted and even went to other faith healers to shake it off.

But nothing worked. Only medication could slow down the effects of the disease.

When she started using a wheelchair, she lost her independence and she had to be cared for by a maid.

She lost her job and eventually all her friends too.

She found it difficult to manoeuvre around in her church as it has no ramps or wheelchair access.

She had to hold on to her weak bladder until she got home because it has no toilet for the disabled. Several times, she had embarrassing “accidents” in public.

She told me that she now realised what a terrible mistake she had made. “I should have fought for people like you then in the council, but I never dreamt that something like this could happen to me.”

I couldn’t believe that the woman, who was once hostile towards me, had now become my friend – albeit over phone conversations late into the night.

She wanted to learn as much as she could about disability. I, too, learnt so much from her and how she was coping in life until she passed away, six months later.

Physical handicaps are only one aspect for a caring society to consider. The blind, deaf, people with learning disabilities and those with multiple handicaps also deserve attention.

Then, there are other conditions that are brought on by heart attacks, stroke, diabetes and old age.

Will we open our doors to all these people in our lives? And what would happen if we too find ourselves looking for room at the inn one day and being turned away?

Merry Christmas from Wheel Power!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Disabled can seek govt jobs online, says PSC

By SARBAN SINGH

SEREMBAN: Disabled Malaysians seeking employment in the public sector have been told to apply online with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to speed up the government’s plan to reserve at least 1% of jobs for them.

Public Service director-general Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Abdullah said the disabled should state their status on their application.

“These are among several affirmative measures introduced by the government to ensure the disabled are considered for jobs in the civil service.

“The PSC must also ensure that all vacancies for jobs advertised online or through any other channel have a special section for the disabled,” he said in a circular.

The website of the PSC is www.spa.gov.my.

The disabled can apply for jobs in the top management group which is made up of the cream of the civil service, professionals and management as well as the support groups.

The disabled, he said, can seek assistance from the Welfare Department on how to apply for these jobs.

He said that to be considered for government jobs, the disabled must have registered with the department.

Although there are an estimated 2.7mil disabled Malaysians, only some 10% were registered with the department.

It is learnt that only the Welfare Department has achieved the government’s target to have at least 1% of its work force made of the physically or mentally challenged, blind, deaf or mute.

Abu Bakar said the PSC should ensure that the panel set up to interview disabled persons for such jobs had an officer from the Welfare Department or an officer who had experience dealing with the disabled.

He said Ministries should let the PSC know if there were jobs suitable for the disabled to make it easier for the PSC to place them.

Early Xmas party at Tesco Rawang

Early Xmas party at Tesco Rawang.

Selangor state government hosted an early Christmas party recently at Rawang, Selangor and there nearly 5000 people from Rawang participated.

They also had invited a few charitable organisations to the wonderful evening with its caring society.

ILTC were proud and delighted to be given an opportunity to participate this wonderful event.

ILTC members had a wonderful time at the live show and other performances.

There were plenty of foods. On the day, we had received donation from the Tourism Selangor.

The guests were also entertained by musical performances from several artistes as well as adult and children from the church.

Among the guests were YB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, YB Azmin Ali, YB. Dr. Xavier Jayakumar and Y.B. Tuan Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew.

During the Christmas Celebration President Francis Siva chatting with YB. Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim to possible ways to deliver some assistance for the disabled people in Malaysia.

The Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim urged the public, especially the younger generation, to have the determination to make Malaysia a better place.

He added that there was still plenty of room to deeper understanding among the races.

Today, children and adults have come here to enjoy the celebration together. This reflects the Malaysian spirit among the communities,” he said.

The ILTC was thankful for the positive role of the Selangor state government in giving to all walks of life an opportunity to experience the spirit of giving and sharing during the festive season.

In conclude this Christmas Greetings, let us share the spirit of joy and sharing, bring about love and peace to this world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Disabled Cheated By Nature Group - Want Their Money Back

Story - Courtesy from Petpositive

Disabled Cheated By Nature Group - Want Their Money Back

PETPOSITIVE NEWSFLASH!

DATELINE: KOTA DAMANSARA COMMUNITY FOREST RESERVE, PETALING JAYA

NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) THAT REPRESENT THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY ARE FUMING.

THEY ARE CRYING FOUL OVER A SPECIAL FUND THAT WAS MEANT ORIGINALLY FOR HANDICAPPED ACCESS AT THE COMMUNITY FOREST HERE.

HOWEVER, THAT FUND AMOUNTING TO RM30,000 IS NOW BEING USED FOR A NON DISABLED CAUSE.

THE GROUPS ARE NOW DEMANDING THAT EVERY SEN OF THAT MONEY BE RETURNED SO THAT PLANS TO MAKE THE KOTA DAMANSARA COMMUNITY FOREST RESERVE (KDCFR) DISABLED-FRIENDLY CAN GO AHEAD.

"The disabled and elderly community who had been looking forward to explore the forest have not only been dealt with a great blow but also feel cheated by those responsible for the reallocation decision and it's only fair that they give the money back," said Anthony SB Thanasayan from MADDor Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled - a coalition of half a dozen NGOs for people with disabilities.

He said this during a press conference that was held at KDCFR this afternoon.

It was attended by Kota Damansara state assemblyman YB Dr Nasir Hashim and conservationist and leader of the KDCFR Jeffrey Phang.

The disability groups that were present included theMalaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or PETPOSITIVE and the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC), a self-help NGO run by people with disabilities.

"The decision to divert the funds was most arbitrary to stay the least and far from the spirit of dialogue and consultation with the disabled community," pointed out Thanasayan who is also councillor for Petaling Jaya's Zone 13 area.

"The funding agency GEF-SGP's (Global Environment Facility - Small Grants Programme) project leader Justine Vaz confirmed the scrapping of the disabled trail, claiming that a 'better area' was in the pipeline but it is extremely arrogant and presumptuous to do things for the disabled without consulting with them first," he said to PET+BLOGSPOT after the press conference.

"Their action is not only discriminatory against people with special needs but also shows how totally ignorant they are about people with disabilities.

"Their workshop is a joke and a farce," he said referring to Monday's final stakeholders meeting the agency is coordinating with the Selangor Forestry Department.

Dr Nasir (in black) chatting with protesters

"What they are doing is going against everything that the PJ City Council (MBPJ) is doing to try and create a barrier-free environment with universal designs."

Thanasayan said that he had met Phang on a couple of occasions early this year to check out the park as well as to plan out the disabled-friendly pavements which MBPJ had expressed its interest to support.

Thanasayan who was invited to the workshop said he is boycotting Monday's workshop, fearing it to be a trap to get his indirect support for the exclusion of the disabled-friendly facilities.

"Even though a detailed list of disabled-friendly points was made available by me, no one had called or wanted to discuss the matter with me at any time," said Thanasayan.

"The KDCFR is excellent for the blind who though they can't see, are fully able to appreciate the rich sounds of the forest and the smells," pointed out Petpositive blind member Yam Tong Woo who took a stroll in the area with his wife.

"People should stop seeing the issue as a charity one but rather from a justice point of view - access to KDCFR is our human right," said tetraplegic Francis Siva, president of ILTC.

He was accompanied by his wife - also in wheelchair - Gurdip Kaur, a former local councillor for the Selayang municipality (MPS).

On his part Dr Nasir said he was upset over the non inclusion of the disabled facilities.

"We should stop segregating people and do everything we can to integrate with everyone," he said, adding that the disabled and the elderly should be given the same rights and privileges as anyone else.

Those who gathered at the press conference said that they are prepared to take up the matter to higher officials including the state's Chief Minister if the matter was not resolved.

Christmas cheer

Good Tidings For The Disabled Community

CHRISTMAS may be ten days away.

But for people with disabilities (PWDs) in the country, Santa seems to have already crawled down their chimneys early for them – at least as far as good tidings are concerned!

Four representatives of disability groups – including me – made a special visit to the Ministry of Women, Family and the Community Development in Jalan Dato Onn, Kuala Lumpur last week.

We went there to meet personally with the Minister Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil.

We had some pressing issues confronting PWDs in our society today to urgently discuss with her.

The national NGOs from KL were: The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive), Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA) and Dyslexia Association of Malaysia (PDM).

The fourth group was the Selangor and KL-based Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) from Rawang.

Although Sharizat was late for our appointment because she was held up in Parliament, she wasted no time to get down to listening to requests.

She personally led us through the passageway to her meeting room. We were touched that she herself literally opened the doors for our wheelchairs – a sign of the positive things (“opening of doors”) to come at the meeting.

Although they were others waiting to see her, she never hurried us. Instead she quickly fished out her pen and notebook and noted down all that we had to say together with her department officials.

Here’s what we told the Honourable Minister:

• Please get all the local councils (PBTs) everywhere to set up disability committees: This is the only way for significant and positive changes to happen for all disabled persons (OKU) in the country.

Currently there are building bylaws in every state of the nation that requires accessibility for PWDs. However, many PBTs choose to ignore them.

The OKU committee will serve as a driving force for each council to build a disabled friendly environment both inside and outside buildings.

They must represent the full category of PWDs from the blind, people with learning disabilities or their representatives to the blind, Deaf and of course, physically disabled.

They must meet at least once a month if it is to be effective. It is only after pavements are made accessible to wheelchairs and buildings that disabled Malaysians can successfully hold jobs.

They wouldn’t have to travel far to get to them. Children in wheelchairs can also go to schools and be educated instead of becoming a burden to society later on in life.

The Minister had no problem in supporting our point. In fact she reiterated our view by saying that it is only right that PWDs be involved in decision-making processes that involve us.

She even went on to say that “able-bodied people know nuts about the handicapped – and that’s why the disabled’s participation is vital.”

She promised us that the Ministry will start a campaign as soon as possible to get PBTs to set up the special committees. It will start with a major seminar for all PBTs next year.

Meanwhile, head of local councils in Selangor Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew when met earlier by a representative of the same group said he would be sending a directive to all 12 PBTs in the state to set up disability technical groups.

A “starter kit guide” on how to do this is currently being prepared by a town planning expert. It is expected to be handed over to Liu within the next couple of weeks.

MBPJ is currently the only local council in Selangor, and possibly the whole country, to have an active disability committee that meets once a month.

• Please register People with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) as PWDs: Currently PwP can’t qualify for welfare cards and can’t get free treatment.

Sharizat said her ministry will urgently discuss the matter for approval with the Ministry of Health. Once that is given, the event will be launched early next year.

• Other issues: The Minister will look into improving the quality of lives of people with learning disabilities especially in care homes and centres through the coordination of the Ministry of Special Education and Welfare.

She will also look into offering help for the profoundly disabled to get assistance from foreign workers. In some countries, the government pays for the services of caregivers of tetraplegics.

Finally, a special committee will be set up to study ways on how to protect the elderly from abuse and neglect in the family based on the laws in Singapore that allows for court action.

The End

Saturday December 11, 2010

Advocating change for PWDs

By S. INDRAMALAR
indra@thestar.com.my

IF THERE is one thing Norani Haji Mohd Hashim could wish for, it would be that people with disabilities (PWD) have better access to infrastructure and services.

As the Deputy Director-General (Operation) for the Department of Social Welfare, Norani is an advocate for the disabled, a role to which she is fully committed, no matter how fraught it is with challenges.

“If I were to put myself in their shoes, I’d want to be able to walk out of my home and get around like any other person. I’d want to be able to walk, drive and move about freely. I’d like to be able to watch a movie or go shopping with ease.

“At the moment, accessibility for PWDs is just not there. The moment they step out of their homes, there are so many hazards. It’s just not fair to them,” said Norani.

Accessibility is one of the two themes of this year’s national level celebrations of the International Day Of Persons With Disabilities. The other theme is employment.

“Accessibility and employment are two key aspects of our initiative to integrate persons with disabilities into mainstream society. Improvements in these areas will enable PWDs to become independent,and by default productive citizens as well.

“Many PWDs, because they are given the means and opportunities, are able to support themselves, their families and contribute to the communities they live in. This is what we are aiming for – inclusion and integration of all people, regardless of their abilities.”

The national-level celebrations will take place today in Malacca and will be officiated by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“Although there are laws and regulations to ensure accessibility for PWDs in public buildings, outdoors and in all new housing projects, enforcement is lacking,” said Norani. State local authorities have to play a more active role in enforcing the existing laws.

“The local authorities in every state must take charge because they are the body that issues licences and approvals. If they are strict, then developers will have to comply and provide for PWDs in all development projects.

“By right, all new buildings are supposed to follow the universal design principals. The provisions are there but the implementation isn’t. This is where the local authorities must step in,” said Norani.

She was referring to the amendment to the Uniform Building Bylaws in 1990 which makes it compulsory for buildings to provide access and facilities for the disabled.

Existing buildings were given three years to make modifications to comply with the bylaw.

In July, Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“This means we are obliged by law to ensure that PWDs have equal access in terms of access in/to public facilities, amenities, buildings, public transport and so on.

“We have to work fast because we have to present a report on our progress to the UN in two years,” said the deputy director-general.

Though there is much to be done, Norani acknowledged that things are changing. The number of companies that are willing to employ PWDs is increasing and the perception of PWDs in society has also changed.

“People are not awkward or shy when they talk about PWDs. They are accepted in society now more than ever,” she noted.

Today’s celebrations is to pay tribute to PWDs and recognise their contribution to society. There will be awards for outstanding PWDs who have courageously triumphed over their disabilities and also certificates for care providers who have worked tirelessly for the disabled.

One of the highlights of the event is an exhibition showcasing the handiwork and products of PWDs.

The exhibition will also highlight programmes run by government agencies, non-governmental organisations and service providers for PWDs, and suggest areas in which the corporate sector can play a part.

There will also be a registration drive to encourage PWDs to register with the Department of Social Welfare.

“A lot of PWDs and their parents are not aware of the services that are available to them. These services include employment assistance and also the access to early rehabilitation programmes.

“In Malaysia, it isn’t compulsory for PWDs to register with the department. But we encourage them to because to be eligible for our services, they have to be registered. That is a criteria,” said Norani.

There are presently about 330,000 PWDs registered with the Department. This, says Norani, is only a small percentage of the total number of PWDs in the country.

“The World Health Organisation estimates that PWDs make up five to 10% of the population of every country. This is a general estimation. The categorisation of PWDs differ ... some countries categorise old people as PWDs as well. In Malaysia, PWDs are divided into seven categories,” said Norani.

The seven categories of disabilities are visual impairment, physical disability, deafness, speech impairment, mental disability, learning disability and multiple disabilities.

“Once they register with us, they will be assessed by experts to determine if they qualify and into which category they best fit,” said Norani.

She explained that Malacca was chosen as the venue of this year’s celebrations for several reasons.

“We really wanted to reach the masses and reach out to PWDs everywhere. The celebrations will be held at Fashion City (at the Melaka International Trade Centre grounds) which is accessible to everyone. Also, this is a tribute to Malacca, which was was recently declared a developed state.”

Norani concluded: “We also wanted to see whether, as a developed state, it would be able to provide for PWDs.

Monday December 13, 2010

Bar: Stricter laws needed to help the disabled

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a need for stricter laws to make facilities for disabled persons at public buildings and properties a must, said Malaysian Bar Council president K. Ragunath.

He added that most public transportation and walkways were not disabled-friendly.

“There is not enough pressure on the government to take the matter seriously,” he said.

He added that the Bar Council planned to set up a committee to advocate the rights of the disabled within the next two months.

The committee would work with the government, various NGOs and town councils to increase awareness on the needs of the community.

“More government intervention is needed to protect the rights of the disabled community especially in terms of employment and accessibility to public property,” he said after the grand finals of the Bar Council Human Rights Debate 2010 last night.

The three-day competition saw participation of debaters from 18 local and international institutions in conjunction with the World Human Rights Day on Saturday.

The winning team will get RM5,000 from the total cash prize of RM30,000, while the remaining RM25,000 will be donated to five charity organisations.

The organisations selected to receive the donation include the National Autism Society of Malaysia and the Society of the Orthopaedically Handicapped Malaysia.

Please Stop Pitying The Disabled

Please Stop Pitying The Disabled

WITH the year 2010 coming to a quick close in just a matter of weeks – and the observance of International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) having taken place on December 3 last week – the handicapped community the world over are eagerly looking forward to a better future as far as their plight is concerned.

One of the best-known worldwide disability rights group Disabled Peoples International which is headquartered in Newfoundland in Canada in its statement to mark IDPD used the occasion to point out the key goals of the annual special day which was first established by the United Nations in 1981.

IDPD aims are to bring about a better understanding of what disability is all about and how it affects the people who have them, says DPI which currently has as many as six regional departments from North America to the Asia-Pacific.

“Disability must be seen as a human rights issue and people with disabilities (PWDs) must be integrated into every aspect of society - at the political, social, economic and cultural levels,” the statement went on.

The disability international NGO is pleased to note that their ambitions to get the commitment of the various governments of the world to provide an international policy framework for better access and a high quality living for its disabled citizens was strengthened two years ago by a 2006 key document called the “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” of which Malaysia is also a signatory.

The Convention is meant to give an impetus to governments around the world to make good their promise in keeping to the disability rights agenda for the world’s handicapped communities.

Whilst all these are a positive step forward, DPI sadly notes that the gap between policy and practice of governments is still going on.

For this to stop, governments must start including PWDs into each process otherwise the marginalisation of the handicapped will increase even further.

Back in Malaysia, wheelchair-activist Chong Tuck Meng (right) from Bentong in Pahang firmly believes that changes can start happening by some simple steps.

The 49-year old who was paralysed from the neck down after a motorcycle accident 30 years ago suggests a significant mind-shift first about who disabled people really are.

“Just as how ‘re-branding’ is vital to a dying product, it’s time to change our present condescending and negative attitudes towards PWDs or we really won’t get anywhere,” says Chong in an interview with Wheel Power this week.

“Let’s get rid of the present ‘Orang Kurang Upaya’ term in Bahasa meaning ‘persons who are less capable’ to something which is more positive like ‘Warga Istimewa’ or ‘special citizens’, he adds.

“It’s just like how we now refer to older persons as ‘warga emas’ instead of ‘orang tua’”.

Chong says he thinks there will be much more dignity and respect if society would look at disabled people as a special group instead of being seen as the “less fortunate” or “less able”.

“Let’s also please stop pitying PWDs and looking at them as objects of charity all the time,” Chong points out.

“Doing this during the festive celebrations may make the giver feel good but it’s often a different story for the recipients who are then forgotten for the rest of the year until the festivities return.

“Earning an income for the handicapped should go beyond common stereotypes such as selling lottery tickets, tissues and what not.

“The government can play a significant step in changing such perceptions by organising special projects that highlight the positive talents of PWDs in order to instil public confidence in the abilities of the disabled.

“They can do much more to get employers in the private and government sectors to give them jobs; as well as help in their special needs, such as making their offices accessible to wheelchairs, give a special allowance for transport, etc.”

Private telecommunication companies can also exercise their ‘corporate social responsibility’ part by giving meaningful discounts (and not just tokens) and even waivers to disabled subscribers so that they can catch up and communicate with the rest of the world outside of their homes.

Chong says with the petrol and other prices going up, a-RM500.00 monthly allowance for all disabled people in the country would be the right and timely gift to the handicapped community.

Chong concludes by saying that it is time for everyone to get tough with the use of laws to protect the disabled and their rights.

“Let’s promptly tow all cars belonging to the non disabled at handicapped parking spots and get down hard on local councils that conveniently ignore the building bylaws that require disabled access in towns and cities everywhere.”

Chong is a founder member and adviser of the national disabled society in Kuala Lumpur called “Perwira K9 Malaysia”.

He also plays the same roles for Budi Penyayang and Wheelchair Basketball in the state of Pahang.

The End