ILTC CHARITY BAZAAR - FOOD, FUNFAIR & CHARITY SHOW

ILTC CHARITY BAZAAR - FOOD, FUNFAIR & CHARITY SHOW.
“PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THE NEEDY”

Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) in collaboration with Independent Living & Training Centre (ILTC) are Jointly Organizing “ 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

ILTC CHARITY BAZAAR – FOOD & FUN FAIR 2009
(Together With A blood Donation Campaign and FREE health screening to the public)

With reference to the above-mentioned event,

I / my company would be willing to help the disabled with the following donation / sponsorship/ Coupons for the food & fun fair are RM10 per booklet

口 RM 5,000 口 RM 3,000 口 RM 2,000
口 RM 1,000 口 RM 500 口 RM ______________

Cheque No: _______________________________
Please send us your crossed cheque made payable to
“INDEPENDENT LIVING & TRAINING CENTRE”

Or Bank in your donation to our Bank Account at Affin Bank, Rawang Branch
Account Number 10-043-001007-8

Please Fax your bank in slip & address to 03-6091 2531, we will send you the tax-exemption receipt.

· I / my company wish to sponsor the following for Charity Sales

Items: _______________________Quantity: _________________ boxes / cartons / pieces

Name/Company:_____________________
Address:___________________________
Person Contact: ______________
Tel: _______________________
Email: _____________________

Karpal all praise for disabled-friendly facilities

Thursday June 18, 2009




Karpal all praise for disabled-friendly facilities

KARPAL Singh (DAP - Bukit Gelugor) is all praise for the newly modified ramp and special lift meant for the disabled at Parlia­ment House.

“This is a good development. It’s good for disabled visitors who come to Parliament, and not only for me.

“It’s a necessity now as many were unable to come due to the lack of facilities,” said Karpal, who was wheeled into the building from the back entrance via the new low-gradient ramp.

The new ramp at the back of the main building comes with an overhead roof.

He then took the lift to the first floor where the Dewan Rakyat is located.

Karpal said that in April, he fell forward from his wheelchair while using the ramp at the front of the tower block because it was quite steep.

Only half helpful

Thursday June 18, 2009




Only half helpful
Wheel Power by ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Ivory towers and red tape must be done away with if we really want to help the disabled.

LAST week, a woman with walking difficulties came to see me for help. She wanted to set up a food stall so that she could support her two young kids. Her abusive husband offered no financial help for the family.

A week earlier, I visited a man who suddenly became blind from a hereditary disorder. Without a job, he had little cash in his hands. His only support was RM90 a month from the Government, plus some extras donated by one or two well-wishers. He lives in a dirty flat with his brother who is also losing his sight.

I was also referred to a deaf-mute young man who yearns for work.

Several others told me they did not know how to approach the welfare departments in their locality, whilst others who did so said they were put off by unfriendly staff or officers who did not give them full information.

Trying to help all these people, I discovered, can be frustrating.

Early this week, I received an e-mail from a friend, Captain A.K.S. Russell from Seremban, who shared with me the experience he and his wife went through when they visited the Social Welfare Department in Kuala Lumpur.

“We went up to the 9th floor of the Grand Seasons Avenue in Jalan Pahang – a place where we had to go to try to find out what was needed to apply for a grant for a voluntary welfare organisation,” explained Russell, 61. “We did this after receiving two letters pertaining to a KL-based society where we serve as volunteers.”

Russell said although the Welfare Depart­ment is a large office that is accessible to wheelchair users, it is difficult to get there using public transport.

Russell noted that many of the handicapped who were present – together with the elderly and the poor – had no choice but to resort to taxis to get there.

When the couple arrived, they had to go through an initial screening before being given a number and told to wait.

Although the waiting room was large and clean, with plenty of seats, it was insufficient to accommodate the large number of people who were present.

“Whilst waiting, I overheard some of the people being told by the staff: ‘You need to go to such-and-such a place before we can attend to you ...’ or ‘you will need to come back again another time’.

“Such treatment only puts these people through further hardship instead of helping them,” said Russel.

Many of them, however, patiently suffered in silence.

“What the Welfare Department should do is streamline efforts by going out of their offices and meeting the handicapped in their homes, at local community centres, and elsewhere, to ensure that their services are expediently carried out.

“Websites should tell visitors everything. This includes all the necessary forms, criteria and information needed for the various people in the target group that the Welfare Department is trying to help instead of only providing telephone numbers and addresses of the respective departments,” said Russell.

“This information should include a map on how to get to the building proper and the various departments, not forgeting details of access inside the builing for wheelchair users and the blind,” added Russell

Lift for wheelchair-bound MPs and visitors ready

Wednesday June 17, 2009

Lift for wheelchair-bound MPs and visitors ready

THE Parliament building is now friendlier to wheelchair-bound MPs and visitors as its special lift is ready for use.

Chief Administrator Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamad Baria said: “Disabled visitors can now park their cars at the back of the Parliament building, wheel down a low-gradient ramp, which is covered with anti-slippery mat, to get to the back entrance of the Parliament. Then they can take the lift up.”

Convenience: Norizan trying out the lift for the disabled at the parliament building yesterday.

He said the proposal was to accommodate wheelchair-bound MPs like veteran DAP MP Karpal Singh and other visitors.

Wheelchair-bound Norizan Kasbi was pleasantly surprised when he saw the lift during a visit to Parliament yesterday.

The former Johor Umno Youth information chief was the first disabled person to use the lift.
“This is thoughtful of the Parliament administration,” said Norizan, 47, who became paralysed after a road accident in Sabah in 1999.

Use 'People With Special Ability' Instead Of 'Disabled People': Ahmad Shabery

June 13, 2009 18:38 PM

Use 'People With Special Ability' Instead Of 'Disabled People': Ahmad Shabery

By: Ramjit

KEMAMAN, June 13 (Bernama) -- People with a disability should not be referred to as 'disabled' but rather 'People with Special Ability' as that would best fit their description said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

He said the term 'People with Special Ability' should become a common phrase when referring to such people as it does not portray a negative perspective on the person with a disability.

"Many of them are not 'disabled' because they have special qualities that sometimes even a normal person cannot match. For example, a paralympic athlete has such a high level of commitment, determination and competitiveness compared with a normal person," he said.

Apart from sportsmen, they (disabled) have also contributed vastly towards the growth of a nation by being doctors, teachers, lecturers, businessmen and craftsmen.

At the same time, there are also normal human beings who become useless to the community, 'disabled' because people like drug addicts, criminals, beggars and jobless to not in any way contribute to the nation said Ahmad Shabery after opening the Higher Institution National Expedition and Camping programme at Kolej Universiti TATi Campus, here Saturday.

Ahmad Shabery had earlier handed out contributions to 140 less fortunate children from six Department of Social Welfare community centres, during a charity programme at Kompleks Penyayang, Kampung Mak Chili in Chukai near here.

BERNAMA

Come Join The Fun!

Warm Greetings from ILTC

Sunday, June 14, 2009

To Whom It May Concern;

Dear Sir/Madam,

ILTC CHARITY BAZAAR – FOOD & FUN FAIR 2009:
(Together With A Blood Donation Campaign and FREE health screening to the public)

APPEAL FOR DONATION & SPONSORSHIP

Independent Living and Training Centre is a charitable organization, which was formed BY the disable and FOR the disable to provide free services for their members who are living throughout the county. These services are carried out with the main objective to teach, guide and assist disable members to lead an independent live and face daily challenges with self confidence and esteem.

We provide the following services to the disable members and community;

• Counseling and Personal Motivation


• Disability Information and Advice


• Computer Training


• Self Development Programs


• Technical Assistance and Training


• Making of Handicrafts and Sewing


• Motivation


• Job Identification and Placements

Through these programs we have achieved numerous successes. Many disabled members have gained confidence and technical knowledge and so far thirty two (32) of them have been successfully employed

In addition to the above services we provide, we also emphasize in educating the immediate family members of the disabled, the manner to handle and care for a disabled person at home. These services are presently being provided free to more than one hundred and sixty (160) non-resident trainees whom we are assisting to lead an independent live. Besides those regular training programs, we also provide food and lodging to fifteen (15) resident-trainees.

The current economic downturn has affected the inflow of regular donations we receive from our well wishers. We therefore need to raise funds approximately RM 120,000 to maintain and continue the programs and training to the disabled community.

We have planned to organize a “Charity Bazaar – Food & Fun Fair 2009” & Charity Concert at evening (together with a blood donation campaign and FREE health screening to the public) event on Saturday, 4th July 2009 between 10.00am to 11.50pm at Padang Sekolah Kebangsaan Rawang in Jalan Kuala Garing, 48000 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan

At the school field, we are putting up forty (40) to fifty (50) stalls offering local food and drinks, books, ornaments, souvenirs, handicrafts, antiques and various products contributed by trading and marketing companies and manufacturers to raise fund in the Charity Bazaar. To make the event more exiting we are organizing games for adults and children, lucky draws, and entertainment.

We would appreciate if your esteemed organization could support us by making donation in cash or products that can be sold in the charity bazaar or offer prizes for the various games, entertainment and lucky draw.

Should you have any further enquiries or require more details please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Rina at 03-6091 2531, 03-6093 6292 or 012-695 6786. You may also visit our website at: http://www.iltcmalaysia.org.my/ and for details of our latest development/activities are at the blog: http://iltcmalaysia.blogspot.com/

The ILTC is a non-profit organization, and is entirely run on charity and is therefore always seeking funds and volunteers to help us to achieve our aims and objectives.

TAX-EXEMPTED
Your donation to the Independent Living & Training Centre is exempted from Income Tax under the Provision of Section 44(6) of the Income Tax Ordinance. Ref. No. LHDN.01/35/42/51/179-6.5732

We hope that our appeal will meet your consideration and looking forward for a favorable reply from your esteemed organization.

Thanking you in advance,

Yours sincerely,

Ms. Rina
Secretary of ILTC &
Councilor for Selayang Municipal Council's (MPS)

“PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THE NEEDY’S”

Growth of two NGOs

Thursday June 11, 2009



Growth of two NGOs
Wheel PowerBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

TWO organisations which support Malaysians with disabilities held their annual general meeting on the same day last week.

The first was the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor. About 90 members turned up on May 31 at the society’s premises in Taman Garing.

The focus of the AGM was a food and funfair fund-raiser that ILTC is organising for July 4. It will be held at a school near the centre. There will be several concerts featuring disabled performers.

“There is no point in holding concerts in aid of disabled people if they can’t be part of the occasion,” said ILTC president Francis Siva. “We should stop our culture of putting the handicapped in the spectator’s chair. It’s time we made them stars, too.”

The ILTC will be commemorating its seventh anniversary in September. It currently has 12 physically handicapped residents who receive living skills training which includes computer classes, cooking lessons and personal grooming tips. The services are provided free.

The centre requires RM10,000 a month for its operations. ILTC is looking forward to building a disabled-friendly training centre in Rawang. The centre has, to date, raised 45% of the RM1.5mil needed for the building.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) held its fourth AGM last month. The association turned four last Sunday.

The AGM was held at the Petpositive Therapy Centre (PTC) in Jalan Carey, Petaling Jaya.
The PTC was recently fitted with up-to-date facilities for the disabled.

“The elderly will find railings designed to help them walk into our centre through a gentle ramp,” said Petpositive’s assistant secretary Shenaaz Khan. She added that the main attraction of the PTC is a special therapy room for clients of Petpositive and their pets.

There is a corner for marine therapy as well as an indoor fish pond that is accessible to wheelchair users.

PTC provides free services for the elderly and disabled visitors. The centre requires RM5,000 a month for its rental and other expenses.

For more information on ILTC, visit http://www.iltcmalaysia.blogspot.com/or call 03-6093 6292.

To know more about Petpositive, visit http://www.petpositive.blogspot.com/ or call 012-012-220 3146 .

Johor council employs 15 disabled persons

Monday June 8, 2009

Johor council employs 15 disabled persons

JOHOR BARU: Under an initiative by the United Nations Development Programme and Johor State Economic Planning Unit, 15 disabled persons were given jobs at Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).

Mayor Datuk Mohd Naim Nasir the council was the first state body to adopt the initiative to employ disabled people.

“We will give deserving and skilled disabled people a chance to join the civil service,” he said at the MBJB full council meeting.

Naim said that the disabled could find work in departments like landscaping, planning, the library, quality management, property management and public relations based on their abilities.

“Although it is a pioneer programme, we have hired the disabled since 1990 and about four of them were employed until 2007.

“The council recognises their ability to perform like normal people,” he said, adding that the council had achieved its target of hiring 1% disabled persons among its 1,350 employees.

He believed that disabled persons could do anything when given the opportunity.

“We will use the initiative to find new talents in disabled workers.

“By giving them opportunities, we will change the perception that disabled people cannot perform normal jobs,” he said.

Facelift for Section 52, PJ

Monday June 8, 2009

Facelift for Section 52, PJ

By SALINA KHALID

THE Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is planning to turn the whole of Section 52 (PJ new town) as a model of clean, green and disabled-friendly area.

Councillor Anthony Thanasayan said a committee had been formed to handle the task.

The team is headed by mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman and comprised representatives from various departments in the council including town planning and health.

Thanasayan said the plan would be carried out in stages.

“We are starting with the Emporium Makan at Complex C in Jalan Sultan. “Give us a year and this place will change back to how it was before and even better,” he said.

He was speaking after attending the cleaning up session of the complex yesterday.Cleaning up: Thanasayan (on wheelchair) helping out during the cleaning up exercise at the food court in Complex C, PJ New Town.

Also present during the event were the council’s town planning department deputy director Khairunnisa Haron, Health Department assistant officer Low Ching Keat and the complex’s trader representative Mohamad Shuffie Hassan.

Thanasayan said they had decided to kickstart the programme at the premises because of its potential and the need for its revival.

Traders who are operating on the ground floor of the premises have been complaining about poor business, especially in the past four years. Most of the stall owners have decided to close their business. Currently, only 25 of the 70 stalls are still operating.

“This was one of the most happening places in the area.

“But now things have changed and not many people know about this place any more,” said Thanasayan.

He said when he was younger, he used to go to the food court for a meal after a swim in the public swimming pool nearby. The swimming pool was closed about four years ago.

He added that a meeting was also held with the traders recently to listen to their grouses.

The traders had also complained about cleanliness of the place and lack of promotion to boost business.

“We are planning to make this place friendly for patrons including having an open-air eating concept on the front area and have more greenery to attract customers.

“The council is also tackling the pest problem faced by the traders and educating them on the importance of keeping their place clean,” he said.

Ramps will also be built to make the place more accessible for the wheelchair-bound and special toilets for the disabled.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Shuffie said they were planning to organise various activities at the premises to attract customers.

“We are planning to hold a Father’s Day celebration here this month and we welcome everyone. There will also be a chess competition.

“At the same time we are also planning to put up a stage and maybe have a live entertainment for our customers,” he said.

Ahli Majlis Kumpul Golongan Ibu

THE 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ILTC

To All Well-wisher's, Donor's, Volunteers and Members of ILTC

I the President of Independent Living & Training Centre of Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur would like to take this opportunity to personally thanks to all of you for making this THE 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ILTC a very successful one and I would like to welcome the new Central Committee's and members to joint hand together for the success and betterment of coming year 2009 - 2010

Cheers,

G. Francis Siva

President of ILTC, Malaysia

Menara MPAJ to be more disabled-friendly

Monday June 1, 2009

Menara MPAJ to be more disabled-friendly

Story and photo by FAZLEENA AZIZ

THE Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) carried out a disability awareness simulation programme at its building in Pandan Indah recently.

The programme was held to give the council an overview of how disabled-friendly Menara MPAJ is.

It came after a discussion at the People with Disability dialogue held on Feb 17.

Uphill task: Mohammad making his way up the ramp in Menara MPAJ.

MPAJ president Datuk Mohammad Yacob and the councillors got a first-hand experience as they made their way to different places in the building in wheelchairs.

Mohammad said the MPAJ had plans to build a ramp in accordance with specifications on the needs of disabled people, as well as other facilities.

“This is an old building that was built in 1994 and is not sensitive to the needs of the disabled.

“So this exercise will help us fill in any gaps we may have pertaining to being more disabled-friendly,” he said.

He added that the council would take the necessary action on the matter.

The specifications are from the Guidelines on Building Requirements for Disabled Persons issued by the Local Government and Housing Ministry.

Mohammad said that new commercial buildings had implemented the specifications.

“Our advice is that other building owners should make their premises more disabled-friendly.

“If we want to make this mandatory, then we will have to make a new policy,” he said.

The MPAJ has prepared a separate checklist on the needs of people with disability that plans for housing and commercial developments must comply with before approvals are given.

This is one of the ways to ensure that the disabled community will enjoy the same facilities as others.

The MPAJ has also placed two wheelchairs on level 4 of the building for the use of people who need them.

NOTICE OF THE 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ILTC

Warm greetings from ILTC Malaysia

To All Members of ILTC

Dear Sir / Madam:

RE: NOTICE OF THE 7TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ILTC

Notice is hereby given that the 7th Annual General Meeting of the Independent Living & Training Centre of Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur will be held on 31st of May 2009 (Sunday), at 10.00am, Venue: Independent Living & Training Centre, Taman Garing, 48000 Rawang, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

We hope all members will be able to attend this meeting and your presence at the AGM will be highly appreciated.

If you have any enquires please contact President or Secretary at 03-6091 2531 or 03-6093 6292

I look forward to meeting you again on 31st May 2009

Thank you,

Ms. Gurdip Kaur @ Rina
Secretary of the ILTC

Like a stroll in the park

Thursday May 28, 2009

Like a stroll in the park
WHEEL POWERBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Local councils step up drive to provide access for the disabled.

HAVE you noticed the increasing number of disabled-friendly facilities in Selangor?

This clearly demonstrates that the local governments – in the Klang Valley for a start – are beginning to view with seriousness, building by-laws gazetted years ago to ensure access for the disabled.

I was delighted when I visited my hometown in Klang last week and discovered a number of disabled-friendly car parks in town. At the Klang City Council, there was one situated at the entrance of the building. And not far away were several wheelchairs awaiting disabled visitors.

What a positive change this is compared to a few years ago when it would have been impossible to find even one car park – or wheelchair – in public view in the royal town.

The provision of wheelchair ramps and special car parks by our local councils sends a strong and encouraging message to all disabled Malaysians that they do not need to feel shy or afraid about going out in their wheelchairs.

Like our non-disabled counterparts, we too can now enjoy the experience of being able to interact with society.

Disabled residents in Subang Jaya, and particularly in Shah Alam, can look forward to seeing more disabled-friendly car parks in the area.

This was revealed to Wheel Power recently during a conversation with Rodziah Ismail, the Selangor State Welfare, Women Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman.

She pointed out that the car parks would be provided free of charge, and reserved only for the disabled.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is going one step further in its commitment to provide access for the disabled.

The MBPJ is presently expanding its disabled car parks which will all be fully covered to protect the handicapped from the sun and rain.

These car parks will be accessible to disabled drivers and caregivers. This will make it easier for parents of disabled children, and those with elderly disabled parents who wish to take their loved ones out. The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), one of the pioneer local councils to introduce disabled-friendly parking lots, is taking its social responsibility to a higher level.

The MPS is working on setting up a special disability technical team over the next few weeks.

The team will be headed by disabled councillor Gurdip Kaur who mooted the idea.

The council will handpick persons with various handicapping conditions as well as those from non-governmental organisations for the disabled, to sit in a committee as expert advisers. The team of experts will include heads of the various departments of the MPS and other relevant bodies.

The MPS disability technical committee will be tasked with looking into the needs of disabled residents, and ways in which they can have a better quality of life.

The committee will look into accessibility issues in buildings before they are approved by the main council. The committee will also set out to raise the standard of services provided by homes for the disabled and the elderly in Selayang.

Rehab effort helps injured employees return to work

Wednesday May 27, 2009

Rehab effort helps injured employees return to work

By PRIYA MENON

THE recent economic downturn has made it tough on those seeking employment, more so for those who have lost a limb or two in an accident.

For this reason, the Social Security Organisation (Socso) has come up with a rehabilitation programme to help those who were rendered helpless after an accident to find suitable jobs.

The Return to Work (RTW) programme, which began in 2007, has certainly changed the lives of these people who would usually find it tough to return to the job market.

Since its inception, 441 out of 566 employees who joined the programme have gone back to work as of March this year.

Checking it out: Two DBC physiotherapists demonstrate how an assessment is done.

Each case received by the Socso is handed over to case managers who take the time and initiative to ensure that the cases are genuine and deserved aid.

Gayathri Vadivel, a case manager, said upon receiving a case, an initial assessment was carried out to verify the extent of the injuries and disability.

Her colleague, Rosmawati Mat, 37, said the case managers worked on the strengths of the patients to ensure they received either rehabilitation or vocational skills.

This will help the patients become economically independent.

“Most of the time, these people are afraid that they may not be hired again by their employers or other companies so we have to find a way to ensure that they do get a job after the programme,” Rosmawati said.

The steps taken by the case managers include talking to the previous employers and convincing them to retain the employees with adjustments to their job scope.

“The employers are afraid that the disabled employees can no longer work as well as when they were able bodied but statistics show that a disabled employee is more loyal,” Gayathri said.

In the case of Low Yew Loi, 32, who was involved in an accident at his work place early this year, he managed to continue with his job after recuperating from his injuries over a six-month period.

Low, a site supervisor, lost his right leg after he was run over by an excavator during the construction of the Duta Ulu Kelang (DUKE) highway.

“I lost all hope of retaining my job. That is when Socso stepped in and bought a prosthetic leg for me,” he said.

“They also spoke to my employer and ensured adjustments were made so that I could continue working for them,” added Low who is now confined to office work.

At the RTW National Seminar 2009 held recently, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said more case managers would be hired to help workers who had sustained injuries.

“For now, there are only nine case managers in the country but by the end of the month we hope to employ 34 more,” he said.

Besides the case managers, the rehabilitation centres also play an important role in ensuring that the patients receive proper rehabilitation and are fit to work again.

One such centre is the Document Based Care (DBC) company that has been working with Socso since its pilot project in February 2005.

DBC chief executive officer Wee Hock Kee said DBC was the only service provider with the capacity to support the Socso RTW project nationwide.

“We have successfully treated 500 Socso patients so far nationwide and we have a success rate of more than 30% for the pilot project and for RTW early intervention, it is 63%,” he said.

DBC has back, neck, shoulder and knee protocol and assessment and it covers the psycho-social assessment of the patient and follows an approach called the “Cognitive Behaviour Approach”.

“Each rehabilitation programme lasts for 12 weeks and includes two physical examinations and 24 sessions of physiotherapy and muscle reconditioning sessions,” Wee said.

Disabled buddies find their niche at hypermart

2009/05/23

Disabled buddies find their niche at hypermart

Sahril Adamuddin (left) and Mat Jamil Ramli are part of the 60 people with disability who are employed at Carrefour Malaysia.

KUALA LUMPUR: Twenty- five-year-old Mat Jamil Ramli spends his day at Carrefour creating press advertisements and leaflets on his computer.

Employed as a graphic designer, Mat Jamil would otherwise go unnoticed at the sprawling Carrefour head office floor in Subang, where hundreds of employees move around like bustling bees, but for the fact that the metre-tall lad uses his toes to type on his keyboard.

Born without hands, Mat Jamil counts himself lucky to have secured a job at Carrefour two years ago.

"Everyone here is friendly and helpful. It's like being part of a big family."

Sahril Adamuddin, 26, is Mat Jamil's lunch buddy, who sometimes helps the latter cut up his meat during meals. Wheelchair-bound Sahril works as a pricing clerk at Carrefour and, like Mat Jamil, he feels he is at the "right place".

Mat Jamil and Sahril are not the only people with disability (PWD) who work at Carrefour Malaysia.

There are currently 60 PWD who make up two per cent of Carrefour's 3,423 workforce.

According to Carrefour human resource director Mohamad Fauzi Hassan, the company implemented the hiring policy two years ago when it employed 20 PWD at its stores nationwide.

The hypermarket hopes to hire about 400 PWD by 2012, making up five per cent of its expected 8,000 workforce.

Carrefour became part of the United Nations Development Programme's pilot project called Employment Model for PWD last year, under an agreement where UNDP provides job coaches for Carrefour to train the PWD.

Carrefour has also, on its own initiative, trained job coaches among its staff to cater to the hypermarket chain's expansion, Fauzi said.

These coaches are given special training, such as sign language and systematic instruction.

"To help them, the PWD are partnered with a Carrefour 'buddy' each.

They are given on-the-job training under supervision until they are able to perform the tasks on their own.

" He added that there were hardly any disciplinary problems among the PWD."

They are enthusiastic and passionate about their work. Once, one of them fell ill but he insisted on coming to work. His parents, however, refused to allow him.

"So he made them come and explain to us that he was indeed ill. I told them they didn't have to come and that they only needed to call."

Fauzi said there were no restrictions as to where the PWD were placed in the hypermarket. They work in the head office as marketing executives, graphic designers, accounts executives and data entry clerks. At the store front, they are hired as clerks, security personnel and call centre and customer service representatives, among others.

While Carrefour's disabled personnel are independent, where they travel to and from work on their own, Carrefour is planning to provide accommodation and transportation in the future, through its Yayasan Carrefour.

A fair picture?

Thursday May 21, 2009

A fair picture?
WHEEL POWER
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Do TV shows represent how the disabled wish to be protrayed?

I WAS delighted to read the recent comments by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. He called on television and radio stations to provide fair coverage of the various communities in Malaysia.

The minister, referring to on-air shows such as sitcoms, serials and local films, urged those who produce them to ensure that they reflect the culture and aspirations of Malaysians.

I couldn’t agree more with the minister. Although Dr Rais did not specifically mention it, I have no doubt that he would feel the same for broadcast shows that depict the marginalised communities, namely the disabled. Do shows on the handicapped truly represent how they wish to be portrayed? Not too long ago, I caught a local show where “a tragedy” occurred in a family.

A couple rushed to a hospital when they heard that their son was involved in a car crash.

After hours of waiting at the surgery and fearing the worst, the couple met the grim-faced surgeon when he finally emerged from the operation theatre. The distraught parents looked at the doctor who shook his head and said: “I’m sorry. Although your son has survived, he will be paralysed for the rest of his life.”

The parents hugged each other and wept, as if to show that it would have been better for their child if he had not survived at all than to spend the rest of his life as a handicapped person.

Such a portrayal of the disabled by the media is not at all helpful nor is it accurate about the disabled community in Malaysia.

When someone becomes crippled, the most important thing is to give them hope and show them that life is worth living – because it really is.

What is tragic is not that one becomes disabled but rather that we still live in a society that has way to go before becoming fully inclusive of all types of persons. Inclusivity means building ramps for wheelchairs and guiding blocks for the blind, and providing special education for the learning disabled and electronic signboards for the Deaf.

Many of us (especially the non-disabled) place too much emphasis on one’s ability to walk, see, hear or think in a certain way. By doing this, we end up marginalising others that do not fit into the picture.

I happen to know quite a few non-disabled people with all of the so-called “positive abilities”. And yet, they are not content with their lives. Some are depressed, others even suicidal. I am happy that my job as a Petaling Jaya City Councillor (MBPJ) is paying off.

We in MBPJ are doing a lot of things to make a difference to the disabled, for example, by providing user-friendly facilities like wheelchair accessible rest-rooms, car parks, pavements and buildings – new and old – and even some form of public transportation.

All these features offer hope and help to the disabled.

I had quite a shock last week. A private TV station that had wanted to do a story on my life suddenly gave up on me. They turned me down because they wanted me to cry on television. The editor apparently thought a good sob was the best way for someone in a wheelchair to get sympathy from the public.

I simply refused to shed a tear in front of the camera. As a result, I lost a chance to go on national TV. But I managed to keep my dignity, and that to me is more important.

Make changes to fit in disabled, bosses told

Tuesday May 19, 2009

Make changes to fit in disabled, bosses told

KUALA LUMPUR: Employers should make adjustments to absorb employees who become disabled after work accidents, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said.

He said employers must take up this social obligation, and the adjustments could involve changing job specifications, creating flexi-time or making changes to work surroundings, for those still able to work.

“For the preservation of human dignity, it’s important for us, as a nation, and employers to bring these changes to the community,” he said.

Dr Subramaniam said that since the Social Security Organisation’s (Socso) “Return to Work” rehabilitation programme started in 2007, and until March this year, 441 of 566 employees who joined the programme had gone back to work.

The rest, he said, were still seeking jobs, or undergoing rehabilitation or medical treatment.

He said 868 work accident cases had been referred to the programme during the period but only 566 joined the programme.

He was speaking at Socso’s “Return to Work” National Seminar 2009 yesterday.

The ministry was also setting up a rehabilitation centre in Malacca, which would be ready in two years, he said, adding that the RM80mil project was in the preliminary stage of construction.

Currently, the Government was using public and private facilities for the “Return to Work” programme, he said.

Socso board chairman Datuk Hong Lee Pee said they were initially sceptical about the programme succeeding in Malaysia.

However, the response from employers and employees has been good, he added.

Assets of disabled not a consideration

Tuesday May 19, 2009

Assets of disabled not a consideration

THE Government will no longer consider the assets of the physically disabled when processing their application for aid.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said this was because the problem faced by each applicant differs.

“The Welfare Department will look at these applications on a case-by-case basis. I hope this will allay the worries of the disabled people as the Government will do its best to ensure that there will be less red tape.

“It is unfair if we disapprove their applications for aid just because they own a motorcycle or a television,” she told reporters after presenting aid to poor families in Kampung Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam, recently.

Shahrizat was accompanied by state Unity and Welfare Council chairman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah who is also Seberang Jaya assemblyman.

She added that the disabled must be registered with the Welfare Department of their respective areas before their applications can be processed.

More Disabled-friendly Komuter Stations By 2010

May 19, 2009

More Disabled-friendly Komuter Stations By 2010

By: Ramjit

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- More Komuter stations in the Klang Valley will be equipped with facilities for the disabled by the middle of next year.

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) managing director Datuk Abdul Radzak Abdul Malek said, the government had allocated RM10 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) to install five KTM stations with facilities for the disabled at the Rawang, Sungai Buloh, Bandar Tasik Selatan, Serdang and Shah Alam stations.

"This fund would be used to build two lifts, ramps at the station entrance and at platforms, creating a passage incorporating tactile indicators, disabled toilets and special parking bays at each station involved," he said at a briefing ceremony for media at the KTMB headquarters here.

Abdul Razak said so far seven stations were already equipped with basic facilities for the disabled which are the Sentral Kuala Lumpur, Midvalley, Kepong Sentral, Bank Negara, Subang Jaya, Seremban and Kajang stations.

He said besides facilities at the station, the disabled were also provided special seats and space in trains.

"We will also make it a requirement for frontliners to learn how to handle emergencies and the disabled in stations and trains," he said.

Abdul Razak added that KTMB also planned to hold a Disabled-Friendly Day to foster closer ties and ensure the group also enjoyed public transportation.

After the briefing session, members of the media and the disabled were shown disabled-friendly facilities at the Subang Jaya komuter station.

BERNAMA