Thursday January 12, 2012

Lots more can be done

New year starters which can make life easier for the disabled.

FOR most people, celebrating a birthday may mean having a generally good time with friends.

For Chong Tuck Meng who hails from Bentong, Pahang, there was much soul-searching to do when he turned 50 on Dec 22 last year.

“Hitting the big 5-0 is a major milestone, especially when you are disabled,” says Chong, the founder of Perwira K9, an association for people with spinal cord injuries.

‘Let’s see the disabled as special citizens rather than people with less ability,’ says Chong Tuck Meng.

Chong, a wheelchair user, says he is lucky to be alive today, following an accident which left him paralysed from the neck down, and killed his best friend.

“I can’t believe how I’ve managed to get this far after being paralysed for 30 years,” says Chong. “I have to depend on others for assistance in virtually everything in my life.”

Chong, who has undergone nearly 30 operations, needs help from the moment he wakes up until he retires for the night.

He needs assistance to sit up, get from his bed to his wheelchair, go to the bathroom and put on his clothes.

Despite his hardship, Chong harbours no bitterness and is even inspired to help others who are in a similar situation. He coaches basketball and rugby players who are wheelchair-users.

What he finds really difficult to handle are prejudiced thinking from the public, an unfriendly environment for wheelchairs and the lack of public transportation for the physically handicapped.

“The Government can clearly do much more to make the lives of the disabled easier,” says Chong.

The following are Chong’s suggestions on ways to improve the lot of the disabled:

National budgets

Goodies for the disabled should get better with each passing year. As it is, the proposals look good in some years, but lacklustre in others. “In 2012, I hope to see budgets that can help raise the quality of lives of all disabled Malaysians,” says Chong.

New mindset

Instead of seeing the disabled as “people with less ability” (OKU, ororang kurang upaya), let’s see them as “special citizens” (warga istimewa). Changing the negative perceptions about disabled Malaysians to positive ones should start with our television channels.

A voice in Parliament

Please choose the right person who knows what suffering is like, instead of an academician. Remember, even doctors have no idea what our lives are like unless they are in our shoes!

Involve the disabled

Please include the disabled in all matters that affect them. We have seen too many events organised for the disabled but without their participation at the decision-making level. The results have often been disastrous: irrelevant issues and inaccessible venues. Nothing about the disabled without the disabled!

Add bite to the Disability Act

Disabled Malaysians are unable to use the Act to protect themselves or take action against people who refuse to employ them or misuse facilities meant for them. What is the point of being a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities if disabled Malaysians’ rights and privileges are not protected?

Focus on the disabled

This is important because disabled persons are the most vulnerable and neglected among the marginalised communities. More funds should be channelled to help the disabled. Each disabled person should be given a monthly allowance of RM500 to help meet daily expenses and medical costs.

Telecommunication

The Government should encourage all telco and Internet service providers to exercise their corporate social responsibility by giving out better and more affordable packages for subscribers with disabilities. This will ensure that many handicapped Malaysians are able to work from home.

Why This Kolaveri Charity Concept by OnePhotographers

This video is a wonderful effort by OnePhotographers, bringing together a group of youths who solely belief in humanity and the importance of contributing to society. We truly believe that every individual is capable of bringing change in a small or a larger scale. Anyone can do it, even you! 

All you have to do is purchase these really cool "Kolaveri" tees and RM 1 for every purchase will be donated to selected organizations.

Let us join hands for a cause that transcends race, religion and language. 
Lovin' the "Kolaveri" craze? Be part of us by getting one.

Contact us : 012-5050997 (Phraim) 017-3739378 (Eswar)

Email us: kolaveri_why_this@yahoo.com

Happy Ponggal 2012

Wishing that this festival is one, which brings good luck and prosperity and hoping that it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness. Have a wonderful Pongal....

பொங்கலோ பொங்கல் பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்

Mr. Francis Siva

President of ILTC Malaysia 

Saturday January 14, 2012

Sign up, disabled urged

IPOH: A six-month campaign by the Welfare Department early last year to register more disabled Malaysians received lukewarm response.

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Datuk Heng Seai Kie said as of November last year, only 331,606 disabled people were registered in the department's records, an increase of 48,402 from the 283,204 people registered as of December 2009.

She said the number was a far cry from the forecast by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that the disabled make up 15% of a country's population.

“Malaysia has a population of about 28.6 million. Based on the figures and projection made by WHO, I am convinced that there are many more people with disabilities who are not registered with the Welfare Department,” she told reporters after opening Perak's Disability Day here yesterday.

Heng said there might be a misunderstanding among the public that only the disabled who wished to apply for assistance were required to register with the department.

She said the notion was wrong as all disabled persons must register with the department.

“I want to state here that accurate statistics is important to help the Government formulate an appropriate budget and programmes for the disabled,” she said.

Among the benefits, disabled students are entitled to a monthly allowance of RM150 while disabled workers earning less than RM1,200 monthly are entitled to RM300 each month.

Those who wish to register their disabled friends and family members, can obtain the form at all district Welfare, Health and Labour departments or online via www.jkm.gov.my.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 03/01/2012

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 03/01/201

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year 2012.

Mr. Francis Siva
President of ILTC Malaysia

HINDRAF Rally 4th Anniversary Dinner

HINDRAF Rally 4th Anniversary Dinner which was held successfully at the STC Hall, Batu Caves, Selangor on 26/11/2011

President and Secretary were participated at the dinner. 

Majlis Perjumpaan Khas Bersama Wakil Persatuan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) Dengan Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT) dan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan telah diadakan pada tarikh: 15/12/2011 Masa: 10 pagi di Bilik Mesyuarat Berlian, Aras 18, Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan, Persiaran Perdana, Precint 4, Putrajaya.

ILTC di wakili oleh Pengerusi dan Setiausaha.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 19/12/2011

Breath of God Church

Muhibbah Christmas 2011 Dinner

Breath of God Church was invited ILTC members for the Muhibbah Christmas 2011 Dinner which was held on 11/12/2011 at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.

Thursday December 15, 2011

PWDs speak up

The disabled made their presence felt at three recent events.

I HAD a most interesting opportunity recently to attend three events for Malaysians with disabilities.

They were very important for the handicapped community, and especially significant as they were all held a week after the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which was observed on Dec 3.

The occasions not only brought about a greater understanding of the struggles that people with disabilities (PWDs) have to needlessly put up with, but also presented plenty of food for thought on how they should be treated in future.

The first was a disabled rights seminar organised by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The toilets nearest the meeting room were unfortunately inaccessible to wheelchairs. Disabled participants had to wheel themselves quite some distance to an adjacent building of the hotel to ease themselves.

Rolling our wheelchairs with the strength of only our arms all that way, coupled with our weak bladders, made the effort a most excruciating one and tested our mettle to the limits.

The issue was raised several times by PWDs at the seminar and during the breaks. Even able-bodied participants said they would not be able to attend a full-day session without using the loo.

The disabled then said they wanted to see an end to the problem of inaccessible toilets at future seminars. They even went as far as to call for a boycott of such venues – until the outlets provided friendly facilities.

Another pertinent point that was brought up was for more opportunities for the empowerment of PWDs.

Able-bodied people should take a back seat and allow the disabled to articulate their own needs, the forum was told. This includes medical doctors, social workers and those from the government. PWDs no longer wished to be viewed as patients, nor be patronised by anyone.

On its part, Suhakam did well by fully allowing these dissenting views to be expressed at the seminar.

Participants with disabilities requested that Suhakam help organise leadership programmes for them and the commission agreed.

At the second event a few days later, Santa brought good cheer to some of the poorest people in Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) built a wheelchair ramp for disabled residents who had been virtually trapped inside their low-cost flats for years! And now, they are able to get out and mingle at the nearby stalls.

MBPJ also levelled and smoothened the pathways in the flat that were hostile to wheelchairs and walking aids.

The local council even went as far as to renovate an elderly woman amputee’s toilet with some basic user-friendly facilities.

The woman, with tears in her eyes and a big smile on her face, told me that life was miserable for her and her elderly caregiver husband until the renovations were made. She said she just could not wait to get out of her flat for a breath of fresh air every morning.

Brand new wheelchairs were given to physically disabled residents to replace their old and rickety ones. The only blind resident in the block got a bright new white cane as a present.

But the non-blind residents were not left out. They too, you might say, received “the gift of sight” that morning when MBPJ restored the lights in their lift and got it working again after it was vandalised for years.

Selangor State Executive Councillor for a Caring Government Dr Xavier Jayakumar launched the goodies with PJ Mayor Datuk Roslan Sakiman and assemblyman for the area Mohd Nasir Hashim.

“There is no more reason or excuse for disabled Malaysians and their families to feel shy about their conditions – they can now mingle and interact with the rest of society,” Dr Jayakumar said.

Later that week, the Transport Ministry held its third and last meeting of the year with all the relevant bodies and NGOs for the disabled.

Some of the issues discussed were that services in airports should be more friendly to disabled and elderly passengers, and that buggies should be made available to those who need them and not serve VIPs alone.

The ministry also announced that a new fleet of “improved” disabled-friendly buses would be in service soon, and the disabled would test them out first.

Because of the important role of the PWDs, it was suggested that more representatives from the disabled be invited to the Transport Ministry’s meetings. These include persons with Parkinson’s and stroke victims, those with profound walking difficulties, neurological conditions as well as parents and caregivers of children and adults with disabilities and little people.

Thursday December 8, 2011

Our day to be loud and proud

INTERNATIONAL Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) took off with a blast in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, last Saturday. More than 150 people took a couple of hours off from their daily routine to join the revelry at a street party in a local neighbourhood.

They came in their wheelchairs, walking sticks and white canes. Virtually nothing could stop them. And I was there, too.

We wanted to be loud and proud on our special day, which is commemorated on Dec 3 by the United Nations each year.

The host was the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ). The mayor, Datuk Roslan Sakiman, was present. And so were the directors of MBPJ’s planning and health departments, along with a couple of the city’s councillors.

And in something that isn’t often seen, all the top brass of the PJ council stayed back right to the very end of the event. And it wasn’t difficult to see why.

Whether they were handicapped by a physical condition, blind or deaf, each of the participants under the canopy wore a bright smile. Their smiles were so infectious that it spread to the able-bodied, too, who were made up of caregivers, volunteers and MBPJ staff.

The morning began with a couple of speeches. Datuk Roslan said that Petaling Jaya was privileged and proud to commemorate International Disabled Day. His remark drew smiles, nods and claps from the disabled participants.

He reminded everyone, especially the able-bodied, that disability was everybody’s concern.

“We are all growing older every day and will one day have disabilities of our own, so we had better get used to it,” he quipped. “Thus building a Petaling Jaya city that is friendly to everyone is certainly a forward thinking move.”

The mayor then led a band of disabled activists and residents up a newly-built wheelchair ramp to the nearby shoplots. It was one of MBPJ’s best disabled-friendly designs. The gradient was as gentle as possible so that even the weakest wheelchair-user could access it.

A wheelchair-friendly covered car park was also provided next to the ramp. This was to ensure that drivers with disabilities would be protected from the elements.

The ramp led to scores of shops on the higher floors. There were numerous office lots. A restaurant was located at the far end.

The ramp even led users to a veterinary clinic and a pet food store where the elderly could patronise.

All the wheelchair-users who used the ramp and checked out the car park for the disabled, gave it a resounding thumbs-up. After the launch, the mayor and his team joined the disabled for a good half-hour of music therapy session with pounding drums and shaking tambourines.

A special guest, Ashley Bryant, from Mobility International USA, commented after the event: “I was thrilled to be among so many Malaysians with disabilities and their allies on such an auspicious day as IDPD to create a cacophony of sounds to let the world know what is happening.

“And as the ruckus turned slowly into beautiful rhythms, it was great to find a common pulse with everyone,” said Bryant, who hails from Eugene, Oregon, one of the friendliest cities in the world for persons with disabilities. Bryant was here on a group study exchange programme.

“As a rep from an organisation that has been promoting active participation of disabled people the world over in development and foreign exchange, we were delighted to see such positive changes taking place in the lives of people with disabilities in Petaling Jaya.

“It was great to see Malaysians with disabilities actively working together with the PJ local council to turn the city into a model disabled-friendly environment for all. To accomplish this, people with and without disabilities, as citizens or as policy-makers, need to tune in to one another’s needs. Only then can they really turn up the volume!” added Bryant.

As for the participants, they said they couldn’t recall an event that was so fun and exciting.

Cheque Presentation Ceremony

Magnum donates RM2,100.00 to Mr. Munusamy family.

Magnum had donated RM2,100.00 Mr. Munusamy family through “Magnum Cares” community support fund raising programme.

ILTC have made the arrangement.

Our congratulations and thanks to Magnum who have contributed.

Monday December 5, 2011

PJ New Town to be turned into the city’s first disabled-friendly area

By JADE CHAN
jade@thestar.com.my
Photo by NORMAN HIU

SECTION 52 in Petaling Jaya, popularly known as PJ New Town or PJ State, will be turned into the city’s first disabled-friendly area within the next five years.

Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Roslan Sakiman said the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) has taken the initial steps to implement various disabled-friendly facilities in Section 52, and intends to invite the area’s business community to participate and contribute to the initiative as part of their social responsibility.

“The MBPJ has plans to install more infrastructure like covered parking, ramps, disabled-friendly toilets and tactile paving at 150 locations all over Petaling Jaya to make more areas accessible to the disabled.

“The installation will be staggered over a span of five years,” he said.

Roslan was speaking at the launch of the Petaling Jaya Disability Day celebration, which was held to commemorate International Day of Persons with Disabilities that falls on Dec 3.

A convenience: Roslan helping Independent Living and Training Centre president Francis Siva down the newly-installed ramp at the Gasing Veterinary Hospital.

He also officiated at the unveiling of a ramp and covered parking for the disabled at the Gasing Veterinary Hospital in Gasing Indah, Petaling Jaya.

MBPJ Town Planning director Sharipah Marhaini Syed Ali said the MBPJ also plans to connect all the parks in Petaling Jaya by linking these using a universal design and ensuring they are disabled-friendly.

“The parks will be linked using existing pedestrian walkways. We will also go down to the ground to look into how to fill in the missing links to connect all the parks.

“This exercise will allow us to gain more green space,” she said.

In his speech, MBPJ councillor and Petpositive president Anthony Thanasayan said MBPJ was the first local council in Selangor to establish a committee to look into the needs of the disabled and elderly.

“There are many changes taking place in Petaling Jaya because of this move, including Petaling Jaya’s first disabled-friendly park in Section 6,” he said.

“Even other organisations like Prasarana and Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd are learning from MBPJ on how to improve their facilities for the disabled.”

The highlight of the event was a drum circle performance where invited guests from various disability-related organisations pounded, tapped and jingled their drums and percussions to their hearts’ content.