ILTC MALAYSIA - Working to create a world as it should be......

Chinese New Years 2012

2012-01-23T15:40:00.003+08:00

ILTC Malaysia, Wish wealth happiness and prosperity on Chinese New Years 2012

to all our Chinese Brothers and Sisters.........

May god bless you always.

Lots more can be done

2012-01-20T09:02:00.002+08:00

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

2012-01-19T09:42:00.000+08:00

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

2012-01-14T16:42:00.000+08:00

Wishingthat this festival is one, which brings good luck and prosperity and hopingthat it is joyous, and fills your days ahead with happiness. Have a wonderfulPongal....

பொங்கலோ பொங்கல் பொங்கலோ பொங்கல்

Mr. Francis Siva

President of ILTC Malaysia

Sign up, disabled urged

2012-01-14T10:25:00.000+08:00

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

2012-01-03T10:40:00.003+08:00

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012

2011-12-24T12:51:00.000+08:00

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

2011-12-19T13:13:00.000+08:00

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

President and Secretary were participated at the dinner.

2011-12-19T11:32:00.005+08:00

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

ILTC di wakili oleh Pengerusi dan Setiausaha.

2011-12-19T11:21:00.003+08:00

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

Breath of God Church

2011-12-19T10:52:00.004+08:00

Muhibbah Christmas 2011 Dinner

Breath of God Church was invited ILTC members forthe Muhibbah Christmas 2011 Dinnerwhich was held on 11/12/2011 at The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur.

PWDs speak up

2011-12-16T08:43:00.006+08:00

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.

Our day to be loud and proud

2011-12-08T19:27:00.005+08:00

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

2011-12-06T15:03:00.003+08:00

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.

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

2011-12-06T09:47:00.003+08:00

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.

Room for all

2011-12-01T15:02:00.002+08:00

Thursday December 1, 2011

Room for all

No more excuses for local councils to exclude the disabled and elderly in their development plans.

THE International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) will once again be commemorated on Dec 3. A yearly affair since it was established in 1992 by the UN General Assembly, the occasion is the most significant for people with disabilities (PWDs) the world over.

This weekend will be marked by scores of activities to highlight the event. They will include forums and public talks by PWDs, campaigns on information about disabilities, and celebrations to mark the true capabilities of handicapped individuals around the globe. All of this is to get disabled people into mainstream society so that they are able to take part in social life and in the nation’s development, just like non-disabled people.

One of IDPD’s focus is to help remove obstacles that stand in the way of the government’s implementation of disability-sensitive policies.

This year’s IDPD theme is: “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development.”

One of the most effective ways in bringing about positive changes for PWDs in Malaysia is to rope in the support of all local councils.

I was privileged to be in the company of scores of disabled people last week at two special events leading up to IDPD to bring about this exact effect.

The first was at the Selangor state secretariat building in Shah Alam. A special meeting was convened by Selangor Chairman of the Local Government, Study and Research Committee, Ronnie Liu, and important representatives from the 12 local councils in the state.

The purpose was to get each of them to set up a committee comprising PWDs and key members of the local councils in order to assimilate handicapped people into mainstream society.

By engaging with PWDs, each local council will be better informed on how to make the necessary changes, such as building ramps, disabled-friendly toilets and guiding blocks for the blind, the handicapped and the elderly residents in their constituencies.

The participation of the disabled will help local councils come up with appropriate and timely policies to integrate PWDs in towns and cities. From the feedback at the meeting, a few of the local councils said they did not know how to set up such a committee. Others did not seem to want to be bogged down with extra work.

Liu pointed out that there was no more excuses for any local council to not include the disabled and elderly in their development plans. He gave them two months to get their act together in coming up with a disability technical committee within their respective communities.

Meanwhile, more than 60 local councils from all over the country attended a recent two-day seminar on disability access at a leading hotel in Kuala Lumpur. It was the brainchild of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, after playing an instrumental role a couple of months earlier in persuading the Cabinet to push for the setting up of disability committees in local councils throughout the country.

This was the first time that I had seen the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry and the Welfare Department tackle the issue of accessibility with local councils so seriously.

It clearly shows that society, including the non-disabled people who work together with us for change, is truly beginning to see that our real problem is the hostile environment outside.

I spoke later to some of the disabled participants who attended the seminar. They had some pertinent pointers to make for the organisers for future seminars:

> Please include some ordinary disabled people instead of some outstanding disabled personalities as speakers. The local councils might get the wrong picture and think all disabled people are successful. If that is the case, then why should local councils help? Also give handicapped speakers more time to speak instead of only five minutes.

> The ramp to the stage was unacceptable. It was steep and dangerous. This was a bad example for local councils who might “follow by example” in their designs.

> The hotel, supposedly a five-star one, had no disabled-friendly rooms among its more than 600 rooms. One disabled woman paid RM270 for a night’s stay, only to have to put up with much discomfort; she almost fell and injured herself. Another, a quadriplegic, returned to Pahang because the room he had booked turned out to be inaccessible. Sad to say, he did not turn up for the seminar the next day. Seminar organisers should be aware of what PWDs need when selecting venues.

Needless woes for the wheelchair-bound

2011-12-01T15:00:00.002+08:00

Thursday November 24, 2011

Needless woes for the wheelchair-bound

WHO says life in a wheelchair is all doom and gloom? After sitting in one for more than 40 years, I’ve come to accept the fact that getting around in a wheelchair is – contrary to what many may think – just as fun as walking. Except for those dreaded moments when physical challenges that are absolutely unnecessary are put before a wheelchair user.

Take last week’s event, for instance. I was in the company of some top notch men and women at the main campus of the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) in Jalan Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. We were attending a training programme conducted by a former mayor from England.

As councillor for Petaling Jaya, the topic was right up my alley. However, no sooner had I arrived at the venue when I suspected that this was going to be a bad day for wheelchairs. I barely managed to get into the building. They were some dangerous gradients and drain covers for my wheelchair to negotiate.

Once inside, I discovered that the men’s washroom was one floor above me. The only way to get to it was to climb a flight of stairs as there were no lifts.

The training session was scheduled for the whole day. Even single steps in the building did not come with a simple ramp. I had to ask for assistance each time I went in and out of the roundtable discussion room.

Then the most unthinkable thing happened: I was expected to use the women’s toilet. Suddenly, I was no longer feeling “distinguished” among my fellow participants. I felt embarrassed, humiliated and even outraged by the entire experience.

Despite the total lack of facilities for people with my needs, I was shocked when the organisers insisted that I pay the registration fee, which included refreshments and lunch.

I refused. I pointed out that it was morally not right for them to charge me, considering that they had not ensured my right to basic facilities at the event.

I was also disappointed with some of the excuses the organisers gave in response to my complaints:

> We didn’t know that you would be coming in a wheelchair:

Is this a relevant excuse nowadays when more and more buildings are becoming disabled-friendly in view of the increasing number of elderly and disabled citizens? If they had known, are they suggesting that they would have renovated a ramp or toilet in time for the event? Shouldn’t they have done this already? Do people in wheelchairs have to shout out their disability status each time they participate in society? Isn’t this a form of discrimination?

> It is our policy to charge all participants.

Even after you realise that you have been most unfair to a participant by denying him his basic needs? Fortunately, the organisers came to their senses and refunded my money in full.

I hope the experience proved to be a learning point for them as it was for me.

Intan Bukit Kiara was opened in the early 1980s. Why has it taken so long for the institute to include basic facilities for the handicapped? Did they not know that Malaysians with disabilities exist?

I had no choice but to quit the session halfway through its run.

The biggest question now remains: Is Intan going to do anything about making its facilities accessible to Malaysians with disabilities after today? Let’s certainly hope so!

Disabled friendly facilities still lacking

2011-11-29T19:43:00.003+08:00

28 November 2011 | last updated at 10:33pm

Disabled friendly facilities still lacking

RECENTLY, while having dinner in a restaurant near home, I saw two women struggling to get their wheelchair-bound elder relative onto the pavement.

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There was no ramp, so they had to drive as close as possible to the pavement that was at least a foot higher than the road table.

One woman placed a wheelchair on the pavement and went back to assist their elder out of the car.

When she realised that the car door could not be fully opened because the car was too close, she brought the wheelchair back onto the road and helped the elder out of the car. Once their elder was comfortably seated in the wheelchair, both women proceeded to push it towards the entrance to the restaurant where the steps were.

Then they each grabbed the wheelchair by its armrests, lifted it and struggled up the steps.

I watched anxiously, fearful that they might slip. Fortunately, they managed to get their elder safely into the restaurant.

Last week, when I saw wheelchair ramps being built onto the pavement at Lake Titiwangsa near the interior car park, I was relieved.

There are not many public places that are built with the wheelchair user in mind.

At the Lake Titiwangsa, where the ramps were built, large yellow location signboards have also been set up to indicate their presence.

The angles of the ramps were also not made so steep as to prevent wheelchair users from wheeling up unassisted.

Some time ago, when I saw tact tile paths being built onto the same pavement around Lake Titiwangsa, I had wondered why ramps were not built at the same time. Now, with both tact tile pathways and wheelchair ramps in place, Lake Titiwangsa can boast of being a disabled-friendly park, although I rarely come across disabled persons visiting the park when I were there.

Perhaps not many disabled persons and their caretakers are aware that disabled friendly facilities are now in place here. If City Hall can extend the two facilities to all accessible areas of the park, it will be a bonus to the visually-impaired and wheelchair users who wish to join their able-bodied friends for a stroll.

The only thing City Hall should be concerned about, I think, is the parking of motorcycles on the pavements. This is a regular feature at Lake Titiwangsa, especially around the smaller lake by which a road runs. Visit the lake on weekend evenings and you will see what I mean.

Park visitors and joggers have been forced to move onto the road at areas where gangs of bikers and their bikes have completely occupied the pavement.

You can imagine what obstacles wheelchair users and the visually impaired are up against when they visit the park, even if there are facilities friendly to their needs.

Now, with the ramps built onto the pavements, it will be even easier for bikers to park their bikes there unless City Hall does something to prevent them from staking their weekend claim on the pavements.

KL to be disabled friendly soon

2011-11-29T19:38:00.001+08:00

KL to be disabled friendly soon

Dear Mayor,

Can you explain City Hall's involvement in providing facilities for the disabled?

AK
Kuala Lumpur

Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail: We at City Hall want to ensure that our city's development takes into account the needs and facilities for the disabled. The idea is to integrate disabled people into society so that they can play active roles and lead normal lives. The aim is to provide a barrier-free environment for the independence, convenience and safety of people with disabilities.

A concrete step we have taken is to set up the Committee for the Development of the Disabled in 2006 to ensure compliance to existing regulations for standards related to facilities for the disabled -- Malaysian Standards 1883 and 1184 and MS1331 under Development Order since 2007.

The latest initiative is the setting up of the building standards and innovation unit which is responsible for tackling issues related to the disabled such as an access audit.

KL residents will be encouraged to know that this unit was set up in May last year, a year before the directive from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government was issued in June this year to set up an access audit unit in each local public housing project.

Since the unit was set up, it has organised four series of disabled access audit workshops, where more than 136 City Hall staff have been trained and about 21 access audits in myriad development typologies have been implemented.

We are in the process of moving towards a barrier-free city by next year, which will be 75 per cent disabled friendly.

Serious efforts and initiatives have to be implemented and upgraded by all parties to achieve this target. These efforts are to make the city more safe, usable and accessible for disabled people.

City Hall will also arrange preparatory programmes for public facilities for the disabled in areas outside buildings to fulfill the barrier-free and universal design concept. This will include tactile for the blind or guiding blocks for the sight-impaired, ramps for wheelchairs, step ramps, integral lampposts and single pole street signs.

Barrier-free design strives to make the built environment accessible to and usable by all persons. It promotes integration and independence through designs that are safe, functional and dignified for everybody.

A number of streets have been equipped with guiding blocs for the blind, for example, in Jalan Ipoh, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Pinang, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Semarak, Jalan Stoner, in front of KL Football Stadium Jalan Tenteram, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Tun Sambanthan Roundabout, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Jalan Telawi, Jalan Berhala, Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Bukit Bintang and a portion of Jalan Sultan Ismail.

Integral lamp posts which are designed specially to reduce the number of lamp posts along walkways to reduce barriers can be used as streetlights, decorative lights, street signs or even traffic lights at junctions. At this time, integral lamp posts have been installed along Jalan Sultan Ismail, a portion of Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Raja Chulan.

Single pole signboards of this kind have been erected to reduce barriers and its height has been designed so that people can walk under it safely. The installation of these single pole signboards have begun in the city centre and will be widened to include other areas.

It is our hope that these initiatives will be implemented successfully so that disabled people are able to commute between home, work and other destinations hassle-free.

When people of all range of abilities move freely at will, the city will have achieved the stature it aspires in terms of accessibility for all. On that note, please rest assured that City Hall is steadily gaining ground.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 21/11/2011

2011-11-21T11:43:00.002+08:00

PROGRESS REPORT:

Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Malaysia Project on 21/11/2011

Call For More 'Bite' In Disabled Persons Act

2011-11-20T13:34:00.001+08:00

November 18, 2011 17:31 PM

Call For More 'Bite' In Disabled Persons Act

Zulkiple Ibrahim

This is the first of two articles on issues faced by the disabled.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- Ahmad Jasmon, who is a disabled and uses a Wheelchair, wanted to withdraw some money from the automated teller machine (ATM) at a shopping complex here.

"As there was a queue, I didn't mind waiting in line. But, to my shock, when my turn arrived to use the ATM, the person behind me tried to jump queue as if I was non-existent in front of the machine.

"I was disgusted. How could the man have no respect for a person queuing up in front of him. Furthermore the person in front of him is a handicapped guy in a wheelchair, so it is ridiculous if he did not notice me," Ahmad said.

"If the able-bodied refuse to assist the handicapped, it is alright with me, but discrimination is something else," he added.

This writer had the same experience when he tried to withdraw some money from the ATM at a hospital here. According to this experience, some people pay no regard to those in wheelchairs. These situations happen in everyday life.

The is an example of some of the issues faced by the disabled, or "OKU" (as they are known) in this country.

FACILITIES ABUSED

There have been many complaints about facilities for the handicapped being abused by able-bodied persons.

Wahab Jamil, who lost a leg in a road crash several years ago, had this to say:

"I have a wife who is also disabled and needs to use a wheelchair. Shopping for groceries at many shops is almost impossible for us, as there are steps to climb. The only placed for us to shop are hypermarkets, where it is easy for the disabled to go in.

"Hypermarkets provide ample parking spaces for the handicapped but these spaces are often abused by other motorists, despite signs placed by supermarket management.

"Most of the time, I have to park far away from the hypermarket entrance before wheeling my wife into the premises. After we finish shopping, I have to make a few trips to wheel my wife and the goods that we bought back to our car.

"It would be much easier if we were able to use the parking spaces provided, as they are located near the entrance to the hypermarket. Sadly, these parking spaces are being abused by those who are ignorant about facilities provided for the handicapped," he lamented.

Not only parking spaces are abused. Toilets that have the "man on a wheelchair" sign also are abused by able-bodied persons.

THE ACT FOR DISABLED PERSONS

Parliament passed the Persons with Disabilities Act on Dec 24, 2007 (Act 685). The Act was gazetted on Jan 24, 2008 and came into force on July 7 the same year.

This act provides for the registration, protection, rehabilitation, development and well-being of the handicapped. It converts the concept of protecting the disabled from welfare-based to rights-based.

The Act accords equal opportunities and participation for the disabled, on par with that of other members of the society.

But does the Act provide enough protection regarding facilities specially provided for the handicapped? Is there any penalty for those found abusing these facilities?

COMPLAINTS

Many complaints over the abuse of facilities for the disabled have been heard.

What do those who have knowledge about this Act (Peoples With Disabilities Act or PWD Act) say?

According to lawyers, the PWD Act 2008 is purely an administrative act and is toothless, as there is no punishment for non-compliance or acts of discrimination.

Law practitioner N. Surenthiran said there are no penalties for those found abusing the facilities.

"For the time being, those who use parking bays, toilets and other facilities for the disabled can get away without any penalty.

"The authorities want to educate the public but some appear to have ignored what the authorities want for the needs of the handicapped," he said.

Surenthiran said the "no smoking in public" regulation has been effective against those who smoke in public places.

"Why not impose a penalty on those found abusing the facilities for the Handicapped, such as toilets and parking places? This way, people cannot blatantly disregard the law," he said.

Social activist Gurmukh Singh said the purpose of the PWD Act is not to punish but to provide education for the offenders.

"However penalties for parties not in compliance are stated in other acts, regulations and by-laws," he added.

-- BERNAMA

Public Should Know The Rights Of The Disabled

2011-11-20T13:33:00.002+08:00

November 18, 2011 20:47 PM

Public Should Know The Rights Of The Disabled

By Zulkiple Ibrahim

This is the last of two articles on issues faced by the disabled.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 (Bernama) -- "We have put up notices advising the public that the designated parking bays are only for the disabled. But only few pay heed to our advice," said a management officer of a hypermarket in Rawang.

"Our security guards cannot man these parking bays all the time. We only hope the public know the rights of the disabled. Our last resort could be clamping the wheels of the vehicles that disregard the notice we up."

The officer was queried on why the able-bodied were abusing the parking bays reserved for the disabled there.

This writer later went to observe whether the abuse occurs at other shopping complexes in the city.

A shopping complex at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara warns the abusers of such parking bays that their vehicles will be clamped. Cars without disabled-driver stickers will be clamped if the vehicles are found in spaces reserved for handicapped drivers.

In Bandar Utama, the management of a shopping complex posts security guards at the parking bays. The situation is similar at a hypermarket in Kota Damansara.

A public medical centre in the city also does the same. Parking attendants are deployed to advise vehicle owners. Those who flout the rules and still leave their vehicles in the parking bays reserved for the disabled have to pay fines for the wheel clamps to be removed from their vehicles.

PUBLIC ATTITUDE

Mary Anthony (not her real name), who herself has a bone disorder and walks with a limp, has a special-needs child and is among those who feel that some people are still ignorant of the rights of the disabled.

"I have a five-year-old boy who has Down syndrome," Mary said. "Over the last couple of years, I have found myself getting more disheartened every time I see able-bodied people abusing facilities reserved for disabled people.

"One day I politely asked a driver who parked in a disabled bay if he was disabled but his reaction was disappointing. He shrugged his shoulders and said that he would only be in the space for a few minutes.

"At least he said something. Others would give me a stern look and simply walk away. Obviously they had no regard for the handicapped.

"After our shopping trip, the driver's car was still parked there," she said disgustedly.

Do the handicapped feel that they are being treated as second-class citizens? People such as Mary think so.

She said at times she feels very hurt when she goes to public places.

"Some stare at me as if I am a monster or an alien from another planet. It hurts when others treat you like a second-class citizen in your own country," she said.

TOILETS

This writer went to different shopping complexes several weeks ago and on two separate occasions politely asked the person queuing up in front of the toilet reserved for the disabled whether they were disabled.

The response this writer received both times was disgraceful.

"Are you handicapped, too?" One lady retorted and walked away. This writer then wondered whether she had failed to notice that this writer was in a wheelchair.

On another occasion, this writer wanted to use a toilet for the disabled. Somebody else was using the cubicle at that time.

When a man came out, this writer asked whether he was disabled.

"So what?" said the man in an angry tone. "There is nobody else using so I decided to use it. You can ask the management to take action."

POSERS

Social activist Gurmukh Singh has several questions for the physically-able: "If there are queues for the toilets and a disabled toilet is vacant, should you use it?

"If the toilets are upstairs and the disabled toilet is downstairs and vacant, should you use it?

"Is the Persons with Disabilities Act toothless?"

He said it has been more than three years since the Persons With Disabilities Act came into force.

"The act is good in terms of educating the public. However, it needs more bite to ensure that facilities for the handicapped are not abused," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Welfare dues withheld

2011-11-17T07:56:00.002+08:00

Welfare dues withheld

G Vinod

| November 16, 2011

Some beneficiaries of the Disabled Worker’s Allowance have not been paid for two months.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Social Welfare has withheld payment of the Disabled Worker’s Allowance (EPC) to some beneficiaries, according to reports received by FMT.

Several members of the Society of the Blind said they had not received their monthly dues since last month and that a similar situation happened last December and January.

The department normally banks in the allowance by the second day of the month.

An official of the Kuala Lumpur Welfare Department said payment would be frozen if a beneficiary failed to update records of his address and marital and employment status on time.

The update has to be done once a year. Most state welfare departments require it in October.

However, the president of the Independent Living and Training Centre, Francis Siva, rejected the explanation, saying the department gave different reasons for the delay to different people.

“Just last week, I went to the welfare office in Kuala Kubu Baru to check on why my allowance was not ready and the officer there told me the Federal Treasury had not disbursed the funds,” he said.

“When I pressed on the matter, they changed their tune, saying the state had not disbursed the funds. So which is which?”

He criticised the requirement for an annual update of particulars, saying it created unnecessary problems for people already facing many challenges.

“You expect a bedridden man to come and update his status annually? The welfare department has logistics to go house to house, but they are just lazy and inefficient.”

Unhelpful staff

Goh Harp Boon, a blind 36-year-old masseur, said he moved often to improve his employment opportunities and it would be difficult for him to inform the department every time. “Must we do it every time we move?”

According to his MyKad, Goh’s address is in Perak. But he now lives in Kuala Lumpur. He said the Kuala Lumpur Welfare Department told him he would not qualify for any more aid until he changed the address on the card.

He claimed the officer who spoke to him also demanded his pay slip as proof that he qualified for the RM300 monthly allowance given to disabled people who are employed. (Unemployed disabled people get RM150 a month.)

“They fail to understand that I work on a freelance basis,” Goh said. “Where am I going to get a pay slip?”

Goh said he knew many other blind people facing similar problems with the welfare department but were afraid to come forward to complain.

He also alleged that many had been turned away when trying to update their particulars.

“Sometimes they will just say the officer in charge is not around and tell us to come again another day. It costs us a lot of money to travel to the office in Jalan Pahang.”

Another blind person, 55-year-old Hor Hee Teck, said he went to the department to inquire about the delay of his allowance but was told that the online system was down.

To prevent overlapping of information

According to the Kuala Lumpur welfare official, the annual update of particulars was necessary for the department to keep track of beneficiaries and to “prevent the overlapping of information”.

She also said funds were usually returned to the Treasury if the beneficiaries did not collect them by the 20th day of the month.

“Nevertheless, we do retrieve the funds back for them when they lodge a complaint with us,” she added.

She rejected allegations that department officials turned disabled people away or that it was difficult for them to get their records updated.

“Any of our officers are allowed to take their particulars for updates. They don’t need to change their MyKad addresses at all.”

Deepavali joy at state open house

2011-11-15T11:31:00.003+08:00

Deepavali joy at state open house

Published: Fri, 11 Nov 2011

SELAYANG: Over 3,000 residents in Rawang attended the Selangor Deepavali open house on Jalan Maxwell here on Monday night.

“Thank you for letting us celebrate the festival of lights with you here in Rawang,” said Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in his opening speech.

He later handed over two mock cheques for RM15,000 to an orphanage and a disabled home in Rawang.

The event was jointly organised by the state and the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), and was attended by Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim and executive councillors Ronnie Liu and Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

Rawang and Batu Caves assemblypersons Gan Pei Nei and Amirudin Shari were also present at the celebration, which was marked by a fireworks display.

The open house was also attended by MPS President Datuk Zainal Abidin Aala and his senior staff.

Organisers set up food stalls serving Indian and Malaysian favourites such as roti canai, nasi briyani, curry chicken and cendol.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 14/11/2011

2011-11-14T17:55:00.006+08:00

The latest news
Today, Madam Diana from HL Management Co. visited the ILTC Project side, the construction of the new building in order to getting information and to view in-progress development of the project.

Disabled group upset over ‘terrible’ action

2011-11-04T09:48:00.005+08:00

November 4, 2011

The ban on Seksualiti Merdeka festival will earn the derision of forward-looking countries, says Petpositive.

PETALING JAYA: The banning of the “Seksualiti Merdeka” festival by the police yesterday has earned the scorn of disabled rights activist Anthony Thanasayan.

Anthony, the Petpositive (Malaysian Animal Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and the Elderly Association) president said that an event such as Seksualiti Merdeka greatly affected the disabled people as well.

“It is a handicap to be disabled. It is a double handicap to be also gay,” said Thanasayan, who has counselled many homosexuals, both abled bodied and disabled.

“People forget that the disabled, including the deaf and blind, are human too. Sexuality transcends the able-bodied or disabled. They are always advised not to think about sex. For many of us,
our genitalia still work; besides, sexuality is not limited to your genitalia,” said Thanasayan, who is wheelchair-bound himself.

Thanasayan said it is much worse for a disabled person who has sexual confusion to find help, and this could even lead to those who are not homosexual to turn gay in the process.

“This is because the disabled have limited chances to explore their sexuality, whereas an able-bodied person has more chances. Out of desperation, I have seen cases where a man goes into a relationship with an uncle, or brother because they have no other options,” he said.

Thanasayan, who is also a councillor with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), said that an event such as Seksualiti Merdeka allows everyone – abled-bodied as well as the disabled – to know themselves and this is vital for a good relationship or marriage.

“I went to the Seksualiti Merdeka event and I am so happy, because finally I see some people who can approach such issues with maturity, without discrimination,” he said.

“But today I see everything has crumbled. This (banning Seksualiti Merdeka) is a terrible step for Malaysia and would earn the derision of other more forward-looking countries. This kind of action is always based on ignorance; it will promote prejudice. Thus, this will increase the frustration of those in the minority community, and can also lead to suicidal tendencies,” said Thanasayan.

Police have banned the ongoing Seksualiti Merdeka festival, saying strong action would be taken against those who defied the directive.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the law in the country did not recognise any deviationist activity that could destroy the practice of religious freedom.

Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual sexuality rights festival celebrating human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. A coalition of NGOs, artistes, activists and individuals had been organising the event since 2008.

This year’s event, “Queer Without Fear”, started on Tuesday at The Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. It will end on Nov 13.

2011-11-03T17:36:00.003+08:00

Thursday November 3, 2011

Awkward moments

Rules are meant to be bent – sometimes.

LAST week, I received an interesting mail from a blind reader who identified herself as Vicky. She shared how awkward it was for her whenever she needed to answer nature’s call.

“I don’t have to use the toilet for the handicapped because I don’t have a problem with my limbs. But on many occasions when I headed to the loo for able-bodied people, I was stopped by an attendant or a staff member, and redirected to the toilet for the handicapped.

“I realise these people mean well. But no matter how much I try to explain to them that I am capable of using the so-called ‘normal’ toilet, they would insist that I use the toilet for the disabled because I am blind.

“This slows me down, especially when the toilet is occupied. I also do not want to take up space, in case a wheelchair-user comes along with an emergency,” explained Vicky.

On a roll: The writer trying out the Helio during a recent trip to Malacca.

She suggested that perhaps it would be more appropriate to have a label on the toilet door which reads: Reserved for wheelchair users.

On the issue of employment, Vicky opined that it would be best if the Government could step in and subsidise assistive devices such as screen readers for the visually impaired or toilets for those in wheelchairs.

“Otherwise employers may consider us ‘too expensive’ for their budget and pass the job to the non-disabled instead.

“When giant companies such as IBM, Google and even Nasa can employ blind programmers in their countries, why are the blind in Malaysia only expected to become masseurs, basket-weavers, telephone operators or trinket-sellers on street corners?” she asked.

On another note, I’ve been busy testing out the Helio, an innovative high performance wheelchair from Canada. Everything about this latest chair on wheels will make any handicapped person sit up and take notice.

The Helio has an ultralight body. This makes it easy for even a woman to carry the wheelchair into the boot of her car. The wheelchair comes with highly detachable parts, so drivers with disabilities can dismantle the key parts and place them in the back seat without help.

A unique feature of the Helio is that each wheelchair part can be ordered to suit the user’s needs. There are as many as 21 different accessories to choose from.

Despite its light weight, the Helio is no delicate beauty. It has a robust body which gives added confidence to the user. The Helio is so smooth that it glides across effortlessly with a single push, unlike conventional wheelchairs.

The only downside is that the Helio is priced between RM8,000 and RM10,000. You may need to shell out more for add-ons.

Produced by a company called Motion Composites, the Helio comes in six colour frames. It will be making its debut in Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries very soon. For details on the product, please e-mail the local distributor KG Teo at bbbteo@yahoo.com.sg

Love and Hope Charity Dinner

2011-11-02T16:55:00.003+08:00

Love and Hope Charity Dinner which was held recently on 16th Sept 2011 from 7.00pm to 11.00pm at Thean Hou Temple, KL.

Love and Hope Charity Dinner was attended by more than 1000 sponsors, donors, receiver of wheelchairs and other well-wishers and was officially opened by Mr. Pathmanathan Nalasamy, Ketua Penolong Pengarah Jabatan Pembangunan Orang Kurang Upaya of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, YB Teresa Kok, and YB Ronnie Liu.

ILTC extends our heartiest and sincere thanks and appreciation to Pertubuhan Orang Cacat Cina Malaysia for the kind contribution of 4 units of light weight fully detachable wheelchair (every wheelchair costs RM1500) for the ILTC members with the vision to assist people with disabilities to lead independent lives without fear and comprehension as well as to integrate them into society and to be a part of a productive workforce of the nation towards this charity event.

World Hunger Relief Malaysia

2011-11-01T19:39:00.013+08:00

The World Hunger Relief Malaysia campaign is an initiative of KFC and Pizza Hut Malaysia stores nationally. All funds raised had donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

More than 8,000 people was taking part in the "Be The Movement" charity walk on last Saturday 29/10/2011 at 4.00pm in Putrajaya, in support of the World Hunger Relief cause under the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The 5km walk, which starts and ends at the Palace of Justice in Precinct 3, is organised by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut Malaysia, which are owned by QSR Brands Berhad.

Nestle Malaysia and Fitness First are also taking part for the first time in this annual cause.

Apart from the walk, there was a mini-carnival with fun activities.

The main purpose is to create greater public awareness about many underdeveloped nations facing a constant struggle to provide enough food for their people and also to put an end to famine and starvation.

ILTC giving a big thank you to all those that came to the walk.

KFC Holdings (M) Bhd contributed to ILTC RM5000.00 under the corporate social responsibility.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 01/11/2011

2011-11-01T19:14:00.002+08:00

How disabled-friendly is Malacca city?

2011-10-27T10:35:00.002+08:00

Thursday October 27, 2011

How disabled-friendly is Malacca city?

I HAD a terrific time earlier this month when I visited the beautiful and historic city of Malacca. As chairman of MBPJ’s technical committee on disabilities, I was eager to find out what the council had done – and is currently doing – to make their much-talked about national heritage city friendly to residents with disabilities as well as disabled visitors.

I couldn’t think of a more effective way to carry out my task than to make a spontaneous visit to the city. But not without taking an able-bodied assistant with me, just in case.

Our first stop was Christ Church in Malacca town which was built by the Dutch in the 18th century. I was disappointed to discover that the oldest functioning Protestant church to the country had no ramp for wheelchair access.

Thus I was forced to stay outside the church whilst scores of visitors walked in and out of the age-old building to appreciate its beauty from the inside.

The writer and his assistant, Jason Jegathiswaran, taking in the sights and sounds of historic Malacca.

When I asked one of the church officials why a ramp was not built for disabled tourists, I was shocked by his reply that “a ramp would spoil the beauty of this ancient building.”

When I pointed out that there were more than enough entrances to build just one ramp to allow tourists in wheelchairs and those with walking difficulties to access the building, he said that he would bring the matter up with the building committee.

I couldn’t help thinking how short-sighted he was to make such a statement about the usefulness of ramps.

Don’t these people realise that perceptions are changing as society ages and more people are strugging with disabilities brought on by old age, accidents and illnesses?

I have been to countries where wheelchair ramps are always provided as an alternative access for the disabled.

In heritage buildings, the engineers have cleverly constructed ramps in an ancient style to blend in with their natural surroundings. Excuses were never given to avoid providing access for the disabled.

Back to Malacca city, there were no disabled-friendly toilets within a decent distance from where I was. I did see a public toilet for the handicapped when I was travelling in my vehicle. However, that was too far away for my convenience.

The only parking lot for the handicapped that I saw was near the church. However, it was not as long and wide as a proper disabled parking lot should be.

The wheelchair logo on the ground was fading. One had to take a good look to notice it. Needless to say, this wouldn’t go well with drivers with poor eyesight.

Most of the pavements were inaccessible to wheelchairs. Frankly, they were also not good for walking. Luckily my assistant was with me to help me get around.

Because of the lack of wheelchair-friendly pavements, I was forced to use the road where my safety was compromised. At one point, I had to literally get off the road to allow a huge tourist bus to get past me.

In the 10 hours that I spent in the city, I did not come across a single person in a wheelchair. This is a clear sign of how hostile the city is to disabled and elderly denizens when it comes to access to the outdoors.

I must add that there appeared to be some attempts to make pavements wheelchair-friendly but these were scarce and not properly done. There were no guiding blocks for the blind, too.

Despite all these, I managed to take in unforgettable sights like the river boat rides and the colourful rickshaws, and sampled the mouth-watering fare that is unique to the city.

Disabled people, too, want to enjoy the marvellous sights, sounds and smells of Malacca.

Deepavali Greetings From President of Independent Living & Training Centre.

2011-10-25T16:49:00.001+08:00

Dear Friends, Wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous deepavali.

May this festival of light brings joy & happiness to you & your family.

From,
Mr. G. Francis Siva
President

Ms. Rina - Secretary of ILTC
Independent Living & Training Centre

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 18/10/2011

2011-10-18T17:38:00.002+08:00

Space allocated to build aerobridges at KLIA2

2011-10-18T11:14:00.001+08:00

Tuesday October 18, 2011

Space allocated to build aerobridges at KLIA2

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT
Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, YUEN MEIKENG, RAHIMY RAHIM and CALVIN YEO

THE Transport Ministry told the Dewan Rakyat that space has been allocated to install aerobridges at the new KLIA2 low-cost terminal if airlines demand for such facilities.

Deputy Minister Jelaing Mersat said Malaysian Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB) was still considering constructing the aerobridges.

“The decision is in the final stages and MAHB had also allocated space to build aerobridges if any airlines need the facilities,” he said when replying to a question from Teresa Kok (DAP – Seputeh).

Kok had asked the ministry to state whether it had approved the construction of aerobridges at KLIA2.

He added that the Government was concerned with the plight of the public especially considering views from the disabled community, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents and the board of Airlines Representatives on the need to build aerobridges.

The estimated cost to build 80 aerobridges was RM132mil.

'Friendly' protest march by blind

2011-10-15T08:31:00.000+08:00

'Friendly' protest march by blind

Friday, October 14th, 2011 11:43:00

MAKING A POINT: (From left) Gunabalan, Ajong Sidim and Gobal Rajee standing on a section of the tactile walkway

BRICKFIELDS: A peculiar sight greeted Brickfields residents yesterday when representatives of the blind community, who were protesting against the festive traders who had set up stalls on the tactile walkways they use, ended up side-byside with the ones they were supposed to be protesting against.

Ajong Sidim, 55, a blind legal executive, and G. Gunabalan, 56, a partially-blind businessman, were joined in the "protest march" by Brickfields Indian Petty Traders Association Kuala Lumpur chairman Gobal Rajee and several association members. Also present was Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun.

Starting from the corner of Jalan Tun Sambanthan 4, Ajong and Gunabalan walked to Little India and back.

Although they sometimes had to walk on the road and were rarely able to use the tactile walkway, they managed to make it with the help of Gobal and the association members.

During the walk, stall owners elsewhere were also seen helping blind pedestrians along.

Although there was moderate police presence in the area, the march ended on a quiet note, with the participants returning to their own business after that.

The Malay Mail had previously highlighted the plight of the blind in Brickfields, which led to the Federal Territory Ministry instructing traders to move off the tactile walkway to clear a path for the blind.

The disabled could do with

2011-10-13T12:01:00.003+08:00

Thursday October 13, 2011

The disabled could do with

LAST Friday’s Budget 2012 may have put a smile on many people’s faces. However, not everyone was ecstatic about it and for good reason, too. Take the case of Chong Tuck Meng who hails from Bentong, Pahang.

“I was never really interested in the national budget until I became a wheelchair user following a motorcycle accident 29 years ago,” said the 50-year-old tetraplegic who is a founder member and adviser of Perwira K9 Malaysia, a national disability organisation that supports people with spinal cord injuries.

“The first lesson that I learnt: it is extremely difficult being a disabled person in Malaysia. There are numerous social obstacles and hefty medical bills to contend with.

“I slowly discovered that national budgets can help to alleviate the struggles and hardships that Malaysians with disabilities go through every day.”

Chong wishes the latest budget had specifically addressed the issues he has to deal with after he became paralysed from the neck down.

“The accident changed my life completely. I was a very independent person. Now I need help in coping with daily activities. I need a full-time caregiver by my side to give me a glass of water whenever I am thirsty, and feed me my meals.

“I also need to be turned on my bed every four hours to prevent bedsores. I have to be carried to my wheelchair for my baths and back again. Wounds caused by sitting too long in my wheelchair also need to be dressed daily.”

The operations, cost of medication and services of a full-time care-giver have taken a heavy toll on Chong’s finances.

Though free medical checkups are available for the disabled in government hospitals, many of the medications are not available, and have to be purchased from the pharmacy.

“Getting to the hospital is another obstacle. I have to pay RM200 for a trip to Kuala Lumpur for follow-ups with my specialist,” says Chong.

“Many government dental clinics are not located on the ground floor. This makes access difficult. So I have no choice but to go to a private dental clinic and pay a bomb for their services.

“The Government should identify those who really need help and ensure they are provided with all the medicine they need,” Chong points out. “Hospitals should arrange for home visits by dedicated nurses.”

Chong says he is grateful to his mum for looking after him when he became disabled.

“My mum is 80 and can no longer take care of me. I had to raise RM6,000 to pay for an Indonesian maid as a caregiver. Unfortunately she ran away after two months and I was told to pay another RM6,000 for a replacement maid.

“It took me months to raise the money and it was gone in just two months. We are at the losing end. How are we to manage in such a situation? Why can’t our Government help us in this area? Even politicians have personal assistants, what more we?” laments Chong.

Chong pointed out that in the United States, the government provides the profoundly disabled with caregivers who are called “personal attendants”. For those who need 24-hour care, they are provided with a helper during the day, and another helper at night.

Chong feels a national budget can help in situations like his if the Government:

> Does not impose a levy on maids employed by Malaysians with disabilities.

> Subsidises the salary of maids for the disabled, or better still, pay for the maid’s full salary.

> Helps the disabled to get a replacement for maids who run away, without additional cost.

> Gives RM500 in monthly aid to all persons with disabilities.

Chong feels that even though the latest budget may have missed these pertinent issues, it is never too late to reach out to the disabled.

“When there is a political will to do something, there will always be a way!” Chong adds.

Giving a high-five. Rubbing his girlfriend's hand. Such ordinary acts — but a milestone for a paralyzed man.

2011-10-12T09:08:00.001+08:00

From The Associated Press:

PITTSBURGH — Giving a high-five. Rubbing his girlfriend's hand. Such ordinary acts — but a milestone for a paralyzed man.

True, a robotic arm parked next to his wheelchair did the touching, painstakingly, palm to palm. But Tim Hemmes made that arm move just by thinking about it.

Emotions surged. For the first time in the seven years since a motorcycle accident left him a quadriplegic, Hemmes was reaching out to someone — even if it was only temporary, part of a monthlong science experiment at the University of Pittsburgh.

"It wasn't my arm but it was my brain, my thoughts. I was moving something," Hemmes says. "I don't have one single word to give you what I felt at that moment. That word doesn't exist."

The Pennsylvania man is among the pioneers in an ambitious quest for thought-controlled prosthetics to give the paralyzed more independence — the ability to feed themselves, turn a doorknob, hug a loved one.

The goal is a Star Trek-like melding of mind and machine, combining what's considered the most humanlike bionic arm to date — even the fingers bend like real ones — with tiny chips implanted in the brain. Those electrodes tap into electrical signals from brain cells that command movement. Bypassing a broken spinal cord, they relay those signals to the robotic third arm.

This research is years away from commercial use, but numerous teams are investigating different methods.

At Pittsburgh, monkeys learned to feed themselves marshmallows by thinking a robot arm into motion. At Duke University, monkeys used their thoughts to move virtual arms on a computer and got feedback that let them distinguish the texture of what they "touched."

Through a project known as BrainGate and other research, a few paralyzed people outfitted with brain electrodes have used their minds to work computers, even make simple movements with prosthetic arms.

But can these neuroprosthetics ever offer the complex, rapid movements that people would need for more practical, everyday use?

"We really are at a tipping point now with this technology," says Michael McLoughlin of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, which developed the humanlike arm in a $100 million project for DARPA, the Pentagon's research agency.

Pittsburgh is helping to lead a closely watched series of government-funded studies over the next two years to try to find out. A handful of quadriplegic volunteers will train their brains to operate the DARPA arm in increasingly sophisticated ways, even using sensors implanted in its fingertips to try to feel what they touch, while scientists explore which electrodes work best.

"Imagine all the joints that are in your hand. There's 20 motions around all those joints," says Pittsburgh neurobiologist Andrew Schwartz. "It's not just reaching out and crudely grasping something. We want them to be able to use the fingers we've worked so hard on."

The 30-year-old Hemmes' task was a much simpler first step. He was testing whether a new type of chip, which for safety reasons the Food and Drug Administration let stay on this initial volunteer's brain for just a month, could allow for three-dimensional arm movement.

He surprised researchers the day before the electrodes were removed. The robotic arm whirred as Hemmes' mind pushed it forward to hesitantly tap palms with a scientist. Then his girlfriend beckoned. The room abruptly hushed. Hemmes painstakingly raised the black metal hand again and slowly rubbed its palm against hers a few times.

These emotional robotic touches have inspired researchers now recruiting volunteers for soon-to-start yearlong experiments.

"It was awesome," is the decidedly unscientific description from the normally reserved Dr. Michael Boninger, rehabilitation chief at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "To interact with a human that way. ... This is the beginning."

___

Hemmes' journey began in 2004. He owned an auto-detailing shop and rode his motorcycle in his spare time. Then one summer evening he swerved to miss a deer. His bike struck a guardrail. His neck snapped.

His determination didn't. Paralyzed below the shoulders, he's tried other experimental procedures in hopes, so far unrealized, of regaining some arm function.

"I always tell people your legs are great ... but they just get you from here to there," Hemmes says as his caregiver waits to feed him a bite of a cheeseburger near his home in Butler, north of Pittsburgh. "Your arms and fingers and hands do everything else. I have to get those back, I absolutely have to."

His ultimate goal is to hug his 8-year-old daughter. "I'm going to do whatever it takes, as long as it takes, to do that again."

Hemmes entered an operating room at UPMC with a mix of nerves and excitement.

"It's good anxiety," he says. "There is so much riding on this."

___

Think "I want that apple," and your arm reaches out and grasps it. You're not aware that neurons are instantaneously firing in patterns that send commands down the spinal cord — make the shoulder raise the arm, extend the elbow, flex the wrist and all five fingers.

A very similar firing occurs when you imagine movement or watch the movement you'd like to perform, explains Boninger, who with Schwartz is leading the Pittsburgh research together with a team of bioengineers, neuroscientists and physicians.

The DARPA arm was developed primarily for amputees. Separate research is under way to help them move it by using transplanted nerves to sense those brain commands. The paralyzed pose a more difficult challenge: getting those signals around a broken spinal cord.

For quadriplegic patients, scientists use implanted electrodes, called a "brain-computer interface" or BCI, to record that electrical activity. The signals move down through wires that tunnel under the skin and out by the collarbone, and are plugged into a computer or a robotic arm.

Until now, researchers mostly have tested miniature electrodes that poke inside the brain's motor cortex and record from individual cells, presumably allowing for precise movements. Pittsburgh's next test-patient will have two penetrating grids implanted in different parts of the cortex for a year to record from 200 cells altogether.

In contrast, Hemmes' chip sat on the surface of his motor cortex, a less invasive method that records from groups of cells. The size of two postage stamps, it's based on a kind of electrical signal mapping used to track seizures in epilepsy patients.

Both approaches need study, says Daofen Chen of the National Institutes of Health, who oversees neurorehabilitation research. He compares the options to eavesdropping on a party by sending in individual microphones or setting up a recorder at the window.

Boninger adds that scar tissue can blunt the penetrating electrodes over time, and the surface chips may be easier to convert to a wireless system, which is important for commercial use.

___

Hemmes' operation took two hours. He had practiced imagining arm movements inside brain scanners, to see where the electrical signals concentrated. That's where neurosurgeon Elizabeth Tyler-Kabara cut, attaching the chip through an inch-wide opening on the left side of Hemmes' skull.

Two days later, Hemmes was hooked to a computer, beginning simple cursor movements. The next week, it was time to test if he could trigger real-life movement using the DARPA arm.

Hemmes reclined in his wheelchair, the robot arm bolted to a steel rod nearby. The task: make the arm reach out to grasp a ball mounted on a board.

The arm whirs forward, then stops, then goes again, then suddenly pulls back.

"It's doing the opposite of what I ask it do," Hemmes says in frustration. "When I think about reaching back, it goes forward."

Dr. Wei Wang, a member of the research team, watches Hemmes' brain patterns on a nearby computer screen, trying to match them to the robotic movements. Focus on your elbow, Wang advises.

Hemmes takes a deep breath and tries. The arm whirs forward this time, reaching the ball. The fingers clench around it.

"There's no owner's manual," Hemmes says, thrilled that the back-and-forth pays off. "I'm training my brain to figure how to do all this."

Letting go is harder, the motor growling as the arm tugs backward before the fingers fully release. Hemmes starts imagining his hand relaxing before pulling backward, and the robot hand follows.

___

Sure, a robotic hand that one day mounts to a wheelchair could be useful. But no matter how well today's prosthetics move, they've got a problem: They don't sense what they touch. Normally, instant messages flash from the skin up to the brain to say "squeeze tighter" so we don't drop that coffee cup, or "tight enough" so we don't hug too hard.

Besides, Hemmes shares the dream of many quadriplegics. He doesn't want a bionic third hand. He wants to move his own hands again.

"These are all scientific goals that are very real," Boninger says.

Recreating sensation means crafting a two-way highway with those brain chips. That's what Duke University, in a study published last week in the journal Nature, did with its two monkeys. When the animals "touched" objects on a computer screen with their video game-like arms, electrical signals flashed back up to implanted electrodes — different signals for different textures, to tell the objects apart.

Sensors in the DARPA arm's fingertips allow for that same kind of feedback. McLoughlin says the plan is for one of the Pittsburgh study patients to begin testing touch capability next year, with a similar attempt at the California Institute of Technology to follow.

What about moving paralyzed limbs? Duke's plan is to turn its research into a robotic exoskeleton that would help the paralyzed move their bodies.

Hemmes is more intrigued by what's called functional electrical stimulation, zapping muscles with electrical currents to make them move. At Hemmes' request, Boninger's team attempted to fit his hand with a stimulator glove that might be linked to his electrode, but it was unsuccessful. The NIH's Chen says still other researchers are working on that kind of approach.

___

Hemmes likened moving the DARPA arm to learning to drive a car with a manual transmission. It took practice, but by week four he was moving the arm sideways as well as back and forth.

The fingers still clenched pretty tight, though. So when his girlfriend Katie Schaffer spoke up — "I want to hold your hand," she said on his last day of testing — Hemmes didn't dare bend them.

The two met after his accident, so he'd never before reached out to her.

"I was just trying to be gentle. I didn't want to hurt her, and I finally got there," Hemmes says. "Definitely the tears were flowing."

He says he was ready for a break after almost daily scientific testing, so removing the electrode and wires the next day wasn't a disappointment. He's confident the researchers will call him back once the technology advances.

"I believe this is the future," he says. "Just let people know there's hope."

‘Worst budget for the disabled’

2011-10-08T14:48:00.002+08:00

'Worst budget for the disabled’

G Vinod

| October 8, 2011

Several disabled groups say Najib's budget has ignored the disabled even though he is calling it a caring budget .

PETALING JAYA: Several disabled groups are so unhappy with the budget that they even have gone to the extent of calling it the worst budget they have seen for many years.

The Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) president Anthony Thanasayan said he had expected more from Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who had termed the budget as a caring budget.

“We hardly got anything. The disabled need at least RM500 monthly to sustain a decent living,” said Thanasayan.

Yesterday, Najib announced Budget 2012 at the Parliament, dispensing various goodies especially to the civil servants and the low income earners.

Among others, he announced salary revision for civil servants and higher employer contribution to the EPF for workers earning less than RM5,000 monthly.

Thanasayan said the disabled groups have put in request for additional aid to the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry for many years but received lukewarm response.

What the government should do, Thanasayan said, was to provide care-givers to those disabled who are bedridden and paralysed.

He said this was important as not many of the bedridden people were taken care of by own their family members.

“In the US, the state hires personal attendants to assist bedridden people. Singapore even has a law to compel family members to look after their aged or sickly elders. This is what we need in Malaysia,” said Thanasayan who is also Petaling Jaya City Hall councillor.

Echoing Thanasayan’s sentiments, Independent Living and Training Centre advisor Francis Siva said it was unthinkable that Najib had left out the disabled community in his budget speech.

“It shows how sincere the government is in taking care of our needs,” said Siva .

He also said that this was not the first time the government had shortchanged the underprivileged group as it happened before when allocation for the disabled did not reach the target group.

“Few months back, the government announced additonal funds for the disabled group but till today none of us know how to go about getting the aid due to heavy bureucracy,” said Siva.

All the disabled want, Siva added, was to have a quality life by having a decent shelter and better access to public transport.

“Most disabled are living in a bad shape. It’s not like we enjoy living on charity but is it too much for us to ask for a little dignity?” asked Siva.

He said there was no point for the government to spend huge sums of money for mega projects when the disabled are living in bad conditions.

“We will arrange for a meeting with the prime minister soon to put in our requests,” he said.

Losing their way

2011-10-01T11:22:00.002+08:00

Losing their way

The blind struggle to navigate Brickfields after traders take up sidewalk space

CECILIA VICTOR

Friday, September 30th, 2011 11:52:00

BARRIER: The visually-impaired fighting for space with stalls at the Jalan Tun Sambathan sidewalk — Pic: SAMSUL SAID

KUALA LUMPUR: Brickfields — for so long the home of the visually-impaired — has now become a "no man's land" for the blind.

It used to be a walk in the park to and from the Malaysian Association of the Blind (MAB) headquarters but had since become almost impossible to navigate after traders were allowed to park their stalls on the Jalan Tun Sambanthan sidewalk to ply their Deepavali wares.

Fully-blind George Wong, 75, now faces a hellish situation during his weekly visits to the MAB. The Semenyih resident is at a loss when attempting to locate the KL Monorail station, his "landmark" to get to KL Sentral to catch his bus home.

As the walkway in front of the station has been taken over by the stalls, he has to gingerly make his way around. "This scares me as the sidewalk is close to the busy road.

"Sometimes, I go the wrong way and have to make the long way back to MAB to start over."

Mohd Haris Fadzilah Ahmad, 32, said a friend was not as lucky, as his walking stick was almost hit by a car before he fell down, injuring himself.

"Are the authorities waiting for someone to die before acting?" said the partially-blind masseuse who commutes to Brickfields daily.

Blind student Afendi Adlun, 20, said he almost fell on the road while on his way to MAB recently. "I can normally walk unaccompanied but with the traders on the pavement, I missed my mark, missed a step and almost tripped on the road."

MAB's Zalina Hassan, 37, said complaints to City Hall had fallen on deaf ears.

"The blind having no proper facilities is not something new here. Our needs are constantly being put on hold."

She said at the corner of a bus stop in front of the YMCA building in Jalan Thambipillay, there used to be a pole to stop the blind from using the route. "Some of my friends were hurt badly after bumping into the pole, which was only removed much later."

Partially-blind Mohd Zuhairi Abdul Hamid said indiscriminate motorcycle parking on pavements designated for the visually-impaired was also another headache.

"Besides expanding the pavements, the authorities should make clearer signs for the public to identify areas meant for the blind."

KL mayor asks for tolerance in Brickfields

2011-10-01T11:19:00.001+08:00

KL mayor asks for tolerance in Brickfields

HAMZAH NAZARI

Friday, September 30th, 2011 12:11:00

KUALA LUMPUR: KL mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said stalls in Brickfields would be allowed to continue operating for another month.

He was responding to a query by The Malay Mail on traders in Brickfields hogging walkways along Jalan Tun Sambathan, making it difficult for pedestrians, especially the blind, to move around the area.

He said while he understood the plight of pedestrians, traders should also be given a chance to do business.
“Give them a month. Give them a chance to work," he said.

He said tourists and locals flock to Little India in Brickfields, especially during Deepavali, and that City Hall had to allow the traders to set up stalls there.

“We allow this at other places during the Ramadan month and if we don’t do the same during Deepavali, people will complain and say we are being unfair.”

The walkways around Brickfields are marked extensively with raised lines and dots for the blind.

The Malay Mail had also received calls from the public claiming stalls in the area were causing traffic congestion as unloading of goods were done by the roadside.

Shahrizat: Show the blind some respect

2011-10-01T11:17:00.002+08:00

Shahrizat: Show the blind some respect

T.K. LETCHUMY TAMBOO

Friday, September 30th, 2011 12:14:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil will sit with City Hall to discuss how to tackle the issue of petty traders taking up walkways in front of shop lots in Brickfields, a norm when Deepavali is just around the corner.

"City Hall must take necessary action on this matter and we will inform them about this," she said.

Shahrizat expressed her disappointment with Malaysians when it comes to respecting the disabled community.

"It is important everybody is aware of this. Traders cannot do this. That's why advocacy is important. I am disappointed Malaysians are not considerate enough about the disabled.

"Ordinary citizens must have respect and consideration for the disabled as we want to be a barrier-free country.

"There needs to be more advocacy and awareness. Mindsets must change."

Welfare benefit for all visually-impaired

2011-10-01T11:10:00.002+08:00

T.K. LETCHUMY TAMBOO

Friday, September 30th, 2011 12:11:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Beginning tomorrow, individuals who are blind in one eye will be classified as a disabled person and can receive privileges under the Social Welfare Department.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the decision was made at a meeting of the National Council for the Disabled.

"This will enable the people who fall under this category to get the same privileges enjoyed by other disabled people when they register with the Social Welfare Department," she said at a Press conference after launching the 60th Anniversary of the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB), yesterday.

Shahrizat added local authorities throughout the nation are required to include a representative from the disabled community in their planning and development committee.

"This is part of the ministry's effort to mainstream the disabled community's issues into the development of the nation towards ensuring that Malaysia is a barrier free country."

Local authorities will be required to set up an audit access unit to ensure all public facilities are properly monitored and maintained.

Mixed reactions by disabled-friendly NGOs

THE Women, Family and Community Development Ministry's move to classify individuals who are blind in one eye under the disabled (OKU) category, requiring local authorities to elect a disabled representative to sit in their planning and development committee and to set up an audit access unit, received mixed reactions from several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) championing the cause.

Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) president Datuk Dr Abdullah Malim Baginda said categorising those blind in one eye as OKU would help them tremendously, especially if they are poor.

"They will receive OKU cards and get discounts for medical treatments and free medical check-ups," he said.
Dr Abdullah Malim said electing an OKU representative to sit in local authorities' planning and development committee would ensure the needs of their community were met.

"At the moment, we do sit in committee meetings but only informally. Sometimes, we also get called in for audit checks by several companies," he said.

One such company he cited was Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad, to which he tested their disabled-friendly facilities two weeks ago.

For Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) president Francis Siva, he opined the move should have been done 15 years ago.

"We also need to know who will monitor the committee and ensure this policy is carried out. There has to be a proper mechanism," he said.

However, Francis felt the efforts would not solve all problems faced by the disabled community unless "a disabled person is elected as a councilor in every local council.

"This would be more effective as our suggestions can be discussed at full board meetings and have a budget allocated for it."

Persatuan Kurang Upaya Anggota Melayu Malaysia (Permata) president Suhairi Abdullah, was unhappy those blind in one eye were categorised as OKU.

"Why does the government want to help people who are still able-bodied? They are not completely blind.

"If this is the case, soon, people who are deaf in one ear or people who do not have one leg will also be under the disabled category," he said.

"Currently, OKUs with a salary of RM1,200 are eligible to receive a monthly disabled worker allowance of RM300. If the partially-blind are considered OKUs, the government might have to fork out more."

Bernama - Disabled people category extended to those 'blind in one eye'

2011-09-29T16:59:00.001+08:00

Published: Thursday September 29, 2011 MYT 3:02:00 PM
Updated: Thursday September 29, 2011 MYT 4:21:45 PM

Disabled people category extended to those 'blind in one eye'

KUALA LUMPUR: Individuals who are blind in only one eye will be classified under the disabled people category from Saturday.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the decision was made at a meeting of the National Council for the Disabled on Tuesday to enable this category of people to receive the same privileges as other disabled persons when they register with the Social Welfare Department.

In addition, she said, local authorities throughout the nation were required to include a representative from the disabled community in their planning and development committee. Bernama

PROGRESS REPORT:Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 29/09/2011

2011-09-29T15:44:00.005+08:00

Helping disabled drivers in a breakdown

2011-09-24T12:22:00.003+08:00

Thursday September 22, 2011

Helping disabled drivers in a breakdown

Suggestions for vehicle breakdown services on handling emergencies involving disabled drivers.

A FORTNIGHT ago I wrote about a horrible encounter I had at a hypermarket in Shah Alam.

Despite the store being equipped with disabled-friendly car parks and toilets, the experience was still a nightmare.

As a wheelchair user I found much to my chagrin that I was not able to use the facilities.

This was because the management had failed to ensure that the handicapped-friendly facilities in their premises were not abused by non-disabled shoppers.

The car parks were all taken up by non-disabled drivers and I had to wait for a young able-bodied man to finish up before I could use the loo for the disabled.

And even when my car battery suddenly went flat, I was not able to get the help that I so desperately needed, even though I was in the company of scores of shoppers around me.

It was a wake-up call for me to not take things for granted in future.

Just because I happened to be in a disabled-friendly building didn’t necessarily mean that the people there would be as friendly or helpful to a disabled person.

It ought to have happened that way of course, but sadly it didn’t.

And the way I see it, the problem was clearly with the management.

If they had provided the proper training for their front desk staff, the situation would have been different.

Even the rescue team from the Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM), of which I am a member, treated my SOS call as a normal routine alert when I rang them up.

When I told them I was a disabled driver, it made no difference to them. They just told me what they would say to anyone: “We’ll get to you in about 45 minutes.”

They only arrived about an hour and a half later, blaming the delay on heavy traffic. It was a disappointment that they made no follow-up calls to me during the waiting period to inform me of the delay.

Looking back on what happened, here are some suggestions to AAM and other vehicle breakdown services on how they can be more professional and helpful when it comes to handicapped drivers who are left stranded:

1. Check whether the driver is safe.

Instead of giving handicapped drivers the standard “45-minute” waiting time, find out first if they are safe. A handicapped driver could be stuck in the middle of the highway against speeding traffic. Are they alone or do they have someone who could help them?

In emergencies where one’s vehicle has stalled in the middle of the road or even on the fast lane, rescue services should link up with the traffic police to intervene.

Remember, a person in a wheelchair can’t get out of the car and even call for help from other drivers.

2. Find out more about the drivers’ disabilities.

Are they totally unable to walk? Or do they have walking difficulties? Do they use crutches, walking sticks, etc, for mobility? Do they have a wheelchair in the car or in the back seat? Can they get out of the car by themselves? Can they take out their wheelchair by themselves?

It is also helpful to ask if they are on any medication, suffer from asthma, etc, as all this can be triggered when one is in a panicked situation.

In such situations, personnel manning the call centre should have some knowledge about disabilities so that they can deal with handicapped callers more effectively.

Please note that for the able-bodied, they can just get out of their car and get to a safe place. People with disabilities often don’t have such options.

3. Speak calmly and confidently to the driver.

This will make them less nervous. Try to understand the great vulnerability that the disabled driver would be feeling at that time, especially if they are alone. They could also be sitting ducks for robbers who might take advantage of their situation.

In my case, AAM could have called the hypermarket’s customer service and informed them about where I am so that they could come to my aid.

4. Keep up the communication.

All rescue services should not merely inform that help is on the way but also keep in constant contact with the handicapped caller in distress to help him or her remain calm until service arrives.

This would be professionalism at its best.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 10/09/2011

2011-09-16T13:38:00.003+08:00

PROGRESS REPORT:

Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 10/09/2011

துன் டாக்டர் மகாதிர் பின் முகமது

2011-09-16T12:01:00.000+08:00

துன் டாக்டர் மகாதிர் பின் முகமது

1. துன் டாக்டர் மகாதிர் பின் முகமதின் இயற்கை பெயர் மஹாதிர் த/பெ இஸ்கந்தர் குட்டி.

2 . மகாதிர் ஜூலை மாதம் 10 ஆம் நாள் 1925 இல் கெடா மாநிலத்தில் பிறந்தார்.

3 . இவரின் தந்தை இஸ்கந்தர் குட்டி கேரளா மாநிலத்தில் இருந்து இங்கு புலம் பெயர்ந்து வந்த ஒரு மலையாளி. இவர் ஒரு பள்ளி ஆசிரியர்.

4 . இவரின் தாயர் வான் தெம்பாவான் மலேசியாவில் பிறந்த மலாய்காரர் .

5 . தான் ஒரு இந்திய வம்சாவளியில் வந்தவர் என்பதை ஒத்துகொண்டாலும் இவர் தன்னை ஒரு மலாய்காரர் என குறிப்பிட படுவதையே விரும்புகிறார். அது மட்டும் இன்றி மலாய் மேலாண்மை குறித்து இவர் அதிகம் பேசியும் எழுதியும் உள்ளார்.

6 . இவர் மருத்துவம் பயின்ற சிங்கபூர் பல்கலைகழகத்தில் இவர் தன்னை ஒரு இந்தியன் என்றே குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

7 . தனது இந்திய அடையாளத்தை இவர் எப்போதுமே வெளிகாட்டுவதில்லை. அப்படி சொல்வதை வெட்கமாக கருதுவதாக கருத்து உள்ளது.

8 .1981 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூலை 16 - 31 அக்டோபர் 2003 வரை இவர் பிரதமராக இருந்தார்.

9. நான்காவது பிரதமரான இவர் ஆசியாவின் நீண்ட காலம் சேவையாற்றிய பிரதமர் ஆவர். இவரின் கீழ் நால்வர் துணைப்பிரதமராக இருந்துள்ளனர்.

10. 1945 இல் அரசியலில் ஈடுபட ஆரம்பிட்ட இவர் 1946 இல் ஆரம்பிக்க பட்ட அம்னோவின் ஆரம்பகால உறுப்பினர் ஆவர்.

11. சீனர்களின் வாக்குகள் தேவை இல்லை என அறிவித்ததனால் 1969 இல் நடந்த தேர்தலில் 989 வாக்குகள் வித்தியாசத்தில் இவர் தோல்விகண்டார்.

2004 ஆம் ஆண்டு சுதந்திர தினத்தில்
மகதீரை சிறப்பு செய்யும் வகையில் TM
கட்டிடத்தில் அவரின் padam

12. தனது பதவியை தக்க வைத்துக்கொள்ள இவர் மத மற்றும் இனவாத அரசியை கையாண்டார். இதனை மலேசியர்கள் மகாதிர்ஸ்ம் என குறிப்பிடுவதுண்டு.

13. இவரது ஆட்சி காலத்தில் மலேசியா துரித முன்னேற்றம் அடைத்தது.

14. இவரது ஆட்சி காலத்தில் தான் இந்தியர்கள் பலவகையிலும் ஓரங்கட்டப்பட்டனர்.

15. இவரது ஆட்சி காலத்தில் பேச்சு சுதந்திரம் குறைவாக இருந்தது.

16. பிற தலைவர்கள் உருவாகுவதை விரும்பாதவர் என்ற குற்றசாட்டும் இவர் மேல் உள்ளது.

17 . 1987 இல் கட்சி தேர்தலில் நடந்த தில்லுமுல்லுகள் காரணமாக 1998 இல் அம்னோ நீதிமன்ற தீர்ப்பு முலம் தடை செய்ய பட்டதை தொடர்ந்து இவர் புதிய அம்னோவை துவக்கினார்.

A big step forward

2011-09-15T11:43:00.004+08:00

Thursday September 15, 2011

A big step forward

Local councils get a nudge in the right direction.

SYABAS to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for playing an instrumental role last week in persuading the Cabinet to make a positive move in the interest of the country’s disabled community.

The minister succeeded in getting her colleagues to push for the appointment of people with disabilities (PWDs) in special committees in every local council.

This is to ensure that basic issues such as accessibility will no longer be overlooked and neglected by city and town council planners and engineers.

The move follows a similar directive given by Selangor Chairman of the Local Government, Study and Research Committee Ronnie Liu to all 12 local councils in the state earlier in the year.

I think it is great that both these politicians have put aside their party’s differences momentarily in such an exemplary way to focus on the handicapped community which is struggling with the most basic issues.

They have pointed out that if disabled people are ever going to catch up with the rest of the nation, it must start with the local councils.

To put it in a nutshell, when the disabled are able to use the pavements or access buildings with their wheelchairs, only then will they be able to find jobs, take care of themselves and live like the rest of society.

No amount of admonition from politicians is going to make a difference for the more than 10% of the population, coupled with the growing number of elderly citizens, if local councils do not get into the act.

As chairman of Petaling Jaya City Council’s technical committee on disability, here are some tips from MBPJ for those who are unsure of how to get a committee going or what to do after that:

> Choose your PWDs wisely. Although it is imperative to have people with handicaps in the meetings, make sure the ones you pick will be able to contribute. There is no time to lose, so do not get people who will just warm the seats. The ones picked must be serious, dedicated and knowledgeable. This may require some orientation and exposure of how councils operate to give each PWD an idea of what is expected of them.

> Have meetings once a month: There is so much to catch up on and monthly meetings will help to get things going.

> Have a wide and varied representation: Don’t only think of those in wheelchairs. It’s vital to get others like the blind, the deaf, people with learning disabilities, little people and even the elderly with physical problems. Don’t forget parents of PWDs, too. They often have great ideas but don’t have the opportunity to voice them.

> Invite active NGOs: Think of support groups for people with stroke, Parkinson’s and even epilepsy, not just people with physical disabilities or those in wheelchairs. People with walking disabilities have a lot to contribute, especially in the way pavements are designed. Having said that, don’t forget individuals with disabilities as well. Because many of them may have been locked away in their homes as the local councils had forgotten about their needs, they may present the best ideas.

> Provide or pay for their transport: This is the least councils can do for their invaluable input.

> Approve new buildings only when they get the blessing of the committee. The PWDs’ views should go hand-in-hand with the local councils’ engineering and planning department.

> Organise regular site visits: Each local council should organise regular visits to the new buildings during construction to make sure that everything is in order.

> Hold social awareness programmes: International Day for the Disabled on Dec 3 and other special days such as Parkinson’s Day, World Mental Health Day, Older Persons Day and White Cane Day are all excellent opportunities for local councils to highlight and involve the public.

> Exemplary certificates as recognition: Identify buildings, restaurants and even homes for the disabled and elderly that provide proper facilities and appreciate them for their deeds. This is a very effective way to get more outfits to create a better world for PWDs.

> Slow and steady will get you there: Don’t be in a rush to get everyone on board. You can invite them over the weeks and months. Starting small will also help you to make sure that you have the right people on board who can help you reach your target.

So to all the local councils everywhere: Good luck!

New Cheras bus terminal disabled-friendly

2011-09-12T18:40:00.002+08:00

Disabled commuters can look forward to service with a smile at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

New Cheras bus terminal disabled-friendly

Disabled commuters can look forward to service with a smile at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

LAST week, we were pleasantly surprised to receive an invitation from Maju Terminal Management and Services (Maju TMAS), the operators of the new bus terminal, Terminal Bersepadu Selatan at Bandar Tasik Selatan (TBS-BTS) in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. They wanted us to check out the disabled-friendly features at the terminal.

Maju Holdings, the parent company of Maju TMAS, was awarded a design-and-build contract in November 2007. They had the mammoth task of constructing the RM570mil terminal within three years. The terminal would serve as an integrated transportation hub where the public can commute by bus, taxi and rail. Bandar Tasik Selatan was identified because of its ERL and Komuter rail lines.

The terminal which began operating at the start of this year, has replaced the newly renovated Pudu Raya bus station for all south-bound buses.

A key feature of TBS-BTS is the disabled-friendly facilities which also cater to the elderly.

Special service: Wheelchair-users can purchase tickets with ease at dedicated counters for the disabled and the elderly at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

So when I was invited to offer feedback on the company’s efforts in looking into the needs of handicapped users, I was quite excited.

As chairman of the disability technical committee of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), which offers advice on handicapped-friendly features to developers, I thought it would be a good idea to bring along some of my team members with disabilities, as well as MBPJ’s planning and engineering staff.

Now, I must admit that we were half-expecting to see things that were not in proper order at the terminal, because of past experiences with other outfits which promised the same thing but turned out to be the opposite.

But boy, were we in for a surprise! The first thing that we were thrilled to notice at the terminal were the guiding blocks for the blind. These bright yellow tiles with grooves in them – also called tactile flooring – help the blind find their way about independently.

If you live in KL or PJ, you are likely to notice more and more of them being built in the outside environment, especially on the pavements.

However, what is notable about TBS-BTS’ tactile flooring is that they are also placed inside the terminal. This is exactly how it should be done – both outside and inside.

Long stretches of tactile lines from outside of the terminal effectively lead blind commuters into the building all the way to the information and ticketing counters.

They are also designed to guide the visually impaired into the restrooms which are wheelchair-friendly.

Our blind technical expert was thrilled. He used his white cane to cover almost the entire building.

Most buildings that claim to be friendly to the blind, sadly stop short of providing tactile flooring inside the building. This leaves blind visitors at a loss over what to do next when they are inside. Although our expert is blind, he was quick to point out areas that could do with some improvement. Some of the tactile lines, for instance, were not continuous at entry points such as the doors. For some reason, the able-bodied designers had overlooked this.

There were also certain areas where the management had placed chairs, stand-up signs for the public to queue up or other obstructions close to the markings. Blind commuters may accidentally knock into them.

As for wheelchair-users, there were three of us, including me. We represented various degrees of handicaps and gave our views based on our personal experiences.

We pointed out that the “lowered public phone booths” were not low enough for our wheelchairs. Some of the fittings such as the sink, water closet and dustbin in the restrooms were more of an obstruction than a help.

However, overall the boys at TBS-BTS had done an amazingly good job. We appreciated their willingness to receive feedback from us in good faith.

They said our feedback was a challenge to them to strive to make their terminal even better for persons with special needs.

The best news was that the terminal staff would be trained to go the extra mile to help all disabled commuters.

We were told that even before commuters with disabilities could approach the respective counters, the staff would get to them first.

With its golden service and improvements in the pipeline, TBS-BTS is certainly headed in the right direction. Syabas!

ILTC MALAYSIA - Working to create a world as it should be......

Chinese New Years 2012

Lots more can be done

Thursday January 12, 2012

Lots more can be done

Why This Kolaveri Charity Concept by OnePhotographers

Happy Ponggal 2012

Sign up, disabled urged

Saturday January 14, 2012

Sign up, disabled urged

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012

HINDRAF Rally 4th Anniversary Dinner

Breath of God Church

PWDs speak up

Thursday December 15, 2011

PWDs speak up

Our day to be loud and proud

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.

Cheque Presentation Ceremony

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

Monday December 5, 2011

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

By JADE CHANjade@thestar.com.myPhoto by NORMAN HIU

Room for all

Thursday December 1, 2011

Room for all

Needless woes for the wheelchair-bound

Thursday November 24, 2011

Needless woes for the wheelchair-bound

Disabled friendly facilities still lacking

Disabled friendly facilities still lacking

RECENTLY, while having dinner in a restaurant near home, I saw two women struggling to get their wheelchair-bound elder relative onto the pavement.

KL to be disabled friendly soon

KL to be disabled friendly soon

Dear Mayor,

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 21/11/2011

PROGRESS REPORT:

Call For More 'Bite' In Disabled Persons Act

Public Should Know The Rights Of The Disabled

Welfare dues withheld

Welfare dues withheld

Deepavali joy at state open house

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 14/11/2011

The latest newsToday, Madam Diana from HL Management Co. visited the ILTC Project side, the construction of the new building in order to getting information and to view in-progress development of the project.

Disabled group upset over ‘terrible’ action

Thursday November 3, 2011

Awkward moments

Love and Hope Charity Dinner

World Hunger Relief Malaysia

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 01/11/2011

How disabled-friendly is Malacca city?

Thursday October 27, 2011

How disabled-friendly is Malacca city?

Deepavali Greetings From President of Independent Living & Training Centre.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 18/10/2011

Space allocated to build aerobridges at KLIA2

Tuesday October 18, 2011

Space allocated to build aerobridges at KLIA2

AT THE DEWAN RAKYATReports by MARTIN CARVALHO, YUEN MEIKENG, RAHIMY RAHIM and CALVIN YEO

'Friendly' protest march by blind

'Friendly' protest march by blind

The disabled could do with

Thursday October 13, 2011

The disabled could do with

Giving a high-five. Rubbing his girlfriend's hand. Such ordinary acts — but a milestone for a paralyzed man.

‘Worst budget for the disabled’

'Worst budget for the disabled’

Losing their way

Losing their way

KL mayor asks for tolerance in Brickfields

KL mayor asks for tolerance in Brickfields

Shahrizat: Show the blind some respect

Shahrizat: Show the blind some respect

Welfare benefit for all visually-impaired

Mixed reactions by disabled-friendly NGOs

Bernama - Disabled people category extended to those 'blind in one eye'

Published: Thursday September 29, 2011 MYT 3:02:00 PMUpdated: Thursday September 29, 2011 MYT 4:21:45 PM

Disabled people category extended to those 'blind in one eye'

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

The latest news
Today, Madam Diana from HL Management Co. visited the ILTC Project side, the construction of the new building in order to getting information and to view in-progress development of the project.

AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT
Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, YUEN MEIKENG, RAHIMY RAHIM and CALVIN YEO

Published: Thursday September 29, 2011 MYT 3:02:00 PM
Updated: Thursday September 29, 2011 MYT 4:21:45 PM