Saturday, October 13, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Preschools for special children welcomed
02 October 2012 | last updated at 12:13AM
Preschools for special children welcomed
PILOT PROJECT: Government urged to provide qualified teachers for Taska OKU
KUALA LUMPUR: THE government's move to create better education opportunities and encourage the disabled towards self-sufficiency was realised with the introduction of Taska OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya) in the 2013 Budget.
Malaysian Council for Child Welfare vice-president Datuk Dr Raj Abdul Karim was gratified when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the setting up of preschools for mentally and physically challenged children, starting next year.
"This effort is welcomed by all, especially those from the special needs community," she said.
Najib, who is also finance minister, had announced in the Budget last Friday that the government would implement a pilot project called Taska OKU for six categories of disability -- Down's syndrome, autism, blind or partially sighted, hearing and speaking disabilities, physical disability and learning difficulties.
Dr Raj said the effort must also look into a special teaching syllabus for various disabilities.
"The Education Ministry must also work hand in hand with the Health Ministry to produce qualified teachers who can attend to the needs of the children.
"Therefore, there should be adequate capacity building, monitoring and training for these teachers."
National Parent-Teacher Association president Datuk Mohd Ali Hassan said these kindergartens should also be built in rural areas.
"The urban dwellers already have many facilities. The ones who are always left out of development are the people in the rural areas."
He said this effort would give the disabled a new lease of life, becoming productive individuals to aid the country's growth.
Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president Murugeswaran Veerasamy said special needs children would be an asset to the country if they were given the right guidance and encouragement.
"A kindergarten for disabled children is definitely a start for them to reach greater heights and the government's acknowledgement of this is lauded."
Murugeswaran said education was the only way for these children to build a brighter future for themselves in this challenging world.
"I hope the government will also look into extending this effort to the primary, secondary and tertiary level for these students."
Saturday, September 29, 2012
PERUNTUKAN KEPADA ORANG KELAINAN UPAYA BAWA BERITA GEMBIRA
Bernama Media
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 Sept (Bernama) -- Golongan Orang Kelainan Upaya (OKU)
menyatakan akan menggunakan dengan sebaiknya peruntukan besar disediakan untuk
mereka di bawah Belanjawan 2013 yang diumumkan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Presiden Persatuan Orang Kurang Upaya Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan
Damai, V.Murugeswaran berkata pihaknya mengucapkan tahniah kepada kerajaan
kerana mewujudkan taska untuk OKU - sesuatu yang sepatutnya sudah lama
dilaksanakan.
"Dengan perkembangan terbaru ini, sekolah-sekolah berkenaan akan mesra OKU
dengan segala kemudahan sewajarnya berbanding situasi sekarang di mana tidak
banyak sekolah dilengkapi kemudahan berkenaan," kata beliau.
Murugeswaran mengulas mengenai Taska OKU untuk enam kategori orang kelainan
upaya - down sindrom, autisme, buta, pekak, cacat anggota dan kurang daya
belajar.
Sementara itu, Presiden Orthopaedically Handicapped Lim Khoon Chuan berkata
peruntukan itu perlu ditumpukan kepada terapi untuk OKU.
Perdana Menteri mengumumkan Program Kebajikan 1Malaysia (KAR1SMA) di bawah
Kementrian Pembangunana Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat akan diperuntuk RM1.2
bilion mengandungi program bantuan bagi warga emas, kanak-kanak dan pekerja
kelainan upaya serta untuk penyakit kroni
Allocation for disabled brings joy to NGOs
KUALA LUMPUR: Thankful and appreciative for the budget allocations for the disabled, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for the disabled applauded and congratulated the prime minister for not leaving out the disabled community.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the 1Malaysia Welfare Programme (KAR1SMA) under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development to be allocated RM1.2 billion comprising assistance programmes for senior citizens, children and disabled workers as well as for chronic illnesses.
President of the Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory V. Murugeswaran said he was glad and thankful that the government allocated a substantial amount for the disabled.
"I am thankful that the government gave a huge amount to all the special people of Malaysia and we would certainly put it up for good use," he said.
Murugeswaran also commented on the OKU pre-school (TASKA OKU) for six categories of disabilities - down syndrome, autisme, the blind, deaf, physical disabilities and learning disabilities.
"The pre-school for disabled is something the government should have done a long time ago. With the latest development, these schools would be disabled friendly with all the facilities for the disabled compared to the current situation where not many schools are equipped with these facilities," he said.
Meanwhile, President of the Orthopaedically Handicapped Lim Khoon Chuan said the allocations should be focused on therapy for the disabled.
"Early intervention of children below the age of six can help improve their quality of life tremendously," he said.
BERNAMA
Read more: Allocation for disabled brings joy to NGOs - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/allocation-for-disabled-brings-joy-to-ngos-1.149859##ixzz27pYZEsun
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Association gets RM73,000 to upgrade its facilities
BY K. ASHOK
metro@thestar.com.my Photo by Darran Tan
THE Damai Disabled Persons Association received a major boost when it received RM73,000 fron the International Wine and Food Society Kuala Lumpur.
The society’s three-year interest in the association has led to a major transformation for the latter in terms of utilities and transportation for the disabled.
The society’s secretary Datuk Jeremy Diamond said the funds would help see to the needs of the disabled.
“We are pleased to help the Damai Disabled Persons Association and the money will be used to upgrade their facilities,” he said
He said the funds were raised from a charity dinner held by the society annualy and where auctions were held.
Cash aid: Diamond (left) presenting a cheque to Murugeswaran.
Damai Disabled Persons Association president V. Murugeswaran said the funds would be fully utilised to improve the facility and for transportation for the disabled people.
“The cost of living has increased and without the public’s donation, we would be in dire straits,” he said.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Wine and food society donates RM73,000
PETALING JAYA: In an effort to help the less fortunate, the International Wine and Food Society Kuala Lumpur donated RM73,000 to the Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory.
Association president V. Murugeswaran said the society had been contributing to the association's cause since last year.
"They choose two charitable organisations and help them for three years. We are privileged to have their assistance," said Murugeswaran.
He added that RM54,500 of the amount will go towards the maintenance, fuel and toll charges for the society's van as well as to pay the driver's salary.
"The rest will be given to our member, Pavithra Muthukumar, for a wheelchair and to support her stay in a nursing home."
The donation was handed over by International Wine and Food Society Kuala Lumpur honorary secretary Datuk Jeremy Diamond.
Diamond also made a personal donation of RM2,760, which will be used to buy two wheelchairs.
"Every year, we have a charity dinner in December and all our members contribute gifts and wines.
"These items are auctioned and the amount collected goes to two charitable organisations," Diamond said.
"We help them for three years in any way we can," he added.
To date, the society has donated RM123,000 to the association.
"They choose two charitable organisations and help them for three years. We are privileged to have their assistance," said Murugeswaran.
He added that RM54,500 of the amount will go towards the maintenance, fuel and toll charges for the society's van as well as to pay the driver's salary.
"The rest will be given to our member, Pavithra Muthukumar, for a wheelchair and to support her stay in a nursing home."
The donation was handed over by International Wine and Food Society Kuala Lumpur honorary secretary Datuk Jeremy Diamond.
Diamond also made a personal donation of RM2,760, which will be used to buy two wheelchairs.
"Every year, we have a charity dinner in December and all our members contribute gifts and wines.
"These items are auctioned and the amount collected goes to two charitable organisations," Diamond said.
"We help them for three years in any way we can," he added.
To date, the society has donated RM123,000 to the association.
Read more: Wine and food society donates RM73,000 - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/wine-and-food-society-donates-rm73-000-1.128705#ixzz24X3ZMCGD
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
"It's not what happens to you, it's what you do about it." - W Mitchell
"Before I was paralyzed there were 10,000 things I could do. Now there are 9,000. I can either dwell on the 1,000 I've lost or focus on the 9,000 I have left." - W Mitchell
“Some men see things as they are and say why? I dream things that never were, and say Why Not?” - George Bernard Shaw
The talk details are:
Date: Saturday, 19th May 2012
Time: 10am to 1pm
Venue: UTAR PJ Campus (Map here -->
http://www.utar.edu.my/media/PJCampusMap1.jpg)
...
See More
http://www.utar.edu.my/media/PJCampusMap1.jpg
www.utar.edu.my
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Damai collaboration project with Monash University in malaysia to Read more please click to this link - http://www.med.monash.edu.my/cbp/
Stand up and demand for better public transport
K Pragalath March 28, 2012
Environmentalist Gurmit Singh said the onus is on the public to pressure the government to improve public transport.
KUALA LUMPUR: An environmentalist is urging the public to pressure the government to improve public transport.
Environmentalist KS Gurmit Singh of Centre for Environment Technology and Development, Malaysia (Cetdem) said :”Stand up and demand, otherwise the (public transport) users are to be blamed.
“Until and unless the middle class are affected, the government will not resolve this issue. Channel the frustration to the politicians,” said Gurmit at a round table discussion entitled, Public Transportation Problems In Malaysia: Issues and Solutions.
He was confident that the issue can be resolved due to the high number of people using Light Rail Transit as a transport mode.
Gurmit added that the time is right to pressure the government since there are speculations that the 13th general election will be held this year.
He also stressed that the public transport sector be treated as a public service since no country treats it as profit making sector.
Another participant, NB Dayananda meanwhile blamed the BN government for the problems.
“For 50 over years everything provided was for personal gain.”
He said this was because public transportation projects profited certain politicians.
Dayananda suggested that the public transportation sector be handled by the government and profits are returned to the government.
The forum was organised by Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s environment bureau.
R Rajiv from the Association for the Improvement of Mass Transit, Klang Valley (Transit) meanwhile suggested that a specific transport authority be formed since there are no authorities responsible in route planning
“There should be one centralised authority and another at council level to plan.SPAD is not suitable as it concentrates on MRT instead of public transportation problem,” said Rajiv.
PSM’s central committee member Dr D Michael Jeyakumar, who is also Sungai Siput MP, meanwhile promised the participants that another meeting will be arranged soon for the formation of a coalition that would be dedicated to champion the issue of public transportation.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
BATU CAVES TEMPLE IN MALAYSIA INACCESSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Asia-Pacific Feb 19, 2012
PETALING JAYA: The Batu Caves temple grounds, which underwent a RM3.1 million renovation to turn the holy site into a thriving tourism hub, is not accessibleREAD MORE...http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/19/batu-caves-temple-in-malaysia-inaccessible-for-people-with-disabilities/Friday, February 10, 2012
SELAYANG: Disabled Hindu devotees are sore that a promised cable car to the summit of Batu Caves has been shelved to 2013, preventing them from fully taking part in Thaipusam celebrations this year.
“There have been thousands of disabled Hindu devotees who have missed going to the top (of the cave) for prayers and devotions,” said Damai Disabled Person’s Association president V Murugeswaran in a press statement last Saturday.
He pointed out that the temple committee operated a cable car service to the top of the limestone cave some 20 years ago, but it was abandoned after it proved too costly to repair and maintain.
Murugeswaran is calling on Putrajaya to keep to the revised 2013 schedule after it was announced that the initial deadline this year could not be met.
In early 2011, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple management and Damodar Ropeways and Constructions Pty Ltd inked a Memorandum of Understanding to set up the 250-metre cable car service at a cost of RM10 million. The MoU signing was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak then.
Murugeswaran said devotees had waited in vain for the cable to be started this year. “Looks like 2012 was an empty promise,” he said.
However, he said devotees had not given up hope that next year will see the cable car project completed.
“We will wait. We want the cable car for 2013,” the wheelchair bound non-governmental leader said in a telephone interview.
He added that Thaipusam looked bleak for the handicapped as they could not fully take part in the religious festival due to the lack of disabled facilities in Batu Caves.
He took the temple committee to task for failing to heed the recommendations from disabled groups when major renovations were undertaken in January last year.
“We wrote in with engineering plans to ask for ramps, wider toilet cubicles and other things to be incorporated in the renovations,” he said.
Murugeswaran also claimed to have received the brush-off from committee members when he requested for a site visit in the middle of 2011.
He said Damai had successfully engaged various ministries and local governments in providing input on constructing disabled friendly facilities.
He added that it was not too late for the temple committee to seek the advice of Damai and build disabled friendly facilities in Batu Caves.
“Imagine being left out of the chance to carry out religious obligations due to these needless barriers,” he said.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hindu temples deny disabled people entry
How long more the disabled need to surfer this type of discrimination. In Malaysia Hindu temples has long way to go !!!!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Cable car for Thaipusam 2013 - GOOD NEWS BUT WE HOPE THE PROMISE MATERIALISE
By VEENA BABULAL AND L. SUGANYA
SELAYANG
streets@nstp.com.my
A COMPANY from India has been granted the development order for a cable car system in Batu Caves. The project, a joint venture between Damodar Ropeways, a Calcutta-based company, and the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam temple committee, will take off in a month or two.
The long and steep climb of 272 steps to the Sri Subramania Swamy to the shrine will no longer be a problem for the elderly and disabled
The service caters for the elderly and the disabled, who cannot climb the 272 steps leading to the hilltop Sri Subramania Swamy temple.
Temple committee chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah said the RM10 million project was fully sponsored by Damodar Ropeways and would be completed in time for Thaipusam next year.
The cars would run from the cave temple complex car park on a 150m cable. However, the number of cars was still undecided.
"There are several technical conditions and guidelines to meet. But initial soil testing, geological surveys and other technical aspects have been covered. We have ongoing meetings with the company to discuss project updates," he said.
Meanwhile, for many of the elderly and disabled in the Hindu community, the cable car service was the answer to their prayers.
"I am getting older and can no longer take the crowd. There is a lot of pushing and shoving on the walk up the stairs during Thaipusam. The heat also makes it unbearable," said G. Sivanes, a 55-year-old diabetic patient who also suffers from hypertension.
"The cable car would also help the disabled folk and people like my 70-year-old mother, who are too weak to climb the stairs. She will be happy to be able to go up again after 15 years.
Photography enthusiast Joseph Jeremiah, 22, also welcomed the move. He said shutterbugs would be able to take pictures from new angles.
"It also gives me a better view of what is going on so I get better ideas for my pictures," he said, adding the cave temple complex was a great setting for pictures."
An appeal from disabled Hindus
Posted on 6 February 2012 - 05:12am
HINDUS will be celebrating Thaipusam tomorrow. The manifestation of the festival is best witnessed at Batu Caves. However, there are thousands of disabled Hindu devotees who never had the opportunity to witness the celebrations in Batu Caves.
The Damai Disabled Persons Association had on various occasions highlighted the plight of the disabled to the temple management, authorities, ministers, non-governmental organisations and the public.
We were informed that the temple was undergoing renovation and upgrading work. Damai had approached the temple management to request it to include some basic facilities like a funicular train, toilets for the disabled and reserved parking lots.
However, until today we have only seen a ramp built to provide access to the toilet. Unfortunately, the design of the ramp is unsuitable for wheelchair users and poses a danger.
The effort to revive the funicular train dates back to 2007, when the Tourism Ministry was told to conduct a study on the old cable railway tracks next to the staircase.
Unfortunately, nothing transpired after that and many Thaipusams have come and gone.
V. Murugeswaran
President
Damai Disabled Persons Association
Friday, February 3, 2012
THAIPUSAM: Batu Caves remains inaccessible to the disabled
IN a few more days Hindu's will be celebrating Thaipusam. In Hindu mythology, it is the day Goddess Parvarti bestowed upon her son Lord Muruga the vel (lance) to vanquish evil.
This lance denotes spiritual insight and the ability to differentiate right from wrong.
There are thousands of disabled Hindu devotees who would never have the opportunity in their lifetime to witness the celebration in Batu Caves. We, at Damai Disabled Persons Association, had, on various occasions, highlighted our plight to the temple management, relevant authorities, ministers, non-governmental organisations and the public.
To date, nothing has been forthcoming and the temple remains inaccessible to the disabled. I am puzzled that in a country which guarantees freedom of religion, the disabled community has been discriminated against for years because places of worship on high ground are inaccessible.
We were informed that the temple was undergoing a RM3.1 million renovation work.
Damai approached the temple management to include some basic necessities for the disabled, such as the revival of the funicular train service, and toilets and parking space for the disabled.
However, we have only seen a ramp which was built to provide access to the toilet. Unfortunately, the design of the ramp is clearly unsuitable for wheelchair users; in fact it poses danger to users.
The effort to revive the funicular train relates back to 2007, when the Tourism Ministry was told to conduct a study on the old cable railway tracks next to the staircase.
Unfortunately, nothing transpired after that and many Thaipusams have come and gone since.
V. Murugeswaran, President, Damai Disabled Persons Association Selangor and Federal Territory, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
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