Universal design courses and audit access facilities for disabled organize by Ministry of urban welfare, housing and local government together with local authorities Kuantan Pahang

Govt urged to do more for disabled Malaysians furthering their studies

Nation

Published: Tuesday November 12, 2013 MYT 8:35:00 AM 

BY TAN YI LIANG

PETALING JAYA: Improvements need to be made to the financial assistance offered by the Education Ministry to people with disabilities who are furthering their education in institutions of higher learning, say stakeholders.

Monetary aid is currently capped at a rate of RM5,000 per year, or at RM20,000 per course.

According to Damai Disabled Persons Association president V. Murugeswaran, there should be no fixed amount given to disable persons seeking to further their education at a tertiary level.

"While I appreciate what the Government is doing, they should be more flexible in assisting qualified students. If a disabled person is doing a course that requires more financial assistance such as medicine, the Government should be flexible and not too rigid when supporting them in pursuing their educational aspirations," said Murugeswaran.

At a press conference last Thursday, Social Welfare Department director-general Datuk Noraini Mohd Hashim had told The Star Online that all students with disabilities were entitled to receive this financial assistance.

"The onus is on the registrar of the institution to inform the Education Ministry" said Noraini.

Noraini added that university or college registrars should inform these students of their eligibility to receive this assistance, and notify the Education Ministry that these students are studying at their institution.

The allowances are available to all students with disabilities looking to study in government or private institutions of higher learning, polytechnics, or community colleges.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Selangor and Federal Territory Association For The Mentally Handicapped general manager T. Kamaraj said RM5,000 per year was inadequate when compared with the cost of living and inflation.

He said many parents spent much more than RM5,000 per year on the education fees, accommodation fees and meals of their university-going students.

"I know of parents who spend RM3,000 per year on private pre-school education. Here you're talking about university education and you're talking about RM5,000 per year," said Kamaraj.

An online search found that a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) degree at a private university can cost approximately RM34,100 per year at a private college, and therefore RM102,300 over the three-year period a student would be enrolled in a course.

A five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) would cost RM99,000 per year, totaling RM455,000 in fees spent obtaining the full degree.

Kamaraj added that people with disabilities should be given special consideration due to the limitations created by their disabilities.

"We are talking about a rights-based society and not a charity-based society and we have to walk the talk. We must do more for people with disabilities," said Kamaraj.

V.Murugeswaran's interview in Astro Awani - Ensure disabled-friendly premises, local authorities told

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnO4EHUTiFg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://english.astroawani.com/videos/show/buletin-awani/local-authorities-should-play-a-greater-role-18543

Ensure disabled-friendly premises, local authorities told

Syafique Shuib| Updated: October 31, 2013

Read more at:http://english.astroawani.com/budget/news/show/ensure-disabled-friendly-premises-local-authorities-told-24836?cp

KUALA LUMPUR: Not being able to take legal action against premises which are not disabled-friendly is frustrating for persons with living disabilities (OKU) in Malaysia.

Here, disabled people still have trouble accessing buildings and various premises such as restaurants and banks. But unlike how it is in some western countries, OKUs in Malaysia could not take legal action against such premises.

Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president, V. Murugeswaran, said this is so because Malaysia’s Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 is not supported by the Anti-Discrimination Act.

“Our Act is more like a guideline, unlike those in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.

“America has the Disabilities Act and it’s supported by the American Discrimination Act. In America, if a restaurant doesn’t provide access for a wheelchair-bound, they can be brought to court because their law allows it,” said Murugeswaran.

He said the local authorities here should play a greater role in ensuring that all buildings were built according to standardised guidelines, making the premises accessible for all.

He said the gradient of the ramp and the size of the parking space at some premises were not built according to standard.

“We cannot even use the facilities,” Murugeswaran said.

Click the video below for Astro AWANI’s interview with him:

http://english.astroawani.com/videos/show/buletin-awani/local-authorities-should-play-a-greater-role-18543

Meanwhile, television personality and activist Ras Adiba Radzi called for those in the service industry to have an open mind and to look at the minute things of accessibility.

“The attitude of those in the service (industry) is not up there for us. It’s not just for the wheelchair-bound but the elderly and those with children in prams.”

She noted that facilities at new buildings were up to par but the older buildings need to be refurbished to be more accessible.

Below is the video for our interview with Ras Adiba:

http://english.astroawani.com/videos/show/buletin-awani/service-industry-should-look-at-the-minute-details-18542

The activists’ comments came following PJ City councillorAnthony Thanasayan’sclaim earlier this week that a staff at a restaurant he recently went to had denied him his seating preference. Anthony had claimed that the staff had cited restaurant policy in disallowing wheelchairs into the premises.

Subsequently, Pizza Hut Malaysiaclarified in a statementthat they did not have a policy which discriminated its customers with special needs.

Read more at:http://english.astroawani.com/budget/news/show/ensure-disabled-friendly-premises-local-authorities-told-24836?cp

How will RM441m budget allocation be spent, asks disabled communit

Nation

BY TAN YI LIANG

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/10/28/budget-2014-people-with-disabilities.aspx

PETALING JAYA: The RM441mil allocation in the 2014 Budget for the welfare and development of people with disabilities (PWDs) raised more questions than answers in the minds of PWD advocacy groups.

"I am unsure how this funding will be allocated. Previously funding was given to the Women's Ministry which started a program called Karisma and they used the money for charity handouts. RM 441mil is quite a huge sum," said Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory president V. Murugeswaran.

Murugeswaran, who spoke to The Star Online on Monday, added that the money should be spent on addressing the root causes of problems that were keeping PWDs from leading independent lives.

"The Prime Minister said that 33 new schools would be built and all schools would be upgraded. My call is that these schools also consider PWDs," said Murugeswaran.

He said many PWDs could not get meaningful employment as they lacked basic education qualifications because they could not gain entry into the mainstream school system.

"I urge the government to use this opportunity to make schools fully accessible so that PWDs can get a full education from Year 1 up to university," said Murugeswaran.

He added employment was another point of concern for PWDs, pointing out the public and private sector had a quota system where 1% of job openings had to be given to PWDs.

"In order for this quota to be achieved, they have to look into accessible building infrastructures and public transport infrastructures such as accessible pavements, bus stops and other public facilities," said Murugeswaran.

He added that an integrated, accessible public transport system should be drawn up by the government.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said RM441mil would be allocated for the development and welfare of PWDs.

"We recognise that everyone is special and we are all perfect in the eyes of God. In relation to this, the contribution of PWDs is highly appreciated," said Najib in his budget speech.

Selangor and Federal Territory Association For The Mentally Handicapped general manager T. Kamaraj questioned whether non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would be included as recipients of the allocation.

"Usually these funds will go to the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. Does this allocation include the NGOs that are providing a variety of services for PWDs. We are unsure if the money will also support the relevant NGOs," said Kamaraj.

He said he wanted to know if grants to the relevant NGOs would be increased.

"Will 50% of the RM441mil go to government bodies with the rest to NGOs? There are NGOs all over the country complementing the work the government does to help and serve PWDs," said Kanaraj.

Kanaraj also questioned whether grants for NGOs would be increased with the new allocation.

He said currently, a working PWD earning less than RM1,200 would be eligible for a RM 300 allowance from the government.

"We expected an increase in Budget 2014 to RM500 considering the increase in the cost of living, but there was no mention of this," said Kanaraj.

CSR community project by UPS (United parcel Service ) on 26 Oct 2013. Special thank to all their staff whom volunteer to do cleaning-up to Damai Association building premises and for the food arrangement

Budget 2014: Set aside more for disabled, govt urged

Published: Friday October 25, 2013 MYT 10:37:00 AM
Updated: Friday October 25, 2013 MYT 10:49:41 AM

Budget 2014: Set aside more for disabled, govt urged

BY VICTORIA BROWN

File picture of a disabled man who had to get out of his wheelchair to climb to the first floor of the Welfare Department.

PETALING JAYA: The allocation from the government for the disabled community is simply not enough to survive say several NGOs, who are hoping that Budget 2014 will set aside more money to meet their needs. 

Currently the Welfare Department providing hands out an allowance of RM300 per month to persons with disabilities (PWD), who are earning less than RM1200 a month.

A monthly sum of RM150 is provided to PWDs in schools or attending community-based rehabilitation (CBR) centres.

Those who are bedridden or confined at home and unable to go to CBR centres receive RM300 a month.

Selangor and Federal Territory Association for the mentally handicapped (SAMH) general manager T. Kamaraj says that the money is simply not enough.

"The cost of living is really high. If you do simple calculations and take into account the cost of renting a room, food and transport, RM300 is definitely not enough," said Kamaraj.

"What can you do with RM300? That is like pocket money for students. That amount is definitely not enough to cover the cost of living today," he added.

Kamaraj also adds that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) helping the disabled should receive more monetary support from the government.

"If you talk to NGO's they will say that a lack of funds is a problem. Because we don't have the funds, we can't provide quality service to assist the disabled community," said Kamaraj.

Sia Siew Chin, executive director of Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled agrees that the allowance given to the disabled is insufficient to cover basic expenses.

“The purpose for the low amount is to encourage people with disabilities (PWD) to work, but the amount is still not enough,” she says.

“They are the poorest of the poor. Most of them are jobless or have a job with low income,” said Sia.

Murugeswaran Veerasamy, the president of Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Federal Territory and a wheelchair user for the past 25 years, believes that more should be done to help the disabled.

“I will not deny that the government has continuously allocated sums for the betterment of disabled community in this country,” he said.

“But I truly believe that the amount allocated is not sufficient to create a barrier-free environment to enable the disabled to lead an independent life,” said Murugeswaran.

“Benefits and help do the disabled receive from the government has improved but not to level where we could solely depend on the support,” he said.

Murugeswaran suggested that the amount should increase to RM500, and the RM150 allocated to unemployed PWD should be increased to RM300.

V.Murugeswaran doing access Audit for the newly build National Cancer Institute in Putrajaya with Ministry of Housing, Putrajaya Holdings Berhad and Ministry of Transport

t

Two lots allocated as Disabled friendly Car Park

Ramp to the entrance which need improvement as the gradient not according to MS

Two Allocated space for wheelchair in the Auditorium 

Adjustable mirror in the disabled friendly toilet

Lowered furniture at the front desk  

Testing the lift with braille with blind rep from MAB

CABLE CAR PROJECT: Stop blame game and get it done

I REFER to the report "MPS hits brakes on cable car project" (NST, June 13). http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/mps-hits-brakes-on-cable-car-project-1.298805

I was rather surprised when I read that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) had issued a stop-work order on the cable car project at Batu Caves.

The disabled community, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association members, have been constantly advocating the need to have cable car services at Batu Caves to cater to disabled devotees.

The project will not only benefit the physically challenged, but also senior citizens and children.

The cable car project will boost tourism as well, as it will allow tourists to enjoy the nature surrounding the temple on their journey to the cave.

I sincerely believe that the hard work and millions of ringgit spent on the project should not be wasted simply because the temple management had failed to obtain the necessary approval.

Ignorance of the law on the part of the temple management is not a good defence.

However, I hope that MPS will help the temple management obtain the relevant approval as soon as possible, taking into consideration the needs of the community.

This is not the time for either the temple management or MPS to play the "blame game".

Nevertheless, the temple management should have ensured that it complied with the necessary rules and regulations before implementing and carrying out the long-awaited project.

It is ridiculous how it could have overlooked such an important requirement.

MPS should also take into consideration the project's benefits to society upon its completion.

V. Murugeswaran, President, Damai Disabled Persons Association Malaysia

The Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Batu Caves. The cable car project will also help boost tourism.

Read more: CABLE CAR PROJECT: Stop blame game and get it done - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/cable-car-project-stop-blame-game-and-get-it-done-1.305056#ixzz2WzvXl9Av

Halting cable car project unfair to disabled

June 21, 2013

FMT LETTER: From V Murugeswaran, via e-mail

I was surprised when I read that MPS has issued a stop work order on the cable car project at Batu Caves. The disabled community, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association
members, have been constantly advocating the need to have cable car services in Batu Caves, mainly to cater for disabled devotees. The said project not only will benefit the physically challenged devotes but also senior citizens and children.

The cable car project will also promote tourism as it allows the tourist to enjoy the nature surrounding the temple on their way up to the cave. I sincerely believe that all this hard work and millions spent on the project should not be wasted merely because the temple management has failed to obtained necessary approval.

Ignorance of law and/or proper procedure on the temple management part is not a good defence, yet, I hope that MPS will facilitate the temple management to obtain the relevant approval soonest possible taking into consideration the community’s needs.

It is not the time for either the temple management or MPS to play the “blame game”. The temple management should have ensured that it comply with all the necessary rules and regulations before implementing and carrying out the long awaited project.

It is ridiculous how the management would have possibly overlooked such an important requirement. The temple management should admit its faults and take immediate steps to rectify the problem so not to hamper the completion of the project.

On the other hand, MPS should assist the temple management accordingly to obtain the relevant approvals. MPS should take into consideration, the benefits to the society upon completion of the same and most importantly the money which has been spent to initiate the project. Let us all work together to ensure that the project is not halted for some minor irregularities.

The writer is president of the Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia

- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/06/21/284959/#sthash.59iqCC2S.dpuf

Collobrotion project between Damai Disabled Person Association and My Teksi in transfoming MY Teksi service in Klang Valley More caring and accessible

KL Central Access Audit with Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Housing and Local Government

http://my1.photozig.net/murugeswaran/Album29