Selangor Journal

Cheshire Homes commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

SUBANG JAYA, DEC 3: The Malaysian Council of Cheshire Home and Services (MCCHS) organised a fun filled informative seminar today to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The theme for 2016 International Day for Persons with Disabilities is ‘Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want’, draws attention to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how these goals can create a more inclusive and equitable world for persons with disabilities.
Held at the Dorsett Grand Hotel, the seminar hosted by The Selangor Cheshire Home and supported by The Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation, and Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development.
The seminar was graced by Dr Rose Lena Lazemi, the Secretary General of Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development
Also present were President of The Malaysian Council for Cheshire Home and Services, Datuk Rowland Chin and Chairman Organizing Committee & President of Rumah Amal Cheshire Selangor, Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman.
In her speech, Dr Rose said that in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan, the Government will continue to focus on enhancing inclusiveness and equitable opportunities for all Malaysians. For Persons with Disabilities, the focus of the Eleventh Malaysia Plan is to provide a more conducive and friendly environment for active, productive and independent living. This will be done by creating a friendly physical environment for persons with disabilities and expanding training and skills development to increase employability.
She also mentioned that seven community-based Independent Living Centres will be established with the participation of NGOs which will benefit almost 11,000 Persons with Disabilities.
Dr. Rose said, “in the recent 2017 Budget announcement, the government has allocated a sum of RM535 million to Persons with Disabilities including employee allowance, disabled children training allowance and assistance for Persons with Disabilities who are unable to work. This assistance programme will benefit nearly 150,000 people. Additionally, the government has also announced the Good & Services Tax relief for the purchase of aid equipment for registered Persons with Disabilities without having to go through Private Welfare Entities”.

SAMSUNG CSC
SAMSUNG CSC

In her speech, Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman said that according to the World Report on Disability 2010 published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank, approximately 15% of every population in a country are persons with disabilities. It can therefore be estimated that about 4.5 million Malaysians are living with some form of disability and face many barriers in key aspects of society.
“As a result, people with disabilities do not enjoy access to society on an equal basis with others, which includes areas of transportation, employment, and education as well as social and political participation,” she stressed.
Both Dr. Rose and Datin Paduka Khatijah agreed that by promoting empowerment, we can ‘Make the Right Deal’ for people with disabilities. This enhances their own capacities and supports them in setting their own priorities.
“Empowerment involves investing in people – in jobs, health, nutrition, education, and social protection. When people are empowered they are better prepared to take advantage of opportunities, they become agents of change and can more readily embrace their civic responsibilities,” she added.
During the program, there was also a special sharing session by prominent speakers about their achievements and struggles in finding decent employment and achieving personal economic growth.
Among the speakers were members from the Selangor Cheshire Home, the Sabah Cheshire Home, the Penang Cheshire Home, the 9th International Abilympics 2016 Gold Medallist winner Mr. Haymasuthan Periasamy. There was also a slide presentation on the Economic Empowerment Program Industrial Training with Dorsett Grand Hotel, Subang.

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