M.Chen posted on April 28, 2009 11:10
and what a great feeling!!.
It has been a challenging year; and yet, I can proudly say that Challenges has made a Difference to Disability Awareness; challenging norms, changing mindsets
and breaking barriers for disability equality.
During our first year of growth, we had our teething problems, and our great moments.
How many magazines can lay claim to being
the 1st national disability (read niche) magazine to win its 1st national media award in its 1st year of publication!
Challenges can!
To put a Positive Face on Disability
As a disability advocate, I want people to look beyond the disability to see the individual behind the impairment.
As a writer with mainstream media, I believe in the media as a change agent to create a positive public image about PWD.
My vision then was to change public's perception about People with Disabilities (PWD) as needy, charity cases; an image that was often perpetuated in traditional media.
Challenges Magazine was launched last April 8 as Malaysia's 1st national magazine focusing on Disability-related issues.
It offers fair, positive, proactive reporting of disability issue, as well as an attractive, glossy, full-colour, quality magazine; sitting comfortably on the magazine racks in any major bookstore, library or reading room.
A Magazine by Persons with Disabilities
The best advocate is the self-advocate sharing positive, empowering articles of how PWD can and are enjoying a quality, inclusive lifestyle now.
Currently there is very poor representation of PWD in the media industry. I hope to change that by training more PWD in writing, photography, editorial, layout and designing skills.
This journalism skills training programme would also offer PWD the opportunity to experiene the work environment as a journalist alongside their peers from other media, covering press events, confrences and interviews.
By 2012, I hope to nurture and train a team of Persons with Disabilities to run the magazine.
Wish me luck and success.
I want to thank you dear reader for sharing this moment with us, our first anniversary milestone as a print Magazine.
At the same time, I want to launch another milestone - Challenges Online site at www.challengesmag.com.
Help us to build Challenges Online into a vibrant community.
So do pop over regularly, chat with us, share your views on the types of articles and information you want to see in Malaysia’s very own disability-related Magazine.
If you are a person with special needs (such as a person with a physical or intellectual disability, a person with chronic disease at risk of developing related disabilities or an elderly person with similar mobility, cognitive, sensory needs), or a caregiver (parent,sibling, child, spouse, family member) ; share your experiences so that other people in similar situations can be empowered to move forward with renewed hope and understanding.
If you are involved in Disability work, whether as a service provider or professional; share news and information on resources in your area of service and support.
If this is your first contact with disability issues, le us help you:
- get to know the people behind the disabilities
- be involved in promoting disability access in your community.
Be a part of this exciting process and/or just drop us a line and tell us we are moving in the right direction 8-)
Mary Chen
Editor
CHALLENGES
Malaysia’s 1st Cross-Disability National Magazine