AmBank Group is organising the AMBANG 2012 KUALA LUMPUR concert which will begin at 8.00 pm on 31 Dec 2011 at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur. This conc... Continue Reading

Cake cutting ceremony by, from left Sumitha(TMC Festive Committee Chairman), Esther(Representative of Gospel Assembly of God, Kota Damansara), Erica... Continue Reading

Malaysia Airlines’ travel arm, MASholidays, is offering two exciting Malaysian domestic ground packages for the public and their children to e... Continue Reading

Sustainable Development (Rio+20) - Launching a Global Conversation on The Future We Want 22 Nov 2011 - 22 Nov 2011 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Dag Hammars... Continue Reading

Situation Update: Flooding in Thailand Announced by: TAT News Date published: November 5, 2011 The flooding situation in Thailand is mainly affecti... Continue Reading

Thailand Update: FAQ for Tourists October 31, 2011 Thailand has been facing the worst flooding it’s seen in half a century; thus, if you are t... Continue Reading

June 2011 Introduction People with disabilities are among the most marginalized groups in the world. People with disabilities have poorer health o... Continue Reading

The damage wrought by the massive earthquake that struck Northeastern Japan on March 11 has been devastating. Estimates already place those dead an... Continue Reading

Kuala Lumpur, 8 March 2011 – The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak, today said that the RM83 billion investment target... Continue Reading

Kuala Lumpur, February. 20, 2011: Malaysia’s 1st Disability Football Tournament was held at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur with 10 teams of t... Continue Reading

One of the unfortunate realities of the pharmaceuticals industry is that promising new drugs are sometimes abandoned simply because they're not likely to be profitable. Aiming to give such medicines a chance at a new life — not to mention the patients who might benefit from them —
Cinderella Therapeutics

is a Dutch not-for-profit enterprise that picks up the most promising of such therapies and continues testing them.

Cinderella was founded by a team of seasoned Dutch and American scientist-entrepreneurs who have agreed to forgo personal financial gain in order to further the development of what they call “stepchild” medications — hence the organization's name. Toward that end, they have secured the collaboration of clinical investigators along with the financial support of creative philanthropists, and are now working on a new form of RadioImmunoTherapy (RIT) for brain tumours that continues and extends the work of a doctor in Italy 17 years ago. In 2011 the first patients with a recurrent GlioBlastoma Multifome will be entered in the Cinderella study; if it proves effective there, the treatment will be tested in patients with other incurable forms of cancer as well. Five other potential medicines are currently being evaluated by Cinderella for similar pursuit. “We do not hesitate to claim that Cinderella can develop new drugs quicker, more effectively and with a higher success rate by the combination of not-for-profit with a corporate approach,” explains cofounder Dick van Bekkum. Each study is directed by physician/scientists and focused on patients; participants include scientists at selected academic centers and philanthropists willing to provide both talent and working capital.

Following an open source approach, Cinderella seeks others to participate in its efforts, particularly those who have invented what later became stepchild therapies; physicians and scientists willing to help out on the research end; philanthropists for funding; and anyone else willing to help run the Cinderella Therapeutics Foundation or participate in one of its projects. All those with a scientific or health care bent.

Source www.springwise.com

 

 

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INCREASING ACCESS AND QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, December 15. 2010 - The Roles Of Public And Private Higher Education Institutions In Malaysia Were Explained At The Twelfth Perdana Discourse Series At Perdana Leadership Foundation In Putrajaya Today. Themed, “Higher Education In Malaysia: Increasing Access And Quality”, The Discourse Featured A Keynote Address By The Minister Of Higher Education, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin Which Was Delivered By The Deputy Secretary General (Development) Of The Ministry Of Higher Education, Dato’ Rohani Abdullah. The Perdana Discourse Series Is Jointly Organised By Perdana Leadership Foundation And Universiti Teknologi MARA And Sponsored By PROTON.

The quality of higher education in Malaysia and the role of tertiary institutions in transforming Malaysia into an international education hub were elaborated by the Dato’ Rohani during the one hour keynote speech. Among the audience who attended the Discourse were university Vice Chancellors, government officials, university students, representatives from the private sectors and members of the public including Perdana Leadership Foundation Trustee, Dato’ Krishnan Tan, Deputy Vice Chancellor of UiTM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zaini Abdullah, the Secretary of the National Council of Professors, Prof. Dr. Raduan Che Ros, and Vice Chancellors from universities including Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Nilai International University College, Sunway Monash University and others.

Following the keynote address and the Q&A was a lively panel session, comprising of experts in higher education such as Datuk Dr. Hamzah Kassim, the National Economic Advisory Council member, Professor Dato’ Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid, Deputy President of the INTI International University, Professor Dr. Fauziah Md. Taib, Deputy Director of the National Higher Education Research Institute and Professor Dr. Hazman Shah Abdullah, the Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Teh Hong Piow Resident Fellow for Perdana Leadership Foundation.

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Challenges Disability Football Carnival 2011
Saturday and Sunday, February 19 & 20 , 2011
from  9:00am to 6pm
at Kampung Pandan Sports Complex,
Kuala Lumpur
For more information : call 03-78040639 or email mail@challengesmag.com.

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Grasp the opportunity of a lifetime' urges Zainal ahead of Asian Para Games

With just five days to go until the start of the 2010 Asian Para Games in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, the President of the Asian Paralympic Committee Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin has urged all competing athletes to `grasp the opportunity of a lifetime'.

Around 2,500 athletes from 41 different countries are set to compete in the `Flower City' in an event that will be the biggest in the Paralympic Movement since the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.

Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, said: "Athletes arriving in Guangzhou over the next few days will find a city that has built facilities that are better than at any other Asian Para Games.

"To compete in such facilities and in front of such passionate crowds is something many may never have experienced before and it is vital that they grasp the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Starting on Sunday, the people of Guangzhou will witness inspirational performances which are as equally special as the venues and the city itself.

"For many participants this will be their first major Championships and rather than being daunted by the prospect they should be excited and determined to enjoy every single minute.

"Others will be using this event as a stepping stone to the London 2012 Paralympic Games and will be determined to put in performances that send out a warning to competitors around the world."

Starting exactly 816 days since the conclusion of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, the APC President believes it is important that the 2010 Asian Para Games continues to build on the legacy created by those Games.

Dato' Zainal Abu Zarin added: "The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games were the most successful in the history of the Paralympic Movement leaving a lasting legacy not only in China, but the whole of Asia.

"A lot of work has gone into creating a vast number of barrier free facilities in Guangzhou and the most important thing is that these will remain here long after the conclusion of the Asian Para Games.

"It is important though that the legacy left from these Games is not just material based.  As with Beijing it is vital that attitudes towards people with a disability continue to change and I expect that this will happen once the people of this great city witness the stunning and remarkable performances by our athletes."

This is the first time that the Asian Para Games have run parallel to the recently concluded Asian Games and has been developed from the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) which took place between 1975 and 2006.

The 2010 Asian Para Games takes place from 12-19 December and the 19 sports that athletes will be competing in are: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boccia, Cycling, Football 5-a-side, Football 7-a-side, Goalball, Judo, Powerlifting, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing, Wheelchair Tennis.

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on December 3rd
JICA’s cooperation on PWDs in Malaysia - Towards true realisation of 1 Malaysia concept
 
In the past 34 years, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has continuous created awareness of the rights of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Malaysia, among others, on independent living movement as well as job promotions.
In terms of volunteers dispatch from Japan to this field, more than 170 volunteers have been sent to Malaysia, which is the largest number in the world. In commemorating the International Day of PWDs on 3rd Dec., JICA features its various disability focused projects in Malaysia.

●JICA’s cooperation policy
JICA provided support for PWDs through the three major cooperation schemes in collaboration with the Government, namely, technical cooperation project, training programme in Japan and dispatching the Japanese volunteers. Based on JICA’s vision as an organisation, “Inclusive and Dynamic Development”, JICA aims towards achieving its target of "participation and equality" of the PWDs who are often left in severe environment of developing countries. In another word, the target of JICA’s cooperation in support of PWDs is towards promoting PWDs’ full participation in the community through development of their living skill and also for the PWDs to enjoy equal opportunities in society.

Since 1983, after the Malaysian Government has adopted the CBR (Community Based Rehabilitation) concept, there has been quite an enhancement and progress of medical and rehabilitation field. From now on, the important objective and approach will be more towards "participation in the society and equal opportunity" for the PWDs. The first comprehensive legislation, the Malaysian Persons With Disabilites Act, was institutionalised in 2008. At the same year, a new PWDs policy and concrete plan for PWDs has been put in place. In addition, Malaysia has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in August 2010. As such, the environment for PWDs in Malaysia has been improved by reflecting international standard. To promote rights and opportunities of participation in society for PWDs, estimated to be least 1 million in population in this country, is also in line with the government’s effort to promote the “1 Malaysia” concept.

 ●Technical Cooperation Project (dispatch of experts and objective-based trainings)
JICA, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, conducted a technical cooperation project (Phase 1) from year 2005 for three years to promote PWDs’ participation in the society and is continuing the “Project to Support Participation of Persons with Disabilities" (Phase 2) from year 2009 for another three years. These two projects tackle issues from the viewpoint of social model of disabilities, in which removing barriers from the community through providing necessary services as well as empowering the PWDs to participate in society is enhanced. Through the  projects, administration capacity building including better social service by the Malaysian government agencies, employment promotion of NGOs and private companies by conducting trainings and creating awareness of PWDs, have been carried out.
The two projects are the Job Coach project with job promotion activities and Disability Equality Training for PWDs.

 Employment promotion (Job Coach)
JICA introduced the system called “Job Coach”  to enable PWDs to work independently. The role of  the “Job Coach” is to facilitate the sustainability of job placement between PWDs and employer and the human resource development of Job Coach is one of the pillars of the project. An case example is a major supermarket; Giant under the GCH Retail Holdings, that  employs and more than 120 PWDs. Job Coach is now a major concept in Malaysia and the term “Job Coach” is clearly described in government circular in April 2008, in which the one percent quota on employment of PWDs in public sector was introduced. In addition to that, in the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) project conducted in Johor state, “Job Coach ” concept was adopted. This approach is gradually infiltrating Malaysia with its ripple effect.

 Disability Equality Training
The Disability Equality Training called DET, is aimed towards understanding issues from the viewpoint of PWDs’ rights. DET seeks to create public awareness that disability is not an issue of  PWDs but created in society, by society. A total of 75 people from public agencies and NGOs, who are expected to conduct DET, participated in this training course in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects.

 AirAsia, a Malaysian airline commencing flight between Kuala Lumpur and Haneda Tokyo on Dec. 9, once used to refuse disabled passengers. However, it has now adopted this DET because of the JICA projects. Now, monthly training is conducted by NGOs, for ground staff  as well as flight attendants of the airline. Such an approach is in line with the airline slogan “Now Everyone Can Fly" which appropriately signifies equal treatment of all passengers.

 ●Training in Japan
 It has been more than 20 years since JICA started receiving government officers and NGOs in the training courses in Japan in the area of support of PWDs.  Since 2005, more than 100 people participated in the relevant training programmes in Japan. The participants have actively contributed to the various fields in PWDs support by using their knowledge and skills which were acquired in the training curriculums in Japan. One of the good examples is that the well known NGO, namely Beautiful Gate Foundation, initiated awareness activities to promote employment and independent living for PWDs through collaboration with private companies like Pizza Hut. This NGO also orgainsed OKU events, comprised of exhibition booths by the PWDs and the performance by the musicians and dancers, in commemorating the International Day of PWDs from 26th to 28th of November, 2010. One of the highlights of the event was the OKU convoy in which a total of 400 wheel chaired persons and supporting volunteers went out in the KL city to demonstrate the PWDs rights and difficulty in getting around in existing conditions.

 ●Volunteers Dispatch in Social Welfare Field especially for PWDs
  Volunteer programme is a unique cooperation scheme of JICA , in which, the Japanese government dispatches young and senior volunteers, eager to make use of their skills and experiences acquired in Japan, to work and live in the developing countries for 2-year service term. The objectives of the scheme are to assist the socio-economic development in these countries and to build friendship between Japan and recipient countries. JICA has been dispatching over 1,400 volunteers to Malaysia for the past 34years. There are now 39 JICA volunteers serving in Malaysia and almost half are contributing to social welfare area.

JICA dispatched its first volunteer to support PWDs to a Malaysian NGO in 1976. JICA then started to dispatch Special Education teachers, Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists to the care centers for PWDs. In 1983, the government of Malaysia introduced CBR Programme (Community Based Rehabilitation). Not too long after that, JICA started to support the activities by dispatching volunteers to CBR centres in 1990. Dispatch of Social Worker Volunteers in the special education started in 2004.

 In 2006, the very first Volunteers with Disabilities, the wheelchair users and totally deaf persons, were dispatched to Malaysia under the JICA Volunteer programme. The total number of volunteers who are working for the social welfare area is over 170. This is the largest number out of approximately 80 countries all over the world.

 

Assisting CBR Programme
Assisting CBR Programme is a main effort to promote social participation of PWDs under the JICA volunteers scheme. Eight volunteers are working with CBR by visiting and developing the activities including promotions of disabled sports and organising workshop at the CBR centres. In addition, six volunteers assist special classes and support elementary and junior high students. The volunteers work with government agencies and NGOs to strengthen vocational training and independent living movement. Recent activities like creating CBR self-advocacy groups and cooperating with formal school work (raising awareness of disability rights) are held at the initiative of the volunteers. In the Malaysia's national convention in February 2010 and in conjunction with the CBR 25th anniversary, the Women, Family and Community Development Minister commended JICA Malaysia Office for the continuous support including the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers with the CBR Centres.

 
Blind Volunteer
JICA also sent a Senior Volunteer of PWDs to Malaysia, who is Mr.Saburo Sasada with visually impaired. It is the second time for him to be assigned to Malaysia and now working for the National Council for the Blind Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (NCBM), to implement and give guidance for improvement on the massage skill among the blind masseurs through conducting workshops. Before this assignment, Sasada volunteered at St Nicholas Home in Penang for two years until January 2010 as a massage teacher. He is is a role model of independent living of PWDs.　

 National Coach for Asia Paralympics JUDO
  Mr. Shigeru OYAMA, the JICA Senior Volunteer working with the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) in Kuala Lumpur, teaches JUDO to children and people with visual impairments from Sep. 2009. He will participate in the Asian Paralympics JUDO tournament in Guangzhou as a Malaysian National Coach from December 10, 2010. His students represented the Malaysian JUDO team under the categories of 66 kg and over 100kg, respectively.
 

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Disabled group to conquer Mt.Kilimanjaro and the global recession

An inspirational young Kenyan leader who lost the use of both legs due to polio is among a group of disabled people planning to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro later this month.

Fredrick Ouko, the Director of the unique Kenyan NGO ANDY (Action Network for the Disabled) has taken up the challenge, led by UK-based charity AbleChild Africa, despite needing two crutches to walk.

The group starts the grueling week-long climb on Thursday 27th November to raise money for vital services to children with disabilities in Kenya that have been hit by the world's financial crisis.

People with disabilities face a much bigger challenge to access services and climb out of poverty due to stigmatisation, limited education opportunities, inadequate access to economic opportunities and the labour market.  That’s why 80% of Kenyans with disabilities - approximately 1.4 million persons - live in informal settlements at the edge of cities or under very poor conditions in rural areas.*
 
Fredrick is raising funds to help ANDY’s activities which give more young people with disabilities the chance to achieve economic independence, to have a voice in the decision-making process and to lead healthier, active lives.

Based in Nairobi’s Kibera, ANDY is the only Kenyan NGO which works with physically disabled, blind and deaf young people. The organisation has strong ties to AbleChildAfrica, one of its strongest partner.

The group will be joined in their adventure by Dame Evelyn Glennie, a world-famous percussionist who is herself profoundly deaf, and Lily Oyare, Founder and Director of  Little Rock Early Childhood Development Centre for disabled children.

Little Rock provides a nurturing environment for critical early year learning/development to around one eighth of Kibera’s vulnerable children.  

Fredrick Ouko, Director of ANDY, said:
“I decided as person with a disability to climb Mt.Kilimanjaro to demonstrate that what all of us need is just an opportunity and support to make it in life. There are tens of people supported me in different ways. That is why I am where I am today and this is my opportunity to support my peers to make it in life.
“Sometimes official funding is hard to come by and as a person interested in what I am doing because I can see its impact, I am no longer going to sit in the comfort of my office but rather go out there to seek this support that will enable ANDY reach thousands of young disabled people in Kenya.”
Mary Ann Mhina, Executive Director of AbleChildAfrica said:
"Fred and Lily and two inspirational leaders who are helping to give young disabled Africans the best possible start in life. But it's been a really tough time for them financially and I've noticed that many larger International NGOs and corporations have dumped local partners to aid their own survival."

Dame Evelyn Glennie said: "I have chosen AbleChildAfrica and the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro because I want to make a sustainable difference to our next generation. I have good reason to recognize the importance of education for ALL children;  it empowered me to make my own unique journey in life. The children supported by this charity desperately need inclusion.”

Speaking about the reason for the climb, Mary Ann added:
"The aim of the climb is two-fold.  We want to raise awareness of the fact that 52 million disabled young people in Africa are denied their rights on a daily basis.  95% do not complete their primary education and less than 2% are employed thereafter.  And we also want to raise much needed funds for Fred and Lily's work. 
 “Yet  young disabled people have the right to be independent, included and make their own choices.  To learn what they want to learn and choose a career and lifestyle for themselves. Each of the young people climbing Kilimanjaro has chosen to join us on this journey, going the extraordinary mile to celebrate their empowerment.”

The teams of climbers will set out on their challenge together at the end of November. You can make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/Fredrick-Ouko
 

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Nov 21, 2010
New Research Programme in Access Tourism a First for New Zealan


In a first for New Zealand, The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute at Auckland University of Technology has created a Research Programme Area in Access Tourism headed by Sandra Rhodda.

 NZTRI’s Access Tourism programme aims to research and develop Access Tourism in NZ.  Access Tourism is tourism, travel, and hospitality for people with permanent or temporary disabilities, seniors, parents with strollers, and any person with a need for improved access.  This is an interdisciplinary research area that addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by Access Tourism.

The Access Tourist already represents a sizeable proportion of our tourism markets.  Between 17 and 20% of the population in our main markets already report a disability, and this percentage is bound to grow because the large Baby Boomer cohort is ageing and disability increases with age.  Those aged 45 or older already comprise almost half of our domestic and international visitors (and over 70% of our cruise ship visitors).

Areas of interest include:

    * Research and policy development
    * Understanding the Access Tourism market
    * Awareness promotion and education of government and industry to the potential of Access Tourism
    * Access Tourism product development and marketing in NZ
    * Promotion of cooperation in a developing Access Tourism sector, including in the public and private sector
    * Access Tourist satisfaction and motivation
    * Economic and social benefits of Access Tourism
    * Access Tourism as an important factor in tourism sustainability
    * Relationship of Access tourism to Health, Wellness, and Medical Tourism
    * Opportunities for Access Tourism legacy development around major events such as RWC2011

by Access Tourism NZ

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PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT JERZY BUZEK SECONDS THE STATE OF THE UNION ON DISABILITY

European Disability Forum (EDF) President Yannis Vardakastanis met President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek to examine several key disability issues. The most important outcome of the meeting was the agreement to have the State of the Union on disability. This would be a high-level meeting every two years with the President of the European Council, the President of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission and the disability movement. It will examine the progress that has been made on the rights of persons with disabilities on an inter-institutional level. There are 80 million Europeans with disabilities.
The Parliament involvement in the implementation of the UN Convention

The meeting was a great opportunity for EDF to discuss the implementation of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD), and the role the European Parliament can play in this scheme.

President Jerzy Buzek stressed that as the main institution with closer contacts with the European citizens, the European Parliament should continue on as a role model. Besides, the European Parliament is participating actively on the impact assessment of the UN Convention.

Mr Jerzy Buzek said: “The UN Convention is a landmark Treaty, and the EU ratification will have a great impact on the institutional and legal framework. Binding regulations will have to follow it.”

More must be done to ensure that barriers are removed in its premises, to make information accessible to citizens with disabilities, and to ensure that more persons with disabilities are employed. He ensured EDF that in the EP, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee will lead to monitor the implementation of the Convention at policy level.

The State of the Union and the European Parliament of persons with disabilities

In addition, the EU Disability Strategy was discussed, in order to ensure that disability remains at the top of the agenda. As agreed earlier this year with President of the European Council Mr Herman Van Rompuy, Mr Jerzy Buzek fully supports the proposal for a meeting between EDF and the Presidents of the three EU Institutions: the State of the Union on Disability every two years.

EDF offered a proposition regarding the next European Year of persons with disabilities. EDF President suggested that the European Parliament explore the possibility of holding the European Parliament of disabled people for a third time in 2012 as a follow up of the EU ratification of the UN Convention.

EDF President Yannis Vardakastanis concluded: “The European Parliament has associated itself with many important developments. We are counting on its renewed support in the challenges that are awaiting us on the implementation of the UN Convention”.


About The European Disability Forum (EDF)

EDF is the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of 80 million Europeans with disabilities. EDF membership includes national umbrella organisations of disabled people from all EU/EEA countries, as well as European NGOs representing the different types of disabilities, organisations and individuals committed to disability issues. The mission of the European Disability Forum is to ensure disabled people full access to fundamental and human rights through their active involvement in policy development and implementation in Europe.

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UNICEF’s “peoples campaign” to unite 100,000 supporters to raise their hand to protect children

© UNICEF Malaysia/2010

UNICEF Representative to Malaysia Mr. Hans Olsen with Malaysian children on the Get on Board bus to stop child abuse in the country.

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 October 2010 – Putting an end to child abuse is a shared responsibility, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) highlighted today during the launch of its ‘Get on Board’ campaign. The two-month initiative drives home the message of child protection with a rallying call to action: ‘Raise your hand. Stop child abuse now!’ and aims to unite 100,000 Malaysians in time for the finale on Human Rights Day in December.

Every child has a right to grow up in a safe and protected environment reminded UNICEF’s Representative to Malaysia Mr. Hans Olsen, while urging Malaysians to learn more about child abuse and what can be done to protect children on an individual and community level.

“We need to raise public awareness of the devastating effects of child abuse,” said Mr. Olsen, “and empower and encourage people to become personally involved and support families and parents so that we can prevent all forms of child abuse from affecting the lives of children in Malaysia.”

Speaking out for children
Prominent Malaysian personalities actor/singer Afdlin Shauki, activist and blogger Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir and parenting expert and columnist Ruth Liew are amongst the first to get on board the campaign. The UNICEF-appointed campaign Advocates together with event hosts and TV personalities Asha Gill and Naz Rahman called on their fans and supporters “to take responsibility to help transform their communities into places that care about—and actively support—families and children.”
An average of 7 children were abused every day in 2008 according to Malaysia’s Social Welfare Department statistics which revealed a rise in the numbers of children being abused. In 2008, 2,780 cases of child abuse were reported compared to 2,279 in 2007 and 1,999 in 2006. Since these figures only represent reported cases, UNICEF and its partners fear that it does not tell the true story about child abuse in the country.

“These statistics alone do not tell us enough about the extent of abuse in a population, the severity of abuse over time or why abuse is occurring,” added Mr. Olsen. “This is why we are calling for public support for action to better understand the extent of abusive behaviour in the general population and the reasons behind it. This will help the Government design evidence-based interventions to protect children from abuse and ensure them a safe and healthy childhood.”
Going digital for children

The public can now log online to www.uniteagainstabuse.my to express their support for action and to learn about child abuse. A part of the ‘Get on Board’ Campaign, the website provides knowledge, insights, advice and resources to engage, educate and empower adults and young people to protect children from abuse. Website visitors will also be given the chance to create their own unique ‘Hand’ symbol which they can use as their Facebook profile picture or on other social media in a show of solidarity across the country.
The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Childline Malaysia, YouthAsia, the Nuffnang blogger community and a host of corporate sponsors and media partners have also stepped up to the 'Get on Board' campaign. (Please see attached for complete list of partners to date).

“We hope that the ‘Get on Board’ website will inspire people to spread the word and say "stop!" to child abuse through blogs and other social networking sites,” Mr. Olsen appealed. “Small positive actions can make a big difference in the life of a child – even if it’s just a Tweet or a Facebook update!”

CHILD ABUSE IN MALAYSIA
Despite significant strides made by the Government in improving child protection measures in recent years, statistics from the Department of Social Welfare show a rise in reported child abuse cases in Malaysia. In 2008, child abuse reports rose to 2,780 from 2,279 in 2007 and 1,999 in 2006. Based on 2008 reported figures, neglect is the most common form of child abuse (952 cases), followed by physical abuse (863 cases). Sexual abuse accounted for 733 cases, of which 529 (72%) were incest. Failure to provide care and supervision has become the most frequent cause of death among children. In 2008, 58 cases of abandoned babies were also reported. Tragically, most child abusers of reported cases are parents, immediate family members, relatives or foster parents of the victims themselves. Child abuse is an offence in Malaysia, punishable under the Child Act (2001) and the Penal Code (revised 1997). Offenders may be liable to a maximum fine of RM 50,000 or up to 20 years imprisonment, or both depending on the offence. Offenders may also be punished with whipping in addition to the fine and/or imprisonment.

GET ON BOARD CAMPAIGN
The 'Get on Board' Campaign is a two-month initiative by UNICEF and its partners to provide the Malaysian public with a platform to learn and respond to child abuse in the country. The digitally-driven Campaign, a first by UNICEF in the region, aims to strengthen public understanding of child abuse and neglect by providing information on the types of abuse, why it could happen and how to recognise symptoms in an abused child. It also hopes to empower the public to act on behalf of children by equipping them with protection solutions, parenting tips, action ideas and a directory of important resources. The Campaign will host a special “public” program on 20 November in conjunction with Universal Children’s Day and culminate on 10 December. The ‘Get on Board’ Exhibition at One Utama Shopping Mall - High Street (Ground Floor near Parkson) will remain open to the public from 7-10 October for visitors to learn more and register their support for the Campaign. Get on Board.

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Public Invited to Vote for October's IPC 'Athlete of the Month'

The International Paralympic Committee has announced a shortlist of five athletes who are fighting it out for the public vote to win October's `Athlete of the Month'.

This is the second time that the public has been asked to decide the `Athlete of the Month', a title given to the athlete or team deemed to have put in the biggest or best performance in the last month.

Voters have until Tuesday 9 November to cast their vote via www.facebook.com/ParalympicSport.TV and this month's shortlist is dominated by performances from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.

Kate Nwaka Oputa (Nigeria)
After beating her close friend and teammate Faith Chinenye Obiora in the semi-final, Oputa claimed Commonwealth Games gold in the Women's Singles Wheelchair Table Tennis event by defeating Australia's Catherine Morrow.

Kyle Pettey (Canada)
Pettey, a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, set a new world record in the Shot Put F32/34/52 event in the Commonwealth Games to claim gold with a 11.44m throw.

Katrina Hart (England)
The 20 year old claimed England's first athletics gold medal of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, topping the podium in the T37 final in a personal best and British record time of 14.36 seconds.

Kurt Fearnley (Australia)
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games gold medalist claimed Australia's first Commonwealth games wheelchair track even gold medal by winning the 1500m T54 class.

Daniel Robert Highcock (Great Britain)
Wheelchair Bastketballer Highcock made headlines around the world when, playing for Spanish first division club Fundacion Grupo Norte de Valladolid, he shot a basket from well inside his own half at the end of the first quarter.

Last month's IPC `Athlete of the Month' were the US Wheelchair Rugby Team who made it four gold medals in five Wheelchair Rugby World Championships with an impressive 57-45 victory over Australia in Vancouver, Canada.

To vote in the IPC Athlete of the Month, please visit www.facebook.com/ParalympicSport.TV

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Over 240,000 Apply to Become Games Makers at London 2012 Games

The London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) reports that over 240,000 people have applied to the London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme.

Applications for the London 2012 volunteering programme have now closed and people from all backgrounds and communities and from across the UK have applied for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

The volunteering team at LOCOG will now be working through the applications to select the best of the best. They are looking for dedicated and passionate people who are committed to going beyond their personal best and ensuring that the London 2012 Games are the best they can be.

Selection and interviews of short-listed applicants will take place from February 2011 to February 2012 before training will begin.

Research into applications has revealed that 40% of all applicants to date have said that London 2012 has inspired them to volunteer for the first time.

The Mayor of London is also running a separate volunteering programme and aiming to recruit up to 8,000 London Ambassadors to help and advise all the visitors who will travel to London in Games time. Located at key points across the city - including transport hubs, outside Games venues, and at popular visitor spots - they will provide information on what to see and do, where to stay and how to get around the capital. The registration period for the Mayor’s volunteering programme closes on 31st December 2010.

Worldwide Olympic Partner McDonald’s is the Presenting Partner of the Volunteer Programme. McDonald’s has used its nationwide presence to help attract candidates for the diverse team that will be needed to make the London 2012 Games a success.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We’re thrilled with the response we’ve had to date for our volunteering programme and would like to thank the 240,000 people who have pledged to give their time during the Games in 2012. Now we begin the task of finding the right people and ensuring that we match them to the most appropriate roles. This is a long process and will take time but we’re asking people to be patient – this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is really worth it!”

Justin Davis Smith, Chair of the Life-Time UK Alliance and Chief Executive of Volunteering England, said: “We’re delighted with this great response to the Games Maker programme. The Games Makers will each have an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.  The excitement generated by the 2012 Games will create a lasting legacy for volunteering in our society.”

For more information on the London 2012 Paralympic Games, please visit www.london2012.com.
 

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Diplomat 'denied foreign post due to her deafness'

By Cahal Milmo, Chief Reporter

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Jane Cordell spent four years as first secretary at the embassy in Warsaw

A foreign office high-flier appointed as Britain's deputy ambassador to
Kazakhstan has had her posting revoked after officials ruled that her
deafness makes it too expensive to send her abroad. Jane Cordell, who was
lauded for her work championing disability rights during a previous
diplomatic role in Poland, is suing the Foreign Office for discrimination
after being told that the additional cost of providing her with trained "lip
speakers" to enable her to work can no longer be justified from the public
purse.

In her case, which is being supported by the Equality and Human Rights
Commission, she argues that accommodating her disability is being used to
restrict her career despite the fact that the Foreign Office routinely pays
out large sums for the private education of the children of staff for up to
11 years who would otherwise be unable to take up their posts.

Mrs Cordell, 44, who spent four years as first secretary at the embassy in
Warsaw, returning to London in January, was chosen to become deputy head of
mission in the Kazakh capital, Astana, with the strong support of the
ambassador. But the offer was rescinded because it would cost an additional
£300,000 to fund a rota of lip speakers ­ specialist interpreters who help
to relay conversations to a deaf person using sign language ­ during her
posting. Mrs Cordell argues that the figure is unrealistic and her needs
could be met for £176,000 per year ­ a slight increase on what the Foreign
Office was willing to pay while she was stationed in Warsaw.

An employment tribunal judge will rule later this autumn on the case, which
campaigners say has implications for the ability of people with a disability
to rise to the highest echelons of Britain's diplomatic corps and other
professions. Unless the court rules in her favour, Mrs Cordell, who remains
employed by the Foreign Office, argues that the number of foreign posts
available to her will be vastly reduced. Lawyers for the Cambridge-educated
diplomat said that the Foreign Office is "effectively imposing a glass
ceiling on the career prospects of the disabled".

Mrs Cordell lost her hearing over several years as a young adult, and joined
the Foreign Office in 2001 after a previous career teaching English as a
foreign language and working for Cambridge University Press. She rose
rapidly through the ranks, earning praise from her managers for her
"consistently strong performance".

She said: "I am bringing this case because sadly it is the only available
way to get clarity on my future FCO career. A diplomat needs overseas
experience; I would expect to be able to get this. I am doing this for
myself and other staff at the Foreign Office whose disabilities require
significant support. We need answers to the question 'Can we expect to have
normal diplomatic careers, or not?' "

While in Warsaw as head of the embassy's political section she led a number
of initiatives on disability rights in Poland, earning a nomination for a
Presidential Order of Merit medal. By March last year, her superiors in
London decided that she would soon make "the transition to senior
management".

The decision to withdraw her Kazakhstan job offer was based on legislation
which obliges employers to make "reasonable adjustments", such as the
funding of specialist equipment or assistance, to allow disabled staff to
carry out their work.

The Foreign Office claims that the amount required for Mrs Cordell, which
would include the living and travel costs of security-cleared lip speakers
shuttling between Kazakhstan and Britain on a rota, considerably exceeds the
definition of "reasonable". The department, which has 228 staff registered
as disabled with 52 working abroad, imposes a £10,000 ceiling on help for
disabled employees and only funds extra assistance on a case-by-case basis.

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The 9th annual Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) opened in Kuala Lumpur with a call on companies to become more competitive by understanding the important issues that require interaction with civil society and government.

AFCSR is recognised as being the largest and most significant conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Asia. It is now celebrating its ninth year with more than 325 delegates from 26 countries in attendance.

A major thrust in the AFCSR 2010 develops the concept of strategic competitiveness to enhance workplace and HR productivity to become a preferred employer for a motivated organisation. Another key thrust highlight explains how CSR helps business to build its brand value and to attract ethical customers. Other topics discuss how internal efficiencies can be generated through better supply-chain management, sustainable energy management, and "green" practices-initiatives that improve business competitiveness. Finally, the forum focuses on how business can become more competitive by working with the government and by supporting the community through public private partnerships.

Tun Dato' Seri (Dr.) Ahmad Sarji bin Abdul Hamid, Chairman of permodalan Nasional Berhad and co-chair of AFCSR 2010 delivered the opening keynote address.
This year's theme is "Improving Business Competitiveness through CSR". More than 50 international speakers will present their views, studies and experience on the topic during the two-day conference. Four exciting back-to-back pre-conference workshops were held on Oct 20, 2010. The pre-conference topics were: Leaders Forum, 3D CSR Therapy - On the Couch with Doc Arby, Local Agenda 21 - Partnering with Local Governments for greater CSR impacts and the Media Workshop which was free to all CSR journalists.

An integral part of AFCSR is the Asian CSR Awards that recognises and honors Asian companies for outstanding, innovative and world-class products, services, projects and programmes in five categories - Best Workplace Practices; Concern for Health; Environmental Excellence; Poverty Alleviation; and Support and Improvement of Education. Co-presented by AIM and Intel, it is the Asia's premier Awards programme on corporate social responsibility. This year's awards programme attracted 141 entries representing 99 companies from 15 countries.
Another major component of the AFCSR is the Asian CSR Expo that showcases the creme de la creme of CSR projects from across Asia. More than 50 booths representing 38 companies are on show at the Expo.

AFCSR 2010 is presented by the AIM RVR Centre and co-presented by GTZ (German Technical Cooperation), and Intel; and runs in cooperation with AIM Kelab Malaysia and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman-Center for Sustainable Development and CSR (UTARjCSR).

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WHO urges more investments, services for mental health


The World Health Organisation (WHO) is appealing to countries to increase their support for mental health services.

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realiSes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

The bare facts:

    * Mental, neurological and behavioural disorders are common to all countries and cause immense suffering. People with these disorders are often subjected to social isolation, poor quality of life and increased mortality. These disorders are the cause of staggering economic and social costs.
    * Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by mental, behavioural, neurological and substance use disorders. For example, estimates made by WHO in 2002 showed that 154 million people globally suffer from depression and 25 million people from schizophrenia; 91 million people are affected by alcohol use disorders and 15 million by drug use disorders. A recently published WHO report shows that 50 million people suffer from epilepsy and 24 million from Alzheimer and other dementias.
    * In addition to the above figures, many other disorders affect the nervous system or produce neurological sequelae. Projections based on a WHO study show that worldwide in 2005, 326 million people suffer from migraine; 61 million from cerebrovascular diseases; 18 million from neuroinfections or neurological sequelae of infections. Number of people with neurological sequelae of nutritional disorders and neuropathies (352 million) and neurological sequelae secondary to injuries (170 million) also add substantially to the above burden.
    * About 877,000 people die by suicide every year.
    * One in four patients visiting a health service has at least one mental, neurological or behavioural disorder but most of these disorders are neither diagnosed nor treated.
    * Mental illnesses affect and are affected by chronic conditions such as cancer, heart and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Untreated, they bring about unhealthy behaviour, non-compliance with prescribed medical regimens, diminished immune functioning, and poor prognosis.
    * Cost-effective treatments exist for most disorders and, if correctly applied, could enable most of those affected to become functioning members of society.
    * Barriers to effective treatment of mental illness include lack of recognition of the seriousness of mental illness and lack of understanding about the benefits of services. Policy makers, insurance companies, health and labour policies, and the public at large – all discriminate between physical and mental problems.
    * Most middle and low-income countries devote less than 1% of their health expenditure to mental health. Consequently mental health policies, legislation, community care facilities, and treatments for people with mental illness are not given the priority they deserve.
 

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 Standards make the world accessible for all
 14 October 2010 is the 41st World Standards Day

Geneva, Switzerland, 2010-10-14 – World Standards Day is celebrated each year on 14 October to pay tribute to the efforts of thousands of experts worldwide who collaborate within International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to develop voluntary International Standards that facilitate trade, spread knowledge and disseminate technological advances.

WSD 2010
The theme of this year's World Standards Day message is "Standards make the world accessible for all". With at least 650 million people globally affected by some kind of disability, combined with the rising numbers of older people in the world's population – one quarter of all citizens are 60 or older*– the issue of accessibility to products and services has become more important than ever.

The World Standards Day message is signed by the leaders of the three principal international standardization organizations: Mr. Jacques Régis, President of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Dr. Alan Morrison, President of the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), and Dr. Hamadoun Touré, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, service, environment or facility is usable by as many people as possible, including by persons with disabilities. The issue of accessibility has become more critical with the increasing number of older people in the population worldwide.

But accessibility is not only an issue for the elderly or disabled. Accessibility solutions also allow products to be more appealing to a general audience. For example, a well designed wheelchair ramp for the benefit of the motor impaired also provides an easy and practical  environmental useful to everyone, including a new mother with a baby carriage.

International standards developed by IEC, ISO and ITU, based on international consensus, give manufacturers and service providers the guidelines on how to design products accessible for all.

For the three leaders, "International standards facilitate everybody’s access to products, structures and services. They include safety considerations, ergonomics and harmonized test methods all geared to increase accessibility. Standards also provide a platform for the dissemination of technological innovations both in developed and developing countries. They help markets to grow faster and increase global trade."

The leaders of the three organisations conclude their message: "IEC, ISO and ITU coordinate their work and offer a system of standardization that helps designers, manufacturers and policy makers to make the world safer and more accessible for all, today and tomorrow."

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Challenges is keen to develop Disability Football in Malaysia and plans to hold a Football Carnival to kickstart this initiave in December 2010, in conjunction with International Day of Person with Disabilities which falls on December 3, 2010.

It would be a day of  fun with football, games and fitness activities for all, young and old. We welcome volunteers and sponsors, both individual and institutions, to help make this a successful event.

Plans for next year would include friendly matches with the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Dragons and various foreign teams. For details on how you can be involved in this initiative, call Mary Chen at 013-6011515 or email us at mail@challengesmag.com.

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Attitudes Towards People with a Disability Changing Ahead of London 2012

Attitudes towards people with a disability in Great Britain are improving and could be one of the legacies of the London 2012 Paralympics, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) were told this week at a three day project review with the London Organizing Committee.

At the seventh Project Review (20-22 September), a nine strong contingent from the IPC was updated on various areas of work for the London 2012 Paralympics including research findings that show four in 10 people believe the Paralympic Games will bring a lasting breakthrough about the way people with a disability are viewed in the UK.

The IPC was also informed that nearly 600,000 people have registered their interest in buying Paralympic Games tickets, whilst there has been strong interest in volunteering for the Games which take place from 29 August until 9 September 2012.

Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC's Chief Executive Officer, said: "With less than two years to go until the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games it is really encouraging to learn that more people are taking an interest in the Games and that attitudes towards people with a disability are changing.  This has the potential to be one of the real legacies of the Games in London.

"The comprehensive activity that the London Organizing Committee implemented to mark the two years to go mark last month clearly played a key role in shifting those attitudes as has the partnerships they have established with Channel 4, Sainsbury's and BT.

"The key now is to build on this momentum and ensure that the activity for the Paralympics going forward is differentiated from that of the Olympics so that people understand the values of the Paralympic Movement and the exciting sports they can see in 2012."

Other topics which the IPC was updated on at the Project Review included Operational Integration, Broadcast, Transport, Technology, Volunteering, Brand and Marketing, Communications and Commercial.

The IPC group also received a tour of the various venues that will be used to stage the 2012 Paralympics and the Paralympic Village.

Gonzalez added: "Overall, planning is very much on track for delivering a highly successful Paralympic Games in 2012 and credit must be given to the London Organizing Committee for their hard work.

"During our three days in London we shared a number of ideas and gave some constructive feedback to the updates we were given.

"There is still much to be done between now and 29 August 2012 when the Paralympic Games start and we will continue to work closely with all those involved to ensure that London delivers the best possible Games."

Whilst in London, Xavier Gonzalez also met Justin King, the Chief Executive of Sainsbury's, to discuss how Sainsbury's 850 plus stores will be used to promote the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Following the Project Review, the IPC hosted a transition planning workshop on Thursday (23 September) for 100 members of the London Organising Committee.  It will aim to increase awareness and knowledge on the period between the conclusion of the Olympic Games on 12 August and the start of the Paralympics on 29 August 2012.

For more information about the London 2012 Paralympic Games, please visit www.london2012.com

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A Night of Thousand Memories (Malam Seribu Kenangan)

Friendship Club, KL (c/o Malaysian Care) and Dragon Club, Kajang (c/o Persatuan Kanak-kanak Istimewa Kajang) are glad and excited to be joint organisers of Dinner & Dance 2010 themed A Night of Thousand Memories (Malam Seribu Kenangan).

This dinner and dance is in observance of United Nation’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is on December 3, 2010.
    Details of the event as below:

 
Date     :           19 November 2010 (Friday), 6.00pm

Venue    :           Hotel Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur

Dress Code  :        Black or White

Price per Ticket  :  RM40/pax     


We hope that the Dinner & Dance will be a platform to develop social skills, self-confidence and to provide an opportunity for integration, both between people with special needs and the society at large. 

We anticipate at least 300 people this year coming from near and far.  The estimated capacity of the ballroom is about 350pax, so do REGISTER EARLY and we look forward to your participation with excitement and please do rally all your friends with learning difficulties to join this special and happy occasion.

To subsidise some expenses of the event, we also wish to humbly appeal for sponsorship, in cash and kind.
 

Come, join the fun and make it a night of thousand memories!  Thank you very much.
 
                                             
Irwan Gunawan (Mr.),  President  

Dragon Club                                                                         
 
Ho Yim Fei (Mr.)
 President
Friendship Club

 

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Experts to Meet in Bonn to Consider New VI Classification System

Some of the world's leading experts in ophthalmology and sports science will meet in Bonn this week to start the process that could see the introduction of sport specific classification systems for visually impaired athletes in Paralympic Sport.

Organised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Blind Sport Federation (IBSA), the aim of the two day meeting is to review the methods, processes and policies currently in place before seeing how they can be improved to ensure they are fairer and more appropriate for visually impaired athletes.

It is hoped that eventually a new sport specific classification system can be introduced that replaces the current system that covers all sports.

Dr Peter Van de Vilet, the IPC's Medical and Scientific Director, said: "This meeting is the first step on a road that will inevitably involve research and evidence gathering before a definitive model is tested and agreed by all parties.

"Our short term aim is to improve the current classification process to ensure is it more standardized, fairer and reliable for athletes.

"Long term however, we are aiming for a sport specific classification process that measures the level of impairment against the resulting effect on the sport or discipline.

"Under the current system for example a 100m sprinter has the same class profile as downhill skier if they have the same impairment.  However, the overall effect on how they perform is clearly very different and that must change.

"That is why, in conjunction with IBSA, we have invited some of the world's leading experts in ophthalmology and sports science to Bonn to look at how the whole classification process for visually impaired athletes can be improved."

Amongst those attending the meeting at the IPC's Headquarters in Bonn are Ian Bailey, Professor of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of California; August Colenbrander from the International Council of Ophthalmology; Hassan Minto from the World Council of Optometry and David Mann, from the Australian Institute of Sport in Melbourne.

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Carnival on Nov 17 to raise funds for building project
 

THE Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled has recently been given a one-and-a-half storey premises in Puchong to be turned into a Hope Factory, a place for persons with disabilities to work and be financially independent.

Its executive director Sia Siew Chin said they needed RM300,000 to renovate the premises with barrier-free facilities.

To raise funds, they are having a carnival themed Building Hope at The 19 USJ City Mall in USJ 19, Subang Jaya on Nov 17 from 10am to 3pm.


There will be a charity sale, games and contests. So far, six out of the 80 booths have been taken up.

Event organising chairman Tan Hoe Hing said The 19 USJ City Mall is sponsoring the venue and equipment for the carnival.

He added that coupon booklets worth RM20 would be given as a token of appreciation for every RM20 cash donation.

The foundation needs 100 volunteers and welcomes contribution from the public.

“They can sponsor food, drinks, books, clothes and other items, and if possible, man the booths on the day,” Sia said.

Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee said there is a great need for active participation from the public in looking after the disabled.

“As a start, I am contributing RM1,000 from my state fund to the foundation,” he said.

For details, call 03-7873 6579/ 7875 8609 or email info@beautifulgate.org.my, or visit http://www.beautifulgate.org.my/

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ESCAP/APCD Meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability concludes in Bangkok with plans to promote socially inclusive business development

 As the Asian and Pacific region struggles to sustain its dynamism in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the estimated 400 million disabled persons living in the region are emerging as a force for change, including for their still mostly untapped consumer power.

The potential for the business sector to embrace the rights and concerns of persons with disabilities was a key focus of a regional meeting on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability held on August 19 to 20, 2010 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Over 60 participants, including senior officials from 10 ASEAN countries, representatives of the business sector and disabled people’s organisations explored ways in which business development plans and employment practices could become more inclusive, recognising that persons with disabilities are generally an untapped consumer market.

“Many of the 400 million or so persons with disabilities in the region live in rural and isolated areas in conditions of abject poverty, encountering deep and persistent barriers”, noted Nanda Krairiksh, Director, Social Development Division of ESCAP. “Viewing them as contributors to our region’s economic dynamism, as entrepreneurs, employees or an emerging market segment enhances everyone’s prospects for prosperity”, she said.

The Meeting was organised by ESCAP and the Asia-Pacific Development Centre on Disability (APCD), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

It reviewed the implementation of the Biwako Millennium Framework for Action -- a regional plan for a barrier-free and rights-based society for persons with disabilities, in particular concerning community-based inclusive development. It discussed the feasibility of an ASEAN mechanism to facilitate the movement of persons with disabilities.

“We are focusing on the ASEAN subregion to develop a mechanism to enhance legislation and policies related to equal opportunities and inclusive development for persons with disabilities”, commented Tanin Kraivixien, President, APDC Foundation.

He continued: “But this Meeting is epoch-making since the business sector has also been invited to promote socially inclusive business development”.

The Meeting unanimously adopted the Bangkok Statement on South-to-South Cooperation on Disability which urges “leadership development of persons with disabilities”, “promotion of community inclusive and gender-sensitive development” and “promotion of socially inclusive business development” as strategic priorities for the next regional decade on disability.

Initiated in 2003, the Second Asia-Pacific Decade for Disabled Persons will conclude in 2012. The Bangkok Statement recommended that Governments of Asia and the Pacific should proclaim a new regional decade on disability starting from 2013.

“Today, the vision, mission, goals and strategies pertaining to our work on disability and for the benefit of persons with disabilities are all becoming clearer,” noted Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, Executive Director, APCD, at the closing session.

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Tourism Ministry launches booklet on the best of three Malaysian dishes – Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Meat Bone Tea (Bak Kut Teh).

In its quest to the best food in Malaysia, the Tourism Ministry recently launched its “Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Food Trail 2009” booklet, featuring the list of “10 Best” and “must try” food in three different categories of Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Meat Bone Tea.
Tourism Minister Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen said, the booklet is to provide a definitive guide in helping to navigate food aficionados to enjoy the best of these well-loved Malaysian foods as well as share the gastronomic experience with foreign visitors.

A brainchild of the minister, the booklet, seeks to harness the attractions in the food sector and entrench them as outstanding products of Malaysia’s food tourism.
Speaking during the launch, Dr Ng said the “Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Food Trail 2009” is another major addition to an innovative tourism product by the Ministry in a move to achieve our “2020 - 36:168” target, which is to attract 36 million tourists and RM168 billion tourism receipts which is equivalent to RM3 billion income per week for the country.
“The food and beverages sector last year saw a 5.2% growth on the RM8.34 billion receipts in 2007 and the 2008 statistics from Tourism Malaysia showed that out of RM49.5billion Malaysia earned in tourist receipt, RM8.77 billion was derived from spending on food and beverages in our country by our visitors”, said Dr Ng.
The “Fabulous Food 1Malaysia Food Trail 2009” booklet features “10 Best” entries shortlisted out of the total 120 listings of restaurants, delicatessens and hawker stalls from the respective categories of the Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Meat Bone Tea. Among others, the listings were based on the quality of food, customer service and cleanliness.

The Fabulous Food 1Malaysia campaign, which was launched last year, is a three-month campaign divided into three segments - Malaysia International Gourmet Food Festival in October, ASEAN Heritage Food Trail in November and street/hawker/restaurant food in December.

The Ministry has also produced a dedicated website: www.fabfood1malaysia.com for food enthusiasts. Visitors to the website were invited to submit their recommendations and locations of the purveyors of the best Nasi Lemak, Laksa and Meat Bone Tea restaurants, street and hawker food stalls nationwide.
Since the launch of the website, over 30,800 fellow Malaysians and global foodies from 47 countries have joined the very tantalizing quest to investigate the rich diversity of Malaysian local food varieties frequented by patrons of all social levels who in turn recommended their findings in the website.

www.fabfood1malaysia.com
 

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THE ANNEXE WEEKLY
Thu 3 to Sun 5 Sep 2010

THIS WEEK:
BEG YOUR PARDON: When Governments, Leaders & Individuals Say Sorry
THE HARDEST WORD: The Art of Saying Sorry
THE SHARING: Photography Exhibition

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BEG YOUR PARDON
When Governments, Leaders & Individuals Say Sorry

begyourpardon

Forum
Fri 3 Sep, 8.30pm
Presented by the Say Sorry Day Campaign
Admission Free

"FOR THE PAIN, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry." – Australian PM Kevin Rudd's apology for mistreatment of aboriginal Australians, 13 Feb 2008

"We participated in things that were clearly wrong and have reason to regret and we apologize for them." – Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein's apology for the 2009 financial crisis, 17 Nov 2009

"And I felt sorry, and I have felt bad about what happened." – Monica Lewinsky, 2002

SAYING SORRY is first and foremost a personal act to initiate a journey of reconciliation and healing between two individuals. However, it is an act that also has implications beyond two private individuals. When leaders of communities, corporations and even countries apologize for the wrongs of the past, they also begin putting things right in the present in order to have a brighter future together.

The apologies quoted above have become historical milestones of recent history. We remember them because public apologies from leaders are so few and far between. So few in fact they often shock us into catharsis and tears, allowing many of us to move on from our hurt. But yet, we are aware of many more wrongs yet unaccounted for. Are there things for which our government, community leaders and public individuals have yet to apologise, thus preventing us from healing as a nation?

This forum aims to explore both the personal and public dimension of the act of saying sorry to facilitate greater thought in the respective spheres, and hopefully inspire individuals and larger groups to cultivate a culture of the willingness to make amends.

SPEAKERS

1. When Governments Say Sorry by Ambiga Sreenevasan

2. When Corporations Say Sorry by Sreedhar Subramaniam

3. When Communities Say Sorry by Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof

4. When Individuals Say Sorry by Leow Puay Tin

Click here for speakers’ bios.

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THE HARDEST WORD
The Art of Saying Sorry

saysorryday

Performance
Sat 4 Sep, 2010, 8.30pm
Presented by the Say Sorry Day Campaign
Admission Free

SCARLETT O'HARA: Oh, oh, Rhett. For the first time I'm finding out what it is to be sorry for something I've done.
RHETT BUTLER: Dry your eyes. If you had it all to do over again, you'd do no differently. You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but he's terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail.
– "Gone With The Wind", Sidney Howard

"True remorse is never just a regret over consequence; it is a regret over motive." – Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

JUDGES, LEGISLATORS AND MINISTERS like to believe that law and punishment can correct criminals and teach us how to be moral citizens. After all, politicians have to believe they have some use! But punishments only inspire fear and the law merely teaches us how to escape being caught.

The law does not teach lessons, second chances do. Therefore, a few Malaysian artists, actors, writers and musicians have come together to help us reflect honestly on our capacity to do wrong, to seek forgiveness, to be forgiven, and to forgive.

PERFORMERS

1. AMIR MUHAMMAD, critically-acclaimed filmmaker-writer, shares a montage of clips from old Malay movies featured in his new book 120 Malay Movies.

2. ANNE JAMES & JO KUKATHAS, award-winning theatre actors, re-enact a scene from the play Cuckoo Birds.

3. BRIAN GOMEZ, writer (Devil's Place, What Do Gay People Eat?), reads from his new short story, written for specially for the occasion.

4. HISHAMMUDIN RAIS, non-governmental individual, writer and former ISA detainee, does his infamous stand-up routine.

5. I-SOUL, Chinese-language band, offer us acoustic songs on the theme.

6. LIYANA FIZI, popular singer-songwriter, sings apologetic original songs.

7. PANG KHEE TEIK, Annexe Gallery arts programme director, just wants to say sorry to everyone.

Click here for more info.


WHAT IS THE "SAY SORRY DAY CAMPAIGN"?
SAY SORRY DAY: Sun 5 Sep 2010

This event is held in conjunction with the Say Sorry Day campaign. A collective of individuals and organisations are coming together to declare Sept 5, 2010, as Say Sorry Day. Everyone – in Malaysia and beyond – is encouraged on this day to seek forgiveness from and grant it to each other. The inspiration for Say Sorry Day is a young Malaysian, Yong Vui Kong, who was only 18 when he was arrested for drug trafficking in Singapore. He is currently appealing for clemency, but he may still be hanged and not get a chance to redeem his wrongs. His situation is extreme, and many people may not find themselves in the same situation. However, we all need forgiveness because we all do wrong; as the saying goes, “to err is human, to forgive, divine”.
Say Sorry Day on Facebook.
Say Sorry Day article in The Star.

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THE SHARING
Photography Exhibition
poster_eng

Mon 30 Aug to Sun 5 Sep | 11am to 8pm
Admission Free

Eighteen amateur photography students, together with their teacher, will be hosting a photography exhibition to share their collection of photographs. The exhibition will be held at The Annexe Gallery, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur on the 30th August to the 5th September 2010. The sole purpose of this exhibition is pure and simple: to share their passion for life through the lenses of their camera. These 18 students consist of working class adults of a wide range of age group, and background, all bound together for the love of photography.

Click here for more info.

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ART FOR GRABS Malaysia Day 2010
Arts & Crafts Bazaar + Events

art4grabsept2010

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Sep | 12pm to 8pm
Presented by The Annexe Gallery, supported by Central Market
Admission Free

The Annexe Gallery's beloved art bazaar celebrates Malaysia Day, as artists sell works under RM100 each, and writers, filmmakers and closet scientists share their Malaysian dreams with us.

PROGRAMME
All programs are free unless otherwise indicated.

Sat 18 Sep

12pm
Scenes from 120 MALAY MOVIES
Amir Muhammad shows scenes of love, vice, horror and those that ran into censorship problems, from the films featured in his new book. Presented by Matahari Books.

2pm
UNSCIENTIFIC MALAYSIA BIG BANG ANNIVERSARY
Malaysia's sexiest closet scientist and a bullshit private detective debunk Malaysian myths and legends. Presented by PopIN:PopOUT.

4pm
SELEPAS TSUNAMI by Anna Har
This video documentary surveys the impact and meaning of so-called reforms introduced in the aftermath of the 12th Malaysian general elections. Did the earth move? Presented by KOMAS.

6pm
THE SPACE BETWEEN IMPOSSIBLE LANDSCAPES: Films by Ross McLaren
KL Experimental Films Fest presents a pre-festival showcase by Canadian Ross McLaren, whose films have mesmerised audiences the past 30 years. Admission RM6 donation.

Sun 19 Sep

12pm
MENUJU PAS BARU & KITA KAN ORANG MALAYSIA: Double Book Launch by YB MUJAHID RAWA
PAS MP for Parit Buntar launches two new books: one about new developments within PAS, another about his experiences integrating the major ethnic groups of Malaysia through PAS.

2pm
Queer As Films present SHOW ME LOVE
In a loser town in Sweden, two girls, the most popular in school and the loner, find they have something in common. But can their love for each other overcome their fear of others and of themselves? Film screening presented by Queer As Films.

4pm
FARISH NOOR: Two, Then Three, Then Four Colours - A Potted History of the Malaysian Flag
How did the Malaysian flag come about? Everyone's favourite historian gives an account of how four colours came to be. Presented by OtherMalaysia.

6pm
EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS FROM CANADA & BEYOND
KL Experimental Films Fest presents a pre-festival showcase of experimental short films from Canada and around the world. Toronto's Images Film Festival director introduces the films. Plus Q&A. Admission RM6 donation.

Click here for more info.

Thu 3 to Sun 5 Sep 2010

THIS WEEK:
BEG YOUR PARDON: When Governments, Leaders & Individuals Say Sorry
THE HARDEST WORD: The Art of Saying Sorry
THE SHARING: Photography Exhibition

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BEG YOUR PARDON
When Governments, Leaders & Individuals Say Sorry

begyourpardon

Forum
Fri 3 Sep, 8.30pm
Presented by the Say Sorry Day Campaign
Admission Free

"FOR THE PAIN, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry." – Australian PM Kevin Rudd's apology for mistreatment of aboriginal Australians, 13 Feb 2008

"We participated in things that were clearly wrong and have reason to regret and we apologize for them." – Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein's apology for the 2009 financial crisis, 17 Nov 2009

"And I felt sorry, and I have felt bad about what happened." – Monica Lewinsky, 2002

SAYING SORRY is first and foremost a personal act to initiate a journey of reconciliation and healing between two individuals. However, it is an act that also has implications beyond two private individuals. When leaders of communities, corporations and even countries apologize for the wrongs of the past, they also begin putting things right in the present in order to have a brighter future together.

The apologies quoted above have become historical milestones of recent history. We remember them because public apologies from leaders are so few and far between. So few in fact they often shock us into catharsis and tears, allowing many of us to move on from our hurt. But yet, we are aware of many more wrongs yet unaccounted for. Are there things for which our government, community leaders and public individuals have yet to apologise, thus preventing us from healing as a nation?

This forum aims to explore both the personal and public dimension of the act of saying sorry to facilitate greater thought in the respective spheres, and hopefully inspire individuals and larger groups to cultivate a culture of the willingness to make amends.

SPEAKERS

1. When Governments Say Sorry by Ambiga Sreenevasan

2. When Corporations Say Sorry by Sreedhar Subramaniam

3. When Communities Say Sorry by Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof

4. When Individuals Say Sorry by Leow Puay Tin

Click here for speakers’ bios.

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THE HARDEST WORD
The Art of Saying Sorry

saysorryday

Performance
Sat 4 Sep, 2010, 8.30pm
Presented by the Say Sorry Day Campaign
Admission Free

SCARLETT O'HARA: Oh, oh, Rhett. For the first time I'm finding out what it is to be sorry for something I've done.
RHETT BUTLER: Dry your eyes. If you had it all to do over again, you'd do no differently. You're like the thief who isn't the least bit sorry he stole, but he's terribly, terribly sorry he's going to jail.
– "Gone With The Wind", Sidney Howard

"True remorse is never just a regret over consequence; it is a regret over motive." – Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

JUDGES, LEGISLATORS AND MINISTERS like to believe that law and punishment can correct criminals and teach us how to be moral citizens. After all, politicians have to believe they have some use! But punishments only inspire fear and the law merely teaches us how to escape being caught.

The law does not teach lessons, second chances do. Therefore, a few Malaysian artists, actors, writers and musicians have come together to help us reflect honestly on our capacity to do wrong, to seek forgiveness, to be forgiven, and to forgive.

PERFORMERS

1. AMIR MUHAMMAD, critically-acclaimed filmmaker-writer, shares a montage of clips from old Malay movies featured in his new book 120 Malay Movies.

2. ANNE JAMES & JO KUKATHAS, award-winning theatre actors, re-enact a scene from the play Cuckoo Birds.

3. BRIAN GOMEZ, writer (Devil's Place, What Do Gay People Eat?), reads from his new short story, written for specially for the occasion.

4. HISHAMMUDIN RAIS, non-governmental individual, writer and former ISA detainee, does his infamous stand-up routine.

5. I-SOUL, Chinese-language band, offer us acoustic songs on the theme.

6. LIYANA FIZI, popular singer-songwriter, sings apologetic original songs.

7. PANG KHEE TEIK, Annexe Gallery arts programme director, just wants to say sorry to everyone.

Click here for more info.


WHAT IS THE "SAY SORRY DAY CAMPAIGN"?
SAY SORRY DAY: Sun 5 Sep 2010

This event is held in conjunction with the Say Sorry Day campaign. A collective of individuals and organisations are coming together to declare Sept 5, 2010, as Say Sorry Day. Everyone – in Malaysia and beyond – is encouraged on this day to seek forgiveness from and grant it to each other. The inspiration for Say Sorry Day is a young Malaysian, Yong Vui Kong, who was only 18 when he was arrested for drug trafficking in Singapore. He is currently appealing for clemency, but he may still be hanged and not get a chance to redeem his wrongs. His situation is extreme, and many people may not find themselves in the same situation. However, we all need forgiveness because we all do wrong; as the saying goes, “to err is human, to forgive, divine”.
Say Sorry Day on Facebook.
Say Sorry Day article in The Star.

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THE SHARING
Photography Exhibition
poster_eng

Mon 30 Aug to Sun 5 Sep | 11am to 8pm
Admission Free

Eighteen amateur photography students, together with their teacher, will be hosting a photography exhibition to share their collection of photographs. The exhibition will be held at The Annexe Gallery, Central Market, Kuala Lumpur on the 30th August to the 5th September 2010. The sole purpose of this exhibition is pure and simple: to share their passion for life through the lenses of their camera. These 18 students consist of working class adults of a wide range of age group, and background, all bound together for the love of photography.

Click here for more info.

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ART FOR GRABS Malaysia Day 2010
Arts & Crafts Bazaar + Events

art4grabsept2010

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Sep | 12pm to 8pm
Presented by The Annexe Gallery, supported by Central Market
Admission Free

The Annexe Gallery's beloved art bazaar celebrates Malaysia Day, as artists sell works under RM100 each, and writers, filmmakers and closet scientists share their Malaysian dreams with us.

PROGRAMME
All programs are free unless otherwise indicated.

Sat 18 Sep

12pm
Scenes from 120 MALAY MOVIES
Amir Muhammad shows scenes of love, vice, horror and those that ran into censorship problems, from the films featured in his new book. Presented by Matahari Books.

2pm
UNSCIENTIFIC MALAYSIA BIG BANG ANNIVERSARY
Malaysia's sexiest closet scientist and a bullshit private detective debunk Malaysian myths and legends. Presented by PopIN:PopOUT.

4pm
SELEPAS TSUNAMI by Anna Har
This video documentary surveys the impact and meaning of so-called reforms introduced in the aftermath of the 12th Malaysian general elections. Did the earth move? Presented by KOMAS.

6pm
THE SPACE BETWEEN IMPOSSIBLE LANDSCAPES: Films by Ross McLaren
KL Experimental Films Fest presents a pre-festival showcase by Canadian Ross McLaren, whose films have mesmerised audiences the past 30 years. Admission RM6 donation.

Sun 19 Sep

12pm
MENUJU PAS BARU & KITA KAN ORANG MALAYSIA: Double Book Launch by YB MUJAHID RAWA
PAS MP for Parit Buntar launches two new books: one about new developments within PAS, another about his experiences integrating the major ethnic groups of Malaysia through PAS.

2pm
Queer As Films present SHOW ME LOVE
In a loser town in Sweden, two girls, the most popular in school and the loner, find they have something in common. But can their love for each other overcome their fear of others and of themselves? Film screening presented by Queer As Films.

4pm
FARISH NOOR: Two, Then Three, Then Four Colours - A Potted History of the Malaysian Flag
How did the Malaysian flag come about? Everyone's favourite historian gives an account of how four colours came to be. Presented by OtherMalaysia.

6pm
EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS FROM CANADA & BEYOND
KL Experimental Films Fest presents a pre-festival showcase of experimental short films from Canada and around the world. Toronto's Images Film Festival director introduces the films. Plus Q&A. Admission RM6 donation.

 

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TEDxYSE Youth Social Entrepreneurship Global Search

The global search is now ON for eight extraordinary Youth changemakers who should present at the first TEDxYSE (Youth Social Entrepreneurship).

Which young person has inspired you? Who has taken initiative and created positive change in the world around them? We’d love... to know!

We invite you to nominate a young leader (or a team of youth) or enter yourself in this year’s Staples Youth Social Entrepreneurship Competition.

The winners will be selected and announced on a rolling basis so don’t wait. Visit the competition website now and fill out the short entry or nomination form.

All winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, to present at TEDxYSE which will take place on November 13, 2010.

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Malaysia ratifies UN CRPD today

Kuala Lumpur, July 6, 2010 – Malaysia ratifies the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, reaffirming its commitment to promotion of equal rights of its citizens with disabilities.

 Senator Dato’ Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Minister of  Women, Family and Community Development today signed the ratification instrument in the presence of Datuk Richard Riot Anak Jaem. Deputy Foreign Minister.

More to follow….

 
 

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Shell Malaysia Announces Scholarships to Benefit Students with Disabilities

Kuching, June 16, 2010: Shell Malaysia will introduce a new scholarship programme for students with disabilities this year to mark the centenary of its upstream operations and complement its existing scholarship and bursary programme. To be launched in Sarawak for 2010, the programme will be extended nationwide from 2011.

Leslie Hayward, Shell Malaysia's Director of Human Resources made the announcement in his speech at the Shell Educational Excellence Awards presentation ceremony held in Kuching. He was representing Shell Malaysia Chairman Mohd Anuar Taib.

Deputy Chief Minister, Yang Berhormat Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam officiated at the event and presented scholarships to university students and bursaries to secondary students.

"We hope to be able to make a significant and very positive difference to the lives of young and disabled people in the country," Leslie said. He disclosed that details on the scholarship will be published on August 10, a date which coincides with the drilling of the first oil well in Sarawak in 1910. 

For 2010, 19 students from Sarawak received Shell scholarships to further their studies at universities throughout Malaysia for 2010.

A further eight students will pursue their studies overseas. Students were initially identified on the basis of outstanding results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), matriculation year or Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM). Almost 200 students received bursaries for excellent results in their Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) and SPM examinations.

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Maybank Launches Disabled-Friendly Branches and Inclusive Service Transformation Initiative.

Kuala Lumpur, June 16, 2010 – Maybank continued its service innovation for customers who require special assistance with the official launch of five disabled-friendly branches to cater to the needs of wheelchair-bound users. These branches provide facilities and services for wheelchair-bound users to conveniently access the bank as well as undertake self-service transactions at the ATM, cash deposit machines or counter. Maybank personnel are also on hand to render special assistance to such customers.

Maybank’s disabled-friendly branches are equipped with designated parking lots where available and ramps to provide convenience and easy access for wheelchair-bound   customers. Within the branches, there are specially built ATM machines installed at a suitable height for those requiring self-service banking, while designated counters are available on the same level at the entrance to facilitate the needs of customers requiring counter services.

The launch was held at the Maybank branch in Taman Connaught, Cheras, which was the first facility to be upgraded. In addition to Taman Connaught, four other Maybank locations offering such services are the main branch in Petaling Jaya; Setiawan and Lumut in Perak; and Senawang in Negeri Sembilan.

Eleven other branches have also some disabled-friendly facilities such as ramps to enable wheelchair-bound customers easier access to the premises, namely in Kuala Selangor, Sekinchan, Sungei Besar, Sabak Bernam and Pulau Pangkor in Selangor; Pekan in Pahang, Merlimau in Malacca; Penang Times Square and Bayan Baru in Penang; Kampong Koh in Perak; and Sibu in Sarawak.

“Our disabled-friendly branches, are part of Maybank’s on-going service transformation initiatives, to raise our service standards as well as empower all the communities we serve including the disabled,” said Lim Hong Tat, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking at the official launch.

Also present at the launch was Mr Muruges Waran Veerasamy, President of the Damai Disabled Persons Association of Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan whose members access the facilities at Maybank Taman Connaught.

“Even before we embarked on providing facilities at our branches for the disabled, Maybank employees were already offering personalised assistance to those who had difficulties accessing our banking services. We took it a step further with the inclusion of special ATMs and cash deposit machines to raise our service standards and empower communities we serve to enrich their banking experience with us,” added Lim.

Lim said that a total of RM280,000 was spent to upgrade the five branches. “Maybank expects to convert 12 more existing branches by July 2011 while all future branch openings will be equipped with disabled-friendly services and facilities if the infrastructure of the premises permits as well as in accordance with the local authorities’ guidelines.”

The facilities offered at the designated branches have been designed in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as well as views from the disabled community respective associations.

Lim also said that the launch of the services for the disabled coincides with  Maybank’s on-going service transformation initiatives. “Our latest customer centric service initiative revolves around the motto “Serve from Your HEART”, that represents humility, efficiency, appreciation, respect and trust.”

The “Serve from your HEART” programme, which started in April this year, focuses on training and development programmes to enhance the service performance of all frontline employees of Maybank. Maybank frontline personnel are also provided with uniforms to portray a professional corporate image. This new service initiative has been introduced by Maybank as a pilot programme across 70 branches and will be fully implemented across all branches by August 2010. Maybank has allocated RM16 million for this programme.

Lim added, “HEART forms the foundation of how we serve customers today, with greater emphasis placed on ensuring speed and accuracy in delivery while we maintain mutual understanding and respect for each other. Innovative products as well as greater accessibility and convenience are also key factors to ensure all our customers have an enhanced and consistent banking experience.”

 

 

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KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 24, 2010 – Passengers Travelling To European Union (EU) Countries Can Now Enjoy Shopping At KL International Airport (KLIA) To The Fullest As EU Countries Now Fully Accept All Liquid, Gels And Aerosols (LAGs) Items In Security Tamper Evident Bags (STEBs) Effective May 25, 2010.Similarly, all LAGs that are packed in STEBs which are purchased at airports from EU countries will also be accepted at KLIA, provided that the STEBs met the specifications set by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

All LAGs purchased at KLIA must be packed in approved STEBs with the official receipt properly displayed inside the bag to serve as satisfactory proof of purchase at KLIA within the preceding 36 hours.

This reciprocal arrangement meant all passengers bound to EU countries can now purchase LAGs at KLIA without any worries of their LAGs being confiscated by security authorities at EU airports.

Previously, LAGs purchased at Malaysian airports are not allowed to be taken into EU countries as there were some differences in LAGs packaging and receipts produced by retail outlets at KLIA. Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad have initiated talks with EU to resolve this issue in ensuring harmonization and a more hassle-free journey for passengers travelling to EU.

Last month, DCA Malaysia received good news from the EU Directorate General for Mobility and Transport, European Commission based in Brussels, Belgium indicating EU is satisfied with the level of security performance on the implementation of LAGs ruling at KLIA in their security audit findings of KLIA conducted by their assessors in 2009.

For the record, Malaysia imposed the security control on LAGs effective from May 21, 2007, in which all international passengers departing from or transiting (changing planes) at all international airports i.e KLIA, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Langkawi Airports. This rule also applies to all International-bound passengers departing from Domestic Airports.

The ruling on Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) was implemented pursuant to the ICAO recommendations for the screening of liquids taken on board aircraft issued to all Contracting States on December 11, 2006, soon after the terrorist plot to blow up aircraft bound to USA from London on August 9, 2006 using liquid bomb.

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Invitation

All agencies and NGOs serving the disabled are welcome to send participants to the National Abilympics 2010.

Competition Categories

Nine skills have been selected for the National Abilympics 2010 beginning in April and culminating in the finale programme scheduled for January 2011.

The scheduled competitions for the selected categories are as follows :

Dates     Categories Coordinator
April 2010     Floral Arrangement     Selangor Chesire Home
May 2010     P.C. Assembly    

Malaysian Care
Malaysian Federation of the deaf.
June 2010     Wood-Carving    

Majlis Pemulihan Malaysia
Majlis Pemulihan Negeri Kelantan
July 2010     Tailoring - Pusat Latihan Perindustrian

dan Pemulihan Bangi
July 2010     Dress-Making - Pusat Latihan Perindustrian

dan Pemulihan Bangi
August 2010     Painting - Majlis Pemulihan Malaysia
October 2010     Basket Making - Malaysian Association for the

Blind
November 2010     English-Text Processing - Malaysian Association for the Blind
December 2010     Webpage Design - Malaysian Federation of the Deaf

Note: Subject to changes. The secretariate will send out a

notice of competition a month before..
How to participate?

Kindly contact any of our representatives below for further details.

Contact Information

Majlis Pemulihan Malaysia
Bilik 3, Tingkat 4,
Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah,
No.16, Lorong Utara ‘A’,
46200 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor

Tel: 03-79553510
Fax: 03-79553514

Datuk Khatijah Sulieman: 0193316409
Cik Nor Rafishah: 0166704744

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The Golf Club KL City Centre (GCKLCC), recently partnered Universal Fitness & Leisure Sdn Bhd  (UFL), to sponsor a total golf fitness package to golf tour player Anis Helmi.

The package comprised two Power Plate machines (UFL), a year’s worth of personal trainer and golf simulator practice sessions (GCKLCC), a Suunto golf watch and PowerBar energy boosting products.

The event witnessed by Tun Ahmad Sarji B. Abdul Hamid, President of the Kinrara and Impiana Golf and Country Clubs, took place at the premier Golf Club KLCC located inside the Novotel Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Anis joins the growing group of professional sportsmen and women including Internationally renowned golfers Tiger Woods, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke to successfully incorporate a Power Plate® machine into their training programmes. UFL Managing Director, Datuk Radha Krishnan said Anis Helmi shows great potential in the sport of golf and the Power Plate could enhance his fitness training.

“Professional golfers like Anis know that the key to winning golf is optimum fitness, strength, flexibility and range of movement. By introducing Power Plate to his regime, Anis will now benefit from the versatility if offers, the Power Plate will bring new dimensions to his training programme.” he said. Mr. Hock Toh, Founder of  TGCKLCC said the PGA endorsed golf club has hi-tech golf simulators (six in total) with premium models combining Ballistic Missile Radar Tracking and Ultra High Speed Image Vector technology are the only simulators in the world that actually read ball spin providing Swing Path displays to correct your swing.

He added that TGCKLCC will also be the first indoor golf centre in the world to feature Malaysian golf courses playable in 3D for members and guest to continue playing the local courses indoors. The smart partnership with UFL will also allow members and guests to use a Power Plate® machine to warm up and ready themselves for action or while they compete among themselves, at TGCKLCC. The Power Plate® Equipment and Acceleration Training exercise is low impact and suitable for people of all ages, fitness levels and physical abilities (even wheelchair users) who have been medically cleared for exercise.

Awarded stage 2 IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiative*) Accreditation for its redesigned controls and display, the Power Plate® pro5™ model has been acclaimed by the IFI for its accessibility, enabling people with disabilities to have independent use.

Benefits of the Power Plate® to a golfer include:

1. Quick warm up (90 Seconds)
2. Rehabilitative properties – Increase in flexibility/strengthespecially for a golfer recovering from an injury.
3. Pain free training in a short amount of time (20 – 45 minutes)
4. Greater sense of awareness during the swing which will lead to muscle memory
5. Heightened muscle activation compared to traditional training.

 

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Angels Training Camp
May 28-30, 2010

Since 2005, Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled has been continuously promoting “Be An Angel Campaign”, a volunteer-based training camp which gives an opportunity to participants to embark on a mission towards caring for people with disabilities (PWD). The main objective of this innovative program is to break the barriers between the PWD and society. Besides promoting volunteerism and community partnership, it is indeed a channel to build better relationship and communications between disabled and society.

In order to carry out training for a group of dedicated and sincere volunteers, an effective method of training is applied. This 3 days 2 nights stay-in training program lets participants experience real-life interaction and living with the PWD.

The participants are divided into groups and given tasks to be completed with the disabled team members. Overall, they will learn how to take care and have a better understanding toward disabled people. Upon completion of the training, participants are required to carry out a 30-hour “Angels at work” service within 6 months for PWD within Beautiful Gate. A certificate of appreciation will be awarded to participants who have fulfilled their required hours of service.

To increase public empathy towards PWD, we hope to have more volunteers who can actively participate in this training camp. Your participation and support for this campaign will build the platform needed to bring positive changes towards development of the disabled community. For more information on this camp, please contact us at 03 7873 6579.

Click here to download ANGEL Registration Form.

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TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TED has launched a program that enables individuals and organizations to create and host their own local TED-like events. These events will be branded TEDx, the x standing for Independently Organized TED Events.
This is the 2nd TEDx Kuala Lumpur, featuring an exciting line up of speakers with ideas that go beyond just Technology, Entertainment and Design.

Theme: What Malaysia Needs
Date: 27th march 2010
Time: 10.00 AM till 4.00 PM
Venue: Microsoft Auditorium, Level 29, Tower 2, Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

Please click here for more information: Download PDF

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A Malaysia - Singapore Contemporary Photography Exchange
Photography Exhibition
"Time: Chinatown" by John Clang

Sun 21 Mar to Sun 4 Apr
[Hours: Sun to Thu: 11am to 8pm]
Presented by The Annexe Gallery and 2902 Gallery
Admission Free

This collaborative exhibition between The Annexe Gallery & 2902 Galler features works by eight gifted photographers from Malaysia and Singapore, enabling a visual dialogue between the two countries.

Singaporean photographers: John Clang, Teo Chai Guan, Ore Hui Ying, Muhammad Nuruddin. Malaysian photographers: Bernice Chauly, Lim Thian Leong, Minstrel Kuik, Tan Chee Hon. Thematically, the works by Malaysians deals with the photographers' relationships to the country and the imaging/imagining of this home. Responding to representations of national aspirations and terror, they play with degrees of irony, wit and personal involvement. On the other hand, the works by Singaporeans presents distinctive and acutely clear voices on their affiliation with the land revealing detachment, exploration of identity in relation to their environment, nostalgia and memories all within a spatial context. Collectively, the single thread of commonality that these images share is that in communicating a sense of space and place, their works reveals the photographers' relationship and response to their environment.

For enquiries, please call:
Pang Khee Teik (Arts Programme Director): 012 305 1135
Jerome Kugan (Media Manager): 016 802 7347
Lim Chung Wei (Arts Manager): 012 207 5140
 
The Annexe Gallery
1st & 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe
Jalan Hang Kasturi
Kuala Lumpur
Tel +603-2070 1137
www.annexegallery.com

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Bad Romance Edition
Music Concert

Fri 9, Sat 10 & Sun 11 Apr, 8.30pm
Presented by Seksualiti Merdeka & The Annexe Gallery

Admission by donation RM35 (Presale), RM40 (Door)
Get your presale passes now!

“I want your love and I want your revenge, you and me could write a bad romance!”

Last year, we massacred you with torch songs weepy and funny. Now we're back to add "bloody" to the list. So, instead of torturing y’all with songs about lovers doomed to wander heartbroken corridors, this year we’re gonna torch those bastards who torched us first! If you’ve ever been dumped via Twitter, blocked on Facebook, forgotten by bastards who claim to have photographic memory, then this is for you! Get even honey! Let them cry you a river! Rail against the injustice! Scream! Drama!

Come join us at The Annexe Gallery as we present "Torch Song Massacre 2010: Bad Romance Edition", three nights of tragic love songs and comedy as performed by some of KL's best music and stage talents, including: Aaron Khaled, Alex Koh, Ayam Fared, Ida Mariana, Izlyn Ramli, Maya Abdullah, Will Quah, Wong Siew Jye, Yudi, Zalina Lee plus the band "Brown Sugar" and your fabulous host SHELAH!!!

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Tango Workshops

Fri 2–Sun 4 Apr
Presented by the Tango Club Of Kuala Lumpur

Sensual and dramatic, tango is the ultimate expression of romance. It’s also a lot of fun! Back for its third year, the Kuala Lumpur Tango Festival this year presents three highly skilled tango couples hailing from Buenos Aires: Fernanda Ghi & Guillermo Merlo; Adrian Veredice & Alejandra Hobert; and Nito & Elba Garcia. As it was in the previous two years, this year’s installment of the Festival is packed with an exciting program of performances, workshops and milongas (tango socials where you can dance the night away) to be held at The Annexe Gallery and the Royal Selangor Golf Club. At The Annexe Gallery, the three tango couples will be facilitating workshops for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

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Engage, Exchange & Collaborate
Forum

Sat 27 & Sun 28 Mar
Presented by Asian Theatre Centre for Creation and Research & The Japan Foundation
Supported by Five Arts Centre
Admission Free, by email registration to fiveartscentre@gmail.com

The Asian Producers Meeting is a two-day programme of talks, presentations and forums for producers and art presenters from around Asia to engage with each other and exchange practices, experiences and models for working; allowing for the possibility of creating the means to collaborate in the future. Invited speakers will lead discussions about production practices, experiences and cross-national collaboration as a platform for exchange between producers. Entry point will be the Malaysian and Japanese experience with special attention for discussion with producers from other countries. This event would be beneficial to those keen on producing/presenting contemporary performing arts, producing models and intercultural collaborations.

 

SUN 28 MAR

10am – Session 4: Establishing Means for Intercultural Collaborations. Chairpersons: June Tan, Matsui Kentaro & Ken Takiguchi

1pm – Session 5 (Closed Session): Setting the Infrastructure for Intercultural Collaborations. Chairpersons: June Tan, Matsui Kentaro & Ken Takiguchi

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Subang (8 March 2010) – Malaysia Airlines will be offering additional 2 non-stop daily services to its existing 5 times weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Paris, starting 28 March 2010. These new flights will depart Kuala Lumpur at 11.35pm (local time) and arrive in Paris at 6.40am (local time) everyday. Tickets are now available for purchase at www.malaysiaairlines.com

Malaysia Airlines Senior General Manager, Network and Revenue Management, Dr Amin Khan said, “We have seen an increase in demand and as the result, forward bookings are also much healthier compared to last year. Our load factor is strong at about 80% and thus, we want to take this opportunity to cater for this growth.

“This daily non-stop flight to Paris is suitable for both leisure and business travellers. Passengers will arrive early in the morning, giving them ample time to maximise their stay in Paris. Alternatively, they can catch the earliest connecting flight to other parts of France, Europe and the UK. Bottom line, passengers will have more flexibility in their travels.

“I would advise everyone to check out our website (www.malaysiaairlines.com) regularly to catch the best deals. In fact, our ‘Get-the-Deal’ offers the lowest fares all the time, so you can pay less and still enjoy all the comforts of a full service carrier,” he said.

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(PATA) is inviting recommendations for its Face of the Future Award. Each year this award is presented to an exceptional young leader in travel and tourism who has exhibited initiative and leadership in the implementation of tourism as well as demonstrated commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific Travel Industry in line with PATA's mission. The 2010 PATA Face of the Future Award will be presented at the Association's Annual General Meeting on 25 April at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, sarawak.

The prize includes air travel and accommodation to attend IMEX in Frankfurt and to join the IMEX- MPI Future Leaders Forum and Gala Dinner. An individual is eligible to enter the 2010 PATA 'Face of the Future' Award if he or she is aged 35 and below as of 24 April 2010; works for a PATA member organisation in good-standing or is undertaking post-graduate travel and tourism studies at a PATA member educational institution. Entries, no later than 12 February,2010 to: parita@PATA.org.

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MALAYSIA 1ST CHOCOLATE FAIR - 8 TO 10 JANUARY 2010 - MID VALLEY EXHIBITION CENTRE, KUALA LUMPUR

You are invited to visit Malaysia 1st Chocolate Fair 2010.  Schedule from the 8 - 10 January 2010 at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, the fair is open from 11.00am to 9.00pm daily.  Lots and lots of chocolates to be won!    Delicious sampling of both local and imported chocolates. 
 
You will find chocolates from Russia, Switzerland, Australia, Germany, Austria, Iran, Belgium, US and of course, Malaysia.  Activities includes chocolate making demonstrations by renowned French chef, quizzes, chocolate appreciation open to ALL VISITORS. 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT www.chocolatefair.com.my
 
ADMISSION IS FREE !

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Malaysia Airlines' passengers will enjoy steamed rich fruitcake (left) and 2 types of Christmas cookies (Ginger Snap & Venise Minted Ganache) (right) this festive season. Exclusively baked for passengers bound for London, Europe and South Africa, the fruitcake is offered to first and business class passengers, and cookies for economy class. The giveaways will be offered until 1st January 2010.

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 Please click the [Read more] link below for full details

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov 22, 2009 - Today, the members of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) present in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the 2009 IPC General Assembly (GA) elected a new Governing Board.

It was the largest GA to date, with more than 350 participants from 100 National Paralympic Committees, five Regions, four IOSDs (International Organizations for the Disabled) and 22 Sports.

Sir Philip Craven (Great Britain) was re-elected President with 118 votes out of 130 possible for another four year term. Greg Hartung (Australia) was elected Vice-President by majority receiving 66 votes.

The following people were elected Member at Large:

Dato' Zainal Abu-Zarin, Malaysia
Mr. Jose Luis Campo, Argentina
Ms. Ann Cody, USA
Mr. Alan Dickson, Great Britain
Mr. Ali Harzallah, Tunisia
Ms. Hyang-Sook Jang, Korea
Mr. Patrick Jarvis, Canada
Mr. Andrew Parsons, Brazil
Mr. Miguel Sagarra, Spain
Ms. Rita van Driel, The Netherlands

The IPC Chief Executive Officer Xavier Gonzalez and the Chairperson of the IPC Athletes’ Council, Bob Balk, are also ex-officio members of the IPC Governing Board.

The Governing Board is the representative of the IPC Membership, elected at the General Assembly in accordance with nomination and election procedures adopted by the IPC Membership at the 2004 Extraordinary General Assembly. The GB is responsible for overseeing the affairs of the IPC in between meetings of the General Assembly. It is comprised of 15 members and holds meetings at least three times a year.

The IPC GB is primarily responsible for the implementation of policies and directions set by the GA. Additionally, the Governing Board provides recommendations on membership (conditions for membership and fees) to the General Assembly, including motions received from members. It is also responsible for approving budgets and audited accounts, IPC Rules and Regulations, membership of IPC Committees and the Paralympic Games.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by more than 160 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management team are located in Bonn, Germany.

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EMPLOYER RESOURCES LAUNCHED AT NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND DISABILITY CONFERENCE

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Johor State Government is organizing the National Conference on Employment and Disability.

Geared towards employers in the public and private sector, education and employment service providers, disability advocates and community support agencies, the Conference will be an interactive experience bringing participants together with international and national experts in the field, as well as Malaysian employers with direct experience in employing persons with disabilities (PWDs). This one-day conference will feature presentations on innovative employment practices and policies followed by feedback sessions for participants to offer reactions, suggestions and policy implications.

Two resources for employers will also be launched: a video aimed at encouraging employers to hire PWDs and counteracting negative stereotypes that they might hold regarding PWDs; and a booklet containing state-related information to guide employers in their efforts to successfully employ PWDs.

Additionally, an exhibition of prize – winning photographs courtesy of the International Labor Organization (ILO) will be held in conjunction with the Conference. The exhibition is titled “Beyond Barriers: Images of decent work for persons with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific“. It comprises 30 photographs from the 2007 Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities photo contest. This is the first time the photographs are exhibited in Malaysia.

PWDs represent an important development challenge worldwide as they are disproportionately undereducated, untrained, unemployed and poor. Employment is touted as crucial in promoting economic as well as social independence among the disabled.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that there are 370 million PWDs in the Asia Pacific region, with 238 million of them of working age. Their unemployment rate is usually double that of the general population and often as high as 80% or more.

There are currently 220,250 PWDs registered with the Social Welfare Department, of which 27,554 or 12 per cent of total registered PWDs are in Johor.

Y.A.B. Dato’ Hj. Abdul Ghani Othman, Menteri Besar Johor, Y. Bhg. Dato’ Meme Zainal Rashid, Director General of the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia, and James George Chacko, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP  will officiate the event.

Details of the event are as below:

DATE & TIME	Monday, November 23, 2009 @ 9.30 a.m. (Refreshments are served at 11:00 a.m.)
VENUE	CH 301, Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Jalan Abdullah Ibrahim, Johor Bahru

 For more information, please contact ---

•  Anita Ahmad, Programme Manager, UNDP, T: +603-20915105,E: anita.ahmad@undp.org
• Mary Chen, UNDP Communications Consultant, M: +6013 - 6011 515, E: marywchen@gmail.com  
• Suriani Kempe, UNDP-UPENJ Project Manager, T: +607-266 6608, M: +6012-7900 204, E: suri.kempe@yahoo.com/ suriani@johor.gov.my

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Malaysia plays host to the 14th International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Conference and Assembly in Kuala Lumpur from November 19-22.

The General Assembly will see the election of a new committee which will set fresh directions for the movement from 2009-2013 term.

The IPC is the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement which organises the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.

Founded on 22nd September 1989, IPC is an international non-profit organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific International Sports Federations (IOSDs).

The IPC currently recognises four Regional Organizations; the African Sports Confederation of Disabled (Africa), the Asian Paralympic Council, the European Paralympic Committee (Europe) and the Oceania Paralympic Committee (Oceania).

The Asian Paralympic Committee is the regional organization for the Asian region, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ASIAN Paralympic President is Dato’ Zainal Abu Zain, who is also the President of the Malaysian Paralympic Council and Chairman of the 2009 IPC General Assembly Organising Committee.

Dato’ Zainal said the 14th IPC General Assembly and Conference will be crucial in further raising the profile of the Paralympic Movement in the region as well as globally.

Besides this, the conference will see in depth discussions on a myriad of issues such as eligibility for athletes with intellectual impairments, anti-doping education, IPC athlete licensing as well as a sports data management system.

It is hoped that the IPC gathering here will recommend action plans which can be translated into projects and bring about enormous benefits for family members, stakeholders as well as the movement itself.

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Date: 7 Nov 2009 (Saturday), Time: 5pm
Venue: Main Concourse, Bangsar Village II, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Attire: Something in Pink, the more outrageous, the more likely you might get spotted and win a prize!!

Programme (please note, this may be subject to change on the day of the OPN itself due to circumstances beyond our control) 5.00pm Arrival of Guests & Media
5.30pm KL Dumline Corps Kicks Off 5.40pm Abseilling by Rene’e Aziz Ahmad Aziz (guided by Ms Chan Yuen Li, Malaysian Eco-Challenge (BVII wall outside Coffee Bean) 6.00 pm Arrival of Harley Owners Group (Malaysia Chapter) with Pink Challengers (Dragon Boat team) 6.10pm Arrival of Mini Club
6.20pm Pink Fashion Show
6.40pm Welcoming Remarks by MC Reuben Anson
6.50pm Opening Songs by Juwita Suwito (singer-songwriter)
7.00pm Bhangra Jam by Celebrity Fitness
7.10pm “Boob Bobbing” Game
7.25pm Salsa Demonstration by DanceKL.com
7.40pm Radiology Malaysia OPN2009 Prize Presentation for Slogan and Digital Video Contests Winners!
7.50pm Laughter Yoga by Nomad Adventures
8.05pm Swing Demonstration by KL Swing!
8.15pm Topless Contest
8.35pm Jazzexercise by Celebrity Fitness
8.45pm Singing Performance by Elvira Arul
9.00pm Closing Performance by Sem Poi Fire Crew

Other activities:

• Get Spotted
• Face Painting
• Balloon Sculpting
• Hair & Nails…
• Health Care Booths: Sime Darby Healthcare, Gleneagles Intan
• OPN Opinion Polls

Harley Owners Group Ride for OutRageously PiNK Nite 2009 4.30pm: Harley Owners Group (Malaysia Chapter) – dressing of Harley Bikes at HQ, Lot 1480 Jalan 51A/221. 5.30pm: HOGs with Pink Challengers will take off from HQ , via Jln 222, Federal Highway to Bangsar. The HOGS will be wearing pink bras, sponsored by Xixili in support of breast health/cancer awareness.

The OPN2009 is sponsored by Bangsar Village II in collaboration with Venusbuzz, Lariche Community, College of Radiology Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and the Malaysian Breast Cancer Council. OutRageously PiNk Nite 2009 will be a culmination of the month-long Stand Up For Pink celebration in October at Bangsar Village. It’s going to be an exciting night, 7 Nov 2009! SEE YOU THERE!!!

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The Law of Attraction Public Seminar by Michael J. Losier

30 September 2009, Wednesday, Kuala Lumpur - The Law of Attraction is one of the most powerful laws in the universe, which, when put in a nutshell, is about emanating positive vibrations and attracting positive outcomes to the things a person wants to achieve in his life.

According to Michael J. Losier, author, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) practitioner and trainer, and an authority on the Law of Attraction theory, a person can design his ideal life and attract the desired people, jobs, situations, relationships, and many more into his life simply by applying the Law of Attraction.

There are three simple steps in the Law of Attraction where a person will have to consciously work at to achieve the desired results, namely to first be able to identify the desires, secondly to give the desires attention, and lastly, allowing the desires to happen.

A world renowned Law of Attraction trainer and radio host, and also a regular contributor to the “Oprah and Friends” radio show, Michael J. Losier, will be arriving on our shores this October to conduct a Tour of Malaysia with three episodes of “Law of Attraction” public seminars at:

1. Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 31st October 2009
2. Penang Skills Development Centre, Penang on 7th November 2009
3. Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Kuching on 14th November 2009

During the “Law of Attraction” seminars, besides teaching the fundamental concepts and principles on how to apply the Law of Attraction, Michael will also provide tips and strategies in maintaining positive thoughts, and the effective use of words to help integrate the principles of the Law of Attraction into a person’s daily life.

For the first time in Asia Pacific, Michael will also be conducting a Law of Attraction Facilitator Certification Programme at the Renaissance Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, from 19th to 22nd November 2009.

In this Certification Programme, participants will be coached in the areas of mastering the four NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) communication styles, building a proficient knowledge in the delivery and teaching of Law of Attraction, and adapting Accelerated Learning Techniques to maximise audience connection and participation.

Michael J. Losier’s “Law of Attraction” Tour of Malaysia and Certification Programme are proudly brought to you by the Law of Attraction Centre, Malaysia.

Registration is now open to the public, organizations and corporations as follows:-
1. Full-Day Public Seminars - RM899 per person, or RM499 per person for a group of 5 or more registrations.
2. Certification Programme – RM12,000 per person or RM9,000 per person for a group of 3 or more registrations.

To register or for further information, you may either call +6019 621 0790, email to info@thelawofattractioncentre.com.my or log on to

www.thelawofattractioncentre.com.my.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27  -- First disabled senator, Prof Datuk Dr Ismail Md Salleh died on a flight from China to Singapore early Thursday. He was 61.

An officer at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore said Ismail was pronounced dead on arrival at the Singapore General Hospital at about 8am.

The hospital will conduct a post-mortem to determine the cause of his death, he told Bernama.

A father of six children, the visually challenged Ismail became the first person from the disabled community to be appointed as senator in December 2007.

Born in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, he was totally blind since he was 13, but the limitation did not stop him from getting his degree, masters and PhD, all in the United States.

For his achievements, Ismail was named as the first blind person to receive a doctorate by the Guinness Book of World Records.

He also held various key positions including Twintech International University College vice-chancellor, Twintech Holdings Sdn Bhd chief executive officer, National Association of Bumiputera Private Colleges president, a member of the National Implementation Task Force in the Prime Minister's Department and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) former deputy director-general - Bernama

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Interim CDC Guidance on Day and Residential Camps in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.

This is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer. The new recommendation applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for influenza complications.

This document provides interim guidance on suggested means to reduce the spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in day, residential, or overnight camp settings.

Recommendations are interim, based on current knowledge of the H1N1 outbreak in the United States, and may be revised as more information becomes available.

Background

Camps for children, young adults and families range from programmes conducted for several hours in a day (not overnight) to programmes that are residential and involve many weeks in group settings.  This guidance will address general recommendations that apply to all programmes and some specific guidance that applies to programmes that are residential.

At this time, CDC recommends the primary means to reduce spread of influenza in camps focus on early identification of ill campers and staff, staying home (or away from others) when ill, good cough and hand hygiene etiquette, and environmental controls that encourage use of these hygiene practices.

Novel Influenza A (H1N1)

The symptoms of influenza usually include fever plus at least either cough or sore throat. These symptoms are often referred to as an influenza-like illness (ILI).  Influenza infection can also lead to additional symptoms like headache, tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Like seasonal flu, novel influenza A (H1N1) infection in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.  When severe, pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death are possible.

Novel influenza A (H1N1) is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal influenza viruses spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus. People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

General Recommendations and Preparedness for Camps

* Develop a working relationship with local health officials and plan jointly for possible contingencies during this summer camp season. Plans should include what to do if staff or camp participants become ill, including how to separate them from others to limit spreading influenza to other staff and campers, when to seek additional medical evaluation, and how to provide care for them. Camp administrators should work with local health departments to develop mechanisms and protocols for monitoring ILI and any requirements for reporting ILI among campers or camp staff.

* Consider pre-planning with parents/guardians regarding how illnesses or health emergencies among children attending the camp will be handled.   Arrangements should also be made with the parents/guardians of staff, volunteers and other campers who are legally minors.  Include logistics for transportation of ill persons for medical care or return home that limits exposures to other persons, multiple ways to contact parents/guardians, agreement for care and isolation at the camp (if applicable), and planning for additional medical evaluation or emergency care.

* Develop a training programme for camp staff regarding communicable disease prevention including specific information on how to recognise ILI and how to report possible cases of ILI to camp leadership.

* Educational materials and information should be provided to campers in a way that is age-appropriate and can be understood by both English and non-English speakers.

General Infection Control Recommendations

Encourage all persons to effectively cover their cough or sneeze and use good hand hygiene.

See Interim Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a Healthcare Setting

* Hand washing facilities including running water and liquid hand soap should be readily accessible; alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used if hands are not visibly soiled.

* Plan ahead to ensure that enough alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available for situations where it is known that hand washing facilities may not available, for example during hikes.

* Clean all areas and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact (like doorknobs, faucets, handrails) routinely (e.g., daily, before/after meals, as needed) and also immediately when visibly soiled; use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas; it is not necessary to conduct disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond routine cleaning.

Reduction of Risk of Introduction of Novel H1N1 Virus into the Camp Setting

* Provide camp attendees, staff and volunteers with materials prior to arrival at the camp to notify them that they are not allowed to attend camp if they have had an ILI in the 7 days prior to the start of the camp.  In addition, they should be reminded that if they have been exposed to a person with novel H1N1 or ILI in the 7 days prior to the start of camp, they may attend camp but should closely self-monitor and report development of ILI symptoms immediately.

* Consider active screening of ALL newly arriving camp attendees, staff and volunteers by asking if they have had any symptoms of ILI in the previous 7 days. Provide education to individual campers about reporting ILI.  A careful health history of each arriving camper should be taken. Note any conditions that may place them at high risk for complications of influenza.

* Camp attendees, staff and volunteers should be instructed to immediately inform camp management if they currently have or have had an influenza-like illness (ILI) in the 7 days prior to arrival.  

* Persons who currently have or have had ILI in the previous 7 days should not attend camp for 7 days after their symptoms began or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

Rapid Detection and Management of Cases of ILI in the Camp Setting

* Camp staff and volunteers should be diligent about early recognition of illness and rapid isolation of those that are experiencing ILI symptoms. See Interim Guidance for Clinicians on Identifying and Caring for Patients with Swine-origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection

* Campers who develop ILI should be immediately separated from the general population and kept away from well campers until they can be safely returned home or taken for medical care, if needed, OR for at least 7 days after symptoms began or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, whichever is longer (if the child is to remain at a residential camp).

* Protocols should be in place for when medical evaluation of persons ill with ILI should be done and how monitoring will be conducted.  Not all patients with suspected novel influenza (H1N1) infection need to be seen by a health care provider. Patients with severe illness and those at high risk for complications from influenza should contact their medical provider or seek medical care.

* Aspirin or aspirin-containing products should not be administered to any person aged 18 years old and younger with a confirmed or suspected case of influenza virus infection, due to the risk of Reye syndrome. Refer to pediatric medical management for guidance regarding use of any medications, especially those containing aspirin.

* If individual rooms for persons with ILI are not feasible, consider using a large room, cabin or tent specifically for ill persons with beds at least 6 feet apart and, if possible, with temporary barriers between beds and nearby bathroom facilities separate from bathrooms used by healthy campers.

* Linens, eating utensils, and dishes used by those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but they should not be shared without thorough washing. Linens (such as bed sheets and towels) should be washed in hot water using laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Individuals should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after handling dirty laundry.

* Designate staff to care for ill persons and limit their interaction with other campers during their shift to decrease the risk of spreading influenza to other parts of the camp.

* Anyone with a medical condition that would increase their risk of severe illness from influenza, including pregnant women, should NOT be designated as caregivers for ill persons. 

Persons at High Risk of Complications from Influenza Infection

* Persons at increased risk of severe illness from influenza include: people older than 65 years, children younger than five years, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, asthma, immune-suppression, or chronic lung disease.

* Information on care of certain groups at increased risk of severe illness from influenza can be found at the following links.

          o Pregnant Women and Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Considerations for Clinicians

          o H1N1 Flu and Patients With Cardiovascular Disease (Heart Disease and Stroke)

          o Interim Guidance—HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents: Considerations for Clinicians Regarding Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

For More Information Regarding H1N1 and Influenza Preparedness

    * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30333
800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
24 Hours/Every Day
cdcinfo@cdc.gov

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YOUNG SUNWAY FILM MAKER GOES REGIONAL
by John Wong

Bandar Sunway Lee Sheng Wang makes his mark in cinematography

BANDAR Sunway and UTAR student Lee Sheng Wang is making waves in the film-making world.

In recent weeks, he was given the honor of representing Malaysia at the ASEAN-ROK Independent Cinema Workshop. The Advertising major now studying at UTAR’s Perak Campus had an opportunity to learn and capture a bountiful wealth of film-making experience from other participants from 10 other ASEAN countries and South Korea.

During the course of the workshop, Sheng Wang was exposed to numerous new skills and techniques covering various aspects of film-making such as cinematography, scriptwriting, shooting, editing, directing, lighting, as well as digital and special effects.

As participation into the workshop was based on a competitive selection process, he was very happy to be one of the lucky few. “I feel very excited as this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. I’m very honored to be the youngest participant there,” he said in an online interview.

As a participant of the ASEAN-ROK workshop, Sheng Wang, as well as the other participants would be required to work on a short film based on the theme “Rice in the Environment”. Their works will then collectively be made into a 90 minute production to be premiered in the upcoming Pusan Film Festival in South Korea, where their talents will be given further exposure to the international scene.

This workshop will no doubt be a stepping stone for Lee, and will definitely enable the rising talent to make bigger impacts in the field of film-making and cinematography in the future.

What’s his take on this opportunity? “I feel great, very happy and excited as it is a 'once in a life-time' opportunity.  I am fortunate and honored being the youngest participant selected to participate in this regional workshop.  It is a competitive selection process as only two participants are selected from each of the Asean countries.”

“The other applicants are older and more senior in the film industry.  I will participate in the Cinematography workshop whereas my co-participant will participate in the Scriptwriting workshop,” he added.

The workshop is open to all independent filmmakers aged 18 to 35 years.  Applicants need to show proof of participation in the minimum production of two films in the capacity as Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor or Producer.  There are two categories of participation namely Scriptwring/Direction and Cinematography and two participants will be selected from each country.  A participant can qualify for only one category.  Sheng Wang applied for both categories.

“I am excited with the amount of direct and indirect learning that will take place during the workshop.   The workshop content is comprehensive covering cinematography, scriptwriting, shooting, editing, directing, lighting, digital effects and special effects.

“As the workshop will be facilitated by qualified professionals and experts in the film industry I hope to gain a lot more outside the workshop sessions and during practice exercises,” he said.

From SJEcho at http://www.sjecho.com.my/?page=article&id=954

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 H1N1 HITS MPSJ STAFF
by SJECHO

An MPSJ officer being tested for his temperature.

THREE Subang Jaya Municipal Council staff have been tested positive for A(H1N1), making it the first local authority in Selangor to be infected with the virus.

Selangor Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar said all 47 remaining staff in MPSJ's legal department would be instructed to head home for self-quarantine with their families.

The local council premises will not however be shut down.

However, Xavier has advised all local councils in the State to postpone or reduce the number of activities which involved huge crowds until the situation was under control.

MPSJ president Dato' Adnan Md Ikshan said the council would remain open for the Mesra Rakyat programme tomorrow (August 7) although he advised the public to postpone their visit if the matter was not urgent.

7 August 2009

Provided by SJEcho
http://www.sjecho.com.my/?page=article&id=961
 

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Kuala Lumpur, July 31, 2009 –  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) unveiled its mascots for disabilities at its National Disability Advocacy & Awareness Campaign 2009 launch at SEGI University College today.

The national campaign organised by UNDP and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development with its theme ‘Real Lives, Real Abilities’ aims to raise the profile of disability issues in Malaysia.

In his welcome speech, Mr Kamal Malhotra, UNDP Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam said societal stereotyping of people with disabilities is one of the root causes of inequality and social exclusion and there is a crucial need for advocacy and awareness amongst all strata of Malaysians to remove misplaced stereotypes and create better understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities as rightful and equal members of society.

Mr Kamal added, “We strongly believes that the issues preventing the enjoyment of inherent rights and equality, with full participation and meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities into their communities are barriers that can be broken down with an attitudinal change of society at large.”

Mr Kamal who is also the Uniteed Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative for Malaysia revealed that in meeting this need, UNDP in collaboration with the Economic Planning Unit and the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, had started  two pilot projects aimed at increasing the economic and social independence of people with disabilities in Malaysia.

The two projects in Johor and Penang would provide a framework to reduce barriers that persons with disabilities face in finding and retaining employment and in accessing public transportation.

Y.B. Senator Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development said
that there is a great need to improve services delivery as well as mainstream disability issues in our national agenda and progarmmes. She called upon Malaysians with disabilities to register with the Social Welfare Department to enable her Ministry to plan programmes and services for them effectively.

She commended UNDP and SEGi for their collaboration in organising the mascot design competition and reaching out to the youth to ensure they understand and support  people with disabilities with empathy.

Professor Dr Muhamad Awang, Vice Chancellor, SEGi University College observed that the launch of this campaign is timely, to highlight the plight and needs of the disabled people.

He said, "In order to truly represent the disabilities issues in the  correct light, students needed to have the right understanding of each type of disability. Feedback from students reflect that participation in this competition has indeed instilled their empathy and understanding towards people with disabilities."

The winning mascots for disabilities were selected from 109 entries of a creative design competition organized by UNDP in partnership with SEGi University College and its students. The selected designs will be incorporated into campaign materials and will be distributed widely across the country.

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Subang,  28 July,  2009: Malaysia Airlines will once again delight travelers, with the introduction of ASEAN PASS, a set of 4 prepaid ticket vouchers offering greater value, flexibility and more connectivity within ASEAN for as little as USD229 (RM800).

In officiating the launch, Secretary General, Dato’ Dr. Ong Hong Peng on behalf of Minister of Tourism, Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen congratulated Malaysia Airlines for their commitment in developing innovative products to stimulate travel into Malaysia. “Rapid economic recovery in the ASEAN countries has increased the level of discretionary income, creating a viable market for tourism within the region. Today, more than ever before, there are people in the ASEAN countries who can afford to travel, at least, within the region,” said Dato’ Dr. Ong.

Malaysia Airlines Chairman Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid said the national carrier decided to develop the ASEAN PASS based on the positive growth in this region. 

“In line with the Ministry of Tourism efforts to promote intra-ASEAN tourism, Malaysia Airlines has taken an innovative approach to support this initiative by developing the ASEAN PASS. This is expected to stimulate and motivate the market even more on top of our recent campaigns and promotions,” he said.

“It offers passengers the best value deal for travel on a maximum of four flights within ASEAN countries for only USD229 on economy class and USD729 on business class,” he said.

He also revealed that there were enhancements made to the menu served on ASEAN flights based on feedback from passenger surveys conducted within the ASEAN sector.

“Our passengers will be pleased to know that we have also enhanced our ASEAN menu on board our flights by increasing the quantity and the quality of the product offerings and popular local dishes such as Nasi Biryani, Satay & Nasi Goreng, Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Murtabak will soon be introduced in this region.

These meals will be served in biodegradable mealboxes for short haul flights on Economy class. These will be used on a staggered basis beginning with flights operating from Kuala Lumpur. So while we give customers what they want, we are also making sure we impact the environment in a positive way,” he added.This is in line with Malaysia Airlines’ Business Transformation Plan (BTP2) and the national carrier’s call to Serve Customers, Make Money and Save Money.

“In Serving Customers, we press on with our vision to be the World’s Five Star Value Carrier anchored on our customer value proposition of MH=Malaysian Hospitality. In Serving Customers, we continuously strive to delight our passengers, providing them 5-Star service at affordable fares,” said Dr. Munir.

The ASEAN PASS is available through Malaysia Airlines' ticketing offices and appointed travel agents both in Malaysia and in Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam. The validity period is 3 months from the date of purchase with confirmation on the first outbound sector. Subsequent sectors can open dated.

Photo captions:

ASEAN Pass Launch – (Left to Right): Malaysia Airlines Chairman, Tan Sri Dr. Munir Majid, Malaysia Airlines Managing Director, Dato Sri Idris Jala and Secretary General Ministry of Tourism, Dato’ Dr. Ong Hong Peng together with members of the MAS cabin crew to mark the launch of ASEAN PASS.

ASEAN PASS cabin crew – Promoting KL as an intra-ASEAN hub with Malaysia Airlines’ ASEAN PASS.

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Malaysian Paralympic Council launched the first ever ‘Paralympic Park’ in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur, July 29. The Malaysian Paralympic Council launched the first ever ‘Paralympic Park’ in Malaysia to mark its legacy and write another chapter in the National Paralympic Movement.

Tun Jeanne Abdullah, the patron of the Malaysian Paralympic Council, commemorated the event by planting the first tree at the the 4.8ha park in Bukit Jalil

The Paralympic Park  will mark the movements’ contribution to not only the disabled members of the community but to the environment as well.

The park will be regarded as an outdoor gallery for the Paralympic. Its purpose, to generate awareness and educate the public on the activities of the OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya), both Paralympic and non-Paralympic, will draw a new and positive perception towards Paralympic athletes, governing bodies and the disabled in general.

It also represents a legacy for the upcoming 5th Asean Para Games hosted  and organized by the Malaysian Paralympic Council. The park will also serve the purpose as a place of rendezvous for Paralympic athletes to relax and recreate with their families.

"This is a special gift for the paralympic athletes competing in the KL'09 Games," said the wife of former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to reporters after the launching.

Jeanne, who is also chairman of the Malaysian Landscape Advisory Panel, said the 2,000 trees to be planted at the park represented the medal winners in the Games which would be held from this Aug 15-19.  This endeavour is made possible with the cooperation of DBKL, Landscape Malaysia, Jabatan Landskap Negara and the Institute of Landscape Architects of Malaysia.

She said they would be invited to the Paralympic Park on a date to be announced later for each to place on a selected tree, their name tag which would also note their win in their event.

"This tree planting activity will reflect the commitment of paralympic athletes and the disabled to maintaining cleanliness and beauty of the natural environment," she said.

According to Malaysian Paralympic Council president Datuk Zainal Abu Zarin,  the park launched in  conjunction with the 5th Asean Paralympic Games in Kuala Lumpur (KL'09) next month, will be planted with various species of forest trees.

KL'09 will involve 11 events, namely athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, powerlifting, chess, bowling, sailing, and tennis, basketball and volleyball on wheelchairs.

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38 youngsters have been drafted.

Gears all packed.

Compulsory blue khakis ready.

But what's in store for them?

You are invited to join the KAKI BLUE team @ kem klpac!

RENDEZVOUS DETAILS

date | 30 July - 16 August

time | Tues to Sat @ 2130 hours, Sun @ 1500 hours

location | kem klpac

( click here for map to rendezvous  location )

If you haven't figured it out by now... the KAKI BLUE team will be giving you an altogether different National Service experience - complete with SONG and DANCE!

klpac presents Kaki Blue, a musical comedy about three young Malaysians - Lin, Nee and Ah Shan - who have just completed their SPM, and think it's time to celebrate. Think again!

Just as they sink into a mellow routine of nothingness; of watching TV non-stop and sleeping until 1pm in the afternoon, they unexpectedly 'kena saman' in the form of an SMS calling them for service in the Butterworth Kem Bina Negara!

The 3 get over imaginative and start conjuring images of deadly flying foxes and scary men in uniforms...Will their wildest fantasies of the elusive camp and its equally colourful camp trainers be a reality, and will their lives really be the same after the stint in those blue khakis?

Follow the three as they leave their blue and whites to don their new uniforms as wira & wira watis in the new camp under the guidance of the no-nonsense Major Sabar.

Kaki Blue is a bold story about the courage and spirit of today's youth. It is about the many uniforms and roles we put on, and shed, as we grow up in this country. Join the youngsters as they sing and dance to the tunes of yesteryear, to finally emerge the heroes that they are.

We look forward to welcoming you @ kem klpac!

kem klpac hotline 03-4047 9000 | kem klpac website www.klpac.org

 

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Tune in to Why Not Talk Cruise Radio Show for the topic on 'Disability & Cruising'

One of two radio interviews on travel and disability scheduled for Friday July 24 Eastern time Disability & Cruising     Time: July 24, 2009 from 2pm to 3pm
Location: http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=39962
Organized By:

Event Description:
Why Not Talk Cruise Radio Show

• Hosted by Ken Muskat, Vice President of Sales, Royal Caribbean International
• Friday, July 24, 2009 at 2:00 PM Eastern
• http://www.modavox.com/voiceamerica/vepisode.aspx?aid=39962

Vacations are a way to connect with the world, experience new adventures and explore new places and at Royal Caribbean International® we believe that this is something everyone should be able to enjoy. Royal Caribbean is one of the industry leaders in providing the finest cruise vacation experience for guests with mobility or visual disabilities, guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, travelers who require special medical services or dietary needs, and a variety of other disabilities. Tune into this impacting episode of Why Not Talk CruiseSM to learn about the many ways our Accessible Seas program provides peace of mind for needs of all kind.

Guests include:

• Roberta Schwartz from SATH (Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality)
• Ron Pettit (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.)
• Jean Driscoll (Paralympian and godmother of Mariner of the Seas )

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 Glaucoma Society Selangor/KL, organised a vision awareness campaign recently at USJ Summit offering free glaucoma screening test for visitors.

The event which was held on June 27 from 10am to 5pm saw many interested participants queuing for the glaucoma screening, a simple test to check the pressure in the eye.

Elevated pressure in the eye known as intraocular pressure can damage the optic nerve.

Glaucoma is the name for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve, which carries information from the eye to the brain, is in the back of the eye. When the nerve is damaged, you can lose your vision.

Often people with glaucoma lose side or peripheral vision during the early stages of the disease. If the condition is not treated, more sight may be lost leading to total blindness.

According to Stevens Chan, President of Glaucoma Society, Selangor/FT,  glaucoma is often called the silent thief of sight because many of those affected do not know they have glaucoma until it is too late.

Chan, who was diagnosed with glaucoma eight years ago, has now lost 95 percent of his sight.

He has thus embarked on a awareness campaign to warn fellow Malaysians of their risk of glaucoma.

The next glaucoma screening workshop will be held at Subang Parade , 25 July, 2009, from 9am to 5pm.

For more details call: 012- 203 5410.

photos taken at the Glaucoma Awareness event at USJ Summit.

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Catch the performance by a group of deaf & hearing youths in a theater show to show you their talents.

This performance hopes to promote general recognition & appreciation of their talents in the Hearing world.

The show will highlight drum performance by “DeafBeat” which consists of 14 deaf members who have undergone many challenges as well as obstacles in order to “hear” the drums and perform to the public. “DeafBeat” was invited to Hong Kong to perform at the Paralympic Games in September 2008.

Date:

• 27th August 2009 - 8.30pm - Gala Night
• 28th & 29th August 2009 - 8.30pm
• 29th & 30th August 2009 - 3pm(Matinee Show)
• Venue : The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) Pentas 2
• Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan, 51100 KL
• Price : Gala Night - RM 100 (In Aid of Deaf Work)
• Adult - RM 30, Children, Student, Senior Citizen - RM 15, Disabled (OKU) - RM 10

For Details, Please Contact Morley @ 03-2274 1439 x 109, or morleyng@ymcakl.com, 012-313 0365

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Indulge in the King of Fruits and Donate to Charity

IT’s time to tighten the belt for June and prepare to splurge in July!

Yes, it’s the Charity Durian Fest II in aid of the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia, a charity dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children who are afflicted with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

Hosted and sponsored by Subang Parade, the event will provide the opportunity for everyone to have fun and at the same time contribute to charity. Why do we ask that you tighten your belt? Well, if you watch what you eat this June, you can prepare yourself to eat all the durians you can at the fest. And what’s the second reason? Save up and donate generously to help the Society bring a smile back to the unfortunate children around us who are in pain and suffering from the illness that has afflicted them.

With a minimum donation of RM10 per person, you can participate in this event and enjoy the bounty of fruits the organizers will be bringing in to you. If you wish to have the collector’s item event t-shirt that’s going to be drawn by Reggie Lee, Malaysia’s famous caricaturist, a simple donation of RM20 or more will suffice.

All proceeds from the collection will be channeled to the Children’s Wish Society. To find out more email us at editor@sjecho.com.my - by SJECHO9

For information about the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia, go to http://cwsmalaysia.com/

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1000 jobs available in the public sector in Johor.

There will be a job fair in Johor.

Date: Friday, Saturday 26 and 27 June 2009
Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: at Perkarangan Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim
Jalan Bukit Timbalan, Johor Bahru.

Bring along a photo copy of your mykad and birth certificate
passport size photo, relevant certificates, resume.

PWDs are encouraged to apply. Sign intepreters will be on hand to assist deaf jobseekers.
Jobstreet will also be pffering a resume writing and interview preparation workshop. Further details call 07 – 2666618

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Attention: Deafened people,

Their families and friends,

Are you Deafened? Or you know any Deafened person?

Deafened or Late-Deafened means post lingual deafness. There are thousands of people who lost their hearing or developed hearing loss after illness, trauma, and accident or for any unknown reason.

ALDA - Asia Pacific or ALDA - AP is an official group of Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) Inc. USA. ALDA – AP offering a platform for Deafened people and their families and friends in Asia Pacific countries.

We offer a platform for you.

We offer discussion forum to discuss post deafness copping strategies.

We provide platform for friendship among Deafened people their families and friends.

We offer recreational programme, seminars / conference / workshop.

Join us Membership is FREE

Individual membership is open for people from all Asia Pacific countries. Whether you yourself are a Deafened person, or you are a relative or a friend of a Deafened person or you just want to be friend with Deafened and support the cause for any reason, ALDA – Asia Pacific invites you to join the group.

There is NO membership fee at the time being,

Contact: danishkadah@gmail.com
http://www.danishkadah.org.pk/networks/ALDA-AP/

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In conjunction with Father’s Day, Focus on the Family Malaysia presents to you “Family on Sofa Photo Contest” – a simple and fun activity fit for the whole family! This event will give families the opportunity to create special memories together, and stand the chance to win great prizes for the most “creative and fun” snapshot.

Date: 20-21 June 2009 (Sat & Sun)
Time: 10am – 10pm
Location: Mid Valley Megamall (West Lobby area)
Main Sponsor: ING
Other Sponsors: Mid Valley, Courts, Nestle, HP & AmbiPur

For more information (eg. registration, terms and conditions), visit our website at http://www.family.org.my or call us at 03-7954 7920.

See you there!

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World Sight Day October 8, 2009 - Call for Photos

June 12, 2009 -  This World Sight Day, please send us a photograph of 2 people of different genders – one of whom is blindfolded. We hope to create an international photo montage! We hope you will be able to go with the design theme for WSD09 and include a tree or a plant in the background. Need more ideas? Do look at the beautiful image below and try to see if you can better it!

Please send your entries to communications@v2020.org

VISION 2020: The Right to Sight is the global initiative of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO), with a coalition of international Non-Governmental Development Organisations, professional bodies, institutions and corporations.  VISION 2020 aims to eliminate the main causes of avoidable blindness in order to give all people in the world, particularly the millions of needlessly blind, The Right to Sight.

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WORLD PLAY DAY  with your family on June 13 (Saturday) from 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 noon at Subang Jaya.
In conjunction with the launch of the Family Support & Resource Services on the same day!
Bring your family and have fun with lots of activities! See you there!

• Date : 13 June 2009 (Saturday)
• Time : 9.30am – 12.30pm
• Venue: City Discipleship Presbyterian Church

Organised by:
City Discipleship Presbyterian Church
W-10-2, Subang Square Business Centre
Jalan SS15/4G, 47500 subang Jaya
Tel: 03-56212844/ 45
Fax: 03-56212846
Email: inquiry@cdpc.org.my

Toy Library & Parents Resource Centre
15 Jalan 3/146 Metro Centre
Bandar Tasik Selatan
Tel: 03-9058 2102 Direct Line
Fax: 03-9058 4169
Email:toyrd@malaysiancare.org

Supported by:
YB Hannah Yeoh, ADUN SubangJaya

Programme:

9.30 am	Registration
9.45 am	Arrival of Guest of Honour Welcome Introduction on WPD Opening Speech by YB Hannah Yeoh
10.15 am	Launch of Family Support and Resource Services
10.30 am	Fun For All Children’s Fun & Creative Time Choose & Play!
12.00 noon	Lunch & Fellowship

Please call call 03-5621 2844 or Ms Tan 016-2675010 so that lunch can be arranged for you.

Family Support and Resource Services @ CDPC. Aimed to provide support & resource services to families of children with special needs, specifically children with learning disabilities.
Services include:
1) Playgroup activities (immediate on a monthly basis)
2) Loan of toys & books (Jan 2010 onwards)

It will also provide avenue for parents to network,  share and form support groups among themselves.

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INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP FOR CAREGIVERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND
PARENTS FROM 19TH JUNE TO 4TH JULY

For information contact:

Yayasan Sultan Idris Shah
Kindly forward payment in favour of: 158413, Lorong Bercham 11, Bercham
31400, Ipoh, Perak.
Tel: 05-5481905
Fax: 05-5481066

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SECOND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GEOTOURISM COMPETITION - voting begins July 14, 2009
Online Contest Seeks Top Innovators in Sustainable Tourism
615 entries from 81 countries.

The National Geographic Society and Ashoka’s Changemakers  second annual “Geotourism Challenge” to showcase how tourism done well sustains, enhances and preserves local culture and the environment. The competition will identify individuals worldwide who have introduced the most innovative practices in tourism and destination stewardship.

Conducted in partnership with Ashoka’s Changemakers, the global Geotourism Challenge has received 615 entries from 81 countries.

Applicants must demonstrate an innovation that protects destination quality and furthers geotourism, defined by National Geographic as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place — its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents.”

During this period, anyone can debate, endorse or provide additional information on the entries. A distinguished panel of judges — including Keith Bellows, editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine, and Erika Harms, United Nations Foundation’s executive director for sustainable development — will review the applications and select the finalists. The online community will then vote for the Geotourism Challenge winners, who will be announced this summer. Each winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000.

“This year’s competition theme, ‘Power of Place — Sustaining the Future of Destinations,’ focuses on protecting the locales where history, culture and nature live. We want to recognize business and civic innovators who sustain distinctive places for the enjoyment of current and future generations,” said Jonathan Tourtellot, director of National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations.

Last year’s Geotourism Challenge produced 320 nominations from 83 countries. The three winners and 12 finalists gathered at National Geographic’s Washington, D.C., headquarters in October to present their innovative business models at the first Geotourism Change Summit attended by 150 country dignitaries and representatives of funding institutions and tourism-industry, conservation and preservation groups. The competition also created an online community of geotourism activists, ranging from preservationists to developers. All can use competition results and resources to apply holistic geotourism principles locally by consulting the Changemakers Web site, www.changemakers.net/geotourismchallenge.

The 2008 winners were a programme in Ecuador’s Amazon region to provide Amazonian youth with an academic degree in nature tourism; an outfitter in Nepal that trains women to be trekking professionals in a culture that offers women limited job opportunities; and an eco-lodge in Costa Rica that is teaching native Cabecar Indians how to manage the business in one of the country’s celebrated rain forests.

“Changemakers is very excited about this opportunity to partner once again with National Geographic to highlight this important issue,” said Ashoka’s Changemakers Executive Director Charlie Brown. “Our last competition revealed a wide selection of amazing innovations in geotourism. We are looking forward to many more such creative projects surfacing this spring within the Changemakers community.”

The Geotourism Challenge is one of the key programmes of National Geographic’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations (CSD). For more information on geotourism and destination stewardship, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable.

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MALAYSIA INTEPRRETER EDUCATION SEMINAR
Sat 22 Aug – Tue 25 Aug, 2009

VENUE : SAITO COLLEGE SDN BHD
No 18, Jalan Tengah, New Town Centre,
Section 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, MALAYSIA

Presenter: Dr Debra Russell
Director, Western Canadian Centre of Studies in Deafness
David Peikoff Chair of Deafness Studies
University of Alberta, Canada

For Enquiries on Fees, etc, please contact:
agnes@rcdeafmissionsmalaysia.com
mario@rcdeafmissionsmalaysia.com
rcdeafmissionsmalaysia@gmail.com
Agnes +6019 261 9920 Mario +6013 350 5688

Who should attend?
Malaysian Sign Language
Interpreters (hearing/Deaf) who:

1. Learn more about
2. Understanding Discourse analysis skills
3. Cohesion features in Interpreting
4. Focusing on Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) and English
5. Perspective taking in Signed and Spoken languages
6. are actively interpreting in various settings (corporate, religious, freelancing, educational, etc)
7. feel their deliveries are losing impact
8. have formal, little or no formal education/training in interpreting
9. are prepared to “re learn and un-learn”
10. wish to enhance their skills and upgrade their knowledge
11. are also in the teaching profession 7. are seeking ongoing skill development through peer mentorship activities

Debra Russell (background)
Dr Debra Russell is a Canadian nationally certified interpreter, maintaining an active interpreting and consulting practice. Debra participates in several interpreting organizations at the provincial, national and international levels and has served as the
President of AVLIC. As an interpreter educator, she has taught across Canada, and has presented workshops and papers throughout the United States, Europe and Southeast Asia.

She holds the David Peikoff Chair of Deafness Studies at the University of Alberta, and has also played a key role in the development of several interpreter assessment tools

Organisers: RC Deaf Missions Malaysia Sdn Bhd
This seminar is brought to you by RC Deaf Missions Malaysia in collaboration with SAITO College
Also open to non-Malaysian Sign Language Interpreters

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Autism affects more boys than girls and the answer, according to a study just released, lies in their genes.

Scientists at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA),
have discovered a variant of a gene called CACNA1G that may increase children's risk of developing autism, particularly boys.

A variant is a gene that has undergone subtle changes from the normal DNA yet is shared by a significant portion of the population.

Classic autism strikes four times as many boys as girls. When the entire spectrum of autism disorders is reviewed, such as the milder Asperger syndrome, boys are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed than girls.

"This is a strong finding," said Dr. Stanley Nelson, professor of human genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the study's principal investigator. "No one has scrutinized the role that CACNA1G plays in autism.

"We found that a common form of the gene occurs more frequently in the DNA of families that have two or more sons affected by autism but no affected daughters," he said. "Our study may explain why boys are more susceptible to the disorder than girls."

Nelson and his colleagues zeroed in on a region of chromosome 17 that previous studies have tied to autism. The research team scoured the DNA of 1,046 members of families with at least two sons affected by autism for common gene variants.

The findings were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry in its May 19 advance online edition.

The researchers used tools of the Human Genome Project to scan thousands of variants across all genes in the suspicious region of the chromosome and to pluck out the most common forms.

"We wanted to identify what was happening in this region of chromosome 17 that boosts autism risk," Nelson said. "When the same genetic markers kept cropping up in a single region of the DNA, we knew we had uncovered a big clue."

The researchers traced the genetic markers to CACNA1G, which helps move calcium between cells. They discovered that the gene has a common variant that appears in the DNA of nearly 40 percent of the population.

"This alternate form of CACNA1G consistently increased the correlation to autism spectrum disorders, suggesting that inheriting the gene may heighten a child's risk of developing autism," Nelson said.

How the gene contributes to higher autism risk remains unclear, but Nelson emphasized that it cannot be considered a risk factor on its own.

"This variant is a single piece of the puzzle," he said. "We need a larger sample size to identify all of the genes involved in autism and to solve the whole puzzle of this disease."

The UCLA team's next step will be to sequence the gene in people who possess the altered variant in order to identify the exact change that increases autism risk. These subtle variations offer potential markers for the real mutation causing greater susceptibility to the disease.

Nelson's co-authors included Samuel Strom, Jennifer Stone, John ten Bosch, Barry Merriman, Rita Cantor and Daniel Geschwind, all of UCLA. The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and Cure Autism Now, which merged with Autism Speaks in 2007.

The DNA samples and clinical data were provided by families who donated blood to the Los Angeles-based Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE), a program created and funded by Cure Autism Now.

"When parents like me first formed AGRE, this was our dream, that talented scientists would use our gene bank to collaborate and bring us closer to understanding autism," said Jon Shestack, co-founder of Cure Autism Now and a board member of Autism Speaks. "AGRE has played an important role in almost every major autism genetics paper in the past five years."

Autism is a complex brain disorder that strikes in early childhood. The condition disrupts a child's ability to communicate and develop social relationships and is often accompanied by acute behavioral challenges. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in 150 American children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. The diagnosis of autism has expanded tenfold in the last decade.

For more news, visit the UCLA Newsroom
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/21199

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Mak Yong TITIS SAKTI (3 - 7 June 2009)

What happens when you use an age-old Malaysian art form to tell a series of love stories by one of the greatest English playwrights ever? You'll have the chance to witness this intriguing fusion soon...

The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat with the support of National Arts & Culture Department & klpac presents

MAK YONG "TITIS SAKTI"

adapted by Norzizi Zulkifli & Nan Megat

director Norzizi Zulkifli

music director Kamrulbahri Hussin

choreographer Zamzuriah Zahari

set designer Bayu Utomo Radjikin

costume designer Nur Afifi Mohamed Taib

lighting designer Sandee Chew

executive producer Dato' Faridah Merican

artistic director Joe Hasham

featuring Rosdeen Suboh, Tisha Zarina Zainal, Asrulfaizal, Ashafiqah Abd Aziz, Zamzuriah Zahari, Nur Ameera Ramli, Elza Irdalynna, Kamaruzaman, Zalika Nadia Zulkifli, Siti Farah Abdullah, Safia Hanifah, Lorna Hoong, Nur Shafinaz Hamidon, Siti Ainnur bt. Kamarudin & Nurul Syawal Mohamed Zain

preview night 3 June @ 8.30pm - RM 10 flat!

show 4 - 6 June @ 8.30pm; 7 June @ 3pm - RM35 (adults) & RM18 (students, sr. citizens & disabled)

venue Pentas 2, klpac (location map)

We'll be bringing to you a traditional Mak Yong performance inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Those familiar with the text will see glimpses of certain characters from the classic but the staging itself stays true to the style of Mak Yong which features a lovely fusion of music, dance, drama, romance & comedy. Visually, it will be a real treat full of rich costumes and intricate accessories, courtesy of master craftsmen Hj. Tharuwat.

This light-hearted comedy follows three couples in pursuit of love & their lifelong partner. Each is faced with different predicaments and this is when the magical Bunga Sakti comes into play. Allow yourself to be transported to a different world where fairytales and magical powers exist alongside human emotions.

The established cast, starring Rosdeen Suboh, Asrulfaizal, Zamzuriah Zahari & Tisha Zarina Zainal, will be backed by a music ensemble led by Kamrulbahri Hussin and an equally impressive production team.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience an age-old art form that was once largely performed as court entertainment in palaces...

To purchase tickets, call 03-4047 9000

For group bookings, call Shalu 03-4047 9017

www.theactorsstudio.com.my | are you a klpac virgin? www.klpac.org

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Mak Yong Titis Sakti will be performed in Bahasa Melayu. Scene-by-scene descriptions in English will be made available. There will also be an educational exhibition on Mak Yong at klpac's foyer (no admittance fee for th exhibition).

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UNESCO proclaimed Mak Yong to be a “Masterpiece of The Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

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Venusbuzz.com is organising a Mummy and Child Weekend.

Where:
Event Hall, 3rd Floor, Bangsar Village II.

When:
Saturday 30 May, 2009 & Sunday 31 May, 2009

Time: 10am - 5pm

Fee: RM10 presale or RM12/kid at the door for the whole day,

With fun activities for mum and kid from mini pedi & manicures, clay moulding, mini spa, face painting, balloon sculpting, colouring contests and so many more. Mums get in for free and still get to enter a lucky draw to win prizes over RM3,000.

Bring the nephews and nieces too for those suddenly finding themselves babysitting this weekend.

For more info, please see attached programME flyer or visit our website www.venusbuzz.com/mommy&me

Hope to see you all there!

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Topic         : Chronic Cough

          Common Conditions To Consider

By         : Dr P. Shyamala
             Consultant Respiratory Physician
Date         : 28 June 2009 (Sunday)

Time         : 3.00pm – 5.00pm

Venue : Conference Rooms, Ground Floor North Tower
           Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya

Registration is open on first come first serve basis and limited to 150 persons. To book a seat, call 03-5639 1556 between 10.00am – 5.00pm during office hours.

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Susan Boyle makes it to ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finals next Saturday, with her rousing rendition of the song "Memory" from the musical "Cats" during the semifinals yesterday.

Wearing a plum colored sparkling beaded dress, Susan’s performance has brought her one step closer to her dream to become a professional singer.

Susan Boyle, 48, from Blackburn, West Lothian, UK, took the cyber world by storm when her stunning audition at reality tv show, Britain’s Got Talent went online.

When Boyle first walked onto the stage of the talent-spotting progra

mme, her dowdy appearance did not make her a favourite with the audience and judges.

When Simon Cowell asked her, ‘What’s your dream?, snd she answered “I want to be a professional singer. she was dismissed as a unsuccessful wannabe with a nerve of wanting to emulate celebrity Elaine Paige.

Then she started to sing and the rest, as they say, is history.

Her powerful performance of "I Dreamed a Dream", stunned the judges, the audience as well as entranced 60 million online viewers.

The youngest in her family, with four brothers and six sisters, Boyle was briefly deprived of oxygen during birth and was diagnosed with learning disabilities. As a child she was bullied and was nicknamed “Susie Simple”

Since her first performance went online, many local and international newspapers carried articles on Boyle's Britain's Got Talent appearances, life and family.

Boyle has also been interviewed on STV's The Five Thirty Show, CBS's Early Show, ABC's Good Morning America, NBC's Today and FOX's America's Newsroom, CNN's Larry King Live, as well as The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Her idol, Elaine Paige has also expressed interest in singing a duet with her.

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Event No1: Cooking Class
                  How to Make Vegetarian Pau
                  Venue: CETDEM Organic Farming Community Centre (OFCC)
                  Date:  30 May 2009 (Saturday)
                  Time:  10am ~ 12pm
                   Fee:   Rm 20.00 (Non member)
                             RM 15.00  (Member)

Event No 2:   Bin Composting Class
                    How To Recycle Kitchen Wastes Into Compost
                     Venue: CETDEM Organic Farming Community Centre (OFCC)
                     Date:  31 May 2009 (Sunday)
                     Time:  10am ~ 12pm
                      Fee:   RM 25.00  (Non member)
                                RM 20.00  (Member)

                  
vent No 3 :    Cooking Class
                       Basic Steps of  Making Bread & Spiced bread Sticks
                       Date:  6 June 2009 (Saturday)
                       Time:  10am ~ 12pm
                        Fee:   RM 25.00  (Non member)
                                RM 20.00  (Member)

Event No 4:      Observation Trip to an Organic Farm
                        Farm site  to be confirmed
                        Date:  21 June 2009 (Sunday)
                        Time:  
                         Fee:            tbc      (Non member)
                                             tbc      (Member) 

Event No 5:       Hari Organic
                         Venue:  Section 19 - Jalan 19/15 Padang
                         Date:  30  June 2009 (Every last Saturday of the month)
                        Time:  9 am ~ 4pm
                          Details will be available once the flyer is ready

For details call  03-78757767 or email to of@cetdem.org.my

Tan Siew Luang
Coordinator, CETDEM Organic Farming Project
Tel: 03-7875 7767
Fax: 03-7875 4039
email: of@cetdem.org.my
http://www.cetdem.org.my

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IASSID 2nd Asia Pacific Regional Congress on Creating Possibilities for an Inclusive Society

Furama Riverfront Singapore

June 24 to 27, 2009

Over 400 professionals from Singapore and around the world are expected to attend this congress organized by the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID.

The 4-day programme will address issues of concern for people with intellectual disability and their service providers. This congress is a platform to address issues of poverty, poor health and social exclusion that contribute to the incidence of Intellectual Disability. It will also highlight the latest research to inform thedevelopment of evidence-based health and social services across the Asia Pacific

region, to promote the exchange of ideas between researchers and practitioners, and to promote evidence-based best practices among service providers and in turn promote a supportive and an inclusive society for people with disability.

IASSID has been hosting a World Congress approximately every 4 years since 1964. More recently, in addition to world congresses, it has been hosting regional conferences in Europe, South America, and Asia. This will be IASSID's second Asia Pacific Conference, the first was held at Taipei in 2005. Plans are already in place for the 3rd IASSID Asia Pacific Conference, to be held at Tokyo.

For this 2nd Asia Pacific congress IASSID has partnered major Singapore educational and medical institutions, government organizations and VWOs. Representation from NIE (National Institute of Education), DSA (Down Syndrome Association (Singapore)), MINDS (Movement for the Intellectually Disabled), APSN (Association for Persons with Special Needs), SSTI (Singapore Social Service Training Institute), are few among others from the many organizations involved.

Other partners and events held in conjunction with the congress are:

IASSID has sought the collaboration and involvement from the Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (AADDM), whereby a meeting will conducted with the view to supporting the development of a network among medical practitioners in Singapore and the region who are involved with patients with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. AADDM will also be presenting a stream of papers that will highlight recent developments in medical research and practice, with particular interest to all involved in the development of health policy and the delivery of medical services.

So too, the International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication (ISAAC) will be hosting a stream of specialist papers during the conference. ISAAC will also be conducting its inaugural meeting in Asia and working with the Singaporean Society for the Physically Disabled to host several pre-conferenceworkshops.

The following is a list of some of the highlights/events that will take place during the IASSID 2nd Asia Pacific Congress: -

1. IASSID Executive Board Meeting

2. IASSID Academy Meeting

3. Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine Annual Conference

& Annual General Meeting

4. International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication Symposia

5. IASSID Asia Pacific Research to Practice Roundtable

6. Special Interest Research Groups [SIRG] & Affinity Group

Symposia & Meetings will focus on the following topics:

• Quality of Life

• Ageing

• Mental Health & Behaviour

• Health / developmental Disability medicine

• Parenting / Support Groups

• Down syndrome

7. Asia Pacific Down Syndrome Federation meeting with Executive members of Down Syndrome International

8. Pre & Post Congress Workshops

9. We plan on having performances by people with intellectual disability at the various social events during the congress

Guest of Honour is Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) for the Opening Ceremony, Wednesday 24 June 2009, 6pm

About IASSID

IASSID is an international and inter-disciplinary scientific non-governmental organisation. The association founded in 1964, promotes worldwide research and exchange of information on intellectual disabilities. It is a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Intellectuality Disability represents the single largest disability group and has its highest incidence in developing countries. Research indicates that the occurrence of Intellectual Disability is closely linked to the effects of poverty and, more recently, to the spread of HIV Aids in developing countries.

Role of the various organisations that partnered IASSID for the congress.

VWOs, such as APSN, MINDS, DSA, St. Andrew’s Hospital:

there is representation from the various local VWOs on the local organising committee assisting with the organisation of the congress. All these VWOs have common objectives to provide services and look after the needs of children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Learning Disabilities, therefore having united together to support this scientifically oriented conference is a joint effort to pull together resources as well as to share expertise and knowledge in the field of intellectual disability and learning disabilities. Also an opportunity for further training/gaining extended knowledge for the local professionals and teachers.

National Institute of Education (NIE) is partner in the Scientific/Programme committee including review of the overseas and local paper submissions. The Scientific and Review committee includes professionals from all over the world.

Ministry of Education (MOE) supports and has given their endorsement.

Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) is one of the main bodies providing training in the field of social service also related to disability.

They have also representation in the local organising committee.

International Society for Augmentative & Alternative Communication (ISAAC) is not a local organisation. They are however planning symposia in collaboration with SPD (Society for the Physically Disabled)

Prof Robert Davis, Secretary of Australian Association of Developmental Disability Medicine (AADDM) - is in touch with senior specialists in KK Hospital and NUH with regards to the developmental disability medicine stream and meeting in the congress. This augurs well for the disability sector in

Singapore.

Please visit http://www.iassid.org for more information and news about IASSID

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MSC MALAYSIA OSCONF 2009

MSC MALAYSIA OPEN SOURCE CONFERENCE 2009

Date: 31 May - 3 June, 2009

Venue: Berjaya Times Square Hotel & Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur.

MSC Malaysia's inaugural and full-fledged Open Source Conference to incorporate a 'Quadruple play' of 4 crucial stakeholders consisting of government, businesses, developers and community in envisioning open source's contribution to the IT industry and socio-economy.

Positioned as International forum for sharing and exchanging ideas on technical advancements, applications, development and business cases on open source, and its positive impact in meeting challenges of the current economic climate.

Organised by MSC Malaysia & MAMPU and jointly supported by the Malaysian Open Source Community and MOSTI, the Conference invites developers, designers, systems administrators, community leaders, innovators, CTOs and CIOs, evangelists and activists, researchers, strategists, and entrepreneurs to lead and contribute during all conference sessions, tutorials and discussions.

With 3 DAYS, 3 TRACKS, 1 HACKATHON are in store for everyone who attend this conference and renowned speakers from prime Open Source Enterprises which are Mozilla, Google and Red Hat to name a few and also not forgeting from the developer community - Ubuntu, BSD, Fedora, PHPs, etc

Come join us at the MSC Malaysia Open Source Conference 2009! You'll be pleasantly surprised..

Who should attend?

- Business executives from MSC Malaysia and Non MSC Malaysia Status companies

- Open Source developers, communities, inventors, evangelist, researchers, strategist

- Government officers

- Students, general public

Why you should attend?

- Provide exposure and knowledge on the importance of Open Source in enhancing competitiveness by giving freedom of choice in software usage with lower total cost of ownership, hence benefiting businesses and society at large. Over 30 session tracks are made available.

- Share amongst the open source community on new directions and latest innovations by the subject matter experts, thought leaders and industry gurus.

- Provide a platform for conference participants to actively interact, share and exchange views, ideas, and tools on the latest trends and issues of Open Source.

- Networking, learning and having great fun

Register Now! : http://www.mscmalaysia.my/osconf

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YMCA PERFORMANCE ARTS TEAM

 

 

YMCA Performing Arts Team is now training for its performance at KLPac. There will be 5 shows: Gala Night on Aug 27 followed by nightly and afternoon shows from Aug 28 to  30, 2009.

For details and booking please call Morley/Woon at 03-22741439 or email morleyng@ymcakl.com

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International Seminar on Sign Language Research

Theme: “Towards Deaf Empowerment through Sign Language Research”

New and relevant ideas to empower the Deaf community and meet the needs

In education and employment.

 

The seminar is for academics, researchers, and leaders of the Deaf community to discuss issues in SL research with international speakers and researchers reporting on sign language research in each of their respective countries.

Participation fee : RM 100

Deaf/ Students (Local) : RM 50

 

In addition, the seminar will be followed by a three day SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING WORKSHOP to be held from 1–3 June 2009 at the same venue.

 

The Interpreting workshop will focus on three main areas:

A: The Professional Sign Language Interpreter

• Language, Linguistics and Interpreting

• The Sign Language Interpreter; Code of Ethics and the Deaf Community

B: Skills Development & Practicum

• Use of Classifiers in Sign Language Interpreting

• Self & Peer Evaluation & Networking

• Practical: Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpreting

• Legal Interpreting & Documentation

• Activities to enhance self learning

C: Research and Technology

• Innovative and new technology in Sign language research and interpreting

 

Fee: RM 200 (Local) ; Sign Language students: RM 150 (Local)

RM 250 (Overseas)

 

For more information & registration on both programmes, please contact:

Assoc. Professor Dr Zubaidah Ibrahim-Bell (Seminar Director)

c/o Secretariat Mdm Noor Haifa Mohd Yunus

Tel No: +603-79673065

Fax No: +603-79579707

Email: nhaifa@um.edu.my

 

Organised by : MySL Research Team, Faculty of Languages and

Linguistics, University of Malaya

Date : 30th and 31st May 2009 (Sat & Sun)

Venue : Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 - Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) launches "Return to Work" programme

Human Resources Minister, Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam launched Social Security Organisation (SOCSO) "Return to Work" programme today followed by a seminar attended by 700 participants.

Speaking at the launching of the programme he said the "Return to Work" programme was introduced two years ago to enable injured workers to be rehabilitated and gainfully re-employed.

So far 566 workers were trained and rehabilitated under the programme which was carried out at various training centres. To provide better support to the programme, Subramaniam said SOCSO was now in the process of building its own rehabilitation centre in Malacca.

The RM80 million state-of-the-art centre would be able to train more such workers when it is fully operational within the next two years.

Currently, SOCSO had 5.2 million members and catered for about 50,000 injured workers and 91,000 pensioners.

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AT THE ANNEXE GALLERY: 13 TO 31 MAY 2009

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NATURAL

New works by Munkao & Saharil Hasrin Sanin

 

 

Visual Art Exhibition

 

 

Thu 14 to Sun 31 May

The Annexe Gallery’s new opening hours:

Sun to Thu, 11am to 8pm

Fri & Sat, 11am to 9.30pm

Presented by The Annexe Gallery & Central Market

Admission Free

Can anything be truly natural? In life and in art? Two young Malaysian artists Munkao and Saharil Hasrin Sanin present a tongue-in-cheek exhibition that challenges the eye and psyche with their (un)naturalness. Images of the body are revealed, covered, grafted onto other species, and shown in various settings with symbolic vegetation and other tantalising visual puns. All works are acrylic on canvas and paper. Naturally, this exhibition is presented by The Annexe Gallery and Central Market.

You are cordially invited to

NATURAL Exhibition Opening

 

Thu 14 May, 8pm

Admission Free

Featuring a performance entitled BODYBUILDING by Weijun

Refreshments served

NATURAL Artist Talk

Sun 17 May, 3pm

Admission Free

Interested collectors please call Jerome (016 8027347) for a preview.

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ASIA-EUROPE EMERGING

PHOTOGRAPHERS’ FORUM 2009

 

 

 

 

Photography Exhibitions and Forums

 

 

12 to 16 May, check schedule below

Presented by Asia-Europe Foundation and partners

Admission free

How can creative photography impact the perception of shifting economies in the globalised world? And in what ways can social cooperation and creativity meet in the space of indeterminate economic capacity? Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and partners present the Asia-Europe Emerging Photographers’ Forum 2009, which gathers 23 photographers and 8 facilitators from both continents to foster an exchange of works, thoughts and ideas that deal with the theme of “Creative Economies”.

Participating photographers include:

Peter Bialobrzeski (Germany), photographer and professor of photography, University of the Arts, Bremen (Germany);

Shahidul Alam (Bangladesh), director of “Chobi Mela” – International Festival of Photography;

Alex Moh (Malaysia), founder of the Kuala Lumpur International Photography Biennale;

Yee I-Lann (Malaysia) multimedia artist;

Hiromi Nakamura (Japan), curator of the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography;

Nathalie Belanchye (France), curator;

Masaaki Nishimiya (Japan), dean of the Photography Department of Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences;

and Martin Fuchs (Austria), Magnum Photo Editor.

PUBLIC EVENTS SCHEDULE

Tue 12 May @ Balai Seni Lukis Negara

9.30am to 11am

The World According to Peter Bialobrzeski

Speaker: Peter Bialobrzeski (Germany)

11.30am to 1pm

Sweet & Bitter – The Intimate Mirror of Contemporary Japanese ‘Girl’ Photography

Speaker: Hiromi Nakamura (Japan)

2pm to 3pm

“Creative Economies” And Photography

Speakers: Thomas Hundt, Director of Germany Trade and Invest GmbH; Alexander Stedtfeld, Director of Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Stephen Ng, General Manager of Nikon Malaysia; and Muid Latif, Board Member of Creative Commons Malaysia

3.30pm

Opening of Asia-Europe Emerging Photographers’ Forum 2009, Kuala Lumpur & Exhibition “Secured Area”

 

Wed 13 May @ The Annexe Gallery

 

 

7.45pm to 9.15pm

The Future of Photography

Speaker: Peter Bialobrzeski (Germany)

THU 14 MAY @ BALAI SENI LUKIS NEGARA

9.30am to 11am

Tools For Photographers – Magnum Photo Blog Presentation

Speaker: Martin Fuchs (Austria)

11:30am - 1pm

In And Out of Tokyo – Tokyo As Seen by Magnum Photographers From 1950s To Present

Speaker: Hiromi Nakamura (Japan)

2pm to 3.30pm

Chobi Mela – The International Festival of Photography Asia

Speaker: Dr. Shahidul Alam (Bangladesh)

FRI 15 MAY @ BALAI SENI LUKIS NEGARA

9.30am to 11am

Katakana Genngo: Best Imaging Language Is Photography

Speaker: Masaaki Nishimiya (Japan)

 

SAT 16 MAY @ THE ANNEXE GALLERY

 

 

8pm onwards

“Creative Economies” Photography Exhibition Opening

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OUR THOUGHTS ARE FREE

Poems and Prose on Imprisonment and Exile

 

 

Book Launch

Sat 16 May, 3pm

Presented by SIRD Publishing and Ethos Books (Singapore)

Admission Free

“OUR THOUGHTS ARE FREE: Poems and Prose on Imprisonment and Exile” is a newly published anthology edited by Tan Jing Quee, Teo Soh Lung & Koh Kay Yew. It features poems and prose written by six former Internal Security Act political prisoners and exiles, mainly from Singapore. These include Said Zahari, Ho Piao, Tan Jing Quee, Teo Soh Lung, Wong Souk Yee and Francis Khoo. The poems and prose give a different perspective to a little known part of Singapore’s political climate and state of un-freedom. The book is also a record of survival; of those who used words to open doors and windows to connect with a world denied them. The book will be available for sale at the launch.

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KL PHOTO AWARDS 2009
Photography Exhibition

 

 

Thu 7 to Sun 24 May

 

The Annexe Gallery’s new opening hours:

Sun to Thu, 11am to 8pm

Fri & Sat, 11am to 9.30pm

 

Presented by Explorenation.net, Time Out Kuala Lumpur, Amarin Sdn Bhd & The Annexe Gallery

 

Admission Free, except where indicated
From family snaps to fashion spreads, and photojournalism to studio photography, the face remains the most photographed subject in the history of photography. Taking a portrait that retains its subject’s humanity while conveying a powerful commentary at the same time is truly the Holy Grail of photography.
The first KL Photoawards 2009 competition attracted some 500 entries from overseas and Malaysia. Of the entries, 23 portraits in each category, professional and non-professional, have been shortlisted for considerations for the top prizes. These 46 portraits in total will be showcased in an exhibition of shortlisted works at The Annexe Gallery.

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Influenza A(H1N1) virus update

May 17, 2009 -Ministry of Health, Malaysia has advised all passengers and crew on board AirAsia AK 5358  ( from LCCT, Sepang to Penang on May 13, 2009 at 11am aand Malaysian Airlines MH091(Newark, USA arriving in KLIA on May 13, 2009 at 7.15am to contact health officials at 03-88810200 / 03-88810300 for implementation of crisis control and prevention procedures, including home quarantine.
Flight AK5358 was the one taken by the second confirmed influenza A (H1N1) case.

39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 2895 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 66 deaths. The United States has reported 4714 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Canada has reported 496 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported nine laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Belgium (4), Brazil (8), China (5), Colombia (11), Cuba (3), Denmark (1), Ecuador (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (14), Germany (14), Guatemala (3), India (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (7), Malaysia (2), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (9), Norway (2), Panama (54), Peru (1), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (103), Sweden (3), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), Turkey (1), and the United Kingdom (82).

WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

Further information on the situation will be available on

the Malaysian Health Mininstry website:
http://www.moh.gov.my

and the WHO web site:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_17/en/index.html

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Malaysia on influenza A(H1N1) virus alert.

Two passengers who boarded flight MH 091 from Newark, USA and arrived at KL International Airport on May 13 at 7.15am have been confirmed wih the influenza A(H1N1).

An alert has now been sent out to all passengers who boarded the same flight to contact 03-88810200 / 03-88810300 and submit themselves for tests. This is important to contain the spread of the virus should they be infected.

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Braille Without Borders International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs Now Accepting Applications  for their scholarships at their institute.

 

The International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (IISE) is a not-for-profit educational training centrre for blind and partially sighted adults who have a desire to foster social change in their communities throughout the world.
Located in Kerala, India, this training course founded by Braille Without Borders offers full scholarships and transport to qualified, motivated candidates.

Candidates from all over the world who are at least 18 and older and who can read and write in English are invited to apply for this one-year programme before June 30, 2009

Computer literacy training, public speaking, fund raising, and management are some of the courses offered here.
For more information please visit our website at
www.bwb-iise.org or

http://www.braillewithoutborders.org/ENGLISH/faq.html

You can also write to BrailleWB@gmx.net or per regular post to:

Braille Without Borders
International Institute for Social Entrepreneurs
c/o P. Kronenberg
Vivekanenda Nagar, Vellayani, Ookode, Nemom PO, TRV 695020
KERALA, INDIA

or fax your questions to: Fax 0031848307904

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DEAF STUDENTS

BA (Hons) Applied Sign Language Studies

An initiative by:

International Centre for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies, Preston, UK
Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, India
Deaf Empowerment Foundation, The Netherlands

Programme information

1. THECOURSE

Applied Sign Language Studies brings together the study of sign language and deaf communities with areas of study in applied linguistics, such as first and second language acquisition, bilingualism, language planning and policy, and language pedagogy. Graduates will work as sign language teachers, professionals in the field of language support for deaf people, teaching assistants in deaf education, and interpreter trainers.

The course is designed specifically to be accessible for deaf students and is taught through sign language. “Learning by doing” is included in work placements, lab work, and experiential modules. Deaf students without standard secondary school qualifications can take a one-year preparatory course (“Foundation Entry”) and continue with the BA course afterwards.

The BA in Applied Sign Language Studies is a joint international initiative. The course was developed at the International Centre for Sign Languages and Deaf Studies in the UK and will be taught at the Indira Gandhi National Open University in New Delhi, India. The beginning of the programme in 2009 is subject to validation.

2. THE SCHOLARSHIPS

The Deaf Empowerment Foundation is providing scholarships for deaf students in the preparatory Foundation Entry course in the 2009/2010 academic year.

Scholarships for Indian students
These cover one year of tuition fees at Rs. 10,000 and are available to Indian nationals. Students from other developing countries may also be eligible and should confirm their status when applying.

Scholarships for international students
These cover one year of tuition fees at ₤1,500 and are available to non-Indian students. This includes all students from industrialised countries and certain categories of students from developing countries other than India. The latter should confirm their status when applying.

Scholarships are for tuition fees only and do not cover travel, accommodation or living expenses.

CONTACT: (scholarship@def-intl.org)

 

About DEF

The Deaf Empowerment Foundation (DEF) was established in December 2004 by a group of deaf and hearing academics in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Our aim is to provide university-level education to the many talented deaf people in developing countries. In partnership with other institutions and organisations, we are establishing educational networks in order to run pre-university preparatory classes, distance education programmess, literacy improvement courses, and ultimately full-fledged tertiary education streams for deaf students. All courses are taught in the sign language medium, and academics associated with DEF conduct research into novel educational approaches based on the use of sign languages in developing countries. DEF also runs an academic publishing press (Ishara Press) specializing in worldwide sign language research and deaf studies.

DEF has been supporting activities in Pakistan, India, Ghana, and Turkey, and we are continuously expanding our international network of activities.

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Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia (CLAPAM)
CHARITY MOVIE SCREENING

 

Not many know that one in every 700 babies born in Malaysia is affected by cleft lip and/ or palate.

However, this congenital condition is non life threatening and repairable. Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia (CLAPAM) has been helping parents with cleft children along with individuals with cleft since 1993. In its sixth year, CLAPAM is continuing its charity movie screening as part of its Charity Drive.

This year’s screening is:

Title: Night at the Museum 2

Date: 24th May 2008 (Sunday)

Time: 1:20 pm

(exact time to be announced later)

Venue: TGV, Suria KLCC

Every RM 100 donation will be awarded with a movie pass for the above show. Proceeds from the Charity Drive will be used by CLAPAM to help cleft individuals in Malaysia. Let’s come together in helping them so they can smile again. Please note that CLAPAM was recently granted a "tax waiver" status by Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri (LHDN) therefore all donations are entitled to tax exemption.

Thank you in advance for your kind support and generous contribution.

Fax to: 03-21621445 or mail to above address or e-mail to clapam@streamyx.com

About CLAPAM

Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia (CLAPAM) is a non-profit, non-government organisation support group consisting of volunteers from parents with children born with cleft lip and/ or palate, adults with cleft lip and / or palate and healthcare professionals who manage such individuals. CLAPAM provides various support services including counselling, information on feeding and care of cleft babies, and hospital/house visits. CLAPAM also functions as a link between members and health care providers. CLAPAM is a registered organisation with the Registrar of Societies (R.O.S-5371/93).

CLAPAM INFORMATION CENTRE (R.O.S. no. 5371/93)

Box #611, Lot 4.46A, 4th Floor, Wisma Central,

Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel/Fax: 03-21621445 E-mail: clapam@streamyx.com

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Beyond Limitation Premier Show of Manila Performance Tour by Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe sponsored by Lions Club May 16, 7.30pm Summit Shopping Compleks Subang USJ Free Admission Program include Wheelchair Ballroom Dance, Wheelchair Cultural Dance, Solo, etc. For Registration please email bgcentre@yahoo. com

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OutRageously PiNk Nite (OPN 2009)
    digital video & slogan writing  contests

 

 

 

 

OutRageously PiNk Nite (OPN) is back in Bangsar!

This fun breast health event will be held on November 7, 2009 (within Bangsar Village 2). Get spotted in your most outrageous pink outfit, participate in the “Topless Contest with a Twist” and a variety of other attractions.
Don’t know what you missed previously in 2004? Then, check out the reports at
www.radiologymalaysia.org/breasthealth 

In conjunction with OPN2009, Radiology Malaysia and its partners in breast health, Kidz Magazine & Challenges Magazine is inviting entries to its Digital Video and Slogan Contests. 
The digital video must be less than 3 minutes and themed or centred on “Living life to the fullest even with breast cancer” whilst the 3-word slogan is the tagline to describe OutRageously PiNk Nite.

Please check out
www.radiologymalaysia.org/opn2009
for details and entry forms.

Exciting prizes await the winners and prizes will be awarded at the very fun, and highly invigorating OPN2009 at Bangsar Village 2, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur; on Nov 7, 2009.
Circle this date now in PiNk!

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Event : Health Forum

 

 

Sunway Medical Centre, Petaling Jaya will hold a public forum on Customised Artificial Eyes by a consultant Ocularist.
Time: 1.30pm to 3.50pm
Venue:Swan Convention Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, Petaling Jaya
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009
Call: Guna at 03-7491-1115, Edmund at 03-7491-1113

 

#

An ocularist is a specialist who makes and fits artificial eyes for people who have lost an eye or eyes due to trauma or illness.

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Zainal Abidin and crew working with Ahmad Akmal Ghani for the video clip

 

Zainal Abidin enjoying a man-to-man moment with Ahmad Akmal Ghani

I was priviledged to join Zainal Abidin, his wife Angelina Asmawi and production crew working with the children from Malaysian Down Syndrome Association on a video clip for their charity dinner gala.

Watching Zainal’s patience and ever-ready smile when working with the children and teens to get the shoots required was a revelation. This cheerful, often times playful and spontaneous side of him endeared him to parents and children alike.

The teens were especially taken by him, perhaps because it was not often that one got that upclose with someone usually seen on the TV screen; but more importantly because he treated them as his friends.

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Influenza A (H1N1) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

1. What is Influenza A(H1N1) ?

Influenza A(H1N1), is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by influenza A viruses that regularly causes diseases and outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Influenza A(H1N1) viruses causes high level of illness (high morbidity) and low death rates (low mortality) at about 1-4 % in pigs. The mode of spreads of this virus among pigs is by aerosols and direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs exist. In temperate countries, outbreaks in pigs occur throughout the year with an increased incidence in the fall and winter similar to outbreaks in humans.

 

2. How many Influenza A(H1N1) viruses are there?

Influenza A(H1N1) viruses change constantly as other influenza viruses. There are four main influenza A virus subtypes been isolated in pigs. Those viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as Influenza A(H1N1) viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix resulting in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a "reassortant" virus. Although Influenza A(H1N1) viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans.

Most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

3. Where have human cases occurred?

Since the implementation of IHR (2005) in 2007, WHO has been notified of Influenza A(H1N1) cases from the United States and Spain.

4. What are the signs and symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1) in people?

The symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1) in people are similar to the symptoms of regular Human Flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with Influenza A(H1N1) . In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with Influenza A(H1N1) infection in people. Like Seasonal Flu, Influenza A(H1N1) may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

5. Is it safe to eat pork and pork products?

Yes. There is no evidence that Influenza A(H1N1) can be transmitted through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. However, it is essential to cook pig meat properly. The Influenza A(H1N1) virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160°F/70°C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat.

6. How do people become infected?

Influenza A(H1N1) does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur. People usually get Influenza A(H1N1) through contact with infected pigs, or environments contaminated with Influenza A(H1N1) viruses. However, some human cases lack contact history with pigs or environments where pigs have been located. Human-to-human transmission has been documented in some instances but was limited to close contacts and closed groups of people.

7. Is there a human vaccine to protect from Influenza A(H1N1) ?

No. Current seasonal influenza vaccine produced based on WHO recommendation does not contain Influenza A(H1N1) virus. It is unknown whether the seasonal vaccines can provide any cross protection to ongoing Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection in the United States and Mexico.

8. What drugs are available for treatment?

Most of the previously reported Influenza A(H1N1) cases recovered fully from the disease without requiring medical attention and without antiviral medicines.

9. How long can an infected person spread Influenza A(H1N1) to others?

People with Influenza A(H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

10. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against Influenza A(H1N1) . There are certain actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza such as:

Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the waste basket after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, stay at home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Consult your nearest health care facilities

For more information please call Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC),

Ministry of Health Malaysia at 03–88810200/88810300 or email cprc@moh.gov.my

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World Health Organisation (WHO) Update on Influenza A(H1N1)

 

  Geneva, May 1, 2009 -- As of today, 11 countries have officially reported 331 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 156 confirmed human cases of infection, including nine deaths.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (34), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).

In Malaysia, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that no case of “influenza-like” illness with symptoms of Influenza A(H1N1) infection has been found locally.

Yesterday , the World Health Organisation (WHO) has increased the global warning from Phase 4 to the second highest Phase 5, a signal to all countries to immediately activate pandemic contingency plans; to be prepared for immediate action, if necessary.

No Rationale for Travel Restrictions

At the moment, WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders.

Today, international travel moves rapidly, with large numbers of individuals visiting various parts the world. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community.

Influenza A (H1N1) has already been confirmed in many parts of the world. The focus now is on minimising the impact of the virus through the rapid identification of cases and providing patients with appropriate medical care, rather than on stopping its spread internationally.

Furthermore, although identifying the signs and symptoms of influenza in travellers can be an effective monitoring technique, it is not effective in reducing the spread of influenza as the virus can be transmitted from person to person before the onset of symptoms.

Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple recommendations related to travel aimed at preventing the spread of infection. Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care.

There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.

Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

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TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR MALAYSIAN VISITING MEXICO, USA, CANADA AND OTHER COUNTRIES AFFECTED BY INFLUENZA A(H1N1)

 

On April 25, 2009, the World Health Organisation (WHO), declared that the Influenza A(H1N1) event in Mexico constituted a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Influenza A(H1N1) cases also emerged in USA, Canada, New Zealand, Spain Austria, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

For current update of influenza A(H1N1) affected countries/areas please refer to www.moh.gov.my

 

TRAVEL TO INFLUENZA A(H1N1) AFFECTED COUNTRIES

Malaysians are NOT encouraged to visit the affected countries during this time. They should exercise caution if travel to those countries cannot be avoided. Please observe the following measures:

• Be aware of the areas with outbreaks or high incidence of swine flu.

• Avoid direct contact with Influenza A(H1N1) cases. If you need to be in close contact with them, you are advised to practice good personal hygiene and use an appropriate protective mask.

• Observe good personal hygiene at all times. Wash your hands with soap and water.

Cover your mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• If you fall ill, please seek immediate treatment.

If you have recently returned from a Influenza A(H1N1) affected area, you should avoid close contact with other people for 7 days. If within this period you have developed high fever (above 38oC) or other symptoms like cough, fatigue, lack of appetite or shortness of breath, you should immediately seek treatment at designated hospitals or other government or private hospitals.

Inform the doctor that you have visited the Influenza A(H1N1) affected country/area.

 

 

Disease Control Division

Ministry of Health Malaysia

Level 3, Block E10, Complex E

Federal Government Administrative Centre

62590 Putrajaya

Tel: 603-8881 0200/0300

www.moh.gov.my

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There will be a seminar and talk by Mr Kirk Horton

from Perkins School For the Blind (Massachusetts , USA)

on May 9th, Saturday, 1pm-5pm at :

VISUAL IMPAIRMENT THERAPY CENTER

17, Jalan 5/17,

Section 5

Petaling Jaya. Selangor.

The talk is especially for parents of children with vision impairment and multiple disabilities,

Free screening and consultation sessions for children with visual impairment and multiple disabilitieswill be conducted on  May 09, 2009 (9 am to 12 noon) at the Visual Impairment Therapy Centre.  Due to limited slots, parents are encouraged to reserve their session on or before Monday, May 5, 2009.

As limited slots  are available for both the screening and the seminar, please confirm your attendance with Mr. Lyzander A. Dilag (mobile phone number +60176197295). Should you have any inquiries, please e-mail them to vitc_my@yahoo.com.

Free registration.

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It's called Mindset

A friend sent me this story recently and I feel the moral of this story refers equally to People with Disabilities.

Besides, I believe the following is a powerful quote to live by:

“Do not lower your goals to the level of your abilities. Instead, raise your abilities to the height of your goals."

Thank you Mjeffry Sashitaran and  Nivendran Veerappan

 

 

 

It”s called Mindset

As my friend was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from the ropes they were tied to but for some reason, they did not. My friend saw a trainer nearby and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.

"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free." My friend was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.

Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before? So make an attempt to grow further.... Why shouldn't we try it again?

"YOUR ATTEMPT MAY FAIL, BUT NEVER FAIL TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT." & CHOOSE not to accept the false boundaries & limitations created by the past.

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Earth Day - April 22, 2009  marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.
Read History of Earth Day here
http://www.challengesmag.com/News-Event/ctl/ArticleView/mid/371/articleId/105/History-of-Earth-Day.aspx

 

Earth Day is a time to reflect and unite to celebrate and protect our living planet.

Today, and in fact every day, is the day to continue the small steps we take individually for a quality and sustainable habitat.

 

Do share with us, your activities for the day.

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History of Earth Day

Earth Day -- April 22 -- each year marks the anniversary of

the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with

it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics,

"Bridge Over Troubled Water," Apollo 13, the Beatles' last

album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Mariah

Carey, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River

nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina -- an incident not

acknowledged for 18 years.

It was into such a world that the very first Earth Day was

born.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from

Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental

protest "to shake up the political establishment and force

this issue onto the national agenda. " "It was a gamble,"

he recalls, "but it worked."

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through

massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge

with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air

pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity.

Environment was a word that appeared more often in spelling

bees than on the evening news.

Earth Day 1970 turned that all around.

On April 22, 20 million Americans took to the streets,

parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy,

sustainable environment. Denis Hayes, the national

coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive

coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and

universities organized protests against the deterioration

of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against

oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw

sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of

wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly

realized they shared common values.

Denis Hayes - Honorary Chair, Earth Day Network

Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

Sen. Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

-- the highest honor given to civilians in the United

States -- for his role as Earth Day founder.

As 1990 approached, a group of environmental leaders asked

Denis Hayes to organize another big campaign. This time,

Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141

countries and lifting the status of environmental issues on

to the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to

recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the

1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead

another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a

push for clean energy. Earth Day 2000 combined the big-

picture feistiness of the first Earth Day with the

international grassroots activism of Earth Day 1990. For

2000, Earth Day had the Internet to help link activists

around the world. By the time April 22 rolled around, 5,000

environmental groups around the world were on board,

reaching out to hundreds of millions of people in a record

184 countries. Events varied: A talking drum chain traveled

from village to village in Gabon, Africa, for example,

while hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the

National Mall in Washington, D.C., USA.

EPA Administrator William K. Reilly with former Senator

Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day 1990. Photo: EPA History Office

EPA Administrator William K. Reilly with former Senator

Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day 1990. Photo: EPA History Office

Earth Day 2000 sent the message loud and clear that

citizens the world 'round wanted quick and decisive action

on clean energy.

Now, the fight for a clean environment continues. We invite

you to be a part of this history and a part of Earth Day.

Discover energy you didn't even know you had. Feel it

rumble through the grass roots under your feet and the

technology at your fingertips. Channel it into building a

clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come.

For more information on Earth Day, go to
http://www.earthday.net

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Malaysian International ECEC Conference
to be held from April 15-17, 2009 at Shangrila Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

The Thursday sessions of Day 3, on April 16, will focus on Early education of Children with Special Needs

Registration is free.
programme as below.

MALAYSIAN INTERNATIONAL ECEC CONFERENCE
“DEVELOPING HUMAN CAPITAL BEGINS WITH CHILDREN”
14th -17th APRIL 2009
KUALA LUMPUR
=======================================================
14 April 2009 (Day 1)
1500 – 1800 : Registration
2000 : Arrival of Participants
: Arrival of Guests
2030 : Arrival of YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak
Deputy Prime Minister, Malaysia
: Welcoming Address by YABhg. Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor
Patron of the Conference
: Official Opening by YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak
Deputy Prime Minister, Malaysia
: Dinner

15 April 2009 (Day 2)
0800 – 0900 : Registration
0900 – 0915 : Briefing on Administrative Arrangements
0930 – 1010 : Keynote Address
“Children as a National Asset”
(YABhg. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor)
Wife of Deputy Prime Minister, Malaysia
Moderator : Y. Bhg. Prof Dato’ Dr. Sharifah hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin
Vice Chancellor (Malaysia)
National University Malaysia
(Venue : Sabah Room)
1010 – 1030 : Break
1040 – 1140 : Concurrent Session I
Interrelation between Policy and Early Childhood Education and Care
: Topic 1
Policy Essential towards Early Childhood Education Programme
(Giovanna Stark – Executive Director, Government Action and Communication
Institute, USA)
Moderator: YB Datin Fatimah Abdullah (Malaysia)
Deputy Minister, Sarawak
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
: Topic 2
Transforming Early Childhood Environment
(Lorna Long – Consultant, Australia)
Moderator: Faridah Bt Mohd (Singapore)
Nanyang Institute of Management
(Venue : Perak Room)
1
PROGRAMME
: Topic 3
The Global UNICEF Strategy in ECEC
(Nurper Ulkuer – UNICEF, New York)
Moderator: YBhg. Datuk Rafiah Salim (Malaysia)
(Venue : Kedah Room)
1200 – 1330 : Luncheon Talk by Mdm. Fouzia Yousuf Raza Gillani
Wife of the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Moderator: YABhg. Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Ali (Malaysia)
(Venue : Sabah Room)
1430 – 1530 : Concurrent Session II
Factors Influencing Child Development
: Topic 4
Meaningful Parental and Community Involvement in Early Child Care and Education
(Kenneth Jaffe –Executive Director International Child Resource Institute, USA)
Moderator: YBhg. Datuk Dr. Raj Karim (Malaysia)
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
: Topic 5
Character Building in Young Children
(Paul Jambunathan – Consultant Clinical and Liaison Psychologist Sunway Medical
Centre, Malaysia)
Moderator: Ms. Marilyn Formento Manueal (Philippines)
Deputy Director ECEC
(Venue : Kedah Room)
: Topic 6
Managing Children’s Behaviour – What Needs to be Done
(Dato’ Dr. Chiam Heng Keng – Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia)
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Netti Herawati (Indonesia)
(Venue : Perak Room)
1545 – 1645 : Concurrent Session III
Professional Development in ECEC
: Topic 7
Training is the Key to Quality
(Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aminah Ayob – Vice Chancellor, Sultan Idris Teaching University,
Malaysia)
Moderator: Mrs. Lily Wong (Singapore)
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
Topic 8
: Child Assessment and Professional Development
(Ingrid Samuelson – Professor, University of Goteborg, Sweden)
Moderator: UNICEF Candidate
(Venue : Kedah Room)
2
: Topic 9
Brain Research and its Input on Curriculum
(Prof. Stefen Rushton – University of Florida)
Moderator: Ms. Sarah Skane (Australia)
(Venue : Perak Room)
: Break
2030 -2230 : Dinner and Cultural Performance Hosted by Conference Patron
YABhg. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor
(Venue : Istana Budaya)

16 April 2009 (Day 3)
0900 – 1030 : Keynote Address
Addressing Children with Special Needs, Gifted and Talented
(Dr. Roger Moltzen – Director of Special Education Programme, University of
Waikato)
Moderator: Mr. Youssouf Omar
(UNICEF)
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
1030 – 1100 : Break
1100 – 1230 : Panel Discussion
Recognizing Challenges, Finding Solutions
Panelist
1) Malaysia : Prof. Rokiah Talib
2) Australia : Suzanne Ives
3) India : Swati Popat
Moderator: YBhg. Dato’ Hjh. Noor Reezan Bt Bapoo Hashim (Malaysia)
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
1230 – 1330 : Luncheon Talk
(Venue : Sabah Room)
1430 – 1530 : Concurrent Session IV
Management of Children with Special Needs
: Topic 10
Caring for Children with Special Needs :
Rehabilitation Medicine Perspective
(Dato’ Dr. Zaliha Omar – Consultant, Malaysian Information Network on Disabilities)
Moderator: Mrs. Qamar Safdar @ Qamar Sultanah Safdau (Pakistan)
Aga Khan University, Karachi
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
: Topic 11
Communication Disorders in Children with Special Needs
(Anna Reeves – Manager, ACE Centre – North)
Moderator: Ms. Eline Tulonga Nghii Wikawa (Namibia)
Directorate Community Development
(Venue : Kedah Room)
3
1545 - 1645 : Concurrent Session IV
Addressing Complex and Talented Children
Topic 12
Strength Based Approach to Assessing and Building Resiliency in Complex Children
(Dr. Wayne Hammond – President and Executive Director with Resiliency Initiatives,
Canada)
Moderator: Dr. Sharon Lynn Kagan (USA)
Columbia University
(Venue : Perak Room)
: Topic 13
Developing Children with Exceptional Talents
(Prof. Lea Ybarra – Executive Director, John Hopkins University Centre for Talented
Youth, USA)
Moderator: Dr. Manoj Kumar Saxena (India)
MM College of Education
(Venue : Sarawak Room)
1645 : Break

17 April 2009 (Day 4)
: Visit Programme
0800 – 1330 : Option 1 – PERMATA Centre at FELDA Mempaga, Pahang
: Option 2 – PERMATA Centre at Bercham, Perak
: Option 3 – PERMATA Centre at Bukit Peringgit, Melaka
1500 – 1630 : Visit to the Craft Centre
4



 

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Blind leading the Blind walk

The Lions Club of Petaling Jaya is organising its 7th Annual Charity Walk entitled Blind Leading the Blind with the support of the Petaling Jaya City Council.

Participants are encouraged to take the 3km walk blindfolded, to experience the challenges faced by people with impaired vision.
The walk will take place on 7.30am, April 19, at the PJ Civic Hall car park.

For details, visit www.blindleadingtheblind.net.

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Event

MOBILITI CHARITY BAZAAR, APRIL 10 – 12, 2009

 

Mobiliti Charity Bazaar will be held at the concourse area, Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya from April 10 to 12 with various activities for all.

Persatuan Mobiliti is a charitable organisation that operates a “door to door” accessible transport service for people with disabilities in Selangor & Kuala Lumpur.

This transport service is heavily subsidised as most people living with a disability are from the lower income group.

The Organisation have to fundraise around RM200,000 each year to maintain and expand the service.

 

Please contact Sarah – tel: 03- 7957-7255 or 016-9984467 for your donation or for any further info/queries Email mobiliti@myjaring.net.

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Hands-on Demonstration of new equipment for Low-vision and Blind people.

 

Two of the world leaders in the supply of cutting edge adaptive technology for the vision impaired, HumanWare and ViewPLus Technologies, invite you to attend a “hands-on” demonstration of new equipment solutions.

The workshops will be held at Malaysian Association for the Blind at Kompleks MAB, Block A, Level 2, Jalan Tebing, Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan 4, Brickfields

The first will be held on Monday 20^th April commencing at 9.30am sharp.

The second will be the following day, Tuesday 21^st April also commencing at 9.30am.

If you would like to attend. RSVP by Friday April 10. To Mr George Thomas at MAB on

03 2272 2677 or Mr Moses Choo at NCBM on 3 2272 1442 to reserve your place.

Do not to miss this opportunity.

The following products will be presented on the day:

ViewPlus Cub (or Max) desktop embosser (brand new updated version)

ViewPlus IVEO tactile/audio/visual hands-on learning system

ViewPlus IVEO interactive math tutor (brand new release)

ViewPlus SpotDot colour ink & Braille embosser

myReader auto-reader

SmartView Synergy (new release CCTV)

SmartView Nano Low Vision magnifier

SmartView Pocket Low Vision magnifier

SmartView Versa (new release multimedia magnifier)

SmartView Graduate Low Vision magnifier (new release)

SmartView Mobile Low Vision magnifier (new release)

MAX TV Glasses

MAX Detail Glasses

Victor Reader Classic X

Victor Reader Stream

Victor Reader ClassMate (for learning difficulties)

BrailleNote mPower BT32 notetaker

Brailliant braille display

Trekker Breeze (GPS mobility aid for the blind)

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