AKTIVITI ACS - JANUARY 2006
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stopped playing.
Dr Freda Kim, IPP
International Toy Library Association
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AKTIVITI ACS - JANUARY 2006 We don't stop playing because we grow old; |
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The Right to Safe Public Access I sometimes fail to understand why it is so difficult to provide for an efficient public transport service especially in this time and age. The usage of public transport is essential for people to commute and move around. As part of our community living training programme for the young adults with intellectual disabilities, utilising the buses would enable them to get to work on their own. Training included safety awareness, crossing the roads, identifying and hailing the right buses, using money and paying for the ticket, descending at the correct terminals, changing buses and using public telephone where required. Besides that, other self-enhancing elements such as exercising patience, appropriate public behaviour, social communication, confidence building and problem solving were also developed. After several months of intensive real-life training experience, the members displayed their abilities with great confidence. However, their achievements led to parental apprehension. Some of the families' concerns included fears of the increasing number of road accidents, unpredictable bus schedules and routes, and inconsiderate and dangerous drivers. Their worries were valid – the risks were too high. Consequently, the programme was abandoned. It is for this reason that ACS decided to participate in the recent launching of the Citizens for Public Transport (CPT) Campaign, appealing to the authorities for a better and safer public transport system in Penang – for the sake of all bus users and pedestrians. NEWS FLASH Mutiara Voice Club - The self advocacy group was set up on July 11 th 2005 by 7 members of the ACS Stepping Stone Work Centre. They elected Mohd Shahell as their President and Rozihad as the Secretary. The members meet once a month and since then, have organised their own outing to the Rumah P.Ramlee, the Penang Forest Reserve and Penang Hill. The formation of the group was spurred on earlier in 2005 by a visit from Eugene Lau of United Voice, another self advocacy group in KL, which recently became the first officially registered society of members with intellectual disabilities in Malaysia. This whole self advocacy movement is very exciting. We need to recognise that adults with intellectual disabilities have grown up. Given the right information, they can make their own decisions which sometimes may not necessary be in tune with what parents or even service providers would have liked. We must not deny them their right to choose. We must respect and offer support where necessary. Everyone has a river in life they need to cross. Some will face physical barriers, others mental, neither is easy. All will need help, yet they must still cross the river in their own way.
EVENT One Stop Disability Registration Drive Currently the registration comes under the jurisdiction of the Welfare Department. Besides the fact that welfare officers are always overworked, the process itself can be bothersome as it can involve several trips by the individuals and their families to the hospital for medical certification. Regulations such as registration permitted only in the district where the individual is residing should also be revamped in this modern age of computer technology. With numerous requests from parents and families, ACS organised this one stop disability registration drive with manpower assistance from Golden Key Club student members of USM on November 28 th . This one day event brought three government departments, i.e. Welfare Department, Education Department and Health Department together and enabled the registration of 57 people with Welfare and 27 with Special Education Department. Many thanks to the officers, medical doctors and volunteers present.
ACTIVITIES & UPDATES Jom! Mobile Toy Library
Social Events TRAINING PROGRAMMES To Japan From Australia ECI Symposium Conference Workshop Courses Research ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Gotong Royong - Penang Audit Department celebrated their 100 th year anniversary with community service at the Stepping Stone Centre on August 13 th . We are also thankful for their donation of a new computer. Donation in kind– pottery equipment and furniture were received from Simply Ceramic Studio and an electric sewing machine from staff of ICI Paints. We are also happy to report that we have received good support for our recycling project, with thanks to parents and many in the surrounding neighbourhood. Grant– Designated grants for training, research and publications were received from the NZ High Commission (RM 7,000), Japan National Council of Social Welfare (RM 9,400) and Sakura-kai of Penang Japanese Association (RM 4,000). Donations– We must also express our deep appreciation to the organisers of the KL Rat Race 2005 for their cash contribution of RM 82,100, Businessmen Network International (RM 2,500), Kiwanis Club of Butterworth (RM 5,000), Post Office International (RM 12,000) as well as many individuals for their support and encouragement. On behalf of everybody in ACS |
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______________________________________________________________________________________________ A Non-Profit
Organisation Providing Services To People With Special | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
