AKTIVITI ACS - JANUARY 2008

"We are different so that we know our need ofone another,
for no one is ultimately self -sufficient.
A completely self-sufficient person would be sub-human."

- South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu -

Family-Centred Practice

One of the greatest failures of service providers is the fact that we do not involve parents and family members enough in the planning and implementation of programmes for their children, especially for those with special needs .

Some centres and schools involve parents merely as a formality or at best, as observers. Service providers tend to think that they must maintain their professionalism and must be seen to have all the answers. Parents, of course have unswervingly been led to believe in this common myth.

Strange as it is, we forget that when we work in partnership with families, there is a greater probability of better solutions and that the desired outcomes will be achieved sooner.

We must treat parents and families with more dignity and respect. We must give families opportunities to participate fully in the planning and delivery of services, as well as support and respect the choices they make. When service providers support family's choices, families will develop confidence with their own decisions.

We must take into account the families' priorities, feelings, needs, goals and aspirations for their children. After all, all parents do want the best for their children.

Parents must take the lead or at least, be equal partners. It is time we focus on practising a family-centred approach as the way forward in our services. The well-being and development of the child is dependent upon the well-being of the family as a whole.

PARENTS' POWER

We had the opportunity to draw some parents and family members together to encourage each other and to affirm the power of parents. Visiting professionals such as Professor Roy McConkey from Ireland and Dr. Lim Boon Hock from Melaka were the reasons for those two separate encouraging and memorable occasions.

During an evening dinner meeting in August, Roy encouraged a group of parents by pointing out the five-star role of families in building up our children for the future. In November, Boon Hock tugged at the emotions as he shared from his experiences as a parent of a teenager with autism.

The meetings affirmed the important roles that parents must and can play for the betterment of their children. The parents in attendance are all geared up and the 1 st Family Conference maybe in the making!!

	Roy with new friends in Penang .
Boon Hock sharing from his heart.

UPDATE ON CENTRES' ACTIVITIES

First Step Centre's Graduation & Family Day – 11sets of happy parents and families organised this celebration held at
Copthorne Orchid Hotel on 25 th November. It was both a joyful occasion to share with the parents on their achievements; at the same time trying not to be too sad as we will certainly miss all of them.

Stepping Stone Work Centre

Community Inclusion – We learnt with delight that ACS Stepping Stone Centre has been incorporated into one of the Penang Tourism's brochure to promote homestay, agro and eco-tourism; traditional arts & crafts. We are proud to be included - the abilities of the members are being positively viewed. In recognition of this, Penang Regional Development Authority (PERDA) erected a gazebo on the centre's compound.

Independent Living – Sabri, one of our members expressed the desire to live apart from his family. Since July, he found a small kampong house and has been taking pride to furnish his home. Playing a good role model, it inspired another member towards independent living. After months of persuasion, Izwan finally obtained his father's permission and moved in to share the house with Sabri.

Many of us talk about group homes for people with intellectual disabilities, therefore I am sure Sabri and Izwan's testimonies of living independently will motivate and help us focus on their abilities rather than their limitations.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES

Mutiara Voice Self-Advocacy Club – Seven members saved money and flew to Sabah with 2 supporters to attend the 2 nd Self Advocacy Conference from 6 th - 9 th August. They all came back energised and inspired!
Professor Dan Goodley and Dr. Rebecca Lawthorn from Manchester UK facilitated a one day seminar on Self-Advocacy in early August. There were over 100 people in attendance whereby the young adults played active roles in presenting papers, role plays and in group discussions. Dan and Rebecca brought about much awareness on self-advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities.

A bungalow stay and barbeque held over the weekend of 15 th –16 th Dec was organised entirely by MVC members with some support from two Belgium students who joined us for a 4-month placement.

TALKS AND TRAINING

Staff Soo Hoon managed to secure an Erasmus Mundus Scholarship from the European Commission to pursue her MA in Special Educational Needs. So, she is away in Europe for one year.

Our staff team have been kept busy attending talks and training on various topics such as personal safety for children with special needs, sensory integration, job coach training, creative arts etc…We also conducted several training sessions such as the Hanen programme and the nationwide road show promotion on educational rights and inclusive education.

ACS once again coordinated the staff-exchange programme. Two colleagues from BOLD Penang were selected to visit child-care facilities in Japan for 3 weeks under the sponsorship of the Foundation for Children's Future.

On November 25 th , several of our team members attended an inspiring talk on Self-Advocacy by Dan Goodley in Kuala Lumpur. We are glad that two of the Mutiara Voice Club members were also able to attend.

FINANCIAL AND SUPPORT CONTRIBUTORS Strings of visitors kept us busy but buoyant Renowned singer artist Ms Mayo Shono and her team performed at the pleasure of the children and members at our centres when they visited Penang in October. The Miyabi Taiko team visited in July and also put up a performance with the giant Japanese drums.

Michael and Suzanne from Germany thrilled us with the didgeridoo in October. Our members had fun joining in the droning with drums and percussion instruments.

In October, the Rotary Club of Seberang Jaya sponsored tickets for some of our young adults to enjoy the Magical Disney show.

Partnership Projects In early August, ACS identified several needy people in the community and the Lions Club of George Town Mutiara presented 20 wheelchairs to them in a simple ceremony in Stepping Stone Centre

The annual Medical Health & Eye Camp was held on 21 st October in partnership with the Lions Club of Geogetown and Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH). YB Dato Seri Dr. Hilmi Yahaya and YB Siti Faridah graced the occasion. Almost 100 people from the Balik Pulau community had their eyes checked. 18 were identified for possible free cataract surgery by PAH's Consultant Opthalmologist.

FINANCIAL AND SUPPORT CONTRIBUTORS

Accessing the computer using a touch screen monitor .

Staff and Management of Dow Chemical drove all the way from KL to visit us one Saturday in July and together we indulged in a durian party! Their contribution of RM 12,500 enabled us to replace the stolen computers from ACS First Step Centre.

In celebration of the 50 th Anniversary of Malaysia, ACS together with JCI Pearl and Engtek Community Service organised a grand scale Merdeka Charity Carnival in August. We had over 80 stalls selling food items, groceries, jumble sale etc…as well as stage performances throughout the evening. The size of the crowd was encouraging. YB Dato Dr Teng Hock Nan represented the Penang Chief Minister to officiate the event. As one of the beneficiaries, ACS received a total sum of RM 96,340.00, which will be put towards the building fund of the First Step Centre.

In fulfilment of their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) commitment , we are grateful to companies such as Hong Leong Bank (RM 16,000), Ivory Properties (RM 10,000) and Mobile Wallet (RM 5,000) for their financial support.

We are also appreciative of opportunities to display and sell our products at Dell factories in September. Community Works sponsors our stall at the monthly Little Penang Street Market. Our products are being sold at Tropical Spice Garden and The Chocolate Boutique in Georgetown. We are glad for these income-generating support opportunities .

We are indebted to Yayasan Tun Sardon, The PJA Women's Club, Dari Penang group of artists and many parents and individuals who have also contributed financially.

Volunteers remain a valuable asset to the continuing of our work. Please call us if you have the time to sew products; the energy to run play sessions or the skills to repair toys / motorised wheelchairs.

Have a Great Year Ahead,
Khor Ai-Na,
Director

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A Non-Profit Organisation Providing Services To People With Special
Needs, In Particular Reference To Those With Disabilities
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