AKTIVITI ACS - JUNE 2009

"We believe that people with disabilities should be treated as equals. That means that people should be given the same decisions, choices, rights, responsibilities and chances to speak up to empower themselves as well as to make new friendships and renew old friendships just like everyone else. They should also be able to learn from their mistakes like everyone else."

- Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE US) -

LISTEN TO US

People with disabilities, in particular those with intellectual disabilities, are often powerless members of society. In Malaysia, we face prejudice, discrimination and barriers in:.

a. Enjoying equal protection of the law;
b. b. Accessing quality and affordable health care services;
c. Accessing quality education at all levels;
d. Receiving training that leads to gainful employment and income generation;
e. Living and participating in the community, including sports, recreational, cultural, leisure and travel activities;
f. Enjoying family life;
g. Enjoying an adequate standard of living;
h. Accessing essential or useful information;
i. Speaking for ourselves and being heard.

WE, persons with intellectual disabilities, family members and supporting friends, want to tell people about our lives, our hopes, our needs, our rights.

• Just because we are slow does not mean that we cannot think, speak or make decisions for ourselves.
• We are human beings and many of us have unique things to contribute. Friendships and relationships are important to us too.
• We want the opportunity to live independently and enjoy life in a dignified manner. Respect us and care for us like you would want to be cared for.
• As citizens of this country, we want to be included and be valued members of the society.

To make our lives better, we need our community's support, not their pity..

In February, some 120 participants consisting of people with intellectual disabilities and supporting friends congregated in Penang for the 3 rd National Self Advocacy Conference . This conference provided self advocates with the rare opportunity to organize their own gathering and to discuss issues that have direct relevance to their lives.

The three-day event included many presentations and discussions, plus lighter activities such as ice breakers and a half day tour of Penang. The highlight of the conference was undoubtedly the social evening of dinner and dance.

	This meeting saw the endorsement of a piece of document which I have re-produced in this newsletter for your reading and awareness.
	This resolution was presented to Dato Shamsiah Abdul Rahman, Advisor to the Minister of Women, Family & Community Development at the Closing Ceremony.
	[The full text can be viewed and down-loaded from asiacommunityservice.org.
	Dato Zaid Ibrahim in his keynote address encouraged us to plod on in our strife to speak up and speak out. .

The organisers, namely Mutiara Voice Self Advocacy Club and Asia Community Service appreciate the contribution from KDK Malaysia and POSIVA in making this conference possible .

MVC's Speaking Engagements

Following the success of the self-advocacy conference, members of the Mutiara Voice Self Advocacy Club (MVC) were invited by several groups to give talks. So busy were they that they had to turn down some invitations!

Nevertheless in April, they travelled to the East Coast (Kelantan and Trengganu) to challenge local communities to take greater control over their own lives by setting up their own self advocacy groups. In early June, two members jointly spoke at the Family Conference, sharing their experiences in independent living.

RESOLUTIONS / Resolusi (Adopted at the 3 rd National Self Advocacy Conference, Penang 2009 )

NEW LOCATION OF FIRST STEP

First Step Early Intervention Centre has been operating from a rented premise in Minden Heights for the past seven years. Recently, we were offered the use of a restored building rental free by its kind owner in a similar vicinity of Gelugor. After some further renovations, and packing ordeal, we moved into this new premise at the end of April. The relocation mayhem took longer than we expected. We were finally able to resume the children's programme in mid-May. We sincerely apologise to all affected families.

We are extremely grateful to the family of the late Noor Khan & Aishah Bee for the use of their house; many kind donors who have contributed towards the renovation expenses; as well as many volunteers who flexed their muscles to help in the move as well as the set up at the new premise. Do take note of the address change as below. Our telephone number remains 04-6585396, but our new fax number is 04-6593780. You are cordially invited to a simple Open House on Saturday afternoon of June 27 th . If you are unable to join us on that day, please feel free to pop by anytime for a cup of coffee.

PARTNERSHIP

In an effort to consolidate and synergise programmes for the benefit of children with special needs, ACS will be working in close partnership with BOLD Association for Children with Special Needs Penang particularly in the areas of early childhood intervention, inclusion and family supports.

On top of strengthening human resource capacity, this partnership and sharing will hopefully, result in better quality and quantity in the provision of programmes.

As such, we have started on a small scale a branch of the First Step Early Intervention Centre in Seberang Jaya for the benefit and convenience of families on the mainland as they will not need to travel onto the island. The programme is being run at BOLD's premise in Lengkok Siakap, Seberang Jaya.

STAFF VACANCIES

Many of our activities are attributed to funding resources that we have gotten from our supporters and donors. This has enabled us to get a great team of staff and volunteers together to carry out these services throughout the years.

However, like any NGOs, one of our perpetual struggles is to recruit dedicated and committed staff personnel onto the team as we look into expansion and further development of our work.

We are always on a look-out for young, dynamic and energetic staff to join the team. Perhaps you know of someone looking for a career change or seeking to touch lives and make a difference in the community, do call us at 04-6585396!

ON-GOING ACTIVITIES

This edition of newsletter comes to you a bit early as we are busy hosting speech therapy students from UKM and volunteers from England, Ireland, Switzerland and Singapore during their summer holidays.

We are also engaged in several major events in June, celebrating World Play Day and being the secretariat at the Family Conference in early June; organising community activities in conjunction with World Environmental Day in mid-June and of course the Open House at the end of June.

The theme for the Family Conference is “Families Connecting with Families” whereas the joint theme for Play Day and Environmental Day is “UNited to Promote Play in the Natural Environment”.

Please let us know if you can join us for any of the above activities. Do contact us for details. Otherwise we look forward to seeing you at the simple Open House on June 27 th . It would be such an honour and encouragement to have your presence with us.

Thank you.

Warm Regards,
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
Copyright © 2009 - Asia Community Service