N C B M OUTREACH Issue No. 43 Permit No. PP.7594/7/2006 April –June 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE President Support Our Cause ...... 2 S. Kulasegaran Special Announcement ...... 2 Announcements ...... 3 Special Announcement from the Social Welfare Department ...... 5 Editor In Memoriam ...... 6 Message from the NCBM President, S. Kulasegaran, Godfrey Ooi Goat See for the First ASEAN Braille Day Carnival...... 7 B.A. (Hons.), Dip Ed. Louis, the Father of Braille Dots By Aimee Koh ...... 8 Jasa Braille By Choo Kim Yoon ...... 10 Produced by Thanks to Louis Braille By Somiin Sualin ...... 10 THE NATIONAL Dialogue Between NCBM and the Ministry of Education COUNCIL FOR THE By Ivan Ho Tuck Choy ...... 11 Survey on the Blind in the Teaching Profession BLIND, MALAYSIA By Moses Choo ...... 13 The Challenges I Faced in the MAB Internship Programme 94-B Jalan Tun By Colin Ng Soon Beng ...... 15 A Mind-map of the K.L. Sentral Station Sambanthan, Brickfields By Inungkiran bt. Mongijal ...... 17 50470 KUALA LUMPUR. Upgrading of the Gurney Training Centre By George Thomas & Wong Yoon Loong ...... 18 News from the Malaysian Association for the Blind ...... 19 Tel.: 03-22735508 My Life as a Blind Person 22724959 By William Wong ...... 21 IPC Development Strategies for Malaysia, Part I Fax : 03-22724960 By S. Radha Krishnan ...... 23 Effective Techniques for Volunteers in Guiding the Blind E-Mail By Wong Huey Siew ...... 25 The Question of True Integration of Blind Persons in Society ...... 27 [email protected] Recommendations for the National Disability Budget 2006 By Dato’ Dr. Mohinder Singh & Godfrey Ooi ...... 30 A Point to Ponder: Just Lend Me Your Ears, Please By Wong Kow ...... 32 Principal Office-bearers and Council Members A quarterly Of NCBM FROM 2004 - 2006 ...... 33 publication of NCBM Chairpersons of Committees ...... 34 Representatives to Other Organisations ...... 35 Earn Some Extra Cash ...... 36

1 SUPPORT SPECIAL OUR CAUSE ANNOUNCE- IF YOU KNOW MENT OF ANY BLIND

The National Council for the PERSON NEEDING Blind, Malaysia (NCBM) pro- Readers are reminded that vides a Vital link between the their contribution of articles, sug- REGISTRATION organisations serving the blind gestions and jokes are most wel- in this Country by acting as come for inclusion in “The NCBM the national coordinating body. Outreach”. However, please note FOR Through NCBM, the organisa- that it would be very helpful to the tions for and of the blind have a Editor if such contributions could channel to Discuss and formulate be submitted either on diskette or EDUCATION OR national policies and plans and to on single-sided Braille pages to pioneer new programmes for the facilitate editing. benefit of the blind. REHABILITATION, For details of payments, Your financial support will, please see the last page. therefore, go a long way in helping PLEASE CONTACT to bring about new developments and progress for the blind. All US IMMEDIATELY contributions are deeply appreci- ated.

Donations should be made in the name of the National Council for the Blind, Malaysia. Address: NCBM

Tel: 03-2272 4959 94-B Jalan Tun Sambanthan Brickfields 03-2272 1442 50470 KUALA LUMPUR.

Tel: 03-22735508/22724959 We believe in Fax: 03-22724960

working together MAB

for common Tel: 03-2272 2673

good 03-2272 2677

2 ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. ICEVI CONFERENCE The 2006 information technol- 4. SPEECH SOFTWARE ogy training calendar of MAB is FOR MOBILE PHONE The International Conference available in the following formats on Education for the Visually Im- – plain text, word, PowerPoint, The I.T. Department of MAB paired will be held from July 16 to Braille and audio. The courses is offering a free service on the 21, 2006 at the Putra World Trade are open to blind individuals and demonstration and installation of Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The Ma- to organisations serving the blind. mobile phone softwares, namely laysian Association for the Blind Talx, MobileSpeak and Adnota. is the host organiser and the con- If you are interested in the These softwares are suitable for ference is being co-sponsored by i.t. calendar and registration, Nokia handsets of the 60 series. MAB and the National Council for please contact Silatulrahim at tel. the Blind, Malaysia. 22722677 ext. 44 or 45. If you are interested, please contact the I.T. Department for an A cordial invitation is extend- A summary of the schedule is appointment. ed to all NGOs and agencies serv- as follows: ing the blind as well as concerned individuals. May 8 – 12, Monday to Friday 5. REPAIR AND First series on the MS Internet SERVICING OF PC’S For more information, please Explorer, Outlook Express, MSN contact Yon Swee Chee or Liza Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, The I.T. Department is also Umi at MAB, tel. 22722677 ext. Skype and Jaws screen reader. prepared to do repairs and servic- 27 and ext. 30 respectively. ing for pc’s owned by the blind. May 15 – 19, Monday to Friday However, there will be a conces- Second series on MS Internet sionary service charge of RM25.00 2. DEAF-BLIND SERVICE Explorer, etc. plus any other costs that might be incurred such as the cost for com- MAB is looking for a suitable May 22 – 26, Monday to Friday ponents replaced. candidate to be sent to Indonesia Text to Braille for Bahasa Ma- for training in deaf-blind work. laysia and English. Those interested should con- This is in line with the plan to tact En. Rahim or Cik Farah Izura develop a service for deaf-blind June: at tel. 22722677 ext. 44 or 45 re- people. Specialised training on adap- spectively. tive equipment such as Braillenote, In due course, this trained per- Pacmate, mobile phones, PDAs, son may be considered for full- etc. 6. THIRD NATIONAL time or part-time employment ABILYMPICS 2006 with MAB. October: Special requests. Ten skills have been selected Interested persons should for the Third National Abilympics register with Norfarah Jori at tel. December: beginning in April at the Bangi In- 22722677 extension 21. Training for persons with spe- dustrial and Rehabilitation Train- cial needs such as the deaf-blind, ing Centre and culminating in the parents, care-givers, etc. finale programme scheduled for 3. I.T. TRAINING July 22 – 24, 2006 at the MAK- CALENDAR PEN building in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

3 The targeted months, events Four talents have been select- and venues are as follows: ed for the First VSA competition 2007, i.e. singing, playing musical April instruments, dancing and drama. Dress-making-Bangi Centre The attempt to The target groups will be May disabled persons from two age Wood-carving – PPOC, Kelantan groups – those 18 years and be- silent a man is low and those who are 19 years May old and above. Pottery – Sunway School, the greatest hon- Subang Jaya For singing and musical in- struments, cash prizes to be of- June fered are RM3,000, RM2,000 and our you can be- Basket-making – Taman Harapan RM1,000. in Temerloh, Pahang For dancing and drama, the stow on him. It July 22 prizes are RM5,000, RM4,000 English text processing and and RM3,000. creating web pages – MAKPEN means that you building, Sentul, K.L. We shall keep you informed of further developments. July 23 recognise his su- Poster designing and PC assembly – MAKPEN building 8. FIRST MALAYSIAN CONFERENCE ON periority to your- July 24 REHABILITATION OF Water-colour painting and floral THE DISABLED arrangement. MCR will be organising the self. Cash prizes of RM500, First Malaysian Conference on RM300 and RM100 will be Rehabilitation for the Disabled awarded to the three best per- from September 5 – 7, 2006. The formers of each event. Only the venue will be the Bangi Indus- first champion for each of the ten trial Training and Rehabilitation events will be chosen to represent Centre. Registration fees for the Malaysia at the coming interna- disabled will be RM60 only while tional abilympics in Tokyo, Japan the fee for the non-disabled will in 2007. be RM120.

Disabled persons who are We shall keep you informed interested to join should con- of further developments. (Joseph Sobran, tact their respective organisa- tions. They could also contact the MCR secretariat at tel. 79553510 Universal Press (Norhafishah, Executive Officer). Sydicate) 7. FIRST VERY SPECIAL ARTS 2007

4 SPECIAL ANOUNCEMENT FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

Realising that many were con- bekerja dan yang benar- Permohonan Bantuan fused over the eligibility and the benar memerlukan se- Tongkat Putih/Mesin procedures for the application of buah mesin braille untuk Braille (BPT/MB 2005). white canes and braillers, NCBM memudahkan mereka Kuasa meluluskan ban- wrote to the Jabatan Kebajikan menjalankan kerja mer- tuan adalah Pengarah Masyarakat on 24th Jan, 2006 eka dengan syarat :- Kebajikan Masyarakat and received the following guide- Negeri. lines on 9th February, 2006. i)berdaftar dengan Ja- batan Kebajikan Ma- syarakat sebagai orang Garis Panduan Pemberian Ban- kurang upaya. tuan Tongkat Putih dan Mesin Braille ii) Pendapatan bulanan ti- dak melebihi RM750.00 1. Syarat Kelayakan Bantuan sebulan dan berumur 16 tahun ke atas. 1.1. Tongkat Putih Orang kurang upaya iii) Pihak majikan ti- penglihatan yang berdaf- dak menyediakan ke- Some are born tar dengan Jabatan Ke- mudahan mesin braille. bajikan Masyarakat Ma- Permohonan mestilah great, some laysia layak menerima menyertakan slip gaji/su- bantuan ini. rat pengesahan pendapa- tan daripada majikan/ achieve great- 1.2. Mesin Braille surat akuan pendapatan a). Pelajar kurang upaya bagi yang bekerja send- ness and some penglihatan yang sedang iri. Pemohon yang ber- menuntut di sekolah ren- sekolah, menuntut di In- hire dah dan sekolah menen- stitusi Pengajian Tinggi gah, pusat pengajian atau mengikut latihan tinggi sama ada yang di mana-mana institusi public relations dikendalikan oleh pihak atau pertubuhan mes- kerajaan atau swasta tilah menyertakan su- writers. dan pelatih yang sedang rat perakuan dari pihak menjalankan latihan berkenaan. yang dikendalikan oleh pertubuhan sukarela ke- 2. Cara-cara memohon bajikan dengan syarat (Daniel J. mereka mestilah berdaf- 2.1. Permohonan Bantuan tar dengan Jabatan Ke- Tongkat Putih dan Mesin bajikan Masyarakat. Braille hendaklah me- Boorstin) lalui Pegawai Kebajikan b). Orang kurang upaya Masyarakat Daerah den- penglihatan yang sedang gan mengunakan Borang

5 IN MEMORIAM

We would like to remember important role not only in bring- been made by Major D. R. Bridg- and pay our respects to the late ing about greater awareness of the es and we will always remember Datuk Lau Hui Kang and the late need but also in the production of him for the legacy he had left be- Major D. R. Bridges, two impor- Braille textbooks for the blind. hind for the blind in Malaysia. tant figures in the work for the blind of Malaysia. Both of them We remember Datuk Lau Hui He leaves behind three sons passed away in the early part of Kang for the sacrifices he had and grandchildren. His funeral 2006. made through NCBM in spite of was in Hawaii on January 23, the heavy schedules and commit- 2006 at 11.00 a.m. We all remem- Datuk Lau Hui Kang passed ments he had to keep to ensure ber him with heartfelt thanks and away in Singapore on January the survival of his own business fondest memories. 19, 2006 at the age of 83. He had agencies in Sarawak. been the president of the National Council for the Blind, Malaysia Major David Ronald Bridges (NCBM) for a period of four years passed away peacefully in Hawaii from 1996 to 2000. on January 13, 2006 at the age of 90. He was instrumental in the Even though his presidency formation of the Malaysian As- had been brief, Datuk Lau had sociation for the Blind (MAB) in played a significant role in help- 1951 when he was an officer of ing NCBM to achieve some of the Social Welfare Department of its important goals. In particular, Malaysia. He was the first secre- he was instrumental in enabling tary-general of MAB from 1951 NCBM to secure its own building to 1957. During his tenure of ser- in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur at vice, he helped to establish many the cost of RM1.1 million. This services for the blind, includ- was no mean feat in the face of ing the Gurney Training Centre, doubts that NCBM would be able the Taman Harapan Agricultural to settle this great financial debt. Training Centre, the Kinta Valley With his guidance and support, Workshop for the blind, the job the project met with success in the placement service and the Braille end and this has enabled NCBM library. to play a more effective role as a It’s time for the coordinating body for the main Later, he became the director organisations serving the blind in of the American Foundation for this country. the Overseas Blind (AFOB) with its East Asia office based in Kuala blind to Datuk Lau was also keenly Lumpur until 1969. During this aware of the problem being faced period, he helped to set up the by blind school students concern- evaluation and adjustment pro- help the ing the lack of Braille textbooks. gramme and the light engineer- Thus, he threw his full weight be- ing section at the Gurney Training hind the idea of establishing the Centre in Kuala Lumpur. blind Malaysian Braille Press and the goal was realised in 1997. Since Indeed, we deeply appreciate then, MBP has been able to play an the services and sacrifices that had

6 MESSAGE FROM THE NCBM PRESIDENT, S. KULASEGARAN, FOR THE FIRST ASEAN BRAILLE DAY CARNIVAL, JANUARY 4, 2006

ries or so. Indeed, the blind and Nevertheless, in spite of our visually impaired persons living efforts, we realise there has not today owe much to Louis Braille been adequate recognition with re- for the successes and achieve- gards to the contributions of Louis ments in their lives. Braille has Braille and his Braille System in enabled the blind and visually the development of rehabilitation, impaired to experience a drastic education and employment oppor- change in their lives – from de- tunities for the blind and visually pendence and charity to economic impaired. All these programmes independence, from the forsaken are made possible through reading corners of inactivity to participa- and writing in Braille. Because of In Paris stands a statue of tion in the family and community Braille which enabled the blind to Louis Braille erected by the life, from the dumps of society to gain literacy through informal and French blind to pay tribute to him respectable positions in all areas formal education, they have been for inventing the system of raised of living. able subsequently to profit from dots called Braille. They have in- vocational training and to take up scribed on the statue, “To Braille Since its invention about 200 employment, pursue professional from the Grateful Blind”. years ago, Braille has thus contin- careers, or develop talents and ued to play a pivotal role in the hobbies that have enabled them The blind throughout the lives of the blind in the family, to aspire to greater heights, espe- world share the same sentiments. in the community, in education, cially in music and writing. They are truly grateful to Louis employment and all the various Braille for the wonderful system aspects of living. Even in our In this modern ICT age of ours of Braille that has helped to open modern ICT age, the impact of with information and transactions up the doors of opportunity to Braille on the blind is still beyond being mostly done through the in- them. measure. Braille remains as their ternet and the mobile phone, one key to learning and knowledge would have expected Braille to And so as we commemo- leading to self-empowerment and become a thing of the past. But rate the 197th birthday of Louis self-reliance. this is not so and, on the contrary, Braille, the inventor of this beau- modern technological advance- tiful system of reading and writ- The World Blind Union recog- ments have, in fact, strengthened ing by touch for the blind and nises this fact and has thus pro- the position of Braille although visually impaired, let us pause claimed Louis Braille’s birthday, they may have changed some of for a moment to ponder and ap- January 4, as Louis Braille Day. the ways and methods in which preciate the contributions of Lou- Braille is used by the blind today. is Braille and to reflect upon the We in Malaysia and ASEAN For example, the manufacturers power of Braille – the tremendous also recognise this fact. It is be- of assistive equipment have come and significant power of the six cause of this that NCBM and MAB up with embossers, refreshable inconspicuous dots which have have come together as joint part- Braille displays and computer impacted upon and revolutionised ners to organise the First ASEAN software that can convert digitised the lives of blind people all over Braille Day Carnival on the day information into Braille with just the world for the past two centu- when Louis Braille was born. a few keystroke commands.

7 Thus, it is very important that educators and organisations serv- ing the blind should continue to LOUIS, THE FATHER OF give due attention to the teaching of Braille. However, it is of para- BRAILLE DOTS mount importance that the blind themselves understand the need By Aimee Koh to master the skills of reading and Editor’s Note: Aimee Koh is a In 1819, at the age of ten, Lou- writing in Braille so that they will volunteer at the MAB Library is went by stagecoach to Paris to be able to harness their potential and Resource Centre and she further his education and to widen and develop their talents to the is an enthusiastic supporter of his world. Here, he was excited by fullest. Braille. She wrote the follow- the many subjects he could learn ing article for the souvenir pro- by listening and memorising. He In short, Braille is the key to gramme of the First ASEAN learnt arithmetic, grammar, ge- success for any blind or visually Braille Day Carnival. Here is ography, history, science, music impaired person. what she says: and a trade as well. However, he longed to explore knowledge Thus, in organising the first Louis Braille was an ac- by himself, but there was only a ASEAN Braille Day Carnival tive, intelligent and inquisitive cumbersome and inefficient sys- through the joint effort and col- child born on January 4, 1809, in tem of raised letters. Books were laboration of NCBM and MAB, Coupvray, France. Tragedy struck expensive and extremely bulky; it is our fervent desire to give early, when at the age of three he moreover, they were few and dif- Louis Braille the due recognition strayed into his father’s workshop ficult to read. that he so richly deserves. At the and an awl slipped from his young same time, the carnival is being hand into his eye. Although the One day, in 1821, an army celebrated with keen awareness doctor came quickly, infection captain, Captain Barbier, came on our part concerning the need set in and spread to his other eye. to the school to demonstrate his and urgency to promote Braille as Louis became totally blind. The “Night-Writing” of sending silent a tool of learning for the blind and accident thrust him into a dark, messages to his troops. This con- to develop programmes that will colourless world, forecasting a sisted of raised dots punched into help to raise functional literacy miserable future devoid of hope. thick paper by a stylus. It was among the blind and visually im- based on sounds but it had many paired to a much higher level. His father, a master craftsman limitations. They couldn’t write of great insight, taught him the al- numbers, capital or punctuations In closing, I must congratulate phabet by hammering nails in the and the innumerable patterns and compliment MAB for having shape of letters into wood, and were complicated and difficult to successfully organised the First also guided his hand to write. He do and feel. It was fine for short ASEAN Braille Day Carnival in was trained in many living skills messages but quite inadequate for joint cooperation with NCBM. I at home by his loving parents, and general use. am delighted with the new format Louis emerged positive in attitude that has enriched the carnival and and with a tremendous thirst to Yet, Louis liked the idea of has attracted much more partici- learn. dots and he set about improving pation both from within and out- the Night-Writing. Catain Barbi- side Malaysia. The village priest, Father Pal- er decided to find out more about luy, also believed in Louis, and the improvement to his system. Thank you and have a suc- taught him what he could about When confronted by a twelve cessful Braille carnival. the Bible and the world around year old boy, he became curt to him. Next, he arranged for Lou- the point of contempt which left is to be accepted into the village Louis crushed and confused. As school and finally into The Royal Louis could expect no support Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. from the Captain, he decided to

8 work on his own. in it, giving his blessing! How- had adapted it to more than two ever, the sighted world was skep- hundred languages and dialects The next three years he la- tical and callous, so funds much throughout the world. Braille boured, skipping meals and sac- needed to publish books were not achieved the status of a universal rificing sleep, but it was a blind released and the new system of language. alley that led nowhere! dots could not be advertised out- side of the Institute or to the rest A hundred years after his Suddenly, inspiration came, of the world. death, Louis’ body was moved why not use a system based on the from his village grave to the Pan- alphabet instead? Things fell into Louis was undaunted by the theon, to lie with other great men place! rejection his system received. He and women of France. He was continued to spend long hours honoured for opening the doors of He put six dots on paper and manually punching out books for knowledge to all those who can- numbered them as below: the Institute. Alas, his health suf- not see. fered, and while on medical leave, Dot 1 a Dot 4 @ a new director of the Institute, Dr. What if Louis Braille’s par- Dufau, outlawed the system, con- ents did not give him a good en- Dot 2 1 Dot 5 “ fiscated all tools and burnt all the vironment conducive to learning? books. It was a blow to the ailing What if the village priest did not Dot 3 ‘ Dot 6 , Louis. step out and go the extra mile for Louis? What if Louis himself Raised dot number 1 – that Fortunately, Dr. Dufau soon allowed self doubt to overcome stands for a realised he could not stop this sys- him? What if he could not main- tem from flourishing, he had only tain his passion for the raised dots Raised dots numbers 1 & 2 driven it underground. He then system in the face of opposition – that is b began to encourage and promote and chose to be a musician in- it, although for the wrong reasons stead? We would never know the Raised dots 1 & 4 mean c of ambition and self glorification. exact outcome, but one thing is certain, the lives of the visually Finally, his system contained In 1847, the first Braille handicapped would definitely be three blocks: printing press came into being poorer. and Braille writing spread within A b c d e f g h I j France. Louis was frail in his last years, he was often bedridden, K l m n o p q r s t but continued to teach piano in the Institute whenever he found U v w x y z strength. Finally, on January 6, 1852, he succumbed to tuberculo- Success was literally at his sis – loved by his friends, cheerful fingertips. It was simple and effi- till the end, at peace with God and cient; easy to use and understand. himself, he passed away. Just six dots in different arrange- ments! Multitudes missed him, but he was yet unknown to the world. Excitement spread through He was laid to rest in Coupvray, the school. Students could now his hometown. communicate with each other, take notes and keep diaries. It Braille had been in use in the was a gift from heaven! Institute for eight years when Lou- is died, but it continued to spread Dr. Pignier, the Director of the nationally, then internationally. Institute, approved and believed By 1949, the United Nations

9 JASA BRAILLE THANKS TO LOUIS Oleh Choo Kim Yoon BRAILLE

By Somiin Sualin Editor’s Note: Somiin Sualin won the first prize for her poem which was submitted for the First ASEAN Braille Day Carni- val 2006 and it appeared in the Braille Carnival souvenir pro- gramme. The verse is simple but it reveals how much Braille means to the writer.

For the purpose of clarity, the poem has been edited for this magazine. Here it is: Editor’s Note: The following Jasa Braille dikenang zaman In a world without sight, lyrics were composed by Choo berzaman, I need never to have a fright, Kim Yoon, who is both blind and Tulisan Braille ciptaan insan For with just six dots I can deaf. His composition won the budiman, read and write, first prize of RM1,500 in the Lyr- Louis Braille namanya, So my world is always gay ics-writing Contest for the First sungguh mulia budinya, and bright. ASEAN Braille Day Carnival Setinggi nilai emas permata. 2006. It appeared in the Braille You read print boks with your Carnival souvenir programme. Ke gunung tinggi kita mendaki, sight Lautan luas pun kita renangi, But I read special books with finger tips, Braille, Braille, Braille, Tulisan Braille tetap setia It’s true, you may think it’s ilmu yang sungguh berharga, menemani, unreal Tulisan Braille bagaikan Sehingga kita di puncak But, I tell you, this is called sinar pelita, kejayaan! Braille. Memberikan kita harapan Sehingga kita di puncak yang cerah, kejayaan! With help from this tool many Menuju masa depan yang Sehingga kita di puncak blind have succeeded gemilang. kejayaan! In life – it’s true and it’s real, Thanks to the wonderful, Di mana jua, di serata dunia, inspiring inventor, Tulisan Braille ternyata san- The great and courageous gat berguna, Louis Braille. Sebagai sumber ilmu penge- tahuan, Membantu kita mencapai kemajuan.

10 DIALOGUE BETWEEN NCBM AND THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

By Ivan Ho Tuck Choy, Executive Director, National Council for the Blind, Malaysia be dealt with satisfactorily, they by one organisation and concern- would be referred to the Minister. ing some provisions in the regu- lations of the Ministry of Finance En. Kulasegaran then ex- requiring companies which bid pressed appreciation for the pres- for government contracts to have ence of the representatives from Bumiputra status. the Ministry and requested En. Tun Faisal to convey to the Min- En. Kulasegaran explained ister his special thanks. that NCBM is a non-profit organi- sation whose main objective is to The dialogue between NCBM The recommendations were serve the blind, regardless of race and the Education Ministry took then deliberated upon as follows: or creed. Therefore, the issue of place on 14th June, 2005 from “Bumiputra status” should not be 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. The venue 1. BRAILLE TEXTBOOKS applied to NCBM. of the meeting was at the Spe- cial Education Department of the As the national coordinat- Referring to the question of Ministry located at Paras 2, Block ing body, NCBM would give its monopoly, he said that NCBM E2, Kompleks Kerajaan Parcel commitment to fulfilling the tasks was only asking for incremental E, Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan given to it. It would distribute contracts, gradually rising to 80% Persekutuan, Putrajaya. the work among its member or- by 2015. Besides, the work will ganisations once the contracts are be shared out among its member Puan Siti Zaharah, the Tim- awarded to it and be responsible organisations. balan Ketua Pengarah of JPK and for its completion. Chairperson, welcomed us warm- Thus, BBT agreed to award ly. She was very supportive of the Thus, the meeting recognised more contracts to NCBM which recommendations that had been NCBM to be the national body that will be committed to improving submitted by NCBM (which had the Ministry of Education should its Braille production facilities. been formulated at the seminar be dealing with in the production However, this would not prevent on educational issues held at the of Braille textbooks. It would be BBT from awarding contracts to Allson Klana Hotel in Seremban up to NCBM to deal with the dis- other companies if it would serve in 2004). tribution of work internally. the interest of the blind. On the question of “Bumiputra status”, En. Tun Faisal, Special Offi- NCBM could apply to the Minis- cer to the Minister of Education, 2. COMMISSIONING FOR try of Finance for the requirement apologised that he could not fix an PRODUCTION BY 2015 to be waived. appointment for the President of NCBM with Datuk Sri Hishamud- As to the question of commis- din due to the Minister’s busy sioning NCBM and its member 3. STANDARDISING OF schedule. Nevertheless, he as- organisations to produce at least BRAILLE PRODUCTION sured En. Kulasegaran that ev- 80% of the Braille textbooks by erything would be done to resolve 2015, concerns were expressed re- It was agreed that JPK and NCBM the issues. Those that could not garding the question of monopoly would jointly organise a work-

11 shop to draw up a strategic plan 7. VISION SCREENING IN quality and standards in the edu- for standardising the production TEACHER-TRAINING cation programmes. In fact, there of Braille materials. When com- CURRICULUM is an advisory committee which pleted, JPK would be the body to meets regularly for the exchange ensure that all stake-holders use JPK felt that rather than over- of views between JPK and the the Braille Transcribers’ Manual. load the teachers, this matter NGOs. To ensure acceptance of the man- would be better dealt with by the ual, representatives from BBT, the Ministry of Health. Concerning research projects, Examination Board, and other in- this would be in the purview of terested parties (including RNIB) However, JPK would be will- the Ministry of Higher Educa- will be invited to take part. ing to cooperate with those bodies tion and the institutions of higher dealing with blindness preven- learning. tion. 4. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS 12. LEARNING OF BRAILLE 8. TRANSFER OF HEADS BY LOW-VISIONED STU- JPK will consider purchasing AND SENIOR ASSIS- DENTS such items (for the use of blind stu- TANTS dents) from organisations which The Chairperson confirmed can offer competitive prices plus JPK explained that this was that it was the policy of JPK to en- technical support. sometimes unavoidable but reme- courage the learning of Braille by dial action will be considered in low-visioned children. However, 5. CAREER COUNSELLORS the future. parental counselling may be nec- essary to overcome this problem. Currently, counsellors are posted to schools with a certain 9. PRE-SCHOOL INTE- number of students but the special GRATED PRGRAMMES 13. TERMINOLOGY ON schools and programmes for dis- DISABILITY abled children are not covered. This matter may be consid- ered in the future. At present, the The Chairperson assured that It was agreed that NCBM numbers do not justify starting unacceptable terms will no longer should use its good connections such classes. be used in legislative documents to explore for such special train- such as the Education Act as we ing courses. One of the channels moved towards a rights-based so- would be RNIB and the matter 10. BLIND CHILDREN WITH ciety. will be discussed with Mr. Colin ADDITIONAL DISABILI- Low. TIES 14. MUSIC AS A PROSPEC- It was recognised that there TIVE CAREER OPPOR- 6. POSTING OF was a shortage of trained staff to TUNITY TEACHERS WITH THE deal with this matter. The chal- NECESSARY SKILLS lenges and solutions will be ex- It was agreed to support the plored further. project paper submitted by the JPK admitted that this was a University College Sedaya Inter- problem which required long-term national. solutions. There was a shortage 11. MONITORING TO EN- of such teachers and not too many SURE HIGHSTANDARDS people were interested in this spe- 15. REVISED MALAY cialised field. JPK assured that the process BRAILLE CODE of monitoring and evaluation was JPK has accepted the code It was agreed that JPK and on-going in order to ensure high and will consider launching the NCBM will explore further for book in due course. solutions. 12 CONCLUSION

We are most grateful to the SURVEY ON THE BLIND IN Ministry of Education for the dia- logue and appreciate very much THE TEACHING PROFESSION their willingness to work with NCBM and other organisations By Moses Choo, serving the blind. Such positive Assistant Executive Director, understanding and cooperation National Council for the Blind, Malaysia augurs well for the blind in the long term. 6. Are you included in the activ- ities and programmes of your school? (Positive – 62%)

7. Do you feel that there is no discrimination against blind teachers? (Positive – 62%)

8. Do you feel that you are well This survey was carried out accepted by your students? Some are born by the Blind Professionals As- (Positive – 68%) sistance Service (BPAS) in mid- 2005. The objective of the survey 9. Do you feel that you have great, some was to ascertain the level of con- done well as a teacher? (Pos- fidence existing among the blind itive – 32%) teachers as well as to gauge their achieve great- work performance and relation- 10. You do not face any problems ship with their fellow co-workers. in preparing for your classes? Below are the list of questions and (Positive – 55%) the responses received. ness and some 11. You face no problems during 1. Are you proud to be a teach- classes? (Positive – 27%) er in your school? (Positive hire – 100%) 12. You have no problems in marking exercises? (Positive 2. Are you happy to be teach- – 40%) public relations ing in your school? (Positive – 85%) 13. Would you use the assistance of students to write on the writers. 3. Is your school environment board? (Positive – 27%) conducive for a blind teacher to move around? (Positive 14. You are able to maintain dis- – 86%) cipline in your classes? (Pos- itive – 47%) 4. Do you have a very cordial (Daniel J. relationship with your sight- 15. Do you assume equal respon- ed colleagues? (Positive sibilities as your sighted col- – 78%) leagues? (Positive – 77%) Boorstin) 5. Does the school head have 16. Are you given responsibilities a positive attitude regarding as the advisor of any soci- your participation? (Positive ety or co-curricular activity? – 70%) (Positive – 71%)

13 17. Are you involved in more than of Education so that they can one committee of the school? stay abreast of new policies (Positive – 38%) and teaching techniques.

18. Are you given the oppor- 4. There should be more effec- tunity to head a project or tive coordination in the pro- IF YOU KNOW programme in your school? vision of support services for (Positive – 18%) blind and visually impaired OF ANY BLIND teachers. 19. Do you have knowledge in the use of computers? (Posi- PERSON NEEDING tive – 100%)

20. Do you need reading servic- REGISTRATION FOR es? (Positive – 81%)

21. Do you have opportunities to EDUCATION OR attend courses organised by Treat a person as the Ministry of Education? (Positive – 27%) REHABILITATION,

PLEASE CONTACT FINDINGS he is, and he will re-

Generally, the blind and visu- US IMMEDIATELY ally impaired teachers have indi- cated that they lack confidence in main as he is. Treat actual classroom presentations. Thus, it is felt that the holding of workshops may be useful in help- ing the teachers build up self-con- him as he could be, NCBM fidence. Tel: 03-2272 4959 and he will become RECOMMENDATIONS 03-2272 1442

1. The member organisations of NCBM should assist the blind what he should be. teachers in obtaining reading services. MAB 2. Courses for blind teachers should go beyond ICT train- ing and include such subjects Tel: 03-2272 2673 as resource management and presentation skills. (Jimmy) 03-2272 2677 3. Blind teachers should be en- couraged to take part in cours- es organised by the Ministry

14 THE CHALLENGES I FACED IN THE MAB IN- TERNSHIP PROGRAMME

By Colin Ng Soon Beng like to share his experience with lem of my hypernasality. A so- readers. lution was suggested to help me overcome this deficiency, i.e. by Here is what Colin says: using a label file. This would only announce the track numbers, e.g. I started work at the MAB track 1, track 2, etc. library on September 6, 2005. I met the librarian, Miss Christine The final step was to burn Ng Lai, and she gave me most of the MP3 file on to the CD. I also the assignments. They included had some problem in dealing with transferring materials from cas- this process but the audio techni- sette-tape to MP3 and CD format, cian, Abian, gave me some assis- preparing work instructions for tance where appropriate to ensure volunteers, etc. that the process was carried out Editor’s Note: In 2003 Colin Ng smoothly. graduated from the University My first assignment was to College Sedaya International produce an audio book on MP3 My second assignment was to (UCSI) with a diploma in con- format. To do this, I had to use a transfer CD material on to MP3 temporary music. In recognition, programme called Sound Forge to format. I believe I could have he received from MAB the Best do the transfer from cassette-tape. done this easily by using the Au- Blind Student’s Award on the di- I had some difficulty in using the dio Catalyst but, unfortunately, ploma level for that year together marker to highlight the unwanted the existing programme did not with a sum of RM1,000. He then parts that had been previously re- have the ability to do this. Abian went on to pursue his bachelor of corded at the end of each chapter again came to my rescue by in- music (Hons.) degree at the same in order to have them erased. I stalling a software called CD-Ex. institution which will be complet- had to press the I key to mark “in” This enabled me to extract all the ed on April 30, 2006. and the O key to mark “out”. tracks from the CD and to transfer them on to the MP3 format with- One of the assignments of So I was shown another out much problem. As a result, I his degree course was to undergo method which I found to be much had produced a set of four CDs an internship programme with a easier, i.e. to highlight the un- containing Mandarin stories read related industry. As Colin was wanted parts by using the shift by Chinese volunteers. unable to gain access to such an key plus right arrow, listening industry, MAB agreed to provide for the unwanted part and finally Preparing work instructions the opportunity for him to gain pressing the delete key to have it for volunteers was not a major exposure and training at the Audio cancelled. problem as all I had to do was to Unit of the MAB Library and Re- type them out. Initially, however, source Centre. Colin was with the Another challenge I encoun- my instructions were too elaborate MAB internship programme from tered was in using the voice to and Miss Christine Ng advised me September to December 2005. label each track recorded into the to make them simpler. computer. I tried using my own In spite of his multiple dis- voice to announce each track Another small problem was abilities (including blindness), number; however, whenever I the lack of consistency in typing Colin has done well in the intern- played back, the voice could not the key name. In spite of this, ship programme and he would be heard clearly due to the prob- nonetheless, I did manage to pro-

15 vide some instructions for the staff I had no problems at all when This period of training has and volunteers. it came to work ethics such as been an eye-opener to me and it punctuality. I started work at has helped to prepare me for fu- I also helped out with the half past nine in the morning and ture employment opportunities af- Braille book production. Vol- finished work at four in the af- ter I have obtained my degree. unteers would read to me and I ternoon. I made sure that I kept would key in the material on to to this work schedule despite the the computer. The books I have traffic jams as I travelled from my typed include “Tupai Family Ad- home in Puchong and back. ventures”, “The Lake Classic Short Stories”, and “The Great Then I was given a brief ex- British and Irish Short Stories” by posure period with the Society James Joyce. Altogether I have of the Blind in Malaysia (SBM) keyed in at least nine books for from 18th to 20th November. My Braille book production. work was supervised by Mr. Alex Lee Guan Hock. Then I faced a major hitch when it came to using the DAISY My assignments included programme. While I was able using the answering machine to to access DAISY by using the record announcements, the mass Some are born MyStudio-PC, I could not get the duplication of cassette-tapes, ar- recording to work for the follow- ranging the tapes to be ready for ing reasons: posting, erasing of old tapes for recycling, and to package the fin- great, some Firstly, I was not able to re- ished products for customers. cord the book with my own voice because of my hypernasality prob- I must say that I had a very achieve great- lem. tough time trying to learn so much within three days. I had difficulty Secondly, although DAISY in coping with most of the assign- ness and some was supposed to have easier short- ments but I did manage to dupli- cuts (as was told to me by Miss cate at least 172 out of 250 tapes Ng), I found that they were more (more than 50% of the assign- hire complicated than Sound Forge. ment) given on the first day. Also, the recording capacity for an MP3 file using DAISY was On the whole, it was a good public relations only 32 kb mono. Thus, I had to experience for me to know some- give up on this assignment. thing about the mass duplication of cassette-tapes and I had a good writers. For the music album, there insight into the work carried out were no major problems in pre- at SBM. paring the songs and instrumen- tals. After office hours, I was able In spite of all the challenges to work at home by connecting and problems faced during my in- my Roland XP80 to Sound Forge, ternship programme, I am happy (Daniel J. which then recorded directly into to know that I had done my best in the computer. The music was my assignments. I wish to thank then saved on a Wave File to be the staff at the MAB library for transferred on to CD later on. Al- their constant support and assis- Boorstin) together there were 11 items on tance. the album which I named as “in- ternship mix”.

16 A MIND-MAP OF THE K.L. SENTRAL STATION

By Inungkiran bt. Mongijal Editor’s Note: In “The NCBM you can turn left and walk along bus counter; Outreach” of January – March the pavement on your right. You 2006, Inungkiran gave an ac- will pass the Genting Highlands Walking along the right-hand count of the survey of the K.L. bus station and eventually the lift, side of the passage, you will pass Sentral area as a follow-up to the escalator and staircase, all leading the entrance to McDonald’s and Brickfields barrier-free project. to the first floor of the building. then the cocoatrees chocolate She would now like to present From the top of the escalator, a shop; readers with a mind-map of the slope leads you gently downwards K.L. Sentral station and its facili- to the main door. At the bus counter, you turn ties. back to walk along the opposite Then as you walk along the side of the passage which is now right-hand side of the building, on your right – you will pass the As I had mentioned in my you will come to the following: RHB bank and AM bank and the report on the survey of the K.L. money changers; Sentral area, I would attempt to Three ticket machines for provide readers with a more de- KLIA; Coming out of the passage, tailed description of the place. So continue along the right-hand side I hope you will be able to follow Alternatively, you could buy of the building and you will pass me by reading this mind-map. your tickets from the counter next the Galore Holiday Tours, the Pri- to the machines; ma Deli cake shop, Café Shida, Well, our starting point could and a fruit stall. be the Monorail station. We must Then comes the entrance to locate the ramp or slope along the the KLIA Express for Bandar Ta- On the right-hand corner at edge of the pavement and then sik, Putrajaya, Salak Tinggi and the back are the toilets and on the cross the Tun Sambanthan main the KLIA airport; left-hand corner is the surau. road to the K.L. Sentral station. Walk on (if you are not going As you walk back on the op- There is a bus-stop right in to KLIA) and you will pass two posite side of the building (which front of the route leading to the telephone booths, famous Amus is now on your right), you will station. The bus is on its way to Cookies, and the entrance to Putra pass the escalators going up or Kuala Lumpur from the Puchong LRT; down to the taxi-stand; however, and Old Klang Road areas. So if you go upstairs, you could also you can get down here and join Move on and you come to relax yourself and go for a sump- the others in locating the steps the shop for handphones, the ma- tuous bite at the Kentucky Fried in front of the route to the K.L. chines and counter for KTM tick- Chicken there. Sentral. During the day and eve- ets, and the entrance to KTM sta- ning time, this route is usually tion; If you are not taking the taxi lined with hawker stalls selling all or having KFC, then you can kinds of things, particularly Indi- Move along again and you move on instead and you will pass an goods, food and titbits. come to the ATM machines for some more shops and restaurants Bank Islam, Bank Rakyat and Bu- and additional ticketing facilities You will then cross over the miputra Commerce; and entrances for LRT and KTM. divider perpendicular to the route you are walking. When you reach Then you may enter the pas- In the centre of the building the pavement opposite the divider, sage leading to the Transnasional are a line of clothing stalls.

17 When you come back to the main door, you can refresh your- self with some lovely ice-cream UPGRADING OF THE GURNEY at the McDonald’s stall for only RM1.05. TRAINING CENTRE

Finally, you can make your By George Thomas, way out of the building by taking Executive Director, Malaysian Association for the Blind the lift or walking down the stair- case. At the bottom of the stairs, And Wong Yoon Loong, you should turn left and you will Principal, Gurney Training Centre also find the escalator and lift. The Gurney Training Centre strive to be a centre of excellence Follow the pavement (now on in the provision of comprehensive your left) and you will come once (GTC) was established in 1953 by the Social Welfare Department. and up-to-date rehabilitation and more to the Genting Highlands vocational training programmes bus station. Its administration was handed to the Malaysian Association for for the blind not only in Malay- the Blind (MAB) in 1957 but the sia but in the Asia-Pacific region Cross the road and divider as well. It will work in partner- back to the route leading to the government continued provid- ing grants to support its services. ship with local organisations and, Kuala Lumpur bus-stop on the if necessary, adapt programmes main road; or else cross the main Thanks to the government grants and public donations, the servic- from overseas organisations in or- road and head for Monorail on the der to give our trainees the high- opposite side. es are provided free of charge to the blind, which include training, est-quality training. The centre lodgings, food and pocket money will also apply for accreditation So there you are – I hope you from the Majlis Latihan Voka- can understand my mind-map. (RM50 per month since March 2005). sional Kebangsaan (MLVK). Just like you, I never knew there With the completion of the new were so many facilities at the K.L. hostel in 2006, the capacity will Sentral. One could really spend Since its inception, more than 1,700 blind persons have complet- be increased to 90 trainees at any quite a few pleasant hours there one time, thus making more train- for shopping, tasting of the deli- ed their training. Most of them are gainfully employed as stenog- ing opportunities available to the cious food, or just simply looking blind. around. raphers, telephone operators, mas- seurs and factory workers. Some of them manage to gain admission In the upgrading process, to local or foreign institutions of existing programmes will be im- higher learning, thereby improv- proved and new programmes in- ing their career opportunities. roduced to equip the trainees with higher level skills and abilities. It’s time for the In view of the rapidly chang- ing job market with the current The courses will include re- emphasis on knowledge-based habilitation, information admin- blind to workers, MAB is striving to up- istrative assistants (formerly tele- grade its facilities, review the phonists), massage, reflexology, training curriculum and retrain its woodwork, ICT, adapted tech- help the staff so that the trainees will be nology, web designing, computer able to obtain better-quality train- programming, entrepreneurship, ing. Thus, the redevelopment of job preparation, and practical blind the GTC site commenced in 1994 training. and was completed in 1997. The objectives of the upgrad- The new upgraded GTC will ed GTC are as follows:

18 1. To assist newly identified per- sons with visual impairment to readjust to their new con- NEWS FROM THE dition of blindness through individualised rehabilitation MALAYSIAN ASSOCIATION training. FOR THE BLIND 2. To equip blind persons with the necessary prerequisites and so prepare them for fur- SPORTS AND RECREATION cash prize. ther education in an institu- tion of higher learning. MAB upgraded its gym- MAB was honoured by the nasium facilities at the cost of International Paralympic Coun- 3. To prepare the blind for gain- RM15,000 and has employed a cil when its president, Sir Philip ful employment through vo- part-time trainer-cum-coordinator Craven, declared Kompleks MAB cational training suitable to to assist the 72 members regis- as the national centre of sports their needs and abilities. tered with the gym at a yearly fee excellence for the blind on June of RM10 only per year. 30, 2005. Following this auspi- 4. To provide blind workers cious occasion, MAB was ac- with retraining opportunities Working in cooperation with tively involved in preparing na- to improve their skills so that the Ministry of Youth and Sports, tional coaches and athletes for the they could remain in the com- MAB selected a national team ASEAN para games for Manila petitive job market. for lawn ball and had a 12-mem- from December 15 – 20, 2005 and ber team participate in the World the FESPIC games to be held in 5. To help the blind build up Lawn Ball Championships held K.L. from November 26 to De- self-confidence and self-es- in Capetown, South Africa from cember 2, 2006. teem so that they will be bet- April 2 – 18, 2005. The team won ter prepared to be integrated two bronze medals (one for singles The ultimate goal is to upgrade into society. and one for doubles). RM141,000 the present Sports and Recreation was spent on this project. Committee to a department of the (To be continued) Association by January 2006. MAB and the Selangor Judo Association organised a judo championship on September 25, GURNEY TRAINING 2005 at the MAB judo hall. 32 CENTRE blind persons took part under six categories for the competition. Two of GTC’s massage in- structors, En. Mat Rodzi Hanapi The winners received tro- and En. Vasu Manikam, received phies and cash prizes ranging their Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia from RM250 to RM500. (SKM Level 2 Certification) for massage from the Majlis Latihan MAB in collaboration with Vokasional Kebangsaan (MLVK). the National Paralympic Council They are the first two blind indi- organised the Second National viduals to receive this certification Goalball Open Championships and this will enable the GTC to from November 18 – 21, 2005 at award MLVK’s SKM certificates the Titiwangsa Indoor Stadium, to its trainees from July 2006. K.L. Five regional teams took part and the Sabah team emerged In order to make the GTC the as the champion, carrying away centre of excellence in rehabilita- the challenge trophy and RM2,000 tion and vocational training for

19 the blind, existing courses will be The main results of the con- EDUCATIONAL ASSIS- upgraded and new courses intro- tests are as follows: TANCE FOR THE BLIND duced. During the MAB Open House For experience sharing in for the blind on January 14, 2006, English the winners were Co- educational awards and scholar- THE FIRST ASEAN BRAILLE lin Ng Soon Beng, Tan Yu Jin, ships were presented to the blind DAY CARNIVAL Amanda Kong, Siti Jineh Taimun, by the MAB President, Prof. Da- and Mok Kam Yin. For the Malay tuk Dr. Ismail bin Md. Salleh. MAB and NCBM jointly or- experience-sharing essay the five ganised the First ASEAN Braille winners were Mohd. Zaini Ismail, The best blind students of Day Carnival on January 4, 2006 Romainun Zakaria, Saifuddin 2004 and awards given were as which was the 197th birthday of Mohamad, Zamzuri Ghani, and follows: Louis Braille, the inventor of the Zainah Awang. six-dot Braille system for the 1. Yavathan a/l Aruldas (low-vi- blind. The event was held in or- The three winners for pantun sioned) – RM200; Standard der to honour Louis Braille for his writing were Abu Hassan Ashaari, Six, UPSR; he scored four As, revolutionary invention. Romainun Zakaria and Yong three Bs; Sekolah Kebangsaan Chwan Fwu respectively. Tamil, Ladang Meiha, Perak. The objective of the carni- val was to promote the wider and The first three winners for the 2. Mohd. Nazhif bin Mohd. Sa- more proficient use of Braille not sajak competition were Romainun pie – RM300; Form Three, only in Malaysia but in the whole Zakaria, Mohd. Ghazali Tocheh PMR; six As, two Bs; Seko- ASEAN region. The celebra- and Zahari Hashim. lah Agama Menengah Mu- tion was held at the MAB hall in hammadiah, Sabak Bernam, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. In the poem-writing competi- Selangor. tion, the winners were Somiin Su- There was a wide range of alin, Mok Kam Yin and Aw Soo 3. Christine Tan Lee Ling (low- pre-carnival contests and compe- Kwan. visioned) – RM400; Form titions since the middle of 2005, Five, SPM; six A1s, one A2; including an item which was open The winner for the sketch- Sekolah Menengah (P) Te- to the sighted who had an inter- writing competition was Yong menggong Ibrahim, Batu Pa- est in Braille. Blind individuals Chwan Fwu. hat, Johor. of all age groups and throughout the ASEAN region were invited For the lyrics contest the win- 4. Yeoh Kok Soon – RM500; to take part. All entries had to be ner was Choo Kim Yoon, who is Form Six, STPM; four As, submitted in Grade 2 Braille and both blind and deaf. one B plus; St. John’s Institu- contestants were allowed to take tion, Kuala Lumpur. part in as many contests as they For the brailling-cum-read- wished but only one entry per per- ing contest, the winners for the 5. Norhuda bt. Abdul Samad son for each contest was permit- Bahasa Malaysia section were (low-visioned) – RM1,000; ted. All entries had to be original Abu Hassan Ashaari, Inungkiran diploma in business manage- unpublished work. Mongijal and Romainun Zakaria ment; Cybernetics College, while for the English section the Taman Maluri, K.L. Altogether there were seven winners were Chan Sau Yin, Ben contests which included Malay Ong and Mohd. Harun. 6. Rosni Saini – RM2,000; de- pantun-writing, Malay sajak-writ- gree in administration and ing, English poem-writing, lyrics NCBM and MAB put up a social justice; Universiti Ma- writing, experience sharing, script sum of RM40,000 on a 50 – 50 laya, K.L. writing and the brailling-cum- basis in support of the project. reading contest in English and MAB also gave scholarship Malay. loans to blind undergraduates as folows:

20 1. Yeoh Kok Soon – RM6,000 per year for three years; busi- ness studies; Universiti Ma- MY LIFE S A BLIND PERSON laya.

2. Md. Syaal Hakim bin Awang By William Wong (low-visioned) – RM6,000 per Editor’s Note: William Wong tree, we would be able to receive year for four years; cognitive and his wife were in Kuala Lum- even the BBC. We found that the science and human develop- pur for the 2005 Christmas holi- coconut trees were the best for ment; Universiti Pendidikan days. When I met him and heard hanging up our aerials as the ra- Sultan Idris, Tanjong Malim, about his life as a blind person dio waves would not be blocked Perak. way back in the 1940s, I thought by the branches and leaves. it would be good for him to share 3. Shalini a/p Gunarajan – his experience with other blind It was only when I was near- RM6,000 per year for four people in Malaysia. ly 16 that I began learning some years; psychology; Univer- handicraft skills which included sity of Southern Queensland, making baskets, nylon stools and Brisbane, Australia. Here is what he says: chicks. We also obtained permis- sion to rear chickens. 4. Mageswari a/p Rajasegaran I remember very little of my – RM6,000 per year for two childhood except what was told to In 1956 when I was 16 years years plus RM3,000 for half me. I believe I was born in 1940 old, I was sent to the Gurney year; diploma in early child- and was deserted by my parents Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur. hood education; Segi College because I was blind. Someone I was there for three years and I (formerly Prime College), found me staying at the Singapore was given further training in bas- Subang Jaya, Selangor. hospital when I was two years ket-making. old. Certificates were also pre- In 1959 I was sent to the Kinta sented to the following: I was then brought to the St. Valley Workshop in Ipoh, Perak to Nicholas Home for orphans in be a basketry and chain-link fence 1. Mohd. Nor bin Don – gradu- Penang and I was looked after by worker. We stayed in a hostel ate of Universiti Malaya; six two of my blind seniors, Mary and, besides our piece-rate earn- months training in the MAB Poon and Elizabeth Hoe. At that ings, we were given an allowance Executive Trainee Scheme time there was not very much to of RM25 per month. – May to October 2003. do but we had some basic classes in Braille and there were singing During my first two years 2. Khoo Che Tiong – graduate sessions. there, Mr. Cheah was the work- from Universiti Malaya; six shop manager and he ran the place months training in MAB Ex- We had a lot of free time and very effectively. He knew how to ecutive Trainee Scheme and the boys in particular would spend entertain guests and visitors and six months training at UC their time climbing up the trees to promote the goods made by us. MAS in Setapak, K.L. – July to explore for rambutans, water Those were happy days when we 2004 to July 2005. jambus and coconuts. There were worked hard and could be proud no radios for us in those days that we were earning our own 3. Colin Ng Soon Beng – Pursu- but someone discovered that we livelihood. ing degree in contemporary could buy what was called a crys- music at University College tal set. It was actually a simple In the third year Mr. Cheah Sedaya International; did his transistor with a big earphone and left and he was succeeded by Mr. internship or practical train- you had to attach a long aerial to Yap. He did not do things in the ing with the MAB library it. Our seniors told us that if we same way as Mr. Cheah and the (Audio Section) – September could hang the aerial high up in a business slowed down a lot. When to December 2005.

21 MAB learned that the workshop us at different spots and pick us was now a loss-making concern, up at the appointed time. Sighted Mr. Yap was called to Kuala Lum- children between 10 to 12 years pur and we blind workers were old helped us as our guides. It sent to different parts of the coun- was during this time when I met try. Five of us (myself together Rose who was later to become my IF YOU KNOW with Philip Chew, Abdullah, Za- wife. karia and Amran) were sent to the OF ANY BLIND welfare home in Batu Pahat, Johor After about six years, the in 1962. The welfare officer was driver decided to leave because committed to his work so that we the manager (Edward’s sister) re- PERSON NEEDING continued to earn our piece-rates fused to increase his pay. So she for our basketry and to receive our had to drive the car besides run- RM25 monthly allowance. ning the business and looking af- REGISTRATION FOR ter her own children. Often we Then, without warning, we had to wait a long time for her were simply sent to the Tampoi to take us to the appointed place EDUCATION OR Welfare Home (also in Johor) in for selling. One day she got very 1965. The welfare officer here angry when she discovered that was not very encouraging; If our my wife and I were selling on our REHABILITATION, piece-rates went above a certain own. Thus, the group split up and amount, our monthly allowance we continued selling with the help PLEASE CONTACT of RM25 would be cut. of our own children. When our children were grown up, they felt Tampoi was quite near to Sin- embarrassed to be our guides and US IMMEDIATELY gapore and Edward Hon, a low- so we stopped selling. visioned person from the island in the south, was a frequent and In 1993 when I was already welcome visitor. We heard about 53 years old, I applied for admis- his business ventures to help the sion to the training centre of the blind by selling eggs and biscuits. Singapore Association of the Vi- NCBM sually Handicapped (SAVH). At One day, at the suggestion first I learned to fix bicycle gears. Tel: 03-2272 4959 of Philip Chew, we told the wel- However, as there was not much fare officer that we were going to business, Mr. Seen who was the Kuala Lumpur to get work. Thus, rehabilitation officer, decided to 03-2272 1442 it was in 1967 when we followed introduce massage. Edward Hon to Singapore instead and started selling things. Hong Since then, I have been work- Swee Eng, the sister of Edward ing as a masseur with the Mid- Hon, managed the business. Point Orchard Massage Enterprise which is run by a blind person. MAB There were about nine of us in the group and we would go selling twice a day – once in the Tel: 03-2272 2673 morning and once in the evening. The biscuits would be loaded and 03-2272 2677 tied down on to the frame of the car roof, thus leaving the space inside the car for us passengers. Ah Lim, the driver, would drop

22 IPC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FOR MALAYSIA

By S. Radha Krishnan through our involvement in meet- This campaign must be car- ing the challenges faced by both ried out from the school to the uni- the disabled athletes and the or- versity level. This means produc- ganisers alike. ing CDs and videotapes featuring the disabled in a variety of sports It is now quite timely for the and games which could be distrib- International Paralympic Council uted to the schools, colleges and (IPC) to have come up with a plan universities. These documenta- to systematise the development of ries could also be made available sports and games for the disabled to the national broadcasting net- on the regional, national and lo- work for programming on radio Editor’s Note: This paper was cal levels. I believe that we in and television. presented by S. Radha Krishnan Malaysia are ready to face up to at the 7th General Assembly of this challenge that has been posed the International Blind Sports by IPC to look at the five areas of 1.2 Promoting Sports and Association (IBSA) held in Bei- development as follows:- Games Among Disabled jing, China in June 2005. Students Athlete development; At the Assembly, Mr. Radha Providing CDs and videotapes was elected as the Asian Conti- Leadership development; is not enough. We need to popu- nental delegate by virtue of which larise games and sports among the post of the IBSA Asian Re- Organisational development; the disabled students themselves, gional Chairman also falls to him. especially when they are still in He has, therefore, taken over from Knowledge development; and primary education. This means Michael Barredo of the Philip- providing equipment for prac- pines who, in turn, has become Global paralympic tices and competitions and mak- the president of the IBSA Asian development (awareness). ing available expertise to conduct Region, the first time that the coaching clinics from school to presidency has been occupied by university level. Effort must be an Asian country. 1. ATHLETE DEVELOP- made to organise many informal MENT competitions which would lead to major state or national competi- INTRODUCTION In keeping with the goal of tions and tournaments where the ensuring there is a sustainable disabled will be able to win some The Malaysian Paralympic path for continual growth in the attractive prizes. Council was established in 1991 number and performance level of and it has played an important athletes to compete in the para- role in developing, promoting and lympic games, the strategies to 1.3 Sports Excellence Centres coordinating sports and games be adopted in Malaysia are as fol- for the disabled in this country. lows: Such excellence centres need Though the period has been brief to be set up for each of the disabled (as we were formed not too many 1.1 Promote Awareness of Dis- categories in the country. For ex- years ago), much knowledge and ability Sports Through CDs ample, the Malaysian Association experiences have been gained and Videotapes for the Blind could establish an

23 excellence centre in Temerloh, Research and Develop- could then become the future Pahang where all aspects could be ment leaders and managers in this looked into such as facilities, ac- field. However, they should cessibility, etc. Partnerships could be es- be educated to realise that it tablished with universities is important for them to work with the view to conducting in partnership with other 2. LEADERSHIP DEVELOP- research and development non-disabled groups and ex- MENT activities. These activities perts rather than trying to go will be aimed at developing it alone. In line with the goal to increase scientific applications and ap- the number and qualifications of proaches in the development On the other hand, dis- leaders (both paid and voluntary of sports experience, equip- abled sportsmen and sports- manpower) in all aspects of the ment, standards and even new women who have retired paralympic movement, strategies games. from the field could also be to be considered include: encouraged to play certain leadership and management 2.1 Human Resource De- 2.3 Recognition of Sports roles in developing and pro- velopment Through Expertise for the Dis- moting sports and games for Partnerships abled the disabled. In this way, their talents and skills will not be The National Paralympic There is a need to lob- wasted after retirement. Council needs to work close- by with the government to ly with other sports bodies for grant recognition to experts Therefore, it will be nec- the non-disabled for the train- in sports and games for the essary to organise leadership ing of manpower that will disabled if they have proper courses and seminars for all enable the disabled to have qualifications and certifica- potential leaders and manag- proper training and develop- tion. This also means that the ers, be it on the national, re- ment in sports and games. government must be willing gional or international level. Technical officials requiring to make available a generous training include the referees, financial budget on a yearly (To be continued) umpires, judges, classifiers, basis in order to meet the ex- coaches, etc. penses for the payment of the experts. If the job prospects Those who aspire to be- are bright, many among the come professional experts youth will be encouraged to should be required to work take up training in sports and towards attaining a certain games for the disabled as their level of professionalism with career path for the future. certification. Volunteers, on the other hand, would be only We believe in required to go through short- 2.4 The Disabled as Lead- term coaching clinics but they ers and Managers working together should be given adequate re- munerative allowances. Such It is important to note that distinction in training is es- the disabled should not be for common sential if we are to deploy neglected in the development paid and voluntary manpower of sports leaders and manag- effectively. ers. Scholarships should be good provided to encourage the disabled to take up profes- 2.2 Maintaining Qual- sional training in sports and ity Leadership Through games for the disabled. They

24 EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR VOLUNTEERS IN GUIDING THE BLIND

By Wong Huey Siew fer assistance. Others may feel 3. BODY POSITION frustrated and disappointed when their offer of assistance is rejected As a guide, the volunteer by a blind person. should be about half a step ahead of the blind person. If you hap- To help such volunteers from pen to be a wheelchair-user, the the general public, I would like blind person should walk directly to provide some tips on the tech- behind the wheelchair. If it is a Editor’s Note: Wong Huey Siew niques that could be used when motorised wheelchair, be sure to is a regular contributor of arti- offering assistance to the blind. manoeuvre it at a comfortable cles to “The NCBM Outreach”. They are as follows: walking speed. In this way, you Currently, he is reading for a will be able to maintain a conver- doctorate degree in education sation with the blind person and psychology. 1. ESTABLISH CONTACT will be ready to inform him of any obstacles in your path. At the same In fact, being totally blind has When you approach a blind time, the blind person will be able not prevented him from venturing person, begin your conversation to feel the movement of your arm into new career fields for the blind with him by letting him know or wheelchair or hear your verbal after completing his B.A. and who you are. Do not just keep cues and react accordingly. Master’s degrees at the Univer- quiet and suddenly grab him by sity of Malaya. His latest venture the arm without warning. Instead, is the establishment of a company you could ask in a friendly voice, 4. PACING with three other blind persons in “Do you need help?” or “Would order to inspire, impart knowl- you mind if I help you?” The volunteer should walk edge and skills, and motivate the half a pace ahead of the blind young. person as you are walking on flat 2. OFFER YOUR ARM AND land, going up and down steps, In the following article, he ELBOW or walking in a hazardous place, provides some tips to the general i.e. where there are many obsta- public on the effective techniques Many sighted people are in- cles. After walking with you for of guiding the blind: clined to grab the blind person’s some time, the blind person will arm or take hold of his white cane become familiar with your pace Many members of the public or some other belonging that he and movement and he may not provide a personal service to the may be carrying such as a bag need your verbal cues all the time. blind when they offer a hand to or even tug at his clothing. Of Once you are used to this tech- help a blind person on the road- course, this is not the right way to nique, the blind person not only side, or who may be crossing the show that you are a friendly vol- can walk with you but he could street, or wandering in a school unteer. Rather, what you should also jog or run along with you or compound, or shopping for some- do is to ask the blind person to even climb hills and mountains thing in a complex or department take hold of your arm. Show him with you as his guide. store. Some of these volunteers where your elbow is by touching find that they do not know how his arm with it or by putting his to approach a blind person to of- hand on your elbow or shoulder. 5. NARROW SPACES

25 When you are approaching a on which to catch the door. Tell 12. DIRECT CONVERSA- narrow space, you should alert the the blind person to switch to your TION blind person. Then swing your side that is closest to the hinged arms gently behind your back, i.e. side of the door. This may be Whenever you wish to give the arm that is being held on to by quite a complicated skill for some instructions, directions, or begin a the blind person, so that the two of volunteers. conversation with a blind person, you will be walking in single file. speak no more loudly than neces- sary; however, you should speak 9. SEATING distinctly and direct your words to 6. BE CAREFUL OF OPPO- him by calling his name. For ex- SITE OBJECTS Bring the blind person into ample, you could say, “Tan, I have contact with the chair or seat something interesting for you.” While walking with the blind while you describe the part of the person, you should be careful not chair being touched (such as the to let him bang into objects that back, front or arm of the chair). CONCLUSION are on the opposite side of you You must be specific – tell him if such as door frames, posts, and so it is a sofa, stool, swivel chair, or These techniques would be on. You should, therefore, pay at- rocker. Allow the blind person to useful to all volunteer guides. tention to your environment. get seated by himself. They are known as the human guide techniques and are widely accepted throughout the world. 7. STAIRS 10. TURNING AROUND They are recognised as being the safest and most efficient way for Inform the blind person when When reversing your direc- sighted persons when walking there are stairs; indicate to him tion, simply turn around, main- with a blind person. By using whether they are going up or taining the same grip and body these techniques consistently, the down and show him the railing if position. The blind person will be sighted person would be mak- it is there. Let the blind person able to follow the movement of ing a significant contribution in switch to the side that is closest to your arm. enabling the blind person to live the railing. normally in society.

Inform the blind person 11. COMMUNICATION On the other hand, it is im- whether the stairs are steep, shal- portant to emphasise that the blind low, narrow, broad or curved. The The guide should always in- person himself should be taught guide should take the first step form the blind person if he is go- how to communicate with mem- followed by the blind person one ing to leave, even briefly. Never bers of the public when being step at a time. Tell him when you go off without acknowledging the offered assistance. He should be have reached the landing which blind person. polite and should be able to give may be at the top or bottom of the proper instructions so that the vol- flight of stairs. You should also avoid leav- unteer would be able to help him ing the blind person alone in an effectively. empty area or wide open space if 8. DOORS possible as this could be disorient- ing for him. Put him in touch with When approaching a door, let someone or something such as the the blind person know whether it wall or a piece of furniture. If you swings away from you or towards should run into any difficulties, do you. Indicate to him, if necessary, not be afraid to ask the blind per- to catch the door on the left or son how you should proceed. As right. As you approach the door, always, communication is the key the side with the hinges is the side to mutual understanding.

26 THE QUESTION OF TRUE INTEGRATION OF BLIND PERSONS IN SOCIETY

Editor’s Note: As I was going The enactment of laws is one tribute to the development of through some past seminar pa- such method which civilised soci- society. pers, I came across this interest- eties adopt. ing article on integration. Un- b. need affirmative action fortunately, the writer’s name The existing laws can be measures to enable them to has not been given. However, as broadly classified into the follow- achieve equality in various the thoughts and reflections mer- ing four categories: aspects of life. it serious consideration, I would like to share his ideas with read- 1. WELFARE LEGISLATION 4. RIGHTS-BASED LEGIS- ers. LATION Welfare legislation is based on the perception that people with Rights-based legislation The question of integration disabilities emerges on the recognition of the or equality is more or less similar civil rights of people with disabil- in nature and scope. Therefore, I a. do not have the potential to be ities. In particular, it recognises would like to discuss integration productive members of societ- that and equality synonymously. ies. a. People with disabilities have b. are primarily recipients of the same citizenship and INTRODUCTION medical, rehabilitation and rights as non-disabled per- welfare benefits. sons. Disabled people are an inte- gral part of society. The process 2. SERVICE ORIENTED b. The basic rights of people of integration is an on-going one LEGISLATION with disabilities to a life with though the level of integration dignity must be protected by may vary from country to country Service oriented legislation is the law. and region to region. We may say based on the recognition that peo- that in contemporary societies, in- ple with disabilities equalities by and large are on the ATTITUDE OF SOCIETY decline. This, however, does not a. have the potential to partici- mean that inequality has ceased to pate in society. The existing laws not only exist. reflect the perception of different b. need specialised services to societies toward their disabled cit- At the same time, it is true live meaningful lives. izens but also indicate that the in- that any ideology promoting in- tegration of disabled people is at a equality cannot pass unchallenged 3. ENABLEMENT different stage of development in today. This also means that soci- LEGISLATION different countries. Some regard eties are conscious of the factors disabled people as recipients of causing inequality. This under- Enablement legislation sup- welfare benefits requiring custo- standing of human beings about ports the view that people with dial care. Others regard them as inequality motivates them to take disabilities people having the ability to par- action in order to overthrow dis- ticipate in the social-economic crimination in all its forms. a. have, like non-disabled per- cultural life of the society provid- sons, the potential to con- ed they are enabled to participate.

27 Others perceive the question of in their pursuit of acquiring more profits, firms in such markets re- integration as a civil rights ques- and controlling more, hold the un- sort to huge selling costs or pro- tion. The values reflected in the derprivileged responsible for their motional expenditure which may law are well established and well lot due to their incompetence, la- be gainful to an individual firm articulated ones. Sometimes they ziness and lack of enterprise. but involves colossal investment are unstated values which are in socially unproductive sectors. sharply at variance with the ones Industries under such a market explicitly stated. One of the most ECONOMIC FACTORS system often tend to overproduce persistently articulated values mostly wasteful commodities re- of many affluent societies is the Another factor significant in sulting in the unnecessary drain of equality of all human beings; yet, determining public attitude on the useful but scarce resources. E.g. as elsewhere, prejudices of race, question of integration of margin- markets today are flooded with colour, religion, etc are evident in alised groups like the disabled are toiletries, jewellery and garments. their day to day lives. Inequality the economic conditions of a par- It is a painful realisation that there can be studied not only as a mode ticular society. The idea of equal- is no conscious effort made to but also as a mode of conscious- ity became socially established expose the irrational practices in ness. Socieites differ not only in at the time when material wealth industrial production and trade their divisions into categories and was expanding rapidly enough to owing to which a large part of the arrangements of these in a hi- allow if not to encourage a degree budgets is spent on rationalising erarchical system, but also differ of redistribution in the affluent the legitimacy of a commodity in the extent to which these divi- countries in the west. In contrast, in the market which is not based sions are right, proper and desir- in the developing countries with upon the real demand of consum- able. very limited material wealth, par- ers. On the contrary, investment ticularly in relation to the growth in infrastructure and service sec- of population, makes the prob- tors are propagated as unproduc- FREE COMPETITION lem of redistribution enormously tive. International financial in- more complex and difficult. This stitutions like the IMF and World The world today stands unit- also impedes the process of inte- Bank impose conditionality to ed on the principles of free market gration of marginalised groups. curtail expenditure on welfare economy and free competition. In this scenario, the investment in and service sectors and never ad- The world which has placed so enhancing freedom of opportunity vocate embargo on investment in much faith in competition should and full participation of disabled wasteful sectors. In this scenario, not expect equality of status for people become the first casual- justice, only in a limited manner, all its citizens. Equality is pos- ties. can be expected. sible only before the competition, not after it, because competition Although the idea of integra- Let us ensure that money is always results in inequality. In tion of disabled people is vehe- spent sufficiently within the social fact, the object of competition, mently upheld by the developing sector. There are far too many in- whether in education or in em- countries, constraints do not al- efficient and inequitable priorities: ployment, is to secure not equal- low these ideals to get translated Urban hospitals for a privileged ity of results but its opposite. If into practical realities. few rather than primary health disabled people perform poorly in care for all; enormous subsidies competition relatively to the non- for the universities while basic disabled as they generally do, it UNCHECKED HUMAN MIS- education must await their turn in is often because they lack the re- ERY AND WASTEFUL PRO- the budgetary queue. sources rather than the abilities for DUCTION successful competition. The same argument holds true, by and large, Modern economies today WAR for unequal performance by mem- are based upon monopolistic and bers of other minority groups. But oligopolistic market systems. In The end of the cold war has often the elite and the privileged, order to survive and optimise the not resulted in the reduction of

28 expenditure on arms and arma- and the maximisation of budgets The integration of disabled ments. The armed forces are still for human development. These people is not merely an idea but being built up throughout the issues have to be taken up at the it is a social reality that has come world. An ever larger part of the local, national and international into existence not merely by state budget is being expanded on levels simultaneously in order to chance. It is a product of human military expenditure. Representa- mould public opinion effectively actions and deeds. This shows tives of military circles and their in favour of rational practices in that human actions have the po- monopolies working for war are industrial production and trade, tential of transforming existing exercising a decisive influence which will result in the equi- realities into higher forms of so- over the whole domestic and for- table distribution of the world’s cial reality not by chance but by eign policy of the state. resource and lead ultimately to determination and effort. world peace. It is estimated that if the Thus, the objectives and goals ASEAN countries were to agree to Society has already to some of human action must correspond freeze all military spending rather extent been sensitised with regards with the current needs of social than cut them by 3% every year to the unique potential of disabled life as they have the potential to as industrial nations are inclined people and the plight that they change the cause of history. In to do, it would release additional face. Indeed, the role played by so doing, this will sooner or later resources for human development NGOs such as the organisations achieve the desired results. in this decade. Just by freezing serving the blind, government military spending alone would agencies and international or- potentially create dividends of ganisations such as the UN, ILO, around $150 billion by the turn of WHO, and so on is a most worthy Treat a person as the century – sufficient to finance one. Nevertheless, I feel that the all the essential human goals. time has come when we must pre- pare ourselves for the next phase of the struggle, i.e. to build social he is, and he will re- CONCLUSION consciousness around the debate concerning these real issues. In my analysis of the eco- nomic, social and cultural con- For instance, freezing of mili- main as he is. Treat ditions of contemporary society tary spending should no longer be in which disabled people of the postponed. This is because war world live, I have tried to iden- not only adds the number of dis- tify some broad and general fac- abled people to existing popula- him as he could be, tors which determine the position tions but also causes inequality and status of disabled people and in which the large masses are lan- other segregated or marginalised guishing today. groups and minorities. and he will become We must expose the cultur- If we are to achieve the goal ally constructed norms by certain of full paticipation for disabled human beings to suit their own people, which is integration in the interests. Many people are made what he should be. least instance, we need to reorgan- to believe that they are inferior ise our agenda and alter the course and that their abilities are of little of our actions, thereby enabling us value and, therefore, they are only to build a debate around the ques- worthy of a lower socio-economic tion of investment in war and mil- and cultural status in society. A itary spending, over-production distorted nationalism often rel- of wasteful commodities, waste- egates the disabled to a quagmire (Jimmy) ful spending on sales promotions, of deprivation and poverty.

29 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL DISABILITY BUDGET 2006

By Dato’ Dr. Mohinder Singh and Godfrey Ooi Goat See Editor’s Note: The Malaysian Alternatively, the Government them in the training centres could Council for Rehabilitation was could consider providing financial be made available to other dis- represented at the National Bud- allocations to the NGOs so that abled persons. Also, this would get Consultation 2005 with the they could conduct and manage provide the much needed relief Ministry of Finance for consid- their own manpower training pro- for parents, particularly during eration in the National Budget of grammes. the day-time when they could be 2006. Below is the memorandum earning an income. which was presented by MCR at the dialogue. 2. RESPITE CARE CEN- TRES 3. SPECIAL ALLOWANCE FOR THE SEVERELY We would like to take this op- Currently, some NGOs are AND MULTIPLE DIS- portunity to present some issues faced with the situation in which ABLED on disability for consideration by certain disabled clients are staying the Ministry of Finance at the Na- on in their programmes right into Generally, this group of per- tional Budget Consultation 2005. adulthood and probably till they sons will not be able to obtain Thank you for your understanding pass away. For instance, at the proper employment except per- consideration. Spastic Centre of Petaling Jaya, haps in the sheltered workshops. some of the clients are already 40 However, either parents or institu- The issues are as follows: years of age but they are reluctant tions still need to be responsible to leave the programme. for these individuals.

1. HUMAN RESOURCE DE- Another example is at the REQUEST: VELOPMENT pre-school programme of the Ma- laysian Association for the Blind A special allowance should be In the current situation, many where blind children with addi- provided for them and the amount NGOs are faced with the lack of tional disabilities up to 15 years should be double that given to or- professional staff and expertise. old still need to attend the day dinary disabled persons under the For example, at the Spastic Cen- centre. These persons are severe- Employment Incentive Scheme. tre of Petaling Jaya, there are only ly disabled or they have multiple two professional staff for 250 cli- disabilities. When they are not at ents. In actual fact, the ideal situ- the centres, they need the atten- 4. ASSISTIVE DEVICES ation should be a ratio of 20 cli- tion and care of their parents for ents to one professional staff. 24 hours a day and this could be The disabled require assis- very stressful for them. tive devices to help them function REQUEST: effectively in various aspects of REQUEST: living such as education, employ- In the government pro- ment and social activities. How- grammes which train profession- Respite centres with spe- ever, such devices are often quite als such as physiotherapists and cialised programmes should be expensive and they are not easily radio therapists, at least five plac- established so that proper atten- available. es should be reserved for person- tion could be focussed on the se- nel who intend to serve with one verely and multiple disabled. At of the disability organisations. the same time, places vacated by

30 REQUEST: nied to the disabled for rental if eration should be given to they are not married. wheelchair-users for flats on Consideration should be giv- the ground floor, this stipula- en to the idea of establishing a REQUEST: tion should not be imposed one-stop centre to help in process- on other disabled persons ing applications, making referrals 6.1Rental Scheme who may choose to buy their to appropriate organisations and own flat on any of the upper agencies, carrying out research on There should be a low-cost floors. equipment, and providing infor- house rental scheme which mation. will enable the disabled to rent low-cost houses from the 7. RESEARCH AND DEVEL- This centre could be run by an Government at a minimum OPMENT NGO such as MCR or jointly with rate. After a period, they a government agency. should be given the option of Research and development converting the accumulated has been recognised as an essen- The import tax exemption rental to the purchase price of tial aspect for the progress of an given to NGOs on special equip- the house so that they could industry. Likewise, NGOs are ment for the disabled should be choose to buy the house. beginning to recognise the crucial extended to disabled individuals. role of R. & D. in the development 6.2Purchase Scheme of work for the disabled.

5. EDUCATION AND EM- There should also be a REQUEST: PLOYMENT low-cost house purchase scheme whereby interest- Funds should be made avail- While the 1990 Declara- free loans could be given to able to the NGOs to carry out their tion recognises “Education for the disabled to purchase their own R. & D. activities or to orga- All” and the ILO convention 159 own low-cost houses. No age nise joint projects with the univer- recognises the right of everyone to limit should be imposed on sities and government agencies. employment, many disabled per- disabled applicants. sons are still denied opportunities for education and employment. 6.3 Special Officer It is very encouraging to re-

REQUEST: A special unit or officer should be provided to take All facilities providing edu- charge of the housing scheme cation and vocational training as for the disabled and the appli- well as work-places should be cation procedures should be made accessible to the disabled by simplified. providing modified toilets, ramps It’s time for the for wheelchair-users, and adapted 6.4 Reservation of Houses equipment. This will enable the disabled to function effectively in 10% of low-cost houses blind to education, vocational training and should be reserved not only employment. for the disabled but also for senior citizens and single help the mothers. 6. LOW-COST HOUSING 6.5 Ground Floor for The disabled in the low in- Wheelchair Users blind come group face great difficulty in renting or purchasing their own While priority consid- homes. DBKL flats are also de-

31 A POINT TO PONDER JUST LEND ME YOUR EARS, PLEASE

By Wong Kow alise that a good number of visu- ally impaired persons are able to 4. “In a buffet lunch or din- live quite independently nowa- ner, I am often served with too days. Nevertheless, sighted help much food – much more than I IF YOU KNOW could be an extra blessing. Lives could finish comfortably.” could be made easier when sight- OF ANY BLIND ed helpers know exactly when, 5. “A kind-hearted friend gave how and in what way to assist us. me a lift in his car, but he failed to bring me to the right destination.” PERSON NEEDING I casually spoke to a few blind friends the other day and came I personally appreciate sighted REGISTRATION FOR to understand that sometimes a help very much. My only request sighted helper may be too keen is that he or she would be will- to offer assistance without hear- ing to listen to my requirements EDUCATION OR ing clearly what help was actually patiently and, when necessary, to required. repeat them to me before acting REHABILITATION, on my request. Going the extra I would like to cite some in- mile would certainly go a very cidences in which the assistance long way in avoiding errors which PLEASE CONTACT offered actually caused more con- could lead to negative and some- fusion rather than settled the mat- times even disastrous results. US IMMEDIATELY ter in hand. This was because the helper just presumed what was right for the blind person instead of asking or hearing first what help was needed. Here they are: NCBM

1. “I wanted my cheque to be Tel: 03-2272 4959 banked into Account A but it went to account B.” 03-2272 1442 2. “I typed two letters at the We believe in same time and my sighted help- er assisted me in proof-reading them, checking the addresses and working together sending them out; but he had in- MAB serted the letters into the wrong envelopes.” for common Tel: 03-2272 2673

3. “My address has been in- good 03-2272 2677 correctly written and my tele- phone number is incomplete in an application form; thus I missed a golden opportunity.”

32 PRINCIPAL OFFICE-BEARERS AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF NCBM FOR 2004 - 2006

Mr. S. Kulasegaran - President (neutral)

Mrs. Clarice Moiji Ligadu - Vice-President (Sabah Society for the Blind)

Mr. John Wong Siong Cheng - Secretary (Sarawak Society for the Blind)

En. S. Hadi Abdullah - Treasurer (Malaysian Association for the Blind)

Mr. George Thomas - (Malaysian Association for the Blind)

The Venerable Canon Andrew Phang See Yin - (St. Nicholas Home)

Mr. Ooi Chee Khoon - St. Nicholas Home

Mr. Samat Lakai - Sabah Society for the Blind

Miss Chok Siew Lee - Society of the Blind in Malaysia

En. Mah Hassan bin Hj Omar - Society of the Blind in Malaysia

Mr. Robert Tham Ah Lek - Sarawak Society for the Blind

33

CHAIRPERSONS OF COMMITTEES OF NCBM FOR 2004 - 2006

Dr. Zakaria Osman - Blind Professional Assistance Service Management Committee

Tuan Haji Ahmad Mohamad Said - Committee on Education and Welfare

Mr. Stephen Hsu Wee - Committee on Employment and Placement Service

Miss Chok Siew Lee - Committee on Library and Information Service

Dato’ Dr. Veera Ramani - Committee for the Prevention of Blindness

En. S. Hadi Abdullah - Malaysian Braille Press Management Committee

En. Muhammed Fairuz Abdullah - Committee for Sports and Recreation

Dr. Zakaria Osman - Committee on Access to Technology for the Blind

34 REPRESENTATIVES OF NCBM TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS 2004 - 2006

Mr. Godfrey Ooi Goat See - Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation (MCR)

Ven. Archdeacon Samuel - National Council of Welfare and Social Development D. John Malaysia, NCWSDM

Dato’ Dr. Veera Ramani - Standing Committee on Prevention and Control of Blindness

Mr. S. Kulasegaran - World Blind Union

Mr. Ivan Ho Tuck Choy - World Blind Union

Auditors 2004 - 2006 - Ernst & Young, Kuala Lumpur.

35 EARN SOME EXTRA CASH IF YOU KNOW

OF ANY BLIND

Readers are invited to write for our publication, “THE PERSON NEEDING NCBM OUTREACH”. For articles published, payments are as follows:-

1. Original articles on the achievements REGISTRATION FOR of blind people or of an inspirational nature (about 500 words) - RM75.00 EDUCATION OR 2. Articles containing ideas and suggestions for the improvement of NCBM or its member-organisations (about 500 words) - RM75.00 REHABILITATION,

3. Articles on funny or unusual experiences (250 - 500 words) - RM35.00 - RM75.00 PLEASE CONTACT

4. Interesting articles taken from magazines or documents of limited circulation - RM10.00. US IMMEDIATELY

(Note: Articles submitted by officials of NCBM or its member- organisations will not qualify for payment unless these submis- sions have nothing to do with their daily office duties.) NCBM

Tel: 03-2272 4959

03-2272 1442

MAB

Tel: 03-2272 2673

03-2272 2677

36