Impressions of the view from Silverpark Resort by PWD trainees.

A seminar jointly organized by Department for the Development of PWDs and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) was held on the 4th March 2010 at Legend Hotel. Officiated by YB Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, the Seminar presentation covers the topics on: Supported Employment and Job Coach; Supported Employment: The Roles of the Government and The Roles of Private Sectors.
Malaysia is also guided by the International Commitment namely to:
• 1993-2002: Asean and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons;
• 1993: UN Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for PWDs;
• 1994: Proclamation on the full participation and equality for PWDs;
• 2003-2012: Biwako Millenium Framework for Action.

Malaysian Government’s policy on employment was highlighted. It aims to provide more employment opportunities and promote employment of PWDs in all sectors; and to further encourage PWDs to be self employed and independent.

Serious initiatives to promote employment for PWDs are in place. Inter-governmental roles especially in implementing the “Policy on 1% Employment of PWDs in Public Sector” (in accordance to 1 April 2008: Implementation of Service Circular Letter 3/2008: Policy on 1% employment of PWDs in Public Sector); Corporate initiatives (incentives for Employers example tax exemption for employers etc); Strategic Alliances with NGOs besides promoting Disability Equality Training; Independent Living and Job Coach.

Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur is quietly but surely setting a trend in employment of Persons with Disability. Traders Hotel’s Mr Andrew from HR Department is such a positive and supportive person where PWDs is concerned. We were informed that Traders Hotel is targeting to have 2% PWDs in their workforce as they already have 1% PWDs.

CBR Network has now placed 2 trainees in Traders Hotel. When we visited the two trainees, they were already starting work under the support and supervision of their colleagues. So, it is true that Traderians Rock.

Decent Work Training Programme (DWTP) at Fraser’s Silverpark Resort is a pilot programme that gave CBR Network challenges. Challenge to set a programme with a corporate that also wants to see young Persons with Disability be given the opportunity to be trained for employment.

Once we had that in place, it was to source for the right candidates to supervise, young persons who are willing to leave the comfort of their home and family to be in another environment and the parents or guardians who are willing to let go.
A series of interviews follows, and the parents who are willing to give the programme and their young adults a chance to be trained for employment and independence took the challenge.

Some dropped out before seeing the placement, some dropped out after seeing the place (distance); some dropped out due to the unsuitability of the distance; place (environment and situation); work (laundry, kitchen and house-keeping); responsibility (washing, cleaning, cooking etc); problems with peers and/or the mentor/supervisor; financial constraint; or found a place more suitable within their locality.

CBR Network started out with 12 trainees (maximum) but due to the problems indicated above, after the first quarter 6 remained.
When the trainees came back from their Semester Break, we were able to speak to their parents. In the case of Ruhaizam, positive charges were observed by parents, he is more independent, he does not need to be told to wash dishes in fact he puts on the apron so that he will not be wet, he cleans his room as he normally does, watches less TV, reads the papers and talks a lot about his work experience and friends in the Resort. Quite a change as he used to be quiet, talks to himself watches TV most of the time, short tempered and has non-compliant behavior.
Asyraf is more mature, will respond when asked a question. He likes work and his friends. He cooked fried rice for all during lunch. His parents were very impressed. Munzir knows his rights and was not very happy when he was the topic of discussion. He told his mum to keep quiet and not talk about him.

Presentation by PWD trainees. Check them out..appreciate..









CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION IN MALAYSIA

CBR Malaysia celebrated 25years of its inception with a National Convention on CBR, held at Berjaya Times Square Hotel from 5-7th February 2010. The pilot project was started in 1984 at Batu Rakit, Kuala Terengganu in collaboration with WHO, Social Welfare Department and Health Ministry.
The rehabilitation programme started with 55 Persons with Disability (PWD), after 25 years there are currently 409 CBR Centres throughout the country providing service to 17,000 PWDs.

The objectives of the Convention were:
• To enhance the existence of CBR as one of the main way to develop PWDs in Malaysia.
• To establish the direction of CBR with the community, as a catalyst to the rehabilitation and education of PWDs.
• To recognize that CBR as the focal point to prevent, rehabilitate and develop the PWDs.

The 2 days seminar covers the achievements; hopes and challenges; advocacy; community involvement; training and innovation towards professionalism; smart partnerships and sharing of the Indonesian CBR experience by Sunarman Sukanto, CBR Solo, Indonesia.

The highlight of the Convention was the Launching of the Convention by the Minister of Women’s Development, Family and Community and the Excellence CBR Awards 2009. The awards were given to the CBR Trainees, Workers of CBR, CBR Centres and also to the corporate partners.