Weekend View: AIRLINES IN INDIA NOT ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST SERVICE DOGS IN AIRCRAFT

IT has been sometime since I have travelled in an aeroplane.

I am happy to report that most of my experiences in an aircraft in the past, both local and overseas, have been positive ones; with only an occasional glitch here and there.

Like the couple of incidents when I was wheeled all the way to the doorstep of the aircraft.

Only to be stopped short in my tracks literally and suddenly asked by the aircraft crew with smiling faces to get out of my wheelchair and walk to my seat inside the cabin!

For those who are unaware, it is at this point when regular wheelchairs become too large to fit into the narrow aisles of the aircraft.

Normally, disabled passengers at the check-in counters are made to switch wheelchairs into the airport’s specially-designed compact ones in order to negotiate through the narrow cabin space of the aircraft.

Actually, I really do not blame the poor fellows for suddenly appearing like faith healers and asking us to do the impossible.

There are many people in fact who use wheelchairs and are able to walk at the same time. They do so because of their walking disabilities or old age. Wheelchairs provide a wonderful alternative not only for convenience but safety for such persons as well, especially in distance walking.

Having said that however, it would be good idea for airline companies to take the trouble beforehand to try and find out the level of handicap of each disabled passenger before they travel.

This would save airlines companies and handicapped passengers who use them a great deal of awkwardness and embarrassment in the long run.

Another common problem is the lack of proper knowledge about the available services for disabled passengers by some of the customer care staff of the airlines company who answer the telephone.

Last weekend for instance I rang AirAsia up and enquired about a flight that “I wanted to take” from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. When the officer (a woman) heard that I was in a wheelchair, she said that there was no way that I could travel by myself.

You have to get someone to accompany you because our airlines will not provide any assistance for you, she said in a cocksure voice.

However, when I asked her if she was absolutely correct about her facts, she gave me a totally opposite response when she came back on the line after making me wait for 15 minutes.

Needless to say, airlines should get such vital information about disabled passengers absolutely correct before trying to disseminate them.

Though it appears that things are getting easier for disabled persons to travel by air with an increased awareness today about their specific needs, it does not mean that all flights are problem free.

Some airlines companies choose to charge the handicapped for the use of wheelchairs and other assistive devices. Others come up with unfair policies that require disabled passengers to sign permission and indemnity forms before they can travel.

Well-known disability organisations like the Canadian-based Disabled People’s International (DPI) highlighted these concerns recently by pointing out that airlines companies that resorted to such practises lacked respect and appreciation for what persons with disabilities have to go through in life.

Quoting New Delhi’s aviation ministry as a good example, DPI pointed out to the new flight rules that became effective on May 7 this month by the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) regarding disabled persons in the country.

CAR states that “airlines and airports must provide wheelchairs or other assistive devices free of cost to users.”

Other strict rules for airlines by CAR are that it is now “mandatory for every

airport operator to make appropriate provisions including ambulifts to enable disabled passengers to embark/disembark the aircraft without inconvenience.”

DPI went on that airlines have also been asked “not to refuse carrying a passenger with a disability.”

They have been told “not to insist on medical clearance or special forms unless they have information that the passengers either suffer from some contagious disease or would require attention during flight to maintain their health.”

The DPI report also included a wonderful news piece from the Times of India saying that the handicapped who use service dogs will now be able to have their companions to travel with them on the plane with their owners, without charge.

The rule only applies to canines that guide humans "with disability and/or reduced mobility".

"No airline shall refuse to carry persons with disability or reduced mobility and their assistive aids/devices, escorts and guide dogs, including their presence in the cabin,” says the official document.

Disabled persons who wish to have their guide dogs accompany them need to inform the booking or check–in counter about their special requirement before they travel.

A blind person, for example, will not have to buy a separate ticket for his or her guide dog as the animal can now be seated near the owner’s feet.

The animal, however, needs to be well-trained in order not to inconvenience other passengers.

The End

BBC ONLINE: UN Disability Treaty

At-a-glance: UN disability treaty

The UN is expected to agree a new treaty giving greater rights to disabled people around the world.

Here is an at-a-glance guide to the draft United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

• Participating countries to change laws and ban discriminatory customs and practices
• Disabled people to have an equal right to life
• Equal rights for disabled women and girls
• Protection for children with disabilities
• A right to own and inherit property, to control financial affairs and have equal access to financial services
• Disabled people not to be deprived of their liberty "unlawfully or arbitrarily"
• Medical or scientific experiments without consent to be banned
• An end to enforced institutionalisation
• Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse
• A right to privacy and access to medical records
• Countries to remove barriers to accessing the environment, transport, public facilities and communication
• A right to independent living
• Essential equipment to be made affordable
• A right to an adequate standard of living and social protection
• An end to discrimination relating to marriage, family and personal relationships
• Equal access to education
• An end to discrimination in the job market
• A right to equal participation in public life
• A right to participate in cultural life
• Developing countries to be assisted to put the convention into practice

End

BBC ONLINE: HOPE OVER TASMANIAN DEVIL CANCER

Australia experts say a Tasmanian Devil called Cedric could hold the key to the survival of the embattled species.

The world's largest marsupial carnivore is facing extinction from a mystery facial cancer.

But scientists say Cedric appears to be naturally resistant to the contagious tumours which have killed half the devil population in Tasmania.

Cedric is the first Tasmanian Devil to have shown any immunity from the disfiguring disease.

Infected animals become so consumed by the cancer they can no longer eat or see and eventually die of starvation.

Breakthrough

Cedric was captured in western Tasmania last year, along with his half-brother, Clinky.

Both were injected by scientists with dead tumours. Clinky produced no antibodies, but Cedric did and appears to have built-in defences against the mystery illness.

The experiments have now moved up a gear.

Researcher Alex Kriess says the pair have had live cancer cells inserted into their faces.

"They haven't developed a tumour so far," he said. "We injected very few cells so it might take a while until they develop anything that we can see."

Cedric's apparent resistance to the disease has been seen as a significant breakthrough.

The facial tumours are decimating devil numbers on Tasmania's east coast. Cedric is from a genetically different population on the other side of the island.

Scientists hope marsupials that share his genetic pattern could also be immune to the cancer or capable of responding to a vaccine.

If real progress is not made soon, experts worry that the Tasmanian Devil could be extinct within 20 years.

Selangor Sultan Supports The Disabled - StarMetro

QUICK COMMENT: Here's a very interesting piece of news that was first brought to my notice by my pal Kudsia Kahar, the General Manager, of AMP Radio Networks, Malaysia.

Just a quick note on Kuds: She has been my fan ever since her days as DJ (with Gary Thanasen) on Radio Muzik in her Caller At Twelve show. I met her for the first time last July when I approached her for help for our Society's charity dinner event.

I am pleased to say that not only is Kudsia a great animal fan; she is also a strong supporter of disabled persons and their rights to live equally with the rest of the able-bodied community in our society.

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Tuesday May 27, 2008

Consultant told to scrap frills in royal garden project

Story and photos by EDWARD RAJENDRA

The Sultan also wants the garden area friendly for the physically challenged... MUHAMMAD HIJAZ SANUSI

SELANGOR Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has ordered the Klang Royal Garden landscape consultant Tajul Landart to scrap two arches, a minaret, watch tower, souvenir kiosk and decorative lightings costing RM7.5mil, saying it was a waste of public funds.

Sultan Sharafuddin who is known for his no-nonsense attitude, ticked off the consultant for proposing the lavish frills that pushed the 6.3ha public garden project to an exorbitant RM11mil.

Now it cost just RM3.5 mill after the unnecessary frills were erased from the plan.

The Sultan had advised the consultants, National Landscape Department and Klang Municipal Council's Garden and Recreation Department director Muhammad Hijaz Sanusi to create a garden with a soul.

Hijaz said the Sultan devotes his time to givevaluable inputs so that the people can enjoy an urban oasis within the hustle and bustle of the township.

The Klang Royal Garden, scheduled to be open to the public in October this year, is sandwiched between Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan Istana Baru and Jalan Istana.

Part of it can be seen opposite the Our Lady of Lourdes Church where a fountain built a few years ago would be retained as part of the landscape together with the 80-year-old rainforest trees.

Garden with a soul: Part of the Klang Royal Garden with the designated children’s playground (left) and fountain.

“The Sultan also wants the garden area friendly for the physically challenged.

“People are going to love this green area as it will have a jogging track, gazebo, two open air plazas, outdoor fitness station, children's playground and park benches,” Hijaz added.

He said the garden would have about 18 species of flowering and fruit trees.

“Among the tree species to be planted are African Tulip, Tekoma, Putat and Tembusu. (These trees were chosen as Tuanku as he wanted trees that are easily maintained and attract birds,” he said.

End

Dog Whisperer Gets Tremendous Response - StarMetro

PETPOSITIVE NEWS: Thanks to PETPOSITIVE volunteer Captain Abdul Karim Stuart Russell for alerting us to this article in StarMetro's Northern section.

Yes, PETPOSITIVE did in fact get in touch with Barbara Janssen recently to help us out with one of our blind members. It was a wonderful success thanks to Barbara. Read PET+BLOGSPOT story HERE.

However, we would like to make some corrections to the StarMetro report. Our Society's full name is the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.

We did ask her to offer her dogs as a companion animal to our member who specifically wanted to interact with animals.

We did not ask her to "train dogs to lead the blind in St Nicholas."

We would like to clarify that there are currently no guide dogs (canines that lead the blind) in Malaysia. It would probably take years for that to happen here in our country.

The establishment of PETPOSITIVE on June 7, 2006, however, we hope will pave the way for such animals to become a regular feature in this country.

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Here now is The Star's article:

Tuesday May 6, 2008

Dog whisperer gets tremendous response

FOR the past few days, Barbara Janssen, the ‘dog whisperer’, has been busy answering calls from strangers wanting to adopt her stray dogs.

The phone has not stop ringing since StarMetro highlighted her noble mission, she said.

However, she said, those who called her were interested in only adopting adorable puppies.

Janssen also received a text message from a man who wanted to marry her!

Animal lover: Janssen bathing her dog.

”I was taken aback to know someone who wanted to marry an old lady but I told him I was already married with my dogs,” she quipped.

Despite the good response, Janssen’s mission to find the owner of a dog named Bobby came to naught and she is now thinking of putting it up for adoption.

”Bobby is a very sensitive dog. He needs a lot of attention and therefore, I’d prefer a family with only one child and a nice garden for Bobby to run around.

“I must also make sure that these people are ready to adopt him as there are a lot of complications involved in taking care of an adult dog,” she said.

Janssen was pleased when Lim Chai Gnoh, 86, told her that she was willing to adopt a grown up dog.

“All these while people have been calling me up asking for puppies when I do not have any now. No one was interested in a grown dog until Lim contacted me,” she said.

Janssen said a man, who identified himself as Anthony from the Animal Therapy Assistant Association, Kuala Lumpur, had also asked her whether she could train the dogs to lead the blind in St Nicholas.

She then contacted the centre and a man named Steven volunteered to visit her place during his free time to take care and play with the dogs.

“This way, I might have the time for a scrumptious dine-in at the restaurants or perhaps, go on a holiday,” she laughed.

She is also planning to extend her service to cheer up old folk or orphans who love dogs.

Janssen playing with her dogs.

Janssen is now in the process of setting up an association known as Animal Rescue Association Malaysia to help stray dogs and other animals.

The ‘dog whisperer’ used her own money to provide shelter and food for the dogs and her savings are slowly depleting.

Caring Malaysians have offered to help her financially since her story was published in The Star, but she does not have a bank account to accept public donations.

“I do not want people to accuse me of taking advantage of the situation,” she said.

Janssen is also planning to come out with a newsletter to educate children on the correct way to keep a pet.

END

Colin Farell Talks About Disability In His Life

QUICK COMMENT: Who would have imagined that it would be possible? But then again, when it comes to disability, everything usually is!

I didn't realised it myself until I came across a blog last week that highlighted the fact.

Gorgeous hunk Colin Farrell has a disability in his life which goes to prove that disability does in fact affect one person in ten in every community of the world.

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Here is the story from US MAGAZINE

Miami Vice actor Colin Farrell may have earned a reputation as a bad boy in Hollywood, but at home with his four-year-old son James, he is anything but. In a recent interview, Farrell spoke about his son's disability, a rare form of cerebral palsy called Angelman's Syndrome which affects his speech and motor skills, and how James has shown "amazing courage" even as a toddler.

Farrell, who has joint custody of his son with mom Kim Bordenave, recounts a recent milestone in James' life: his first steps. “He took his first steps about six weeks ago and it was four years in the making. All the work is his, he worked his arse off for four years. And when he took the first steps it was incredibly emotional, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.”

And the 31-year-old actor is committed to helping his son have even more such moments, by reaching his "individual potential." He says, "With my son the only time I'm reminded that there is something different about him – that he has some deviation of what is perceived to be normal – is when I see him with other four-year-olds. Then I go 'oh yeah' and it comes back to me. But from day one I felt that he's the way he's meant to be.”

Fortuitously, Farrell became involved in the Special Olympics prior to James' birth. “It's mad the way the world works. It's bizarre. I experienced the overwhelming effect of being around those athletes pretty much just before my son was born with special needs." For Farrell, both experiences have been enriching. "[I am] incredibly blessed to have him in my life," he says of James.

End

Malaysiakini: Stop Exploiting The Disabled

QUICK COMMENT: Here is our interview with Malaysiakini. We sincerely hope that Parliament House will finally get the message! And that is, stop exploiting the disabled for your own ends!

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

From Malaysiakini today

BE ASHAMED, DISABLED ACTIVIST TELLS PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

Disability activist Anthony Thanasayan has expressed shock and disappointment on comments made by Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia on rights’ group actions using the parliament lobby to garner support.

MCPX

“I’m sad and I can’t believe he has the audacity to make such remarks,” said Anthony, coordinator of Malaysians Against Discrimination of the Disabled (Madd).

On Thursday, the House speaker said the lobby is a place for parliamentarians to work and not for groups to voice their political agendas.

He also noted that all political matters should to be dealt outside the Parliament.

One event that came under fire from the speaker was the birthday celebration of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy's daughter W Vwaishhnnavi, 6, on May 21.

The speaker also raised concerns over the presence of Madd representatives on May 8 demanding an apology from Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali for comments targeted at wheelchair bound Karpal Singh, DAP chairperson and Bukit Gelugor MP.

Highlighting the lax security in Parliament, the speaker said he would be writing to all political party leaders to make sure certain such events are not repeated.

Responding to this, Anthony opined: “It’s despicable to say children and handicapped people are a security threat.

“What's more patronizing is to say we were used by the opposition for their own cause. If you are a decent human being, you would never resort to use other people’s weaknesses,” he said emphasising the opposition did not influence Madd’s appearance in Parliament.

“Does he think we have no brains? He should know we have more brains than him. We will not allow others to use us for their political mileage.

“They (Pakatan Rakyat) were the only ones to approach us and converse with us. Not the Barisan representatives. Parliament should give voiceless masses a chance to voice out, not reprimand us,” he added.

Other issues also raised

He stressed Parliament should hurry the amendment of Persons with Disabilities Act 2007 to include penalties against those who breach its provisions.

“Currently the act is made up of sweet words but nothing in there is effective,” he said.

Anthony also raised various other issues such as the absence of designated parking lots and lack of appropriate amenities in Parliament for disable persons.

“Parliament should be ashamed, our legislative assembly is a disgrace. The ramp used by those who are wheelchair bound is equivalent to the ones used to (deliver) goods.

“Even shopping malls have better facilities catered to the handicapped,” he said.

During the past weeks since Parliament started, civil society groups have used the august house to highlight their grouses and host various gatherings.

These include women’s rights, Malaysian Trade Union Congress and the migration working group.

End

Weekend View: NEW STRAITS TIMES ON PET+BLOGSPOT

QUICK COMMENT: This article appeared in the New Straits Times on Tuesday May 06, 2008.

PET+BLOGSPOT

ONE SERIOUS PET BLOG

ANTHONY Thanasayan has been working with all kinds of pets. He taps on their resources and skills to make a difference in the lives of disabled people of all ages and all kinds of disabilities including people with mental illness.

Through his blog Petpositive or The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association, (http://www.petpositive.blogspot.com), he has a platform to educate the public about animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and how it helps to empower the disabled and elderly in Malaysia to live a higher quality of life.

Thanasayan's blog is also used as a mechanism to reveal the plight of the disabled community.

"In Petpositive, although we are essentially about AAT, we have spoken out on a lot of things. We talked about employment problems, accessibility to public transport, buildings that are wheelchair-friendly and people's negative attitudes towards the handicapped," said Thanasayan, who is also the president of Petpositive.

He considers himself a serious blogger, and one of the main reasons is to help the disabled community's voice to be heard in an alternative way.

"I didn't really see the need for blogging until October last year, where I felt that there were many things that the disabled need to speak up candidly about our issues," he said.

Petpositive has given Thanasayan and AAT a chance to express views in their own words and perspective. "The blog offers the alternative medium. Although the readership is small, you'll get to say what you want and it is there for all to read permanently," he said.

Response-wise, Petpositive has been getting encouraging feedback from the community. "At least 20 per cent of our daily visitors are from overseas and some of them from countries I never even heard of," said Thanasayan.

"We try to keep our blog interactive with polls. There are several places where listeners can express their views, and this is really encouraging. But I guess the best 'response' is still their visits. Recently we had a record number of 1,297 visitors in only one day!" he said.

Every visit to Petpositive is meaningful. "The world reads what I write. I don't have to be an expert, and I learn as I go along. The blog also provides a vital link to disabled people and the elderly who are hidden from the society and at home, and also their caregivers," he said.

For Thanasayan, it's perfectly alright to be different physically. "There's no shame in being who you are. And I can tell that to the world," he said.

End

Parliament Not Disabled-Friendly

THE FOLLOWING is a press release by PETPOSITIVE which was printed in the Letters section of The Star yesterday.

Tuesday May 20, 2008

Parliament lacks facilities for the disabled

WE ARE most delighted to learn that work to expand the car park in the Parliament compound starts this week “80 more parking lots for Parliament,” (The Star, May 19).

It seems the decision was made after the Chief Administrator of Parliament Datuk Kamaruddin Baria noticed an increase of visitors to Parliament recently.

Datuk, did you also notice that Parliament House has no disabled-friendly car parks?

About 30 of us in wheelchairs and walking aids came to Parliament recently and had a terrible time trying to park our vehicles as able-bodied drivers took up all the lots.

The usual parking bay nearest to the entrance was about 200m or more away – a nightmare for people with walking difficulties as well as those in wheelchairs.

If space is a big concern, kindly give us at least two parking lots. They must be immediately next to the entrance of Parliament House.

If there is no shelter above the cars to protect us from the elements, one should be provided. The only ramp currently available to get into Parliament looks more like a goods ramp. It is steep and dangerous.

And while we are on the subject, there are also no disabled-friendly toilets in Parliament.

Not only did we feel outraged by this during our visit but it also made us extremely sad and embarrassed.

Has it occurred to you that we could very well be one of the few, or even the only Parliament House in the world that does not care to have any disabled-friendly features?

ANTHONY SIVA BALAN THANASAYAN,

President,

The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association

(PETPOSITIVE),

Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysiakini: Selangor goes live - Will disability be a regular feature?

GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE LIVING IN SELANGOR!

For the first time those of us living in Selangor will be able to follow the entire proceedings of the Selangor assembly live on our computers.

This is particularly great news for people with disabilities who can enjoy the happenings from our living rooms or even whilst lying on our beds. Of course, only if we have computers and the Internet services. Which by the way, still remains inaccessible for Malaysians with disabilities.

In our meeting with the state of Selangor's caring boss Rodziah Ismail last week, this was one of the important issues that PETPOSITIVE raised up with the Yang Berhormat.

We said that instead of just giving wheelchairs out to the disabled, caring concerns should consider giving out computers to the disabled.

Our points were taken positively.

The live reports from the Selangor assembly will also disclose how often - of it at all - issue of the disabled are raised in the talks.

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Here now is the malaysiakini story:

The Selangor assembly scored another first today when its proceedings were shown ‘live’ on the state government website, starting with the royal address.

MCPX

selangor dun webcast 210508 sultan enter" title="selangor dun webcast 210508 sultan enter" align="right" height="183" width="250">Operated at a cost of RM13,000, the webcast is on a trial run for the first sitting of the new legislative session, which was opened this morning by the sultan of Selangor.

This assembly, which will sit for four days up to Monday, is the first under the Pakatan Rakyat-led government.

Seri Setia state assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the state government had decided on the webcast in order to prove that the legislature will not serve as a mere ‘rubber stamp’.

“This is part of our efforts to promote transparency and accountability by empowering the state assembly,” he told Malaysiakini.

selangor dun webcast 210508 sultan" title="selangor dun webcast 210508 sultan" align="left" height="216" width="200">Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah devoted a large segment of his 75-minute address on stressing on the need to bring proper economic development to the state.

“The state government must ensure the improvement of economic performance and uplift living standards, human resources, education and health for my subjects,” he said.

He urged Selangor residents to be prudent in their spending, and told the government to encourage investments.

He also expressed concern over the way RM27 million in allocations for state assemblypersons had been spent in the first two months of the year.

Some Pakatan legislators had complained that the RM500,000 allocation for each constituency had been utilised before the general election on March 8.

selangor dun webcast 210508 sitting" title="selangor dun webcast 210508 sitting" align="left" height="188" width="250">The sultan also expressed concern over the soaring crime rate in the state and urged the authorities to take appropriate action.

Sungai Pinang representative Teng Chang Khim is the first non-Malay speaker of the assembly, while Taman Medan representative Haniza Takha is the first woman deputy speaker.

All but one of the 56-member state assembly were sworn in on April 22.

The remaining legislator, Kota Alam Shah representative M manoharan 01" title="m manoharan 01" align="right" height="64" width="64">Manoharan, took his oath on May 8 at the Kamunting detention camp in Perak, where he has been held since Dec 13 last year under the Internal Security Act.

The detention does not legally affect his position as a legislator, as there are no written laws to stipulate that an ISA detainee cannot continue to perform his or her duties.

However, his request to attend the legislative proceedings has been rejected.

Manoharan, a lawyer, is one of five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force who were arrested soon after a massive street protest by some 30,000 Indian Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur last November. They are serving out an initial two-year detention order.

BBC ONLINE: Alzheimers; Laughter The Best Medicine

Page last updated at 08:14 GMT, Thursday, 15 May 2008 09:14 UK

'Alzheimer's and my bizarre tennis'

Heather Roberts was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, three years ago It is not racket abuse when Heather Roberts, 53, flings her tennis racket across the court, but a sign of her encroaching Alzheimer's Disease. Yet as Heather, who was diagnosed aged 50, an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society, tells The One Show, she is determined to live a normal life for as long as possible especially her regular games of tennis. I used to be a good player and it's only occasionally that you see glimpses of this. Everything coordinates together and everything works and I can get the shot in. But a lot of the time it's sort of all over the place or the racket goes all over the court or I miss the ball or the timings wrong and I have been known to fall over; that's all part of the Alzheimer's and the way it affects me. Tennis is about getting all the factors right and getting the bits and pieces right, but most of the time I can't manage that. My brain is too busy trying to get all of the bits right and quite often I miss the shot all together. I think most people have spotted that something is wrong when I hit the ball astray. Laughter is the key to coping with Alzheimer's disease I do talk about it openly. Some people don't want to know, some people walk away while other people are interested to talk about it to explain my seemingly bizarre behaviour when I insist on throwing my racket across the court. Laughter is the key to coping with Alzheimer's disease, being able to laugh at myself and at the situation makes life more bearable and gives me a better quality of life. I have been known to lose track of money and not to understand the value of money this is something I'll check with my daughter Frances, is this the right amount of money for this thing? Because I've lost the ability to deal with that. We've got to talk about this, we've got to bring it out from cupboards and behind doors where it's all been hidden and we've got to talk about it. I'm going to fight this all the way down, but some days you can't fight this, you've got to give in gracefully. But most of the time I'm going to fight it all the way.

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT MR SENATOR!

MALAYSIA'S FIRST DISABLED SENATOR Prof Dr Ismail Mohd Salleh, should have shown his support for YB Karpal Singh in Parliament instead of remaining silent.

This was what more than half of readers opined in a PET+BLOGSPOT POLL recently.

They were reacting to the incident in April 30 last month when the DAP leader - in a wheelchair - was ridiculed by two Members of Parliament when they asked why he did not stand up first before addressing the House.

One of the MP is an Independent whilst the other is from Barisan.

The incident infuriated the disabled community - including Petpositive. It led the Society to jointly organise a memorandum handing-over event in Parliament House on the eighth of this month.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Ismail who is also adviser to the Prime Minister on matters regarding the disabled, commented that what had happened to Karpal was not a disabled issue.

His response has been condemned by Petpositive and the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor. Both leaders of the NGOs are longtime wheelchairs users.

"It is a disgrace that of all persons, a disabled senator, should say such a thing," said Anthony Thanasayan, leader of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.

"Ismail should vacate his position immediately and let someone else represent our needs in Parliament," echoed Francis Siva, president of the self-help support NGO ILTC.

Thirty three percent of the voters thought that Ismail who is also president of the Malaysian Association for the Blind, should speak up more for concerns of disabled people in Malaysia.

And equal number of respondents also called for his immediate resignation over the Karpal issue. They said his silence and lackadaisical attitude proved that he was inept for his position.

Some accused him of being only concerned about the blind.

However, PET+BLOGSPOT has received complaints from a number of blind individuals who say that Ismail has yet to raise any of their issues at all since his appointment as senator on December 19 of last year.

Only two voters thought that Ismail was doing a good job and that he should continue doing what he is currently doing.

PETPOSITIVE SAYS: Well, dear Senator, as they say, you better shape up real soon or get ready to ship out!

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Rodziah Ismail And The Disabled

QUICK COMMENT:

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES have always been campaigning for their right to be included in matters involving them.

Last Thursday, seven representatives from two well-known societies for the disabled (and the elderly) met up with the newly appointed Selangor welfare, women’s affairs, science, technology and innovation committee chairman Rodziah Ismail to highlight their concerns.

The one-hour meeting held in Shah Alam was initiated by Petpositive and coordinated by the Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang, Selangor.

Raising the awareness of the disabled and elderly among local councils is one of the objectives of Petpositive. We also highlighted the usefulness of animal-assisted therapy for handicapped and elderly people to YB Rodziah Ismail.

She was very receptive to the idea and pointed out to us that she had several cats of her own which play a therapeutic role in her life.

Petpositive was represented by Anthony Thanasayan and Captain Abdul Karim Stuart Russell. From the ILTC were Francis Siva (president), Gurdip Kaur (secretary), and three other members.

Immediately after our meeting, Star reporter Jade Chan conducted her interview with the YB.

Here is her report that came out on StarMetro on Saturday:

aNt
PET+BLOGSPOT

Saturday May 17, 2008

Disabled rep in councillor line-up proposed

By JADE CHAN

SELANGOR welfare, women’s affairs, science, technology and innovation committee chairman Rodziah Ismail is proposing to include a representative from the disabled group (orang kurang upaya or OKU) in the councillor line-up for Selangor.

In fact, she has already come up with 15 names.

»We want to educate the local governments to not only have disabled-friendly facilities, but to make sure these infrastructure can be used effectively and benefits the OKU« RODZIAH ISMAIL

“Ideally, there should be an OKU representative in each councillor line-up.

“If there aren't enough qualified candidates, the next best would be a representative from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that represents the OKU group.

“My focus right now is to start with the local governments in urban areas like Petaling Jaya City Council, Shah Alam City Council, Subang Jaya Municipal Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council and Klang Municipal Council, followed by those in rural areas,” she said.

Rodziah said a trip to a fast food chain sparked the idea for her proposal.

Though the outlet provided a ramp and parking space for the disabled, she said that the ramp was steep and slippery, and the parking space was too far from the outlet's entrance.

“We want to educate the local governments to not only have disabled-friendly facilities, but to make sure these infrastructure can be used effectively and benefits the OKU,” said Rodziah.

“What the people must understand is that the OKU is not asking for sympathy. They want to be independent and most prefer to function unaided.”

Among the requirements Rodziah said she looked into are the candidates' background, resume and ability to speak up on behalf of the OKU.

According to her, the representative's role in the council includes:

> acting as a pressure group for new project developments to meet certain code of ethics and OKU specifications

> finding out the places that are the focus of OKUs (buildings, recreational places, markets, medical centres, banks) and evaluating its facilities

> reviewing all existing facilities for the OKU and restructuring them if necessary, while making sure they're properly utilised

> looking into setting a community centre that caters to the OKU's needs, including an IT centre and library

“There is a lot of infrastructure to look into, including roads, ramps, lifts, public transport and guide blocks for the blind.

“Besides catering for the disabled, having such facilities would also benefit senior citizens and people with temporary injuries that limit their mobility.

“I have personally interviewed the potential candidates to evaluate their capabilities, but I would've preferred a longer time frame to select the best among the best,” said Rodziah, adding that the candidates were sourced from submitted applications and recommendations.

She said both the Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Selangor local government, research and study committee chairman Ronnie Liu are supportive of the idea.

“I've already submitted the 15 names to Ronnie's office, and we'll be having our final discussion next week.

“Once they're selected for the local councils, we'll have ongoing discussions and work with engineers to develop the best facilities for them.

“I'll also review their performance from time to time.“

Also see ILTC

Weekend View: DISABILITY MUCH CLOSER THAN WE THINK

THOSE who have always assumed that people in wheelchairs have no excitement in their lives must surely have second thoughts by now.

Especially if they had been watching TV lately or reading the newspapers last week.

The attention we got was more than anyone could ask for!

Every media was there. The flashlight popping frenzy not only temporarily blinded us but also made us dizzy.

I’m, of course, referring to the memorandum that we handed over to Members of Parliament last Thursday.

About 30 of us – mostly in wheelchairs but all with physical disabilities – from seven NGOs under the name Malaysians Against Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD) were there.

We demanded that insults with reference to the people with disabilities (PWDs) made by our MPs to be stopped at once. Those failing to do so should be promptly disciplined, we added.

“We do not care what the arguments are between each political party,” we told everyone.

“Just respect our conditions and leave us out of your personal fights.

“We are not ‘toys’ or ‘weapons’ to be used for your own ends,” we stressed.

Our frustrations over the matter were based on the fact that as it is our issues and needs rarely get the attention it deserves in Parliament.

“So if you can’t be positive; we rather that you don’t say anything about us,” we told our lawmakers.

The victim over the latest incident was our famed “Tiger of Bukit Gelugor” Karpal Singh. This was not the first time that the wheelchair-using MP was unkindly teased about his disability.

Last year an able-bodied MP said that God had put him in a wheelchair, meaning that his disability was a punishment by God.

A fortnight ago, two other non disabled MPs during a Parliamentary session ridiculed the DAP leader for not being able to stand up like the rest of them to deliver his speech.

When confronted by the media later, they continued to make other hurtful remarks. One of them was that they did not know that Karpal is a PWD or that he represents them.

How could anyone expect Karpal to stand up with his paralysis?

Our purpose to go to Parliament was not to support Karpal Singh as a politician. It was also not because he was a DAP-member.

We went there to do our duty. That is, to be in solidarity with a man who was suddenly struck – almost overnight, it seems, - by a condition that had changed his life forever.

In fact, disability is much closer to all of us than we think. It can strike anyone at any time – especially when you are older.

I wonder if our honourable MPs realise this?

Karpal was not around when we handed over our memorandum.

However, we did get the chance to see him when he came to Parliament later in the afternoon.

It took at least three persons to coordinate and carry him into his wheelchair because he could not do it himself.

However, it truly inspired us all to see this man, fully dressed in his suit and carrying on his duties as usual for his constituents and his country.

This is exactly the kind of role models we so badly need in our country not only for the disabled but also for the non-handicapped.

Most people in such a condition would be tempted to give up in life.

I know quite a few once strong able-bodied persons crumble when confronted with such a situation.

It is particularly extra hard for such robustly independent individuals to suddenly have to switch roles and lead a life when they have to be dependent on others for assistance.

Do our MPs know this?

As disabled NGOs it is also incredibly frustrating when it comes to breaking stigmas attached to disabilities.

The perception of PWDs so-called “inabilities” is the reason why many of them can’t go to schools, get jobs, get married and do normal things that others do.

The design of Parliament House itself was unbelievably hostile to us. The entrance ramp is amateurishly built. There are no disabled-friendly toilets anywhere.

As a result, we were forced to stay away from any liquids for the almost six hours that we were there. By doing so, we also risked developing urine infections from not drinking water – a potential killer for PWDs in wheelchairs.

Able-bodied people rushed into lifts ahead of us. They had no courtesy to take the stairs instead. We ended up waiting for more than half an hour to get upstairs.

There was not a single disabled-friendly car park outside. We were made to park quite a distance away from the entrance. No one offered to help push our wheelchairs as we breathlessly struggled to wheel up steep slopes under the unforgiving sun.

And yet, we were just right there: the most important and highest house in our blessed land where our hopes for a better future lay!

End

PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR THE DISABLED MALAYSIA - malaysiakini

The Malaysian Animal-assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PetPositive) joins hands with all disabled Malaysians and organisations committed to their cause in and outside the country to welcome the coming into force of the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

MCPX

This landmark treaty which was adopted two years ago was made available for signatures in March of last year. With Ecuador being the 20th nation to ratify the significant agreement last month, the CRPD took effect on May 3.

We are especially thrilled that our nation, Malaysia, has also signed the document in New York last month. By doing so, our government has taken the first all-important step to keep its promise and determination to improve the quality of lives of all Malaysians with disabilities.

However, there are two more significant steps for Malaysia to take with utmost urgency. We have to ratify and then implement the CRPD treaty, seeing to it carefully that the ‘Optional Protocol’ section is accepted without conditions or changes.

The Optional Protocol provides disabled people with a means of redress for individuals or groups who feel that their government has violated the convention and where national remedies have been exhausted.

It is only after this that our disabled citizens can truly, fully and finally enjoy the rights and dignity that our society has long denied them.

The CRPD will finally provide 650 million handicapped people around the globe and in Malaysia what they have been asking all their lives - a chance to go to school, find jobs, get married, raise a family and retire peacefully like everyone else.

PetPositive urges all political parties in both the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat to do everything in their power to make this a reality for disabled Malaysians who have been left out of our mainstream society for far too long.

Here and now is the chance for us all to prove to the world and our society that we really care for our disabled citizens!

The writer is president, the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (PetPositive).

Also in yesterday's The Star:

Thursday May 15, 2008

Treaty a step forward for the disabled

THE Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive) joins hands with all disabled Malaysians and organisations committed to their cause in and outside the country to welcome the coming into force of the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The landmark treaty that was adopted two years ago was made available for signatures in March of last year. With Ecuador being the 20th nation to ratify the significant agreement last month, the CRPD took effect on May 3.

We are especially thrilled that Malaysia, also signed the document in New York last month.

By doing so, our Government has taken the first all-important step to keep up with its promise and determination to improve the quality of life of all Malaysians with disabilities.

However, there are two more significant steps for Malaysia to take with utmost urgency.

We have to ratify; and then implement the CRPD treaty, carefully seeing to it that the “Optional Protocol” section is accepted without conditions or changes.

The Optional Protocol provides disabled people a means of redress for individuals or groups who feel that their government has violated the convention and where national remedies have been exhausted.

It is only after this that our disabled citizens can truly, fully and finally enjoy the rights and dignity that our society has long denied them.

The CRPD will finally provide the 650 million handicapped people around the globe and in Malaysia what they have been asking all their lives: a chance to go to school, find jobs, get married, raise a family and retire peacefully like everyone else.

Petpositive urges all political parties in both the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat to do everything in their power to make this a reality for disabled Malaysians who have been left out of our mainstream society for far too long.

Here and now is the chance for us all to prove to the world and our society that we really care for our disabled citizens!

ANTHONY SIVA BALAN THANASAYAN,

President,

The Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.

Also in yesterday's The New Straits Times:

Helping the Disabled: Treat Pact As An Urgent Issue

The treaty will enable the disabled to enjoy the rights society has long denied them.

THE Malaysian Animal-assisted Therapy For The Disabled And Elderly Association (Petpositive) joins hands with all disabled Malaysians and organisations committed to their cause to welcome the coming into force of the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The landmark treaty, adopted two years ago, was made available for signatures in March last year. With Ecuador being the 20th nation to ratify the agreement last month, the CRPD took effect on May 3.

We are especially thrilled that our nation, Malaysia, also signed the document in New York last month. Our Government has taken the first all-important step to keep its promise to improve the quality of life of all Malaysians with disabilities.

However, there are two more significant steps for Malaysia to take with utmost urgency: we have to ratify, and then implement the CRPD treaty, seeing to it that the Optional Protocol section is accepted without conditions or changes.

The Optional Protocol provides disabled people a means of redress for individuals or groups who feel that their government has violated the convention and where national remedies have been exhausted.
It is only after this that our disabled citizens can truly enjoy the rights and dignity that our society has long denied them.

The CRPD will finally provide the 650 million handicapped people around the globe and in Malaysia what they have been asking all their lives: a chance to go to school, find jobs, get married, raise a family and retire peacefully like everyone else.

Petpositive urges all political parties to work to ensure this a reality for disabled Malaysians. Here and now is the chance for us all to prove to the world and our society that we really care for our disabled citizens.

In yesterday's Malay Mail:

WELCOMING RIGHT OF THE DISABLED > Show that you care

Dear Editor, THE Malaysian Animalassisted Therapy For The Disabled and Elderly Association (PETPOSITIVE) joins hands with all disabled Malaysians and organisations committed to their cause to welcome the coming into force of the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The landmark treaty which was adopted two years ago was made available for signatures in March last year. With Ecuador being the 20th nation to ratify the signifi cant agreement last month, the CRPD took effect on May 3.

We are especially thrilled that our nation, Malaysia, also signed the document in New York last month.

By doing so, our Government has taken the fi rst all-important step to keep up with its promise and determination to improve the quality of lives of all Malaysians with disabilities.

However, there are two more signifi cant steps for Malaysia to take with utmost urgency.

We have to ratify; and then implement the CRPD treaty, seeing to it carefully that the ‘Optional Protocol’ section is accepted without conditions or changes.

The Optional Protocol provides disabled people a means of redress for individuals or groups who feel that their government has violated the convention and where national remedies have been exhausted.

It is only after this that our disabled citizens can truly, fully and fi nally enjoy the rights and dignity that our society has long denied them.

The CRPD will fi nally provide the 650 million handicapped people around the globe and in Malaysia what they have been asking all their lives: a chance to go to school, fi nd jobs, get married, raise a family and retire like everyone else.

PETPOSITIVE urges all political parties in both the Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat to do everything in their powers to make this a reality for disabled Malaysians who have been left out of our mainstream society for far too long.

Here and now is the chance for us all to prove to the world and our society that we really care for our disabled citizens! Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan PETPOSITIVE president, Kuala Lumpur