Friday, November 13, 2009

WEEKEND VIEW: PJ Right On Track With Handicapped Friendly Facilities


DATELINE PETALING JAYA: 

Lots of good things are poised to happen for people with disabilities soon, thanks to the initiative and intervention of Petpositive.

First of all, Petpositive, also known as the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly is expecting to meet Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil early next week to talk about disability issues.

When that meeting takes place we hope to update the Minister from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry about some of the pressing issues confronting the handicapped community in Malaysia today.

We also intend to highlight to her about the unique role of animal-assisted therapy in helping the disabled and the elderly achieve a higher quality of life for themselves through their special pet companions.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is also expected to deliberate the issue if dog licenses should be given free to the disabled and elderly communities in Petaling Jaya.

Petpositive has put a strong case to the local council as to why they should offer free dog licenses to these special groups.

In addition to recognising and supporting the role of animal-assisted therapy in the nation, giving dog licenses free to these marginalised groups would also help to legitimise the pet ownership of many disabled and residents who are presently keeping pets without licenses.

Finally, expect to see more street pavements in PJ being made more friendly to wheelchair users and the blind in the near future.

These features will be evident more to upgrading of pavements in PJ.

Residents in PJ within the next couple of months will also be able to witness an increase of disabled parking spots to more wheelchair friendly facilities in the PJ Civic Centre and the Library in Old Town.

PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Our blog which was first established in October 2007 currently has more than 30,000 hits. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of Petpositive.

You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my

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