My friend is the Organising Chairman for an event to raise funds for the disabled to buy assistive equipment in order for them to live independently. This convoy is jointly organised together with Beautiful Gates, Independent Living For the Disabled, Selangor and D to D Services and fully supported by Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Malaysia. We will flag off at Berjaya Times Square and head towards the LRT @ Central Market for a trip to LRT @ KLCC. From KLCC, the convoy will travel back to Berjaya Times Square.
Really appreciate your contribution as well as coming in as volunteer and help on the media coverage.PRESS RELEASE
“ONE
A Convoy of Disabled Persons from
December 6th 2009
Society of Independent Living for Disabled Persons in collaboration with Beautiful Gate
Foundation for the Disabled and D to D Services are commemorating the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons on the 6th December 2009. In conjunction with this global event, a convoy of persons with disabilities will be travelling from the
the severely disabled persons. We hope to raise public awareness of the right of this group of disabled persons to be integrated into our community and to independent living so that our country can truly be called “One Malaysia”.
We believe that with appropriate assistive devices, adequate support systems and a barrier-free environment, severely disabled persons will also be able to pursue independent living. Many people have knowledge about assistive devices, the need for a barrier-free environment and are in close relationship with disabled persons but are not aware of the type of support system they need. Basically, severely disabled persons who want to integrate into the community and pursue independent living will require the services of a “personal assistant” to enable them to perform activities of daily living.
We are convinced and firmly believe that anyone who has the ability to think independently and the ability to make personal decisions regardless of the seriousness of one’s disability; he/she can pursue independent living in the community. Therefore, our government should adopt best practices from the many European countries and
Appropriate assistive devices have a direct impact on the quality of life and the pursuit
of independent living for those with severe disabilities. In order for them to live independently and make significant contribution to society, they must rely on powered wheelchairs. At present, the cost of the imported variety of powered wheelchairs is rather prohibitive costing more than RM10,000 per unit. This is certainly beyond the means of most persons with disabilities.
Recognizing this impediment, a group of persons with severe disabilities with more than 20 years of personal experience in the use of wheelchairs, successfully manufactured a local model of powered wheelchair. While this is comparable to the imported ones in terms of quality, spare parts are easily available and after sales service is reliable. The most important feature is of course that the cost of the local made powered wheelchair is priced at less than 30% or even more. Despite this service, many disabled persons still find it difficult to purchase one and therefore, we are appealing to the public for sponsor ship.
Of course, the most critical aspect of living a productive and independent life is having an accessible public transport system and the built environment. Without this, even the best assistive devise will remain an obstacle for disabled people. They will continue to be isolated in the four walls of their own homes and remain in a state of hopelessness for the rest of their lives.
The “One Malaysia” convoy of disabled persons on wheelchairs from
This is the first of such event in
Name:
Mr Thomas Yeoh
Tel
No: 03 – 7875 0943 or 012 423 0604
Address:
96, Jalan 21/1,
Jaya, Selangor
A/C
No: Public Bank Berhad 3147121504 (payable to “Society of Independent Living for the Disabled, Selangor”
MEDIA COVERAGE INVITATION
“OKU CONVOY 2009”
To Whom It May Concerned
We are proud to invite your company to provide media coverage for a charity event with details as set out below.
Objectives of the OKU CONVOY
In conjunction with International Day For Disabled Persons, Society of Independent Living for Disabled Selangor, Beautiful Gate Foundation and D to D Services are organizing a "Convoy by Disabled in Kuala Lumpur” ("OKU CONVOY") with the aim to raise public awareness on the important of barrier free environment and inclusive society, to encourage disabled people to live an independent life, and to raise funds to purchase disability assistive devices. This is the first time a convoy of such nature is being organised in Malaysia by people who have “severe disabilities” in Malaysia.
Details of event:
Date : 6th December 2009
Time : 7.45am to 4.30pm
Venue : Berjaya
Please refer to Appendix I of this letter for further details on route and programme flow.
Importance of Assistive Device
A suitable assistive device is very important in enabling a disabled person to pursue an independent life. For example, people who have disabilities need a motorized wheel chair to move around independently. This is the only way that can restore him/her with normal life and leading him/her to live with dignity. Unfortunately, most of the disabled people cannot afford to buy assistive devices which suit to their conditions.
We look forward for your favorable reply. Any enquiries please do not hesitate to contact Sean Lai Yew Hoong (012 2262 037) or Joanne Chan Poh Yen (012 612 6696).
Yours Sincerely
Sean Lai Yew Hoong (IC No: 781203 05 5189)
Details of the OKU CONVOY
There will be approximately 100-150 participants comprising a mixture of "orang kurang upaya" ("OKU") and non OKU in the convoy. The participants will be separated into approximately 5-8 person per team.
Convoy Journey
The convoy will be flagged off at Berjaya Times Square, a landmark commercial are in Kuala Lumpur, and passess thru Jalan Pudu to reach the Putra LRT Station at Central Market. The convoy will then board the LRT train to head to KLCC as the next destination. A lunch break will be held in KLCC and the final route will start from KLCC back to Berjaya Times Square.
Mini Roadshow
Once the convoy begins from Berjaya Times Square, there will be a mini roadshow held at Berjaya Times Square. The mini roadshow comprises media coverage on the journey of the convoy, mini concert by artists, demonstration of wheel chair usage, various games and donation drive. The mini roadshow will end when the convoy comes back to Berjaya Times Square for a closing ceremony.
Closing Ceremony
Closing ceremony is to mark the closing of the event and there will continuity of singing by artists, dance performance by Beautiful Gates as well as an official closing speech by invited guess.
Programme flow:
For OKU Convoy
7.45 am Registration at Berjaya
8.30 am Introduction and speech by VIP (Minister) / Celebrities
9.00 am Flag off for Convoy Journey
12.00 pm Lunch break at KLCC
1.30 pm Convoy continues from KLCC
3.00 pm Convoy returns to Berjaya Times Square
For Mini Road Show
11.00 am Mini Road Show at Berjaya Times Square begins
3.00 pm End
For Closing Ceremony
3.30 pm Begin
4.30 pm End
Do contact me if you need further clarifications.
